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Fantasy Baseball Injury Rankings: Top 50 IL stashes with Ryan Jeffers, Munetaka Murakami on verge of returning

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Since my last IL stash rankings came out in mid-June, Francisco Lindor and Hunter Greene have returned from lengthy absences, and Munetaka Murakami and Vinnie Pasquantino are gearing up to do the same. Meanwhile, Brent Rooker and Cole Ragans have removed themselves from stash consideration, and (gulp) Brandon Woodruff and Ben Brown may be on the verge of doing the same.

Yes, the injury carousel keeps turning, and along the ride, you're just wondering how best to make use of those precious IL spots. That's what this list is for.

Notably, the window to get any use out of an injured player is shrinking. We're more than halfway through the season, and most any injury suffered now, particularly to a pitcher, is likely to push into the last quarter. Timetable, then, takes on a little more weight in this latest round of the rankings, though how impactful the player is when healthy still holds top priority.

Too valuable to drop, period
1
Aaron Judge New York Yankees RF
stress fracture in rib - was expected five weeks ago to be reevaluated in 4-6 weeks, so getting close; will need lengthy rehab assignment even when he's cleared
2
Jose Ramirez Cleveland Guardians 3B
fractured hamate bone - back to hitting off a tee, hoping to return before the end of July
3
Ronald Acuna Jr. Atlanta Braves RF
strained hamstring - has been doing running drills and pregame workouts; about a week away from beginning rehab assignment
4
Julio Rodriguez Seattle Mariners CF
concussion - in concussion protocol after taking a throw to the back of the head; could return this weekend, but may wait until after break
5
Byron Buxton Minnesota Twins CF
strained hip - was in and out of the lineup for a few days; Twins are hoping the All-Star break will be enough time to resolve it completely
6
Oneil Cruz Pittsburgh Pirates CF
fractured hand - back to swinging a bat, had cast removed and reported to spring training complex about a week ago
7
Max Fried New York Yankees SP
bone bruise in elbow - first of two batting practice sessions complete, with rehab assignment to follow; end of July possible
8
Mike Trout Los Angeles Angels CF
strained hamstring - has resumed batting practice and running on the field, could return as soon as this weekend
9
Munetaka Murakami Chicago White Sox 1B
strained hamstring - began rehab assignment Monday, could return as soon as this weekend
10
Blake Snell Los Angeles Dodgers SP
loose bodies in elbow - first of two batting practice sessions this weekend, with rehab assignment to follow
11
Tyler Glasnow Los Angeles Dodgers SP
back spasms - hasn't progressed beyond playing catch yet; manager Dave Roberts has said Dodgers are playing it cautiously
12
Garrett Crochet Boston Red Sox RP
strained lat - hasn't begun throwing yet, which suggests he won't be back until at least August
13
Edwin Diaz Los Angeles Dodgers RP
loose bodies in elbow - successful bating practice session Sunday, with another to follow, and then rehab assignment
14
hip soreness - has resumed hitting, running and fielding; still unclear whether he'll need a rehab assignment
15
Wyatt Langford Texas Rangers LF
strained hamstring - was able to run at high capacity Tuesday and is looking to return later this week
16
Jeremy Pena Houston Astros SS
strained calf - beginning rehab assignment Tuesday after short recovery, should return when first eligible Friday
17
Ryan Jeffers Minnesota Twins C
fractured hamate bone - on rehab assignment, could return this weekend; actually leads all catchers in Head-to-Head points per game
18
Maikel Garcia Kansas City Royals 3B
strained hand - taking his time to recover from nagging injury that may have impacted production; likely back before August
19
Corey Seager Texas Rangers SS
back inflammation - no clear timetable for return yet but has struggled greatly in between injuries this year, lowering his standing here
Also really difficult to drop
20
Carlos Rodon New York Yankees SP
elbow inflammation - out 4-6 weeks with what's been deemed "significant" inflammation, though UCL is intact
21
Spencer Strider Atlanta Braves SP
elbow inflammation - about three weeks into prescribed month of rest; eligible to return Aug. 12 but likely to be later
