RADIO
When will Strider, Seager, and Greene return and play? Will Strider, Seager, and Greene be back again this season? Read the latest fantasy baseball injury updates and return date for Week 7 of the 2025 MLB season.
Fantasy managers have seen several high-end players hit the injured list in the opening month of the campaign. As a result, they have needed to look to the wiaver wire to replace several of their top picks.
In this piece, we will analyze the latest injury update for three must-start players: Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider, Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager, and Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene.
When will these players return to action? Should fantasy managers continue to look for alternative options on the waiver wire? Let's dive in!
Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:- Fantasy baseball trade analyzer
- BvP matchups data (Batter vs. Pitcher)
- PvB matchups data (Pitcher vs. Batter)
- Who should I start? Fantasy baseball comparisons
- Daily MLB starting lineups
- Fantasy baseball closer depth charts
- Fantasy Baseball live scoreboard
- Fantasy baseball injury reports
Spencer Strider Injury Update For Fantasy Baseball
Spencer Strider was only able to make two starts in the 2024 season before undergoing an internal brace procedure. During spring training, the Braves slowly increased his workload and opted to have him open the season on the 15-day injured list.
He was officially activated off the injured list to make his season debut on April 16 against the Toronto Blue Jays. In this outing, the hard-throwing right-hander allowed two runs, five hits, and a walk over five innings of work. He struck out five batters.
However, shortly after this outing, Strider faced an unfortunate setback as he suffered a strained right hamstring. He was then diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain, placed on the 15-day IL, and not given a definitive timeline.
Strider has a Grade 1 hamstring strain. This is the mildest of strains, but it will still take some time to heal. A timetable for return will be determined over the next couple weeks.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) April 22, 2025
Throughout May, Strider slowly progressed through the early steps of his rehab. On May 5, He was cleared to begin long toss and was able to throw his first bullpen session on May 7.
Strider threw a bullpen before today’s game. Snit said he hasn’t asked how it went.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) May 8, 2025
On May 9, Strider completed his second bullpen session and did not face any setbacks. After the session, the 26-year-old noted that he felt "ready" but was unaware if the team was planning to send him on a rehab assignment before returning from the IL.
On May 14, Strider was scheduled to throw a simulated game and log 70-75 pitches. If this session goes well, Strider may be given the opportunity to bypass a minor league rehab assignment. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his status throughout the week, as the team could announce his return in the coming days.
Strider will throw five innings or 70-75 pitches in a sim game on Wednesday. The Braves will then decide if he needs to make a rehab start before being activated
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) May 12, 2025
When Strider does return, he will be viewed as a must-start option in all formats. In the 2023 campaign, Strider was named to the NL All-Star team and logged 186 2/3 innings to the tune of a 3.86 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. During this campaign, Strider struck out a career-high 281 innings and allowed walks at a strong 7.6% rate.
Spencer Strider is the fastest primary starting pitcher (min. 50% of app. as SP), by innings pitched, to reach the 500-strikeout milestone. pic.twitter.com/66IQvkX79V
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 16, 2025
When he returns, he will replace either Bryce Elder or AJ Smith-Shawver in the rotation.
Corey Seager Injury Update For Fantasy Baseball
Corey Seager suffered this initial hamstring injury on April 23. The team placed the two-time World Series MVP on the 10-day injured list. However, Seager only needed to sit out the minimum 10 days before returning to action.
Seager then faced a setback later in May. On May 11, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reported that Seager was set to undergo a re-evaluation on his right hamstring.
The Rangers will have Corey Seager re-evaluated on Monday as his hamstring got tight on swings last night
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) May 11, 2025
Seager was unable to turn the corner and eventually returned to the 10-day injured list on May 13.
Corey Seager to IL, Higgy activated
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) May 13, 2025
On Wednesday, Rangers manager Bruce Bochy noted that Seager could miss longer than the 10-day minimum during this stint on the injured list. Fantasy managers should continue to keep a close eye on the 31-year-old's status; he appears to have taken a significant step back.
Before his injury, Seager was enjoying an impressive start to the campaign, posting a .300/.346/.520 slash line with six long balls. Under the hood, Seager generated an elite .425 xwOBA, .328 xBA, and a .640 xSLG, which placed him in the 96th, 98th, and 99th percentile, respectively.
Corey Seager with a BOMB for his 100th home run with the Rangers pic.twitter.com/YsHcR7U8KK
— OutKick (@Outkick) April 18, 2025
While he remains out, Josh Smith and Ezequiel Duran will likely see most of the opportunities at shortstop. Given Seager's elite upside, he should remain stashed on all rosters while on the injured list.
Hunter Greene Injury Update For Fantasy Baseball
Hunter Greene was on track to be an early-season NL Cy Young favorite but suffered a groin strain.
During his start against the Atlanta Braves on May 7, Greene exited the contest with an apparent groin injury. Shortly after the start, Greene was officially diagnosed with a Grade 1 right groin strain.
Refs’ Hunter Greene (groin) diagnosed with Grade 1 strain. But no IL. At least for now.
— Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubMLB) May 8, 2025
On Friday, May 9, he was placed on the 15-day injured list. In a surprising move, the Reds promoted right-handed prospect Chase Petty from Triple-A Louisville to fill his spot on the roster.
The Reds activate Austin Hays from the IL, call up Will Benson and option Dunn and Hurtubise. They also call up Chase Petty to fill Hunter Greene’s rotation spot with Greene on the IL.
Over the last week, the Reds have essentially flipped their outfield depth and will now give…
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) May 9, 2025
While the team has not provided any update on his status, fantasy managers should expect the 25-year-old to remain sidelined for at least the next two weeks. Through his first 45 2/3 innings of work this season, the former second overall pick flashed elite potential, posting a 2.36 ERA with a stellar 0.81 WHIP.
During this stint, Greene struck out an impressive 61 batters and served up just eight walks. Under the hood, Greene currently sits in the 92nd percentile in xERA and the 95th percentile in xBA.
Hunter Greene since July 1st of last year:
73.2 IP
1.10 ERA
10.14 K/9
2.32 BB/9We have to start talking about him as a no brainer top 5 arm in the game.
pic.twitter.com/9kF03YM9ku— Andrew DeCeglie (@Andrew_FBB) April 14, 2025
When he returns, he will carry top-10 upside at the position and should remain stashed in all formats. While he remains sidelined, Petty should remain in the rotation, but is best left on the waiver wire as he has posted a hefty 21.94 ERA across his first five 1/3 MLB innings.
More Fantasy Baseball Analysis
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!
