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The MLB season is still new, yet there are several key hurlers on the injury report heading into Friday's slate of games. We have the latest updates on stud pitchers around the league. Let's take a look at injured pitchers Justin Steele, Gerrit Cole, David Bednar, Jordan Romano, Eduardo Rodriguez, Max Scherzer, Walker Buehler, and more
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for pitchers as of March 29, 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 Steele Injury Update
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that left-hander Justin Steele (hamstring) will likely go on the injured list after suffering a left hamstring strain in his Opening Day start on Thursday evening versus the Texas Rangers. Steele will undergo an MRI exam on Friday. Counsell didn't want to speculate on whether Steele would only need a minimum IL stint.
Justin Steele was has a left hamstring strain and will get an MRI tomorrow.
Counsell said Steele will likely go on the injured list. Counsell didn’t want to speculate on whether Steele will only need a minimum IL stint.
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) March 29, 2024
The 28-year-old southpaw suffered the injury while fielding a bunt in the fifth inning and will now have to miss at least 10 days and maybe more. It's a tough blow for the Cubs and their ace, as Steele allowed only one earned run on three hits while walking one and striking out six against the defending champion Rangers in 4 2/3 innings of work before departing. With Steele likely heading to the IL, it's possible fellow lefty Drew Smyly will join Chicago's rotation shortly.
Gerrit Cole Injury Update
The New York Yankees officially placed right-hander Gerrit Cole (elbow) on the 60-day injured list on Thursday with right elbow inflammation. Cole has avoided structural damage in his right elbow, but he's still expected to miss at least one to two months. It remains to be seen if last year's American League Cy Young winner will be able to start a throwing program in a couple of weeks as he slowly begins to build his arm back up.
Prior to today’s game, the Yankees made the following roster moves:
•Placed INF DJ LeMahieu on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to 3/25) with a right foot contusion.
•Placed INF Oswald Peraza on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to 3/25) with a right shoulder strain.…— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) March 28, 2024
The 33-year-old needs to be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues because he's one of the very best arms in all of baseball when he's healthy, but there's really no telling how much he'll pitch in 2024 or how effective he'll be if he does. And of course, the Yankees aren't going to rush their ace back too soon.
David Bednar Injury Update
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton said closer David Bednar (lat) was unavailable in Thursday's 6-5 extra-inning win over the Miami Marlins as part of his rehab from the lat issue he dealt with during spring training. Fantasy managers may have thought Bednar was over the injury after the 29-year-old right-hander was able to make two Grapefruit League appearances to close out the spring, but Bednar is still nursing the problem.
Derek Shelton said David Bednar was unavailable today as part of his rehab from the lat issue.
— Jason Mackey (@JMackeyPG) March 29, 2024
It puts his availability into question for Friday's game against Miami as well, but it sounds like the All-Star stopper is just day-to-day. While Jose Hernandez ended up nabbing an Opening Day save on Thursday, it needs to be noted that Aroldis Chapman was summoned for the ninth inning and retired to the top of the Marlins' batting order. Chapman is worth a speculative add on waiver wires until Bednar is out of the woods health-wise.
Jordan Romano Injury Update
The Toronto Blue Jays don't expect to be without closer Jordan Romano (elbow) for an extended period as he recovers from right-elbow inflammation that sidelined him for the final couple weeks of spring training. Once he's cleared to start throwing off a mound, Romano is expected to make a quick transition back to the majors after opening the year on the injured list, along with fellow reliever Erik Swanson (forearm).
More patience will be required for Swanson. In their absences, Chad Green and Yimi Garcia are expected to split the Blue Jays' closing duties until Romano returns. Romano will be eligible to come off the IL on April 9, so fantasy managers need to keep him stashed in all formats and hope for a quick return. (TheStar.com)
Eduardo Rodriguez Injury Update
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (shoulder) could throw off a mound within the next five to seven days. Lovullo called Rodriguez's progress so far "very encouraging." A strained left shoulder landed E-Rod on the injured list to begin the year in his first season with Arizona, but it's looking like he may not be out for long. Still, there's a good chance that the 30-year-old veteran southpaw will miss most, if not all, of April.
Torey Lovullo said E-Rod could throw off a mound within the next 5-7 days. Called his progress so far “very encouraging.”
— Theo Mackie (@theo_mackie) March 28, 2024
His injury allowed both Tommy Henry and Ryne Nelson to make the club's Opening Day roster, although the Snakes also recently added lefty Jordan Montgomery in free agency. After fortunately posting career-bests in ERA (3.30) and WHIP (1.15) in 2023 with the Detroit Tigers, fantasy managers should be expecting some regression from the oft-injured Rodriguez.
