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With the All-Star break nearing, injuries are beginning to pile up. We have the latest updates on impact pitchers and prospects around the league. Let's take a look at injured pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jared Jones, Justin Verlander, Jeffrey Springs, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for pitchers as of July 4, 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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Yoshinobu Yamamoto Injury Update
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto (shoulder) is currently "pain-free," according to manager Dave Roberts. However, Yamamoto hasn't started throwing yet, and Roberts didn't know when that would begin. The Dodgers will surely handle him delicately as he deals with a strained rotator cuff after they signed him to a $325 million deal in the offseason.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto still hasn't started a throwing program...
Here's the latest on the Dodgers' $325 million man⬇️🔗https://t.co/SSZbHW0IpH
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) July 4, 2024
Because there's no timetable for when the 25-year-old Japanese rookie will even pick up a ball again, it wouldn't be a surprise if we didn't see him again in the Dodgers' starting rotation until August. Yamamoto has been fantasy-relevant in all leagues in his first year in the majors, as he's gone 6-2 with a 2.92 ERA (2.67 FIP) and a 1.07 WHIP with an impressive 27.9% strikeout rate in 74 innings over 14 starts.
Jared Jones Injury Update
Jared Jones was placed on the 15-day injured list earlier today after being pulled from Wednesday's start. Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton cited a right-lat strain in the decision to limit the rookie right-hander to five innings in his start on Wednesday versus the visiting division-rival St. Louis Cardinals. Jones himself said it would have been stupid to keep going but he could have, if necessary. He's not concerned about the injury, but fantasy managers are feeling the pain, as Pittsburgh has elected to shut him down until the second half of the season with the All-Star break looming in mid-July.
We have recalled OF Joshua Palacios from Triple-A Indianapolis and placed RHP Jared Jones on the 15-day injured list.
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) July 4, 2024
The 22-year-old made it through five innings in a no-decision, allowing just an earned run on four hits while walking two and striking out five to lower his season ERA to 3.56. Lat strains typically send pitchers to the injured list, and now is as good a time as any for Pittsburgh to limit Jones' innings in his first big-league season. Jones entered his start on Wednesday with an impressive 26.5% strikeout rate in his first 15 major league starts.
Jeffrey Springs Injury Update
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs (elbow) made his fifth rehab start at Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, firing four scoreless innings on three hits with six strikeouts. Springs looked very sharp on Wednesday, but it's worth noting that his night ended after he threw only 47 pitches, fewer than what he was able to reach in his last minor-league outing on Friday.
4 scoreless frames from @RaysBaseball's Jeffrey Springs tonight in his MLB Rehab outing. 👏👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/5tvEL4Revy
— Durham Bulls (@DurhamBulls) July 3, 2024
That likely means Springs is going to require more than just one more rehab appearance before the Rays consider activating him from the 60-day injured list, so fantasy managers should not be expecting the 31-year-old left-hander to make his 2024 season debut until sometime in late July. With Tampa Bay shipping out Aaron Civale on Wednesday, Springs has a clearer path to a rotation spot when he's ready to return.
Kodai Senga Injury Update
New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga (shoulder) began a much-awaited minor-league rehab assignment on Wednesday, striking out six batters over 2 2/3 scoreless innings with High-A Brooklyn. Senga allowed just one baserunner on a fielding error, so it was effectively a perfect outing from the right-hander. It's also worth noting that Senga's fastball velocity hit 97 mph on Wednesday.
What a rehab outing by Kodai Senga in Brooklyn 😤 pic.twitter.com/vZZ4jVCQ84
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) July 3, 2024
He's going to need several more starts in the minors before becoming an option to rejoin New York's rotation, which should take him toward the end of July or early August, though it's not yet clear if he'll jump to a higher affiliate for his next appearance. The 31-year-old Japanese hurler was an All-Star during his first year in the majors in 2023, and he needs to be stashed in all fantasy leagues at this stage.
