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Welcome back to our top fantasy baseball injury stashes for Week 20, looking at IL players as of August 11. Today's list of injured MLB players to consider stashing off the fantasy baseball waiver wire includes Triston McKenzie, Byron Buxton, Nick Lodolo, Ryan Helsley, and Rowdy Tellez.
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 redraft 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. With most of the relevant injured players dealing with long-term injuries, we'll discuss those who are most likely to be impactful in fantasy upon return.
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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Triston McKenzie - SP, Cleveland Guardians
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie has been one of the most exciting young players in baseball when healthy. The 2022 season was his second in the majors, and McKenzie improved significantly. McKenzie earned a 2.96 ERA with 190 strikeouts in 191 1/3 innings. In 2021, the young starter had a 4.95 ERA with 136 strikeouts in 120 innings. McKenzie may have taken a step back in the strikeout department, but he was a better pitcher overall.
The 25-year-old starting pitcher was placed on the injured list in mid-June with elbow discomfort. The discomfort was determined to be a UCL sprain, and the right-hander has been working to return ever since the diagnosis. The injury updates have been few and far between, but the latest news stated that McKenzie has been playing catch for several days with no setbacks. McKenzie and the Guardians remain hopeful he can return by early to mid-September, barring any setbacks.
McKenzie is 61% rostered in Yahoo and 56.5% rostered in ESPN leagues, so he should be available on some waiver wires. Fantasy managers should stash or try to acquire McKenzie because he was a top pitching option when he was last healthy. McKenzie may have little time to contribute much volume, but his starts will likely help your ratios more than streaming a lesser pitcher.
Byron Buxton - OF, Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton has been one of the biggest disappointments in baseball this season. Many fans and analysts alike have been hoping for the Buxton breakout for years, and it seems 2023 was not the year. After a 2022 season during which he set a new career-high in home runs, Buxton has followed it up by batting .207 with 17 home runs and 109 strikeouts in 85 games. Buxton is still hitting the ball very hard and collecting barrels, but the production has yet to be there.
He has been on and off the injured list this season, with his most recent trip coming on August 4. The 29-year-old was placed on the injured list with a nagging hamstring and has been shut down for the next two weeks. Despite his struggles and lingering injuries, Buxton has an upside that few players in fantasy baseball have. Based on the timeline, he may return by the end of August.
Buxton is 74% rostered in Yahoo and 48.1% rostered in ESPN leagues, so he's more available in ESPN leagues. The Twins' former top draft pick has only played more than 100 games in a season once since his MLB debut in 2015, but Buxton possesses the skills and strength to be one of the most impactful players in baseball. If Buxton returns fully healthy, he can hit 10 or more home runs in September and be one of the best players in fantasy in the final stretch.
Nick Lodolo - SP, Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Nick Lodolo had a decent rookie season last year, posting a 3.66 ERA with 131 strikeouts in 103 1/3 innings. Lodolo also had an xERA of 3.97 and an xFIP of 3.49, so the expected statistics largely back up what the young pitcher accomplished. The 25-year-old routinely had a K/9 over 11 in his minor league career and had an 11.41 K/9 in his first MLB season. The young strikeout artist was a popular breakout pick for this year but has yet to make an impact.
Lodolo has been on the injured list since early May with a stress reaction in his tibia. The young pitcher was in a walking boot for multiple weeks due to the injury and has been working his way back to the mound since. Lodolo threw a bullpen session on Monday and will throw two innings today. A late August return is expected if Lodolo stays on his current trajectory.
Lodolo is 47% rostered in Yahoo and 55.8% rostered in ESPN leagues, so he's available in nearly half of the leagues. The strikeout artist has been injured for a while, but his ability to miss bats is among the top pitchers in baseball. Fantasy managers with an open IL slot should consider stashing Lodolo because he can offer substantial strikeout numbers and could be in line for some wins with the way the Reds' lineup has been performing.
Ryan Helsley - RP, St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Ryan Helsley was one of baseball's most dominant players at his position last season. Helsley recorded a 1.25 ERA, 2.04 xERA, 2.34 FIP, and 2.60 xFIP with 94 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings. The Cardinals reliever also collected 19 saves in 54 appearances last season. Helsley possesses strong strikeout stuff and a 100 mph fastball to go with it.
The 28-year-old pitcher was placed on the injured list in mid-June with a forearm strain. Helsley has been working on his throwing program since then and appears almost ready to return to the big league bullpen. The Cardinals flamethrower began his rehab assignment on Sunday and has looked good in his appearances. An activation from the injured list within the next few days is possible for Helsley based on the rehab appearances he has already made.
Helsley is 76% rostered in Yahoo and 49.7% rostered in ESPN leagues, so he is available in more ESPN leagues. Fantasy managers should try adding or acquiring Helsley because the Cardinals traded their closer Jordan Hicks at the trade deadline, opening the door for Helsley to return to his role as the closer.
Rowdy Tellez - 1B, Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Rowdy Tellez has demonstrated the ability to be a productive power bat, but he has only sometimes had the opportunity to display that ability. In 2022, Tellez played the most games of his career and made the most of it. Tellez set career-highs in singles, doubles, home runs, runs, RBI, stolen bases, walk rate, and WAR. Tellez has not been quite as productive this season, but the potential remains.
Tellez was placed on the injured list on July 5 with a forearm injury but appeared close to returning when he fractured his finger while trying to field a fly ball. The brutal luck with injuries has taken more than a month of playing time away from Tellez, but he appears close to returning. Tellez played in his first rehab game on Tuesday, during which he played first base and led off.
Tellez is 31% rostered in Yahoo and 46.5% in ESPN leagues, so he should be around on waiver wires. The 28-year-old may be unable to repeat his 2022 performance, but he still plays his home games at American Family Field and can likely still hit for power. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should have Tellez on their radar or in their IL slots.
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