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The 2023 MLB season is only a few weeks old, but as always, injuries to key pitchers continue to pile up. That said, let's take a look at injured pitchers Framber Valdez, Justin Verlander, Kyle Bradish, John Means, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for pitchers as of April 12, 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.
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Framber Valdez Injury Update
Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez (elbow) is feeling better and could start playing catch in the next few days, according to manager Joe Espada. Valdez is one of the latest high-profile starters to land on the injured list with an elbow injury, but he's only dealing with inflammation and hopefully will be able to avoid season-ending Tommy John surgery.
Justin Verlander is still scheduled to make a minor-league rehab start this weekend, but the Astros are still unsure what day or where it'll be. Framber Valdez is feeling better, Joe Espada said, and could start playing catch in the next few days.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) April 11, 2024
There's currently no timetable for the 30-year-old southpaw to return to Houston's starting rotation, so fantasy managers are going to need to be patient and keep him stashed in an IL spot everywhere. Valdez has looked good in his first 12 1/3 innings this year, giving up only three earned runs while punching out 10. Rookie right-hander Spencer Arrighetti is replacing Valdez in the rotation for now.
Justin Verlander Injury Update
The Houston Astros are still committed to Justin Verlander (shoulder) making another minor-league rehab start this weekend, manager Joe Espada said following Thursday's 13-3 loss to the Kansas City Royals. Even though Framber Valdez (elbow) is on the injured list and Hunter Brown couldn't make it through the first inning on Thursday, there's still no thought of inserting Verlander back into an Astros rotation that really needs length.
The club is taking the cautious route with the 41-year-old star right-hander, who is working his way back from right shoulder inflammation. Barring any setbacks, Verlander should be available to Houston's rotation in late April after collecting a 3.31 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 63:14 K:BB over 68 innings with the Stros last season. Ronel Blanco has filled in admirably with 15 one-hit innings thus far, but he faces a tough test against the defending champion Texas Rangers during the Lone Star Series on Saturday.
Kyle Bradish Injury Update
Baltimore Orioles right-hander Kyle Bradish (elbow) was supposed to begin his minor-league rehab assignment on Thursday night with High-A Aberdeen, but the team is now saying he threw a live batting practice session instead due to the weather. Bradish is getting a late start to his 2024 season after breaking out in 2023 by going 12-7 with a 2.83 ERA (3.27 FIP) and 1.04 WHIP with 44 walks and a career-high 168 strikeouts in 168 2/3 innings over 30 starts.
Kyle Bradish was supposed to begin his rehab assignment tonight in Aberdeen but #orioles say he'll throw live BP instead due to the weather
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) April 11, 2024
He was diagnosed with a sprained UCL in his right elbow back in spring training, but for now the 27-year-old has avoided dreaded Tommy John surgery and could make his season debut with the O's at some point next week. After his big year last season, Bradish should be assured of a rotation spot when he's ready, which means Tyler Wells could be the odd-man out soon.
John Means Injury Update
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher John Means (elbow) gave up two runs in three innings in Thursday's rehab start with Triple-A Norfolk, allowing two hits and two walks while fanning three. Means allowed one run in three innings in his last rehab appearance after getting blown up for seven runs back on March 31, so he's starting to show signs of improvement while recovering from a right forearm strain.
John Means in his latest rehab start in Triple-A with the Tides:
- 3.0 IP
- 2 H
- 2 R
- 2 ER
- 2 BB
- 3 K
- 1 HR
- 61 pitches #Birdland— Rocco DiSangro (@RoccoDiSangro) April 11, 2024
Manager Brandon Hyde has previously stated Means' rehab assignment will last close to the full 30 days, so the 30-year-old former All-Star won't be available for the O's likely until early May. Means missed most of the past two seasons due to Tommy John surgery, but he produced a solid 2.66 ERA (5.24 FIP), 0.71 WHIP, and 10:4 K:BB across 23 2/3 innings after returning late last year and is a decent stash in all fantasy leagues. The struggling Cole Irvin is the most likely candidate to be bounced from Baltimore's rotation upon Means' return.
Jose Urquidy Injury Update
Houston Astros right-hander Jose Urquidy (forearm) is "really close" to throwing off a mound, according to manager Joe Espada. It's good news for Urquidy, but he still has a ways to go before thinking about rejoining Houston's starting rotation. The 28-year-old Mexican hurler has been out for almost a month due to a right-forearm strain suffered in spring training and probably won't be ready to return until some point in May.
José Urquidy is “really close” to getting off a mound, Joe Espada said. Justin Verlander remains on track to make his second rehab start this weekend. Framber Valdez is feeling better and could resume playing catch in “the next few days,” Espada said.
— Matt Kawahara (@matthewkawahara) April 11, 2024
And when he does return, there's no guarantee that he'll have a rotation spot waiting for him if Justin Verlander (shoulder) and Framber Valdez (elbow) are back and healthy by then. Urquidy also missed significant time due to a shoulder injury in 2023 and doesn't have much fantasy upside for those in mixed leagues when he's healthy.
Tommy Kahnle Injury Update
New York Yankees reliever Tommy Kahnle (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session either Thursday or Friday at the club's spring training facility in Tampa Bay. The right-hander has been sidelined due to a shoulder issue this spring but appears to be trending in the right direction in his rehab.
DJ LeMahieu will travel with the Yankees to Cleveland/Toronto as he builds toward getting into game action.
Tommy Kahnle set to throw a bullpen tomorrow or Friday in Tampa.
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) April 10, 2024
It was a successful return to the Bronx for the veteran in 2023, as Kahnle worked to a 2.66 ERA across 42 appearances after posting a 2.84 ERA in an injury-shortened 13 appearances in a brief stint with the Dodgers in 2022. Upon his return, Kahnle won't get many save opportunities behind Clay Holmes but could be a solid source of holds after recording 14 of them in the 2023 season.
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