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Thursday MLB action is set to begin, and unfortunately, there are several key fantasy baseball hurlers in the injury headlines. To stay up to date, let's take a look at injured pitchers Blake Snell, Grayson Rodriguez, Ryan Pepiot, Pete Fairbanks, Max Scherzer, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for pitchers as of May 9, 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.
To keep close tabs on all of the news across the MLB, make sure to favorite or bookmark the fantasy baseball player news page, and download the free RotoBaller fantasy baseball mobile app with push notification alerts on all the latest news. Let's look at the injury updates for pitchers.
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Blake Snell Injury Update
San Francisco Giants left-hander Blake Snell (groin) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Thursday and then start a minor-league rehab assignment with Single-A San Jose on Sunday, according to manager Bob Melvin. Snell started facing live hitters on Tuesday and is ready to take the next step by pitching in a minor-league game later this weekend.
Blake Snell is scheduled to throw a bullpen tomorrow then is expected to pitch a rehab assignment game in San Jose on Sunday, Bob Melvin said.
— Shayna Rubin (@ShaynaRubin) May 8, 2024
The 31-year-old is recovering from an adductor strain and figures to pitch in more than one rehab game after starting the year late given the timing of his signing with the Giants. In his first three starts with the Giants, Snell lost all three starts while allowing 15 earned runs on 18 hits (two home runs) while walking five and striking out 12 in 11 2/3 innings. It's not the start his fantasy managers were hoping for, but Snell is also a notoriously slow starter and needs to be rostered in all leagues for his high-strikeout upside.
Grayson Rodriguez Injury Update
Baltimore Orioles right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (shoulder) threw a 15-pitch bullpen session on Wednesday, his first time throwing off a mound since landing on the 15-day injured list last week with right shoulder inflammation. Rodriguez mixed in all of his pitches on Wednesday and felt good after the session. It remains to be seen if the Orioles will send the 24-year-old out on a minor-league rehab assignment, but in any case, it's looking like he won't have to miss much time.
Grayson Rodriguez threw 15 pitches off a mound today, the first time he was on the bump since hitting the IL. Mixed in all his pitches, felt good after.
— Matt Weyrich (@ByMattWeyrich) May 8, 2024
It's great news for his fantasy baseball managers. The former 11th overall pick in 2018 should remain rostered in all fantasy formats. Rodriguez has started the season going 4-1 with a 3.71 ERA (3.56 FIP) and 1.41 WHIP while walking 12 and striking out 37 in 34 innings over his six starts.
Ryan Pepiot Injury Update
The Tampa Bay Rays officially placed right-hander Ryan Pepiot (leg) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to May 6) on Wednesday with a left lower-leg contusion. Pepiot, who took a line drive off his leg in his last outing on Sunday against the New York Mets, will be eligible to come off the injured list on May 21. Because the 26-year-old isn't dealing with an arm injury of any kind, there's a good chance he'll return for fantasy baseball managers when he's eligible.
The Tampa Bay Rays have placed RHP Ryan Pepiot on the 15-Day Day Injured List (retro to 5/6) with a left lower leg contusion and reinstated RHP Taj Bradley from the 15-Day Injured List.
— Rays Communications (@RaysPR) May 8, 2024
The former third-round selection of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2019 out of Butler has a 3-2 record, a solid 3.68 ERA (3.66 FIP), and 0.93 WHIP with 11 walks and 41 strikeouts in 36 2/3 innings over his first seven starts in 2024. Pepiot is a solid asset in all fantasy leagues, but be mindful of the fact that he's never gone over 42 innings pitched in his two major league seasons.
Pete Fairbanks Injury Update
Tampa Bay Rays closer Pete Fairbanks (arm) is set to make another minor-league rehab appearance on Friday. After throwing a scoreless inning for Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, Fairbanks is scheduled for another outing in the minors before returning from a nerve-related issue and rejoining Tampa Bay's bullpen.
Barring any setbacks, the Rays could activate the hard-throwing 30-year-old right-hander from the injured list following that assignment. Although he's given up seven earned runs and walked eight over seven innings this year, Fairbanks has three saves as well as a respectable 3.72 FIP and should reclaim the closing gig upon his return. Until then, Jason Adam should remain the favorite for saves and is worth holding in the majority of fantasy leagues. (MLB.com)
Max Scherzer Injury Update
Texas Rangers general manager Chris Young said that right-hander Max Scherzer (back, thumb) has been shut down from throwing for a few days while still dealing with a right thumb/forearm issue. Scherzer doesn't have a timetable to resume throwing, but Young said he won't throw again until any tightness/discomfort is gone. The Rangers aren't going to take any chances with the 39-year-old veteran, who hasn't pitched in the big leagues since having surgery on Dec. 15 to fix a herniated disc in his back.
