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Opening Day of the 2024 Major League Baseball season has just passed us. Draft season is basically over and our fantasy teams are ready to go. Or are they? Injuries kept us on our toes for most of the draft season. Especially hit hard were the pitchers, both starters and relievers. We had to pivot our draft strategy week by week and day by day. Injury information has been coming fast and furiously as MLB teams have set their own rosters for the first week of the season and beyond.
There is a lot of information to try to digest. I will help you manage your teams throughout the season as you begin your quest for your league championship. I will highlight fantasy-relevant players on the IL with their hopeful return time frame and the next man up. So, let’s get right to it…but first….
Here's a little about myself for both new and returning readers. My name is Reuven Guy and I am a practicing orthopedic/pain management Physician Assistant. I have been dealing with sports injuries for the past 16+ years. Therefore, I have knowledge of orthopedic injuries and their recovery times based on my medical experience. I have also been playing fantasy baseball during that same time period. This has helped me get an advantage in this aspect of fantasy baseball, which I hope to share with you. Make sure to stay up to date on the latest MLB breaking news with our award-winning news desk and our free fantasy baseball mobile app with 24/7 push notification alerts!
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Injured Hitters for Fantasy Baseball
Matt McLain (SS, CIN)- Shoulder: McLain was diagnosed with damage to his cartilage in his left shoulder. He went for a second opinion and ended up having surgery. He is expected to be out for a few months and the Reds are hopeful to have him back this year. Jonathan India could benefit from more playing time with McLain out.
Matt McLain had shoulder surgery yesterday to address cartilage damage and repair his labrum. Timeline is TBD. Hope is to get him back this season
— C. Trent Rosecrans (@ctrent) March 27, 2024
Tommy Edman (2B, STL)- Wrist: Edman had wrist surgery this past October. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol has said that Edman will open the season on the IL. He is being shut down due to lingering pain in his surgically repaired right wrist. Edman is still able to do some defensive drills and throwing, but was shut down from swinging a bat. Edman could be back by mid to end of April. This may be something he could deal with the entire year. Dylan Carlson was in line to get more starts until he got hurt. Victor Scott II made the roster, and Alec Burleson should get more playing time.
Dylan Carlson (OF, STL)- Shoulder: Carlson has been diagnosed with a sprained acromioclavicular (AC) joint in his left shoulder and will begin the season on the IL. He will probably be out for at least one month. Victor Scott II took his everyday role to start the season.
Lars Nootbaar- (OF, STL)- Ribs: Nootbar has been out since early March with two fractured ribs. He is expected to be back possibly by the second or third week in April.
Vaughn Grissom (SS, BOS)- Groin: Grissom was slowed by a hamstring issue in the early days of camp, and then diagnosed with a groin strain. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Grissom will start the season on the IL and stay in extended spring training until around April 7. Enmanuel Valdez and Pablo Reyes could see more time in the infield until Grissom is ready to return.
The plan for Vaughn Grissom is to stay in extended spring training until April 7 then rejoin the Red Sox at Fenway Park for the home opener before being assigned to a minor league team.
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) March 26, 2024
Jasson Dominguez (OF, NYY)- Elbow: Dominguez had Tommy John surgery in September 2023 and will start the year on the IL. He has increased his throwing to 75 feet and began hitting recently. Expect a mid-season return for him around June/July.
Oswald Peraza (3B, NYY)- Shoulder: Peraza was diagnosed with a subscapularis strain in his right shoulder and is on the IL. He will still be shut down for five to six more weeks. The recently acquired Jon Berti should get the majority of the starts at third base for the Yankees.
DJ LeMahieu (3B, NYY)- Foot: LeMahieu is on the IL with a right foot bone bruise and inflammation. There is no word as to when he could be expected back in the starting lineup.
Josh Lowe (OF, TB)- Oblique: Lowe will begin the season on the IL after being diagnosed with a Grade 1 right oblique strain. This usually has a two-to-four week recovery time frame. Jose Siri could get more playing time.
Nate Lowe (1B, TEX)- Oblique: Lowe was diagnosed with a right oblique strain during the second week in March and is still recovering. He could return by mid-April. Jared Walsh could get playing time at first with Lowe out.
Jonathan Aranda (1B, TB)- Finger: Aranda is expected to be out until at least early May after having surgery on March 21 to insert a pin in his fractured right ring finger. This type of surgery usually takes six to eight weeks to fully recover. Harold Ramirez should get more playing time as a result.
