Top Five Injured Players to Stash in Fantasy Baseball - Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 2

Wade highlights the top-five hitters and pitchers that can be stashed in your IL spots in fantasy baseball redraft leagues as of April 5, 2024 (Week 2).

With the 2024 MLB season underway, fantasy baseball is in full effect. After just one week, many rosters have already been changed. Whether it's because of a hot streak or an unfortunate injury, the waiver wire has quickly emerged as an invaluable resource for fantasy managers.

With players like Garrett Crochet, Maikel Garcia, and Michael Conforto dominating early must-add lists, multiple injured players are being overlooked. This article will highlight five who are worth stashing in your fantasy baseball league. Only players who are available in less than 60% of Yahoo leagues qualify.

If you missed last week's list, be sure to check out Top Five Injured Players to Stash in Fantasy Baseball - Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 1.

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Edward Cabrera - SP, Miami Marlins

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Edward Cabrera has shown a lot of potential over the last few years, but he hasn't quite put it together at the big-league level. While he has tallied 221 strikeouts in 197.2 career innings, he also has 118 walks. His command may be a deterrent, but his raw talent nonetheless makes him an intriguing option.

Last season, he finished in the top 30% for expected batting average, fastball velocity, average exit velocity, chase rate, whiff rate, strikeout rate, hard-hit rate, and ground-ball rate.

Cabrera has been dealing with shoulder issues over the last few weeks, but he made a rehab start in Triple-A on Sunday. He threw three innings and struck out two, but he also gave up four walks. On one hand, he could be rusty after missing some time. On the other, his struggles with command could continue in 2024.

Nonetheless, Cabrera has a lot of upside and potential. Rostered in just 14% of Yahoo leagues, he's someone to keep an eye on over the next few weeks, especially if he shows improvements in his control.

Edward Cabrera hit 99 in his rehab start today with @JaxShrimp.

3 IP, 2 H, 4 BB, 2 K, 43/20 P/S#Marlins pic.twitter.com/7NgeiHWxMr

— Fish on the Farm (@marlinsminors) March 31, 2024

Robert Stephenson - RP, Los Angeles Angels

Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Robert Stephenson signed a three-year contract for $33 million over the offseason after posting a 3.10 ERA and striking out 77 batters in 52.1 innings last year. After being traded from the Pirates to the Rays in early June, he had a 42.9% strikeout rate and just a 5.7% walk rate. Hitters struggled to make solid contact against him, largely because of his excellent four-pitch repertoire.

Stephenson has been struggling with shoulder discomfort for over a month, but has been ramping things up lately. He is eyeing a late-April return to the Angels bullpen. While Carlos Estevez will likely remain the team's closer, Stephenson presents an enticing option for fantasy leagues that factor in holds. Regardless, he has the potential to help lower your team's ERA and WHIP while increasing your strikeout numbers.

Stephenson threw his third bullpen in a week today. He's got a live BP coming up and then probably will start a rehab assignment soon after. https://t.co/PopoMogdfu

— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) April 3, 2024

Michael Lorenzen - SP, Texas Rangers

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen has been a dependable fantasy option over the last few years. In 2023, he posted a 4.18 ERA and threw 153 innings for the Tigers and Phillies, respectively. He was placed on the 15-day IL with a neck strain at the end of March, but made a rehab start in Triple-A Round Rock last Saturday. He threw less than three innings and gave up three runs, but his fastball sat in the mid-90s and his sweeper was working well.

It's unlikely that Lorenzen will produce at an elite rate, but he's a reliable arm who can go deep into games. Considering how he signed with the reigning World Series champion Rangers, he's in a great spot to rack up wins and quality starts. With lots of pitchers hitting the IL with injuries, Lorenzen is definitely a serviceable replacement. At the very least, he's worth streaming consideration.

That's an #RRExpress STRIKEOUT from @Lorenzen55 💪 pic.twitter.com/5W1ObaHKRX

— Round Rock Express (@RRExpress) March 31, 2024

Patrick Wisdom - 1B/3B/OF, Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs third baseman Patrick Wisdom has showcased impressive power, mashing 76 home runs despite missing 149 games during that period. His ability to hit for power is evident in his consistently high barrel rates. In 2023, his .498 expected slugging percentage would have ranked among the top 10% had he reached the minimum amount of plate appearances to qualify. While he strikes out a lot and tends to have a low batting average, his 9.4% career walk rate helps offset some of the swing-and-miss in his game.

Wisdom is currently on the 10-day injured list with back issues. The 32-year-old veteran is expected to make his 2024 debut in the middle of April. With Garrett Cooper and Christopher Morel having solid starts to the season, it might seem like he'll have to fight for playing time.

But the Cubs have moved him all around the diamond in recent years, including both corner outfield spots and first base. Given his raw power, he should have a spot in the lineup once he's ready to go.

Overall, stashing Wisdom probably won't turn out to be a league-winning move, but if your team is struggling to keep up in the power department, he's certainly worth consideration. The Cubs have a talented roster that could lead to plenty of RBI opportunities as well. Despite his impressive power numbers and multi-position eligibility, Wisdom is currently available in 97% of Yahoo leagues.

Orion Kerkering - RP, Philadelphia Phillies

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Orion Kerkering burst onto the scene last season after dominating in the minor leagues. He started the 2023 season in Low-A and finished the year on the Phillies' 26-man roster. In 53.2 minor league innings, he posted a 1.51 ERA with 79 strikeouts and only 12 walks. The 22-year-old righty only threw three innings for the Phillies in the regular season, giving up one run and striking out six.

Kerkering's 2024 debut has been delayed due to a combination of illness and forearm issues. He is eligible to return to action on April 9. If his rehab assignment goes well, he could find his way into the Phillies bullpen rather quickly. When it comes to upside, there aren't many relievers with more of it than Kerkering. Right now, he's only rostered in 12% of Yahoo leagues.

Regarding that injury designation -- "right forearm strain" -- for Orion Kerkering, Rob Thomson said it's "due to fatigue" from the flu that set him back in spring. Thomson said Kerkering touched 98 mph yesterday in a minor-league game and will pitch in triple-A over the weekend.

— Scott Lauber (@ScottLauber) March 28, 2024

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