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As we inch toward weekend baseball, there are plenty of star hurlers in the injury headlines. As always, potential absences from top pitchers will throw a wrench in fantasy baseball lineups. Let's take a look at injured pitchers Tyler Glasnow, Zac Gallen, Justin Steele, Gerrit Cole, Grayson Rodriguez, Cristian Javier, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for pitchers as of May 2, 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.
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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Tyler Glasnow Injury Update
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Tyler Glasnow (hand) is set to make his next start on six days of rest this Saturday against the visiting Atlanta Braves. Glasnow dealt with cramping in his hand in his last start last Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays but is good to go for a showdown against the Braves this weekend. In his first season with the Dodgers, the 30-year-old has been as advertised, going 5-1 with a 2.72 ERA (2.75 FIP) and 0.93 WHIP with 12 walks and a league-high 53 strikeouts in 43 innings over his seven starts.
The pitching matchups for Dodgers-Braves in LA:
FRI: Stone/Morton
SAT: Glasnow/Elder
SUN: Paxton/FriedStone and Glasnow will be on 6 days rest, Paxton on 5 days rest
— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) May 1, 2024
Despite dealing with cramping issues in his hand in Toronto last weekend, Glasnow picked up the win against the Jays by giving up just one earned run, walking three, and striking out nine in six innings for his fifth win of the year. He's a must-start in fantasy this weekend despite facing the tough Braves lineup.
Zac Gallen Injury Update
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Zac Gallen (hamstring) is asymptomatic, but left-hander Jordan Montgomery being scratched on Tuesday night due to a lengthy delay gave the team the opportunity to give Gallen some more rest. Gallen is being pushed back to, at the earliest, Sunday against the San Diego Padres, according to manager Torey Lovullo. Slade Cecconi will take the hill for the Snakes in the series opener on Friday night.
Slade Cecconi will start Friday, not Zac Gallen, Torey Lovullo said.
Gallen pushed back to at the earliest Sunday. Team still ironing out rotation.
Gallen is asymptomatic, but Jordan Montgomery getting scratched gave the team an opportunity to give him more rest.
— Alex Weiner (@alexjweiner) May 1, 2024
The 28-year-old Gallen suffered a minor hamstring injury last week and was originally scheduled to take his regular spot in the rotation until Montgomery was pushed back on Tuesday night. While Gallen may not make a start for fantasy managers this week, he'll at least avoid a tough matchup against the division-rival Dodgers on Wednesday night. Fantasy managers will want to start him the next time he's on the bump on extra rest.
Justin Steele Injury Update
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that everything went well with left-hander Justin Steele's (hamstring) minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Iowa. He will work out with Iowa on Thursday and then meet the Cubs in Chicago on Friday. However, there is nothing official on when Steele's next start will be.
Per Craig Counsell, everything went well in Justin Steele’s rehab start with the @IowaCubs. He will workout in Iowa tomorrow and then meet the team in Chicago Friday. Nothing official on where/when his next start will be. #Cubs
— Taylor McGregor (@Taylor_McGregor) May 1, 2024
It's definitely possible that the 28-year-old southpaw could come off the injured list this weekend and make his next start with the Cubbies after injuring his hamstring in his Opening Day start on March 28 against the Texas Rangers, when he allowed three hits and an earned run while walking one and striking out six in 4 2/3 innings of work. After a breakout 16-win season for Chicago in 2023, Steele belongs on all fantasy rosters.
Gerrit Cole Injury Update
New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole (elbow) had a "heavy day" of throwing on Tuesday, and manager Aaron Boone said he doesn't know when Cole is scheduled to throw from a mound. When asked if the All-Star break was a realistic time for Cole to return, Boone said he wouldn't speculate.
Gerrit Cole had a “heavy day” of throwing yesterday, according to Aaron Boone, who said he doesn’t know when Cole is scheduled to throw from a mound.
Considering it is May 1, Boone was asked if the All-Star break is realistic for Cole. Boone said he would not speculate.
