When Will Gavin Williams Return and Be Back? Fantasy Baseball Injury Update

The Cleveland Guardians have put together one heck of a first half to the 2024 season as they trail only the Yankees in the American League in the win column.

Cleveland has been able to accomplish this feat despite losing their ace, Shane Bieber, way back in April. They also haven't had Gavin Williams all season either, as he was projected to make the rotation out of camp had he been healthy.

Bieber is done for the season, but Williams is nearing a return and could really boost the Cleveland rotation if he's able to pitch up to his ability. But how soon can we count on his 2024 debut?

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Gavin Williams Injury Update for Fantasy Baseball

Williams has made five rehab starts, with the most recent one being at Double-A Akron. He pitched well, striking out four hitters and running his pitch count up to 66 pitches. He reportedly hit 98 mph on his fastball, indicating that his velocity is where it was last season when he made 16 starts for Cleveland and tallied 82 innings.

#Guardians RHP Gavin Williams will make another rehab start Wednesday for Triple-A Columbus

— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) June 24, 2024

As you can see in the tweet, it's been reported that Williams will make at least one more start this coming Wednesday, but at the Triple-A level in Columbus. One would have to think that if that start goes well and he gets extended to 75-80 pitches, his Cleveland debut will be coming sooner rather than later.

Gavin Williams Fantasy Baseball Outlook

Williams was a popular sleeper during draft season as many experts had him pegged as a breakout pitcher this season. Ultimately, the injury has kept him on the shelf for nearly the entire first half of the season, but expectations are still very high for Williams based on how electric his stuff looked at times last year.

Williams has major strikeout upside, based on his 81 strikeouts in 82 innings last season. He can pair his high 90s fastball with both a slider and curveball for breaking pitches, giving him a solid arsenal to use against major league hitters.

He's 51% rostered on Yahoo right now, meaning you can still stash him in shallower leagues and wait for him to return in the coming weeks.

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