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The 2024 MLB season is heating up, but unfortunately, it has seen no shortage of key hurlers out of action. We have the latest updates on stud pitchers around the league. Let's take a look at injured pitchers Joe Musgrove, Gavin Williams, Nick Lodolo, Max Scherzer, Reynaldo Lopez, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for pitchers as of May 16, 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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Joe Musgrove Injury Update
San Diego Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove (elbow) is aiming to return from the 15-day injured list this weekend to start on Sunday in Atlanta against the Braves. Musgrove threw a bullpen session on Monday and was expected to throw another one on Wednesday, and it looks like he's shown enough to convince the Padres that he doesn't need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before returning to the starting rotation.
Probables for #Padres-#Braves series from game notes:
Friday: RHP Matt Waldron vs. LHP Max Fried
Saturday: RHP Yu Darvish vs. RHP Bryce Elder
Sunday: TBA vs. RHP Reynaldo Lopez
Monday: TBA vs. LHP Chris SaleJoe Musgrove aiming to take that Sunday TBA.
— Jeff Sanders (@sdutSanders) May 15, 2024
The 31-year-old veteran went on the injured list on May 5 with right elbow inflammation and was 3-3 with an elevated 6.37 ERA and 1.51 WHIP with 36 strikeouts in 41 innings over his eight starts to begin 2024. Although Musgrove looked much better in his last outing against the Cincinnati Reds, fantasy managers will be rolling the dice if they go with him in his first start off the IL on Sunday against the strong offense of the Braves.
Gavin Williams Injury Update
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Gavin Williams (elbow) successfully threw a 50-pitch bullpen session on Wednesday. Williams said he didn't feel any lingering effects following his first bullpen session since receiving an anti-inflammatory injection, and he's scheduled to throw his next bullpen on Friday. The 24-year-old former top prospect is working his way back from discomfort in his right elbow after being shut down in late April, and it remains unclear when he'll resume his rehab assignment at this point.
Williams should still be an option in Cleveland's rotation sometime in June, and fantasy managers who can afford the stash should be holding the right-hander after he posted a 3.29 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 81:37 K:BB across 82 innings (16 starts) for the Guards in his rookie season in 2023. In the meantime, veterans Carlos Carrasco and Ben Lively will keep battling to hold down spots in the rotation. (MLB.com)
Nick Lodolo Injury Update
Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo (groin) was placed on the 15-day injured list with a left groin strain on Wednesday. Lodolo last pitched on Saturday in a loss to the San Francisco Giants, when he allowed four earned runs on five hits in six innings. He felt the injury following a side bullpen session before that appearance. Over six starts in 2024, Lodolo has gone 3-2 with a solid 3.34 ERA and 0.94 WHIP while striking out 43 with nine walks in 35 innings.
It's not considered a major injury, but the Reds wanted to put him on the IL as a precaution, especially since he made just seven starts in 2023 with a stress fracture in his left tibia. Fantasy managers should keep the former first-rounder stashed in all fantasy formats for his high-strikeout upside. The Reds haven't named a replacement for Lodolo's start on Thursday against the Dodgers, but swingman Nick Martinez is expected to get "significant innings" on Thursday, according to manager David Bell. (MLB.com)
Max Scherzer Injury Update
Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer (elbow, neck, triceps) said he has had MRI exams on his elbow, neck, and triceps and all of the imaging has come back clean. Scherzer is going to attempt to play light catch on Wednesday and will learn to manage his neck issue. The 39-year-old three-time Cy Young winner had surgery on Dec. 15 to fix a disc issue in his back and was hoping to return in May, but he was placed on the 60-day injured list on Wednesday and now won't be eligible to return before May 27.
Max Scherzer says he has had MRIs on triceps, elbow and neck. All came back clean. He’s trying to manage a nerve issue. Will attempt to play light catch today and learn to manage issue. #Rangers
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilsonTXR) May 15, 2024
A recent thumb injury caused him to be shut down, which essentially assured that he wouldn't make his season debut for the defending champions until June. For now, there's no timeline on Scherzer's return, although his Hall of Fame resume makes him deserving of being stashed in all fantasy leagues.
Reynaldo Lopez Injury Update
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez (back) is listed as the probable starter for Sunday's matchup against the visiting San Diego Padres. After exiting Monday's appearance against the Chicago Cubs following 71 pitches due to back tightness, Lopez is good to go for his next scheduled start and won't need to miss any time. The hard-throwing 30-year-old right-hander has been a pleasant surprise out of Atlanta's rotation over seven starts in 2024, compiling a 1.34 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 40:16 K:BB in 40 1/3 innings thus far during his first season with the Braves.
