Five Injured Players to Stash in Fantasy Baseball - Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 10

May 26, 2024

Wade highlights the top-five fantasy baseball hitters and pitchers that can be stashed in your IL spots in redraft leagues as of May 24, 2024 (Week 10).

Welcome back, RotoBallers, to another weekly edition of the Injured Players to Stash in Fantasy Baseball series! As we move into Week 10, this article highlights five injured players worth stashing in your leagues. If you're new to the series, be sure to check out previous articles for even more options.

Many productive players are set to return in the near future. Stashing them in your IL spots until they're back could pay off in dividends. Whether you need pitching, offense, or both, someone on this list is bound to help.

As always, only those rostered in less than 60% of Yahoo leagues are eligible for this list. My goal is to highlight overlooked players who are actually available. With that being said, let's get into this week's five.

Jeffrey Springs, SP, Tampa Bay Rays

Rostered: 15% Yahoo
Estimated Return: Late June

At the beginning of last season, Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs (elbow) was one of the most exciting pitchers in baseball. Then, after making just three starts, he tore his UCL and underwent Tommy John surgery. After missing over a year, he's currently on a rehab assignment with the Rays' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate.

Heading into the 2023 season, the fantasy baseball community had high hopes for Springs. In 2022, he threw 135 1/3 innings with a 2.46 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 144 strikeouts. Through his first three starts in 2023, Springs looked like an early contender for the AL Cy Young Award. In 16 innings, he'd punched out 24 batters and allowed only four hits, one run, and four walks. His changeup was one of the most impressive pitches in the game.

Overall, Springs should be getting more attention. For weeks, I wrote about how much upside Kyle Bradish had and how confused I was with his roster percentage being below 60%. The same is true for Springs. While he's been out for much longer, he was incredible for the Rays and showed tremendous upside.

Maybe he's just being overshadowed by the surplus of pitchers returning before the All-Star break (e.g., Gerrit Cole, Kodai Senga, and Max Scherzer). But unlike those guys, Springs is available almost everywhere. With how rough pitching has been in 2024, I see no reason why you shouldn't pick him up.

12 Ks and 0 H for Jeffrey Springs.

You're gonna want to keep an eye on this guy. pic.twitter.com/Yz4zABSUKR

— MLB (@MLB) April 2, 2023

DJ LeMahieu, IF, New York Yankees

Rostered: 13% Yahoo
Estimated Return: May 28

New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu (fractured right foot) has yet to make his 2024 season debut. His first rehab assignment began on April 23, but he was shut down after just one inning and didn't play again until May 21. Fortunately, he's expected to rejoin the Yankees on May 28.

Over the last three seasons, LeMahieu is slashing .258/.345/.375 with 105 extra-base hits in 441 games. While it'd be nice to see more power, his fantasy value in 2024 will come from 1). his ability to get on base, and 2). having Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, and Giancarlo Stanton hit behind him. Assuming he reclaims the leadoff spot when he returns, he'll immediately be one of the premier run-scoring options in fantasy. Also, his eligibility at first, second, and third base allows for lineup flexibility.

There aren't many players on the waivers with LeMahieu's run-scoring capabilities. Keep in mind that his play style is generally better in points leagues, and his value will likely be limited to runs and batting average in roto leagues. Overall, he may not be an MVP candidate anymore, but the Yankees' leadoff hitter is bound to provide some value.

An RBI single for DJ LeMahieu in Brooklyn tonight pic.twitter.com/hmQtEFMyKT

— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) May 21, 2024

Ke'Bryan Hayes, 3B, Pittsburgh Pirates

Rostered: 47% Yahoo
Estimated Return: Late May

Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes (back) has been out since May 7. Before his injury, he was slashing .240/.322/.318 with seven doubles and one home run in 149 plate appearances to start the season. According to reports, he could rejoin the Pirates at the end of the month if all goes well.

Ke’Bryan Hayes (right) just finished up some sprints on the field pic.twitter.com/6UEU8qmUCR

— Andrew Destin (@AndrewDestin1) May 23, 2024

Hayes has had an incredibly disappointing start in 2024. It'd be easy to write him off, but I think there's more gas in the tank. Simply put, he's done this before and turned it around. Last year, he underperformed in April and May. In 220 plate appearances, his slash line was .221/.273/.348 with 12 doubles, four triples, and two home runs. Then, in June, he slashed .337/.337/.518 with four doubles and three home runs in 83 plate appearances. After missing almost all of July, he was even better over the last two months. In his last 49 games of 2023, Hayes slashed .299/.335/.539 with 15 doubles, two triples, and 10 home runs in 218 plate appearances.

There's no guarantee that Hayes will heat up when he comes back, but (in my opinion) it's worth the risk. It's been hard to find consistent production at third base, and there aren't many players capable of producing an .850 OPS from here on out. Even if he's rostered in your league, he could be an excellent buy-low option.

Brandon Drury, 1B/2B, Los Angeles Angels

Rostered: 21%
Estimated Return: Uncertain

Los Angeles Angels infielder Brandon Drury (hamstring) has been out since May 8. Before that, he'd been struggling at the plate. However, based on his track record, he deserves the benefit of the doubt moving forward.

To start 2024, Drury has gone 18-for-104 with two doubles and a home run in 30 games. While he's had a rough month, what he's done over the last few years shouldn't be overlooked. From 2021-23, he slashed .263/.313/.493 with 66 doubles, 58 homers, and 184 RBI in 314 games. That kind of production, especially at second base, isn't easy to find.

Brandon Drury - Los Angeles Angels (1)
pic.twitter.com/3yYImHGCTz

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) April 14, 2024

Drury began hitting in the batting cage on Monday, so it seems like a rehab assignment could be imminent. When he gets healthy, it's hard to imagine that he'll continue posting a 34 OPS+. Overall, he's worth a shot.

Devin Williams, RP, Milwaukee Brewers

Rostered: 59%
Estimated Return: Late July

Another week, another article highlighting how Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Devin Williams is still only rostered in 59% of Yahoo leagues. When he comes back, he'll almost certainly continue being one of the best relievers in baseball. Another closer with his value won't come along via the waiver wire anytime soon.

At 29 years old, Williams has been dominant. Since winning NL Rookie of the Year in 2020, he's thrown 200.1 IP with a 1.75 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and a staggering 14.5 K/9. He's also notched 45 saves since taking over as the Brewers' permanent closer. With only half a season before hitting free agency, he'll likely go all-out for a hefty payday.

Devin Williams threw a baseball today at his job.

“I think the goal is end of July," he said.https://t.co/SZqmdI1Fkd

— Curt Hogg (@CyrtHogg) May 18, 2024

If Williams is available in your league, put him up. Full stop. Hopefully, he won't be eligible for this list next week. There aren't many people who can do what he does.

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