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Dr. Reuven Guy's fantasy baseball injury report for Week 7 (2025). Read the latest injury updates for Teoscar Hernandez, Mike Trout, Yordan Alvarez, Shota Imanaga, and much more.
Just when it looked like we were having some good luck with injured fantasy baseball players, another wave of injured players has cropped up. After a week when a lot of injured players returned from injury, some of the bigger-name players have now made their way onto the injured list. The question now is how to continue to compete with these players out.
We are now six weeks into the season, and we have a good idea of which players are playing up to expectations and which players are not. Having this knowledge, we could try to balance our rosters with upstart players to fill in the holes left by the injured players. But remember, when it comes to dropping players to fill your roster, try to avoid dropping players you think would be picked up next week. I will continue to discuss injured players relevant to fantasy to hopefully help make these decisions a little easier.
Here's a little about myself for both new and returning readers. My name is Reuven Guy, and I am a practicing orthopedic/pain management physician assistant. I have been dealing with sports injuries for the past 19+ years. Therefore, I have knowledge of orthopedic injuries and their recovery times based on my medical experience. I also played fantasy baseball during that time. This has helped me get an advantage in this aspect of fantasy baseball, which I hope to share with you. I am also the co-host of the 2025 FSWA award-winning podcast "Beat the Shift." Stay updated on the latest MLB breaking news with our award-winning news desk and our free fantasy baseball mobile app with 24/7 push notification alerts!
Injured Hitters for Fantasy Baseball
Teoscar Hernandez (OF, LAD)- Adductor
Hernandez was placed on the IL this week with a Grade 1 left adductor strain. Initially it was thought to be a hip issue but now it is called an adductor/groin strain. There is no timetable for his return but this injury could have him on the IL for up to a month. Andy Pages and James Outman should see more playing time for the Dodgers.
Dave Roberts provides an update on Teoscar Hernández, the plan for the lineup moving forward, and the expectations for James Outman. pic.twitter.com/LVyIBgcFvg
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) May 6, 2025
Ronald Acuna Jr. (OF, ATL)- Knee
Acuna continues to recover from left knee surgery from last year. He is going to start a rehab assignment soon, but the exact date is not yet known.
On Ronald Acuña Jr.: Braves discussed him seeing Dr. Neal ElAttrache in LA again. But the Braves talked to ElAttrache today and the doctor said he doesn’t need to see Acuña, and that a rehab assignment start date is up to the Braves. Rehab assignment will begin this month.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) May 5, 2025
Austin Hays (OF, CIN)- Hamstring
Hays was placed on the IL with a left hamstring strain. Reds manager Terry Francona said that Hays is progressing well and could be activated from the IL when first eligible.
Triston Casas (1B, BOS)- Knee
Casas suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in his left knee, requiring surgery. He is done for the year. Romy Gonzalez has gotten more playing time so far for the Red Sox.
.@Sean_McAdam thinks Devers at 1B is at the end of this rainbow, in due time. https://t.co/dO2HFF6Qob pic.twitter.com/ezlsjOnBn0
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) May 5, 2025
Yordan Alvarez (OF, HOU)- Hand
Alvarez is on the IL with right hand inflammation. An MRI revealed only a muscle strain in his right hand. Alvarez dealt with a similar issue a few years ago and there is no timeline for his return. Zach Dezenzo looks to get more playing time with Alvarez out.
William Contreras (C, MIL)- Finger
Contreras, this week, had an X-ray of his hand and is now known to have a fractured middle finger. He has had middle finger pain for a while and has been playing through it. This may be the reason why he has not played the way we are used to seeing him. A finger fracture, if rested, takes about four weeks to heal fully. Eric Haase could see more playing time when Contreras takes a seat on the bench.
Jazz Chisholm (2B, NYY)- Oblique
Chisolm was placed on the IL this week with a high-grade strain of his right oblique. He is expected to be out at least four to six weeks. Jorbit Vivas was called up, and DJ LeMahieu looks to make his season debut soon.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. says that an MRI revealed that he suffered three tears in his oblique pic.twitter.com/JVThrxGxV5
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) May 3, 2025
Mike Trout (OF, LAA)- Knee
Trout was placed on the IL with a left knee contusion. Severity is not yet known. Niko Kavadas was called up.
Tyler O'Neill (OF, BAL)- Neck
O’Neill was placed on the IL this week with neck soreness. He is on a rehab assignment and, barring any setbacks, he should be back by this weekend.
Jordan Westburg (3B, BAL)- Hamstring
Westburg was placed on the IL with a left hamstring strain. Westburg is on a rehab assignment and could return to the Orioles as early as this weekend.
#Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg (left hamstring strain) is also with Triple-A Norfolk in Nashville working out, should get into games later this week. https://t.co/b7L7RhJ7uI
— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) May 6, 2025
Matt Vierling (OF, DET)- Shoulder
Vierling continues to rehab from a strained right rotator cuff. Vierling has begun a rehab assignment and could be back in about 10 days from the IL.
Noelvi Marte (3B, CIN)- Oblique
Marte was placed on the IL with a left oblique strain. Severity is not yet known. If it is greater than a Grade 1 strain, he could be out up to six weeks. Santiago Espinal will likely receive more playing time with Marte out.
Lane Thomas (OF, CLE)- Wrist
Thomas is on the IL with a nagging bone bruise in his wrist. Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said this week that Thomas will "soon" participate in baseball activities, such as hitting, running, and fielding. There is no timeline for his return. Angel Martinez, Nolan Jones, and Daniel Schneemann have been filling in for Thomas.
Otto Lopez (2B, MIA)- Ankle
Lopez was placed on the IL this past week with a Grade 2 sprain of his right ankle. This usually has a four to six-week timeline for return. Javier Sanoja and Ronny Simon will likely see more playing time for the Marlins at second base with Lopez out.
Tommy Edman (OF, LAD)- Ankle
Edman is on the IL with an ankle injury. He is expected to continue running this week and the earliest he could return would be the beginning of next week.
With the turf at Chase Field + off day on Monday, Dave Roberts said he anticipates Tommy Edman to be activated after this road trip. #Dodgers
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) May 6, 2025
Ivan Herrera (C, STL)- Knee
Herrera was diagnosed with a bone bruise in his left knee. He is on a rehab assignment this week and could be activated by the Cardinals as early as this weekend.
Josh Lowe (OF, TB)- Oblique
Lowe has been on the IL with an oblique strain. He has moved his rehab to Triple A but there is no timeline as to how long he will be there. Lowe suffered his oblique strain on Opening Day.
Zack Gelof (2B, ATH)- Wrist
Gelof is recovering from wrist surgery and a fractured hamate bone. He had his rehab assignment paused after being diagnosed with a stress reaction in his ribs. He will be shut down and evaluated further.
Jeimer Candelario (1B, CIN)- Back
Candelario was placed on the IL with a lumbar strain. There is no set plan for his rehab or timetable for his return.
Giancarlo Stanton (DH, NYY)- Elbows
Stanton is on the IL with torn tendons in both elbows. He has received three rounds of PRP injections. He has been taking batting practice, but there is no word when he will start a rehab assignment. He was moved to the 60-day IL and will be out at least until May 23.
Tyler Fitzgerald (2B, SF)- Rib
Fitzgerald is on the IL with a left rib fracture. He has begun doing light activities and rehab work. He is expected to be out for at least two weeks.
Injured Starting Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball
Logan Gilbert (SP, SEA)- Elbow
Gilbert was placed on the IL with a right elbow flexor strain. Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said that he is "hopeful" that Gilbert will rejoin the rotation before the end of May. Gilbert is currently shut down from throwing, and it is not clear if the Mariners would send Gilbert on a rehab assignment. Most likely, he will need a rehab assignment, making a June return more likely.
Logan Gilbert said he made roughly 40 throws yesterday at 120 feet, which was also the third day in a row that he did some sort of throwing activity ... Today is a full off-day for his arm, but things appear to be trending well.
“Trying to take it slow, but feels good.”
— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) May 5, 2025
Tyler Glasnow (SP, LAD)- Shoulder
Glanow left his last start and was placed on the IL due to right shoulder inflammation. Glasnow was shut down from throwing, and there is no timeline for his return.
George Kirby (SP, SEA)- Shoulder
Kirby is on the IL with shoulder inflammation and has already had one rehab start. Kirby may need one or two more starts before being activated from the IL.
Shota Imanaga (SP, CHC)- Hamstring
Imanaga was placed on the IL with a mild left hamstring strain. He is expected to be out for at least two weeks. Once his rehab begins, a clearer picture will be given for his return. Jordan Wicks is an option to fill in for Imanaga.
Walker Buehler (SP, BOS)- Shoulder
Buehler is on the IL with right shoulder bursitis. He is hopeful for a minimum IL stay. This will be true if he is pain-free following his initial throwing session. Hunter Dobbins is scheduled to fill in for the Red Sox.
Walker Buehler said he’s doing well and dealing with minor bursitis. He said if this was late in the season he’d push through but trying to be smart about it. Thinks it’ll be a minimum IL stint.
