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With over three months of the 2024 MLB seasons in the books, there is no shortage of key fantasy baseball injuries to cover. That said, let's take a look at injured pitchers Zack Wheeler, Walker Buehler, Joe Musgrove, Devin Williams, Yimi Garcia, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for pitchers as of July 11, 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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Zack Wheeler Injury Update
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler (back) is still sore after leaving his start early on Tuesday against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers with lower-back tightness, but an MRI exam on Wednesday showed no structural damage. "We're going to be very cautious with him," manager Rob Thomson said. When asked if Wheeler will make his next scheduled start on Sunday against the visiting Oakland Athletics, Thomson said, "Not sure yet. We'll know tomorrow. We're not going to risk anything."
Zack Wheeler is still sore, but a MRI exam showed no structural damage. “We’re going to be very cautious with him,” Rob Thomson said.
Sunday’s start?
“Not sure yet. We’ll know tomorrow. … We’re not going to risk anything.” https://t.co/bJOsaByMF4
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) July 10, 2024
It's an excellent matchup for Wheeler's fantasy managers, but with the All-Star break coming next week, it's likely they'll skip him to avoid taking any chances. The 34-year-old pitched well in his 10th win of the year against LA on Tuesday despite the back injuries and has been a must-start in all fantasy formats all year.
Walker Buehler Injury Update
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler (hip) remains at Cressey Sports Performance in Florida and is throwing bullpens and working on his mechanics. "I can say there's progress," Dave Roberts said on Wednesday. "But I really can't even speak intelligently what that progress is. I really can't." Buehler made his return from Tommy John surgery in 2024, but the results weren't pretty, as the 29-year-old went 1-4 with a 5.84 ERA (6.06 FIP) and 1.51 WHIP with 31 K's and 10 walks in 37 innings in his eight starts.
Walker Buehler remains at Cressey Sports Performance in Florida throwing bullpens and working on his mechanics.
“I can say there’s progress," Dave Roberts said today. "But I really can’t even speak intelligently what that progress is. I really can’t."
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) July 10, 2024
LA placed him on the 15-day injured list on June 19 with right-hip inflammation as a way for him to take a step back and work on his mechanics. It remains to be seen if he'll be able to return to his pre-injury dominance, and there's currently no timetable for his return to the Dodgers' starting rotation in the second half of the season.
Joe Musgrove Injury Update
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Joe Musgrove (elbow) threw off a bullpen mound ahead of Wednesday's game against the visiting Seattle Mariners. Although it's the first time Musgrove has done so in his throwing progression from right elbow inflammation, it was just a round of catch off the slope of the mound. Even so, it marks a notable step toward first real bullpen session, which should come promptly following the upcoming All-Star break.
Mike Shildt provided the latest update on Joe Musgrove: pic.twitter.com/sojla70ngG
— 97.3 The Fan (@973TheFanSD) July 10, 2024
If the 31-year-old veteran right-hander bounces back well from the sessions, he could go on a minor-league rehab assignment sometime early in August and become an option for the Padres as well as fantasy managers at some point during the second half. Despite a bloated 5.66 ERA and 1.48 WHIP over 49 1/3 innings this season, Musgrove remains worth stashing in most leagues.
Devin Williams Injury Update
Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams (back) threw to live hitters for the first time on Tuesday before the team's game against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates. A pretty serious back issue has kept Williams out the entire first half of the 2024 season. However, the 29-year-old right-handed reliever is making good progress after he resumed throwing off a mound in late June and is on track to return from the 60-day injured list near the end of July, barring a setback. The last step for Williams will be going on a minor-league rehab assignment eventually.
Devin Williams throwing to hitters for the first time. pic.twitter.com/fSbsli8ixY
— Sophia Minnaert (@SophiaMinnaert) July 9, 2024
If he's floating around on your waiver wire, scoop him up immediately and stash him in an IL spot, as Williams will eventually return to being Milwaukee's primary closer. Until then, Trevor Megill should continue to see most of the Brewers' save chances.
Yimi Garcia Injury Update
Toronto Blue Jays right-handed reliever Yimi Garcia's (elbow, neck) planned minor-league rehab outing with Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday was delayed for the second straight day due to a stiff neck, but he threw on the side instead. Garcia is now scheduled to pitch for the Bisons on Thursday. If that goes well, he could return to Toronto's bullpen for the final series of the first half of the season this weekend in Arizona against the Diamondbacks.
