Bonjour, Razzcals!
Quick Question: Who needs tax season when you can come to Ambulance Chasers to seek pain and view mind-numbing content?
We’re barely a month into the season, and the injury ledger is already running as long as the zeroes on my invoice from Uncle Sam when I did a 401k rollover incorrectly.
Taking a little peek at the damage, we’ve got a closer on a three-month timeline, a widely rostered SS on the shelf (again), and the potential for MLB to form a support group for oblique injuries.
Scroll on down to opt in to continuous suffering.
Updates From Last Time
Before we spill the new blood, here are a few follow-ups:
Juan Soto (OF, NYM) – Forearm Tightness: Soto is back in action…sort of. While his calf seems fine, he’s now dealing with some forearm tightness. Luckily, Soto is still able to hit and will serve as DH. Keep your eyes peeled for any days off.
Christian Yelich (OF, MIL) – Strained Adductor: Yelich is on schedule for a return in mid-to-late May.
Brent Rooker (OF, ATH) – Strained Oblique: Rooker is back and active with 0 H and 1 BB in his last 14 PA. Do with that information what you will. (Update: A dinger was had last night!)
George Springer (OF, TOR) – Fractured Toe: Springer has 3 H in his last 6 PA. Stop the count. Watch for any decreases in speed or other changes involving lower body mechanics.
Matthew Boyd (SP, CHC) – Strained Biceps: The return of Boyd. In 4 IP, he had 5 ER. Give it some time.
Nick Pivetta (SP, SDP) – Strained Flexor Tendon: Not much has changed. Pivetta will be out “more weeks and maybe months”. The Fathers picked up Lucas Giolito, who is ramping up with mixed results in rehab.
Adley Rutschman (C, BAL) – Ankle Inflammation: Rutschman is back and has been one of the better stories out of the injured list. In 21 PA, he has 9 H with 3 HR.
Raisel Iglesias (RP, ATL) – Shoulder Inflammation: Iglesias could return as soon as next week. Monitor closely before starting.
The Triage Report: Pitchers
Garrett Crochet (SP, BOS) – Shoulder Inflammation
IL: 15-Day | Eligible: 05/11 | Status: No timetable
What happened: Crochet hit the 15-Day IL with shoulder inflammation on April 25. No timetable has been offered.
Current outlook: “Shoulder inflammation” with no timetable, early in the season, doesn’t give me the warm and fuzzies. Luckily, Crochet’s MRI came back showing no structural issues. Crochet will be shut down from throwing for a few days and strengthen his shoulder. While the outlook seems to have improved over the last few days, there is still no timetable attached to Crochet’s healing.
Our exchange with Garrett Crochet yesterday regarding spring training:
— Peter Abraham (@peteabeglobe.bsky.social) 2026-04-30T14:02:12.701Z
Fantasy impact: Critical. I don’t need to tell you he’s widely rostered. Maybe you even have him rostered. I’m sorry. Stream and hang on to him until a timetable is available if you can.
Replacement: Nate Eaton was called up in Crochet’s place. Nick Martinez is doing well and possibly available in your league (40% rostered in RCL).
Nick Martinez lowers his ERA to 1.70 with another dominant outing 😤
Edwin Díaz (RP, LAD) – Elbow Surgery (Removal of Loose Bodies)
IL: 15-Day | Eligible: 05/05 | Status: Expected to miss ~3 months
What happened: Díaz had some loose bodies removed from his elbow. This is a recurring issue for Díaz. The team put out a three-month timeline. So don’t expect him back before the All-Star Break.
Current outlook: Loose body removal recovery can vary widely depending on the size, number, and location of fragments and other conditions. If the team estimates that he won’t be back until the dog days of summer, we should believe them. The 15-Day IL date is irrelevant, it’s a placeholder. Plan around early August at best.
Fantasy impact: High. Three months is not a “monitor” situation. It’s a move-on situation.
Replacement: Oakland’s Jack Perkins (ATH) has been putting some things together and had his 4th save on Thursday. Go for it!
Jhoan Duran (PHI, RP) – Strained Oblique
IL: 15-Day | Eligible: 04/30 | Status: SOON
What happened: Duran joins the oblique pile with a 15-Day IL placement.
Current outlook: Duran threw off the mound in a bullpen session on Thursday and is not far from a return.
Fantasy impact: High, but hopefully you won’t have to worry about it!
Replacement: No need to look for one as Duran should return soon.
Jhoan Duran (oblique) is throwing a bullpen session today for the first time since his injury. He’s been on IL for 16 days. Phillies are optimistic about his progress.
— Matt Gelb (@mattgelb.bsky.social) 2026-04-30T13:54:07.666Z
Kodai Senga (NYM, SP) – Back Inflammation (Lumbar Spine)
IL: 15-Day | Eligible: 05/07 | Status: No timetable
What happened: Senga is back on the IL with lumbar spine inflammation.
