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Fantasy baseball injury updates and injury reports for MLB pitchers as of 8/24/2023, including Shohei Ohtani, Joe Ryan, Kenley Jansen, Jack Flaherty, Joe Musgrove, and more.
The MLB season is heating up as it inches toward September, and fantasy managers should continue to monitor the latest injury headlines. This week, plenty of stud pitchers could be returning or out of action. Let's take a look at the top injured pitchers including Shohei Ohtani, Joe Ryan, Kenley Jansen, Jack Flaherty, Joe Musgrove, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for pitchers as of August 24, 2023. We'll be covering all positions throughout the week, so stay tuned. Some players on this list impact fantasy baseball more than others, but with leagues of all shapes and sizes, you never know which guys will force fantasy managers to search waiver wires in hopes of finding adequate replacements.
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.
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Shohei Ohtani Injury Update
Los Angeles Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (elbow) has been diagnosed with a torn UCL in his right elbow and won't pitch again this season. Ohtani was removed from his start early in Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday due to arm fatigue, but this is much worse news. The 29-year-old right-handed hurler could eventually need the second Tommy John surgery of his career, which would keep him out of action for around a full year as a pitcher.
The good news is that Ohtani will continue to serve as the Angels' designated hitter the rest of the way. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues that have Ohtani rostered as a pitcher can go ahead and drop him now. He'll finish 2023 season with a strong 3.17 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over 22 starts.
Joe Ryan Injury Update
Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan (groin) is expected to return from the 10-day injured list to start on Saturday against the Texas Rangers. The Twins have been pleased with how Ryan has looked on his minor-league rehab start and they announced on Tuesday that his next start would likely be back in the big leagues. The 27-year-old tossed 71 pitches in his last rehab start for Triple-A St. Paul last week and struck out seven in four innings pitched.
Ryan will be making his first start this weekend since going on the injured list on Aug. 3 with a left-groin strain. He will have fantasy appeal in all leagues the rest of the way after striking out 152 hitters in 126 innings this year over his 22 starts for the Twins.
Kenley Jansen Injury Update
Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen (hamstring) left his appearance early on Wednesday against the Houston Astros due to right-hamstring tightness. Jansen was removed in the ninth inning after recording one out and was replaced by Nick Pivetta, who finished off the inning and eventually earned the win. Josh Winckowski came on and worked an inning to pick up his third save of the season. For now, fantasy managers should consider Jansen day-to-day until we know more about his condition, but he's unlikely to be available for the series finale against the Astros on Thursday either way.
If the 35-year-old's injury causes him to miss any time, Winckowski and Chris Martin could share save duties in Boston. Jansen has been a quality fantasy closer in his first year in Beantown in 2023, posting a 2.83 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 29 saves and 50 K's in 41 1/3 innings.
Jack Flaherty Injury Update
Updating a previous report, Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that right-hander Jack Flaherty is dealing with "general soreness" that occurs between starts, which is why he didn't make his scheduled start on Wednesday against the Toronto Blue Jays. Hyde said the team is taking a precaution, but it remains to be seen if Flaherty will be able to make his next start. If the 27-year-old is able to make his next start, fantasy managers should be hesitant to rely on him.
In his three starts with Baltimore since coming over at the trade deadline from the St. Louis Cardinals, he's allowed 11 earned runs on 14 hits (two homers) while walking and fanning 19 in 14 innings against the Jays, Astros and Padres.
Nathan Eovaldi Injury Update
Texas Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (forearm) threw a live batting practice session of two innings, including warming up for a third inning, at Chase Field in Arizona on Monday. He also threw a bullpen session of around 40 pitches on Aug. 13 and another one on Aug. 16. Eovaldi reported no issues after Monday's session and thinks he could presently get big-league hitters out.
The Rangers haven't confirmed the next step for Eovaldi or whether he'll need a minor-league rehab assignment before rejoining the rotation. Either way, the 33-year-old appears close to rejoining the Rangers as they push to win the American League West. Eovaldi has been great this year, going 11-3 with a 2.69 ERA (3.24 FIP), 1.01 WHIP and 111 strikeouts in 123 2/3 innings over 19 starts in his first year in Texas. (MLB.com)
Michael Kopech Injury Update
Chicago White Sox right-hander Michael Kopech (leg) left his start early on Wednesday against the Seattle Mariners with leg cramps and is being considered day-to-day. Despite giving up four walks in four innings before departing his start early, Kopech didn't allow a run on just one hit while also striking out five against Seattle.
It remains to be seen if the 27-year-old will make his next scheduled start on Monday against the Baltimore Orioles, but this injury doesn't seem to be too serious. Kopech entered his start on Wednesday with a 5-11 record, 5.12 ERA (6.59 FIP), 1.50 WHIP, a league-leading 76 walks and 117 strikeouts in 116 innings over 23 starts.
Joe Musgrove Injury Update
San Diego Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove (shoulder), who is on the 15-day injured list with right-shoulder capsule inflammation, will play catch on Friday for the first time since being sidelined earlier this month, according to manager Bob Melvin. Musgrove will have several rounds of catch before even getting on a mound, and it still remains unclear if he'll be able to pitch again in 2023.
The Padres shut the 30-year-old down from throwing for three weeks after he felt stiffness in his shoulder in the days following his start on July 28. General manager A.J. Preller said doctors believe Musgrove won't require surgery, which gives him a chance to return before the end of the season. Even if Musgrove makes it back, he'll be more of a risk in fantasy lineups and won't have much time to make much of an impact. (MLB.com)
Nick Lodolo Injury Update
Cincinnati Reds lefty Nick Lodolo (leg) completed his second rehab game on Sunday, but an MRI after the contest revealed he suffered a stress reaction in his left tibia, according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. The hope was for the 25-year-old to return at some point in late August, but that seems very unlikely now.
Lodolo hasn't pitched in the big leagues since May 6 after a leg issue forced him to the injured list. Prior to the injury, he posted a 6.29 ERA and 1.75 WHIP but struck out 47 over 34 1/3 innings. Fantasy owners may have to wait until 2024 to see Lodolo back on the mound, but he should continue missing a ton of bats when he's finally in action again.
Aaron Ashby Injury Update
Milwaukee Brewers southpaw Aaron Ashby (shoulder) is feeling healthy and is throwing bullpens, but his velocity is still down, and he won't begin a rehab assignment until the first half of September. The promising 25-year-old hasn't pitched at all in 2023 after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder back in April. Over 107 1/3 frames last year, Ashby pitched to a 4.44 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, and 26.5% strikeout rate, making 27 appearances and 19 starts. It isn't a guarantee that he'll pitch this season, but if he does, it'll likely be out of the bullpen for the Brewers. (MLB.com)
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