22
Will Smith Los Angeles Dodgers C
neck inflammation - has resumed hitting and throwing, should head out on rehab assignment soon
23
Logan Henderson Milwaukee Brewers SP
strained back - has looked good in two rehab starts, likely back for weekend series
24
Vinnie Pasquantino Kansas City Royals 1B
fractured hamate bone - will begin rehab assignment Tuesday after spending a week at spring training complex, should return for start of second half
25
Konnor Griffin Pittsburgh Pirates SS
torn tendon in finger - out 8-10 weeks, which may leave only a few weeks in September
26
Roman Anthony Boston Red Sox OF
sprained wrist and finger - still minimal progress; recently reported to spring facility in Florida for "peace of mind" and to see hand specialist
27
Kris Bubic Kansas City Royals SP
elbow/shoulder soreness - won't begin ramping up until after the All-Star break
28
Ryan Helsley Baltimore Orioles RP
elbow inflammation - seeking second opinion after having MRI; missed seven weeks with the same injury earlier this year
29
Daniel Palencia Chicago Cubs RP
flexor strain - throwing with weighted ball; likely won't need lengthy rehab, making July return possible
Still a priority on some level
30
Connelly Early Boston Red Sox SP
elbow inflammation - seeking second opinion for initial diagnosis, hoping to rule out something more serious
31
Brandon Woodruff Milwaukee Brewers SP
shoulder inflammation - missed six weeks with similar injury; return this season isn't guaranteed
32
Mike Soroka Arizona Diamondbacks SP
glute discomfort - throwing bullpen sessions, could return for start of second half
33
Luis Robert New York Mets CF
herniated disc - scheduled to begin rehab assignment Tuesday, could return following All-Star break
34
Spencer Schwellenbach Atlanta Braves P
bone spurs in elbow - close to ramping up at Braves spring complex, but late August seems like best-case scenario
35
Nick Pivetta San Diego Padres RP
flexor strain - throwing bullpen sessions, but not at full intensity; August return possible if everything goes right
36
Brendan Donovan Seattle Mariners 2B
strained groin - beginning rehab assignment Tuesday, could be lengthy one since he hasn't played since May 15
37
Trevor Story Boston Red Sox SS
sports hernia - back to full baseball activities, though still at less than full capacity; likely a few weeks away still
Stashing is purely a luxury
38
Ben Brown Chicago Cubs RP
stress reaction in neck - similar injury cost him four months last year, but misdiagnosis may have delayed his recovery
39
Spencer Horwitz Pittsburgh Pirates 1B
strained hamstring - should be able to return before the end of July
40
Matt Chapman San Francisco Giants 3B
strained abdominal - potentially back this weekend, but no update as to his progress yet
41
Clay Holmes New York Mets RP
fractured fibula - set to begin rehab assignment in late July, putting him on track to return by mid-August
42
Grayson Rodriguez Los Angeles Angels SP
back tightness - has allowed two earned runs across two rehab starts, with nearly a strikeout per inning
43
Gleyber Torres Detroit Tigers 2B
strained oblique - has resumed running but not hitting yet, likely back before the end of the month
44
Giancarlo Stanton New York Yankees DH
strained calf - still only running on a treadmill; June setback likely puts him another month away still
45
A.J. Smith-Shawver Atlanta Braves SP
Tommy John surgery - has looked electric in two rehab starts, putting him in the stash conversation
46
Corbin Burnes Arizona Diamondbacks SP
strained shoulder - close to having follow-up imaging; also returning from Tommy John surgery, so will need lengthy build-up
47
Robert Suarez Atlanta Braves RP
elbow inflammation - not considered a serious case, should return early in second half
48
Edward Cabrera Chicago Cubs SP
strained hamstring - began playing catch this weekend, should be back before the end of July
49
Bailey Ober Minnesota Twins SP
elbow inflammation - threw 76 pitches in last rehab start Saturday, could be activated as soon as this weekend
50
Jameson Taillon Chicago Cubs SP
strained hamstring - lasted 3 1/3 innings in Sunday rehab start, will make another one before returning
51
Joe Musgrove San Diego Padres SP
Tommy John surgery - has been playing catch and doing long toss but needs to ramp up soon to have a chance
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