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The 2024 MLB season is officially two weeks old, and there are flurries of key pitchers dealing with bumps and bruises as we head toward the weekend. That said, we have the latest updates on stud pitchers around the league. Let's take a look at injured pitchers Jhoan Duran, Kodai Senga, Devin Williams, Max Scherzer, Taj Bradley, and more
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for pitchers as of April 11, 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.
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Jhoan Duran Injury Update
Minnesota Twins closer Jhoan Duran (oblique) is itching to get back out there and said he's hoping to throw his first bullpen session on Friday. Duran was forced to open the 2024 regular season on the injured list with an oblique injury, but he's been throwing pain-free on flat ground and is getting close to throwing off a mound.
Jhoan Duran is itching to get back out there and says he’s hoping to throw his first bullpen on Friday.
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) April 9, 2024
Once he gets there, the 26-year-old might not need long before he's able to make his season debut for the Twins. Duran should be rostered in all fantasy baseball leagues and stashed in an IL spot in the meantime. The Dominican hurler will be the Twins' unquestioned closer when he's back after posting a 2.15 ERA, a 1.05 WHIP, 35 saves, 41 walks, and 173 strikeouts in 130 innings in his first two big-league seasons.
Kodai Senga Injury Update
The New York Mets have transferred right-hander Kodai Senga (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list. In corresponding moves, they have selected reliever Tyler Jay from Triple-A Syracuse and have optioned righty Dedniel Nunez to Syracuse. Senga initially complained of right arm fatigue early in spring training but was eventually diagnosed with a right-shoulder capsular strain that will now keep him sidelined until May 27 at a minimum but a June return to action is more likely.
News: The Mets have transferred Kodai Senga to the 60-day IL. He's no longer eligible to return until May 27.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) April 10, 2024
It's a tough blow for the Mets as Senga tossed a healthy 2.98 ERA alongside a 29.1% K% across 29 starts for the Mets in his first season in North America in 2023. He is worth an injury stash into the summer as a result.
Devin Williams Injury Update
Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams (back) is still hoping to return around the All-Star break in July, according to general manager Matt Arnold. Williams was diagnosed with two stress fractures in his back in the middle of March and was estimated to be out for around three months, which would put him back in the middle of the summer, barring any setbacks once he begins ramping up his arm.
Matt Arnold also provided timelines on several other injured players.
Garrett Mitchell (finger): ~June 1 for a return
Robert Gasser (elbow): Throwing 2 innings in AZ on Saturday
Devin Williams (back): Still looking at the AS break
Taylor Clarke (knee surgery): Late May— Todd Rosiak (@Todd_Rosiak) April 10, 2024
The 29-year-old All-Star closer has a long way to go before returning as Milwaukee's closer, but he should be stashed in an injured list spot in all fantasy leagues until then. Abner Uribe has opened the year as the Brewers' preferred closer with Williams out and has allowed three earned runs in his first five innings of 2024 with three walks and five strikeouts while picking up three saves.
Max Scherzer Injury Update
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (back) threw a bullpen session without any issues on Tuesday. The plan is for Scherzer to progress to facing live hitters in a batting practice session next week. The 39-year-old remains without a timetable to return, but the expectation is that Scherzer is back before the start of June.
Max Scherzer threw a bullpen today and said he will throw live batting practice next week as he moves forward in his rehab from back surgery. #Rangers
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilsonTXR) April 9, 2024
That being said, Scherzer is worth stashing in deeper mixed leagues while he continues to make progress in his recovery from back surgery.
Taj Bradley Injury Update
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Taj Bradley (pectoral) had a "good" bullpen session recently, per manager Kevin Cash, but Cash said the right-hander is still not close to returning. Bradley has been working his way back from a strained right pectoral for almost a month now, and he remains on course in his throwing progression. If his recovery takes about six weeks as was originally anticipated, he could return in early May. The 23-year-old hard-throwing righty only threw three innings during spring training, so he'll likely need a handful of minor-league rehab appearances before rejoining Tampa Bay's rotation.
Bradley's strikeout upside (28.0% K rate in 2023) makes him an interesting stash in fantasy leagues, but his 5.59 ERA over 104 2/3 major-league innings last year left a lot to be desired after he served up 28 home runs. Zack Littell and Tyler Alexander will continue to function as starters until the Rays' staff gets healthier. (MLB.com)
Robert Stephenson Injury Update
Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Robert Stephenson (shoulder) is set to start a rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday. Stephenson will then be re-evaluated after his scheduled appearance on Tuesday. Signed to a three-year, $33 million deal in January, Stephenson hit the injured list on March 28 due to right shoulder inflammation but continued his throwing progression with several bullpen sessions. Although he didn't appear during spring training, Stephenson should be available as a high-leverage arm out of Anaheim's bullpen in late April.
Robert Stephenson (shoulder) is set to start a rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake. He's pitching Sunday in Las Vegas and Tuesday in Salt Lake City. And then will be reevaluated from there.
