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The MLB baseball season is now longer new, and many fantasy pitchers have established themselves as must-start options when they're on the mound. However, injuries will always complicate lineup decisions, so staying on top of the most recent news is key for staying near the top of your league's standings. Today, we'll look at the top injured pitchers, including Julio Urias, Triston McKenzie, Brandon Woodruff, Carlos Rodon, and Vince Velasquez.
This is our weekly edition of fantasy baseball injury updates for pitchers as of May 25, 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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Julio Urias Injury Update
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias (hamstring) is expected to throw a bullpen session later this week. Manager Dave Roberts said Urias will resume throwing on either Friday or Saturday of this week. The left-hander was placed on the injured list Saturday with a hamstring strain.
The hope is that it's not going to sideline him for too long, but sometimes hamstring issues have a tendency to linger. Urias is expected to return around early June. Fantasy managers should expect an update on his status later this week.
Triston McKenzie Injury Update
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie (shoulder) is scheduled to make his next rehab start on Thursday for Triple-A Columbus. The right-hander was able to throw 56 pitches over the weekend during his first rehab appearance. McKenzie has been sidelined since spring training due to a right shoulder strain.
It sounds like McKenzie could make his season debut next week, barring any setbacks. Fantasy managers will have to check back after Thursday's appearance for another update.
Brandon Woodruff Injury Update
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff (shoulder), who took four to five days off from throwing, was back playing catch on Wednesday. He's been targeting the end of June to return to Milwaukee's starting rotation, but there are many steps ahead, including sustained long toss, bullpen sessions, live batting practice sessions and minor-league rehab starts. Woodruff was feeling good after playing catch Wednesday, so it's a good first step.
The 30-year-old right-hander is currently on the 60-day injured list due to a Grade 2 subscapular strain in his right elbow, and fantasy managers must remain patient and keep him stashed in an IL spot. Before the injury, Woodruff allowed only one run on seven hits while striking out 12 in his first two starts of 2023.
Carlos Rodon Injury Update
New York Yankees southpaw Carlos Rodon (back, elbow) threw again on Tuesday from 120 feet, and according to MLB.com, manager Aaron Boone sees the 30-year-old throwing from the mound by the end of this week. There is still no timetable for his return, though. Rodon has yet to suit up for the Yankees after suffering a forearm strain in Spring Training before dealing with back stiffness during his rehab.
Fantasy managers can't wait to get the former first-rounder back, as he posted a 2.88 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 33.4% strikeout rate over 31 starts last season and has been a top arm in all of baseball since 2021.
Vince Velasquez Injury Update
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton said that starting pitcher Vince Velasquez (elbow) will likely return from the injured list to face the Seattle Mariners this weekend. Mitch Keller and Roansy Contreras are slated to start the first two games of the series, so Velasquez will likely return on Sunday and bump Luis L. Ortiz from Pittsburgh's rotation. In his only minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Indianapolis last Saturday, Velasquez tossed 4 2/3 scoreless innings with four strikeouts.
The 30-year-old right-hander should have a pretty normal pitch count in his first start back, but fantasy managers should still consider him a bit risky. Velasquez has been solid in seven starts for the Bucs in 2023, posting a 3.06 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 34 K's in 35 1/3 frames.
Tarik Skubal Injury Update
Detroit Tigers lefty Tarik Skubal (elbow) has completed eight bullpen sessions since starting his rehab from an elbow injury that required flexor tendon surgery last season. Now, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reported on Monday, the 26-year-old is ready for a live bullpen, which should come later this week, and is getting closer to a rehab assignment.
There is still no exact timetable for his return, but fantasy managers should stay tuned. Skubal was flourishing into the ace of Detroit in 2022 before the ailment, pitching to a 3.52 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with an even more impressive 24.5% strikeout rate and 6.7% walk rate over 21 starts. He'll have value in every league if he can comes back as the player everyone saw last season.
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