Ambulance Chasers: Ragans’ Shoulder Over The Coles

Iran and Israel are attacking one another. ICE is raiding the streets of Los Angeles. We have protests around the country that are ready for an outbreak at a moment’s notice. Nevertheless, fantasy lineups must be set and leagues must be won. I’m confident World War 3 will not break out (yet), but who knows? Hell, I thought Max Fried would be out for the season by now, but he’s the most valuable SP in fantasy…

Anyway, if there were any injuries missed, feel free to yell at me in the comments or on Twitter/X @RotoSurgeon.

Injuries to Monitor

Cole Ragans (SP, KC) Shoulder

Cole Ragans is seeking a second opinion on his rotator cuff strain. This report was an obituary for his 2025 fantasy season as you do not seek out a second opinion unless you do not like the first. Ragans has struggled at times this season but was mostly very unlucky. His 5.18 ERA is backed by an elite 2.43 xFIP and 2.47 SIERA.

Sadly, we will not see the kind face of the positive regression monster as he is unlikely to pitch again this year. You can drop him now or wait until the inevitable is announced.

Justin Martinez (SP, ARI) Elbow

Justin Martinez vs. A.J. Puk is a hilarious offseason argument to look back on. Well, not hilarious for either pitcher given that Martinez is undergoing UCL repair while Puk is shutting down his rehab to meet with the ominous Dr. Neal ElAttrache, but still hilarious conceptually.

The Diamondbacks are reduced to relying on veteran RP Shelby Miller for closing duties, and that is not a bad thing for him or fantasy managers. The carousel of closers in Arizona has landed on a singular, talented option, and fantasy managers should as well. Miller is a priority pick-up with his seven saves and 1.63 ERA thus far. His peripheral stats like xFIP (3.91) and SIERA (3.44) are not perfect, but good enough for a trusted vet in a barren reliever room.

Bryce Harper (1B, PHI) Wrist

The Phillies placed star 1B Bryce Harper on IL last weekend, and it came as a shock despite the issue reportedly lingering. Harper is no stranger to injuries, but at least this one seems minor. The injury is categorized as inflammation and will hopefully dull down with rest. He is eligible to return early next week, yet we could be waiting an extra few days given the lack of updates.

Logan Gilbert (SP, SEA) Elbow

Logan Gilbert’s most recent rehab stint went much better than his first two. He struck out six batters while allowing one walk and one hit without allowing a run. The veteran ace appears ready to return and should immediately slot back in our lineups next week. Unfortunately, his elbow is likely a ticking time bomb after a flexor strain. The best bet would be selling him shortly after his return

Royce Lewis (3B, MIN) Leg

BREAKING: Royce Lewis. The oft-injured Twins 3B injured his hamstring on Friday and will be evaluated over the weekend. Minnesota seems unconcerned with the injury and is optimistic that Lewis will be back sooner than later. Regardless, expect an IL stint given his history and the general caution forced to come along with it.

Matt Chapman (3B, SF) Hand

Matt Chapman is likely to miss the rest of June with his mysterious hand injury but will begin swinging again in a week. The Giants appear optimistic that this is not a long-term issue, and we should expect him back within a month. Hand sprains are odd and ideally do not involve fractures. If Chapman does not appear right, a few weeks after returning, he can be dropped.

Kodai Senga (SP, NYM) Hamstring

The Mets’ ace suffered a hamstring strain while running to complete an out at first base. Fantasy managers across the universe wish he had pulled a World Series Gerrit Cole, but alas, what’s done is done. Senga was immediately placed on IL after the game and will be re-evaluated in two weeks with a low-grade strain. Given the needed time to ramp back up, expect him out for about a month if all goes well in rehab.

Freddie Freeman (1B, LAD) Quad

The Dodgers reported that Freddie Freeman is playing through a quad injury at the moment. This could explain his lack of home runs over the past month, but it is not impacting his average much, at least. Freeman is slashing .318/397/.421 with 11 doubles, zero HR, and a slightly elevated 23.1% K rate since May 13. We do not know when the quad injury occurred, but hopefully, it does not get any worse with a reaggravation.