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When will Snell, Strider, and Rodriguez return and play? Will Snell, Strider, and Rodriguez be back again this season? Read the latest fantasy baseball injury updates and return date for Week 2 of the 2025 MLB season.
Even though we are only starting the second full week of the MLB regular season, injuries are beginning to pile up. Several teams have seen their ace suffer injuries and hit the injured list.
In this piece, we will look at the most recent injury updates for three starting pitchers: Los Angeles Dodgers southpaw Blake Snell (shoulder), Atlanta Braves ace Spencer Strider (elbow), and Baltimore Orioles right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (elbow).
When can fantasy managers expect these pitchers to return to the bump? Let's dive in and find out.
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Blake Snell Injury Update For Fantasy Baseball
Blake Snell inked a five-year, $182 million contract with the reigning World Champions in November. This massive contract suggested that the Dodgers viewed Snell as their "ace", even in a rotation with Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Snell made his Dodger debut in their domestic home opener against the Detroit Tigers and tossed five innings of two-run ball. He allowed five hits and held a modest 4:2 BB:K. In his second outing, Snell struggled as he allowed five hits and five runs (zero earned) across four innings against the Atlanta Braves. In this start, he also posted a 4:2 BB:K.
After his start, the Dodgers placed the two-time Cy Young winner on the 15-day injured list due to left shoulder inflammation.
The Dodgers recalled RHP Matt Sauer and placed LHP Blake Snell on the injured list with left shoulder inflammation, retroactive to April 3.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 6, 2025
According to Jack Harris of the LA Times, Snell threw a bullpen session shortly before officially hitting the injured list. After the session, he told the training staff that his shoulder did not feel right.
Dodgers announce that Blake Snell is going on the injured list with shoulder inflammation. Matt Sauer has been recalled
Snell threw a bullpen session this morning, but had a conversation with trainer Thomas Albert and GM Brandon Gomes afterward
— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) April 6, 2025
The 32-year-old underwent an MRI on April 6 and hopes to miss only a "couple" of weeks. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, as a minor setback could push his recovery window back.
While Snell will not throw until Monday, the team will not rely on medical intervention during his recovery. Instead, they will allow Snell to fully rest his shoulder while sidelining.
Blake Snell (left shoulder inflammation) will be shut down from throwing until Monday, Dave Roberts said. There's no planned medical intervention, just rest.
— Sonja Chen (@SonjaMChen) April 8, 2025
While Snell is sidelined, fantasy managers should expect Justin Wrobleski and Landon Knack to see starting opportunities in the rotation. Wrobleski was given the start on Tuesday evening against the Nationals and struggled, giving up eight runs across five innings. He may only be given another opportunity before the Dodgers turn elsewhere.
Veteran Tony Gonsolin (back) is also in a rehab assignment and could take the spot in the rotation once he is cleared to return.
Spencer Strider Injury Update For Fantasy Baseball
Spencer Strider could only pitch nine innings during the 2024 campaign before undergoing an internal brace procedure in April. While this injury shut him down for the remainder of the 2024 campaign, it left the door open for an early 2025 return.
Strider was able to pitch in spring training and struck out 10 batters in four innings of work. Despite the strong showing, the team placed him on the 15-day IL to open the campaign to ensure he is completely healed before he makes his season debut.
However, Strider quickly began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett and has looked quite comfortable. In his first outing, Strider allowed two hits and one run while striking out six across three innings.
In his second outing on April 4, Strider logged five 1/3 innings of work and struck out eight. He did not allow a run or a hit in this start.
According to Grant McAuley, Strider is expected to throw 90 pitches in his next rehab outing on Thursday against the Norfolk Tides, which could be his last outing before rejoining Atlanta.
#Braves Spencer Strider throwing today. He'll head to Norfolk to make another rehab start for Gwinnett on Thursday. Target is 90 pitches in what could be his last outing before rejoining Atlanta. pic.twitter.com/xZOMsxrzPu
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) April 8, 2025
Fantasy managers should watch his status closely after that rehab outing, as he could be on his way to Atlanta. When Strider rejoins the starting rotation, Bryce Elder will likely be the odd man out and will either be shifted to a long relief role or moved to Triple-A.
AJ Smith-Shawver could also be a candidate to return to Triple-A, given that he has posted a high 5.19 ERA across his first two starts of the season.
Once cleared to return, Strider will carry high-end SP1 uspide.
Grayson Rodriguez Injury Update For Fantasy Baseball
In March, the team announced that Grayson Rodriguez was battling soreness in his triceps. He was quickly ruled out for Opening Day and was diagnosed with right elbow inflammation.
While he was placed on the 15-day IL before Opening Day, Rodriguez had already begun a throwing program beforehand.
He completed his first bullpen session on Friday, March 28. A few days later, Jake Rill of MLB.com reported that the former 11th overall pick threw his second bullpen session on Wednesday, April 2.
#Orioles RHP Grayson Rodriguez (elbow inflammation) is throwing another bullpen session today at Camden Yards. pic.twitter.com/roEwMyL4gt
— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) April 2, 2025
The right-hander continued to progress well and completed his third session of his recovery process earlier this week, on Monday. In this session, Rodriguez threw changeups alongside his fastball.
Grayson Rodriguez throwing regular bullpen session tomorrow. Fastballs and change ups #orioles
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) April 6, 2025
Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status. The former top prospect is nearing his first live bullpen session, and he has yet to face any setbacks during these sessions.
However, given his missed time, he will likely still need to embark on a rehab assignment before making his regular-season debut. As a result, fantasy managers should not expect the 25-year-old to return to a major league mound until at least the end of April. Fantasy managers should continue to stash Rodriguez on an IL spot as he carries decent upside when he returns.
While Rodriguez remains sidelined, young southpaw Cade Povich should continue to see opportunities in the starting rotation. However, the 24-year-old has posted a high 6.10 ERA with a 1.94 WHIP across his first two outings of the season. He will likely be shifted back to Triple-A once Rodriguez returns.
Last season, Rodriguez struck out an impressive 130 batters across 116 2/3 innings of work. He held a 3.86 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP.
He should be viewed as a viable SP3 with upside when he returns.
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