Fantasy Baseball Injury Updates: Key Closers Sidelined, New IL Moves

A lot has transpired since our last fantasy baseball injury report, so we have several new injuries to cover today.

Let's dive into it, discussing real-world and fantasy baseball impacts of each injury.

Fantasy baseball injury news can be found all season on FantasySP.

Jhoan Duran - Philadelphia Phillies

Duran was placed on the 15-day injured list with a left oblique strain. There's no timetable for his return, but he could be back as early as April 30.

In the meantime, Brad Keller is expected to pick up the save chances in Philly. He has big shoes to fill.

Duran is one of the most dominant closers in the league, so any absence is a big one, for his fantasy owners and his real-world team. Duran is too good to drop in fantasy leagues, although an extended absence could lead to some drops eventually. The Phillies could struggle to put away games as well, and it leaves their bullpen short a key member.

Now is a time to buy low on Duran in a trade. If I rostered him, I'd just stash him on an IR spot and hope he comes back soon. He's too talented to give up on, even if injury concerns are there. 

Josh Hader - Houston Astros

Hader was transferred from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL. He has a biceps injury.

That puts a late May return on Hader, who hasn't pitched yet in the regular season. He's starting to ramp things up, and the move was more a measure to open up a 40-man roster spot. Hader should be back in late May, or early June, as long as there's no setbacks.

He can be one of the top relievers when healthy, and his absence has been felt by the Astros as they try to close out games. Expect the struggles to continue until Hader is back in the mix.

His fantasy owners already knew he was out at the start of the season, but losing him until at least the end of May is a blow to fantasy owners. His fantasy value is dropping, so now is not a time to sell Hader off.

It is a time to buy low on Hader, and the return might not be nearly what you expect, as some could be worried about Hader in the long run, even after he gets back on the MLB mound.

Right now, Enyel De Los Santos looks like the top option for saves in Houston. It's a situation to keep tabs on, as Bryan Abreu or Bryan King could also get involved. Keep tabs on them all and add the one excelling, or picking up the most pitching decisions.

Daniel Palencia - Chicago Cubs

Palencia is on the 15-day IL with a left oblique strain. There's no exact timetable for his return, as the team is seeing how he progresses before announcing his possible return.

Caleb Thielbar got a save over the weekend, and might be the fill-in closer for the time being. He's the one to consider adding today, until Palencia is back in the mix.

Palencia has been a pretty solid fantasy asset over the past year or so, but he's not a must-hold fantasy asset while injured, even if you have an IR spot open to stash him in. He's sitting at 75% rostered right now - he was near 90% at the start of the year.

He's one to track for his potential return eventually, as he can be a high-end fantasy reliever when he's right, and the Cubs are winning enough. Chicago has dealt with a number of injuries already, and this is just another one that will hurt the team.

Fantasy owners of Palencia will have to look elsewhere for fantasy reliever help while he's out. Look over stats, watch waiver wire lists and recent trends to fill the void. 

Jorge Polanco - New York Mets

Polanco was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right wrist contusion. He was dealing with left Achilles bursitis before that.

Polanco was expected to hit in the heart of the team's lineup in 2026, which was a great spot to be after the likes of Juan Soto, Bo Bichette and Francisco Lindor. The Mets have started slow, and Polanco wasn't producing when active.

He's down to 36% rostered in fantasy leagues, after starting the year near 75%. Polanco should be dropped in all standard leagues by now, and he's one to maybe drop in deeper leagues too, especially if you are out of IR spots.

Polanco is worth tracking in case he fares better in his return to the field, but early on, he struggled, so move on from him for the time being. Be watching his status, and hope he stays healthy and improves when he's back.

Polanco was more of a deep-league asset when the season started, but in deeper leagues, he's been a fantasy draft bust. We'll see if he can change the narrative around him after getting back on the field in a few weeks.

Polanco wasn't producing, but his absence is still a blow to New York. He was playing first base, and Mark Vientos is expected to get the starts there in the meantime. With Soto also out, plus some other injuries across the roster, the Mets have really limped out of the gates in 2026.

They need to get things going soon before they get too many games back. Others need to step up, and if they do, there will be some fantasy waiver wire targets to go after. Keep checking back to FantasySP, as we cover waiver wire options all work week, every week of the regular season.

Kyle Stowers - Miami Marlins

We'll throw a dose of positive news in here with Stowers. He made his season debut on Sunday. 

He hit cleanup and hit fourth against a right-handed starting pitcher. I'd expect him to play against lefties too, but we'll see where he sits in the lineup.

Stowers had four plate appearances, collecting two hits, including a double. He was also hit by a pitch in the hand, so hopefully that doesn't flare up and cost him more games. Stowers also struck out once on Sunday.

He was a good fantasy asset in 2025, and is underowned now after missing the start to the season. Now is the chance to add Stowers for free before his own percentage takes off. He's at 82% owned, so act quickly.

Stowers could be a daily starting fantasy outfielder for you the remainder of the season. Don't waste a chance to add a good hitter for free.

Zach McKinstry - Detroit Tigers

McKinstry started the season owned in roughly 30% of fantasy leagues. He's down to 11% today.

He was placed on the 10-day injured list a couple days ago. McKinstry has left hip abdominal inflammation, and it will cost him a few games, at least. He doesn't have a return timetable, but it could be a short IL stint.

McKinstry started the year pretty slow at the plate, which is a bummer coming off a solid 2025 campaign. We'll see if he can bounce back when he returns to the big league fields.

Before the injury, he was heating up, with a hit in three straight games. Now we wait and see how long he's out and hope he can keep up his better hitting when he's healthy again.