Braves starters for the upcoming Padres series:
Friday - Max Fried
Saturday-Bryce Elder
Sunday-Reynaldo López
Monday-Chris Sale— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) May 15, 2024
With that said, Lopez owns a 3.72 xERA on Baseball Savant and could be in for some regression at some point. The Padres entered Wednesday's action ranking fifth in the major leagues in both average (.255) and runs scored (211) covering 45 games.
Garrett Whitlock Injury Update
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Whitlock (oblique) looked sharp in Wednesday's minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Worcester, throwing 4 2/3 scoreless innings with five strikeouts while allowing just two hits and one walk. After throwing 40 of his 61 pitches for strikes on Wednesday, Whitlock should be good to go for a return to Boston's rotation as early as Monday's series opener against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field.
Garrett Whitlock was solid in his rehab game today. He went 4.2 IP with 0 ER, 2 H, 5 K, 1 BB
His sinker and Sweeper were effective in generating whiffs, and he induced plenty of weak contact pic.twitter.com/MKMEkSNvbM
— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) May 15, 2024
The 27-year-old right-hander recorded a 1.96 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 17:4 K:BB through four starts (18 1/3 innings) before suffering a strained left oblique, and he should probably be rostered in the majority of leagues with his return on the horizon. Fantasy managers might want to take a wait-and-see approach before activating Whitlock if he faces the Rays in his first start back, considering the hurler gave up nine runs over 9 2/3 frames (two starts) against Tampa last year.
Alex Wood Injury Update
The Oakland Athletics placed left-hander Alex Wood (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to May 13) with left rotator-cuff tendonitis and also optioned left-hander Brady Basso to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday. In corresponding moves, right-hander Aaron Brooks' contract was selected from the minors, and left-hander Hogan Harris was recalled from Vegas. Infielder Darrell Hernaiz (ankle) was also moved to the 60-day IL. The 33-year-old Wood is eligible to return on May 28, but it's unlikely the veteran will make it back by then.
The Oakland A’s selected RHP Aaron Brooks and recalled LHP Hogan Harris from Triple-A Las Vegas. The A’s also placed LHP Alex Wood on the 15-day injured list retroactive to May 13 with left rotator cuff tendonitis and optioned LHP Brady Basso to Las Vegas. To clear a spot on…
— Oakland A's Communications (@AthleticsPR) May 15, 2024
His left shoulder was bothering him in his last start on Sunday against the Mariners, but Wood hasn't been very good in his nine starts in 2024, going 1-3 with a 5.26 ERA and 1.78 WHIP with 33 K's in 39 1/3 frames. It's unclear who will take his rotation spot, but Brooks is coming up for a spot start on Wednesday versus the Houston Astros.
Keaton Winn Injury Update
San Francisco Giants right-hander Keaton Winn (forearm) left his start early on Tuesday against the visiting division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning due to right forearm tightness. Before leaving, Winn's struggles in 2024 continued, as he gave up five more earned runs on five hits (one home run) while walking three and striking out four to raise his season ERA to 6.17. The 26-year-old is now 3-6 on the year after the loss and could be headed to the injured list soon, depending on what the results of his MRI exam on Wednesday show.
Keaton Winn had forearm tightness. He’ll get an MRI tomorrow.
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) May 15, 2024
His next start is scheduled to come on Sunday in a favorable matchup against the Colorado Rockies in San Francisco, but it remains to be seen if he'll be able to pitch then. If Winn is forced to miss more than one start, the Giants could elect to bring back rookie Mason Black.
Jeffrey Springs Injury Update
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs (elbow) threw a two-inning live batting practice session on Wednesday and will next pitch in a Rookie-level Florida Complex League game on Monday. It'll be a big step forward in Springs' recovery from last April's Tommy John surgery when the hurler returns to game action on Monday, and considering his rehab assignment is on the verge of beginning, there's a chance he'll be built back up and ready to rejoin Tampa Bay's injury-depleted rotation before the end of June.
Over his last three seasons (196 innings), the 31-year-old left-hander owns an outstanding 2.53 ERA (3.14 FIP), 1.03 WHIP, and 231:49 K:BB and can be stashed in deep competitive leagues. Veteran right-hander Zack Littell is functioning as a starter for the Rays for the time being, and he's worthy of streaming consideration when facing a favorable matchup. (MLB.com)
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