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The 2024 MLB season is fast approaching, and there is a key group of pitchers dealing with bumps and bruises. Injuries could affect draft values and early-season production, so let's take a look at injured pitchers Walker Buehler, Kenley Jansen, Nick Lodolo, Lucas Giolito, and more
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for pitchers as of March 7, 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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Walker Buehler Injury Update
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler (elbow), who is recovering from his second Tommy John surgery, won't be in the Opening Day starting rotation. However, manager Dave Roberts said that the hope is to give him one Cactus League start later this month before the regular season kicks off.
#Dodgers RHP Walker Buehler, who is coming back from a second Tommy John surgery, won’t open regular season with the team but MGR Dave Roberts said the hope is to give him one Cactus League start.
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) March 5, 2024
The 29-year-old Buehler had Tommy John surgery back in August of 2022, but he won't open the 2024 season on time and could miss the first month of the season so that the Dodgers don't have to shut him down late in the season while being on an innings limit. His long layoff will certainly curb his fantasy upside this year, but if he can regain his pre-injury form, Buehler should serve as a very useful fantasy arm with the best lineup in baseball backing him.
Kenley Jansen Injury Update
Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen reported right-lat soreness early in camp and was shut down, but it's not expected to take the 36-year-old much time to ramp up in spring training, so he's not being ruled out for Opening Day just yet.
However it is raining at the moment so this might be postponed because the field is wet. They probably won’t want to risk slipping. https://t.co/xyjBubRfav
— Jen McCaffrey (@jcmccaffrey) March 6, 2024
If he suffers a setback or just isn't ready to go later this month for the start of the regular season, expect Chris Martin to get the first shot at save chances at the back of Boston's bullpen. Jansen is the active leader in saves and had 29 of them with Boston last year, but he's not getting any younger and is a pretty big injury risk as a fantasy relief pitcher in 2024.
Nick Lodolo Injury Update
Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo (leg) threw a two-inning simulated game in camp on Wednesday that went great, and he said his next step is pitching in a Cactus League game. "I'm good. That was another progression that I hit… I'm excited," Lodolo said. A stress reaction in the 26-year-old southpaw's left tibia last year limited him to only seven starts, and he's still feeling it in his leg in spring training.
Nick Lodolo threw two simulated innings today. It went great, and he said his next step is pitching in a game.
“I’m good. That was another progression that I hit… I’m excited.”
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) March 6, 2024
However, it sounds like Lodolo is starting to turn a corner in his recovery. The Reds haven't ruled him out of being in the Opening Day rotation, but fantasy managers shouldn't get their hopes up, and the Reds will likely be cautious here. Although he's an obvious injury risk, Lodolo deserves to be stashed in deep-mixed leagues, at the very least, for his strikeout upside.
Lucas Giolito Injury Update
Boston Red Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito (elbow) will have a second opinion on Monday from Dr. Dugas in Alabama. Manager Alex Cora said that surgery is a possibility, but the team will know more next week. Dugas is the same doctor who did Garrett Whitlock's Tommy John surgery. The 29-year-old is dealing with a partially torn UCL and flexor strain in his right elbow and is probably going to be forced to miss all of the 2024 season, especially if he undergoes Tommy John surgery.
Giolito is going to have a second opinion on Monday from Dr. Dugas in Alabama. Cora said surgery is a possibility but they’ll know more then. Dugas did Whitlock’s TJ surgery
— Jen McCaffrey (@jcmccaffrey) March 6, 2024
It's a big blow to Boston's starting rotation before the start of the year. To say the least, fantasy managers should be avoiding Giolito in upcoming fantasy drafts. His 2023 season was a disaster, pitching for three different teams and posting a 4.88 ERA.
Robert Stephenson Injury Update
Los Angeles Angels reliever Robert Stephenson (shoulder) threw a bullpen session in camp on Wednesday. Manager Ron Washington said Stephenson will have time to get the innings he needs before Opening Day on March 28. The 31-year-old right-hander is also scheduled to throw another bullpen at some point this weekend, and if he doesn't suffer any setbacks, his next step will be facing hitters again.
Anthony Rendon (groin) is going through a regular workout today.
Robert Stephenson (shoulder) is going to throw a bullpen session. Ron Washington said he will have time to get the innings he needs before opening day.
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) March 6, 2024
Stephenson's right shoulder has merely been sore, so he's not dealing with any structural damage and may not need to start the year on the injured list. His cutter has proved to be a deadly weapon in a high-leverage role, and he could have plenty of fantasy appeal in holds leagues in a setup role for the Angels ahead of closer Carlos Estevez in 2024.
Tommy Kahnle Injury Update
New York Yankees right-handed reliever Tommy Kahnle (shoulder) felt no pain in his right shoulder during a bullpen session in camp on Wednesday, but he acknowledged he's behind the other relievers and isn't likely to be included on the Opening Day roster. Kahnle's shoulder inflammation took longer to clear up in the offseason, so he started his throwing program around two weeks late.
Kahnle felt no pain in shoulder in a bullpen session today. But acknowledged he’s behind the other relievers and isn’t likely to be on Opening Day roster. Kahnle’s shoulder inflammation took longer to clear up in the off-season so he began his throwing program about 2 weeks late
— JackCurryYES (@JackCurryYES) March 6, 2024
The 34-year-old also ended the 2023 campaign on the injured list due to right shoulder inflammation. When healthy, Kahnle was a key part of New York's bullpen, recording a 2.66 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP, two saves, 19 walks, and 48 strikeouts in 40 2/3 innings of relief. He also started last season on the 60-day IL due to biceps tendinitis, so staying healthy has been a problem for him in the last year.
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