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) May 1, 2024
MLB's Bryan Hoch thinks Cole is close to throwing off a mound, but he still needs to go through a whole spring training progression to build up his arm, so it wouldn't be a surprise if the reigning American League Cy Young winner isn't able to return to the Yanks until the second half of the season. The 33-year-old continues to throw multiple times per week on flat ground, but he still has a ways to go before making his 2024 debut. He is eligible to come off the 60-day injured list on May 25, but that's not going to happen. Fantasy managers must stay patient.
Grayson Rodriguez Injury Update
The Baltimore Orioles placed right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday with right-shoulder inflammation and activated left-hander John Means (forearm) from the injured list in a corresponding move. Rodriguez just picked up his fourth win of the season on Monday, when he tossed 5 2/3 shutout innings over the New York Yankees, so this news is highly disappointing for the Orioles and his fantasy managers.
News from Orioles today:
Grayson Rodriguez placed on 15-day Injured List with right shoulder inflammation.
John Means has been activated. @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) May 1, 2024
The 24-year-old already has three quality starts on the season while going 4-1 with a 3.71 ERA (3.58 FIP) and 1.41 WHIP with 12 walks and 37 strikeouts in 34 innings over six starts in his second MLB season. Rodriguez has allowed two runs or fewer in all but one of his starts. He needs to remain stashed in an IL spot while he's out.
Cristian Javier Injury Update
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said on Tuesday that starting pitcher Cristian Javier (neck) is an option to start Sunday's series finale against the division-rival Seattle Mariners. A lot will depend on how the next few days go for Javier, who threw off the mound ahead of Tuesday's game versus the visiting Cleveland Guardians as he recuperates from discomfort in his neck.
Cristian Javier is an option to start on Sunday, Joe Espada said, but a lot will depend on how the next few days go https://t.co/88ZTdu5eGs
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) May 1, 2024
If Javier comes away with no setbacks in his throwing progression, it looks like he won't need a brief minor-league rehab assignment before the Stros activate him from the injured list. The 27-year-old star right-hander owns a 1.54 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 18:11 K:BB over 23 1/3 innings (four starts) out of Houston's injury-riddled rotation, and his return would almost certainly send struggling rookie righty Spencer Arrighetti back to the minor leagues.
Brayan Bello Injury Update
Boston Red Sox right-hander Bryan Bello (lat) threw a bullpen session on Tuesday and could have an up-and-down, two-inning simulated outing next, with a possible minor-league rehab start coming next Tuesday. Bello's bullpen session this week was his first time throwing off a mound since he dealt with right-lat tightness last week and was placed on the injured list. It remains to be seen if the 24-year-old will need more than one rehab start before returning to Boston's starting rotation.
Bello threw a bullpen yesterday. He could have an up/down simulated 2-inning outing, with a possible rehab outing on Tuesday.
Romy Gonzalez likely to start a rehab assignment tomorrow or the next day
— Alex Speier (@alexspeier) May 1, 2024
A popular breakout candidate in 2024, the Dominican hurler went 3-1 with a 3.04 ERA (4.06 FIP) and 1.05 WHIP with seven walks and 26 strikeouts in 26 2/3 innings over his first five starts of the season before going on the shelf. If he was dropped when he landed on the IL, fantasy managers should look to scoop him up off the waiver wire.
John Means Injury Update
The Baltimore Orioles activated left-hander John Means (forearm) from the 15-day injured list on Wednesday. We knew that the O's planned to activate Means at some point this week, but now it's official. The 31-year-old southpaw will take the rotation spot of the injured Grayson Rodriguez (shoulder) for now, but eventually, one of Albert Suarez or Cole Irvin will get booted from the rotation when right-hander Kyle Bradish (elbow) returns this week.
News from Orioles today:
Grayson Rodriguez placed on 15-day Injured List with right shoulder inflammation.
John Means has been activated. @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) May 1, 2024
It's unclear yet when Means will make his season debut for the O's. If it doesn't come in the series finale on Thursday against the New York Yankees, it should come this weekend in a series against the Reds on the road in Cincinnati. He struck out eight hitters and threw 95 pitches in his final minor-league rehab start, so Means shouldn't be limited at all from a pitch-count perspective.
Frankie Montas Injury Update
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Frankie Montas (forearm) threw a side bullpen session on Monday and reported no issues, according to manager David Bell. He's scheduled to throw another bullpen session before being activated from the 15-day injured list. Bell expected Montas to return to the starting rotation as soon as he's first eligible on May 7 or the day after. The veteran was hit by a comebacker on his right forearm and was forced to leave his start on April 21 after only 16 pitches against the Los Angeles Angels.
It sounds like the 31-year-old is going to return to Cincy's rotation without going on a minor-league rehab start, which will make him extra risky for fantasy purposes if he starts early next week in the series against the Diamondbacks. In his first five starts with the Reds, Montas has gone 2-2 with a 4.19 ERA and 1.45 WHIP while fanning 14 in 19 1/3 innings. (MLB.com)
Steven Matz Injury Update
St. Louis Cardinals left-hander Steven Matz (back) is set to undergo an MRI exam on Thursday after pitching through a back issue on Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers. Matz went just 3 1/3 innings against Detroit on Tuesday and allowed seven hits (one home run) and four earned runs while walking two and striking out only one.
Steven Matz is set for an MRI on Thursday. Cardinals will decide the next move from there.
— Katie Woo (@katiejwoo) May 1, 2024
The Cardinals will wait for the results of the MRI before deciding what to do next with the 32-year-old veteran southpaw. Fantasy managers that have Matz rostered in deeper leagues should prepare for the possibility that he will go on the injured list. After his poor start on Tuesday, he's now 1-2 on the year with a 6.18 ERA and 1.73 WHIP while striking 17 in 27 2/3 frames over his first six starts in 2024.
Jackson Jobe Injury Update
Detroit Tigers pitching prospect Jackson Jobe (hamstring) was pulled from his start early on Wednesday with Double-A Erie in the middle of the fourth inning after he was seen flexing his left leg and grabbing around his hamstring after delivering a pitch. The 21-year-old right-hander entered his start on Wednesday with a 2.63 ERA and 1.17 WHIP while walking nine and striking out 19 in 13 2/3 innings over his four starts for Erie. It's unclear how serious the injury is, but it's worth keeping an eye on for the Tigers' No. 3 prospect, per MLB Pipeline.
Jackson Jobe just pulled from Erie start at Bowie in 4th inning in middle of an at-bat. He was flexing left leg and grabbing around his hamstring after a pitch.
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) May 1, 2024
The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder has a nasty slider to pair with a mid-to upper-90s fastball. Even if his leg injury isn't serious enough to require a stint on the minor-league injured list, Jobe is probably unlikely to make his big-league debut in 2024.
Joe Kelly Injury Update
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that relief pitcher Joe Kelly (groin) tweaked his right groin fielding a grounder in Tuesday night's loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, but he stayed in to finish the innings. The Dodgers plan to see how Kelly is feeling on Wednesday, but he likely wasn't going to be available anyway. The 35-year-old veteran right-hander picked up his seventh hold of the year on Tuesday by tossing a clean inning while giving up one hit and striking out one.
Dave Roberts said Joe Kelly tweaked his right groin fielding that grounder. Stayed in and finished the inning, but they’ll see how he feels tomorrow. Likely wasn’t going to be available anyway. https://t.co/ylWsi1VLrk
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) May 1, 2024
Kelly is only valuable in deep holds leagues and isn't in the closing picture in LA. In his 13 appearances out of the Dodgers' bullpen so far this year, he's sporting a 5.25 ERA (2.75 FIP), 1.50 WHIP, five walks, and 13 strikeouts in 12 innings.
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