In the 2025 fantasy baseball season, many promising pitchers encountered difficulties returning to form due to injuries, with several underperforming expectations. Among the most notable cases affecting fantasy leagues was Cole Ragans’ injury risk, a key concern for team managers. This article examines the performances and health setbacks of top pitchers such as Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Bryan Woo, and Cole Ragans, highlighting their 2025 seasons and what fantasy owners can expect moving forward.
Pitchers Who Failed to Meet 2025 Expectations
Pitching durability remains a significant hurdle in fantasy baseball, as evidenced by many players who faced injuries or inconsistent performances throughout 2025. While Tanner Bibee, Zac Gallen, and Sandy Alcantara managed to stay on the field, their ERA and WHIP statistics often disappointed fantasy managers. Below is a detailed list of the 40 pitchers who underachieved, missed starts, or were considered busts during the season:
1 – Zack Wheeler: missed eight starts but delivered strong performances when active.
2 – Logan Gilbert: missed eight starts yet pitched well overall.
3 – Chris Sale: missed 11 starts but showed glimpses of his talent.
4 – Corbin Burns: labeled a bust due to poor results.
5 – Blake Snell: missed 21 starts, limiting fantasy value.
6 – Cole Ragans: considered a bust amid injury struggles.
7 – Tyler Glasnow: missed 14 starts but performed solidly.
8 – Michael King: underperformed, marked as a bust.
9 – Pablo Lopez: missed 18 starts but returned reliably.
10 – Tanner Bibee: did not meet expectations.
11 – Bailey Ober: regarded as a bust.
12 – Bryce Miller: failed to deliver expected results.
13 – Roki Sasaki: underwhelming season, classified as a bust.
14 – Aaron Nola: struggled, deemed a bust.
15 – Spencer Strider: disappointing performance.
16 – Shane McClanahan: labeled a bust.
17 – Zac Gallen: poor showing resulted in bust status.
18 – Justin Steele: failed to meet expectations.
19 – Jared Jones: another pitcher falling short.
20 – Sandy Alcantara: underperformed and was considered a bust.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s Challenging Debut with the Dodgers
Yamamoto’s transition to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2025 was marred by injury; he missed nearly three months due to a triceps problem in his right arm. His major league debut was difficult, conceding five runs in a single inning but managing two strikeouts. He rebounded impressively afterward, compiling a 6-1 record over 12 starts with a 2.41 ERA, 1.014 WHIP, and 81 strikeouts in 71 innings.
Despite early promise, Yamamoto had to exit his following game after pitching just two scoreless innings. The Dodgers cautiously restarted his season in September, where he posted less dominant numbers (six runs allowed over 16 innings) but maintained a solid strikeout count. In the postseason, he contributed with a 3.86 ERA and 15 strikeouts in nearly 19 innings, cementing his role as a key bullpen option.
Yamamoto’s control waned, with walks increasing to 3.1 per nine innings, though his strikeout rate remained high at 10.4. He allowed the fewest hits per nine innings in the National League (5.9) and held batters to a .183 average overall. Interestingly, his performance on the road was notably superior, boasting a 9-4 record, 2.13 ERA, and 118 strikeouts in just over 105 innings away from home.
The Dodgers’ ace demonstrated an effective arsenal, blending a 95.4 mph fastball with an outstanding split-finger pitch, which limited opponents to a .128 batting average, alongside a reliable four-seam fastball and curveball. Complementary use of a sinker, cutter, and a subtle slider rounded out his pitch mix.
Fantasy analysts regard Yamamoto as a strong asset given his dominant pitching record in Japan (66-37 with a 1.64 ERA and 869 strikeouts). However, the triceps injury raises concerns about potential elbow problems ahead. Coupled with the Dodgers’ robust offensive support, he is expected to secure 15 or more wins while maintaining excellent ERA and WHIP, with potential for increased strikeouts and reduced walks.
Bryan Woo’s Resilient Season for the Mariners
Bryan Woo, another promising young pitcher, entered 2025 with lingering injury concerns after a mixed 2024 campaign. He made 30 starts last year, ranking fourth among pitchers in fantasy points, but only after facing two significant injury spells. His season was delayed due to a right elbow issue, making his debut on May 10, yet he dominated in his first eight outings with a 1.77 ERA and 28 strikeouts over nearly 43 innings.
Later in the year, a hamstring injury sidelined him for over two weeks. Upon return, Woo maintained steady form, earning a 6-2 record with a 3.46 ERA and 73 strikeouts in his final 14 starts. Homeruns became a liability during some starts, especially late in the season, affecting his overall stats.
Career-wise, Woo sustained impressive marks in 2025 with a 2.94 ERA and a 0.927 WHIP, while improving his strikeout rate to 9.5 per nine innings and keeping walks low at 1.7. Opponents hit roughly .200 against him, anchoring his 15 wins as the fifth-highest total in the majors. His home performances stood out with a 10-2 record, a 2.44 ERA, and 100 strikeouts over nearly 89 innings.
Woo’s pitching arsenal featured a 95.6 mph fastball and an elite four-seam fastball that limited hitters to a .153 average. His slider was also effective, complemented by a changeup and a neutral sinker. Although a late-season pectoral strain caused him to miss a couple of starts, Woo largely shed the injury concerns that hovered over his fantasy value.
From a fantasy perspective, Woo’s durability and ability to pitch deep into games elevate his win potential. While the right elbow injury should not be disregarded, his consistent effectiveness and efficiency forecast a promising upcoming season.
Cole Ragans’ High Upside Shadowed by Injury Concerns
Cole Ragans demonstrated considerable promise at the outset of 2024, keeping runs low in 15 of his first 17 starts with a 3.03 ERA and 120 strikeouts across 98 innings. However, he experienced a decline in the latter portion of the season, posting a 4.12 ERA and surrendering eight home runs over 63 innings. Ragans showed signs of recovery in September, pitching to a 1.08 ERA across 25 innings.
Last season, Ragans’ strong start lasted just four games, where he collected a 2.28 ERA and 34 strikeouts. Unfortunately, his arm deteriorated markedly in the following outings, with an accumulation of 17 runs allowed, 33 baserunners, and three home runs over 22 innings. These struggles led to an extended stint on the injured list caused by a left rotator cuff strain, keeping him sidelined for nearly four months except for one difficult appearance.
He returned late in the year for a brief run of control, recording a 2.77 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 13 innings. Ragans’ velocity remained consistent, averaging 95.7 mph on his fastball in 2025. His success relied on an effective combination of four-seam fastball, changeup, slider, and curveball, while his cutter struggled considerably, yielding a .462 batting average.
Despite his appealing strikeout ability—leading the American League with 10.8 K/9 in 2024 and improving to 14.3 last year—Ragans’ injury history is daunting. With two prior Tommy John surgeries and a recent left shoulder strain, his status as a frontline fantasy starter is tenuous. While his potential ceiling includes a sub-3.00 ERA and impactful strikeout rates, the risk of lost playing time makes him a precarious choice for fantasy managers.
Ultimately, Ragans represents a high-risk, high-reward arm, suited more for those willing to gamble on his health than for those seeking reliable ace-level production.
