Nine injured MLB aces and when they are expected to return

The injury crisis affecting MLB pitching staffs shows no signs of relenting. In the past week alone, three pitchers — Cleveland Guardians' Shane Bieber, Atlanta Braves' Spencer Strider, and Miami Marlins' Eury Perez — have been diagnosed with UCL injuries.

Those three are far from alone. Here are another nine top-of-the-line MLB pitchers on the injured list and when they are expected back.  

Walker Buehler | Los Angeles Dodgers

Injury: Buehler was initially diagnosed with a flexor tendon sprain after injuring his arm against the San Francisco Giants on June 10, 2022. Six weeks of rest and a procedure to remove a bone spur in his elbow failed to resolve the issue, and he underwent the second Tommy John surgery of his career on Aug. 22, 2022. 

Expected return: May-June

Gerrit Cole | New York Yankees

Injury: Cole's run of almost immaculate health over his first 11 seasons hit a snag in spring training. Though tests have shown no damage to the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner's UCL, he has been diagnosed with nerve inflammation in his right elbow. 

Expected return: June at the earliest

Jacob deGrom | Texas Rangers

Injury: On April 28, 2023, in deGrom's sixth start with the Rangers after signing a five-year, $185 million contract, forearm tightness drove him out of a game against the Yankees. An initial 15-day IL stint for elbow inflammation proved an optimistic prognosis, and deGrom had his second Tommy John surgery on June 12.

Expected return: June at the earliest

Clayton Kershaw | Los Angeles Dodgers

Injury: Kershaw suffered a shoulder injury on June 27 last season after taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies. He returned after six weeks, making eight starts and finishing the season, but with diminished velocity and continued pain. Those lingering side effects led to Nov. 3 surgery to repair ligaments and the capsule in his left shoulder.  

Expected return: August

Max Scherzer | Texas Rangers

Injury: Scherzer threw three shutout innings in Game 3 of the 2023 World Series before leaving the game with back spasms. Despite initial optimism that the injury could heal without intervention, continued pain and numbness in his calf led to a Dec. 14 surgery to repair a herniated disc in his lower back.

Expected return: July

Kodai Senga | New York Mets

Injury: An All-Star in his first season with the Mets in 2023, Senga dealt with an early setback when spring training arm fatigue required an IL stint to start the season. 

Expected return: Late May to early June

Justin Steele | Chicago Cubs

Injury: Steele suffered an injured hamstring on Opening Day while fielding a bunt off the bat of the Rangers' Leody Taveras. 

Expected return: May

Framber Valdez | Houston Astros

Injury: Valdez was scratched from his Monday start against the Rangers with elbow soreness. Although the Astros did not initially plan to put him on the IL, they changed course a day later, placing him on the 15-day IL, retroactive to April 6.  

Expected return: Late April to May

Justin Verlander | Houston Astros

Injury: On the first official day of spring training, Verlander announced "being a little bit behind schedule" due to offseason shoulder inflammation. Referring to the inflammation as "a little hiccup" and expressing plans to be cautious while building up his arm, he has continued to prepare for the season. He made the first of two planned rehab starts Sunday for Houston's Triple-A Sugar Land team.

Expected return: Late April