Milwaukee Brewers right-handed pitcher J.B. Bukauskas (lat) suffered a significant lat injury. Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel noted that the right-handed pitcher is deciding between surgery or rehab. The 28-year-old was only able to log six innings in the majors last season due to numerous injuries and could be in danger of missing a significant period of time in 2025. Across this limited stint, he posted a 1.50 ERA with a 0.67 WHIP. During the 2023 season, he logged seven innings in the majors and held a similar 1.29 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. Across 80 2/3 combined innings at Triple-A, the 28-year-old has held a 3.35 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. When healthy, fantasy managers should expect Bukauskas to compete for a spot in the bullpen.

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander J.B. Bukauskas cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Nashville on Thursday. Bukauskas now has three days to accept or decline the outright assignment. If he accepts, he will be a non-roster invite to big-league spring training camp next month. If he declines the assignment, he'll become a free agent. The 28-year-old former first-round pick (15th overall) by the Houston Astros in 2017 from the University of North Carolina made six relief appearances for the Brew Crew in 2024 and only gave up one earned run while walking one and striking out six in six innings of work. He debuted in the majors in 2021 with the Arizona Diamondbacks and has a 5.04 career ERA and 1.45 WHIP in 30 1/3 innings over 33 relief outings in his three years in MLB. If he sticks with the Brewers, he'll operate as minor-league relief depth.

The Milwaukee Brewers claimed right-hander J.B. Bukauskas off waivers from the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday. The Brewers sent Bukauskas to Triple-A Nashville as relief depth after picking him up from the Mariners, who had designated him for assignment last week. The 26-year-old pitcher has gotten off to a rough start at the MLB and minor-league level so far in 2023. In an inning of work for Seattle, he gave up two runs (one earned) on two hits while walking two and striking out one. In 5 2/3 relief frames at Triple-A Tacoma, he had a 7.94 ERA, 1.94 WHIP, three walks and seven strikeouts. Bukauskas will represent relief depth for Milwaukee and should continue to be ignored in fantasy.

The Seattle Mariners claimed right-hander J.B. Bukauskas off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday and designated outfielder Alberto Rodriguez for assignment in a corresponding move. Bukauskas didn't make it through waivers after Arizona designated him for assignment last Wednesday. The 26-year-old was injured to begin last season and never made it to the big leagues. In three minor-league stops in 2022, Bukauskas had a nice 2.42 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 22 strikeouts and only four walks in 22 1/3 frames over 23 appearances (one start). In his lone major-league campaign with the D-backs in 2021, he had a rough 7.79 ERA (5.77 FIP), 1.79 WHIP and 17.3 percent strikeout rate in 17 1/3 relief innings. Bukauskas will provide relief depth for the M's in 2023.

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher J.B. Bukauskas (shoulder, hamstring) was slated to throw a live pitching session this week. However, he began experiencing hamstring tightness and the session was pushed back. The 25-year-old right-hander was diagnosed with a Grade 2 teres major strain during spring training and he has been working his way back ever since. On June 2, he threw 25 pitches in a live batting practice session. He'll need to complete at least one more live pitching session before receiving a rehab assignment. Bukauskas saw his first MLB action last year and struggled to the tune of a 7.79 ERA and a 1.79 WHIP over 17.1 innings.

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher J.B. Bukauskas suffered a Grade 2 teres major strain in his first spring outing last Thursday. Manager Torey Lovullo said the injury is similar to the one Taylor Clarke had last season, which sidelined the right-hander for over seven weeks. It's a tough break for the 25-year-old right-hander, and he doesn't figure to be back with the team until sometime late in the second half of the season. Bukauskas made his MLB debut in 2021 and allowed 15 earned runs in 17 1/3 relief innings (7.79 ERA) while striking out 14 and walking seven in 21 relief appearances for the Snakes.