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The 2023 MLB season is underway and as always, injuries are beginning to pile up. Today we'll look at injured hitters including Jacob deGrom, Justin Verlander, Corbin Burnes, Robbie Ray, and Trevor May. Searching the waiver wire for fill-in pitchers is already a key aspect of fantasy baseball, so finding replacements for players out of action isn't too much different.
For those not yet familiar, this is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for pitchers as of April 20, 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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Jacob deGrom Injury Update
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (wrist) was forced to exit early during his start versus the Kansas City Royals on Monday. Luckily, the right-hander is feeling better now and is expected to make his next scheduled start. It sounds like the 34-year-old is dealing with wrist soreness, so this could be a day-to-day type of issue. Fantasy managers should wait until closer to Sunday before confirming he'll be back on the mound.
The Rangers might take the cautious approach given deGrom's injury history. For the moment, the expectation is that deGrom will be on the mound for Sunday's matchup against the Oakland Athletics.
Justin Verlander Injury Update
New York Mets starting pitcher Justin Verlander (shoulder) is moving to a five-day schedule and is likely to throw a live batting practice session on Sunday. The plan also includes him making a minor-league rehab start next Friday. It's good news, especially after Carlos Carrasco (elbow) landed on the injured list on Tuesday. The American League Cy Young winner last year is nearing his first start for the Mets in the regular season, but he still has a few more hurdles to clear first.
Barring a setback, he should be back for the Mets and fantasy managers in early May. Despite being 40 years old, Verlander has ace potential in fantasy when he's healthy, so he should be stashed in all formats. Joey Lucchesi is likely to fill Carrasco's rotation spot in the short term.
Corbin Burnes Injury Update
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Corbin Burnes (pectoral) is tentatively penciled in as the team's probable starter for Sunday's game against the Boston Red Sox. Burnes suffered a minor left pectoral strain in his last start against the Seattle Mariners on Monday and was forced to leave his outing early, but it's looking like he won't have to miss a turn through Milwaukee's rotation.
Fantasy managers are surely relieved that the 28-year-old right-hander won't need a stint on the injured list. The former National League Cy Young winner has been a bit disappointing with a 4.76 ERA (4.72 FIP), 1.06 WHIP, seven walks and 17 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings over his first four starts this year, but he should be in starting lineups if he makes the start this Sunday.
Robbie Ray Injury Update
Seattle Mariners left-hander Robbie Ray (forearm) is not ready to begin a throwing program until next week. He was shut down from throwing for at least two weeks after he suffered a Grade 1 flexor strain in the second inning of his first start in 2023.
According to Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times, the 31-year-old will throw next week at the earliest. Ray told reporters that the progression of his left flexor strain has been good. He will undergo an MRI later this week. Ray is still ways away from returning to the mound, and fantasy managers should continue to stash the southpaw on their rosters for now.
Carlos Carrasco Injury Update
New York Mets starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco (elbow) has a small bone chip in his right elbow, which is causing the swelling/discomfort that landed him on the injured list on Tuesday. The hope is that an injection he received on Wednesday will allow him to resume pitching in two weeks. Otherwise, he could require surgery, which would keep him out for an extended amount of time.
The 36-year-old veteran is worth holding for now, but he might not be worth holding if he needs surgery, depending on how long it will keep him out. He's struggled in his first three starts, allowing 13 earned runs on 14 hits while walking eight and striking out eight in 13 2/3 innings. Joey Lucchesi is worth a pickup in deep-mixed leagues, as he's expected to take Carrasco's rotation spot.
Cal Quantrill Injury Update
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Cal Quantrill (leg) injured his leg on Wednesday in his outing against the Detroit Tigers after he was hit by a comebacker and was removed from the game after six innings. In his six innings of work, Quantrill allowed no runs on four hits while walking one and striking out four.
The 28-year-old needed help leaving the field, but it's unclear exactly what his injury is right now. Make sure to check back for more updates later on Wednesday or Thursday morning, but for now, consider Quantrill day-to-day. Quantrill entered his outing on Wednesday with a 5.74 ERA (4.78 FIP), 1.66 WHIP and nine strikeouts in 15 2/3 innings over three starts, so his performance was nice to see, minus the leg injury.
Trevor Rogers Injury Update
Miami Marlins left-hander Trevor Rogers (forearm) left his start early on Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants due to left forearm tightness, according to the team. Before departing, Rogers allowed a run on three hits while walking one and striking out three in three innings pitched.
It's unclear how long the 25-year-old southpaw will be out, but fantasy managers should prepare for a potential trip to the injured list. In three starts coming into Wednesday's outing, Rogers had allowed eight runs (seven earned) on 13 hits (two home runs) while walking five and fanning 16 batters in 15 innings pitched. It's unclear who might take over his rotation spot in Miami if he's forced to miss multiple starts or more.
Trevor May Injury Update
The Oakland Athletics placed relief pitcher Trevor May on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday with issues related to anxiety and also transferred reliever Dany Jimenez (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list. Jimenez landed on the IL on Tuesday night and May follows him there a day later after posting a bloated 12.00 ERA with nine walks and eight earned runs allowed in just six innings of work so far this year.
There's no timetable for when May might return to Oakland's bullpen, and with Jimenez out for an extended period of time as well, Zach Jackson appears to be the best bet for saves now in the team's bullpen. However, with the A's being one of the worst teams in all of baseball, Jackson probably won't be afforded many save chances.
Daniel Bard Injury Update
The Colorado Rockies reinstated right-hander Daniel Bard (personal) from the 15-day injured list on Wednesday and optioned right-hander Peter Lambert to Triple-A Albuquerque in a corresponding move. Bard has been sidelined while he deals with anxiety, and he'll be making his 2023 debut when he gets into a game for the Rockies. The 37-year-old was struggling mightily with his command in spring training and the World Baseball Classic while pitching for Team USA.
He was supposed to be the team's primary closer this year, but fantasy managers should expect the Rockies to ease him into high-leverage situations out of the bullpen until he proves he can handle more. If he was dropped and you're in need of holds/saves, though, Bard is worth a speculative pickup off the waiver wire.
Kyle Bradish Injury Update
The Baltimore Orioles will activate right-hander Kyle Bradish (foot) from the 15-day injured list to have him start against the Washington Nationals on Wednesday. Bradish landed on the injured list when he suffered a right foot contusion in his first start of the year back on April 3, but he's ready to return now and has a pretty good matchup in his first start back.
The 26-year-old shouldn't have any restrictions on Wednesday night in D.C. He tossed only 1 2/3 innings against the Texas Rangers on April 3 before injuring his foot, and he didn't allow a run while walking one and striking out two. Even though the matchup is a nice one, Bradish is still a pretty risky fantasy streamer coming off the injured list.
Alex Wood Injury Update
The San Francisco Giants placed left-hander Alex Wood (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list with a left hamstring strain on Wednesday and recalled right-hander Tristan Beck from Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move. Wood suffered a hamstring strain on Tuesday and was pulled in the third inning against the Miami Marlins.
The 32-year-old southpaw had been pitching well early on this year, but fantasy managers will now be without him for at least the next two weeks. It remains to be seen who the Giants will use to replace Wood in the starting rotation moving forward. In his first 10 innings pitched in 2023, Wood has a nice 1.80 ERA (3.51 FIP), 1.40 WHIP, six walks and 11 strikeouts in three starts for the Gigantes.
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