The absences of Ronald Acuña Jr. and Cole Ragans have forced their managers to adjust quickly, replacing elite production, covering innings, and preparing for uncertain recovery timelines. Aaron Boone and the Yankees have done that for over a year with Gerrit Cole, and now they’re getting ready to welcome him back. Acuña, Cole, and Ragans are all dealing with situations that significantly affect fantasy rosters over the coming weeks.
Ronald Acuña Jr.
Ronald Acuña Jr. did agility drills in the outfield at Dodger Stadium last weekend. However, Braves manager Walt Weiss denied that the star outfielder would return from the injured list when first eligible on Wednesday, “I guess there’s a chance, but it’s just so hard to say,” Weiss said on Friday. “He’s just now starting to move around and that type of thing. He’s got a lot out in front of him still, but like I said, we didn’t think it was all that serious when it happened. I think there’s a good chance he’ll be back sooner than later, but he’s still got a lot of boxes he still needs to check.”
Acuña hasn’t played since May 2, and he’s having a down year, posting a disappointing .252/.362/.378 with two home runs and seven steals in 34 games this season.
Gerrit Cole
Yankees ace Gerrit Cole took a step forward in his fifth minor league rehab start on Sunday with Double-A Somerset, giving up three runs (two earned) on four hits with eight strikeouts and a walk in five innings.
Cole threw 77 pitches and didn’t give up a home run for the first time as he works his way back from the Tommy John surgery that he had on March 11, 2025.
His performance was It was an encouraging, but he will likely require at least another rehab start or two before the Yankees reinstate him from the 15-day injured list; however, barring a setback with his right elbow, Cole should rejoin the Yankees starting rotation before the end of May. He has a 5.32 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 22:2 K:BB in 23 2/3 innings over five rehab starts.
Cole Ragans
Cole Ragans left his start against the Guardians on Wednesday due to a valgus extension overload in his left elbow, also known as pitcher’s elbow. Ragans was initially expected to rest for a few days before the next steps of his recovery program were determined.
On Thursday, he said that he was already feeling much better than the day before when he couldn’t finish his outing as planned, but he’ll still spend at least the next couple of weeks on the injured list after being diagnosed with the impingement. Stephen Kolek was called up from Triple-A Omaha and will fill Ragans’ spot in the starting rotation.
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