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Josh's top 25 injured players to stash for fantasy baseball as of May 20, 2025 (Week 8). His top fantasy baseball injury stashes for IL spots and redraft leagues.
Welcome, RotoBallers, to a revamped installment of the Injured Players to Stash for Fantasy Baseball series as we head into Week 8 of the 2025 MLB season. Today, we list the top 25 high-profile injured MLB players rostered in less than 65% of leagues worth stashing in your leagues, including names like Brandon Woodruff, Justin Martinez, Eury Perez, and more.
Whether managers had to drop these players or they were left off rosters, you can capitalize on your league mates' mistakes. With some savvy moves now, you can set yourself up for season-long success.
Below, I've listed my top 25 injured players in fantasy baseball in order of Yahoo! roster percentage. I've also highlighted five players to watch, as they could return sooner rather than later. Without further ado, let's get to the list!
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Top-25 Stash-Worthy Injured Players For Fantasy Baseball
| Player | Team | IL Type | Roster % | Estimated Return |
| Brandon Woodruff | Milwaukee Brewers | IL 15 (Ankle) | 63% | Late May |
| Justin Martinez | Diamondbacks | IL 15 (Shoulder) | 56% | May 23-25 |
| Colton Cowser | Baltimore Orioles | IL 60 (Thumb) | 55% | Early June |
| Walker Buehler | Boston Red Sox | IL 15 (Shoulder) | 54% | May 20 |
| Andres Gimenez | Toronto Blue Jays | IL 10 (Quadriceps) | 52% | Late May |
| Kirby Yates | Dodgers | IL 15 (Hamstring) | 44% | TBD |
| Grayson Rodriguez | Baltimore Orioles | IL 60 (Lat) | 42% | Late June |
| Tyler O'Neill | Baltimore Orioles | IL 15 (Shoulder) | 42% | TBD |
| Jared Jones | Pittsburgh Pirates | IL 60 (Elbow) | 42% | TBD |
| Yu Darvish | San Diego Padres | IL 15 (Elbow) | 39% | TBD |
| Sean Manaea | New York Mets | IL 60 (Oblique) | 36% | TBD |
| Spencer Arrighetti | Houston Astros | IL 15 (Thumb) | 35% | TBD |
| Reynaldo Lopez | Atlanta Braves | IL 60 (Shoulder) | 33% | TBD |
| Lane Thomas | Cleveland Guardian | IL 10 (Wrist) | 29% | May 20-25 |
| Eury Perez | Miami Marlins | IL 60 (Elbow) | 29% | Early June |
| Carlos Correa | Minnesota Twins | IL 7 (Concussion) | 28% | TBD |
| Luis Gil | New York Yankees | IL 60 (Lat) | 27% | June |
| Noelvi Marte | Cincinnati Reds | IL 10 (Oblique) | 26% | TBD |
| Shane Bieber | Cleveland Guardians | IL 60 (Elbow) | 25% | June |
| A.J. Puk | Diamondbacks | IL 60 (Elbow) | 23% | Late June |
| Victor Robles | Seattle Mariners | IL 60 (Shoulder) | 17% | TBD |
| Giancarlo Stanton | New York Yankees | IL 60 (Elbows) | 12% | TBD |
| Luke Keaschall | Minnesota Twins | IL 60 (Forearm) | 12% | TBD |
| Nestor Cortes | Milwaukee Brewers | IL 60 (Elbow) | 11% | June |
| Parker Meadows | Detroit Tigers | IL 60 (Arm) | 10% | June |
Fantasy Baseball Players To Monitor Closely
Brandon Woodruff, SP - Milwaukee Brewers
Rostered: 63% Yahoo!
Estimated Return: Late May
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff was on the verge of returning last week, but suffered an ankle injury before his previous rehab start. The ankle injury has pushed back Woodruff's return date, but the veteran pitcher could join the rotation in the next couple of weeks.
Woodruff missed the entire 2024 season with his shoulder injury, but he had an impressive start to the season two years ago. The 32-year-old had a 2.28 ERA and 74 strikeouts through 67 innings in 2023.
Woodruff owns a career 3.10 ERA in over 680 innings of work, so he has been a dependable starter for a long time. It will be a tough task for Woodruff to return to pre-injury form, but his potential upside is high enough to give him a chance.
Justin Martinez, RP - Arizona Diamondbacks
Rostered: 56% Yahoo!
Estimated Return: May 23-25
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Justin Martinez held the closer role before succumbing to a shoulder injury. Shelby Miller filled in when Martinez and A.J. Puk were placed on the injured list, but Martinez could potentially reclaim that role once he returns.
Martinez is one of the hardest throwers in baseball, with his fastball velocity ranking in the 99th percentile this season. The 23-year-old also has a 59.1% ground-ball rate in 2025, which is highly valuable for limiting hits and inducing double plays.
Martinez is slated to throw an inning as part of his rehab assignment today, May 20th, then rejoin the team before the end of the week. Miller performed well in Martinez's absence, but the youngster has greater upside. Stash Martinez ahead of his return, and hopefully, you snag the closer for a surging Diamondbacks offense.
Lane Thomas, OF - Cleveland Guardians
Rostered: 29% Yahoo!
Estimated Return: May 20-25
Cleveland Guardians outfielder Lane Thomas landed on the injured list with a wrist injury, but is nearing a return.
Thomas took a step back offensively last season, but had a more than serviceable season in 2023. The 29-year-old mashed 28 home runs and stole 20 bases two years ago. Despite his power and average numbers dropping in 2024, Thomas still managed to steal 32 bases.
The Guardians outfielder hit a home run and stole a base in his rehab game on Sunday, May 18, so he should be just days away from activation. Thomas possesses true power/speed upside and can be easily acquired before his return.
Eury Perez, SP - Miami Marlins
Rostered: 29% Yahoo!
Estimated Return: Early June
Miami Marlins starting pitcher Eury Perez has been rehabbing after his Tommy John surgery. He is more than halfway through his eight scheduled rehab starts before returning to the rotation.
Eury Perez is done for the night on his 5th rehab start:
4 IP | 1 ER (HR) | 3 H | 0 BB | 3 K
99 mph max on his fastball! pic.twitter.com/A0MAjTqYpF
— Jupiter Hammerheads (@GoHammerheads) May 16, 2025
Perez missed the 2024 season after his surgery, but posted impressive numbers during his rookie campaign in 2023. Perez finished the year with a 3.15 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 91 1/3 innings.
The former top prospect is still just 22 years old and has plenty of talent to build on what he did two years ago. Perez has ace potential written all over him, and he will be a mainstay in these pieces every week until he's activated or his roster percentage passes 65%.
Parker Meadows, OF - Detroit Tigers
Rostered: 10% Yahoo!
Estimated Return: June
Detroit Tigers outfielder Parker Meadows is working his way back from an arm injury to landed him on the 60-day injured list, but he is on the verge of beginning a rehab assignment.
Parker Meadows hits a go-ahead grand slam with the @Tigers down to their last strike! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/XdGZXdok42
— MLB (@MLB) September 6, 2024
The 25-year-old is a former second-round pick and possesses a power-speed combo that could make him a valuable fantasy asset. That said, Meadows has yet to put it all together for a full season in the majors.
Meadows has flashed his potential in the past, and he is worth stashing in deeper formats where outfield talent is scarce.
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