It’s hard to believe, but there are less than five weeks remaining in the fantasy baseball season. That means playoffs are right around the corner for many of you if they haven’t started already. Unfortunately, that makes this article less valuable as time goes on because almost anyone on the IL is droppable at this point. Next week will be our last article of the season, but there are some guys that can come off the IL and help you in the closing weeks!
With that in mind, let’s dive into this week’s fantasy baseball injury updates and rankings.
All the players in this article are rostered in 75% or fewer of Yahoo leagues.
- 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 22)
Pitchers to Stash Right Now
Here are fantasy baseball injury updates for ailing pitchers.
This Yu Darvish situation has been bizarre, but we finally have some clarity. The former ace is finally over his personal issues and was shifted from the restricted list to the IL last week. He’s also been staying in good shape and was able to throw a three-inning simulated game on Sunday. That means he might only need one more before embarking on a rehab assignment or being immediately reinstated. Either way, Darvish should be back within two weeks.
Jacob deGrom has carefully been working his way back from Tommy John surgery and is in the final steps of his rehab. Despite not featuring all season, deGrom made his second rehab start on Tuesday. He’s thrown two innings in both starts, allowing just one run in total. The Rangers said he would need at least four rehab starts before returning to the rotation, but it might be more if he doesn’t bump his pitch count up soon!
Robbie Ray was a recent addition to the IL after suffering a hamstring strain in his most recent start. That’s an unfortunate incident, since Ray just made his debut a month ago, but this issue isn’t expected to be serious. That means he could be eligible to return in the second week of September, and that’s the plan if everything goes smoothly in his rehabilitation.
It’s sad what’s happening to Max Scherzer, and his return is looking far from imminent at this point. The 40-year-old has been on the IL with numerous ailments this season and is sidelined due to a shoulder issue. They held him back in his most recent rehab start due to that shoulder, and the only update is that Scherzer is in a “holding pattern.” That’s code for “we have no idea what in the world is going on with this old geezer,” and it’s difficult to know where things go from here. He could return next week or he could be out for the season.
Clarke Schmidt was a breakout pitcher before landing on the IL in May. A lat issue sent him there and then a move to the 60-day IL set the stage for a lengthy rehabilitation. Schmidt is creeping towards the end of that, making his first rehab start on Friday. He’ll likely need at least two of those before being able to return, but it’s perfect timing since Luis Gil just landed on the IL.
Victor Vodnik was a sneaky addition by fantasy managers as the Rockies’ closer, but a bicep problem during warm-up sent him to the IL. We haven’t heard much regarding the issue, but Vodnik was one of the league-leaders in saves over the two months before his IL placement. He should resume his role if he can return, but we need to hear more from the Rockies.
Andrew Abbott was scratched from his most recent start due to shoulder soreness. Cincinnati has declared that the issue isn’t too severe and that he could return when first eligible on September 4. This guy has a 3.06 ERA and 1.17 WHIP through the opening three months and could be a sneaky add for the final few weeks if he has some decent matchups.
Must-Roster Fantasy Baseball Injury Pitcher Stashes
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Grayson Rodriguez, Tyler Glasnow, Hunter Greene, Joe Ryan, Luis Gil, Zach Eflin, Peter Fairbanks
Hitters to Stash Right Now
Here are fantasy baseball injury updates for hitters on the mend.
Xavier Edwards has been a massive pick-up in fantasy leagues, but a sore back will likely send the rookie to the IL. Miami did mention that they don’t believe it’s a serious issue and that their second baseman could be back after the minimum of 10 days. This is how a tanking team should treat one of their prized prospects, but we expect Xavier to be back in action next week. If he’s been dropped, go pick him up now!
Carlos Correa has been dealing with plantar fascia issues for years, however this time is keeping him out longer than anticipated. Minnesota said he’s been doing all baseball activities but wouldn’t return in August. That’s a discouraging update, but with how much he’s doing, we have to assume Correa will be back in the opening week of September. However, how effective he’ll be is another question for another day.
Byron Buxton is trying to clear the 100-game threshold for only the second time in his career, and he needs just 10 games to reach that total. The Twins said he would be back last week, but his hip issue has lingered longer than expected. The latest update is that Bux is “getting closer” but is not ready for his rehab assignment. We better get him out there soon to reach that 100-game total!
Bo Bichette will look back at this 2023-24 season later in his career and say this was a lost season. He’s gotten just four homers and five steals behind his .222 AVG and has been sidelined for over a month with a calf issue. The former top-25 pick has been working out with the team recently, including taking grounders on Tuesday. The biggest step will be seeing Bo sprinting, which will signal that he’s entirely over his calf issue, but don’t expect him to be back for at least two weeks.
Ryan Mountcastle has quietly had an excellent year in Baltimore, maintaining a .265 AVG and .730 OPS. Unfortunately, a sprained wrist sent the first baseman to the IL on Monday, and he won’t be able to return until late next week. We haven’t heard any updates regarding his injury, but as long as he’s taking batting practice by the weekend, he should be activated as soon as he’s eligible.
This is another rough injury for Baltimore, with Westburg fracturing his hand on July 31. The All-Star has been progressing in his rehab, fielding grounders and taking some swings this week. This is the start of what could be a lengthy rehab, but Westburg is on track to play in the final weeks of the season.
Joey Bart was an excellent pickup for managers who were desperate for a catcher, but he’s now on the IL due to a hamstring strain. The Pirates did say that the injury was minor and they’re hoping he will be ready to return after just 10 days. He has a .367 OBP, .567 SLG, and .934 OPS across his last 25 outings and could be a sneaky pickup for the closing weeks.
Must-Roster Fantasy Baseball Injury Hitter Stashes
Christian Walker, Kyle Tucker, Fernando Tatis Jr. Ketel Marte, Ozzie Albies
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Joel Bartilotta is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Joel, check out his archive and follow him @Bartilottajoel.
