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As the 2024 MLB season marches along, several stud fantasy pitchers are on this week's injury report. More often than not, these ailments will have significant effects on lineup decisions. Let's take a look at injured pitchers Framber Valdez, Blake Snell, Cristian Javier, Max Scherzer, Brayan Bello, Gavin Williams, A.J. Puk, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for pitchers as of April 25, 2024. Whether your top ace is out of action, or a depth player is banged up, some players on this list are sure to affect fantasy baseball lineup decisions.
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Framber Valdez Injury Update
Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez (elbow) threw 40 pitches in a bullpen session on Tuesday at Wrigley Field and is expected to come off the injured list and start one of the team's games in Mexico City against the Colorado Rockies this weekend. Right-hander Ronel Blanco will start the other game. The 30-year-old Valdez was put on the 15-day injured list on April 9 with left elbow inflammation.
Framber Valdez threw 40 pitches in the bullpen today at Wrigley Field and is expected to come off the injured list and start one of the games in Mexico City this weekend. Ronel Blanco will start the other game.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) April 24, 2024
The fact that he's not going to pitch in a minor-league rehab game before returning to the major-league starting rotation should have fantasy managers hesitant to use him in his first start back from the IL, even if the matchup is a juicy one against the Rockies away from Coors Field. The two-time All-Star should still be rostered in all fantasy leagues and was looking good in his first two starts of 2024 before going on the shelf.
Blake Snell Injury Update
San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin classified left-hander Blake Snell's groin strain as moderate, and he could stay on the injured list beyond 15 days, but that's to be determined right now. Snell felt the groin strain while throwing a bullpen session the other day and shut himself down briefly, but he didn't feel good when he tried throwing again.
Bob Melvin classified Blake Snell’s adductor strain as moderate, could remain on the IL beyond the 15 days but that’s to be determined. He felt it throwing a bullpen the other day and shut himself down briefly, didn’t feel good when he tried throwing again.
— Shayna Rubin (@ShaynaRubin) April 24, 2024
He was scheduled to make his next start on Wednesday against the New York Mets. In a bullpen game against the Mets on Wednesday, Ryan Walker will serve as the opener. The 31-year-old Snell is not only hurt now but is 0-3 with a rough 11.57 ERA and 1.97 WHIP with 12 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings in his first three starts with the Gigantes. Fantasy managers must stash the two-time Cy Young winner in an IL spot in all leagues and hope that he'll be better when he returns to full health.
Cristian Javier Injury Update
Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier (neck) played catch on Wednesday back in Houston. Javier is not with the team during their road series with the Chicago Cubs after flying back home on Tuesday to get checked out by team doctors, but it's encouraging to hear he's throwing. The 27-year-old star right-hander is working his way back from discomfort in his right neck, and it's unclear if he'll need a brief rehab assignment before being activated from the 15-day injured list.
Framber Valdez threw a 40-pitch bullpen session today that went well. The expectation is still that he will start one of the games in Mexico City this weekend. Also, Cristian Javier played catch today back in Houston.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) April 24, 2024
Fantasy managers should expect him to remain sidelined through early May, though. Although he has a weak 18:11 K: BB through 23 1/3 innings (four starts) for the Stros, Javier's 1.54 ERA and 1.11 WHIP make him a must-stash player. Rookie right-hander Spencer Arrighetti is making starts in Houston's injury-riddled rotation, but he's struggled to muster much fantasy usability to this point.
Max Scherzer Injury Update
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (back) made his first appearance of 2024 in Wednesday's minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Round Rock, surrendering three runs on five hits (two home runs) with four punchouts. The long ball plagued Scherzer a year ago as well, serving up 28 homers over 27 starts, so fantasy managers hope he's getting those issues out of his system before he rejoins the major league roster.
With Scherzer's target being an early May return to Texas' rotation after offseason back surgery, he appears likely to make at least two more rehab starts before becoming available to fantasy managers. Even so, the 39-year-old future Hall of Famer has a chance to crush the late-round ADP he carried in the spring due to concerns he'd be out until midseason. Last season, Scherzer recorded a rock-solid 3.20 ERA (3.41 FIP), 0.95 WHIP, and 53:15 K: BB over 45 frames (eight starts) after joining the Rangers. (MLB.com)
Brayan Bello Injury Update
Boston Red Sox right-hander Brayan Bello (lat) has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to right-lat tightness. The club has recalled right-hander Zack Kelly to take his spot on the active roster. It's another tough injury blow to the club's starting rotation as both Garrett Whitlock and Nick Pivetta are sidelined.
The #RedSox today placed RHP Brayan Bello on the 15-Day Injured List, retroactive to April 21, with right lat tightness.
