Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Sam Hentges (shoulder) was placed on the 60-day injured list. In a corresponding move, the team added right-handed pitcher Jakob Junis to the 40-man roster. The Guardians signed Junis to a one-year deal earlier in the week. Hentges underwent surgery to repair the capsule and labrum in his throwing shoulder in September, which is expected to keep him sidelined during the entire 2025 campaign. Last season, Hentges held a 3.04 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP across 23 2/3 innings of work. He tallied nine holds and typically was deployed in a high-leverage role. He generated a strong 2.57 xERA and an elite 29.7 percent strikeout rate. With Hentges set to miss the entire campaign, fantasy managers should expect Cade Smith and Hunter Gaddis to see most of the eighth-inning opportunities.

Cleveland Guardians pitchers Sam Hentges (shoulder) and Daniel Espino (shoulder) both continue to progress from their shoulder surgeries in spring training. Hentges is five months post right-shoulder anterior capsule repair and is likely to begin a return-to-throw progression in March. The timeline for a full recovery from his surgery is typically 12 to 14 months. Meanwhile, Espino is 11 months post right-shoulder anterior capsule revision repair. The Guardians are planning for Espino to return to game activity int he 16- to 18-month range post-operative. Hentges is expected to miss the entire 2025 season, but it's possible that Espino will be ready to go at some point in the second half this year. Espino is recovering from a second surgery on his right shoulder and has already missed the last two seasons in the minors.

Cleveland Guardians left-handed reliever Sam Hentges (shoulder) will have shoulder surgery next week and is expected to miss 12 to 14 months. More specifically, Hentges will go under the knife on Sept. 18 to have the capsule and labrum in his left shoulder repaired. The former fourth-round pick in 2014 was moved to a full-time relief role two seasons ago and has been solid out of the bullpen for the Guardians ever since. In 25 appearances in relief this year before injuring his shoulder, he had a 3.04 ERA (3.18 FIP), a 0.97 WHIP and a 27:5 K:BB in 23 2/3 frames. The 28-year-old also missed the first five weeks of the 2023 season due to shoulder issues, so hopefully he'll be able to return to Cleveland's bullpen fully healthy in 2026 after most likely sitting out all of next season.

Cleveland Guardians left-hander Sam Hentges (shoulder) began throwing off the mound around Opening Day and has continued to build up his arm after dealing with left shoulder inflammation. He finished his second of two simulated games Friday at the team's spring training complex in Arizona. Manager Terry Francona said the next step for the 26-year-old southpaw will be to begin a minor-league rehab assignment at Double-A Akron at some point in the near future. After that, he'll resume his rehab assignment at High-A Lake County. "He's doing really well," Francona said. Once he's back with the team, Hentges should serve in a high-leverage setup role ahead of closer Emmanuel Clase after he posted a strong 2.32 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 72 strikeouts in 62 relief innings last year.

Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Sam Hentges (shoulder) is dealing with shoulder inflammation and will be re-evaluated on a week-to-week basis. The 26-year-old left-hander had a strong 2.32 ERA (2.48 FIP), 0.97 WHIP, one save and 72 strikeouts in 62 relief innings in just his second major-league season in 2022, but he could be forced to open this season on the injured list. In his rookie campaign in 2021, he went 1-4 with a rough 6.68 ERA (4.48 FIP), 1.78 WHIP, 32 walks and 68 strikeouts in 68 2/3 frames over 30 appearances (12 starts) for the Guardians. Hentges shouldn't be in consideration for a spot on your fantasy roster in mixed leagues in 2023.

According to Mandy Bell, Cleveland Indians pitcher Sam Hentges will start Monday night's game against the Cincinnati Reds in a bullpen game. This is probably Hentges best possibility for success as he has struggled mightily as a starter this season and has allowed 16 earned runs in his previous three starts dating back to June 27th. He will provide little fantasy upside in this one and could struggle vs. a Reds team that is posting a 128 wRC+ mark over the previous 10 days.