Fantasy Baseball Injury Reports for Pitchers - Updates for Framber Valdez, Nick Pivetta, Garrett Whitlock, Gregory Santos, and more

As we head into the weekend, several key hurlers are dealing with ailments that could keep them out of action. That said, let's take a look at injured pitchers Framber Valdez, Nick Pivetta, Garrett Whitlock, Gregory Santos, and more.

This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for pitchers as of April 26, 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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Framber Valdez Injury Update

Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez (elbow) will come off the injured list and start on Sunday against the Colorado Rockies in Mexico City, according to manager Joe Espada. On the surface, the matchup against the Rockies is excellent. However, there are a couple of reasons why fantasy managers should be hesitant to throw the 30-year-old southpaw back into their starting lineups immediately.

Framber Valdez will come off the injured list and start Sunday against the Rockies in Mexico City, Joe Espada said.

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) April 25, 2024

First off, Valdez has been on the injured list since April 9 with inflammation in his left elbow. Second, he's going to return to the big-league rotation without making a minor-league rehab start, which means he'll likely be limited from a pitch-count perspective. And third, he'll be extra shaky in the thin air in Mexico City.

Nick Pivetta Injury Update

Boston Red Sox right-hander Nick Pivetta (elbow) will make at least one minor-league rehab start before returning from the injured list. Pivetta has already missed more than the 15 days required on his injured-list stint and he's going to need at least one start in the minors before fantasy managers will get him back.

Devers isn’t comfortable yet at 3B, per Cora. Will likely get back there Saturday.

Unlikely Grissom is active this weekend but getting close. Pivetta will throw at least one rehab game before returning.

— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) April 25, 2024

The 31-year-old is recovering from a right elbow flexor strain but has resumed throwing off a mound and could make his rehab start soon. As long as he doesn't suffer a setback in that outing, he should join Boston's rotation shortly after that. The Canadian hurler looked fantastic in his first two starts before getting hurt, allowing just one earned run on eight hits while walking one and fanning 13 in 11 innings. The Red Sox and fantasy managers will be looking forward to his return in early May.

Garrett Whitlock Injury Update

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Whitlock (oblique) still hasn't been cleared to throw off a mound yet. Although Whitlock played catch on Saturday, fantasy managers should not be expecting him to be activated from the 15-day injured list when first eligible on May 1 at the pace he's progressing through his throwing program. The 27-year-old right-hander left with a strained left oblique on April 16's start versus the visiting Cleveland Guardians, and his 1.96 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 17 strikeouts through 18 1/3 innings (four starts) for the BoSox make him a worthwhile stash in all mixed fantasy leagues.

Boston will likely turn to a heavy dose of openers and long relievers until some of their arms return to their injury-depleted rotation. After throwing five scoreless innings in Wednesday's win over Cleveland, right-hander Cooper Criswell might get himself into streaming conversations in the proper matchups. (MLB.com)

Gregory Santos Injury Update

The Seattle Mariners transferred right-hander Gregory Santos (lat) to the 60-day injured list on Thursday to open up a roster spot for infielder Leo Rivas, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Tacoma. The 24-year-old Santos has yet to make his debut with the Mariners due to a right-lat strain, although he has started a throwing program. Now that he's officially on the 60-day IL, he won't be able to return to the Mariners bullpen until at least late May.

Roster moves:

🔹 Leo Rivas (#76), INF, selected from Triple-A Tacoma.
🔹 J.P. Crawford, INF, placed on 10-day Injured List (retro. April 24).
🔹 Gregory Santos, RHP, transferred to 60-day Injured List.

— Mariners PR (@MarinersPR) April 25, 2024

When he's healthy, Santos will be an option as a high-leverage reliever late in games as a bridge to Andres Munoz and Ryne Stanek, and he could even enter the picture for saves. The Dominican reliever had a career-best 3.39 ERA, a 1.29 WHIP, his first five career saves, 17 walks, and a career-high 66 K's in 66 1/3 relief innings in 2023 with the White Sox.

Josh Sborz Injury Update

The Texas Rangers activated right-hander Josh Sborz (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list on Thursday and optioned right-hander Grant Anderson from Triple-A Round Rock in a corresponding move. Sborz is returning from a right rotator cuff strain after making one minor-league rehab appearance for Double-A Frisco on Tuesday. The 30-year-old reliever had 2 2/3 scoreless innings for Texas with no walks and three strikeouts earlier this month before going on the shelf with his right shoulder injury.

Rangers transactions for Thursday:

- RHP Josh Sborz activated from 15-day Injured List (Right rotator cuff strain).
- RHP Grant Anderson optioned to Round Rock (AAA).

— Texas Rangers PR (@TXRangersPR) April 25, 2024

Now that he's back, Sborz will return to a high-leverage relief role late in games as a setup man alongside David Robertson and Jose Leclerc ahead of closer Kirby Yates. In 44 relief outings for Texas in the regular season in 2023, Sborz had a 5.50 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 17 walks and 66 K's in 52 1/3 innings.

Bowden Francis Injury Update

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Bowden Francis has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to right forearm extensor tendinitis. The club has recalled left-hander Brendon Little from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. Francis interestingly pitched two scoreless innings out of the bullpen for the Jays in their loss to the Royals on Wednesday but will seemingly miss some time moving forward.

The 28-year-old cracked the rotation out of spring training but struggled out of the gate and has recently pitched in a multi-inning bullpen role. He has struggled to an 8.59 ERA across five outings (two starts) while allowing four home runs in 14 2/3 innings, good for a bloated 2.45 HR/9 clip. (MLB.com)

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