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Welcome back to our top fantasy baseball injury stashes for Week 23, looking at IL players as of September 1. Today's list of injured MLB players to consider stashing off the fantasy baseball waiver wire includes Lars Nootbaar, Ranger Suarez, Taylor Walls, Ryan Helsley, and Joey Votto.
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 rather than later. With the fantasy season approaching its final month, we'll discuss those 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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Lars Nootbaar - OF, St Louis Cardinals
St Louis Cardinals outfielder and El Segundo legend Lars Nootbaar continues to improve each year in the majors. The 25-year-old slugger is slashing .283/.382/.453 with 12 home runs, 60 runs, and 39 RBI in 2023. As soon as he returns from his rehab assignment, Nootbaar should pick up right where he left off.
The young outfielder has been on the injured list since August 16 with a groin contusion. The injury occurred when Nootbaar was struck by a ball that he fouled off. Nootbaar began his Triple-A rehab assignment on Wednesday and could be activated as soon as Friday. Whether he returns Friday or the following days, Nootbaar is a strong add.
Nootbaar is 69% rostered in Yahoo and 31.5% rostered in ESPN leagues, so he should be available on roughly half of waiver wires. Fantasy managers should stash Nootbaar because he is a talented hitter on a good offense. Upon his return, Nootbaar could be a sneaky source of batting average, runs, and RBI.
Ranger Suarez - SP, Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suarez has been a serviceable starter since his first extended run in 2021. This season, Suarez has regressed a bit from his 2022 campaign but still has decent numbers in an injury-plagued season.
Suarez has been on the injured list since August 13 with a hamstring injury. The 27-year-old pitcher will bypass the typical minor league rehab assignment before activation and start Sunday's contest for the Philadelphia Phillies against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Suarez is 22% rostered in Yahoo and 22.2% rostered in ESPN leagues, so he's available in most leagues. Fantasy managers should stash Suarez because there are few starting pitchers left on the wire that can make the fantasy impact that Suarez can. The veteran right-handed pitcher is one of baseball's best ground ball pitchers and can be acquired very easily.
Taylor Walls - SS/2B/3B, Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays infielder Taylor Walls has shown flashes of being an above-average major league player multiple times in his career. The season-long numbers do not look great this year for Walls, slashing .211/.315/.360, but the Tampa Bay Rays typically know which situations certain players thrive in and put those players in positions to succeed.
Walls has been on the injured list since July 22 with an oblique strain. The recovery process has been lengthy, but Walls is closing in on his return. The 27-year-old has been working on his rehab assignment, and by all reports, he is doing well. Assuming he stays on schedule, Walls could return this weekend.
Walls is 12% rostered in Yahoo and 11.1% rostered in ESPN leagues, so he's available in most leagues. Fantasy managers with an open IL slot should consider stashing Walls because he has a decent combination of power and speed. In 79 games this season, Walls has seven home runs and 20 stolen bases.
Ryan Helsley - RP, St Louis Cardinals
St Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley is one of the most dominant relievers in baseball and could be close to returning from the injured list. With the trade of Jordan Hicks at the deadline, Helsley seems to be the locked-and-loaded closer for a team that could win many games down the stretch and put Helsley in the position to save those games.
The 29-year-old pitcher has been on the injured list since June 12 with a forearm injury. Helsley would have likely returned weeks ago but suffered a setback in his recovery during a Double-A rehab game. Since then, Helsley has made multiple Triple-A appearances and could return with his teammate Lars Nootbaar as soon as Friday.
Helsley is 71% rostered in Yahoo and 47.3% rostered in ESPN leagues, so he is available in nearly half of ESPN leagues. Helsley's roster percentages remain relatively high for someone who has not pitched in several months, but that shows the upside managers know he possesses. Fantasy managers should try stashing Helsley because he was one of the best closers in baseball when healthy.
Joey Votto - 1B, Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto was one of the best hitters of his generation and one of the surest bats to rely on in fantasy baseball. Votto is no spring chicken, but he has the accolades to show he knows what it takes to be a successful hitter in the big leagues.
Votto was placed on the injured list on August 24 with shoulder discomfort. Not many reports surround Votto's road to recovery from this shoulder injury, but Bob Nightengale says the return for Votto should come soon. Votto could be activated from the injured list in the first or second week of September, as early as September 3.
Votto is 13% rostered in Yahoo and 7% in ESPN leagues, so he should be around on most waiver wires. The 39-year-old has shown the ability to dominate at the major league level play and could do it again in the season's final month. Fantasy managers needing help at first base should have Votto in their IL slots because of his upside.
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