Chris Young said that Max Scherzer has been shut down from throwing for a few days as he still has the thumb/forearm issue. No timetable, but Young said that Scherzer won't throw again until any tightness/discomfort is gone. #Rangers
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilsonTXR) May 8, 2024
Scherzer's thumb became a problem after his first minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Round Rock on April 24. Originally hoping to return to Texas' starting rotation in May, Scherzer could now be pushed back until June, depending on when he resumes throwing. With Dane Dunning (shoulder) now on the injured list, Jose Urena should stay locked into the rotation for at least a bit longer.
Bryan Woo Injury Update
Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo (elbow) is expected to come off the injured list to join the team's starting rotation for a series at home this weekend against the visiting Oakland Athletics. Young right-hander Emerson Hancock seems set to be optioned back to the minors when Woo returns.
The 24-year-old flew under the radar after his big-league debut in 2023, when he went 4-5 with a 4.21 ERA (4.36 FIP) and 1.21 WHIP with 31 walks and 93 strikeouts in 87 2/3 innings in his first 18 major-league starts. Woo is worth looking into for pitching depth for those in deeper fantasy leagues, and he's set up for a good matchup this weekend against the A's. The former sixth-round pick in 2021 Cal Poly displayed a modest strikeout rate in his first year in the majors and was hurt by the long ball. (Seattletimes.com)
Ryan Pressly Injury Update
Houston Astros right-handed reliever Ryan Pressly (back), who hasn't pitched since last Friday, is dealing with soreness in his lower back, according to manager Joe Espada. Pressly played catch on Wednesday, and Espada said he "felt OK" and termed it "nothing worrisome right now."
Ryan Pressly, who last pitched Friday, has soreness in his lower back, Joe Espada said. Pressly played catch today and Espada said he “felt OK” and termed it “nothing worrisome right now.”
— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) May 8, 2024
For now, the 35-year-old will remain with the team, but it remains to be seen if he'll be available out of the team's bullpen on Wednesday against the New York Yankees. Pressly's back issues could have contributed to his slow start in 2024, as he's currently sporting a 5.27 ERA and 1.68 WHIP while walking five and striking out 21 in 13 2/3 innings of relief. However, he hasn't allowed a run in his last five innings while walking one and striking out nine and will remain a key late-inning setup man in front of closer Josh Hader if he's healthy enough to pitch.
Garrett Whitlock Injury Update
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Whitlock (oblique) is scheduled to throw live batting practice ahead of Friday's series opener against the visiting Washington Nationals. If all goes well, Whitlock could make a minor-league rehab start five days later on May 15 and potentially be back with the Red Sox by May 20. Before suffering a strained left oblique, the 27-year-old right-hander registered an outstanding 1.96 ERA (3.31 FIP) and 1.14 WHIP while striking out 17 and walking seven in four starts (18 1/3 innings) out of Boston's rotation this season, and he remains a strong stash in all fantasy leagues.
Alex Cora tells the show he expects Brayan Bello to rejoin the team at the end of the weekend.
Garrett Whitlock has a live BP on Friday. "If everything goes well, he goes on a rehab start""Whitlock, I thought it would be more. I thought he'd be out for a month but not the case"
— Jones & Mego with Arcand (@JonesandMego) May 8, 2024
Swingman Cooper Criswell has filled in well during Whitlock's absence, compiling a 1.74 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 16:4 K:BB through 20 2/3 frames (four starts), and he'll be a prime streaming candidate for Sunday's series finale against a middling Nats lineup.
Taj Bradley Injury Update
The Tampa Bay Rays reinstated right-hander Taj Bradley (pectoral) from the 15-day injured list on Wednesday, and he'll take the rotation spot of fellow right-hander Ryan Pepiot, who was placed on the 15-day IL on Wednesday with a left lower-leg contusion. Bradley is expected to make his season debut for the Rays on Friday at home against the division-rival New York Yankees after looking strong during his minor-league rehab assignment. The 23-year-old initially suffered his pectoral injury while pitching in spring training.
The Tampa Bay Rays have placed RHP Ryan Pepiot on the 15-Day Day Injured List (retro to 5/6) with a left lower leg contusion and reinstated RHP Taj Bradley from the 15-Day Injured List.
— Rays Communications (@RaysPR) May 8, 2024
Bradley, one of the team's former top prospects, was inconsistent in his major-league debut in 2023 with a 5.59 ERA and 1.38 WHIP, but he also walked just 39 and struck out 129 in 104 2/3 innings over 23 appearances (21 starts). He needs to be rostered in most mixed fantasy leagues now that he's about to make his 2024 debut.
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