Throughout the entire 2025 Major League Baseball season, I’ll have you covered here at Fantasy Alarm with the fantasy baseball injury report. Each Friday, we’ll do a look around the league for notable updates regarding MLB injuries, and how they impact your fantasy baseball teams. 

The fantasy baseball injury report update this week features some notable names, including first round selections like Baltimore’s Gunnar Henderson, and Atlanta’s Spencer Strider. With fantasy baseball waivers right around the corner, be sure to read on to learn more about some notable MLB injuries.

 

 

 

MLB Injury Report Update Ahead of This Weekend's Games: Fantasy Baseball Injuries

The MLB injury report update ahead of this weekend’s games features a lot of news regarding players on rehab stints, including Gunnar Henderson, Spencer Strider, and Clarke Schmidt. On the other hand, the Dodgers will be without Freddie Freeman for at least another week and a half, and the Atlanta Braves will be without Reynaldo Lopez for the foreseeable future.

As you prepare to finalize your fantasy baseball lineups for the upcoming week, don’t forget to take a look at James Grande’s best waiver wire pickups, and check out the Caught Stealing Podcast with Howard Bender and yours truly for important fantasy baseball news and notes!

 

 

 

MLB Week 2 Injury Report Update: Pitchers

Reynaldo Lopez, Atlanta Braves - Shoulder

Lopez will go under the knife for arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder, and the team is hopeful he can pitch again in 2025. For now, he’ll be placed on the 60-day IL, meaning he’s out at least the next two months, but his absence likely extends beyond that.

Spencer Strider, Atlanta Braves - Elbow

After posting a 10:1 K/BB ratio across four innings of work in the spring, Strider struck out six batters across three innings for Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday. He worked up to 60 pitches in this outing, and his return to Atlanta’s rotation seems destined to occur in mid-April, likely after another rehab start or two.

Sean Manaea, New York Mets - Oblique

Manaea suffered a setback in his recovery from an oblique issue, and a PRP injection will shut him down for two weeks. It seems like it will be at least another month before Manaea rejoins the Mets’ rotation.

Clarke Schmidt, New York Yankees - Shoulder

The Yankees are targeting April 15th or 16th as a return to the big leagues for Schmidt. Manager Aaron Boone said below that he’ll need two outings before he’s activated from the IL.

Lance McCullers, Houston Astros - Elbow/Forearm

We haven’t seen McCullers since the 2022 postseason, but he’s making good progress in his recovery program. The next big hurdle is another rehab start, which is scheduled for April 5.

Jack Leiter, Texas Rangers - Blister

I’m not concerned about the blister on Leiter’s pitching hand long term, but there’s a chance his next start is pushed back a day or two just to give him some extra time.

Aaron Civale, Milwaukee Brewers - Hamstring

Civale exited his March 30th start early due to cramping in his hamstring, and there must have been a little bit more than just cramping, because the team placed him on the IL shortly thereafter. Maybe a low-grade strain?

Bryan Bello (Shoulder) & Lucas Giolito (Hamstring), Boston Red Sox

Both Boston right-handers are on rehab assignments at the moment, with Bello’s last start coming on April 1, and Giolito’s on April 2.

Alexis Diaz, Cincinnati Reds - Hamstring

The expectation is for Diaz to head out on a rehab stint beginning April 4, and likely after an appearance or two, be activated from the IL and return to ninth inning duties for Cincinnati.

 

 

 

MLB Week 2 Injury Report Update: Hitters

Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers - Ankle

It seems like the Dodgers were trying to avoid an IL stint, but an ankle sprain (suffered from a fall at home) will put Freeman on the IL retroactive to March 31. Enrique Hernandez figures to continue to get ABs at the first base spot until Freeman’s return.

Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles - Intercostal

After starting the year on the IL, Henderson appears to be joining the big league club on April 4. He slashed .263/.300/.579 with two home runs across his five rehab appearances.

Colton Cowser, Baltimore Orioles - Hand

A fractured left thumb will cost Cowser 6-8 weeks, and thumb issues can tend to reduce power for a little bit upon return, especially if they try to fast track recovery. Baltimore will look to the likes of Heston Kjerstad, Ramon Laureano, and Dylan Carlson to fill Cowser’s void.

Sean Murphy, Atlanta Braves - Rib

The Braves need all the help they can get right now, and Murphy could be joining the lineup shortly. He began a rehab stint on April 1 and is 2-for-7 with one home run through two appearances.

Gleyber Torres, Detroit Tigers - Ribs/Oblique

The team concluded that Torres’ rib discomfort was actually a strain of his left oblique, and he was placed on the IL retroactive to March 29.

Zach Neto, Los Angeles Angels

Neto will only DH right now during his rehab assignment which began April 1. Through three appearances, Neto is 3-for-13 with one home run and a 3:2 K/BB ratio.

Tyler Stephenson, Cincinnati Reds - Oblique

An upcoming MRI on April 7th should provide more concrete information as to the next steps for Stephenson in his recovery from a left oblique strain.