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With the MLB All-Star break fast approaching, several key pitchers are dealing with injuries. Hopefully, most of these hurlers will return soon after the pause in regular season action. There are still a few days of games remaining before the All-Star festivities, so it's important to monitor players that could affect fantasy lineups. Let's take a look at the top injured pitchers including Yu Darvish, Clayton Kershaw, Shohei Ohtani, Framber Valdez, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for pitchers as of July 6, 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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Yu Darvish Injury Update
San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish (illness) is scheduled to make his return to the rotation and start on Friday at home against the visiting New York Mets. Darvish has missed his last two turns through the rotation due to a viral illness that caused him to lose nearly 10 pounds, but he's feeling back to normal this week and will return for one more start before the All-Star break next week.
The 36-year-old Japanese right-hander remains relevant in all fantasy leagues because of his 25.7 percent strikeout rate, but the five-time All-Star has disappointed otherwise with a 4.84 ERA (3.88 FIP) in 80 innings over 14 starts. Darvish won't be a great DFS target in his first start back this Friday, even against the equally disappointing Mets.
Clayton Kershaw Injury Update
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) provided an update on his condition earlier this week, saying, "It's trending upward. I feel confident I'll be ready after the break." Kershaw was hoping he'd only miss one start due to left-shoulder inflammation, but the Dodgers took the more cautious approach and put him on the 15-day injured list to rest him before the All-Star break.
Manager Dave Roberts is also confident that the 35-year-old future Hall of Famer will be able to return when he's first eligible following the break. Kershaw has been great all year long and was even better in five starts in June, going 4-0 with a 1.09 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 33 innings pitched. Despite the short injury layoff, he'll be a must-start when he returns from the injured list soon.
Shohei Ohtani Injury Update
Los Angeles Angels manager Phil Nevin said the plan is for starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (finger) to pitch the first game after next week's All-Star break on Friday at home against the division-rival Houston Astros. Ohtani has dealt with blister issues in his last couple of starts, and he allowed a season-high-tying five runs on seven hits (two homers) while walking four and striking out five in five innings in a loss to the San Diego Padres on Tuesday.
He has remained in the starting lineup as a designated hitter, so the blister issue obviously isn't too serious of an issue for the two-way superstar. And hopefully the extra rest during next week's All-Star break will allow him to put the blister in the rearview mirror. Ohtani is a must-start in fantasy lineups as a pitcher with his 132 strikeouts in 100 1/3 innings over 17 starts.
Framber Valdez Injury Update
Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez (ankle) will make his next start on Thursday against the Seattle Mariners, according to manager Dusty Baker. Valdez suffered a setback with his sprained right ankle on June 20 and hasn't pitched since then, so he'll be entering his start this week on plenty of extra rest. The 29-year-old left-hander will be a bit more risky in his return, but the matchup against the division-rival Mariners is a good one.
He's currently 7-6 on the year with a league-leading 2.49 ERA (2.87 FIP), 1.05 WHIP, 24 walks and 110 strikeouts in 105 innings over his 16 starts. In five starts in June, Valdez gave up 10 runs on 26 hits (only one homer) while walking nine and fanning 33 in 33 innings pitched.
Brandon Woodruff Injury Update
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) has thrown off flat ground the last two days at a high effort rate and is hoping to throw a bullpen session this weekend. Woodruff has been out since April 11 with a Grade 2 subscapular strain and encountered a brief setback last week, but he appears to be improving now and could be ready to start a minor-league rehab assignment shortly after next week's All-Star break.
The 30-year-old has made only two starts for the Brewers this year, so he's going to require at least a handful of minor-league starts before fantasy managers see him back in Milwaukee's starting rotation. The two-time All-Star needs to remain stashed in all fantasy formats.
Max Fried Injury Update
Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker said that left-hander Max Fried (forearm) threw live batting practice on Tuesday, and it went well. When asked if Fried's next step would be a minor-league rehab assignment, Snitker said the team will see how Fried feels on Wednesday first. If the 29-year-old southpaw is feeling good and is cleared to start a rehab assignment soon, he should be able to return to Atlanta's starting rotation early in the second half of the season after next week's All-Star break.
Fried is a fantasy ace when healthy, but he's been out since early May with a left-forearm strain. In his five starts this year, he's gone 2-1 with a shiny 2.08 ERA (3.06 FIP), 1.08 WHIP, six walks and 25 strikeouts in 26 innings pitched. He shouldn't be available on any waiver wires.
Michael Kopech Injury Update
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Michael Kopech (shoulder) is expected to make his return to the starting rotation after the All-Star break. He was recently placed on the injured list due to shoulder inflammation. It doesn't sound like a serious issue, so fantasy managers don't need to panic here.
The White Sox likely just wanted to give him some extra rest. The right-hander should be back shortly after the All-Star break. The 27-year-old is posting a 4.08 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, with a 97/49 K/BB ratio through 16 starts this season.
Liam Hendriks Injury Update
Chicago White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said on Tuesday that relief pitcher Liam Hendriks (elbow) is scheduled to throw off a mound this weekend. Hendriks has already been playing catch as he recovers from right-elbow inflammation, and now he'll make the next step and throw a bullpen session this weekend.
The 34-year-old Aussie got a late start to the season after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which is why he's only made appearances out of the bullpen. In those five innings he's thrown, he's allowed three runs on four hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out three. Hendriks will likely go on a short minor-league rehab assignment before returning to Chicago's 'pen at some point early in the second half of the season. Until he returns, Kendall Graveman should continue to operate as the team's primary closer.
Dustin May Injury Update
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Dustin May (elbow) will go through with Tommy John surgery to repair his flexor tendon, according to the team's Twitter. The 25-year-old has been on the shelf since his last start on May 17 after suffering from right-elbow pain.
Over just nine starts in 2023, May pitched to a 2.63 ERA and 0.94 WHIP with 34 strikeouts across 48 innings. The fifth-year arm will be out for the remainder of the season and will likely miss at least half of the 2024 season as he recovers from his surgery.
Adam Wainwright Injury Update
The St. Louis Cardinals are placing right-hander Adam Wainwright (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list with right-shoulder inflammation, according to manager Oliver Marmol. Wainwright took his fourth loss of the season in the 15-2 drubbing by the Miami Marlins on Tuesday, and he allowed seven runs (four earned) on seven hits (two homers) while walking two and striking out three in 3 1/3 innings pitched to raise his season ERA to a rough 7.66.
Not much is going right for the 41-year-old veteran in 2023, and he's allowed a whopping 20 runs in his last three starts, forcing the Cardinals to give him a break. Waino doesn't deserve to be rostered in mixed fantasy leagues at this point, and he's currently rostered in only 12 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Bryce Miller Injury Update
Seattle Mariners rookie right-hander Bryce Miller (finger), who was put on the injured list on Monday with a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand, is "not going to pitch for a while," according to manager Scott Servais. For now, Miller will be limited to light catch with the All-Star break coming up next week.
There's no timetable for now for when the 24-year-old will return to Seattle's starting rotation, but fantasy managers in deeper mixed leagues should hang onto him for the strikeout upside. In his first 11 major-league starts this year, Miller has gone 5-3 with a 3.97 ERA (3.46 FIP), 0.95 WHIP, 12 walks and 55 strikeouts in 59 innings pitched.
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