This is our final piece before the All-Star break, and we will also take next week’s article off. It’ll be the perfect time to take a small spell because numerous players should return right after the break. There will also probably be some bizarre injured list (IL) placements in the coming days because five days off is an excellent time to get these players off their feet.
With that in mind, let’s dive into this week’s fantasy baseball injury updates and rankings.
- Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Advice
- Fantasy Baseball Trade Advice
- Fantasy Baseball Start/Sit Lineup Advice
- Rest-of-Season Rankings
- Rest-of-Season Projections
2024 Fantasy Baseball Injury Stashes (Week 16)
Here are fantasy baseball injury updates for ailing pitchers.
Pitchers to Stash Right Now
Tyler Glasnow was a surprise IL placement on Tuesday, but this was a pivot by the Dodgers to get him some extra rest before the break. It’s been diagnosed as a lower back issue and there’s thought he’ll be back when his 15 days are up. That would have him returning the first weekend after the break.
David Bednar has been recovering from an oblique strain and is days away from a return. The stud closer started a rehab assignment yesterday and could return to the Pirates as early as this weekend. That would force Aroldis Chapman back to most waiver wires.
Jared Jones has been struggling recently. A Grade 2 lat strain sent him to the IL. The only update is that this injury will take weeks, not days, to recover, meaning Jones is likely out for a month or more. It’s a great time to limit the youngster’s innings. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him back sometime in August.
Seeing this Cy Young winner out for so long has been shocking, but Justin Verlander is finally seeing some progress in his rehabilitation. Verlander has increased his throwing over recent days but has yet to throw off a mound. That means he’s still at least two weeks away from a return, with Houston hoping he’ll be back before the end of the month.
Bryan Woo has been on and off the IL all season. He’s dealing with a hamstring issue right now. The good news is that it was considered a minor strain. Woo completed two rehab starts over the last week. Despite throwing just 45 pitches in his last rehab start, Seattle said Woo would pitch for the Mariners this weekend. Look for an abbreviated start from Woo.
Clayton Kershaw suffered a setback from his shoulder injury but has resumed his throwing program. The former Cy Young winner threw a two-inning simulated game over the weekend and is projected to complete three innings in a rehab start on Saturday. That means two more rehab starts should build up his pitch count to have Kershaw back near the end of the month.
The updates have been lacking in Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s return from a shoulder strain, but Los Angeles said he would resume throwing next week. They also stated he’s pain-free, but given how long he’s been out, he’s going to have a lengthy rehab ahead of him. The hope is that he’ll be back sometime in August.
Walker Buehler has fully recovered from his hip injury, but that was a non-issue in the first place. The Dodgers stuck him on the IL because he was ineffective. He’s been working on his mechanics during this IL stint. There’s no clear timetable for his return, but the Dodgers hope he’ll be ready to roll after the All-Star break.
Yu Darvish was recovering from a groin issue when he injured his elbow a few weeks ago. What makes it even more bizarre is that he’s now on the restricted list, dealing with a family matter. It isn’t easy to see where this goes from here, but we should get a better idea after we take next week off.
Kodai Senga has made two rehab starts, appearing in Triple-A on Tuesday. He was able to throw 52 pitches but wasn’t able to get past the third inning. He should creep above 60 pitches in his next start and will likely need one more after that before returning. That could have Senga in line to return right after the break.
On the Border Fantasy Baseball Injury Pitcher Stashes
Jeffrey Springs, Robbie Ray, Devin Williams, Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez, Luis Garcia, Clarke Schmidt, Jordan Romano, Jesus Luzardo, Joe Musgrove, Jordan Montgomery, Javier Assad
Hitters to Stash Right Now
Here are fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters on the mend.
It’s hard to believe Kyle Tucker is still on the IL with a shin bruise, especially since he wasn’t even going to go on the IL in the first place. In any case, he’s participated in almost all baseball activities. He is supposed to return right after the All-Star break.
We saw J.T. Realmuto running around the bases at full speed on Tuesday. He could be back in action any day. The initial timetable was one month. We’re at that mark now. The Phillies stated he could be back this weekend, but seeing him after the break would be the wise decision for their prized catcher.
I can’t believe Royce Lewis is back in this article. This guy has been one of the best hitters in the American League when he’s been on the field the last few years, but he’s been on the IL more than in the lineup. A Grade 2 groin strain is what has him sidelined this time, and it’s expected to keep him out for a month. He’s supposed to be re-evaluated during the break, so let’s see what happens then.
Fernando Tatis has been on the IL way too much throughout his career, with a quad strain sending him there most recently. The good news is he’s resumed some baseball activities and hopes to return for the All-Star game. San Diego said he’s unlikely to play in that game, but for that to be a possibility is a great sign of his progression. We expect the All-Star to return right after the break.
Mookie Betts (2B, SS, OF – LAD)
Mookie Betts has been recovering from a fractured wrist and has been out since June 16. He’s resumed running and fielding but has yet to swing a bat. That means Betts is still a few weeks away from a return, with August being the most likely outcome.
Giancarlo Stanton suffered yet another hamstring strain and is set to begin a rehab assignment right around the All-Star break. He’s resumed running and hitting but hasn’t done any on-field activities. There’s some speculation he won’t need a rehab assignment before returning after all, which could have the slugger coming back just after the break.
Mike Trout hasn’t played in July since 2019. Let that soak in for a bit because the outfielder is out after meniscus surgery. It’s been over two months since going under the knife, but Trout has resumed all baseball activities. He stated he should be back by the end of the month, but he could need to start a rehab assignment in the next two weeks if that’s a real possibility.
Luis Rengifo (2B, SS, OF – LAA)
Luis Rengifo has been a breakout player for the Angels, swiping 22 bases while hitting .315. A wrist injury has sent him to the IL despite getting clean results on an MRI. Clean results likely mean he will be back when he is first eligible, but the Angles might take their time and bring him back right after the break.
Michael Harris suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain a month ago and was projected to miss two months when the injury occurred. The outfielder has done some light running recently and should be back in the opening weeks of August.
Xander Bogaerts has been on the IL since May 20 but just started a rehab assignment this week. A shoulder fracture has sidelined him for months, but San Diego said he would be ready to return this weekend.
On the Border Fantasy Baseball Injury Hitter Stashes
Starling Marte, Josh Jung, TJ Friedl, Triston Casas, Max Muncy, Evan Carter, Kerry Carpenter, Matt McLain, Tommy Edman
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Joel Bartilotta is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Joel, check out his archive and follow him @Bartilottajoel.