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The 2024 MLB season is heating up, but as always, injuries are beginning to pile up. We have the latest updates on stud pitchers around the league. Let's take a look at injured pitchers Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Devin Williams, Kodai Senga, Robert Gasser, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for pitchers as of June 27, 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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Justin Verlander Injury Update
Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (neck), who is eligible to come off the 15-day injured list on Monday, will not travel with the team to New York on their upcoming road trip that starts on Friday against the Mets, according to manager Joe Espada. Verlander is improving but still hasn't started playing catch.
Justin Verlander, who is eligible to come off the IL on Monday, will not accompany the team to New York, Joe Espada said. Verlander is getting better, but still hasn’t started playing catch.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) June 26, 2024
The Astros continue their road trip next week in Toronto and Minnesota, but Verlander is unlikely to pitch in either of those series. And the longer the 41-year-old stays on the injured list, the more likely he'll be required to make a minor-league rehab start before rejoining Houston's rotation. While nothing is official yet, there's a chance we won't see the future Hall of Famer until after the All-Star break in mid-July.
Max Scherzer Injury Update
Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer (thumb) has been cleared to make his next start on Friday in Baltimore against the Orioles after reporting some thumb soreness following his 2024 debut on Sunday against the Kansas City Royals. Scherzer impressed after coming off the 60-day injured list against KC, tossing five scoreless innings while giving up just one hit, walking none, and striking out four.
The Rangers have their rotation set for the four-game series in Baltimore.
Thursday: Jon Gray
Friday: Max Scherzer
Saturday: Michael Lorenzen
Sunday: Andrew Heaney— Shawn McFarland (@McFarland_Shawn) June 26, 2024
The 39-year-old future Hall of Famer had offseason back surgery and then suffered a setback with his thumb during his rehab, which is why he didn't make his season debut until this past Sunday. He appears to have avoided a serious issue with his thumb, although fantasy managers shouldn't expect an encore performance on Friday against the strong lineup of the O's.
Devin Williams Injury Update
Milwaukee Brewers general manager Matt Arnold said that closer Devin Williams (back) could return from the 60-day injured list earlier than mid- to late-July. Williams is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday for the first time since being shut down in spring training with multiple stress fractures in his back.
A few other notes from Matt Arnold:
* Robert Gasser had "regular" TJ surgery, which will lengthen his recovery period;
* Gary Sanchez's left calf strain appears to be on the minor side;
* It's possible Devin Williams could return earlier than mid- to late July but not certain.
— Todd Rosiak (@Todd_Rosiak) June 26, 2024
The 29-year-old right-handed reliever will need multiple bullpen sessions and will also need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment, so there's no guarantee that he'll make his 2024 debut before the All-Star break in mid-July. Still, he's getting closer to game action and should be stashed in all fantasy leagues in the meantime. Once he's back up to speed, he'll eventually regain regular closing duties in Milwaukee. Until then, expect Trevor Megill to get most of the Brewers' save chances.
Kodai Senga Injury Update
New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga (shoulder, triceps) threw a 22-pitch live batting practice session on Tuesday in Port St. Lucie, Fla., marking the first time he's faced hitters since early May. Senga will now fly back to New York with an eye toward potentially throwing another live batting practice session by the end of this week.
Kodai Senga (shoulder, triceps) threw a 22-pitch live BP session today in Port St. Lucie, Fla., marking his first time facing hitters since early May.
Senga will now fly back to New York with an eye toward potentially throwing another live BP by the end of this week.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) June 23, 2024
The 31-year-old Japanese hurler has been out all season after initially landing on the injured list coming out of spring training due to a shoulder capsule strain. He advanced to mound work in late April before being shut down with tightness and nerve inflammation in his triceps. The good news is Senga is trending in the right direction, but he's not going to be ready to make his 2024 debut for the Mets or fantasy managers until after the second half of the season. Fantasy managers must remain patient. UPDATE: Senga intends to begin a minor-league rehab assignment next week, assuming he comes out of one last live BP session on Thursday feeling strong.
Robert Gasser Injury Update
Milwaukee Brewers left-handed pitching prospect Robert Gasser (elbow) underwent "regular" Tommy John surgery on Wednesday, which will lengthen his recovery period, according to general manager Matt Arnold. An internal-brace procedure would have shortened Gasser's recovery period. The 25-year-old southpaw will miss the rest of this year and probably most, if not all, of the 2025 campaign as he recovers. It's a tough break, as Gasser looked pretty impressive in his major-league debut for the Brew Crew this year before injuring his left elbow.
