9 Talented MLB Pitchers Dealing With Injury In 2024
Image credit: Spencer Strider (Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images)
Pitching can be an occupational hazard, and the rate of hazard appears to be on the rise. Not even the top MLB starters are immune.
As the calendar flipped to May, the Orioles’ Kyle Bradish was working back from a spring elbow strain. The Dodgers’ Walker Buehler was rehabbing from his second Tommy John surgery (TJS). Future Hall of Famers Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer were ramping up after offseason surgery.
Here are the nine most prominent pitchers who had major surgery in 2024 or were expected to be out for at least half the season. This status made ranking them for our MLB Top 100—as well as Bradish, Buehler, Kershaw and Scherzer—a challenge.
Grade 75
1. Spencer Strider, RHP, Braves
Strider had TJS in college and followed with internal brace surgery on his elbow in April. Projected return: 2025
Grade 65
2. Shane McClanahan, LHP, Rays
McClanahan had TJS as an amateur and then had it again in August 2023. Projected return: 2025
3. Sandy Alcantara, RHP, Marlins
Alcantara won the NL Cy Young Award in 2022 and had TJS in October 2023. Projected return: 2025
4. Jacob deGrom, RHP, Rangers
DeGrom had TJS following his first minor league season in 2010 but returned to dominate for six MLB seasons. He battled injuries for most of the 2020s before having a second TJS in June 2023. Projected return: late 2024 in a best case
Grade 60
5. Eury Perez, RHP, Marlins
Perez turned in an outstanding rookie season as a 20-year-old in 2023 then had TJS in April. Projected return: 2025
Grade 55
6. Felix Bautista, CL, Orioles
The all-star closer had TJS in October 2023 and a followup procedure in February. Projected return: 2025
7. Shane Bieber, RHP, Guardians
Bieber battled shoulder trouble in 2021 and a forearm injury in 2023. He had TJS in April. Projected return: 2025
8. Tyler Mahle, RHP, Rangers
Mahle had TJS in May 2023 after being shut down early in 2022. Projected return: late 2024 in a best case
9. Jeffrey Springs, LHP, Rays
Springs laid waste to the AL through three starts in 2023 before having TJS in April. Projected return: late 2024 in a best case