Yimi Garcia’s planned outing with the Buffalo Bisons today was delayed again due to a stiff neck; he threw on the side instead
He’s now scheduled to pitch for Buffalo on Thursday. If that goes well, he could return to Blue Jays bullpen in Arizona
— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) July 10, 2024
It's not ideal for the 33-year-old, but it doesn't sound like a serious setback if he still has a chance to return to the big-league roster before next week's All-Star break. Garcia has become a much more interesting fantasy asset since regular closer Jordan Romano (elbow) underwent potentially season-ending surgery. When Garcia rejoins the Jays, he'll have a shot to take over regular closing duties from Chad Green if he can stay healthy.
DL Hall Injury Update
Milwaukee Brewers left-hander DL Hall (knee, forearm) avoided a fracture in his forearm but will be shut down for three to 10 days after being hit by a line drive during a minor-league outing on Tuesday with Triple-A Nashville. It will obviously extend his rehab assignment after Tuesday's outing was supposed to be the 25-year-old southpaw's final rehab outing.
-DL Hall avoided a fracture but will be shut down 3-10 days after being hit by a liner. That’ll extend his rehab assignment.
-Joey Ortiz is full go today and if all goes well could begin a short rehab with the Timber Rattlers promptly
-Gary Sánchez is well ahead of schedule
— Curt Hogg (@CyrtHogg) July 10, 2024
Hall isn't going to be an option for Milwaukee's pitching staff until some point in the second half of the season, but there's no specific timetable and he's not even guaranteed a spot in the rotation. The former 21st overall pick by the Baltimore Orioles in 2017 made four starts for the Brew Crew earlier this season and wasn't effective, allowing 14 earned runs on 27 hits (four homers) while walking 10 and fanning 13 in 16 1/3 innings.
Graham Ashcraft Injury Update
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Graham Ashcraft (elbow) has been placed on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday. The 26-year-old was optioned back to Triple-A on Monday. It sounds like Ashcraft was attempting to pitch through the issue on the big league club. However, Ashcraft alerted the minor league club once he got there about his elbow soreness.
Nick Krall said that Graham Ashcraft had been dealing with some elbow tightness over the last week. He tried to grind through it. He got it looked at after he got optioned, which showed the elbow injury.
Ashcraft won’t throw for at least the next two weeks, Krall said.
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) July 10, 2024
The right-hander will be shut down from throwing for the next two weeks. Fantasy managers can continue to ignore him.
Mike Clevinger Injury Update
Chicago White Sox right-hander Mike Clevinger (elbow) threw 61 pitches in 2 2/3 innings during his minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday night. Manager Pedro Grifol said the team will find out how Clevinger is feeling on Wednesday. If he's healthy, it's possible he could be built back up on the fly in the big leagues with him making shorter starts in the White Sox's rotation.
Mike Clevinger threw 61 pitches in 2.2 innings during his rehab start last night. Pedro Grifol said Sox will find out how he’s feeling and recovering. If he’s healthy, possibility he could be built back up on the fly, with him making shorter starts in big league rotation.
— Vinnie Duber (@VinnieDuber) July 10, 2024
At best, the 33-year-old will be a matchup-based streamer for those in deeper fantasy leagues, but not until the second half of the season when his arm is built up more to go deeper into games. Clevinger has been sidelined since late May with right elbow inflammation after getting a late start to the season, and he also suffered a setback due to a neck issue. He didn't look good in his first four starts before landing on the injured list, posting a 6.75 ERA.
Erik Swanson Injury Update
Toronto Blue Jays right-handed reliever Erik Swanson (illness) was removed while warming up to pitch for Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday due to "heat-related illness symptoms." However, it's considered a minor issue and he's day-to-day. Swanson's last two outings for the Bisons have been strong, and the Blue Jays have considered calling him up to the majors in the near term.
Erik Swanson was removed while warming up to pitch for the Buffalo Bisons Tuesday due to "heat related illness symptoms"
Minor issue; he's considered day-to-day
Swanson's last two outings have been strong and Blue Jays have been considering recalling him to majors in near-term
— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) July 10, 2024
The 30-year-old was sent to the minors earlier this year after allowing 14 earned runs on 20 hits (five homers) while striking out 10 and walking four in just 13 2/3 innings in Toronto. He was just as bad early on with Buffalo but has looked better of late and looks likely to get another shot in the big-league bullpen either just before the All-Star break or just after it.
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