Fantasy Baseball Injury Reports for Pitchers - Updates for Merrill Kelly, Gerrit Cole, Gavin Williams, Cristian Javier, Nick Pivetta, Max Scherzer, and more

Heading into Friday and weekend baseball, there is no shortage of fantasy baseball studs in the injury headlines. We have the latest updates on stud pitchers around the league. Let's check in on key banged-up hurlers, including Merrill Kelly, Gerrit Cole, Gavin Williams, Cristian Javier, Nick Pivetta, Max Scherzer, and more.

This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for pitchers as of May 3, 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.

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.

Merrill Kelly Injury Update

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly (shoulder) will shift to the 60-day injured list to free up a 40-man roster spot for incoming right-hander Matt Bowman from the Minnesota Twins for cash considerations. This is a fairly significant update for Kelly, considering manager Torey Lovullo said on April 23 that the hurler's strained right shoulder would undergo re-imaging in the upcoming weeks. As a result, the D-backs and fantasy managers will now be without Kelly until early July at the earliest.

The #Dbacks have acquired RHP Matt Bowman from the Twins and made the following roster moves. pic.twitter.com/XG5JiKePoy

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) May 3, 2024

The 35-year-old right-hander was working to an excellent 2.19 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 21:6 K:BB over 24 2/3 innings (four starts) before heading to the IL, and he's well worth a stash for those who can afford the roster spot. Right-hander Slade Cecconi should continue functioning from Arizona's rotation, and he's trending up with a 2.25 ERA, 0.50 WHIP, and 11:1 K:BB across 12 frames (two starts).

Gerrit Cole Injury Update

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (elbow) is scheduled to throw his first bullpen session on Saturday, with the new target for his return now being "mid-June." Cole is all set to resume throwing off the mound, which is a big step forward in his throwing progression, and a mid-June return is pretty much in line with his original recovery timetable from discomfort in his right elbow.

https://t.co/FkJ56ay7J1. Friday MLB notes: Gerrit Cole’s updated target dates for pen/return, 103.7-mph-throwing Miller trade debate, Trout hope plus notes on Alonso, Quintana and more

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) May 3, 2024

The 33-year-old reigning American League Cy Young Award winner still needs to build up his stamina and then start a minor-league rehab assignment, which could begin sometime in the next few weeks if all continues to go well. Cole notched a 2.63 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 222:48 K:BB over 209 innings (33 starts) a year ago. Until he's ready to rejoin New York's rotation, right-handers Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gil should continue getting starts for the Yankees as fantasy streaming options in favorable matchups.

Gavin Williams Injury Update

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Gavin Williams (elbow) has been cleared to begin throwing and did so on Thursday pain-free, according to manager Stephen Vogt. An elbow injury has kept Williams from making his 2024 debut with the Guardians after a fine rookie season in 2023 in which he went 3-5 with a 3.29 ERA (4.05 FIP) and 1.26 WHIP with 81 strikeouts and 37 walks in 82 innings in his first 16 major-league starts.

Gavin Williams was reevaluated yesterday and was cleared to begin throwing. He threw today, pain free, according to Vogt.

— Mandy Bell (@MandyBell02) May 2, 2024

He allowed just one earned run in 4 2/3 spring training innings over two appearances as well before getting hurt and landing on the injured to open the year. The 24-year-old former 23rd overall pick in 2021 out of East Carolina isn't exactly close to joining Cleveland's rotation, but he showed enough last year to be worthy of stashing in mixed fantasy leagues if you have the room on your roster.

Cristian Javier Injury Update

Houston Astros right-hander Cristian Javier (neck) will embark on a minor-league rehab assignment this weekend. It was reported earlier this week that Javier had a shot to come off the 15-day injured list to start this weekend against the Seattle Mariners, but that won't be the case. Instead, the 27-year-old will make a start in the minors.

Cristian Javier will go out on a minor league rehab assignment this weekend.

— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) May 2, 2024

If that goes well, he should come off the IL to join Houston's rotation at some point late next week. The Dominican hurler should be rostered in all fantasy formats after starting the 2024 season with a 2-0 record, 1.54 ERA (3.57 FIP) and 1.11 WHIP with 11 walks and 18 strikeouts in 23 1/3 innings over his first four starts. When Javier is back in the fold in Houston, rookie Spencer Arrighetti will likely be sent back to the minors.

Nick Pivetta Injury Update

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Nick Pivetta (elbow) got roughed up in his first rehab start for Triple-A Worcester. Pivetta went three innings and allowed three hits, four runs, four walks and recorded five strikeouts. He also threw 62 pitches in the contest, as he builds up for his return to the Red Sox rotation. Pivetta has been sidelined since April with a right elbow flexor strain but was pitching very well in his first two starts of the season with one run allowed and 13 strikeouts over his first two starts.

Pivetta is inching closer to his return and that would mean that Cooper Criswell or Chase Anderson will be replaced in the rotation. Pivetta may need a start or two to shake off the rust, but he is worth rostering in most formats with his ability to rack up strikeouts being a big reason why. (MILB.com)

Max Scherzer Injury Update

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (back, thumb) is likely to make his next minor-league rehab start next week. He started a rehab game at Triple-A Round Rock last Wednesday and dealt with some lingering thumb soreness that pushed his next appearance back a few days. Apparently, that outing will come sometime in the next seven days as Scherzer said his thumb is improving.

