Good morning, gamers! This is going to be a practical foray into discussing injuries. The clock is ticking on the fantasy baseball season, and we need to be realistic with the production that could be potentially offered by some of these players. As always, I’ll cover the top 10 players to stash, and then get into the weeds a bit more. This week, there’s a lucky No. 13 trend. Don’t ask me how or why, that’s just the way the proverbial cookie crumbled…

Top 10 Players to Stash Right Now

1. Wander Franco (3B, SS – TB)
2. Ozzie Albies (2B – ATL)
3. Luis Severino (SP – NYY)
4. Max Scherzer (SP – NYM)
5. Justin Verlander (SP – HOU)
6. Byron Buxton (OF – MIN)
7. Shane McClanahan (SP – TB)
8. Vinnie Pasquantino (1B – KC)
9. Brandon Drury (1B, 2B, 3B, OF – SD)
10. Zack Wheeler (SP – PHI)

Wander Franco could be activated by Friday (tomorrow), while Ozzie Albies has already played in three rehab games. Although, with the emergence of Vaughn Grissom at the keystone, the Braves can probably afford to let Albies collect as many at-bats as necessary at Triple-A Gwinnett. There are a host of ace pitchers nearing a return, so set those fantasy football lineups aside for a few minutes and make sure you read the news on your guys each day.

Hitters to Stash

1. Wander Franco (3B, SS – TB)
2. Ozzie Albies (2B – ATL)
3. Byron Buxton (OF – MIN)
4. Vinnie Pasquantino (1B – KC)
5. Brandon Drury (1B, 2B, 3B, OF – SD)
6 Harrison Bader (OF – NYY)
7. Anthony Rizzo (1B – NYY)
8. Willson Contreras (C – CHC)
9. Jorge Polanco (2B, SS – MIN)
10. Patrick Wisdom (1B, 3B, OF – CHC)
11. Jose Iglesias (2B, SS – COL)
12. Jorge Soler (OF – MIA)
13. Nick Castellanos (OF – PHI)

Buxton’s original deal was just soreness, and he didn’t even think an IL stint was necessary. So I’m wondering if we’ll get a surprise activation at some point soon… just my gut feeling, don’t judge me. The long-awaited Harrison Bader in pinstripes experience could happen as soon as next week. He better steal about 15 bases in two weeks, based on how long we’ve all waited.

Contreras had an MRI that confirmed no structural damage in his left ankle, but his timeline isn’t yet clear. Nope, I didn’t list Kris Bryant, Jazz Chisholm Jr. or Tim Anderson. Bryant and Jazz seem like lost causes. Of the three, maybe I’d hold out hope for Anderson to get moving again in a couple of weeks, but he’s not going to have much time left to make an impact. The same is true for Brett Baty… if he returns, it is likely only for the last week of the season.

It’s possible that Castellanos only misses a couple of weeks. But if he misses the rest of the year, what a lost season it has been (just 13 homers, three SB, .265 BA). That’s going to be a cheap price during next year’s draft season. Jorge Soler could potentially make it back for more than a couple of weeks and represents a better power play than Castellanos at this juncture.

Pitchers to Stash

1. Luis Severino (SP – NYY)
2. Max Scherzer (SP – NYM)
3. Justin Verlander (SP – HOU)
4. Shane McClanahan (SP – TB)
5. Zack Wheeler (SP – PHI)
6. Bailey Ober (SP – MIN)
7. Nathan Eovaldi (SP – BOS)
8. Ryan Pressly (RP – HOU)
9. David Bednar (RP – PIT)
10. Jon Gray (SP – TEX)
11. Seranthony Dominguez (RP – PHI)
12. Hunter Greene (SP – CIN)
13. MacKenzie Gore (SP – WAS)

Severino has been handled with care by the Yankees, while Scherzer may just need rest. Verlander threw off of a mound yesterday (Wednesday) and it sounds like he may not require a rehab assignment. McClanahan also threw off of a mound this week and could be activated as soon as late next week.

Wheeler is only playing catch, so his timeline should be later this month. Hopefully, he is able to fire a bullpen session very soon, so watch out for that news.

Pressly (neck) did not return this Tuesday as expected, but it still sounds like he could be close to returning after a few more days of rest. Bednar is back on the fantasy baseball radar, as he could begin rehab games as soon as next week if he continues to progress.

Tyler Mahle is off the radar, as he’s experienced a recurrence of right shoulder inflammation and has no timeline to return. And lastly, keep your eyes peeled for MacKenzie Gore to make his debut with the Washington Nationals… I know I have at least two draft-and-hold teams that would appreciate that sight.

Tell me who I missed, if anyone! Who are you banking on returning from injury to save your fantasy baseball chances for this year? You can find me on Twitter, @HeathCapps. I would love to connect and talk fantasy baseball or fantasy football.

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