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Pitchers are always at risk for suffering minor or major injuries, and lately, the bumps and bruises for some fantasy studs have come in bunches. Having deep pitching rosters is important in "real life" baseball and fantasy baseball alike, so hopefully managers have prepared for life without some of these banged-up pitchers. Today, we'll look at injured pitchers, including Triston McKenzie, Nick Lodolo, Jacob deGrom, Carlos Rodon, and Luis Severino,
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for pitchers as of May 18, 2023. We'll be covering all positions throughout the week, so stay tuned. 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 force fantasy managers to search waiver wires in hopes of finding adequate replacements.
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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Triston McKenzie Injury Update
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie (shoulder) will make his first minor-league rehab start on Saturday for Triple-A Columbus, and he's scheduled to go three innings or 50 pitches. McKenzie has yet to pitch this year after suffering a right teres major muscle strain in his right shoulder back in March. Because of how long the 25-year-old right-hander has been out, fantasy managers should expect a pretty lengthy rehab assignment before Cleveland reinstates him from the injured list.
There's really no reason that McKenzie should be available on your league's waiver wire after his breakout 2022 season, but if he his, he needs to be scooped up and stashed immediately.
Nick Lodolo Injury Update
A follow-up MRI exam on Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo (leg) showed a stress reaction in his left tibia. Lodolo is currently in a protective boot and will have another MRI exam in two weeks, according to manager David Bell. It's something that the 25-year-old southpaw has been dealing with since spring training, but he's now on the injured list and probably won't be returning to Cincy's starting rotation anytime soon.
There's a lot of strikeout upside with him -- he has 47 punchouts in 34 1/3 innings over his seven starts this year -- but he's also sporting a bloated 6.29 ERA (5.84 FIP) with a league-high 10 home runs allowed, seven hit batters and a 1.75 WHIP.
Jacob deGrom Injury Update
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (elbow) was able to throw a light bullpen session on Tuesday. It sounds like the 34-year-old was able to get through the session without any issues. The expectation is that he'll continue to increase activities, so hopefully he'll return by late May or early June.
This bullpen session is a small step in the right direction for the All-Star hurler. He has been sidelined since late April due to right forearm tightness. Fantasy managers should expected to be without deGrom for a few more weeks.
Carlos Rodon Injury Update
New York Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodon (back) threw from 90 feet on Wednesday, according to manager Aaron Boone. Rodon didn't have any setbacks as the southpaw slowly ramps things back up. The 30-year-old hurler has had multiple throwing sessions on flat ground since receiving a cortisone injection, and it looks like he'll avoid a second injection for the time being.
A left-forearm injury kept Rodon on the injured list to begin the 2023 season, but a back injury has slowed him even further. Rodon's next steps are a bit unclear, but the Yankees aren't going to rush their prized free-agent acquisition back, especially given his injury history. Fantasy managers must continue to be patient, and it looks like he probably won't make his season debut until mid-June, at the earliest.
Luis Severino Injury Update
New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino (lat) will make the start on Sunday on the road against the Cincinnati Reds, according to manager Aaron Boone. It will be Severino's first game of the 2023 season after he was injured in spring training.
The 29-year-old right-hander didn't throw more than 58 pitches in either of his minor-league rehab outings, so he figures to be on a rather short leash this weekend in a great matchup against Cincy. Fantasy managers should be stoked to have him back, but expectations should be kept low for his first start on Sunday. Injuries have always been an issue for Severino, but when he's healthy, he has the ability to carry a fantasy pitching staff for stretches.
Dustin May Injury Update
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Dustin May (elbow) was removed early during Wednesday's game against the Minnesota Twins. The right-hander was pulled after one inning due to right elbow pain. Now, May has been diagnosed with a flexor pronator strain, according to manager Dave Roberts. This is not good news coming from a pitcher who was making his 15th start since having Tommy John surgery.
The organization will almost certainly have May undergo further testing. May will be heading to the injured list, so fantasy managers will have to look for another option. It's uncertain how much time he's going to miss, so fantasy managers will have to check back for another update after more testing is finished.
Tyler Glasnow Injury Update
Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow (oblique) is most likely going to make one more minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Durham. Glasnow was pulled early from a rehab start last week due to left-side soreness, but he rebounded in a big way on Tuesday by striking out nine hitters in four scoreless innings for the Durham Bulls.
It would be nice to see the 29-year-old hard-throwing right-handed have another strong rehab start in his next outing before being activated to make his 2023 season debut. Barring any setbacks in his next appearance, Glasnow could make his debut in a very tough matchup against the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers. Glasnow has ace potential and should be stashed everywhere right now.
Ross Stripling Injury Update
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Ross Stripling (back) was pulled early during Wednesday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. The severity of the injury is unknown, but it appears Stripling is dealing with lower back tightness. He allowed three runs over 3 1/3 innings of work before exiting the contest.
It's possible that this injury could result in Stripling heading to the injured list. That means, Sean Manaea could be asked to rejoin the starting rotation, but fantasy managers will have to wait and see the extent of Stripling's injury.
Vince Velasquez Injury Update
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Vince Velasquez (elbow) will threw a side session on Wednesday and will make a minor-league rehab start later in the week with Triple-A Indianapolis, according to director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk. Velasquez threw a successful live batting practice session on Monday and is getting close to a rehab assignment.
The 30-year-old right-hander is on the shelf with inflammation in his right elbow, but barring a setback, he should be back in Pittsburgh's starting rotation soon. Before his arm injury, he had been impressive, sporting a 3.06 ERA (4.04 FIP), 1.16 WHIP, 13 walks and 34 strikeouts in 35 1/3 innings over his first seven starts of the season.
Seth Lugo Injury Update
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Seth Lugo (calf) strained his calf while running to first base on a play that ended the second inning, according to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com, and he didn't come back out for the third. Before his exit, the right-hander was shelled, giving up five runs on four hits and two walks while striking out a pair against the Kansas City Royals.
Manager Bob Melvin told reporters after the game that Lugo will most likely miss his next scheduled start. The 33-year-old is running a 4.10 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and 21.3% strikeout rate with a 3-3 record, so fantasy managers won't be missing much if he takes a trip to the injured list. It's unclear who will take his spot in the rotation, so stay tuned for more updates on the situation.
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