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Welcome back, RotoBallers, to another weekly edition of the Injured Players to Stash in Fantasy Baseball series! Heading into Week 14, we'll highlight five injured players worth stashing in your fantasy leagues. New to the series? Check out previous articles for even more options!
Many productive players are nearing a return. If you stash them on your IL, it could pay off in the long run. Whether it's pitching, offense, or both, the guys can help.
Only players rostered in less than 60% of Yahoo leagues are eligible for inclusion. The goal is to spotlight overlooked players. Now, let's get into this week's list.
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Jeffrey Springs, SP, Tampa Bay Rays
Rostered: 18% Yahoo
Estimated Return: Late June
For those of you who follow this series, you know that I've included Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs (elbow) in each of the last few articles. That's because he has the potential to make a big impact once he's healthy. He's made two rehab starts with Triple-A Durham, and each has gone well. In both, he threw two innings without allowing a run.
In 2022, Springs threw 135 1/3 innings with a 2.46 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 144 strikeouts. He made three amazing starts in 2023 before tearing his UCL and undergoing Tommy John surgery. Reports are suggesting that in Wednesday's rehab appearance, his pitch shapes and speeds were similar to how they were in 2023 before his injury. This is a great sign. If he's available in your league (chances are that he is), he's absolutely worth stashing.
Springs will need a few more starts before he's ready to return. But when he does, it'll be worth the wait.
Another punchout for Jeffrey Springs, who has fanned 3 and allowed just 1 hit & no walks over 2 frames, needing just 18 pitches (including 16 strikes) pic.twitter.com/8gdFbwIF6G
— Durham Bulls (@DurhamBulls) June 12, 2024
Clayton Kershaw, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers
Rostered: 55%
Estimated Return: All-Star Break
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) needs no introduction. He's one of the best starting pitchers of all time. Though he may not be as dominant as he was during his prime, he's still got plenty of gas in the tank.
Over the last three seasons, Kershaw has averaged 127 innings, a 2.75 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and a 418:84 K/BB ratio. It's hard to doubt that he'll continue to succeed once he's healthy. Since 2009, his lowest single-season ERA is just 3.55! Sure, he's getting older. But the man still knows how to get batters out.
Kershaw made his rehab start with High-A Rancho on Wednesday night, throwing 36 pitches. He managed to throw 36 pitches. He'll continue building up his endurance before joining the Dodgers rotation around the All-Star break. If you're in one of the roughly half of Yahoo leagues where he's available, pick him up. This future Hall of Famer is a must-add.
Clayton Kershaw's 2024 debut in Rancho
3 IP
1 ER
2 H
1 BB
5 K
36 pitches - 26 strikes pic.twitter.com/u1K5ovC63s— Blake Harris (@BlakeHHarris) June 20, 2024
Jacob deGrom, SP, Texas Rangers
Rostered: 53%
Estimated Return: Late In The Season
From one all-time great to another, Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (elbow) is also worth stashing if he's available in your league. The 36-year-old righty hasn't pitched in a game for over a year now due to Tommy John surgery, but he's got a real shot of making it back to big league action before the season ends.
From 2018-22, deGrom had one of best stretches we've ever seen. Every time he took the mound, it was must-see TV. In 675.2 IP, he posted a 2.08 ERA and 0.86 WHIP with 921 K, resulting in two NL Cy Young Awards. His fastball was consistently hitting triple digits and his slider was the best secondary pitch in the league. Once he rejoins the Rangers rotation, there's little reason to believe that he won't continue pitching at an elite level.
Earlier this week, deGrom threw off a mound and said he felt good. He'll need a few more bullpen sessions before returning, but his season debut is officially on the horizon. If you're likely needing a late-season boost, it doesn't get better than this, especially if you're in a weekly league; adding him could make the difference between first place and runner-up!
Jacob deGrom said he threw off a mound for the first time today during his rehab process.
Session lasted about 15 minutes. All fastballs. pic.twitter.com/dJsI11Aj91
— Michael Bier (@MichaelJBier) June 17, 2024
LaMonte Wade Jr., 1B/OF, San Francisco Giants
Rostered: 12%
Estimated Return: Late June
San Francisco Giants first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. has been dealing with a hamstring issue for just under a month. Before getting hurt, he was having an excellent year at the plate. Through 52 games, he was slashing .333/.470/.426 with six doubles, two home runs, 17 RBI, and a 33:35 BB/SO ratio.
Since joining San Francisco in 2021, Wade has been one of the most underrated hitters in baseball; he has a 119 OPS+ in a Giants uniform. While he tends to hit solely against right-handed pitching, he's been having success against lefties this year. In 19 plate appearances, he's 4-for-12 with a double and just two strikeouts.
Overall, Wade is best suited for daily leagues. Despite having success against lefties in 2024, he generally still sits against them. As a result, his production is far more limited in weekly leagues. But if you're looking for a solid and consistent option at first or in the outfield, he could be your guy.
LaMonte Wade Jr. - San Francisco Giants (1) pic.twitter.com/LLQeX79R7M
— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) April 13, 2024
Lars Nootbaar, OF, St. Louis Cardinals
Rostered: 28%
Estimated Return: Uncertain
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar (oblique) is a slept-on lefty batter with tons of talent. He's spent the last few seasons quietly establishing himself as a really solid player. On top of that, he was heating up prior to his injury. Hopefully, he picks up where he left off when he returns.
Lars Nootbaar’s last 16 games:
17-for-55 (.309)
.433 OBP
.600 SLG
194 wRC+
.418 xwOBA
12.2% Barrel%
6% SwStr%Season wRC+ has shot from 57 to 117 in this span 🔥 pic.twitter.com/v8Yub55SCV
— Jacob (@JacobE_STL) May 26, 2024
An on-base machine, Nootbaar's career OBP is .349. He's also in the top 20% of the league in xwOBA, xSLG, average exit velocity, hard-hit rate, chase rate, and walk rate. When healthy, he consistently produces a lot of runs.
Nootbaar is still at least a few weeks away from rejoining the Cardinals lineup, but he's definitely worth stashing if you're looking for an outfielder and have the space. He's widely available, but it looks like he's not too far away from coming back. With how many outfielders have been taken from us this year, he could be a nice boost in almost any league.
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