A few other notes from Matt Arnold:
* Robert Gasser had "regular" TJ surgery, which will lengthen his recovery period;
* Gary Sanchez's left calf strain appears to be on the minor side;
* It's possible Devin Williams could return earlier than mid- to late July but not certain.
— Todd Rosiak (@Todd_Rosiak) June 26, 2024
The team's No. 4 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, went 2-0 with a 2.57 ERA and 1.04 WHIP with 16 strikeouts and just one walk in 28 innings over his first five MLB starts. He can obviously be dropped in any redraft format, but Gasser's upside makes him worth stashing in deep dynasty/keeper leagues.
Chris Paddack Injury Update
The Minnesota Twins placed pitcher Chris Paddack (forearm) on the injured list with right-forearm fatigue and called up pitcher Ronny Henriquez from Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move. The 28-year-old will miss a few weeks and could return around the All-Star break. Paddack is (5-3) with a 5.29 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 78 1/3 innings, striking out 70 and walking 18. Home runs have been a problem for Paddack, who has allowed 13 dingers. Paddack is worth rostering in deep leagues with an IL spot.
We have made the following roster move: pic.twitter.com/o1bpGwmAvv
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) June 25, 2024
Henriquez, who pitched two scoreless innings in his first stint with the Twins, is (1-2) with a 3.53 ERA and three saves over 22 appearances (one start) for St. Paul. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues may want to take notice of Henriquez, whose versatility could lead to a more extended stay.
Spencer Turnbull Injury Update
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Spencer Turnbull (shoulder) left his start early on Wednesday against the Detroit Tigers with right-shoulder soreness after just 36 pitches in three innings, according to the team. Right-hander Taijuan Walker (finger) isn't eligible to come off the injured list until July 7, so Michael Mercado would likely be the next man up for the Phillies' starting rotation if Turnbull is forced to miss time. Mercado threw 91 pitches in back-to-back Triple-A starts on June 11 and 18. The 31-year-old Turnbull gave up an earned run on one hit while walking two and striking out two on Wednesday before departing with his injury.
Spencer Turnbull is exiting the game with right shoulder soreness after 36 pitches in three innings, according to the #Phillies.
— Scott Lauber (@ScottLauber) June 26, 2024
It's not a good sign that Turnbull was only able to throw 36 pitches in his first start since April 30, and he could be headed for a stint on the injured list. UPDATE: Turnbull felt "a little grab" in his right shoulder on his second-to-last pitch in the third inning. He'll undergo further evaluation on Thursday but didn't appear to be very concerned and joked that he can't seem to stay healthy in Detroit.
Josiah Gray Injury Update
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Josiah Gray (elbow/forearm) is expected to remain with the Rochester Red Wings and make "at least one or two more" minor-league rehab starts in his recovery from a right elbow/forearm flexor strain, manager Dave Martinez said on Wednesday. Gray was sharp in his last appearance, throwing six innings of one-run ball on four hits and no walks with four strikeouts on Tuesday and building up to 73 pitches in the outing.
Davey Martinez confirmed Josiah Gray will make one maybe two more rehab starts with Triple-A Rochester.
— Bobby Blanco (@Bobby_Blanco) June 26, 2024
The Nationals are opting for a cautious route with the 26-year-old former All-Star, who has missed much more action than expected with the injury. Gray is still a candidate to rejoin Washington's rotation at some point in early July, barring any setbacks.
Edward Cabrera Injury Update
Miami Marlins starting pitcher Edward Cabrera (shoulder) tossed four hitless innings on 60 pitches with seven strikeouts and two walks in his second rehab start for Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday. After throwing 49 pitches across three frames last Wednesday to begin his rehab assignment, Cabrera looked as good as one could have asked for on Tuesday.
Latest Edward Cabrera rehab start with Triple-A Jacksonville:
4.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K, 60 pitches/37 strikes
Likely will make another start down there to continue building up pitch count. pic.twitter.com/sY2WlLUvcv
— Fish On First (@FishOnFirst) June 26, 2024
He was transferred to the 60-day on Sunday, so Cabrera won't be eligible to return from a right shoulder impingement for the last-place Marlins until July 7 at the earliest. Despite abysmal results from Miami's rotation this year, the hard-throwing 26-year-old right-hander is a stash candidate for fantasy managers in deep mixed or AL-only leagues for his tantalizing swing-and-miss stuff.
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