With the 2024 MLB season slowly inching toward crunch time, there are still plenty of injuries all over the league that are sure to affect fantasy baseball lineups. That said, let's take a look at injured pitchers Mason Miller, Walker Buehler, Joe Musgrove, Dane Dunning, Robbie Ray, and more
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for pitchers as of July 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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Mason Miller Injury Update
The Oakland Athletics will place All-Star closer Mason Miller (finger) on the 15-day injured list on Thursday with a fracture of the fifth metacarpal (pinkie) in his left hand, according to a source. It's a non-pitching injury that Miller suffered after pounding a padded training room table in frustration following Monday night's win over the division-rival Houston Astros.
Here’s what A’s manager Mark Kotsay had to say about Mason Miller’s fractured pinky and the reporting provided by @MartinJGallegos earlier today. pic.twitter.com/bMpYeHnr7O
— Brent Maguire (@bmags94) July 25, 2024
The right-handed flamethrower was a long shot to be traded by next Tuesday's deadline, but this pretty much assures that Miller won't be going anywhere in 2024. Even though the injury isn't to Miller's throwing hand, the A's have no reason to rush him back in another lost season, so fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if he misses more than two weeks. Until the dominant closer returns, Lucas Erceg should be expected to see most of the A's save opportunities.
Walker Buehler Injury Update
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler (hip) said the plan is for him to make a minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday. Buehler was encouraged by Wednesday's bullpen session and his overall progress since going on the 15-day injured list before the All-Star break. He feels like his delivery is in a better spot now after tweaking his mechanics.
Walker Buehler said the plan is for him to pitch with triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday
He was encouraged by yesterday’s bullpen, and his overall progress since going on the IL. Feels like his delivery is in a better spot right now
— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) July 24, 2024
Manager Dave Roberts said Buehler is expected to make two rehab starts with Oklahoma City and then rejoin the Dodgers in August. The Dodgers and fantasy managers will be hoping that the 29-year-old will look much better than he did when he posted a 5.84 ERA and 1.51 WHIP with 31 K's in 37 innings in his first eight starts after returning from Tommy John surgery. Given the fact that Buehler was one of the most dominant pitchers in the game pre-elbow surgery, he's worth giving another shot in fantasy.
Joe Musgrove Injury Update
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Joe Musgrove (elbow) threw more than 40 pitches at full intensity for a bullpen session ahead of Wednesday's game against the hosting Washington Nationals, simulating multiple innings. He got up to 93 mph with his fastball and used his entire arsenal. The internal discussions set for Thursday were whether his next step will still be to face hitters at Petco Park early in the week or progress to pitching an inning in a minor-league rehab start next week.
Padres pregame: With trade deadline looming, Joe Musgrove’s latest bullpen creates excitement https://t.co/VlN3S68VqK
— Kevin Acee (@sdutKevinAcee) July 25, 2024
Musgrove is beginning to gain traction toward a return to the Padres' rotation, which should happen at some point in mid-to-late August if his assignment starts before the end of July. The 31-year-old veteran right-hander should be an option for fantasy managers down the stretch of the season after he gets back from right elbow inflammation, and he'll be looking to get his year on track after producing a 5.66 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, and 44:15 K:BB over 49 1/3 innings (10 starts).
Dane Dunning Injury Update
The Texas Rangers activated right-hander Dane Dunning (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list on Thursday and optioned right-hander Gerson Garabito to Triple-A Round Rock in a corresponding move. As long as Dunning continues to pitch in a relief role for the Rangers, he can be ignored in mixed fantasy leagues.
Additional Rangers transactions for Thursday:
- RHP Dane Dunning activated from 15-day Injured List.
- RHP Gerson Garabito optioned to Round Rock (AAA).— Texas Rangers PR (@TXRangersPR) July 25, 2024
The 29-year-old, former 29th overall pick by the Washington Nationals in 2016 out of Florida, started the year as a starter in Texas' rotation but was moved to the bullpen in the first half before he injured his shoulder a month ago. Dunning made two minor-league rehab appearances and should occupy a middle-relief role for the Rangers now that he's back. In 15 appearances (12 starts) in 2024, he has gone 4-7 with a 4.71 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with a career-high 25.8% strikeout rate in 65 innings pitched.
Luis Medina, Alex Wood Injury Update
Oakland Athletics right-hander Luis Medina (elbow) will have season-ending Tommy John surgery, and left-hander Alex Wood (shoulder) will have a season-ending shoulder procedure. Medina was scheduled to get a second opinion on his sprained right elbow after the All-Star break, which has turned out to be a worst-case scenario for the hurler. The 25-year-old righty compiled a 2-4 record and a 5.18 ERA over eight starts for the A's this year before his season ended, and he'll miss a big chunk of 2025 as well.
More A's news per manager Mark Kotsay.
-Probables for this weekend are Paul Blackburn on Friday, Mitch Spence on Saturday and Hogan Harris on Sunday.
-Luis Medina will have season-ending Tommy John surgery.
-Alex Wood will have a season-ending shoulder procedure.
— Brent Maguire (@bmags94) July 26, 2024
Wood hasn't been seen on the mound since May 12 due to left rotator cuff tendinitis, having been shut down from throwing since June. The 33-year-old southpaw went 1-3 with a 5.28 ERA covering nine starts in Oakland in 2024, and his recovery timeline will likely dictate the type of interest he'll draw in free agency this offseason.
Robbie Ray Injury Update
In his first major-league outing since undergoing Tommy John surgery in May 2023, San Francisco Giants left-hander Robbie Ray held the Los Angeles Dodgers hitless across five innings. Ray settled in beautifully after allowing one earned run on a bases-loaded walk in what was a shaky first inning.
The 32-year-old rebounded to blank the Dodgers over his next four innings, finishing the night with eight strikeouts on 86 pitches in his debut with the Giants. Ray's velocity topped out at 95.2 mph, and he finished with 22 swinging strikes. His performance against L.A. should erase any doubt as to his fantasy potential for the remainder of the season, and he should be rostered in all leagues. (ESPN.com)
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