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As Week 9 of the MLB season inches toward weekend play, there are several key fantasy baseball hurlers dealing with ailments. That said, let's take a look at injured pitchers Merrill Kelly, Reese Olson, Kenta Maeda, Jon Gray, Shane Baz, Adbert Alzolay, and more.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for pitchers as of May 23, 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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Merrill Kelly Injury Update
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly (shoulder) is scheduled to undergo an MRI this week to see how his strained right shoulder is progressing. It's possible that he could begin a throwing program relatively soon if everything looks good, manager Torey Lovullo said on Wednesday.
Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly is scheduled to undergo an MRI this week to see how his right shoulder injury is progressing. It is possible he could begin a throwing program relatively soon if everything looks good, manager Torey Lovullo said.
— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) May 23, 2024
Kelly remains without a clear timetable for a return from the injury, and he isn't eligible to be activated from the 60-day injured list until late June. The 35-year-old veteran right-hander carries a 2.19 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 21:6 K:BB over 24 2/3 innings (four starts) for the D-backs while sitting on the shelf, and he's still worth a stash for fantasy managers who can afford the roster spot. With Kelly sidelined, Ryne Nelson and Logan Allen will help eat innings in Arizona's rotation.
Reese Olson Injury Update
Detroit Tigers right-hander Reese Olson (hip) didn't throw his bullpen session on Wednesday and will instead throw his bullpen on Thursday at Comerica Park before he returns to the rotation to start against the Toronto Blue Jays this weekend. Olson was hit on his right hip by a comebacker in his last start on Monday against the Kansas City Royals, but the injury wasn't serious enough to cause him to miss his next turn through the rotation this weekend in a better matchup against Toronto.
Reese Olson didn't throw his bullpen session today. He will throw his bullpen Thursday at Comerica Park and start over the weekend vs. Blue Jays.
Kenta Maeda threw his bullpen today at Kauffman Stadium. (He is lined up to start Saturday or Sunday, but no info on the plan.) https://t.co/BcIi8OMY0H
— Evan Petzold (@EvanPetzold) May 22, 2024
The 24-year-old former 13th-round pick by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018 has been outstanding for the Tigers and his fantasy managers so far this year, despite being 0-5. Olson is currently sporting a 2.16 ERA (2.82 FIP) and 1.06 WHIP while walking 16 and striking out 43 in 50 innings over his nine starts in just his second MLB season. Leave him in your starting lineups this weekend.
Kenta Maeda Injury Update
Detroit Tigers right-hander Kenta Maeda (illness) threw a bullpen session at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday and is lined up to start on Saturday or Sunday against the Toronto Blue Jays. Maeda is attempting to return to the Tigers' starting rotation after landing on the injured list with a viral illness in mid-May.
Reese Olson didn't throw his bullpen session today. He will throw his bullpen Thursday at Comerica Park and start over the weekend vs. Blue Jays.
Kenta Maeda threw his bullpen today at Kauffman Stadium. (He is lined up to start Saturday or Sunday, but no info on the plan.) https://t.co/BcIi8OMY0H
— Evan Petzold (@EvanPetzold) May 22, 2024
The 36-year-old veteran pitched in a minor-league rehab game last week and appears to be feeling good enough to rejoin the team this weekend. The matchup against Toronto isn't a bad one, but fantasy managers should still be very hesitant to throw Maeda back into the fire as a streamer this weekend. In seven starts before going on the shelf, the Japanese hurler went 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA and 1.40 WHIP with only 23 strikeouts in 30 2/3 innings pitched.
Jon Gray Injury Update
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jon Gray (groin) will undergo an MRI after being removed early from Tuesday's start with a right groin injury. The veteran tossed five innings on 75 pitches before being pulled from the game. Manager Bruce Bochy said that Gray was experiencing tightness in his right groin and it wasn't worth it to keep pushing Gray and potentially injure him more.
It seems like the move to remove Gray was more of a precaution than anything, but his MRI will determine the true extent of his injury. Bochy expects Gray to be able to make his next start versus the Minnesota Twins on Sunday. If Gray does miss time, Jack Leiter would be an option for a spot start. (MLB.com)
Shane Baz Injury Update
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane Baz (elbow) looked sharp during his fourth minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Durham on Wednesday, giving up one run on three hits and three walks with four strikeouts over four innings. This was Baz's fourth start in the minors as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery, so there's an outside chance that his next appearance will come in the major-league rotation after tossing 76 pitches on Wednesday. In all likelihood, however, Baz will throw in one more rehab game before likely rejoining the Rays in early June.
