Top Five Injured Players To Stash In Fantasy Baseball - Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 18

Welcome back to our top fantasy baseball injury stashes for Week 18, looking at IL players as of July 28. Today's list of injured MLB players to consider stashing off the fantasy baseball waiver wire includes Michael Wacha, Esteury Ruiz, Ke'Bryan Hayes, Thairo Estrada, and Liam Hendriks.

In case you're not yet familiar, this list is a weekly article series that will highlight the top five hitters and pitchers to hold in your IL spots in re-draft fantasy baseball leagues. As players injured early in the season begin to make their way back to their respective teams, it's time to check who is coming back sooner than later.

These five players are rostered in less than 60% of leagues and have the opportunity to make an impact in fantasy the rest of the way. Make sure to check if these players are available to be picked up in your leagues!

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Michael Wacha - SP, San Diego Padres

San Diego Padres starter Michael Wacha has been one of the bigger surprises of the 2023 season, earning a 2.84 ERA through 85 2/3 innings. The 31-year-old had a decent season with the Boston Red Sox in 2022, earning a 3.32 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 127 1/3 innings pitched. Wacha has been a surprise this season because the metrics suggested he was over-performing in 2022 since he had a 4.56 xERA and his career ERA is 3.97. Despite what the expected stats say, Wacha has been producing this year.

The veteran starter was placed on the injured list in early July with shoulder inflammation. A recent update from Padres manager Bob Melvin stated that Wacha felt good in his 25-pitch bullpen session and will likely throw another bullpen on Friday. Depending on the results of the bullpen, the Padres staff will determine what steps to take next. If the bullpen session goes well, he could need a couple more sessions before a rehab assignment. Wacha could realistically be back early to mid-August

Wacha is 78% rostered in Yahoo and 51.1% rostered in ESPN leagues, so he should be available on some waiver wires, depending on your platform. Fantasy managers should stash Wacha because strong pitching options are difficult to come by this late in the season.

Esteury Ruiz - OF, Oakland Athletics

Oakland Athletics outfielder Esteury Ruiz has cemented himself in the conversation for one of the league's best base stealers. Ruiz has been on the injured list for multiple weeks and is still second in stolen bases, only behind Ronald Acuna Jr. The production level in the stolen base department is exceedingly rare, even with the new rules and bases promoting more stolen bases.

Ruiz was placed on the injured list on July 7 with a shoulder subluxation and has been slowly working his way back. The 24-year-old had been hitting off a tee, then progressed to batting practice and throwing. The young speedster is ready to begin his rehab assignment on Friday in Triple-A. Depending on how long it takes Ruiz to get back to game speed, the Athletics outfielder could return to the team within a week. The second week of August could be a reasonable return time.

Ruiz is 76% rostered in Yahoo and 28.8% rostered in ESPN leagues, so he's much more available in ESPN leagues. Ruiz is likely owned in all the category leagues, where his value is highest, but he could be a sneaky add in points leagues with bonuses for stolen bases.

Ke'Bryan Hayes - 3B, Pittsburgh Pirates

Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes was one of the most exciting rookies when he debuted in 2020. In his first 24 games, Hayes slashed .376/.442/.682 with five home runs and 11 RBI. Since then, the 26-year-old has been a popular breakout pick each year. The young third baseman has yet to truly showcase anything close to that level of upside for a season. However, Hayes has been a serviceable hitter and an above-average defender in his career.

Hayes was placed on the injured list on July 7 with back discomfort and has been ramping up toward a rehab assignment. The young slugger finally began his rehab assignment on Tuesday night. Hayes is expected to need a handful of rehab games before activation, likely needing at least a week of playing time. His progress will need to be monitored, but Hayes could return in the first or second week of August, assuming no setbacks.

Rodgers is 39% rostered in Yahoo and 12.7% rostered in ESPN leagues, so he's available in most leagues. The young slugger has been injured for a while, but he is a sneaky source of stolen bases, and his above-average defense should keep him on the field most days. Fantasy managers with an open IL slot should consider stashing Hayes because he is a solid corner infielder who can hit around .250 and steal some bases.

Thairo Estrada - 2B/SS, San Francisco Giants

San Francisco Giants infielder Thairo Estrada has been the most valuable player on the Giants' roster this season. Estrada is slashing .272/.327/.434 with nine home runs and 18 stolen bases through 70 games in 2023. The 27-year-old was well on his way to establishing new career-highs in numerous counting stats before his injury because 70 games are already the second most games Estrada has played in a season, the most being 140 games in 2022.

The veteran infielder was placed on the injured list on July 3 with a fractured hand, with the initial estimates stating he would be out for a month to a month and a half. It had been three weeks since Estrada was playing on the IL when he started his hitting progression. The Giants' infielder appears on track to record within the initial timetable. If the hitting progresses, Estrada will begin a rehab assignment and return to the Giants in the second or third week of August.

Estrada is 85% rostered in Yahoo and 51.5% rostered in ESPN leagues, so he is available in nearly half of ESPN leagues. Fantasy managers in Yahoo or other competitive leagues should try acquiring Estrada while he is still injured and his value is lower. The Giants' middle infielder could be a valuable asset down the stretch in fantasy baseball.

Liam Hendriks - RP, Chicago White Sox

Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks has been one of the most talked about players in baseball, but not necessarily for his work on the field. The Australian relief pitcher overcame his cancer diagnosis and returned to baseball in less than six months. Hendriks' story is inspiring and makes him an easy player to root for in fantasy baseball and real life. The 34-year-old relief pitcher returned to baseball but left it again in early June with an elbow injury.

Hendriks was placed on the injured list on June 10 with elbow inflammation and has yet to begin a rehab assignment but has been ramping up activities. Any elbow-related injuries are severe for pitchers, and it makes sense that the White Sox would be cautious with Hendriks since he has been one of the best closers in baseball for the last few years. One of the latest updates on Hendriks was that he threw 17 pitches in a bullpen session, and his velocity hit nearly 94 mph. 

It is not precisely clear when the Sox closer will return, and it's been almost two months since he was placed on the IL. Considering he is throwing bullpens, he could begin a rehab assignment soon. If all goes well, I could see a return for Hendriks during the Sox's August 15 to 20 homestand. Hendriks is 57% rostered in Yahoo and 13.8% in ESPN leagues, so he could be around on waiver wires. The White Sox aren't contenders and don't need to rush him, but he seems to be working his way back.

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