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Thursday's MLB slate is set to begin, but there is no shortage of stud fantasy baseball hitters in the injury headlines. These ailments are sure to affect lineup decisions, so let's take a look at injured pitchers Ranger Suarez, Jack Flaherty, Blake Snell, Andres Munoz, Clayton Kershaw, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for pitchers as of June 6, 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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Ranger Suarez Injury Update
Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Ranger Suarez (hand) played catch again on Wednesday and everything went well. Manager Rob Thomson said the plan for the London series this weekend against the division-rival New York Mets is for Suarez to go on Saturday and right-hander Taijuan Walker on Sunday.
Ranger Suarez played catch again today and everything went well.
Rob Thomson said the plan for London is Suarez on Saturday and Taijuan Walker on Sunday.
Zack Wheeler will start the opener in Boston next Tuesday.
— Paul Casella (@Paul_CasellaMLB) June 5, 2024
The 28-year-old southpaw has not played catch two days in a row and looks to be fine to make his next scheduled start in a good matchup this weekend after he had to leave his last outing early on Saturday against the Cincinnati Reds when he was hit by a comebacker on his left (throwing) hand. Suarez has been an elite fantasy starter in 2024 and beat the Mets the first time he faced them on May 15, going five innings while allowing two unearned runs on four hits while walking two and striking out three.
Jack Flaherty Injury Update
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty (back) expressed optimism that he'll be able to make his next scheduled start against the Washington Nationals on Tuesday. The right-hander was pulled during Tuesday's outing after only 60 pitches due to back stiffness. It's worth noting that the 28-year-old is still dealing with stiffness on Wednesday but says his back has improved since Tuesday.
Checked in with Jack Flaherty today. There's still some stiffness in his back, but he feels "better than I did yesterday" and remains confident that he will make his next start. #Tigers https://t.co/Kgl1k2RCSZ
— Evan Petzold (@EvanPetzold) June 5, 2024
It's encouraging to see that Flaherty hasn't been placed on the injured list yet, so maybe he won't be forced to miss any time. Fantasy managers will have to wait and see how Flaherty progresses over the next few days.
Blake Snell Injury Update
The San Francisco Giants are saying that left-hander Blake Snell's (groin) MRI exam showed only a mild left groin strain, and they'll have a better idea of a return timetable on Thursday. It's obviously good news for Snell in a season where he hasn't had much good news. The 31-year-old southpaw has already been on the injured list twice and isn't pitching very well at all through the first third of the season after signing late in spring training with the Giants.
Giants say Blake Snell's MRI showed a mild left groin strain. They'll have a better idea of timetable tomorrow.
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) June 5, 2024
Fantasy managers that spent an early draft pick on the former first-rounder and two-time Cy Young winner haven't been happy with Snell's 0-3 record, 9.51 ERA (4.61 FIP), and 1.94 WHIP in 23 2/3 innings over six starts, but his strikeout upside keeps you coming back. Snell has been a slow starter in his career, so fantasy managers can only hope that he'll be healthy and more productive in the second half of 2024.
Andres Munoz Injury Update
Seattle Mariners closer Andres Munoz (back) said he was feeling better a day after exiting Tuesday's game early after a collision at home plate and is optimistic that he'll avoid the injured list. However, that could hinge on the results of the MRI exam he had on Wednesday. "Some days I feel like it's getting worse, getting better," Muñoz said. The right-hander also said the back strain is one that he's been dealing with since the second game of the season, but he's been able to pitch through it while receiving treatment on a daily basis and wearing a back brace when pitching. Munoz's right ankle was fine after an awkward role during his home-plate collision.
Munoz is unlikely to be available if a save chance arises on Wednesday against the A's, and fantasy managers scrounging for saves may want to speculate and pick up Tyler Saucedo or Ryne Stanek. Saucedo picked up his second save of the year after Munoz was pulled on Tuesday. (MLB.com)
Clayton Kershaw Injury Update
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) will throw two simulated innings at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Friday. While it won't be the official start of Kershaw's minor-league rehab assignment, it's still significant progress in his throwing program and recovery from offseason left shoulder surgery. The Dodgers plan for Kershaw to build up an additional inning every five or six days before going out on a rehab assignment, and if all goes well, he could be ready to return to LA's rotation around the All-Star break, if not sooner.
Friday is rehab roundup day for #Dodgers pitchers. Bobby Miller is scheduled to make another rehab start, this time for OKC. Kyle Hurt is scheduled to pitch in that game as well. Meanwhile, Clayton Kershaw will throw 2 simulated innings at Rancho Cucamonga (not in their game)
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) June 5, 2024
Fantasy managers are running out of time to scoop up the 36-year-old veteran southpaw on waiver wires, as Kershaw makes for a fine stash in all formats after posting a superb 2.46 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 137:40 K:BB through 131 2/3 innings a season ago.
