When Will Jazz Chisholm Jr., Josh Lowe, Shane McClanahan Return? Fantasy Baseball Injury Update

When will Chisholm, Lowe and McClanahan return and play? Will Chisholm, Lowe and McClanahan be back again this season? Read the latest fantasy baseball injury updates and return date for Week 6 of the 2025 MLB season.

Even though we are just a month into the fantasy baseball season, injuries have begun to pile up. Fantasy managers have seen several of their high-end players hit the injured list, and as a result, they have needed to look for replacements on the waiver wire.

In this piece, we will analyze the latest injury updates on New York Yankees infielder/outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. (oblique), Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Josh Lowe (oblique), and Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane McClanahan (triceps).

When should fantasy managers expect these players to return to action? Let's dive in.

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Jazz Chisholm Jr. Injury Update For Fantasy Baseball

Chisholm exited their contest against the Baltimore Orioles early on April 29 with an apparent side injury. Following this game, the 27-year-old underwent an MRI on his right oblique.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. will have testing on his right oblique during the off-day on Thursday. Aaron Boone said there is some concern it could be an IL situation, though Jazz told him he feels “fine.”

— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) April 30, 2025

On May 2, the Yankees officially placed Chisholm on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain.

However, Chisholm did not receive positive news about his injury earlier this week and will likely face an extended absence. Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reported that Chisholm is set to miss four to six weeks. In a corresponding move, the Yankees promoted infield prospect Jorbit Vivas to their MLB roster.

Aaron Boone said Jorbit Vivas is going to get an opportunity to play with Jazz Chisholm Jr. out approximately 4-6 weeks. #Yankees https://t.co/n3ZkgxW73Y

— Gary Phillips (@GaryHPhillips) May 2, 2025

Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, but it appears Chisholm could miss at least a month of action.

Before his injury, the 27-year-old showcased his value in category formats but lacked consistency. Across 30 games, Chisholm went deep seven times and swiped six bags. However, he only held a .181/.304/.410 slash line. He tallied 17 RBI and scored 17 runs.

Under the hood, Chisholm generated an elite 14.9% barrel rate and an above-average .388 xwOBA. However, he did post a hefty 31.2% strikeout rate, which lowered his value in points leagues.

While Chisholm remains sidelined, fantasy managers should expect Vivas, Oswald Peraza, and Oswaldo Cabrera to share time at the keystone. In addition, veteran DJ LeMahieu (calf) is beating a return to the majors and will likely carve out a significant role at second base.

When he does return, he will still be a high-end second baseman in all formats, given his ability to hit for power and steal bases.

Josh Lowe Injury Update For Fantasy Baseball

Injuries during the 2024 season limited Lowe. He only appeared in 103 games and has already spent most of the 2025 campaign on the injured list. Lowe appeared in the season opener but had to exit that contest with an oblique injury.

Shortly after the contest, the Rays placed the 27-year-old on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain. This transaction opened a spot on the roster for outfielder Jake Mangum.

#Rays place OF Josh Lowe on 10-day IL due to a right oblique strain, call up OF Jake Mangum

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) March 29, 2025

Throughout April, Lowe gradually progressed through his recovery process. On April 29, Ryan Bass of the FanDuel Sports Network reported that Lowe was on the verge of starting a rehab assignment.

However, on May 2, Lowe faced a minor setback as he was dealing with back spasms. Fortunately, this injury was minor, and Lowe was sent to the Florida Complex League on May 6 to begin his assignment.

Lowe needed only one game in the FCL to get the green light to join Triple-A Durham for the final stage in his recovery plan. Bass reported that the former 13th overall pick will join the Durham Bulls on Thursday.

Good news for #Rays OF Josh Lowe, who took five live at bats today, as he recovers from his oblique strain, and hit a two-run homer. He'll start a rehab assignment in Durham on Thursday.

— Ryan Bass (@Ry_Bass) May 6, 2025

Fantasy managers should monitor Lowe closely, as he could be cleared to return to MLB action as early as next week.

In 106 games last season, Lowe held a .241/.302/.391 slash line with 19 doubles, 10 home runs, and 25 stolen bases. In 2023, Lowe enjoyed a breakout campaign as he tallied 33 doubles, 20 round-trippers, and swiped 32 bags (fifth-most in the American League) and held a .292/.335/.500 slash line.

Given his five-category upside, fantasy managers in a five-outfielder category league should continue to stash Lowe, as he will be a viable option once he returns to the starting nine.

He does not carry as much value in points leagues due to his career 28.3% strikeout rate.

Shane McClanahan Injury Update For Fantasy Baseball

Shane McClanahan missed the entire 2024 campaign as he worked his way back from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in August 2023.

However, the southpaw progressed well during camp and was on track to not only be cleared to make the Opening Day rotation but also get the starting nod on Opening Day.

On March 22, the outfielder exited a spring training contest against the Boston Red Sox early after suffering an apparent arm injury. McClanahan left this game in pain. Following the game, McClanahan underwent imaging and was eventually diagnosed with an inflamed nerve in his left triceps.

Great news on #Rays Shane McClanahan. It’s an inflamed nerve in the left triceps, imaging confirmed. He’ll start the season on the IL, but Kevin Cash said they’re “very fortunate” it wasn’t worse. No timeline on a return yet, as they see how Mac responds to rest and recovery, but…

— Ryan Bass (@Ry_Bass) March 23, 2025

Later in March, McClanahan was shifted to the 15-day injured list. Throughout April, the southpaw acknowledged he was "feeling better" but did not make substantial progress and was eventually moved to the 60-day injured list.

On April 29, manager Kevin Cash noted that McClanahan began "throwing-like" activities but was not cleared to play regular catch. Cash stated that McClanahan will undergo a "slow and steady" buildup process.

#Rays Shane McClanahan is beginning throwing-like activities, but is not playing full catch yet. “Slow and steady,” Kevin Cash said on his recovery from the nerve issue.

— Ryan Bass (@Ry_Bass) April 29, 2025

On May 7, the left-handed pitcher took a significant step forward by beginning to throw from 60 feet. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring his status as he progresses through the next steps in his recovery plan. However, he still does not have a definitive timeline.

An update on Shane McClanahan: Kevin Cash shared the #Rays lefty ace, who has been out since late March with a nerve-related triceps issue, has been playing catch at 60 feet. That's the first step as he works himself back.

“Shane is feeling much better,” Cash said. “Talking to…

— Ryan Bass (@Ry_Bass) May 7, 2025

While he remains sidelined, Zack Littell should continue to operate as the No. 5 option in the Rays' rotation. Fantasy managers in deeper 12+ team formats should continue to stash McClanahan if they have an additional IR spot, as he should carry high strikeout potential when he returns.

However, in shallow leagues, given his unknown timeline, fantasy managers should stash a player with a more defined timetable instead.

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