Shane's getting stronger
Here's the final line for Shane Baz in his MLB Rehab start tonight pic.twitter.com/tSl9ajh26Z
— Durham Bulls (@DurhamBulls) May 23, 2024
For his big-league career, the 24-year-old former top prospect sports an encouraging 4.02 ERA and 1.12 WHIP while punching out 48 and walking 12 through 40 1/3 frames (nine starts) for Tampa Bay. Baz is worth stashing in the majority of competitive fantasy leagues with his return on the horizon.
Adbert Alzolay Injury Update
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Adbert Alzolay (forearm) will be shut down from throwing for at least two weeks, manager Craig Counsell said on Wednesday. No surprise here, as Alzolay has gone for a second opinion on his strained right flexor. The Cubs will follow a conservative treatment plan for the 29-year-old right-hander, and while surgery is not off the table, they'll know more after his downtime.
Adbert Alzolay will be shut down for at least two weeks, manager Craig Counsell said.
Surgery not off the table, but they’ll know more after his down period.
— Andy Martínez (@amartinez_11) May 22, 2024
After posting a poor 4.67 ERA with 13 strikeouts, six walks, and six home runs allowed in 18 games over 17 1/3 innings out of Chicago's bullpen this year and getting removed from the closer's role, Alzolay looks like a drop in shallow fantasy leagues and a weak stash in deeper formats. Hector Neris owns a 2.50 ERA with six saves across 18 frames and is the current favorite for ninth-inning work in the Windy City.
John Means Injury Update
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher John Means (elbow) has been removed early during Wednesday's outing against the St. Louis Cardinals. The left-hander saw a decrease in velocity during his three innings before being taken out of the contest. The team is calling it left elbow discomfort, so the expectation is that Means will undergo further testing to determine the severity of the issue.
John Means is dealing with elbow discomfort, Brandon Hyde says.
— Matt Weyrich (@ByMattWeyrich) May 22, 2024
Fantasy managers will need to check back for another update on his status.
Garrett Whitlock Injury Update
Boston Red Sox right-hander Garrett Whitlock (elbow) will have his medical visit with Dr. Jeff Dugas next Wednesday, at which point it will be decided if he will have surgery. While on a minor-league rehab assignment to recover from a left oblique strain, Whitlock suffered a right elbow sprain last Wednesday with Triple-A Worcester and may now be forced to miss the rest of the 2024 season if he has to go under the knife. If the 27-year-old needs surgery to fix damage to his right UCL, he'll not only miss the rest of this year, but he probably won't be ready to go for Boston to start next year, either.
Garrett Whitlock will have his medical visit with Dr. Jeff Dugas a week from today in Birmingham, at which point it will be decided if he has surgery.
— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) May 22, 2024
It would be a serious blow for Boston's pitching depth, as the former 18th-round pick of the New York Yankees in 2017 out of Alabama was 1-0 with a stingy 1.96 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 17 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings in 2024 in his four starts.
Kyle Freeland Injury Update
Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Freeland (elbow) was able to throw a successful bullpen session on Wednesday. This was the first time that Freeland was able to throw since landing on the injured list due to a left elbow strain. The expectation is that Freeland will throw a few more bullpen sessions before going on a rehab assignment. There isn't a clear timetable for his return, but a return in middle or late June is possible.
This is #Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (left elbow strain), throwing off a mound for the first time since his injury. He last pitched on April 14. pic.twitter.com/q5ptZ9dEyj
— Thomas Harding (@harding_at_mlb) May 22, 2024
Steven Wilson Injury Update
The Chicago White Sox placed right-hander Steven Wilson (back) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to May 20) on Wednesday with a back strain and recalled right-hander Nick Nastrini from Triple-A Charlotte in a corresponding move. In his first year with the White Sox in 2024, Wilson has been a key contributor out of their bullpen, going 1-2 with a 2.84 ERA (6.25 FIP) and 1.26 WHIP with 14 walks and 19 strikeouts in 19 innings over 21 relief appearances.
Here are the roster moves, including Wilson, going on the IL. And Eloy, as expected. pic.twitter.com/oRPlprG7an
— Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) May 22, 2024
However, unless the 29-year-old is able to limit the free passes when he returns from his injury, he'll be hard-pressed to be as fortunate the rest of the season. Nastrini will make his return to the big leagues and will join Chicago's starting rotation on Wednesday to face the Toronto Blue Jays for only the third start of his young major-league career.
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