TJ Friedl (OF, CIN)- Wrist: Friedl has a right wrist fracture that should be reassessed in the next few weeks. He is on the IL. If he heals well, he could be back by the end of April. If it does not heal well, it is possible that he could be out until mid May. Will Benson and Stuart Fairchild could see more action with Friedl out.
Royce Lewis (3B, MIN)- Leg: Lewis injured his leg while running the bases in the opener for the Twins. It looked to be either a quad or a hamstring injury. If it was just cramping, he would miss only a few days. If it is a sprain or strain, it could keep Lewis out for as little as three weeks and as many as eight weeks. More information is needed to be sure exactly. Willi Castro could see more playing time at the hot corner for the Twins if Lewis is out for a while.
#OpeningDay playing time and lineup notes
ARI: Gurriel Jr. 3rd and Moreno 5th. This took place late in spring and carried over
BOS: Casas batting 4th (as he should). Rafaela in CF and E. Valdez at 2B. Wilyer on outside looking in as projected (so far). Expect these guy to both… pic.twitter.com/Qnbn9MpEOe
— Mike Kurland (@Mike_Kurland) March 29, 2024
Garrett Mitchell ( OF, MIL)- Finger: Mitchell has a fracture in his finger on his right hand and is expected to miss six-to-eight weeks. Jackson Chourio and Sal Frelick should see more playing time with Mitchell out.
Garrett Mitchell has a fracture in his left hand. He will open the year on the Injured List. pic.twitter.com/IMI1e4ax4n
— Curt Hogg (@CyrtHogg) March 25, 2024
Injured Starting Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball
Gerrit Cole (SP, NYY)- Elbow: Cole was diagnosed with nerve inflammation in his right elbow and will not throw for at least another one or two weeks. It was determined that surgery is not required at this time. Cole could be out for about two to three months based on how he recovers from this shutdown. Luis Gil made the starting rotation with Cole out.
Wade Miley (SP, MIL)- Shoulder: Miley is dealing with shoulder soreness and a minor groin issue as well. He was slated to throw a simulated game this week and could enter the Brewers' rotation by the fourth week of April. Jakob Junis took his rotation spot.
Taj Bradley (SP, TB)- Pectoral: Bradley was diagnosed with a right pectoral strain and has been shut down for at least two weeks. This could affect his build-up once he recovers from the injury. He could be out until mid-May. Tyler Alexander is taking his rotation spot.
Justin Steele (SP, CHC)- Hamstring: Steele looked like he pulled his hamstring while fielding a bunt in the season opener for the Cubs. It is his left leg, his push-off leg. If severe, this could sideline him for as much as six to eight weeks. A lower-grade strain would cause Steele to still miss at least a month.
#Cubs Justin Steele is out with an injury. He hurt his hamstring on this play in the field.
— Mike Kurland (@Mike_Kurland) March 29, 2024
Shane Baz (SP, TB)- Elbow/Oblique: Baz is starting the year on the IL while still recovering from Tommy John surgery and also an oblique issue from this spring. He is to be expected back around June 1. Zack Littell took his rotation spot for the Rays.
Justin Verlander (SP, HOU)- Shoulder: Verlander will begin the season on the IL with shoulder soreness. He threw a live batting practice this week and could be expected to be activated around the third week of April, barring any setbacks. Ronel Blanco made the Astros' rotation to start the season.
Justin Verlander said he felt good and was encouraged by how he bounced back after an inning break — it had been a struggle for him to get his intent going quickly. The next steps are unsure, but Verlander samid-May like to build his pitch count to at least 85 before returning
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) March 26, 2024
Kodai Senga (SP, NYM)- Shoulder: Senga was diagnosed with a moderate posterior capsule strain in his right shoulder. An early May return for Senga seems likely as he has begun throwing. Tylor Megill took his rotation spot for the Mets.
Wow Senga is throwing #METS pic.twitter.com/w691Hhv7wQ
— MetCast (@MetCastPod) March 27, 2024
Sonny Gray- (SP, STL)- Hamstring: Gray has been placed on the IL with a hamstring strain that occurred in early March. He expected to make his season debut the second week of April.
Gavin Williams (SP, CLE)- Elbow: Williams will start the season on the IL with elbow soreness. His MRI was clean and could be ready to return around the third week in April, barring any setbacks. Carlos Carrasco made the Guardians' rotation to start the season.
