RADIO
When will Snell, Mullins, and Kurtz return and play? Will Snell, Mullins, and Kurtz be back again this season? Read the latest fantasy baseball injury updates and return date for Week 10 of the 2025 MLB season.
As we enter the 10th week of the fantasy baseball season, managers have seen several of their starting players hit the injured list. As a result, they have needed to look to the waiver wire to find several replacements to field a full lineup.
In this piece, we will analyze the latest injury update for Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Blake Snell (shoulder), Baltimore Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins (hamstring), and Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (hip).
Should fantasy managers continue to stash these players? Or should they cut ties and opt to fill their bench with active players? Let's dive in!
Featured Promo: Save 50% the regular price with discount code SUMMER, for a limited time. Exclusive access to our Team Sync platform, DFS cheat sheets, Lineup Optimizers, betting/prop picks, and exclusive content from Nick Mariano and Eric Cross! GAIN ACCESS NOW
Blake Snell Injury Update For Fantasy Baseball
Blake Snell is having a disappointing start to his Dodger career. After his second outing of the season, Snell was placed on the 15-day injured list due to left shoulder inflammation.
The Dodgers recalled RHP Matt Sauer and placed LHP Blake Snell on the injured list with left shoulder inflammation, retroactive to April 3.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 6, 2025
During the early stages of his recovery, Snell progressed quite well through his recovery plan. On April 19, Snell completed his first bullpen session since hitting the injured list. However, on April 23, the team announced that the southpaw would be shut down from throwing.
On April 28, the left-hander received an injection in his shoulder. However, following this injection, Snell still progressed very slowly through his recovery plan and was not making any significant progress.
Blake Snell ended up getting an injection to address to the shoulder inflammation. #Dodgers
— Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) April 28, 2025
However, on May 14, Snell was finally cleared to begin his throwing program. Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reported that the two-time Cy Young winner could throw from 60 feet.
Blake Snell threw out to 60 feet today, per Dave Roberts. So the doctor’s visit went well.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) May 14, 2025
However, on May 17, the Dodgers shifted Snell to the 60-day IL, as he has yet to make much progress in his recovery plan.
This week, Snell received some positive news, which could keep the door open for a return before the All-Star Break. Om June 2, DodgersBeat reported that Snell could throw off the mound as early as next week.
Blake Snell told @THEREAL_DV that the plan to get back on a mound to throw a pen might be next week in San Diego.
— DodgersBeat (@DodgersBeat) June 2, 2025
If Snell is able to throw off a mound this weekend without facing a significant setback, he could be given the green light to soon face live hitters. As he appears to be nearing a return, fantasy managers in standard leagues should continue to stash Snell in an IR spot.
When healthy, Snell has flashed elite strikeout upside. In 2024, the left-hander posted a stellar 34.7% K rate with a 3.12 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP.
Cedric Mullins Injury Update For Fantasy Baseball
Mullins hit the 10-day injured list on May 30 with a hamstring strain. The team did not specify when the 30-year-old suffered the injury. Following the transaction, Mullins had been held out of the lineup for the past three games, but it was not specified if it was due to an injury.
We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/nIlcLbB3XC
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) May 30, 2025
Through his first 50 games of the campaign, Mullins posted a .232/.324/.448 slash line with nine doubles, 10 home runs, and eight stolen bases. However, Mullins does not carry the best metrics under the hood, suggesting he should face some regression when he returns.
He currently sits in the 24th percentile in xwOBA (.307), ninth percentile in xBA (.218), and 25th percentile in xSLG (.376). He also posted a below-average hard-hit rate and barrel rate.
However, Mullins showcased solid speed upside, placing in the 79th percentile in sprint speed. The 30-year-old has also drawn walks at an 11.1% rate, which gives him a boost in points leagues. While fantasy managers should expect him to see a drop in batting average production, his high walk rate should help keep his stolen base production stable, given his on-base skills.
This week, the Orioles welcomed outfielder Colton Cowser back to the starting lineup as he missed nearly two months of action with a thumb injury. However, with Tyler O'Neill (shoulder) and Ramon Laureano (ankle), Mullins should not be in danger of losing playing time when he returns.
In addition, Mullins is an elite defender, sitting in the 80th percentile in OAA, which should help him remain a mainstay against right-handed pitching. While he could lose more opportunities against southpaws, Mullins remains a solid stash in all 12-team five-outfielder formats given his power and speed combination, as he will likely not remain sidelined longer than the minimum stint.
When he returns, he will be a viable OF4/OF5 in category leagues.
Nick Kurtz Injury Update For Fantasy Baseball
The final player we will analyze is the top prospect in the A's system. Kurtz was selected with the fourth pick in last year's MLB Draft out of Wake Forest. Kurtz opened the 2025 campaign with Triple-A Las Vegas and flashed elite power upside.
Across 20 games with Triple-A, Kurtz posted a stellar .321/.385/.655 line with seven doubles and seven long balls. After this short stretch, Kurtz was given the call to join the major leagues.
However, the 22-year-old showed some growing pains during his first taste of the bigs. Through his first 23 contests, Kurtz posted an underwhelming .08/.259/.299 line with just two doubles and one round-tripper. During this stretch, he struck out 31 times and only drew six walks.
On May 20, the Wake Forest product was able to flip the script. Over his next five games, Kurtz went deep four times and held a 5:5 K:BB.
However, this breakout was cut short by a strained left hip flexor and was placed on the 10-day IL, retroactive to May 25.
The Athletics placed first baseman Nick Kurtz on the 10-day injured list retroactive to May 25 with a strained left hip flexor and selected outfielder Drew Avans from Triple-A Las Vegas, the club announced today. The A’s also acquired left-handed pitcher Sean Newcomb from the…
— A's Communications (@AthleticsPR) May 27, 2025
On June 3, Kurtz received positive news and could quickly approach a return to action. Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reported that the team is targeting Monday, June 9, as a potential return date for Kurtz.
Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression, but it appears Kurtz avoided a significant injury.
Given the power he flashed before hitting the IL, fantasy managers should continue to stash Kurtz in all standard leagues. When he returns, he should continue to see everyday at-bats and will be given ample opportunities to resume his breakout campaign.
Under the hood, he has generated a 47.5% hard-hit rate and a 13.1% barrel rate, both well above the average marks.
Nick Kurtz brings the @Athletics within a run in the 9th!
His 4th homer in his last 4 games 😳 pic.twitter.com/NvtifzNeNb
— MLB (@MLB) May 24, 2025
For the remainder of the week, Tyler Soderstrom should see most of the starts at first base, while Kurtz remains sidelined.
More Fantasy Baseball Analysis
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!
