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Josh's top 25 injured players to stash for fantasy baseball as of April 1, 2025 (Week 1). His top fantasy baseball injury stashes for IL spots and redraft leagues.
Welcome RotoBallers to the first edition of the Injured Players to Stash for Fantasy Baseball series as we head into Week 1 of the 2025 MLB season. Today, we list the top 25 high-profile injured MLB players worth stashing in your leagues, including names like Colton Cowser, Brandon Woodruff, Clarke Schmidt, and more.
Whether managers had to drop these players or they were left off rosters, you can capitalize on the mistakes of your leaguemates. With some savvy moves to begin the year, 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 be returning sooner rather than later. Without further ado, let's get to the list!
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Top-25 Injured Players for Fantasy Baseball
| Player | Team | IL Type |
| Gunnar Henderson | Baltimore Orioles | IL 10 (Intercostal) |
| Ronald Acuna Jr. | Atlanta Braves | IL 10 (Knee) |
| Spencer Strider | Atlanta Braves | IL 15 (Elbow) |
| George Kirby | Seattle Mariners | IL 15 (Shoulder) |
| Shane McClanahan | Tampa Bay Rays | IL 15 (Triceps) |
| Reynaldo Lopez | Atlanta Braves | IL 15 (Shoulder) |
| Royce Lewis | Minnesota Twins | IL 10 (Hamstring) |
| Colton Cowser | Baltimore Orioles | IL 10 (Thumb) |
| Gleyber Torres | Detroit Tigers | IL 10 (Oblique) |
| Grayson Rodriguez | Baltimore Orioles | IL 15 (Elbow) |
| Josh Lowe | Tampa Bay Rays | IL 10 (Oblique) |
| Alexis Diaz | Cincinnati Reds | IL 15 (Hamstring) |
| Zach Neto | Los Angeles Angels | IL 10 (Shoulder) |
| Josh Jung | Texas Rangers | IL 10 (Neck) |
| Brandon Woodruff | Milwaukee Brewers | IL 15 (Shoulder) |
| Max Scherzer | Toronto Blue Jays | IL 15 (Thumb) |
| Clarke Schmidt | New York Yankees | IL 15 (Shoulder) |
| Sean Manaea | New York Mets | IL 15 (Oblique) |
| Tyler Stephenson | Cincinnati Reds | IL 10 (Oblique) |
| Yu Darvish | San Diego Padres | IL 15 (Elbow) |
| Ranger Suarez | Philadelphia Phillies | IL 15 (Back) |
| Liam Hendriks | Boston Red Sox | IL 15 (Elbow) |
| Shane Bieber | Cleveland Guardians | IL 15 (Elbow) |
| Connor Norby | Miami Marlins | IL 10 (Oblique) |
| Sean Murphy | Atlanta Braves | IL 10 (Ribs) |
Fantasy Baseball Players to Monitor Closely
Colton Cowser, OF - Baltimore Orioles
Rostered: 84% Yahoo!
Estimated Return: Late May (rough estimate)
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser was placed on the 10-day IL Monday with a fractured left thumb. The 25-year-old made it through just four games before he injured his finger while sliding in Sunday's contest.
The initial estimate of six to eight weeks to recover from his thumb fracture places his eventual return around mid-to-late May. Cowser hit .242 with 24 home runs and nine stolen bases in 2024, so he is a valuable fantasy asset when healthy with room for growth. If he was dropped in any of your leagues, scoop him up while you can or try to buy low from the Cowser manager.
Brandon Woodruff, SP - Milwaukee Brewers
Rostered: 57% Yahoo!
Estimated Return: Late April
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff is on the 15-day IL while he recovers from shoulder surgery in the fall of 2023. Woodruff was amid a great season in 2023, carrying a 2.28 ERA with 74 strikeouts through 11 starts before going down with his injury.
The 32-year-old is scheduled to throw a three-inning simulated game, which will determine the next course of action in his rehab process. If all goes well, Woodruff could be on track to return towards the end of April. Woodruff is only 57% rostered in Yahoo! leagues, so scoop him up now, and you could have a legitimate ace on your squad within a month.
Sean Murphy, C - Atlanta Braves
Rostered: 15% Yahoo!
Estimated Return: April 4 (As soon as eligible)
Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy has been extremely unlucky with injuries within the past year. Murphy's 2024 season was derailed by an oblique injury to begin the season and an elbow injury in the middle of the season, causing him to only play in 72 games. After injuries plagued him in 2024, Murphy's 2025 season has brought more of the same.
The 30-year-old was hit by a pitch in spring training and fractured a rib, causing him to begin the season on the 10-day IL. Murphy has been sidelined since February 28, but there has been positive news lately.
Murphy will reportedly begin a minor league rehab assignment today and can return to the team when he's eligible to come off the IL this Friday. Whether he is activated immediately or the Braves wait a few more days, adding him now could pay dividends.
The Braves catcher displayed his upside when he mashed 21 home runs in 108 games during the 2023 season. Murphy is one of the best all-around catchers in the game when healthy, and his bat can boost your fantasy team's offensive potential.
Clarke Schmidt, SP - New York Yankees
Rostered: 53% Yahoo!
Estimated Return: Mid-April
New York Yankees pitcher Clarke Schmidt is on the 15-day IL with a shoulder injury, but manager Aaron Boone stated that the team expects him to return sometime in the middle of April. This is positive news for a pitcher that had great success during the 2024 season.
Schmidt followed up his first full-time starter season with a 2.85 ERA in 2024. Schmidt is poised to be a key part of the Yankees' rotation for the foreseeable future, and his 53% roster percentage indicates that he is not universally rostered yet. Acquire Schmidt while you can because he will be in line for a ton of wins with the Yankees' offense supporting him.
Thairo Estrada, 2B - Colorado Rockies
Rostered: 10% Yahoo!
Estimated Return: Mid-May
Colorado Rockies second baseman Thairo Estrada was another victim of a hit-by-pitch this spring training. Estrada has been sidelined with a fractured wrist since March 21, and his recovery is expected to take at least four to eight weeks. Factoring in rehab games, that recovery timeline puts him on pace to return around the middle of May.
THAIRO ESTRADA GIVES THE GIANTS THE LEAD IN THE 9TH pic.twitter.com/yXrwnJjnkp
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 18, 2024
The 29-year-old dealt with several injuries that hindered his production during the 2024 season, but he was an underrated fantasy asset in the 2022 and 2023 seasons with the San Francisco Giants. Estrada hit at least .260 with 14 home runs and 20 stolen bases each season. Acquire him now and enjoy his multi-category contributions down the line.
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