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The 2024 MLB season hasn't started yet, but there are already injury concerns for top hurlers ahead of the new campaign. With fantasy baseball drafts in full swing, these bumps and bruises are sure to have an impact on a few stud pitchers' ADPs. Let's take a look at injured pitchers Justin Verlander, Walker Buehler, Matt Brash, Robert Stephenson, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for pitchers as of February 29, 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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Justin Verlander Injury Update
Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (shoulder) felt good after his bullpen session on Tuesday, but manager Joe Espada said that the future Hall of Famer is not ready to face hitters yet. However, Espada still isn't ruling Verlander out for Opening Day, but he acknowledged "obviously we're kind of running out of days here."
Justin Verlander felt good after his bullpen session yesterday, but Joe Espada said he’s not ready to face hitters yet. Espada still isn’t ruling him out for opening day, but he acknowledged “obviously we’re kind of running out of days here.”
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) February 28, 2024
The 41-year-old veteran had a setback with his shoulder this offseason and came to spring training behind the other pitchers. Given Verlander's age and recent injury history, it makes sense for the Astros to slow-play him and give extra time before throwing him out there, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to be in the team's Opening Day rotation. Verlander still has the potential to be useful in fantasy despite his age, but he's a big injury risk and is no longer a fantasy ace.
Walker Buehler Injury Update
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler (elbow) said he felt good during his first live batting practice session of camp on Tuesday and that his fastball was sitting at 94-95 mph. Buehler said he will probably need another three to four live batting practice sessions before being ready for game action, but he sounded encouraged by his progress of late. The 29-year-old didn't pitch in the big leagues at all in 2023 while recovering from Tommy John surgery in 2022, and the Dodgers are slow-playing him at spring training.
Walker Buehler said he felt good during his live BP yesterday, and that his fastball was sitting 94-95 mph
He said he’ll probably need another 3-4 live BPs before being ready for game action, but sounded encouraged about his progress lately https://t.co/BxY9wfw8FE
— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) February 28, 2024
There's no timetable for when he'll make his 2024 season debut, and fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if the Dodgers keep him out for the entire first month to help them manage his innings. Buehler is a risk coming off a lost season in 2023, but his track record before his elbow injury was solid enough to take a chance on him in all fantasy leagues.
Matt Brash Injury Update
Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Matt Brash (elbow) could be sidelined for a significant amount of time with a serious right elbow injury. Brash and the Mariners are in the process of trying to determine exactly what is wrong with his elbow, but there's the possibility that he could have to sit out the entire 2024 season.
At the very least, the 25-year-old reliever is going to have to open the regular season on the injured list. This could be a big blow to the back of Seattle's bullpen, as Brash was excellent for the M's in a league-high 78 relief appearances last year, going 9-4 with a 3.06 ERA, a 1.33 WHIP, his first four career saves, 29 walks, and 107 strikeouts in 70 2/3 innings pitched. (Seattletimes.com)
Robert Stephenson Injury Update
Los Angeles Angels right-hander Robert Stephenson (shoulder) is dealing with some right-shoulder soreness in camp, but is playing catch on Wednesday. It's the reason why Stephenson hasn't appeared in a Cactus League game yet, although it's a good sign that he's playing catch on Wednesday. He still has enough time to get ready for Opening Day in late March.
Angels RHP Robert Stephenson has been down with some shoulder soreness. He is playing catch today.
Also, IF Michael Stefanic is back to baseball activity today.
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) February 28, 2024
Last year, Stephenson battled elbow soreness and opened the regular season up on the injured list. When healthy, he's expected to serve as the Angels' primary setup man for closer Carlos Estevez, which will give him plenty of fantasy appeal in holds leagues. The 31-year-old veteran, a former first-rounder, had a solid 3.10 ERA, a 0.88 WHIP, one save, and 77 Ks in 52 1/3 relief innings in 2023 for the Pirates and Rays.
Kyle Bradish Injury Update
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Kyle Bradish (elbow) threw from 90 feet again on Wednesday. He continues to make progress in his recovery from a right UCL sprain and subsequent PRP injection. Bradish impressed to the tune of a 3.27 FIP, 8.96 K/9, 2.35 BB/9, and 49.2% GB% in 2023, putting him in line for a steady rotation role as soon as he's healthy. The hurler recently said he has been making great progress, but he's still going to open the regular season on the injured list.
Kyle Bradish (right UCL sprain) again throwing from about 90 feet today at #Orioles camp pic.twitter.com/wBOMxqMKev
— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) February 27, 2024
Ricky Tiedemann Injury Update
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitching prospect Ricky Tiedemann (left hamstring, calf) played catch as part of his recovery on Wednesday. Minor inflammation has limited Tiedemann early in camp, but his injury isn't believed to be very serious.
MLB.com's latest injury update notes that "Tiedemann continues to play catch to keep his arm moving, and the Blue Jays should have a clearer plan in the coming days," adding that he should be available for the regular season if he doesn't need much longer to ramp up. The Jays would love to see him reach the majors after he produced a 1.98 FIP, a .199 opponent batting average, and 16.47 K/9 in the minors last year. (MLB.com)
Graham Ashcraft Injury Update
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Graham Ashcraft (toe) is set to make his Cactus League debut on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ashcraft has been slow-played in spring training after having surgery on his toe last September, but he's ready to go now and is expected to be part of the team's Opening Day starting rotation, barring a setback with his toe this spring.
Day of rest Wednesday for Reds.
Graham Ashcraft makes spring debut Thursday night against Dodgers (James Paxton).
Williamson to start for Reds Friday vs. Arizona (Zac Gallen)
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubMLB) February 28, 2024
The 26-year-old former sixth-round pick out of the University of Alabama at Birmingham went 7-9 in his second big-league season in 2023 with a 4.76 ERA (5.06 FIP) and 1.37 WHIP with 52 walks and 111 strikeouts in 145 2/3 innings over 26 starts. He started strong last year before eventually falling apart. Despite his high velocities, he's been a disappointment so far in the strikeout department.
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