AJ Smith-Shawver Injury Update
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher prospect AJ Smith-Shawver (oblique) made his first rehab start with High-A Rome on Wednesday. The righty pitched two innings, allowing one earned run on one hit (a home run) and no walks while striking out four batters. The 21-year-old made one start for Atlanta this season before hitting the injured list with an oblique strain. He made five starts (six appearances) last season with the Braves, posting a 4.26 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and an 11:20 BB:K in 25 1/3 innings.
AJ Smith-Shawver first rehab start
2IP 1H 1ER 0BB 4K
FB: 95-98 pic.twitter.com/CqjrPSGvms— Gaurav (@gvedak) July 3, 2024
He'll need at least a few more starts before the Braves consider him for the rotation, although he may stay in the minors when he's done with his rehab, but managers in need of pitching help should consider stashing the Braves' top prospect ahead of time if he's on the waiver wire.
Justin Verlander Injury Update
Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (neck), who has been on the injured list since June 16, is playing light catch at a distance of 60 feet. Verlander wasn't with the Astros for their series against the Blue Jays in Toronto, which started on Monday, but returning to light throwing is good news for a club that's been ravaged by pitching injuries during the first half of the season.
Justin Verlander is now playing catch every other day.
— Julia Morales (@JuliaMorales) July 3, 2024
According to manager Joe Espada, the club isn't ready to put a timetable on Verlander's return to Houston's rotation. With Verlander not making significant progress in his throwing program as he recovers from neck stiffness, fantasy managers should not be anticipating the 41-year-old future Hall of Famer's return until after the All-Star break in mid-July.
Enoli Paredes Injury Update
Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Enoli Paredes (forearm) has been placed on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday. This is a tough blow to the Brewers bullpen considering how impressive Paredes has looked this season. He holds a 1.08 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 12/8 K/BB ratio across 16 2/3 innings this season.
INF Joey Ortiz placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to July 2, with neck inflammation.
RHP Enoli Paredes placed on the 15-day injured list with right forearm tendinitis.
INF Vinny Capra and RHP Janson Junk recalled from Triple-A Nashville. pic.twitter.com/pr7SNrJEbc
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) July 3, 2024
The severity of the issue is unknown, so the Brewers should give an update on his timetable soon. In a corresponding move, right-hander Janson Junk has been recalled to take his spot in the bullpen.
Yimi Garcia Injury Update
Toronto Blue Jays right-handed reliever Yimi Garcia (elbow) is scheduled to throw another bullpen session on Wednesday, after which he would need at least one minor-league rehab appearance, according to manager John Schneider. If Wednesday's session goes well, Garcia's next step could be a rehab assignment.
Yimi Garcia slated to throw a bullpen session today after which he would need at least one rehab appearance according to manager John Schneider. If today goes well, rehab could be next step.
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) July 3, 2024
The 33-year-old's fantasy stock has gone up despite being on the injured list at the moment because of the fact that regular closer Jordan Romano (elbow) may not pitch again in 2024 after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow on Wednesday. Before Garcia got hurt, he was serving as Toronto's primary ninth-inning arm with Romano hurt, although he could share save opportunities with Chad Green when he's done with his rehab assignment. Either way, Garcia should be scooped up off the waiver wire if he's available in your league.
Merrill Kelly Injury Update
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said ahead of Wednesday's game against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers that starting pitcher Merrill Kelly (shoulder) is throwing out to 120 feet in his throwing program, and he thinks the hurler will throw on flat ground on Saturday. Recovering from a strained right shoulder, Kelly is making progress in his recovery but will need to resume throwing off a mound before taking a more significant step forward in his progression.
Torey Lovullo said that Merrill Kelly is out to 120 feet with his throwing program and that he thinks he will throw a flat ground on Saturday.
— Jesse Friedman (@JesseNFriedman) July 3, 2024
It's not yet known if the D-backs will send Kelly out on a minor-league rehab assignment before he re-enters Arizona's rotation, but given that he's been on the shelf for over two months at this point, it's likely he won't jump right back into the major leagues when he's cleared for game action. The 35-year-old veteran right-hander logged a 2.19 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 21:6 K:BB over 24 2/3 innings (four starts) before getting injured and is worth stashing in all fantasy leagues.
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