Braxton Garrett (SP, MIA)- Shoulder: Garrett is expected to start the season on the IL with left shoulder soreness. He threw a bullpen session this week and is expected in the Marlins' rotation by the second or third week in April. Ryan Weathers will open the season in the Marlins' rotation.
Eury Perez (SP, MIA)- Elbow: Perez is on the IL with right elbow inflammation and has begun throwing this week. Perez could be out up to a month or more as he builds stamina back up. Prospect Max Meyer will start the season as the Marlins' No. 5 starter.
Emmet Sheehan (SP, LAD)- Forearm: Sheehan was placed on the IL prior to the South Korea series with right forearm inflammation. He has begun a throwing program, but there is no concrete timeline for his return.
Walker Buehler (SP, LAD)- Elbow- Buehler continues to recover from Tommy John surgery that happened in August 2022. He will miss the first few weeks of the season as the Dodgers are taking it slow with him.
Eduardo Rodriguez (SP, ARI)- Lat: Rodriguez has a strained left lat and has begun a throwing program. There is no timeline for his return. Jordan Montgomery was signed by the Diamondbacks after this news broke.
Bryan Woo (SP, SEA)- Elbow: Woo has elbow inflammation and will start the season on the IL. Woo felt discomfort while warming up for his last side session, and he ultimately couldn't get loose. He later underwent an MRI, which came back clean. The Mariners are hopeful that this inflammation could calm down soon and then he could begin his throwing program. Emerson Hancock will take Woo's place in the starting rotation for the Mariners.
Edward Cabrera (SP, MIA)- Shoulder: Cabrera has been diagnosed with right shoulder impingement. He pitched in an intra-squad game and may only be on the IL for two to three weeks, barring any setbacks.
John Means (SP, BAL)- Elbow: Means continues to recover from Tommy John surgery and is set to begin a rehab assignment in April. It is possible for him to return to the majors by the end of April.
#orioles pic.twitter.com/crERxS4OKc
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) March 26, 2024
Kyle Bradish (SP, BAL)- Elbow: Bradish was diagnosed with a partial UCL tear in his elbow. He is trying to avoid surgery and has been participating in a throwing program with no setback so far. He is expected back by the end of May.
Nick Lodolo (SP, CIN)- Leg: Lodolo was placed on the IL, still recovering from the stress reaction in his leg from last year. He is already set up for a rehab assignment and could be activated the second or third week in April.
Taijuan Walker (SP, PHI)- Shoulder: Walker was diagnosed with right shoulder impingement and will start the season on the IL. Walker will rest for an undisclosed period before attempting to restart his throwing program. Spencer Turnbull is poised to claim the open spot in the Phillies' rotation.
#orioles pic.twitter.com/crERxS4OKc
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) March 26, 2024
Injured Relief Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball
Devin Williams (RP, MIL)- Back: Williams was diagnosed with two stress fractures in his back and is expected to miss approximately three months. Joel Payamps and Abner Uribe are top candidates to fill in as the closer for the Brewers, who may go closer by committee until someone stands out.
Jhoan Duran (RP, MIN)- Oblique: Duran was diagnosed with a moderate right oblique strain and placed on the IL. This injury usually could knock out pitchers for anywhere between six and eight weeks. Griffin Jax seems to have the inside track to close for the Twins.
Jordan Romano (RP, TOR)- Elbow: Romano was diagnosed with right elbow inflammation and will start the season on the IL. With Erik Swanson also headed to the IL, Chad Green and Yimi Garcia are candidates to close for the Blue Jays.
Paul Sewald (RP, ARI)- Oblique: Sewald has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 left oblique strain and will start the season on the IL. He could miss up to two months with this injury. Kevin Ginkel is the most likely candidate to close for the Diamondbacks in the interim.
Closer Paul Sewald has a Grade 2 left oblique strain and will open the year on the injured list, Torey Lovullo said.
— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) March 25, 2024
Brusdar Graterol (RP, LAD)- Shoulder: Graterol was placed on the IL prior to the South Korea series with shoulder discomfort and hip tightness. He is eligible to return to the Dodgers bullpen early April.
Matt Brash (RP, SEA)- Elbow: Brash is on the IL with medial right elbow inflammation. He has begun playing catch, throwing at 85%. There is no timetable for his return but is a sleeper to be the Mariners closer by the end of the year.
Robert Stephenson (RP, LAA)- Shoulder: Stephenson is on the IL with right shoulder soreness/discomfort. He has not yet progressed to facing batters but is throwing. He is a sleeper to be the Angels closer sometime this year.
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