X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

When Will Alexis Diaz, Zach Eflin, Max Scherzer Return? Fantasy Baseball Injury Update

Alexis Diaz fantasy baseball closers rankings draft sleepers waiver wire pickups

When will Alexis Diaz, Zach Eflin, Max Scherzer return and play? Will Diaz, Eflin and Scherzer be back again this season? Read the latest fantasy baseball injury updates and return date for Week 3 of the 2025 MLB season.

Correctly navigating your IL spots could be a huge advantage for your fantasy team. Stashing multiple players set to return in the coming weeks could be the perfect boost for your roster. Therefore, fantasy managers should continue to hang on to stars like George Kirby, Sean Manaea, Grayson Rodriguez, and Brandon Woodruff

Although none of these four pitchers have made their season debut yet, they will definitely be strong fantasy options in the second half of the year. Three other players fantasy managers could be stashing right now are Cincinnati Reds closer Alexis Diaz, Baltimore Orioles starter Zach Eflin, and Toronto Blue Jays starter Max Scherzer

So, should you be holding Diaz, Eflin, and Scherzer in one of your fantasy IL spots? When will these three players return? Let's dive in and find out. 

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Alexis Diaz Injury Update For Fantasy Baseball

Diaz is slowly making his way back from a hamstring injury he suffered during spring training. The right-hander only appeared in four spring games this offseason and began the year on the 15-day IL. However, it seems the right-handed closer will make his season debut at some point this upcoming week. 

The 28-year-old has pitched in five games in his minor league rehab assignment and just recently threw in back-to-back games for the first time. Diaz struck out three batters across one inning on Friday before pitching again on Saturday. Even though he allowed two runs on three hits across one inning in that outing on Saturday, it is a good sign that he came out of that appearance fully healthy. 

Therefore, he could be activated as soon as Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners. That's on par with what Reds manager Terry Francona said a few days ago. Even though Francona echoed that a decision has yet to be made regarding when Diaz could be activated, the former All-Star did rejoin the team on Sunday.

With Diaz nearing a return, some fantasy managers might be sprinting to the waiver wire to pick him up. He was fantastic in his All-Star campaign in 2023 and could be a great source of saves for your fantasy team. Nevertheless, the relief pitcher is better left on your waiver wire for the time being

Diaz might not be the team's closer immediately once he is activated from the IL. While he could definitely earn that job back, the Reds likely want to ease him into action before giving him that role again. The right-hander has struggled with command issues in recent years, and his 12.8 percent walk rate in 2024 ranked toward the bottom of the league. 

There's no doubt the 28-year-old didn't have his best stuff last year. He finished with a 3.99 ERA, 31 walks, 55 strikeouts across 56 1/3 innings pitched. The good news, though, is that he totaled 28 saves. Diaz could be a solid waiver wire pickup in a few weeks if he can limit his walks and earn that closer job again. 

 

Zach Eflin Injury Update For Fantasy Baseball

Since arriving in Baltimore at the trade deadline, Eflin has been a strong rotation arm for the team. He had a 2.60 ERA and 47 strikeouts in his nine starts with the Orioles in the final two months of the 2024 season, and the right-hander is already off to a great start in 2025. He has opened the year with three straight quality starts. 

However, due to shoulder fatigue, Eflin left his last start early on April 7. Unfortunately, that shoulder fatigue turned out to be a low-grade lat strain. That resulted in the Orioles immediately placing the right-hander on the 15-day IL on April 9 (retroactive to April 8). 

It is encouraging that this isn't a serious injury for Eflin. While there isn't a clear timetable set for his return, it shouldn't be too long of an absence for the 31-year-old. He was shut down from throwing for a week and should be reassessed sometime during the week of April 14. As a result, we should have a clearer timetable for when he could return in the next week.

For now, though, Eflin should be slotted into one of your IL spots. Although he has only struck out eight batters across 18 innings pitched and currently owns an 11.8 percent strikeout rate, his potential low WHIP and sub-3.60 ERA make him someone fantasy managers should be holding on to. 

Just two years ago, Eflin finished sixth in the American League Cy Young voting behind a 3.50 ERA and 186 strikeouts. The Orioles pitcher might not have the highest fantasy ceiling, but he does get the job done. Therefore, fantasy managers should keep him on their roster while he's on the 15-day IL. 

 

Max Scherzer Injury Update For Fantasy Baseball

It has been a couple of rough years for Scherzer. He only pitched in nine games last year due to multiple injuries, and injuries continue to affect him in his 18th major league season. The future Hall of Famer injured his thumb in his first start of the year on March 29. That thumb injury has been a problem for the right-hander since the beginning of spring training. 

As a result, the Blue Jays placed him on the 15-day IL just one day after his start. Although there is no structural damage to his thumb, some concerns surround Scherzer's recent injury. He resumed playing catch on April 7, but there was still a bit of tightness in his thumb following a cortisone shot.

With the recent soreness in his thumb, Scherzer hasn't been able to do much throwing in recent days. The Blue Jays will now send him to see a doctor again to understand more about what's going on with his injury. This is certainly not a great sign for the veteran's fantasy outlook moving forward. It has been two weeks since he went on the IL, and his thumb hasn't really improved yet. 

Currently, there is clearly no timetable for Scherzer's return. Fantasy managers should know more about his status once his doctor visit is officially complete. Nevertheless, we should expect the 40-year-old to be out for the rest of the month. He still isn't pain-free, and this nagging thumb injury has affected him since the spring. 

That makes Scherzer a drop in some leagues. If you have the room in one of your IL slots, then he might be a fine hold. However, there are better players to stash on your IL at this point in the season. Players like Ivan Herrera, Luis Gil, and Shane Bieber are currently better IL stashes.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy baseball app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, sleepers, prospects & more. All free!



More Fantasy Baseball Analysis

POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Aaron Jones Sr.

Injures Hamstring During Sunday Night Football
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Carlos Estévez

Carlos Estevez Exits with Back Tightness
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks
Adam Lowry

Aims for Early-Season Return

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP