When is Gavin Williams Coming Back in Fantasy Baseball?

Before the 2023 season, Gavin Williams was considered a top pitching prospect in the minors. Williams was drafted in 2017 by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 30th round. Instead of signing, he decided to go to East Carolina University. In the 2021 draft, the Cleveland Guardians drafted Williams in the first round, 23rd overall.

After spending four years at ECU, Williams made 37 starts in the Guardians system between 2022 and 2023 before being called to The Show. A 1.96 ERA and 149 strikeouts in 115 innings pitched over 25 starts in 2022 paved the way for Williams to jump up most prospect rankings lists before last season.

Ranked 20th by Baseball America and 26th by Baseball Prospectus before the 2023 season, the big right-hander pitched to a 2.39 ERA before being called up by the Guardians. He made 16 starts in the majors beginning at the end of June. The 24-year-old held his own, finishing the year with a 3.29 ERA and 81 strikeouts over 82 innings pitched. Williams hurt his elbow on his throwing arm during a weighted-ball workout in March. He was diagnosed with right elbow inflammation and placed on the IL to begin the season.

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Gavin Williams Injury Update for Fantasy Baseball

There was good news for Williams, the Guardians, and fantasy baseball managers this week as Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported the budding youngster was scheduled to throw a bullpen early in the week. 

It seems as if Williams came out of the bullpen doing well overall, as he headed back to Arizona to build his arm back up. Manager Stephen Vogt didn't have a timetable for Williams' return but said, "Gavin needs to start over."

Cleveland #Guardians RHP Gavin Williams is headed back to Arizona to build back up arm strength. He was given 100% ready to go after his bullpen in Seattle on Monday. There is no timetable how long it will take before he will be ready. Per manager Steven Vogt "Gavin needs to…

— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) April 3, 2024

Williams' return date will be up in the air slightly longer since he wasn't immediately sent out on a rehab assignment. Hope was he could return in late April but that return could now be pushed back into May.

Gavin Williams Fantasy Baseball Outlook

Williams remains a must-hold for a lot of leagues. He's currently rostered in 65% of Yahoo leagues. If he's available and there are IL spots, he should be stashed at this point. Even though he isn't on track to return within a week or two, he is right around the corner.

Though the 6-foot-6 righty turned in mostly average advanced metrics in 2023, he should improve upon those numbers as he adjusts to the quality of hitters in the bigs. Though he isn't a top-tier fantasy ace, Williams is someone who will help teams once he returns from injury.

In shallower leagues without many IL spots, it may still be too early to pick Williams up, but keep an eye on his rehab to grab him closer to his return.

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