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) April 10, 2024
The hard-throwing 31-year-old right-hander could eventually work his way into the ninth-inning mix as well, impressing with a 2.35 ERA (2.45 FIP), 0.67 WHIP, and 60:8 K: BB over 38 1/3 innings after joining the Tampa Bay Rays in June of 2023. With All-Star closer Carlos Estevez in a contract year, it wouldn't hurt fantasy managers to stash Stephenson where they can.
Hunter Harvey Injury Update
Washington Nationals right-handed reliever Hunter Harvey (hand) said his left hand is feeling much better and that he might be fine to pitch on Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants. Harvey said he lost all feeling in his and for 40 minutes last night after getting hit by a comebacker off the bat of outfielder Mike Yastrzemski in the eighth inning.
Hunter Harvey says his left hand is feeling much better, and he might be OK to pitch today. Said he lost all feeling in the hand for 40 minutes last night after getting hit by the line drive. Once the feeling came back and X-ray was negative, he knew he’d be fine.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) April 10, 2024
Once the feeling in his hand came back and the X-rays were negative, Harvey knew he'd be fine. The 29-year-old late-inning reliever was still able to record the hold against San Fran in the team's victory on Tuesday night and he's now up to four holds on the year. It looks like he's in the clear, even if he doesn't appear in the contest on Wednesday. Despite being the eighth-inning setup man for now, Harvey is valuable in holds leagues and as a handcuff to closer Kyle Finnegan.
Chase Silseth Injury Update
An MRI on Los Angeles Angels right-hander Chase Silseth's right elbow has revealed inflammation but no ligament damage. The 23-year-old said he received a second opinion, but the doctors agreed on only inflammation, and he hopes to return to action in three weeks. It's certainly big news for everyone involved given the rash of elbow injuries across the league early in the 2024 season, while Silseth has seemingly avoided disaster after a solid debut season in 2023.
Good news on Chase Silseth’s elbow. MRI exam revealed inflammation and no ligament damage.
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) April 10, 2024
Silseth had a 3.96 ERA across 16 outings (eight starts) with the Halos a season ago while also working to an impressive 2.96 ERA in 11 starts with Triple-A Salt Lake. The youngster is worth a short-term injury stash in deeper leagues.
Josiah Gray Injury Update
Washington Nationals right-hander Josiah Gray (elbow) said his elbow/forearm strain is muscular after his MRI exam showed no structural damage to his elbow ligament. Gray spoke up quickly after experiencing discomfort in his right elbow in his last start and is hoping that helped this from being a more serious injury.
Josiah Gray says his strain is muscular. Got an MRI, which showed no damage to his elbow ligament. Spoke up quickly after first experiencing discomfort following his last start and hopes that helped keep this from being a more serious injury.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) April 9, 2024
The 26-year-old will miss at least the next two weeks after being put on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday. It's been a tough start for Gray in 2024 after he made his first All-Star team in 2023, as he's currently sporting a 14.04 ERA with nine strikeouts in 8 1/3 innings over his first two starts this year. Joan Adon was recalled from Triple-A and will take Gray's spot in the starting rotation for now and start against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday.
Matt Brash Injury Update
Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Matt Brash (elbow) was able to throw a successful bullpen session on Wednesday, according to manager Scott Servais. The organization hasn't given a timetable for when Brash will get back on the mound.
Scott Servais did mention that Matt Brash had thrown a live BP session in Arizona the other day. So he's trending in the right direction. Gregory Santos is working toward thrown off the mound soon. Guessing we will get more in-depth injury info on Friday from Justin Hollander
— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) April 10, 2024
However, it sounds like Brash has been making solid progress. He still has more work to do, so he'll likely return at some point in May. His return should be a significant boost to the Seattle bullpen considering he was great for them last season.
Taijuan Walker, Orion Kerkering Injury Update
The Philadelphia Phillies are sending right-handers Taijuan Walker (shoulder) and Orion Kerkering (forearm, illness) on minor-league rehab assignments. Kerkering would then be activated sometime over the weekend. Walker will start his rehab assignment on Thursday with Triple-A Lehigh Valley and will likely make four starts, increasing his pitch count in 15-pitch increments before eventually joining the Phillies' starting rotation.
Phillies think they can play today. Tomorrow, at home vs. PIT, is very much in question with rain. The club is sending Taijuan Walker and Orion Kerkering to Florida to pitch for Low-A Clearwater. Kerkering would then be activated sometime over weekend.
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) April 10, 2024
The 31-year-old threw 46 pitches over three innings in a live batting practice session over the weekend and is attempting to return from a right-shoulder impingement he suffered in spring training. The 23-year-old Kerkering got sick in spring training and then suffered a right forearm strain. When healthy, he'll be a key late-inning bullpen piece for the Phillies but is unlikely to see many, if any, save chances.
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