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Welcome back to our top fantasy baseball injury stashes for Week 24, looking at IL players as of September 8. Today's list of injured MLB players to consider stashing off the fantasy baseball waiver wire includes Kyle Wright, John Means, Zach Neto, Triston McKenzie, and Patrick Bailey.
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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Kyle Wright - SP, Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Kyle Wright made a massive impact in fantasy baseball the last time he was healthy for an entire season in 2022. Wright posted a 3.19 ERA with 174 strikeouts in 180 1/3 innings. The 27-year-old has only made five starts this season, posting a 5.79 ERA in the 18 2/3 innings he's been available. With a little less than a month left in the season, Wright has the opportunity to make an impact in fantasy baseball down the stretch.
The young pitcher has been on the injured list since early with a shoulder sprain. Wright has been building back up since and made rehab starts in High-A and Triple-A. Wright's most recent rehab start took place on August 31. It was reported that he would need one more rehab start before returning to the Braves rotation. Assuming he stays on schedule, Wright's next rehab start should be in a few days. His first start with the Braves should be next weekend.
Wright is 59% rostered in Yahoo and 39.9% rostered in ESPN leagues, so he should be available on roughly half of waiver wires. Fantasy managers should stash Wright because he is a talented pitcher with a good offense to support him. Wright should be able to deliver high-end starting pitcher value on a per-start basis as soon as he returns.
John Means - SP, Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher John Means was the ace of the Orioles' rotation during his last healthy season in 2021. Means posted a 3.62 ERA with 134 strikeouts in 146 2/3 innings. The last time we saw Means throw meaningful pitches, the Orioles looked like a different team. The 30-year-old now has the opportunity to be supported by some of the most exciting young hitters in baseball.
Means has been on the injured list for the entire 2023 season while recovering from the Tommy John surgery he underwent early in the 2022 season. The 30-year-old pitcher has made several rehab starts during his ramp-up. His recovery start on Tuesday was said to be his last before his activation from the injured list. The Orioles begin a seven-game homestand on Monday. Means should be activated and start for the Orioles on Monday against the St. Louis Cardinals.
The pitcher is 18% rostered in Yahoo and 4% rostered in ESPN leagues, so he's mostly available. Fantasy managers should stash Means because there are few starting pitchers left on the wire that can make the fantasy impact Means can. The veteran right-handed pitcher also plays for one of the most exciting teams in baseball.
Zach Neto - SS, Los Angeles Angels
Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto was off to a good start before getting placed on the injured list. Neto was slashing .241/.315/.411 with eight home runs, 31 runs, 30 RBI, and five stolen bases. The 22-year-old put up those numbers while maintaining a 21.4% strikeout rate and 4.8% walk rate. While the walk rate should come up, around 14% in the minor leagues, Neto displayed strong contact skills and solid defense.
Neto has been on the injured list since August 4 with back discomfort and inflammation. The recovery process went smoothly, and Neto began his rehab assignment in Triple-A on September 5. Neto launched the first pitch for a home run in the first at-bat of his first rehab game. The young shortstop has progressed well and could be activated from the injured list as soon as Sunday.
Neto is 3% rostered in Yahoo and 1.6% rostered in ESPN leagues, so he's pretty available. Fantasy managers with an open IL slot should consider stashing Neto because he has a decent combination of contact and speed. The Angels have all but given up on this season. Neto should be in the lineup every day as soon as he returns.
Triston McKenzie - SP, Cleveland Guardians
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie is one of the best young pitchers in baseball. He showed that in the 30 starts he made last season. In 2022, McKenzie posted a 2.96 ERA with 190 strikeouts in 191 1/3 innings. The 25-year-old has been injured for most of the season but has the opportunity to be a difference-maker down the stretch for the Guardians and fantasy baseball.
McKenzie has been on the injured list since June 20 with a UCL injury. The 25-year-old righty has been throwing bullpens and will throw to live hitters on Friday. Guardians manager Terry Francona stated both McKenzie and Shane Bieber will return when they build up 80 pitches, which could be around September 20.
McKenzie is 58% rostered in Yahoo and 53.6% rostered in ESPN leagues, so he is available in nearly half of ESPN ones. McKenzie'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 McKenzie because he was one of the best young pitchers in baseball when healthy.
Patrick Bailey - C, San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey has been all the team could have asked for from a starting catcher. Bailey has been a solid contributor on offense, slashing .248/.304/.390 with seven home runs, 26 runs, and 45 RBI. The young catcher also has an xBA of .260 and an xSLG of .436, so his production could improve. The area that Bailey has shined is behind the plate. He is in the 95th percentile in caught stealing above average, 96th percentile in pop time, and 100th percentile in framing.
Bailey was placed on the seven-day injured list on September 6 with a concussion. Concussions are challenging to predict because everyone recovers at different rates. Given the nature of the seven-day injured list, Bailey could conceivably return as soon as September 13.
Bailey is 6% rostered in Yahoo and 2.6% in ESPN leagues, so he should be around on most waiver wires. The 24-year-old has shown the ability to play at the major league level and could continue to do so in the season's final month. Fantasy managers needing help at catcher should have Bailey in their IL slots because he is locked in as the Giants' starting catcher when healthy.
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