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Josh's top 25 injured players to stash for fantasy baseball as of Week 15 (2025). His top fantasy baseball injury stashes for IL spots and redraft leagues.
Welcome back, RotoBallers, to another installment of the Injured Players to Stash for Fantasy Baseball series as we head into Week 15 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 Bryce Miller, Kerry Carpenter, Jameson Taillon, 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, you can scoop up difference-makers before your opponents get the chance.
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 |
| Luis Robert Jr. | Chicago White Sox | IL10 (Hamstring) | 63% | July 7-13 |
| Bryce Miller | Seattle Mariners | IL15 (Elbow) | 61% | Late July/Early August |
| Anthony Santander | Toronto Blue Jays | IL10 (Oblique) | 61% | August |
| Kerry Carpenter | Detroit Tigers | IL10 (Hamstring) | 55% | Late July |
| Ivan Herrera | St. Louis Cardinals | IL10 (Hamstring) | 53% | Late July |
| Tyler Mahle | Texas Rangers | IL60 (Shoulder) | 51% | Late August |
| Dylan Crews | Washington Nationals | IL10 (Oblique) | 50% | Late July |
| Ezequiel Tovar | Colorado Rockies | IL10 (Oblique) | 47% | July 11-13 |
| Zach Eflin | Baltimore Orioles | IL15 (Back) | 44% | Late July |
| Sean Manaea | New York Mets | IL60 (Oblique) | 40% | July 13 |
| Tylor Megill | New York Mets | IL15 (Elbow) | 39% | August |
| Jameson Taillon | Chicago Cubs | IL15 (Calf) | 36% | August |
| Grayson Rodriguez | Baltimore Orioles | IL60 (Lat) | 36% | August |
| Andres Gimenez | Toronto Blue Jays | IL10 (Ankle) | 35% | Late July/Early August |
| Shane Bieber | Cleveland Guardians | IL60 (Elbow) | 33% | Early August |
| Luis Gil | New York Yankees | IL60 (Lat) | 32% | August |
| Spencer Arrighetti | Houston Astros | IL60 (Thumb) | 30% | Early August |
| Gabriel Moreno | Arizona Diamondbacks | IL10 (Hand) | 25% | Late July |
| Ryan Mountcastle | Baltimore Orioles | IL60 (Hamstring) | 23% | Late July |
| Tanner Houck | Boston Red Sox | IL15 (Elbow) | 23% | Late July |
| Lane Thomas | Cleveland Guardians | IL10 (Foot) | 22% | TBD |
| Bowden Francis | Toronto Blue Jays | IL15 (Shoulder) | 17% | TBD |
| Ryan Yarbrough | New York Yankees | IL15 (Oblique) | 12% | TBD |
| Victor Robles | Seattle Mariners | IL60 (Shoulder) | 12% | September |
| Zebby Matthews | Minnesota Twins | IL15 (Shoulder) | 11% | Late July |
Fantasy Baseball Players To Monitor Closely
Bryce Miller, SP - Seattle Mariners
Rostered: 61% Yahoo!
Estimated Return: Late July/Early August
Miller has been sidelined with an elbow injury since the beginning of June but has been inching closer to a return lately. Miller threw off a mound on Saturday, July 5, and this development is an important step in his rehab process.
This is Miller's second stint on the injured list for an elbow injury this season, but his upside still makes him an attractive player to stash. The Mariners pitcher was a popular breakout candidate and consensus top-50 starting pitcher during the preseason.
Bryce Miller month of April:
6 GS
35.1 IP
39 K
2.04 ERAHis improved arsenal has completely transformed him as a pitcher. He looks like a frontline starter.
Bryce Miller all star season is coming.pic.twitter.com/oVZ6wIQVO7
— Steve (@MarinersSteve) April 30, 2024
Miller finished the 2024 season with a 2.94 ERA and 171 strikeouts in 180 1/3 innings. The 26-year-old was expected to build on that success this year, but that hasn't been the case so far. Miller should be back shortly after the All-Star break and could be in store for a big second half.
