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Weekend MLB baseball is right around the corner, and it's a perfect time to monitor the statuses of some key banged-up hurlers. Injuries to studs will affect fantasy baseball lineup decisions, so let's take a look at injured pitchers Zach Eflin, Gerrit Cole, Gavin Williams, Clarke Schmidt, and Josiah Gray.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for pitchers as of May 31, 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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Zach Eflin Injury Update
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Zach Eflin (back) was throwing off the mound on Thursday and has a "ramped-up bullpen session" likely scheduled for Sunday in Baltimore, according to manager Kevin Cash. If Eflin comes out of Sunday's session without any setbacks, he could make his return from the injured list to rejoin the starting rotation next week. The 30-year-old veteran is getting close to a return from a lower-back injury that has kept him out the last few weeks on the 15-day injured list.
#Rays SP Zach Eflin (back) throwing off the mound today, with a “ramped-up bullpen session” likely on Sunday in Baltimore, Kevin Cash says. They’ll see how he feels, and if it’s all good, Eflin could make a return to the rotation next week.
— Ryan Bass (@Ry_Bass) May 30, 2024
After winning a league-high 16 games for the Rays in his first season with the team in 2023, Eflin had gone 3-4 with a 4.12 ERA (3.65 FIP) and 1.17 WHIP with 44 strikeouts and only four walks in 59 innings over 10 starts before getting hurt. He should be stashed in most fantasy leagues.
Gerrit Cole Injury Update
New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole's (elbow) next outing could come in a minor league rehab game on Tuesday, assuming he bounces back from Thursday's live batting practice session well. No matter what level Cole begins his rehab assignment at, the fact that he's on the precipice of returning to game action is a major step forward in his throwing program as he builds his arm back up from right elbow discomfort.
Gerrit Cole's next outing could come in a rehab game on Tuesday, assuming he bounces back well. Plenty of choices: Tampa, Somerset and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre are all scheduled at home that day.
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) May 31, 2024
If he indeed gets an appearance in the minors on Tuesday, it puts the hard-throwing 33-year-old fantasy superstar firmly on track to rejoin New York's rotation before the end of June. The first-place Yankees certainly aren't going to rush their ace back into the fray, but it's fair to wonder if there's more of a sense of urgency to get Cole back now with upstart right-hander Clarke Schmidt (lat) heading to the injured list with an indefinite absence on Thursday.
Gavin Williams Injury Update
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Gavin Williams (elbow) made his first minor league rehab start with Triple-A Columbus on Thursday, allowing two runs on two hits (one home run) and two walks with two strikeouts over 1 1/3 innings of work. Williams' velocity was fine, but another big takeaway from Thursday's outing is that he was only able to reach 32 pitches.
Gavin Williams made a AAA rehab start today, tossing just 32 pitches over 1.0 IP
His arsenal graced out well and his velocity is almost up to his 2023 levels. Hie command was erratic, leading to a very inefficient outing for Williams pic.twitter.com/748zsg91Mi
— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) May 31, 2024
That likely means Williams is going to require around five appearances in the minors before he's stretched out enough to rejoin the major league rotation, meaning his 2024 debut with the Guardians is unlikely to arrive until sometime in late June. In the meantime, veteran right-hander Ben Lively has helped fill in with a 2.80 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 43:14 K:BB across 45 innings (eight starts) as a starter for Cleveland in 2024. He will be a prime streaming candidate in fantasy for Saturday's scheduled appearance at home versus the Washington Nationals.
Clarke Schmidt Injury Update
New York Yankees starter Clarke Schmidt (lat) was placed on the 15-day injured list on Thursday afternoon, retroactive to May 27, with a right lat strain. Schmidt last took the mound on Sunday against the San Diego Padres and looked no worse for wear during the start.
Nevertheless, the 28-year-old will be sidelined for at least two weeks as he recovers from the ailment. It is an unfortunate injury as Schmidt was in the midst of a breakout campaign. He owns a 5-3 record, 2.52 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 67:20 K:BB across 11 starts.
Prior to tonight’s game, the Yankees made the following roster moves:
• Placed RHP Clarke Schmidt on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to 5/27) with a right lat strain.
• Recalled RHP Cody Morris (#82) from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 30, 2024
He has also not surrendered more than three runs in any outing this season. Right-hander Cody Morris was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre as a corresponding move, but it is unclear who will replace Schmidt in the rotation at this point. UPDATE: Schmidt will be shut down at least four to six weeks, according to manager Aaron Boone.
Josiah Gray Injury Update
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Josiah Gray (elbow/forearm) threw a live bullpen session on Thursday. The 2023 All-Star threw 76 pitches in his session and is another step closer to returning to the big league club. Gray got lit up in his first two starts of the season before being placed on the 15-day injured list with a right elbow/forearm flexor strain.
Manager Dave Martinez spoke on Wednesday and would like to see Gray have one more bullpen session in the next five days before the club determines the next move. Gray still has some work to be done but could be a valuable end-of-the-rotation arm in deeper leagues when healthy. (MasnSports.com)
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