Johan Oviedo DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

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.

According to Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pirates right-handed pitcher Johan Oviedo (elbow) completed a bullpen session on Thursday. The 26-year-old missed the entire 2024 campaign due to Tommy John surgery. He underwent the operation in December of 2023 and has been viewed as a "full-go" for spring training. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progress during camp as he could contend to make the Opening Day rotation. During the 2023 season, Oviedo posted a 4.31 ERA with a 1.37 WHIP across 177 2/3 innings. He held a poor 20.2 percent strikeout rate but was able to generate an above-average 44.6 percent ground-ball rate. If Oviedo can complete his recovery process during spring training, he will contend for a spot in the rotation alongside Bailey Falter and top prospect Bubba Chandler. However, given his low strikeout upside, he is best left for deeper NL-only formats.