Ryan Pasti | Wed, Feb 25th 2026, 7:12am EST

Pitcher Innings Limits to Monitor (2026 Fantasy Baseball)

Finding the best fantasy baseball starters is a headache, to say the very least. Uncovering pitchers is even more difficult when considering their potential innings limits. Teams often restrict the innings their pitchers are allowed to throw in an attempt to maintain their health.

For example, Drew Rasmussen in 2025 had a very strict limit of 150.0 innings after his third career UCL procedure. He tossed exactly 150.0 innings, skipping some starts and not throwing deep into games. Rasmussen’s strict limit is somewhat unusual. Pitchers will often have a less defined innings regimen. Regardless, innings limits are very relevant to the home stretch of the fantasy baseball season and should be considered on draft day.

Read below to learn about some pitchers who may have a limited workload in 2026.

Pitcher Innings Limits to Monitor in Fantasy Baseball

Shohei Ohtani (DH/SP – LAD) | DH ADP: 1 / SP ADP: 89

The back-to-back-to-back MVP is going to be great. There is no doubt that Shohei Ohtani will be an electric pitcher when he is on the mound. Ohtani had a 2.87 ERA last season with an impressive 11.8 K/9 ratio. However, he only tossed 47.0 innings last season. It is very unlikely the two-way superstar will pitch deep into games as he continues to rebuild his workload. In addition, due to the size of the Dodgers’ rotation, Ohtani is likely to pitch only once a week.

In leagues where Ohtani is split between designated hitter and pitcher, please consider that Ohtani will likely not pitch often or deep into games in 2026.

Kyle Bradish (SP – BAL) | ADP: 80

Kyle Bradish made his return from Tommy John surgery late last season. He threw six starts to a 2.53 ERA, and reminded fantasy managers of why he earned fourth place in American League Cy Young voting in 2023. Bradish is set to have a great season for pitching ratios, but he will not be a workhorse.

Bradish is expected to have a limited workload in 2026. This makes sense given the 29-year-old tossed only 54.0 innings across the Majors and minors last season. Consider Bradish’s workload before drafting him.

Blake Snell (SP – LAD) | ADP: 83

It is fair to say that Blake Snell disappointed in his first season as a Dodger. He threw only 61.1 innings (75.0 including minors), marred by a shoulder injury. When Snell did pitch, he had an incredible 2.35 ERA. He just did not pitch often. Snell is questionable for Opening Day due to his shoulder injury.

Snell has pitched over 130.0 innings just twice in ten seasons. Although Snell won the Cy Young Award both times he eclipsed 130.0 innings, he has had a limited workload due to injury or injury prevention throughout most seasons of his career. The 33-year-old is not getting any younger. The Dodgers have an already stacked rotation and will have no burning desire to push Snell through injuries.

Chase Burns (SP – CIN) | ADP: 115

Chase Burns flashed incredible strikeout potential in his rookie year. He struck out 67 batters in 43.1 innings, earning an incredible 13.9 K/9 ratio. This strikeout potential is, no doubt, a reason why Burns’ ADP is so high.

It should also be considered that Burns threw 100.0 innings in 2024 at Wake Forest in college, then 99.1 innings last season for the Reds and in the minor leagues. Burns faced an innings limit last season and was treated delicately upon joining the Majors so quickly after being drafted. It is reasonable to assume that the 23-year-old will have slight restrictions as he continues to acclimate to professional baseball and may not pitch deep into games.

Kris Bubic (SP – KC) | ADP: 193

Kris Bubic emerged as a breakout star in 2025. He threw 116 strikeouts in 116.1 innings to a 2.55 ERA and a 1.178 WHIP. Unfortunately, his zero-to-hero breakout was cut short by a left rotator cuff strain shortly after the All-Star Break.

Bubic is at slight risk of having limited innings for 2026. The 28-year-old’s usage will likely be limited after he suffered a rotator cuff strain last year and Tommy John surgery in 2023. Despite his workload risks, Bubic offers superior value this late in the draft.

Roki Sasaki (SP – LAD) | ADP: 213

Roki Sasaki was one of the biggest targets for baseball teams last offseason and generated substantial hype among fantasy baseball managers. He joined the Dodgers after having a career ERA of 2.10 in Japan with an 11.5 K/9 ratio and a 0.894 WHIP. Unfortunately, Sasaki struggled after joining the Major Leagues, tossing a 4.46 ERA across 36.1 innings (57.0 innings with minors). Sasaki was primarily hindered by a right shoulder injury, although he was able to join the Dodgers’ bullpen for their playoff run.

Sasaki could be an interesting sleeper at his current ADP, but keep in mind that he will probably see reduced innings after throwing under 60 innings in 2026.

Shane McClanahan (SP – TB) | ADP: 229

Shane McClanahan has not pitched since 2023. He has played three Major League seasons and missed two. McClanahan looks to finally return to health after undergoing Tommy John surgery in August 2023 and suffering a triceps injury setback while he recovered in 2025.

McClanahan has a career 3.02 ERA and is a two-time All-Star. If the 28-year-old returns anywhere close to his previous form, he is a valuable asset to fantasy teams. Despite the innings being high quality, it is very unlikely McClanahan will pitch much this year. He tossed only 3.1 innings in the minors last season. A starter does not go from pitching 3.1 innings across two seasons to a deep workload.

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