— Jen McCaffrey (@jcmccaffrey) May 4, 2025
Marcus Stroman (SP, NYY)- Knee
Stroman is on the IL with left knee inflammation. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that Stroman will throw a bullpen session next week in order to see where he is in the recovery phase of his injury.
Shane Bieber (SP, CLE)- Elbow
Bieber continues to rehab from Tommy John surgery and is on the IL. He threw a live batting practice session and remains out, at least until July 1.
Sean Manaea (SP, NYM)- Oblique
Manaea continues to rehab an oblique injury suffered during spring training. He is progressing slowly and is expected to be out at least until mid-to-late June.
Ryan Weathers (SP, MIA)- Forearm
Weathers continues to rehab from a left flexor strain suffered in spring training. He continues his rehab assignment, getting up to 62 pitches. Weathers could be one or two more rehab starts away from being activated from the IL.
Eury Perez (SP, MIA)- Elbow
Perez is on the IL and continues to work his way back from Tommy John surgery. The plan for Perez is to make six more rehab starts before he is activated sometime in June.
Spencer Strider (SP, ATL)- Hamstring
Strider is on the IL with a right hamstring strain. He has advanced to long tossing, but he has not yet been cleared for mound work. AJ Smith-Shawver has been filling in for the Braves.
Blake Snell (SP, LAD)- Shoulder
Snell is on the IL with left shoulder inflammation. Snell is expected to play catch next week and start his throwing program. There is no timeline for his return yet.
Grayson Rodriguez (SP, BAL)- Elbow/Lat
Rodriguez has been on the IL with right elbow inflammation. Orioles general manager Mike Elias said this week that he hopes Rodriguez could be cleared to resume throwing again soon. Rodriguez is now expected to be out until mid July.
Zach Eflin (SP, BAL)- Lat
Eflin was placed on the IL with a low-grade lat strain. He was scheduled to throw a bullpen session this week. Eflin said that he is “as close as I could be” to coming off the IL.
Brandon Woodruff (SP, MIL)- Shoulder
Woodruff continues to rehab from shoulder surgery last year and is on the IL. He is likely to make one more rehab start and then be activated from the IL by May 16.
Kumar Rocker (SP, TEX)- Shoulder
Rocker is on the IL with right shoulder impingement. He is likely to throw a bullpen session soon to get a better idea of where his rehab status is. There is no timeline for his return yet.
Clayton Kershaw (SP, LAD)- Toe/Knee
Kershaw continues to recover from offseason surgeries and is on the IL. Kershaw pitched five innings in his most rehab start. He is not eligible to return to the Dodgers until May 17.
Max Scherzer (SP, TOR)- Thumb/Lat
Scherzer left his last start with a lat issue and was placed on the IL after his thumb issue flared up as well. He threw a bullpen session this week and will be facing live hitters soon. At that point, a clearer timetable for his return will be known.
Max Scherzer last pitched in a big-league game March 29, so the soonest he could be active at MLB level again would be May 29. He needs time to ramp up though, which led to the move to the 60-day IL. https://t.co/MZvwCNffK2
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) May 5, 2025
Injured Relief Pitchers for Fantasy Baseball
Justin Martinez (RP, ARI)- Shoulder
Martinez was placed on the IL with right shoulder inflammation after seeing a decrease in velocity in his last outing. He will begin throwing again later this week as his MRI came back clean. Shelby Miller, Ryan Thompson, and Kevin Ginkel could close for the Diamondbacks with Martinez out.
Thought this was really interesting from Ryan Thompson to @Jody_Jackson postgame.
He noticed the first fastball Justin Martinez threw was only 95 mph.
He quickly finished his warmup because he knew he could be called upon soon. pic.twitter.com/HcyElVJKuQ
— Jake García (@Jake_M_Garcia) May 1, 2025
Michael Kopech (RP, LAD)- Shoulder
Kopech is on the IL with right shoulder impingement. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that Kopech is expected to start a rehab assignment next week. There is no word as to how long this assignment will be.
A.J. Puk (RP, ARI)- Elbow
Puk was placed on the IL with left elbow inflammation. Severity is not yet known. According to team officials, Puk will be out for at least a couple of months. He is still awaiting word from two orthopedic specialists.
Paul Sewald (RP, CLE)- Shoulder
Sewald was placed on the IL this week with a right shoulder strain. He will be checked every two weeks to assess his progress. There is no timeline for his return.
A.J. Minter (RP, NYM)- Lat
Minter has a torn left lat muscle and will undergo surgery. He is done for the year.
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