When Will Blake Snell, Yu Darvish, Brandon Woodruff Return? Fantasy Baseball Injury Update

When will Snell, Darvish, and Woodruff return and play? Will Snell, Darvish, and Woodruff be back again this season? Read the latest fantasy baseball injury updates and return date for Week 4 of the 2025 MLB season.

Even though we are just entering the fourth week of the MLB season, there are several starting pitchers who are sidelined due to injury. As a result, fantasy managers have had to look to the waiver wire earlier than expected to fill their lineup. Due to the numerous injuries, several young emerging arms such as Chase Dollander, Brandon Young, and Logan Henderson have earned the call to the big leagues.

In this piece, we will analyze the most recent injury update regarding three starting pitchers. We will check in on Blake Snell of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Yu Darvish of the San Diego Padres, and Brandon Woodruff of the Milwaukee Brewers.

All three starting pitchers will carry upside when on the bump. When should fantasy managers expect them back on the mound? Let's dive in!

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Blake Snell Injury Update For Fantasy Baseball

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Blake Snell to a massive five-year, $182 million contract during free agency this winter. Snell was coming off a strong season in San Francisco, where he posted a stellar 3.12 ERA with a 1.05 WHIP across 104 innings. In this stint, he struck out an impressive 145 batters but held a modest 10.5 percent walk rate.

In 2023, Snell won his second Cy Young Award of his career with the San Diego Padres. During this campaign, the southpaw posted an impressive 2.25 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP. He logged 180 innings and struck out an incredible 234 batters.

Snell was given the start in the Dodgers' domestic home opener against the Detroit Tigers. In this contest, he tossed five innings of two-run ball en route to earning the victory. He struggled with his control as he posted a modest 2:4 K:BB in this outing. In his second start, these command issues arose again as he served up four free passes in just four innings of five-run ball (zero earned) against the Atlanta Braves.

However, after this outing, Snell was quickly shut down due to swelling in his left shoulder. He was also placed on the 15-day injured list. He started to feel pain in his shoulder after a brief bullpen session.

Dodgers announce that Blake Snell is going on the injured list with shoulder inflammation. Matt Sauer has been recalled

Snell threw a bullpen session this morning, but had a conversation with trainer Thomas Albert and GM Brandon Gomes afterward

— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) April 6, 2025

While the southpaw was held out of throwing for a few weeks, Snell recently started a throwing program on Monday. According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, Snell was playing catch on April 14 for the first time since hitting the injured list. Fantasy managers should continue to keep an eye on his progression.

Blake Snell just completed his first bullpen session since landing on the IL. Feels “way better” throwing than before. Said he will need at least another bullpen and a simulated game before there’s a conversation about being activated. All in all, he’s encouraged by his progress.

— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) April 19, 2025

However, seeing that he only recently started playing catch, he is still several weeks away from a potential return.

While Snell remains sidelined, fantasy managers should expect the Dodgers to continue to provide several depth options from Triple-A spot-starts in the rotation. While Snell has been sidelined, Justin Wrobleski, Bobby Miller, and Landon Knack have all been given opportunities but have yet to enjoy extended success.

Yu Darvish Injury Update For Fantasy Baseball

Yu Darvish has been shut down since spring training due to elbow inflammation. The injury was first reported on March 18. He was shut down, though most of March, but was able to start a light throwing progression on March 26.

Darvish opened the campaign on the 15-day injured list as well.

On April 13, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that Darvish began throwing from 180 feet but was still "at least" three weeks away from a return.

However, the 38-year-old has continued to progress and took a significant step forward this past week. According to Acee, the right-hander is expected to participate in a "higher-intensity" bullpen this weekend. This is a great sign for Darvish as he is taking the next step in his progression. If he is able to complete this bullpen without any setbacks, he could embark on a rehab assignment sooner than expected.

Yu Darvish will take a big step forward this weekend.

- per Kevin Acee pic.twitter.com/aGESYfXkD9

— Dave L Funnell (@sportz_nutt51) April 19, 2025

Last season, Darvish was limited by injuries as well and was held to just 81 2/3 innings of work. He posted a solid 3.31 ERA with a 1.07 WHIP. He tallied punchouts at a modest 23.6 percent rate but showed above-average control, allowing walks at a 6.7 percent rate. He also placed in the 66th percentile in both xERA and xBA.

When Darvish is cleared to return, fantasy managers should expect him to replace Kyle Hart in the rotation. Hart has struggled during the early part of the campaign, posting a 6.48 ERA with a 1.38 WHIP across 16 2/3 innings (four starts).

Darvish is worth holding on an IL spot as he could return early in May.

Brandon Woodruff Injury Update For Fantasy Baseball

Unlike the other two pitchers on this list, Brandon Woodruff is much further in his progression and is quite close to a return.

Woodruff underwent surgery in October 2023 to repair the anterior capsule in his right shoulder. During camp, the right-hander was slowly progressing but was only deployed in short outings.

He opened the campaign, as expected, on the 15-day injured list. However, he did not face any setbacks and remained on schedule, despite hitting the IL.

Throughout April, the 32-year-old completed several simulated games, including a 51-pitch session on April 2, which was his final step before embarking on a rehab assignment.

Minor League Baseball watchers rejoice.

Brandon Woodruff will start tomorrow for the @nashvillesounds. He will go four innings/65 pitches to kick off his rehab assignment.

— Curt Hogg (@CyrtHogg) April 11, 2025

Following this session, Woodruff joined Triple-A Nashville. In his first rehab outing on April 16, Woodruff tossed 66 pitches. He struck out five batters and allowed two runs across three 2/3 innings of work.

In his second rehab outing on April 18, Woodruff was unable to increase his pitch count much, as he logged only 68 pitches. In this start, he only struck out three batters and allowed three runs over four innings.

Next step in Brandon Woodruff's minor-league rehab stint occurred this afternoon with advanced Class A Wisconsin.

Woodruff's line: 4 IP, 6 H, 3 R (earned), 3 BB, 3 K, 68 pitches.

— Todd Rosiak (@Todd_Rosiak) April 18, 2025

Fantasy managers should expect Woodruff to make at least one more start, as he is yet to reach the 75-pitch mark.

When Woodruff is eventually cleared to return, he will likely take one of Quinn Priester's, Logan Henderson's, or Chad Patrick's spots in the rotation. Left-hander Jose Quintana has been very sharp and is likely not in any danger of moving to the bullpen.

Woodruff will hold value in deeper formats given his strikeout upside. However, fantasy managers in shallow formats should wait to put Woodruff in their lineup until he shows some success on the mound once he returns to the majors.

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