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Opening Day of the 2024 MLB season will be here before you know it, meaning it's time to check in on the latest injury development around the league. To start things off, let's take a look at injured pitchers Kodai Senga, Brandon Woodruff, Graham Ashcraft, and Drew Rasmussen.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for pitchers as of February 22, 2024. Some players on this list impact fantasy baseball more than others, but with leagues of all shapes and sizes, you never know which guys will be important when the season begins.
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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Kodai Senga Injury Update
New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga is experiencing a bit of arm fatigue and did not work out with the team on Wednesday. Skipper Carlos Mendoza said the club should have more information on their valued starter in the coming days. The 31-year-old made his North American debut in the 2023 season and did not disappoint with a 2.98 ERA and a 29.1% K% across 29 starts, going 12-7 in the process.
Kodai Senga is experiencing a bit of arm fatigue, so he didn't work out today. The Mets should have more information in the coming days, per Carlos Mendoza.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) February 21, 2024
He projects to lead a revamped Mets rotation in 2024 as ATC is projecting some regression for Senga in 2023 with a 3.70 ERA in 28 starts, but a 12-9 record and 27.5% K% would serve fantasy managers well. While the arm fatigue sounds minor at this point, managers will want to keep an eye out for an update in the coming days.
Brandon Woodruff Injury Update
The Milwaukee Brewers placed right-hander Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list on Wednesday to make room on the 40-man roster for recently signed catcher Gary Sanchez. Woodruff was able to begin a throwing program last week and is over four months removed from having surgery on the anterior capsule in his right shoulder in October that will keep him out for the entire 2024 season.
And on the heels of the Brandon Woodruff news, the Brewers now make official the signing of Gary Sanchez.
One-year deal with a mutual option for 2025.
Woodruff to the 60-day IL to make room on the 40.
— Todd Rosiak (@Todd_Rosiak) February 21, 2024
While the 31-year-old is feeling great following his surgery, he still faces a long recovery process and will be off the fantasy radar in single-year leagues this spring. Fantasy managers that take on the two-time All-Star next year will be dealing with some risk/reward in hopes that Woodruff can return to his pre-injury form.
Graham Ashcraft Injury Update
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Graham Ashcraft (toe) is a little bit behind the other pitchers in spring training after right big-toe surgery in September. He is a few days behind the other starters, but it's mostly about conditioning. It sounds like Ashcraft's toe won't be an issue as he prepares for the start of the 2024 regular season.
The 26-year-old should be ready for Opening Day, barring a setback this spring. In his second big-league season in 2023, Ashcraft went 7-9 with a 4.76 ERA (5.06 FIP) and 1.37 WHIP with 52 walks and a career-high 111 strikeouts in 145 2/3 innings pitched over 26 starts for the Reds.
He started the season strong before eventually falling apart and needing surgery to close out the season. Despite throwing very hard, Ashcraft's strikeout numbers have left a lot to be desired. (The Athletic)
Drew Rasmussen Injury Update
The Tampa Bay Rays placed right-hander Drew Rasmussen (elbow) on the 60-day injured list on Tuesday to make room on the 40-man roster for the signing of infielder Amed Rosario. Rasmussen won't return until the second half of the 2024 season after having an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow last July.
The Tampa Bay Rays have signed INF Amed Rosario to a major league contract. To make room on the 40-man roster, RHP Drew Rasmussen has been placed on the 60-day injured list.
— Rays Communications (@RaysPR) February 20, 2024
The 28-year-old looked great for the Rays in eight starts last year before getting hurt, posting a 2.62 ERA (2.54 FIP) and 1.05 WHIP with 11 walks and 47 strikeouts in 44 2/3 innings pitched, but fantasy managers are going to have to wait until later this year to get another look at him.
He's already had two Tommy John surgeries in his career, too, so expecting Rasmussen to pick up where he left off in 2023 would be pretty foolish.
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