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Injuries to top fantasy baseball pitchers are always a part of the game, but this week's group of hurlers has a ton of star power. Some of these players have been on the shelf for weeks, whiles others are new to the list. Either way, staying up to date on the latest news surrounding their statuses is key to staying competitive. Shohei Ohtani, Yu Darvish, Ryan Helsley, Chris Sale, and Marcus Stroman are among the banged-up pitchers that could affect fantasy lineups. We have the latest update on them all.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for pitchers as of June 29, 2023. We'll be covering all positions throughout the week, so stay tuned. Some players on this list impact fantasy baseball more than others, but with leagues of all shapes and sizes, you never know which guys will force fantasy managers to search waiver wires in hopes of finding adequate replacements.
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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Shohei Ohtani Injury Update
As of now, Los Angeles Angels right-hander Shohei Ohtani (fingernail) is scheduled to make his next start on Monday at the San Diego Padres. If his fingernail is an issue, they could always push him back a day or two. Ohtani left his start early on Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox due to a cracked fingernail on his pitching hand, but it didn't cause him any issues at the plate, as he was 3-for-3 with two home runs in the 4-2 win.
The 28-year-old might be a bit more risky in his next start if he stays on schedule, but the matchup is a nice one against the struggling Padres, so he should remain in all starting fantasy lineups. Ohtani still only gave up a run while fanning 10 in 6 1/3 frames on Tuesday night, and he's struck out 22 hitters in 13 1/3 innings while giving up only two runs in his last two starts.
Yu Darvish Injury Update
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish (illness) joined the team in Pittsburgh on Wednesday and still isn't feeling well, and he might not be able to make his next scheduled start on Friday at the Cincinnati Reds. Left-hander Ryan Kerr is on his way to join the team with Reiss Knehr (elbow) going on the injured list after making a spot start for Darvish on Tuesday on short notice.
Fantasy managers need to prepare for the chance that Darvish misses his second start in a row later this week. The 36-year-old Japanese right-hander has also struggled in his last three starts against the Rockies, Rays and Giants, allowing a combined 14 runs on 20 hits while walking seven and fanning 17 in 16 1/3 innings. Hopefully, he can get back on track on the mound when he's feeling better.
Ryan Helsley Injury Update
St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Helsley (forearm) has been cleared to resume throwing. Now that he has been cleared to throw, he'll likely go through two to three weeks to build his arm back up before he's ready to go on a minor-league rehab assignment consisting of a few outings. It's going to be tough for Helsley to make it back to St. Louis' bullpen before the All-Star break.
Once the 28-year-old right-hander is back with the Cardinals, he should take over closing duties, although Jordan Hicks has nailed down five straight chances with Helsley sidelined. Before his forearm strain, Helsley had seven saves, a 3.24 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 33 strikeouts in 25 innings pitched. The Cardinals haven't had many save chances in a disappointing season to this point.
Chris Sale Injury Update
Boston Red Sox left-hander Chris Sale (shoulder) will have an MRI exam on Thursday to update his status, according to manager Alex Cora. It will hopefully give us a better idea of when Sale might be able to return after being diagnosed with a stress reaction in his left scapula at the end of last week. Either way, fantasy managers aren't going to have the 34-year-old southpaw back until early August, when he's eligible to return from the 60-day injured list.
Given Sale's long injury history and frequent setbacks, it would be wise to expect him to return on the long end of whatever timetable the Red Sox give. He made 11 starts this year before succumbing to another injury, going 5-2 with a 4.58 ERA (3.68 FIP), 1.19 WHIP, 15 walks and 71 K's in 59 innings pitched.
Marcus Stroman Injury Update
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (finger) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Thursday. The right-hander was pulled out of his start on Sunday due to a blister on his right index finger. This doesn't appear to be something that should force Stroman onto the injured list.
The expectation is that he's going to make his next start against the Cleveland Guardians this weekend. Although, it will also be dependent on how he feels after throwing this bullpen session. Fantasy managers will have to check back for another update on his status.
Carlos Rodon Injury Update
New York Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodon (back) is set to make his third and likely final minor-league rehab start on Saturday with an affiliate to be determined. If the outing goes according to plan, Rodon would be in line to make his Yankees and season debut on July 7 in the Bronx against the Chicago Cubs.
The 30-year-old southpaw missed the start of the season due to a left-forearm injury and then dealt with back issues, but he's looked great in two starts for Double-A Somerset, allowing one run on two hits while walking one and striking out nine in seven innings pitched. Rodon was an All-Star the previous two seasons with the San Francisco Giants and will once again have ace potential for fantasy managers the rest of the season if he can stay healthy. (NYpost.com)
Nestor Cortes Injury Update
New York Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes (shoulder) is set to throw a bullpen session on Friday or Saturday, which will be his first since he was shut down with a rotator-cuff strain in the first week of June. The Yankees have increasing confidence that a cortisone injection will be enough to cure Cortes' shoulder issue.
"Everything feels really good," Cortes said Tuesday after a light day of throwing. "I feel like I've about turned the corner from feeling like 'Ehh' to now feeling great." He has stretched out to throwing from 105 feet and will continue to build up his volume before getting on the mound. If he continues to progress as hoped, Cortes could be back with the Yankees in mid-to-late July. (NYpost.com)
Jose Urquidy Injury Update
Houston Astros right-hander Jose Urquidy (shoulder) said he felt good after throwing a 25-pitch bullpen session on Wednesday. Urquidy hasn't pitched since April 30, though, while dealing with right-shoulder inflammation, and he's going to need some time to build his arm back up.
Fantasy managers shouldn't expect the 28-year-old to return until after the All-Star break. He will need to start facing live hitters before going on a minor-league rehab assignment that is surely to last at least several starts. In six starts before his injury, Urquidy had recorded a 5.20 ERA (5.61 FIP), 1.55 WHIP, 10 walks and 23 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings. He profiles as a league-average pitcher and isn't dominant enough from a strikeout perspective to be rostered in shallow mixed leagues.
Dustin May Injury Update
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that he thinks right-hander Dustin May (forearm) has resumed playing catch after being shut down for six weeks following a platelet-rich plasma injection. There still remains no timetable for May's return from a right-forearm strain that landed him on the injured list on May 18, but it's nevertheless good news that the 25-year-old has resumed a throwing program.
He will need plenty of time to build his arm back up and probably isn't a candidate to return to LA's starting rotation until August. May was in the midst of a breakout season before his injury, going 4-1 with a 2.63 ERA (3.24 FIP) and 0.94 WHIP, but his 34 strikeouts in 48 innings over nine starts left something to be desired. Still, he should be stashed until further notice.
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