Fantasy Baseball Injury Reports for Pitchers - Updates for Robbie Ray, Triston McKenzie, Tony Gonsolin, Taijuan Walker, Kenta Maeda

More than a month into the MLB season, injuries always play a factor in fantasy baseball lineups. Having depth at pitcher is important no matter what, but injury troubles make it even more significant.  Today we'll look at injured pitchers including Robbie Ray, Triston McKenzie, Tony Gonsolin, Taijuan Walker, and Kenta Maeda. Again, 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.

This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for pitchers as of April 27, 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.

Robbie Ray Injury Update

Seattle Mariners left-hander Robbie Ray (elbow) will undergo surgery to fix the flexor tendon in his left arm and will miss the rest of the 2023 season. The 31-year-old veteran southpaw was put on the injured list on April 1 with a left flexor strain, and there was hope that he could return to Seattle's starting rotation in the middle of May, but those plans are scrapped now.

Ray's season will come to a disappointing end after he made just one start for the M's and fantasy managers. You can safely drop him in single-year fantasy leagues now. Losing the former American League Cy Young winner this early in the year is a big blow to Seattle's rotation depth. Chris Flexen has been the beneficiary of Ray's rotation spot recently.

Triston McKenzie Injury Update

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Triston McKenzie (shoulder) could throw a bullpen session as early as this weekend as he progresses in his recovery from a shoulder strain. The 25-year-old starting pitcher threw from 75 feet last Friday and continues to make solid progress towards his 2023 season debut for the Guardians.

McKenzie specifically is trying to return from a right teres major muscle sprain, and he's eligible to come off the 60-day injured list on May 29. Barring a setback during his recovery and minor-league rehab assignment, he should be ready to return on or around that date. After a breakout 2022 season, McKenzie should be currently stashed in an injured list spot in all fantasy formats.

Tony Gonsolin Injury Update

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin (ankle) made his season debut on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The right-hander was sidelined to begin the season due to an ankle injury.

The 28-year-old pitched just over three innings, allowing two hits and zero earned runs while striking out one batter and walking three. He is expected to be a solid fantasy option as his workload ramps up.

Taijuan Walker Injury Update

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (forearm) left his outing early on Wednesday against the Seattle Mariners early due to "right forearm tightness," according to the team. Walker made it through four innings, allowing five runs on five hits (two home runs) while walking two and striking out six before departing with the injury. It's unknown how serious of an injury it is, but it's an ominous sign for the 30-year-old right-hander, and there's a pretty good chance he'll require a trip to the injured list.

Entering his outing on Wednesday, Walker had a decent 3.80 ERA (4.64 FIP), 1.31 WHIP, 12 walks and 17 strikeouts in 21 1/3 innings over his first four starts for Philly. He's now sporting a 4.97 ERA after allowing five runs on Wednesday, and he's likely looking at missing a few weeks at the very least.

Lance McCullers Jr. Injury Update

Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (forearm) threw off flat ground on Tuesday, and according to manager Dusty Baker, the righty "felt great." The 29-year-old has been sidelined for the whole 2023 season thus far after straining his forearm in February.

McCullers Jr. is ahead of schedule in his recovery but is still a few steps away from returning, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect to see him with the Astros for another few weeks at the earliest. In 2022, he pitched to a 2.27 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 25.6% strikeout rate with four wins across just eight starts. When McCullers Jr. is fully healthy, he can provide value in every category.

Kenta Maeda Injury Update

Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said that starting pitcher Kenta Maeda (elbow) complained of elbow soreness late in his start on Wednesday against the New York Yankees and will get an MRI exam. "The positive part of this is it's not on the medial side. It's not on the side where you would normally be very concerned. One way or the other he's going to need some time off," Baldelli said.

The 35-year-old right-hander was initially believed to be dealing with a back injury, but now it's an elbow issue. It's bad news for Maeda, who is in his first year back from Tommy John surgery. Before leaving on Wednesday, he allowed 10 earned runs in just three-plus innings, and his ERA on the year now sits at an ugly 9.00. Maeda will almost certainly require a trip to the injured list.

Jose Quintana Injury Update

New York Mets starting pitcher Jose Quintana (ribs) is set to be re-evaluated on Friday. They will determine whether or not Quintana will be cleared to begin a throwing program. The left-hander hasn't thrown since March after undergoing a bone graft surgery on his ribs.

It sounds like Quintana is still quite a bit away from returning to the mound. That being said, fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to take the mound until some point in July.

More Fantasy Baseball Analysis