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The MLB regular season has already begun, but the bulk of the fantasy baseball campaign is still ahead. In the heart of fantasy draft season, it's important to monitor the latest injury reports and updates around the league. We have you covered. Let's take a look at injured pitchers Kevin Gausman, Walker Buehler, Sonny Gray, Eduardo Rodriguez, Edward Cabrera, Braxton Garrett, and more
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for pitchers as of March 21, 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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Kevin Gausman Injury Update
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Kevin Gausman (shoulder) appears to be making progress in his recovery process. The right-hander was able to throw a two-inning simulated game on Wednesday without any issues. Gausman won't be ready for Opening Day as he still needs to build up his stamina and pitch count. That being said, Gausman is likely to be skipped the first and possibly the second time through the rotation. He should be ready to go by mid-April, but that all depends on his recovery. (MLB.com)
Walker Buehler Injury Update
The Los Angeles Dodgers have placed starting pitcher Walker Buehler (elbow) on the 15-day injured list. Buehler missed all of the 2023 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2022. 2022 was the worst season of his young career and much could be attributed to his injury. There is no clear timetable for when the 29-year-old will return to big-league action, but mid-to-late April is the expectation.
Buehler has thrown many live batting practice sessions this spring and the Dodgers have been encouraged. He will likely need a minor league rehab assignment before returning to the bump, but he offers high upside for those willing to gamble in 2024. (MLB.com)
Sonny Gray Injury Update
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray (hamstring) is expected to progress to facing live hitters on Friday. The 34-year-old has already been ruled out for Opening Day. Although, Gray may be able to avoid a trip to the injured list. The Cardinals are likely going to wait and see how he feels after Friday before making any more decisions.
A shift (somewhat) in Sonny Gray schedule:
- Will throw a bullpen today.
- Will start a MiLB game Friday here on the back fields. Game conditions.That would appear to rule him out for Arizona, but a final schedule is still being set for his ramp up, based on Friday recovery.
— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) March 20, 2024
Eduardo Rodriguez Injury Update
Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (lat) was still feeling some tightness in his left lat on Wednesday after being pulled from his Cactus League outing on Tuesday night, although the tightness wasn't as bad as Tuesday evening, according to manager Torey Lovullo. The D-backs have talked about the possibility of having Rodriguez undergo an MRI exam.
Diamondbacks lefty Eduardo Rodriguez still felt some tightness in his left lat today while being examined but it wasn't as bad as last night, manager Torey Lovullo said. The club has talked about him possibly undergoing an MRI but he hasn't as of yet, Lovullo said.
— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) March 20, 2024
The 30-year-old southpaw will probably go for an MRI if he's still feeling tightness in his lat on Thursday, and his availability for Opening Day is certainly up in the air right now. E-Rod managed career-highs in ERA (3.30) and WHIP (1.15) in 26 starts for the Detroit Tigers in 2023, but regression is likely coming for a pitcher who has had plenty of durability issues in his career -- he's gone over 160 innings pitched in one of his eight big-league seasons.
Edward Cabrera, Braxton Garrett Injury Update
Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said right-hander Edward Cabrera (shoulder) and left-hander Braxton Garrett (shoulder) both threw bullpen sessions in camp on Wednesday. Cabrera's bullpen consisted of around 20 pitches (all fastballs), while Garrett got up and down three times and is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session on Sunday. Cabrera, 25, threw for the first time since being diagnosed with a right shoulder impingement last week. He is going to start the season on the injured list and will need several more bullpens before facing live hitters again.
#Marlins manager Skip Schumaker on the Bally Sports Florida broadcast said Edward Cabrera and Braxton Garrett both threw bullpen sessions today.
Cabrera was about 20 pitches, all fastballs. Garrett's was three ups. Garrett threw a live BP Sunday; likely will do one more.
— Jordan McPherson (@J_McPherson1126) March 20, 2024
Garrett, 26, also won't be ready for Opening Day but could make his 2024 debut before the end of April. The Marlins' starting rotation is really limping to the starting line this year with Cabrera, Garrett, and Eury Perez (elbow, finger) all ailing.
Emmet Sheehan Injury Update
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Emmet Sheehan (forearm) has been placed on the 15-day injured list with right forearm inflammation. Sheehan was an option for the starting rotation entering the spring but was beaten out by Gavin Stone. Forearm injuries are always concerning, but there hasn't been a clear timeline on when the Dodgers expect the 24-year-old to return. For now, Sheehan remains best served in dynasty leagues, however, managers should monitor his situation when more updates become available.
Notable IL stints to start the season for the Dodgers:
Brusdar Graterol - Right shoulder inflammation
Emmet Sheehan - Right forearm inflammation
Blake Treinen - Bruised lung— Blake Harris (@BlakeHHarris) March 20, 2024
Kyle Finnegan Injury Update
Washington Nationals right-hander Kyle Finnegan (back), who hasn't pitched in a Grapefruit League game since March 12 due to a tight back, is healthy. He was originally going to pitch on Wednesday night, but he and the team decided to push him back to Thursday. When healthy, Finnegan should be the favorite for saves for the rebuilding Nats in 2024, although he could lose some save chances to Hunter Harvey.
Kyle Finnegan, who hasn't pitched in a game since March 12 with a tight back, is healthy. Originally was going to pitch tonight, but he and the Nats decided to push it back to tomorrow.
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) March 21, 2024
Finnegan, 32, had a career-high 28 saves in 67 appearances last year for Washington while also posting a career-high 3.76 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with 24 walks and 63 strikeouts in 69 1/3 relief innings. He saw the vast majority of save opps for the team but ran out of gas late. Finnegan throws gas but had a below-average strikeout rate (21.7%) and allowed too many home runs, which makes him a fantasy closer to avoid in 2024.
Jameson Taillon Injury Update
Chicago Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon (back) threw a 10-pitch, touch-and-feel bullpen session in camp on Wednesday. Taillon is finally starting to work his way back after being shut down with a lower back injury almost two weeks ago. As a result, the 32-year-old veteran will start the 2024 regular season on the injured list for the Cubbies, and he's unlikely to pitch in a Cactus League game before next week. Barring another setback with his back, though, it seems reasonable that Taillon can make his season debut in late April.
Jameson Taillon threw a 10-pitch, touch-and-feel bullpen today. #Cubs pic.twitter.com/z3yENSgYSB
— Andy Martínez (@amartinez_11) March 20, 2024
The former second-overall pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2010 has proven to be a league-average pitcher. He isn't dominant by any means but rarely walks batters. Taillon is off the fantasy radar in mixed leagues after posting a career-worst 4.84 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 41 walks and 140 K's in 154 1/3 frames in 2023 in his first year in Chicago.
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