Marco Gonzales To Have Elbow Surgery, Out 9-12 Months
Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Marco Gonzales (elbow) will undergo surgery to fix a flexor tendon in his left elbow in September and is expected to have a recovery timetable of nine to 12 months. It's bad news for a 32-year-old who already had surgery on the same elbow for a nerve issue last August. Gonzales was actually ready on time for the start of the 2024 season but predictably underwhelmed in his seven starts, going 1-1 with a 4.54 ERA (4.71 FIP), a 1.60 WHIP and a very weak 15.2% strikeout rate in just 33 2/3 innings pitched on the season. He's most likely going to miss at least the first half of the 2025 campaign and will be a free agent this fall once the Pirates turn down his $15 million club option. Gonzales probably isn't going to have many suitors this winter and will need to prove his health next summer before probably having to settle for a minor-league deal somewhere.
The Pittsburgh Pirates activated left-hander Marco Gonzales (forearm) from the 60-day injured list on Friday and designated right-hander Brent Honeywell for assignment in a corresponding move to make room for Gonzales on the active roster. Gonzales will immediately return to the starting rotation and take the hill in an excellent matchup on the road against the Chicago White Sox. The 32-year-old southpaw has been out since April with a left-forearm strain and struggled in his only two minor-league rehab appearances with a 6.14 ERA in 7 1/3 innings, so although the matchup is a great one, he'll still be a pretty risky streaming option in deeper fantasy leagues in his first start back in the big leagues. Before his injury early on, Gonzales allowed only five earned runs on 15 hits (one homer) while walking five and striking out 11 in 17 innings in just three starts.
Marco Gonzales To Start Rehab Assignment On Monday
Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Marco Gonzales (forearm) will begin his minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday. Gonzales has been cleared to pitch in a game finally after three weeks of throwing off a mound. The 32-year-old veteran southpaw was originally sidelined in mid-April with a left-forearm strain but is now getting closer to returning to the Pirates' starting rotation. Even if he doesn't encounter a setback during his rehab assignment, Gonzales is likely to need a handful of rehab starts and probably won't be an option for the Bucs again until after the mid-July All-Star break. Gonzales started off nicely in his first year in Pittsburgh by posting a 2.65 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in three starts before going on the injured list, but his 17.6% strikeout rate in 10 big-league seasons leaves a lot to be desired from a fantasy perspective.
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Marco Gonzales (forearm) has been placed on the 15-day injured list on Sunday. The left-hander appears to have picked up the injury during Saturday's outing against the Philadelphia Phillies. Gonzales looked strong throwing six innings and allowing only two runs. Sadly, it appears the Pirates are going to be without Gonzales until some point in May. In a corresponding move, right-hander Ryder Ryan has been recalled from Triple-A. However, Ryan was pitching out of the bullpen, so the Pirates will need to make a move to get another starter at some point next week.
The Atlanta Braves traded newly-acquired starting pitcher Marco Gonzales and cash considerations to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday in exchange for a player to be named later. The Braves acquired the left-handed veteran from the Seattle Mariners on Sunday night as part of a deal for outfielder Jared Kelenic. Gonzales will now slot into a Pirates' rotation desperately in need of support. He went 4-1 with a 5.22 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, and 15.8% strikeout rate in 10 starts in 2023 before being shut down in August due to surgery to fix a nerve issue in his left forearm. While Gonzales has served as a stable rotation piece who can eat innings in the past, his lack of strikeout upside and pitch-to-contact approach limit his fantasy value.
The Atlanta Braves do not plan on keeping left-hander Marco Gonzales after acquiring him from the Seattle Mariners on Sunday night as part of a package that also landed them outfielder Jarred Kelenic and first baseman Evan White, according to sources. Gonzales is expected to be part of another deal, but his destination is currently unknown. The 31-year-old southpaw's season came to an end in August when he had surgery to fix a nerve issue in his left forearm. The good news is he's expected to be ready for spring training in 2024, but he's not going to have a ton of fantasy appeal as a soft-tossing starter who had a bloated 5.22 ERA, 1.46 and only 34 strikeouts in 50 innings pitched over 10 starts for Seattle. Gonzales' has been a reliable innings-eater in his career, but he doesn't miss enough bats to move the fantasy needle.
Braves Acquire Jarred Kelenic, Marco Gonzales, Evan White
The Atlanta Braves acquired outfielder Jarred Kelenic, left-hander Marco Gonzales and first baseman Evan White from the Seattle Mariners on Sunday night in exchange for pitchers Jackson Kowar and Cole Phillips. Kelenic, a former top prospect, struggled in his three seasons with Seattle. However, he was having his best year in 2023 before fracturing his toe when he kicked a water cooler in the dugout in frustration. The 24-year-old will have some sleeper appeal with the move to Atlanta, and he should start regularly in left field against right-handed pitching. Gonzales, 31, struggled to an ERA over 5.00 in 2023 and made only 10 starts due to surgery on his left forearm. White, 27, who hasn't played in the big leagues the last two years, was mainly a salary dump for the M's. He has season-ending hip surgery in May.
Seattle Mariners left-hander Marco Gonzales' (forearm) status for the rest of the 2023 season remains unclear after general manager Justin Hollander said on Tuesday that the nerve irritation in his left forearm is still there. "Just the amount of time -- even if he felt great today, he would need a significant ramp-up, having been out for a while. It's becoming less likely by the day," Hollander said. Gonzales was moved to the 60-day injured list on July 26 and has been out of action since June 3. Fantasy managers that are still holding onto the 31-year-old southpaw should probably cut bait and look for better options. In his 10 starts this year, Gonzales has a 5.22 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and only 34 strikeouts in 50 innings of work.
Seattle Mariners left-handed starting pitcher Marco Gonzales (forearm) has been placed on the 15-day injured list with a left forearm strain. The veteran southpaw pitched well in his last start against the Pirates on Sunday but started to experience some forearm tightness afterward. You never like to see a pitcher having forearm issues so it's safe to assume Gonzales will be out for at least the minimum of 15 days. He currently has no timetable for his return as he's set to undergo further tests over the weekend. Easton McGee (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day injured list and Bryan Woo was recalled from Double-A Arkansas in a pair of corresponding moves.
Seattle Mariners left-hander Marco Gonzales (forearm) is having tests on his left forearm back in Seattle, which is why the Mariners are calling up pitching prospect Bryan Woo to start against the Texas Rangers on Sunday. Gonzales had discomfort in his left forearm in his most recent start against the Pittsburgh Pirates last Sunday and will now miss at least his start this weekend in Texas. We'll have to wait for the results of the 31-year-old southpaw's tests, but there's a good chance he'll be placed on the injured list. In 10 starts for Seattle so far this year, Gonzales is 4-1 with a 5.22 ERA (4.31 FIP), 1.46 WHIP, 18 walks and 34 strikeouts in 50 innings pitched. He had a 5.68 ERA in four May starts and just doesn't carry enough strikeout upside to be a very reliable mixed-league fantasy arm.
