The 2025 MLB season has seen significant injuries affecting key players early on. Shane McClanahan, the ace for Tampa Bay, is currently dealing with an inflamed nerve in his left triceps after being removed from a Grapefruit League game. He opened the season on the 15-day injured list and has since been moved to the 60-day IL, missing at least a month.

Spencer Arrighetti of Houston was a breakout candidate but fractured his thumb in batting practice after a strong start to the season. Thankfully, he won't require surgery and is expected to begin throwing again in a few weeks, putting him on track for a potential return shortly.

Lastly, Ketel Marte of Arizona has been sidelined with a left hamstring strain but is progressing well. After participating in live games and activities, he is anticipated to return soon, possibly for an upcoming series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

The injuries to key pitchers Shane McClanahan, Shohei Ohtani, and Spencer Arrighetti raise concerns for fantasy managers as they navigate the start of the 2025 MLB season. McClanahan, who recently experienced an inflamed nerve in his left triceps, remains on the 15-day injured list without a defined return date, but he’s optimistic about recovery. Meanwhile, Ohtani continues to excel as a designated hitter following his Tommy John surgery, but there’s no timetable for his return to pitching. Arrighetti's promising start was cut short by a broken thumb, though he is expected to avoid surgery and might return around early June. Managers should monitor these players closely as they possess significant fantasy upside.

The Houston Astros faced a tough series against the Seattle Mariners, culminating in a disappointing loss after leading early in the game. The Astros' offense struggled, leaving twelve runners on base and managing only six runs in the finale. Pitcher Spencer Arrighetti's injury opened the door for rookie Ryan Gusto, who is slated to make his major league debut this weekend. Manager Joe Espada remains optimistic about Gusto, who has shown efficiency in his limited appearances thus far.

Christian Walker's performance has been below expectations, with poor swing decisions contributing to a slow start. He has been working hard to regain his rhythm, drawing two walks in the final game, which may signal improvement. The Astros have also struggled defensively against base stealers, allowing a high success rate against them. Fixing these issues will be crucial as they prepare for the upcoming series against the Angels.

Hayden Wesneski demonstrated his potential with a strong performance against the Seattle Mariners, allowing just three hits over seven innings while striking out multiple batters. This outing comes on the heels of Spencer Arrighetti's unfortunate thumb injury, which may impact the Houston Astros' rotation. Wesneski's efficiency was crucial, especially given the Astros' bullpen fatigue from prior days.

Wesneski kept the Mariners off-balance with a variety of pitches, including a newly-added curveball and a sweeper that he used effectively. Manager Joe Espada praised Wesneski’s ability to get ahead in counts and avoid walks, emphasizing the importance of this performance as the Astros look to fill gaps in their starting rotation.