Ken Waldichuk DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Athletics left-hander Ken Waldichuk (elbow) threw a live batting practice session on Wednesday at Sutter Health Park and is scheduled to move to simulated games next, according to MLB.com. Waldichuk had Tommy John surgery in May of last year and is still working his way back from that procedure. He's currently on the 60-day injured list but could make his 2025 season debut at some point in July if he can avoid a setback as he continues to ramp up his arm. The 27-year-old southpaw still will need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment. The former fifth-round pick by the New York Yankees in 2019 out of Saint Mary's College made 42 appearances (29 starts) in his first two MLB seasons in 2022 and 2023 and went 6-11 with a 5.28 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 165:81 K:BB in 175 2/3 innings. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues can continue to ignore him for now.

MLB.com's Martin Gallegos reports that Athletics left-handed reliever Ken Waldichuk (elbow) has been cleared to start a bullpen progression in camp. Waldichuk is working his way back from Tommy John surgery and an internal-brace procedure that he had in May of last year. If the 27-year-old southpaw can avoid any setbacks in his recovery from elbow reconstruction, there's a chance he could be available to rejoin the A's bullpen t the tail end of the first half of the 2025 season. The plan for the time being is to have Waldichuk stretched out as a starter, but the most likely scenario is that he'll make his debut this year as a reliever. A pitcher that already had questionable command and control could struggle in his return such a serious arm surgery, making him one to avoid in fantasy once he's back. Waldichuk has a 5.28 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, one save and a 165:81 K:BB in 175 2/3 innings in his two seasons in the majors.

Oakland Athletics left-hander Ken Waldichuk (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery on Wednesday in Los Angeles with Dr. Neal ElAttrache. Waldichuk will miss the rest of the 2024 season and probably won't be a candidate to return to games until around midseason in 2025. The 26-year-old southpaw was diagnosed with a torn UCL in his left elbow last October and underwent a minor surgery last year with hopes that he could avoid Tommy John surgery. That didn't end up being the case, so Waldichuk will be shut down for the foreseeable future. The former fifth-round pick by the New York Yankees in 2019 out of Saint Mary's has recorded a 5.28 ERA (5.10 FIP) and 1.49 WHIP with 81 walks and 165 strikeouts in 175 2/3 innings over 42 appearances (29 starts) in his two major-league seasons in Oakland.