Max Scherzer Injury Update
Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer (back) threw a bullpen session on Tuesday. He said his arm is feeling good and described this period as "early February" for him if he didn't have the rehab for his back injury. Scherzer said there are still hurdles to jump through, but he said he respects the process of the rehab he's currently going through.
Max Scherzer threw a bullpen on Tuesday. He said his arm is feeling good, described this period as “early February” for him if he didn’t have the rehab.
Said there’s still hurdles to jump through, but said he respects the process of the rehab he’s going through.
— Shawn McFarland (@McFarland_Shawn) March 28, 2024
The 39-year-old future Hall of Famer underwent back surgery in December to fix a herniated disc in his back, which is why he's not ready for the start of the 2024 regular season. The Rangers don't have plans to put Scherzer on the 60-day injured list, which means that he could make his return to Texas' rotation before the end of May. That would be a best-case scenario. While Scherzer can still be an asset in fantasy, his days of being an ace are likely behind him at this point, especially coming off injury.
Walker Buehler Injury Update
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler (elbow) is "coming sooner than I think we anticipated," according to manager Dave Roberts. Buehler will either head to Triple-A Oklahoma City or Arizona next to continue building his arm up. The 29-year-old threw four simulated innings before the team's exhibition game on Monday against the Los Angeles Angels but is opening the 2024 season on the injured list.
Walker Buehler, on the other hand, is "coming sooner than I think we anticipated," Roberts said
He'll either head to OKC or Arizona next to continue his build-up
— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) March 28, 2024
Buehler missed all of the 2023 campaign while recovering from Tommy John surgery, so his fantasy upside will be limited this year while being on an innings limit. However, he deserves to be stashed in all fantasy leagues to begin the year since he has the ability to be an X factor for fantasy rotations if he's able to recover his pre-injury form for the Dodgers. We'll have a better idea of when Buehler might be able to make his season debut but don't be surprised if it's not until May.
Clayton Kershaw Injury Update
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) said he is feeling good about his recovery and is out to 120 feet in a long toss. Manager Dave Roberts thinks that Kershaw is also "ahead of things" timetable-wise. His next step will be throwing bullpen sessions, but it's to be determined when that will take place.
Clayton Kershaw said he is feeling good about his recovery. He is out to 120 feet in long toss. Roberts believes Kershaw is also "ahead of things" timetable-wise. Next step for him will be throwing bullpens. TBD when that will happen
— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) March 28, 2024
The 36-year-old future Hall of Famer had left-shoulder surgery in the offseason and is starting the year on the 60-day injured list. As he nears the end of his illustrious career with the Dodgers, injuries are beginning to take their toll on Kershaw. However, the three-time Cy Young winner was effective in his 24 starts in 2023, posting a 2.46 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 40 walks and 137 strikeouts. Kershaw isn't going to be ready until sometime this summer, but if he's right, he can still be valuable in fantasy.
Jon Gray Injury Update
Texas Rangers right-hander Jon Gray (neck) will make his first start of the season on Sunday versus the Chicago Cubs, with Cody Bradford getting the nod on Saturday. Gray was scratched from his scheduled exhibition start earlier this week due to a stiff neck, but the injury isn't serious and he will be able to take the ball for his first turn through the starting rotation.
Cody Bradford will start Saturday for #Rangers, Jon Gray on Sunday.
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilsonTXR) March 29, 2024
The last time the 32-year-old took the mound in spring training, he went five innings, so fantasy managers should expect Gray to be pretty limited from a pitch-count perspective on Sunday against Chicago. Gray got off to an amazing start for the Rangers in 2023 but struggled down the stretch. He pitches in a hitter-friendly home park, is injury-prone, and has a hittable fastball, making him a backend fantasy starter in mixed leagues, at best.
Taijuan Walker Injury Update
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker (shoulder) is opening the season on the 15-day injured list with an impingement in his right shoulder. Walker doesn't need an injection or an MRI exam, though, and is hoping he doesn't have to miss much time. The 31-year-old felt discomfort while throwing a bullpen session last weekend and has been shut down since.
Taijuan Walker said he has an impingement in his right shoulder. No shot or MRI exam required. Only rest. He said he hopes he doesn’t have to miss much time, but he will open the season on the IL.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) March 24, 2024
With Walker starting the year on the shelf, it has opened up a starting rotation spot for Spencer Turnbull in Philly. Walker, the former 43rd overall pick in 2010 by the Seattle Mariners, went 15-6 last year in his first season with the Phils and had a 4.38 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with 71 walks and 138 strikeouts in 172 2/3 innings over 31 starts. He was fortunate to have those numbers, though, with below-average walk and strikeout rates.
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