Current outlook: Kodai Senga shared he has been playing through back pain, and he won’t know a timeline until medication from an epidural begins working (source). The Mets haven’t offered a timeline either, and there’s no indication this will be short.
Fantasy impact: Moderate. Senga’s health has been choppy enough that most managers likely expected this. Don’t let him block your roster.
Replacement: Another case for Nick Martinez here.
Casey Mize (DET, SP) – Strained Groin
IL: 15-Day | Eligible: 05/14 | Status: No timetable
What happened: Groin strain sends Mize to the IL on April 28.
Current outlook: Groin strains, especially grade 1 like Mize has, usually don’t linger like other issues we talk about here. However, a 15-Day IL placement with no timetable means the Tigers aren’t rushing him. Expect something like 2-3 weeks.
Fantasy impact: Moderate. This sounds like it will resolve soon.
Replacement: Take a lil’ look at Janson Junk.
Last September, @michaelrosen.bsky.social wrote that Janson Junk varied his arm angle but maintained the shape on his four seamer. So Junk said he went to @drivelinebaseball.com & asked them to help him find his ideal arm angle. He's settled on one this year, & that's what gave him more velo.
— Eno Sarris (@enosarris.bsky.social) 2026-04-28T20:57:36.133Z
Brandon Woodruff (MIL, SP) — Shoulder Inflammation
IL: 15-Day | Eligible: 05/16 | Status: No timetable
What happened: Woodruff hits the 15-Day IL with shoulder inflammation on April 30.
Current outlook: “Shoulder inflammation” in a pitcher always sucks to hear. Woodruff shared there was no structural damage discovered from an MRI and shared it shouldn’t be “too long.” As we have already discussed, even if he is ready by his eligibility date, the ramp-up may be slower.
Fantasy impact: High. Hold but stream.
Replacement: The Brewers recalled Easton McGee.
Matt Brash (SEA, RP) — Lat Inflammation
IL: 15-Day | Eligible: 05/15 | Status: No timetable
What happened: Brash joined the IL with lat inflammation on April 29.
Current outlook: Brash has been quietly solid out of the Seattle bullpen this year. MRI cleared any serious issues, but No official timetable from the team, but Mariners GM Josh Hollander showed no structural damage.
Fantasy impact: Moderate. If you have him, hold.
Replacement: For something a little different, check out Minnesota’s Connor Prielipp.
Connor Prielipp pitched well in his first career start at Target Field, Kody Clemens had a homer and five RBI, and the Twins ended their five-game losing streak with a rout over the Mariners. www.startribune.com/connor-priel…
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr.bsky.social) 2026-04-28T04:15:27.959Z
Sonny Gray (BOS, SP) – Strained Hamstring
IL: 15-Day | Eligible: 05/07 | Status: Expected back soon.
Finally, some good news for Boston. Sonny Gray is expected back soon. Although he did share a return date, he may bypass rehab and return to the rotation. He is eligible to come off the IL next Wednesday.
Sonny Gray live batting practice curveball (with grunt)
— Alex Speier (@alexspeier.bsky.social) 2026-05-01T19:10:22.605Z
The Triage Report: Hitters
Francisco Lindor (NYM, SS) – Strained Calf
IL: 10-Day | Eligible: 05/03 | Status: No timetable
What happened: Lindor landed on the IL with a calf strain on April 22.
Current outlook: Right off the heels of Soto’s return, Lindor exits with a strained calf. Lindor has been wearing a boot during recovery, which is definitely not good. What’s that famous saying? If the boot fits, you must sit. Lindor is not expected to return to baseball activities until mid-May.
Fantasy impact: High. Tough year for the Lindor crowd.
Replacement: Obviously, you’re not going to replace Lindor. So, this is a Flex Tape situation. Brooks Lee (MIN) could be that piece of tape you slap on your leaking roster. In his last 25 PA, he has 6 H and 2 HR. He also has 2 SB and 2 BB. Jose Fernandez (ARI) is another option. With 6 H in his last 16 PA.
Wyatt Langford (TEX, OF) – Strained Forearm Flexor
IL: 10-Day | Eligible: 05/02 | Status: No timetable
What happened: Forearm flexor strain, 10-Day IL, April 21. No timetable has been set.
Current outlook: We’re used to seeing this one in pitchers. When hitters deal with forearm issues, the outcome is around contact quality. So, it isn’t quite as devastating for hitters *crosses fingers*. Langford experienced a setback in his Thursday rehab outing, but Skip Schumaker shared he thinks Langford will be activated soon. However, the news has been changing quickly. So, by the time you read this, who knows what will have happened.