The young right-hander is rostered in 61% of Yahoo! leagues, and that number should be nearly 100% as we approach his return. Acquire Miller, where he's available, and grab a piece of one of the best rotations in baseball.
Kerry Carpenter, OF - Detroit Tigers
Rostered: 55% Yahoo!
Estimated Return: Late July
Carpenter is dealing with a hamstring injury that should hold him out through the break, but he could be a sneaky stash candidate this week before the break.
The Tigers' lefty slugger started the season hot with seven home runs and four doubles through April, but his strikeout rate has crept up every month this year. Carpenter had a 17.3% strikeout rate through April, a 22.6% strikeout rate in May, and a 25.7% strikeout rate in June. Add in the fact that he's not an everyday starter for Detroit, and that makes him a difficult player to roster.
Despite his struggles, Carpenter does possess great upside when he starts against right-handed pitchers. Carpenter has an .809 OPS and 125 wRC+ against righties this season, compared to a .600 OPS and 59 wRC+ against southpaws. The 27-year-old also has a manageable 20.3% strikeout rate against right-handed pitching, compared to a 28.2% strikeout rate against lefties.
Given that most pitchers are right-handed, Carpenter should have the opportunity to positively contribute to fantasy teams once he returns. Carpenter is only 55% rostered on Yahoo!, so he's available in nearly half of leagues.
Stash him while you can because he is an underrated source of power. Carpenter is tied for 14th in the league in home runs with 16, despite having fewer plate appearances than anyone else with 16 home runs.
Jameson Taillon, SP - Chicago Cubs
Rostered: 36% Yahoo!
Estimated Return: August
Taillon has been a key contributor to the Cubs' rotation, and the team will feel his loss due to a calf strain.
The 33-year-old has been able to deliver a ton of innings for Chicago in the first half, and that should come as no surprise, given he's surpassed 154 innings in each of the past three seasons. Taillon's 95 1/3 innings currently rank 52nd among starting pitchers, but another stat shows how effective he's been this year.
A quality start is a start where the pitcher goes at least six innings and gives up no more than three earned runs. 31 pitchers have thrown at least 10 quality starts this season, and Taillon is one of them.
This ability to work deep into games and limit runs makes Taillon a strong asset in leagues that value quality starts. Pitching deep into games also puts pitchers in line for wins, and Taillon has seven of those already this season with the Cubs strong offense behind him.
The Cubs starter is available in over 60% of Yahoo! leagues and should return in August. Stash Taillon in points leagues since his 4.44 ERA is not ideal for your ratios in roto leagues.
Lane Thomas, OF - Cleveland Guardians
Rostered: 22% Yahoo!
Estimated Return: TBD
Guardians outfielder Lane Thomas hadn't gotten his season off the ground before hitting the injured list with a foot injury, but he's a name to know, especially in roto leagues.
Thomas has only had 125 plate appearances this year, but he mashed four home runs and stole four bags in that span. Thomas only hit .237 in 202,4, but he hit 15 home runs and stole 32 bases. In 2023, Thomas hit 28 home runs and stole 20 bases.
The 29-year-old is a yearly 20/20 threat, and he could maintain that pace once he returns from this injury. Thomas is only rostered in 22% of Yahoo! leagues, making him widely available. Stash him in roto leagues where his power-speed combo makes him a valuable player to add to rosters.
Zebby Matthews, SP - Minnesota Twins
Rostered: 11% Yahoo!
Estimated Return: Late July
The 25-year-old is interesting because of his exceptional command. While he did not have a great ERA when he first debuted last season, Matthews displayed his low walk rate and high strikeout upside.
Zebby Matthews, Literal Back Foot Slider. 🦶 pic.twitter.com/iF2AwZseSM
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 24, 2025
Matthews has continued to show that strikeout ability by posting an 11.84 K/9 in 19 innings this season. Matthews has been throwing bullpen sessions and could continue his progression this week. If all goes well, the young right-hander could rejoin the Twins rotation following the break.
Matthews could be relied upon in the second half of the season, and he could be a nice piece to add to your fantasy rotation. Matthews is only rostered in 11% of Yahoo! leagues, making him easily attainable. Stash Matthews in both points and roto leagues.
