Johan Oviedo DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Johan Oviedo (elbow) came out of his bullpen session on Tuesday in Bradenton feeling good and is expected to throw live batting practice this week as well. Director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk referred to Oviedo's bullpen as a "nice, monumental moment." The 27-year-old is recovering from Tommy John surgery that he had in December of 2023, which caused him to miss the entire 2024 season. He's making progress in his recovery, but Oviedo still will need a lengthy minor-league rehab assignment and surely won't be an option for the big-league pitching staff until after the All-Star break in mid-July. When Oviedo is finally deemed ready, he'll likely be eased in by the Pirates and will be a shaky fantasy asset in deeper leagues. In 32 starts in 2023, he went 9-14 with a 4.31 ERA (4.49 FIP) and 1.37 WHIP with 158 K's and 83 walks in 177 2/3 frames.

Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitcher Johan Oviedo (lat) was placed on the 60-day injured list on Monday. Oviedo was sidelined during the entire 2024 campaign due to Tommy John surgery. However, he has begun throwing bullpens which suggest he could return early in the 2025 season. During the 2023 season, Oviedo made 32 starts (177 2/3 innings) and posted a 4.31 ERA with a 1.37 WHIP. He tallied 158 punchouts and showed weak command as he served up walks at a high 10.6 percent rate. He also generated a modest 4.61 xERA and a .249 xBA. However, in 2022, Oviedo posted a solid 3.21 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP. While Oviedo is sidelined, Bailey Falter could see occasional starting opportunities. However, once cleared for action, he will likely return to the back-end of the rotation and carry value in deeper NL-only formats.

Pittsburgh Pirates senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said that right-hander Johan Oviedo (elbow) is in the "live BP" phase of his recovery from Tommy John surgery. As far as Tomczyk has seen, Oviedo hasn't had any restrictions so far at spring training as far as what pitches he can and can't throw during his throwing sessions. The 26-year-old didn't pitch at all last year after having TJ surgery in December of 2023, but he's come to camp as a full-go. However, the Pirates are undoubtedly going to take it easy with him in Grapefruit League action, and it still wouldn't be a surprise if he begins the 2025 regular season on the injured list. Once Oviedo does make his 2025 debut, things could be touch and go and he could be on a strict innings limit. Lack of control made Oviedo pretty inconsistent before his injury in 2023, but he could be an option as a deep-league streamer later in 2025.