To fill Bello’s spot on the active roster, the club recalled RHP Zack Kelly from Triple-A Worcester.
— Red Sox (@RedSox) April 24, 2024
Additionally, slugger Triston Casas recently suffered a rib fracture, Trevor Story is out for the season due to shoulder surgery, and Vaughn Grissom has yet to make his Red Sox debut due to a hamstring issue. Bello, the team's Opening Day starter, has worked to a quality 3.04 ERA across five starts, posting a solid 17.3% K-BB% in that time while generating ground balls at another healthy 51.3% rate.
Gavin Williams Injury Update
Cleveland Guardians right-hander Gavin Williams (elbow) felt the same right elbow discomfort after his latest start in Arizona as he did this spring. He will receive an injection and will be shut down for seven days as a result. The Guardians are hoping Williams can then resume throwing and won't be set back too far. It's obviously bad news, and there remains no timetable for a potential return for the 24-year-old.
Gavin Williams felt the same elbow discomfort after his start in Arizona as he did this spring. He’ll be getting an injection and will be shut down for 7 days. The team hopes he can then resume throwing and won’t be set back too far.
— Mandy Bell (@MandyBell02) April 24, 2024
Williams started last year at Double-A Akron before making it all the way to Cleveland's starting rotation in his rookie campaign, where he impressed by going 3-5 with a 3.29 ERA (4.05 FIP) and 1.26 WHIP with 37 walks and 81 strikeouts in 82 innings over 16 starts. It's becoming more of an uphill battle for Williams to return to the Guardians in the first half of 2024.
Garrett Whitlock Injury Update
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Whitlock (oblique) still hasn't been cleared to throw off a mound yet. Although Whitlock played catch on Saturday, fantasy managers should not be expecting him to be activated from the 15-day injured list when first eligible on May 1 at the pace he's progressing through his throwing program.
The 27-year-old right-hander left with a strained left oblique on April 16's start versus the visiting Cleveland Guardians, and his 1.96 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 17 strikeouts through 18 1/3 innings (four starts) for the BoSox make him a worthwhile stash in all mixed fantasy leagues. Boston will likely turn to a heavy dose of openers and long relievers until some of their arms return to their injury-depleted rotation. After throwing five scoreless innings in Wednesday's win over Cleveland, right-hander Cooper Criswell might get himself into streaming conversations in the proper matchups. (MLB.com)
A.J. Puk Injury Update
Miami Marlins left-hander A.J. Puk (shoulder) will pitch out of the bullpen when he returns to the major-league roster, according to manager Skip Schumaker. The experiment as a starter in Miami's rotation was a failed one for Puk, who is nursing fatigue in his left shoulder following just four appearances and holds a dismal 9.22 ERA, 2.63 WHIP, and a 12:17 K: BB over 13 2/3 innings.
According to #Marlins manager Skip Schumaker:
When A.J. Puk returns it’ll be out of the bullpen.
As for Sixto Sánchez, it depends whether he gets another start. See how today goes first.
— Christina De Nicola (@CDeNicola13) April 24, 2024
Although Puk's return timetable from the issue remains unclear, this development is bad news for the rest-of-season outlook of closer Tanner Scott, who is going to have some competition for ninth-inning work when Puk is eventually reinstated from the 15-day injured list. With Scott carrying a 3.38 ERA (5.88 FIP) and 1.68 WHIP while striking out 10 hitters and walking 12 through his first 10 2/3 frames of the 2024 regular season, it probably behooves fantasy managers to field some sell-high trade offers after Puk picked up 15 saves in 2023.
John Means Injury Update
Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde says the team is discussing whether starting pitcher John Means' (forearm) next start will come in Triple-A Norfolk or for the major-league club. The O's don't have a starter scheduled for Sunday's series finale versus the visiting Oakland Athletics, so there's a chance Means will make his 2024 regular-season debut in that one.
Brandon Hyde says the Orioles are discussing whether John Means’ next start comes in Norfolk or for the Orioles. Sunday is TBA re Baltimore’s starter, Hyde said.
Cionel Pérez is also beginning a rehab assignment today, pitching for the Tides
— Andy Kostka (@afkostka) April 24, 2024
While the 31-year-old left-hander struggled mightily with a 13.89 ERA, 2.31 WHIP, and 14:6 K: BB over 11 2/3 innings (five starts) during his minor-league rehab assignment, a matchup at home against the lowly A's would certainly put him on the streaming radar right off the bat in fantasy leagues. Means is on the mend from a strained left forearm, but if he needs one last rehab appearance, veteran right-hander Albert Suarez has fired 11 1/3 scoreless frames with nine strikeouts in two starts for Baltimore and would get the ball on Sunday instead.
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