@Evan_P_Grant tweetedDo not expect Wyatt Langford to be activated tomorrow in Detroit. He tried to play in a game in Arizona, left after one at-bat with some residual soreness in forearm. Maybe only a day or two of a setback, but doubt he's ready to go this weekend.
— Rangers Media Bot (@rangersmediabot.bsky.social) 2026-05-01T15:06:17.273Z
Fantasy impact: High. Just a top 100 player hitting the IL.
Replacement: Gray activated the “buy” button for Carlos Cortes (ATH). At this time, he is still somewhat available in RCL leagues. In the same post, Gray mentions Nathan Church (STL) who is even more available. So, do that.
Giancarlo Stanton (NYY, DH) – Strained Calf
IL: 10-Day | Eligible: 05/05 | Status: No timetable
What happened: Stanton is back on the IL with a calf strain.
Current outlook: The best thing about Stanton being on the IL is that we’ve been through this before. It happens, and then we come out on the other side… together. Anyway, expect him to be a little slow with a soft tissue injury, but this should mainly be a bump in the road. He should resume hitting this weekend, but he is not yet cleared to run (source). A timeline may become available once he is running.
Fantasy impact: Moderate to High. He’ll return, but don’t assume it’s at eligibility.
Replacement: Some options above from the Wyatt Langford entry that might apply here, too. Also, check out the Nathaniel Lowe mention below in the Eugenio Suarez entry.
J.T. Realmuto (PHI, C) – Back Spasms
IL: 10-Day | Eligible: 05/02 | Status: Expected to return when eligible
What happened: Back spasms put Realmuto on the IL on April 21. He could return upon eligibility.
Current outlook: “Expected to return when eligible” is optimistic in a place like this.
Fantasy impact: Moderate.
Replacement: No need for one.
Eugenio Suárez (CIN, DH/3B) – Strained Oblique
IL: 10-Day | Eligible: 05/03 | Status: No timetable
These obliques can’t quit. Suarez is out with no timetable for return. We can speculate that he may be back in mid-May at the earliest.
Replacement DH Nathaniel Lowe is possibly available and worth a look.
Nathaniel Lowe is the first Reds player with multiple home runs including a walk-off in a game since Scooter Gennett in 2018 on this date!! April 24!
— Sarah Langs (@slangsonsports.bsky.social) 2026-04-25T04:16:16.464Z
Secondary Impact
Logan O’Hoppe (LAA, C) – Fractured Wrist (Left)
IL: 10-Day | Eligible: 05/06 | Status: No timetable
O’Hoppe goes down with a wrist fracture. No timeline yet. It’s likely this runs longer than a 10-day stay.
Jonathan India (KCR, 2B) – Shoulder Surgery (Torn Labrum)
India is out for the year.
Brendan Donovan (SEA, INF/OF) – Strained Groin
IL: 10-Day | Eligible: 04/28 | Status: Expected early May
Donovan will begin his rehab assignment on Monday.
Quick Hits
Max Scherzer (TOR, SP): Forearm tendinitis and ankle inflammation. That’s our 41-year-old starter. No timetable for return.
Cade Horton (CHC, SP): Tommy John surgery. Out for the 2026 season.
Porter Hodge (CHC, RP): Also Tommy John. Aye, another Cubs soul out for the season.
Dean Kremer (BAL, SP): Quad strain. 15-Day IL. No timetable for return.
Ryan Pepiot (TBR, SP): Season ending hip surgery.
Bailey Horn (DET, RP): Shifted to 60-day and not eligible until late May.
The Takeaways
The Oblique Wave Never Stops. Duran and Suárez join the oblique support group. As we continue with the season, when we see an oblique injury with no timetable, it is safe to budget for 3-5 weeks.
The Boot Rule. These boots were not made for walking. Lindor in a boot means he likely won’t be back at eligibility. Expect him out a month minimum.
Grade 1 Groins. The least scary thing reviewed in this edition of Ambulance Chasers are the grade 1 groin strains. Casey Mize and Brendan Donovan managers can breathe a sigh of relief.
That’s it for this week. Protect your obliques.
I’m Keelin, your bi-weekly reminder that injuries don’t follow timelines. Find me on Bluesky at keelin12ft.bsky.social.
This column focuses on injury situations that meaningfully affect fantasy baseball decisions. It is not a complete injury ledger or a prediction of exact timelines. Teams are often vague, information changes quickly, and this is best viewed as a snapshot of where things stand.
Man that is a long list. Good to hear the news on Woodruff isn’t as bad as it seems!
injuries never fully heal. I have ZERO shares of him, but I now have a lot of Logan Henderson.
He was at 86 MPH on his fast-less-ball. No bueno for that repaired shoulder. Hope I am wrong.