Joe Musgrove Injury Update
San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt said on Wednesday that starting pitcher Joe Musgrove (elbow) will continue to be shut down from throwing for the next couple of weeks. Musgrove is in the healing process with right elbow inflammation for the second time this season, and Shildt has also said the current recovery process will be longer than it was the first time around. The 31-year-old right-hander can be safely ruled out of action for the remainder of June at this point, and a return to the Friars sometime around the All-Star break should be viewed as a best-case scenario.
Mike Shildt shared what he told Adam Mazur after yesterday's start and the latest update on Joe Musgrove's injury: pic.twitter.com/R6usBMImqF
— 97.3 The Fan (@973TheFanSD) June 6, 2024
For fantasy managers short on stash spots or struggling in the standings, the 31-year-old veteran right-hander is not looking like a must-stash player with a 5.66 ERA and 1.48 WHIP with 44 strikeouts and 15 walks over 49 1/3 innings this year.
Robert Gasser Injury Update
The Milwaukee Brewers placed left-handed rookie Robert Gasser (elbow) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to June 2) with a left flexor strain. The Brewers added left-hander Andy Ashby and right-hander Tobias Myers from Triple-A Nashville and optioned right-hander Janson Junk to Nashville. It's a bummer that the 25-year-old southpaw is going to miss at least two weeks of action, but the good news is he's not dealing with any structural damage in his left elbow.
LHP Aaron Ashby and RHP Tobias Myers recalled from Triple-A Nashville.
LHP Robert Gasser placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to June 2, with a left flexor strain.
RHP Janson Junk optioned to Triple-A Nashville. pic.twitter.com/q3O6nYoKaD
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) June 5, 2024
Given the fact that Gasser was dealing with an injury earlier this year, the Brewers are most likely going to take their time bringing him back into the fold, so fantasy managers should probably expect him to miss more than 15 days. In his absence, fellow lefty Ashby will get a shot in Milwaukee's rotation, and he could be a sneaky pickup in deeper leagues given his strikeout upside.
Kenta Maeda Injury Update
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Kenta Maeda (abdomen) left Wednesday's game against the hosting Texas Rangers due to abdominal discomfort in his right side. After throwing only two pitches on Wednesday, Maeda needed to be replaced by left-hander Joey Wentz while favoring his right side.
Kenta Maeda left game with right side abdominal discomfort, according to Tigers.
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) June 6, 2024
The 36-year-old veteran right-hander was making just his third start following a recent stay on the injured list, holding a career-worst 6.25 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with 30 strikeouts and 12 walks over 10 starts (40 1/3 innings) overall in his first year with the Tigers in 2024. Maeda's next start tentatively lines up for next Wednesday against the Washington Nationals, and it's unclear until Maeda presumably goes through further testing if this issue is serious enough to cost him additional time.
Josiah Gray Injury Update
Washington Nationals right-hander Josiah Gray (forearm), who has spent nearly two months on the 15-day injured list with a flexor strain in his forearm, has been cleared to start a minor-league rehab assignment. Manager Dave Martinez suggested Gray will likely pitch on Sunday at Single-A Fredericksburg.
Gray's last simulated game on Tuesday featured 65 pitches over three innings, and the plan now is for Gray to throw four innings this weekend in the first of what should be several rehab starts before he's activated to rejoin the big-league rotation. The Nationals have taken their time with the 26-year-old, not wanting to bring him back too soon after he allowed 13 earned runs on 15 hits (two homers) in his first two starts before going on the IL. "His mechanics are a little bit cleaner. He's using his legs a little bit more," Martinez said. (MasnSports.com)
Lucas Erceg Injury Update
Oakland Athletics left-handed relief pitcher Lucas Erceg (forearm), who is dealing with a strained right forearm, has resumed playing catch and could throw a full bullpen session as early as this Sunday, according to manager Mark Kotsay. The A's put Erceg on the injured list last Friday, but from the looks of things, he's trending toward having a minimal stay on the IL. The 29-year-old southpaw's IL stint was backdated to May 26, so he'll be eligible to return to Oakland's bullpen next Monday.
Erceg has been better in a late-inning, high-leverage role in the A's bullpen in his second year in the big leagues in 2024, and he even has picked up his first two career saves. He has value in deep holds leagues and has also struck out 27 with just eight walks in 22 relief innings as a setup man in front of fireballer Mason Miller. (ESPN)
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