It’s been an interesting revolving door on the injury list this season, particularly when it comes to starting pitchers.
Whether the pitch clock is a factor in all of this is a discussion for another day, but we’ve seen plenty of starters hitting the injured list on a regular basis as they have been at the forefront of these fantasy baseball injury stash rankings pieces this season. Even the best of the best have been hit with the injury bug here in the 2023 campaign.
Fantasy Baseball Injury Stash Rankings
Let’s take a look at some of the best overall players to stash at the moment while diving into the top pitchers and hitters to hold onto IL spots!
Top 10 Players to Stash Right Now
Manny Machado (3B – SD)
Brandon Woodruff (SP – MIL)
Julio Urias (SP – LAD)
Oneil Cruz (SS – PIT)
Triston McKenzie (SP – CLE)
Jacob deGrom (SP – TEX)
Tyler Glasnow (SP – TB)
Carlos Rodon (SP – NYY)
Cody Bellinger (OF – CHC)
Nick Lodolo (SP – CIN)
There’s several new names on this list and the one at the top is certainly one of them.
Machado is on the IL with a broken bone in his left hand after being hit by a pitch. His initial tests didn’t reveal any serious damage but further X-rays revealed a fracture. Machado is reportedly taking ground balls at the moment but the true test will come when he attempts to grab/swing a bat which has yet to happen. It’s been a slow start for the superstar third baseman but no one is letting this guy hit the waiver wire.
Urias is also on the shelf due to a hamstring issue. Urias was beaten up for six earned runs in just three innings against the Cardinals his last time out but reported a hamstring injury following his outing. The hope is he is back by early June when he’s first eligible to return.
The good news for Glasnow owners is that he is set to make his MLB return on Saturday, thus freeing up an IL spot for those in need. The oft-injured right-hander was successful to the tune of a 0.68 ERA and 38.5% K% in his four rehab starts as it appears he is ready to deal once again at the big-league level for a Rays rotation that could use some healthy starters.
Top 8 Pitchers to Stash Right Now
Brandon Woodruff (SP – MIL)
Julio Urias (SP – LAD)
Triston McKenzie (SP – CLE)
Jacob deGrom (SP – TEX)
Tyler Glasnow (SP – TB)
Carlos Rodon (SP – NYY)
Nick Lodolo (SP – CIN)
Max Fried (SP – ATL)
Lodolo has had a tough season ERA-wise but the strikeouts are too difficult to ignore. The Reds southpaw has a stress reaction in his tibia and doesn’t have a firm timetable for a return but better days should be on the horizon. Lodolo has had big-time home run issues with a 2/62 HR/9 on the season but considering his 1.13 mark from last season and the lack of home runs surrendered in the minors, he should dial it back on the long balls moving forward.
McKenzie is on a rehab assignment and pitched three innings of scoreless ball at Triple-A in his first start of the season. He struck out four against one walk in that time. McKenzie remains high on this list as his ceiling is just that while he has fantastic strikeout stuff when he’s going.
Rodon says he is pain-free in his ailing back and is throwing from 120 feet. He has a ways to go at this point but we finally got some good news on a pitcher who made a career-high 31 starts with the Giants last season.
I’m not really sure what to make of Fried. He’s obviously worth a stash but there’s a real concern with his flexor tendon injury that should cost him the next couple of months, at least. Of course, this is the type of injury that is a precursor to Tommy John surgery so don’t hold your breath when it comes to the Braves ace.
Top 8 Hitters to Stash Right Now
Manny Machado (3B – SD)
Oneil Cruz (SS – PIT)
Cody Bellinger (OF – CHC)
Giancarlo Stanton (OF – NYY)
Adam Duvall (OF – BOS)
C.J. Cron (1B – COL)
Jazz Chisholm Jr. (2B,OF – MIA)
Eloy Jimenez (OF – CWS)
Cruz is a Statcast monster who does nothing but hit the ball extremely hard. A broken ankle is a tough injury to come back from but he will be a monster at the shortstop position for years to come.
The last two seasons were some of the weirdest we have seen when it came to the decline of Bellinger. However, the former NL MVP and Rookie of the Year has bounced back with seven homers and an .830 OPS along with nine stolen bases across 37 games this season with the Cubs. He’s setting himself up nicely for a big contract after signing a one-year deal in Chicago.
Duvall is reportedly just three weeks away from a return from a broken wrist and while he may not be the biggest name in this piece, he was enjoying a nice start to his season and will be sending baseballs over the Green Monster in no time.
Jimenez is running the bases as part of his recovery from an appendectomy procedure while Jazz Chisholm Jr. is working out in his recovery from turf toe. His return is uncertain and his bat has lagged overall, but with seven homers and 14 stolen bases on the season, his value in head-to-head category leagues cannot be overlooked.
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