Max Scherzer said that his thumb/forearm thing is improving. He played catch today. However, he will not make a rehab start this weekend. He's going with #Rangers to Kansas City and could pitch in minors next week.

— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilsonTXR) May 2, 2024

The 39-year-old is a risky fantasy asset due to potential injury reoccurrence, but he is still worthy of a roster spot if he has a place to be stashed. Scherzer still probably needs a couple of starts to build his arm up before joining the Rangers. Barring any setbacks, fantasy managers can anticipate his return sometime in mid-May.

Braxton Garrett Injury Update

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Braxton Garrett (shoulder) made his second minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday since overcoming a bout of "dead arm," launching five one-hit innings on three walks with three strikeouts. After throwing 61 pitches in the outing, Garrett's next appearance may very well come with the major-league roster for his 2024 regular-season debut. The Marlins should make a decision on that sometime this weekend.

Braxton Garrett tonight for @JaxShrimp:

5 IP, 1 H, 3 BB, 3 K, 61/33 P/S

Threw all of his pitches and was very economical with pitch count. He’s ready.#Marlins pic.twitter.com/G1j0hSVEF0

— Fish on the Farm (@marlinsminors) May 2, 2024

Last season, the 26-year-old former No. 7 overall pick fanned 156 hitters and walked only 29 for a 3.66 ERA and 1.15 WHIP over his 159 2/3 frames of work (30 starts). If his next showing indeed comes in Miami's rotation, it would likely be in place of rookie Roddery Munoz during Monday's series opener in a shy-away spot from a fantasy perspective against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chavez Ravine.

Jordan Hicks Injury Update

San Francisco Giants right-hander Jordan Hicks (side) is scheduled to make the start on Friday in the series opener in Philadelphia against the Phillies. Hicks felt some tightness in his side in his last start on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, but he managed it well and struck out a season-high nine batters while giving up just one earned run in six innings. There was a lot to be skeptical about from Hicks from a fantasy perspective with his move to a full-time starting role in 2024, mainly because of his history with injuries as a hard-throwing reliever.

However, he's excelling so far in San Fran and has gone 2-0 with a fantastic 1.59 ERA (3.08 FIP) and 0.91 WHIP with 27 K's and 10 walks in 34 innings over his six starts. He'll face a tough matchup in a hostile environment on Friday against a Phillies offense that ranks seventh in MLB in OPS (.742), but he's been a must-start through the first month. (MLB.com)

Tyler Wells Injury Update

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Tyler Wells (elbow) played catch on Wednesday and is still undergoing tests, according to manager Brandon Hyde, who had nothing further to report on the hurler. Working his way back from inflammation in his right elbow, Wells still has no clear timetable for his return to Baltimore's rotation at this juncture.

Tyler Wells (right elbow inflammation) played catch yesterday and is still undergoing tests, per #Orioles manager Brandon Hyde, who had nothing further to report on the RHP.

— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) May 2, 2024

Considering the big 29-year-old right-hander logged a shaky 5.87 ERA and 1.37 WHIP while striking out 13 batters and walking three over 15 1/3 innings (three starts), he doesn't need to be stashed in the majority of fantasy leagues. The O's just reinstated Kyle Bradish and John Means from the injured list this week, but Dean Kremer and Cole Irvin will still be needed as starters until Wells is back in the fold, and they'll have streaming appeal under the appropriate circumstances.

Brooks Raley Injury Update

The New York Mets have concerns that relief pitcher Brooks Raley (elbow) could miss the remainder of the 2024 season. Manager Carlos Mendoza already stated on Thursday that Raley won't return from inflammation in his left elbow when first eligible on May 6, but this update is a bit more ominous. The 35-year-old southpaw was serving as New York's primary left-handed setup man this season, working seven scoreless innings with eight strikeouts and three walks while logging four holds over eight appearances.

https://t.co/FlPDbLZQaJ Mets have concerns that Brooks Raley will miss significant time.

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) May 2, 2024

Although veteran lefty Jake Diekman now figures to operate as a high-leverage arm, unheralded right-hander Reed Garrett has emerged as a weapon with a 0.54 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 28:8 K:BB through 16 2/3 frames out of the Mets' bullpen this year. Reed is throwing well enough right now to warrant fantasy consideration in all formats.

Kyle Hendricks Injury Update

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks (back) looked healthy in a rehab start for Double-A Tennessee on Thursday. The veteran tossed five innings and allowed six hits, two runs, no walks, and struck out seven on the evening, Hendricks has been shelved since late April with a minor lower back injury and it has yet to be determined if this will be his one and only rehab start or if he will make another one.

Kyle Hendricks earned the win in his Smokies rehab appearance yesterday! Click here to earn rewards with Pilot: https://t.co/u3ySo9HA0h pic.twitter.com/wuLgcMV6V8

— Tennessee Smokies (@smokiesbaseball) May 3, 2024

When on the mound for the Cubs this season, Hendricks has gotten rocked with 28 runs allowed in 21 innings. The once-consistent starter has fallen on hard times and can be left on the waiver wire in all formats when he is activated.

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