Ambulance Chasers: Sonny With A Guarantee of Meatballs

Did you draft a starting pitcher this offseason? Well, congratulations! You now have a one-way ticket to the waiver wire in search of a replacement. This Spring may not be more or less brutal than any in the past but in the moment, it feels like the worst in years. Every day I wake up and scroll Twitter (not X) and without a doubt, there is a new, horrendous injury to a fantasy-relevant SP.

Some injuries are new while others went unreported and are lingering from the prior season. The latter is sadly the case for the namesake of this piece. Let’s dive in.

Preseason Injuries to Monitor

Sonny Gray (SP, STL) Elbow

Sonny Gray was shut down in September due to “right forearm tendinitis” and is now struggling in Spring Training. Any time you hear “forearm” for a pitcher, always assume “elbow” and assume the worst. Gray’s arm has not been an issue since 2019 when bone chips were removed from his elbow via arthroscopic surgery. According to a recent report, Gray’s flexor tendon was damaged and required an injection to manage

This injection was for pain relief and could be a precursor to surgery. Pitchers opt for injections, often PRP, as a final resort to manage an elbow injury but it does not magically heal it. Gray’s velocity is down at the moment and he is struggling to locate pitches. Typically, we can ignore points like this regarding veteran pitchers coming off excellent seasons but with the injury factor, it is actionable. Drop Sonny Gray down your boards. He should be a late-round flier like Grayson Rodriguez.

Jared Jones (SP, PIT) Elbow

This one hurts more than I expected. Jared Jones was excellent to start last season but faded in the second half due to general regression and a July oblique strain. His return this Spring was very promising with 17 strikeouts and just six walks in 12 innings.

Unfortunately, he is now seeking a second opinion for an elbow injury which may as well be a death sentence for 2025. You only seek second opinions if you do not like the first. Jones is more than likely done for this season with the best-case scenario being a multi-month absence. Do not draft.

Yu Darvish (SP, SD) Elbow

Yu Darvish will officially begin the season on IL due to “elbow inflammation”. While this may not be as severe as Jared Jones’ or Sonny Gray’s elbow injuries, an elbow issue right before the season is never ideal. Darvish had a bone spur surgically removed in 2023 and dealt with back, neck, and elbow issues in 2024. Given his age and downturn in production, Darvish can be completely faded in drafts and ignored on the waiver wire.

Ryan Weathers (SP, MIA) Forearm

RIP Ryan Weathers, we hardly knew thee. Weathers, like Darvish, will begin the season on IL. This Spring Training has featured multiple risers who deserved excitement and Weathers was one of them. Weathers’ velocity gains this offseason were the reason for his Spring performance and if those are lost, he is just pedestrian (if he returns at all). With a forearm strain sidelining him, we can ignore him completely as the margin for error is wiped out.

Jesus Sanchez (OF, MIA) Oblique

Elbow injuries for pitchers and oblique injuries for hitters appear to be the theme leading up to this season. Jesus Sanchez is the most recent to suffer this pestering issue and will be sidelined for four weeks. The timeline suggests that this injury is closer to moderate than mild. Given that Sanchez was a good, not great hitter to begin with and on an awful Marlins offense, we can ignore him in fantasy to begin the season.

Ranger Suarez (SP, PHI) Back

Ranger Suarez’s 2024 season was a tale of two halves. From March 31 through June 25 he posted an elite 1.83 ERA backed by an amazing 2.81 xFIP and 2.65 FIP. From June 26 on he posted a 6.54 ERA with a pedestrian 4.11 xFIP and 4.71 FIP. According to reports, Suarez endured “back stiffness” midseason which resulted in his downfall. His back is flaring up again in Spring Training and that now leaves us with valid concern.

Suarez will throw again soon and hopes to be ready by Opening Day. Whether that is true or not remains to be seen but for the sake of fantasy, do not take him at ADP. If you have him already, feel free to look for better options on the waiver wire but holding is fine given the upside he displayed last season.

Paul Goldschmidt (SP, NYY) Back

Paul Goldschmidt was removed from a game earlier this week due to back discomfort but will return to the lineup soon. Like Suarez, a preseason back issue is unfortunate. Goldschmidt is much older but does not have a recent case causing increased concern. Goldschmidt’s lower back was reported by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2021 yet he only missed one game.

The 37-year-old 1B is naturally at a higher injury risk than most given age but this setback appears minor. The Yankees lineup may not be “improved”, but it is new and good enough! Continue to target Goldschmidt in this offense given that it is a massive upgrade between the park and lineup compared to St. Louis.

George Kirby (SP, SEA) Shoulder

Kirby remains on track to begin the season on IL but he is aiming to return sooner than later. The co-ace of Seattle threw a baseball for the first time since being shut down this week and felt good. His next step will be towards a bullpen session which will be a better indicator of his progression.

Kirby remains one of the league’s best SPs at full strength and hopefully, this shoulder “soreness” is nothing more than that. Ideally, Kirby takes all the time necessary to return at 100% and provides another great fantasy baseball season. He is a fine buy-low target given the likely cost of acquisition and the upside if healthy.