When is Bryan Woo Coming Back? Fantasy Baseball Injury Update

Bryan Woo made his MLB debut in 2023, starting 18 games for the Seattle Mariners. While Woo struck out 93 batters in 87 2/3 innings, he finished the year with near-average run-prevention numbers.

Woo made 16 starts for three levels in the MiLB in 2022 and nine in Double-A last season. His 3.74 ERA and 4.21 strikeout-to-walk ratio over those 25 starts were enough for the Mariners to entrust him with a starting spot over the final few months of 2023. His 4.21 ERA and 96 ERA+ were just under the league average but set him up for an uptick in performance in Year 2.

The 24-year-old showed some promise in spring training, allowing seven baserunners over 8 1/3 innings. Unfortunately, Woo had inflammation in his throwing elbow and ended up on the IL to start the season. How much longer will he be out and what can the youngster expect when he returns?

• Fantasy baseball injury reports
• Fantasy baseball trade analyzer
• Daily MLB starting lineups for fantasy baseball
• Fantasy baseball BvP matchups data (Batter vs. Pitcher)
• Fantasy baseball PvB matchups data (Pitcher vs. Batter)
• Who should I start? Fantasy baseball player comparisons
• Fantasy baseball closer depth charts, bullpens, saves
• Fantasy Baseball live scoreboard, daily leaderboards

Bryan Woo Injury Update for Fantasy Baseball

Seattle Mariners GM Justin Hollander gave an update on Woo on April 1. At that time, Hollander had good news, saying Woo was throwing and there were no concerns after an MRI showed no structural damage. Woo was shut down for about a week from throwing at the end of spring training. 

Though Woo has progressed to throwing and seems to be feeling well, he will need time to build his arm back up, according to Hollander. Hollander reiterated "it's not a long-term thing."

Mariners GM Justin Hollander had positive updates on recovery injury players today: Matt Brash, Gregory Santos, Eduard Bazardo, Bryan Woo and Sam Haggerty.

Woo is the closest, obviously. He’s already had a day of catch and feels good. Was shut down less than a week.

— Curtis Crabtree (@Curtis_Crabtree) April 1, 2024

Woo needs to get in some mound work before we know if he's out of the clear, but he seems to be holding up well so far. He is probably around a month from returning if he experiences no setbacks. 

Bryan Woo Fantasy Baseball Outlook

With Woo on his way back, it's a good time to stash him if he's available and there are enough IL spots in fantasy. He is rostered in 69% of Yahoo leagues, meaning he may be owned in most leagues he'd be valuable in. Hold onto him in standard redraft leagues and pay attention to his progress and production in shallow leagues.

The Mariners have one of the best rotations in baseball, even with Woo on the IL. Emerson Hancock, the No. 6 pick in the 2020 draft, is currently pitching in the spot Woo would be slotted. Though Hancock is a top pitching prospect, he hasn't shown he should take Woo's spot in the rotation long-term. Through two games, the 24-year-old has an 11.42 ERA.

Unless Hancock pitches a few gems between now and when Woo is available to return, Woo should slide back into the fifth spot in Seattle's rotation. The former sixth-round pick offers great strikeout potential and a solid WHIP. His advanced metrics, along with projections systems, have him posting a low 4 ERA this season.

More Fantasy Baseball Analysis