Five Injured Players to Stash in Fantasy Baseball - Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 7

Welcome back to another edition of "Five Injured Players to Stash in Fantasy Baseball." This week's article highlights five injured players worth stashing in your leagues for Week 7. If you're new to the series, be sure to check out previous articles for even more options, many of which are still rostered in less than 60% of Yahoo leagues.

Nearly a quarter of the 2024 MLB season is already behind us. At this point, you might find yourself at the bottom of your league, feeling like a comeback is insurmountable. Conversely, you could be at the top, thinking a championship is guaranteed. In reality, both mentalities are premature. Regardless of where you currently stand, plenty of baseball remains ahead.

Whether you're leading the pack or pulling up the rear, it's important to be proactive. With that in mind, these five players can help you maintain an edge over the competition. Though hurt right now, they're poised to make a significant impact in the long run.

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Shane Baz, SP, Tampa Bay Rays

Rostered: 25% Yahoo
Estimated Return: May/June

Last week, I covered Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane Baz and his return to action following Tommy John surgery in September 2022. The next day, he made his first rehab start with Triple-A Durham. Despite mixed results (3.0 IP, three ER, three H, BB), Baz's return to action is an encouraging sign for fantasy baseball managers.

Before his injury, Baz had shown ace-like potential, featuring an electric fastball and devastating slider-curveball combination. Although his spin rates were lower than usual on Saturday, his four-seamer consistently reached 95 mph. At this early stage of his rehab assignment, the primary focus is on Baz's health rather than his immediate results.

There's no reason to doubt that Baz will regain his form. It's common for a pitcher's numbers to be down at the beginning of their rehab stint; that's the whole point of the assignment. If he continues to progress, his pitch shapes are bound to improve over the coming weeks. Overall, Baz is a must-add arm with major upside.

Shane Baz made a rehab start in AAA today and had mixed results

His arsenal graded about average and the brunt of the damage was done on HR against a Changeup

He's up to 39 pitches as he works his way back to Tampa Bay. pic.twitter.com/V5Szw99SHq

— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) May 4, 2024

Taj Bradley, SP, Tampa Bay Rays

Rostered: 32% Yahoo
Estimated Return: May 10th

From one Rays pitcher to another, Tampa Bay starting pitcher Taj Bradley was activated from the IL earlier this week. He's also expected to make his season debut tonight against the Yankees at home. If you're in need of immediate help, look no further.

Another player who's been featured in this series before, Bradley is known for his exceptional stuff. He showed it off in two rehab starts with Triple-A Durham, striking out 15 batters in 11 IP while allowing only one run. Perhaps most notably, he issued only three walks (2.5 BB/9). Last year, his walk rate in the minors was almost twice as high (4.9 BB/9). If Bradley can sustain this improved control in the majors, he could have a breakout year.

Top five bulk pitchers in Triple-A by Stuff+

1) Nick Pivetta
2) Paul Skenes
3) Kyle Bradish
4) Taj Bradley
5) Cade Horton

*min 50 pitches/appearance. google doc updated. Stuff+: https://t.co/qHIcgT6usT

— Eno Sarris (@enosarris) May 7, 2024

Having more stability in 2024 should lead to improvements on the mound for Bradley. One reason for his underwhelming 5.59 ERA in the majors last year is the fact that he bounced up and down between MLB and Triple-A. Now that he's set to stay in Tampa's rotation, he'll hopefully be more relaxed and poised. Overall, he's an intriguing option whose strikeout upside alone is worth consideration.

Jasson Dominguez, OF, New York Yankees

Rostered: 25% Yahoo
Estimated Return: June/July

New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez is expected to begin a rehab assignment within the next week. Last year, his MLB career was off to a meteoric start before being cut short due to Tommy John surgery. In 33 PAs, he was slashing .258/.303/.677 with four HRs.

Not only is Dominguez one of the most exciting young players in baseball, but he's also capable of producing gaudy power-speed numbers. In 295 career minor league games, he's racked up 36 homers, 56 doubles, and 86 stolen bases. His strikeout total (334) may be high, but he's shown tremendous discipline for a player of his age (182 walks).

Once Dominguez is ready to rejoin the Yankees roster, his biggest issue could be playing time. With Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, and Alex Verdugo occupying starting spots in the outfield, along with Giancarlo Stanton clogging the DH spot, Dominguez may have to compete with Verdugo for consistent starts. However, it's hard to imagine the Yankees keeping Dominguez on the bench or in the minors. If he plays well during his rehab stint, he should get enough playing time to justify his fantasy value. Overall, there aren't many players available in 75% of Yahoo leagues with his potential.

Jasson Dominguez was out of this world after the All-Star Break between AA/AAA/MLB:

.416 OBP | .573 SLG% | .989 OPS | 18.2% K% pic.twitter.com/Pmi5pxVlPW

— Ryan Garcia (@RyanGarciaESM) May 7, 2024

Jonathan Aranda, 1B, Tampa Bay Rays

Rostered: 2% Yahoo
Estimated Return: Mid-May

The third Tampa Bay Ray on this list, first baseman Jonathan Aranda is a serious power threat. In 511 career minor league games, he's slashed .306/.392/.483 with 107 doubles, 62 home runs, and 327 RBI. With everyone waiting for the call-up of Junior Caminero, Aranda is being overlooked and undervalued. However, he's an incredibly poised hitter who's capable of having a big impact on the fantasy landscape.

Aranda began a rehab assignment two weeks ago. It's taken a while for him to heat up, but he's been on an absolute tear lately. In his last three games, he's 6-for-12 with three BB, two R, and an RBI. He's also hitting the ball to opposite field, which is a great sign.

All 4 of Jonathan Aranda's hits today as part of his 4-for-5 day at the plate (which also included a walk) pic.twitter.com/9iyvPD2RgN

— Durham Bulls (@DurhamBulls) May 7, 2024

Aranda (who'll turn 26 years old on May 23) should be called up to the Rays in the near future. It may have taken him longer than most, but he's become a polished bat. On top of that, he's available in mostly every league.

Garrett Whitlock, SP, Boston Red Sox

Rostered: 30% Yahoo
Estimated Return: May/June

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Whitlock went down with an oblique injury after making just four starts in 2024. While it's a small sample size, he was phenomenal. In 18.1 IP, he posted a 1.96 ERA with a 1.15 WHIP and 17 K.

Over the last few years, Whitlock has been incredibly inconsistent. He threw roughly 75 IP in each of 2021, 2022, and 2023, and his ERAs ranged from 1.96 to 5.15. This year is the first time he's been solely a starter, and part of the reason it was going well is because of a change in his repertoire. Before hitting the IL, he'd stopped throwing his four-seamer altogether and reintroduced his slider. He'd also been relying less on his sinker, off which opponents combined for a .326 BA and .536 SLG in 2023.

Whitlock will throw a live batting practice today, and he should begin a rehab assignment after. If he's able to progress well after a few starts, he could rejoin the Sox within a few weeks. For someone with his potential, along with the adjustments he seems to have made, it's surprising to see such a low roster percentage.

Red Sox' Garrett Whitlock (left oblique strain) threw a bullpen Saturday. “This is just the beginning of the throwing progression,” Cora said. “So probably a few more bullpens, live (BP). With him it was longer than expected so of course a rehab start, maybe two.”

— Christopher Smith (@SmittyOnMLB) May 4, 2024

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