St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Sonny Gray (forearm) is expected to have a regular offseason after he ended the 2024 regular season on the 15-day injured list due to right-forearm flexor tendinitis. The injury only caused Gray to miss his final start of the year. The 34-year-old veteran and three-time All-Star finished his first season with the Cardinals with a 13-9 record, 3.84 ERA (3.12 FIP), a 1.09 WHIP and a 203:39 K:BB in 166 1/3 innings over his 28 starts. It was only the second time in Gray's career that he had 200-plus strikeouts. He was the runner-up for the American League Cy Young in 2023 while pitching with the Minnesota Twins, but he improved to a 30.3% strikeout rate and a career-best 5.8% walk rate in St. Louis. Gray has above-average control, but fantasy managers shouldn't be banking on another 30% strikeout rate in 2025.
Sonny Gray Placed On 15-Day IL, Season Officially Over
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray (forearm) was placed on the 15-day IL on Saturday with right forearm flexor tendinitis, officially ending his 2024 season. Gray stated that he received an MRI yesterday and that, "things are fine," however the decision to place him on the IL revolved more around the fact that the Cardinals' season is essentially over with them being eliminated from playoff contention. As part of the move, the Cardinals recalled RHP Kyle Leahy from Triple-A Memphis. Leahy has spent a bit of time at the major league level with the Cardinals this season, pitching in 47 innings and posting a 4.02 ERA. Fantasy managers in need of relief pitching help to finish the season may want to look his way. As for Gray, Cardinals fans and fantasy managers alike will have to wait for 2025 to see the 34-year-old pitch again.
St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Sonny Gray's (undisclosed) final start of the 2024 season is in jeopardy after he said he pitched through "lingering" soreness during his last start on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, when he allowed four earned runs on nine hits while walking none and striking out eight in 5 2/3 innings for a no-decision. It's unclear where exactly Gray's soreness is, but it puts his final start in jeopardy next week. We won't know for sure whether the 34-year-old will make his final start until after he attempts to throw a bullpen session this weekend. If Gray feels better during his bullpen session this weekend, his final start of the year would come next week at hitter-friendly Coors Field against the last-place Colorado Rockies. Gray hasn't been nearly as good as he was last year in Minnesota in his first year in St. Louis, posting a 3.84 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with 203 K's in 28 starts.
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray struck out nine batters en route to earning his 13th win of the 2024 season on Thursday afternoon. Gray allowed just two hits, two free passes and one earned run. Gray did not allow baserunners through the first five innings. However, he allowed four baserunners in the sixth but was able to escape the jam by allowing just one run to cross home plate. Entering this start, the 34-year-old held a stellar 1.38 ERA and 0.62 WHIP across his past two outings. Gray has looked comfortable in his first season in St. Louis as he sits with an overall 3.75 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and a 39:195 BB:K ratio across 160 2/3 innings of work.
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray fell to 11-7 in Monday's 6-1 loss to the Reds. Gray pitched five innings, allowing six runs on five hits (including three home runs) and two walks with nine strikeouts. He has racked up strikeouts all season long with an 11.16 K/9 rate in his 130 2/3 innings of work. However, everything else has been a tale of two halves, with Gray's second half yielding poor results. Homers have been a particular issue, as he has allowed nine HR in five second-half starts to go with a bloated 5.81 ERA. This has been frustrating for fantasy managers, as his first half was quite strong. Gray's next start could be a very tough matchup against the Dodgers. If he does draw the start, fantasy managers may consider benching him.
Sonny Gray Earns The Win, Fans Six In Quality Start
St. Louis Cardinals ace Sonny Gray (11-6) struck out six batters while only allowing two runs over seven innings pitched in a 4-3 win against Tampa Bay. This is Gray's second consecutive start where he pitched seven innings and allowed only two runs. Before that, he was not pitching very well. In the four starts in July, he was (1-1) with a 6.75 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 24 frames. These two strong outings may mark a turning point in Grays's up-and-down season. His command has been sharper, and he is giving up much less hard contact. It seems like he can finish the season off strong and make Cardinals fans (and fantasy managers) happy. Gray will look to keep things rolling in his next start on Monday against the Cincinnati Reds.
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray had a terrific start against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday, going seven innings while allowing just two runs on five hits. He struck out nine and walked only one. Unfortunately for Gray, Ryan Helsley had a rare bad outing and blew the win. Nevertheless, it was a much-needed performance for the 34-year-old, who had a rough 6.75 ERA in July. His overall numbers this year still look good, with a 3.72 ERA and 1.09 WHIP to go with 147 strikeouts in 118 IP. He is still a must-start pitcher in almost all formats.
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray will take the mound for Friday's series opener at Truist Park against the hosting Atlanta Braves as the second half gets underway. The 34-year-old three-time All-Star has been St. Louis' clear-cut ace in his first year with the team, logging a 3.34 ERA (2.56 FIP) and 1.05 WHIP along with a sparkling 121:24 K:BB covering 17 starts (99 2/3 innings). The matchup with Atlanta isn't as imposing as it once was, considering the Braves are scoring just 3.8 runs per game in 46 outings with Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) out of the lineup this season. Despite Gray's dicey 5.09 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over seven appearances on the road this year, he'll be a fine fantasy play in all settings on Friday's slate.
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray was fantastic on the mound during Sunday's outing against the San Francisco Giants. The right-hander allowed one run on one hit over seven innings of work in the victory. Gray also struck over eight batters and walked no one during this start. The only mistake Gray made was giving up a solo home run to Patrick Bailey in the seventh inning. Gray has looked like a great signing for St. Louis as he'll take a 2.81 ERA into his next start against the Cincinnati Reds.
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray (8-4) picked up a quality start in a no-decision Monday night, fanning four batters while allowing four runs on five hits and two walks in an extra-inning victory over the Miami Marlins. Gray continues to flourish with his new team to the tune of a 2.95 ERA and 1.02 WHIP on the season, to go along with 95 strikeouts in 76 1/3 innings pitched. Last season, Gray finished with 183 strikeouts in 184 innings pitched, but so far in 2024, Gray is racking up the strikeouts with about 20 more than innings pitched. Fantasy managers should feel great with Gray moving forward, especially with a matchup against the San Francisco Giants coming up this weekend.
Sonny Gray
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Cardinals
