X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Valuing Injured Fantasy Baseball Players Returning in 2023

Fernando Tatis Jr. - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, MLB Injury News, DFS Lineup Picks

Rephael Negnewitzky takes a look at the most impactful MLB players returning in 2023 who are expected to import a massive year in fantasy baseball.

The 2022 season had its fair share of devastating injuries. Especially those who make a significant impact on the field. If we were to compose a list of every notable injury, things would get ugly.

Now that we've mentioned injuries, which is quite a broad term, here are the most valuable players returning in 2023. Despite the season being months away, players like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Adalberto Mondesi are eager to jump back into it.

Here is a complete breakdown of what you should expect from these returning players.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres

When Fernando Tatis Jr. is injury-free and abides by the PED precepts, he is one of the most talented players in the game. He isn't eligible to return until mid-April, but that doesn't erase his fantasy eligibility. The 80-game suspension certainly reduces his ADP, which sits at 21.75, according to NFBC, but the upside he brings to the table remains. However, drafting him at his current ADP would not be too clever.

In 2021, where he still managed to miss 32 games, the Dominican native slashed .282/.364/.611 with a .975 OPS. He accumulated a league-leading 7.3 WAR as well as a career-high 157 wRC+. With Xander Bogaerts taking over at shortstop, Tatis will employ an outfield position. It may be his secondary position, but that certainly does not mitigate his offensive attributes. If he keeps off the injured list, the superstar is projected to display a slash line of .283/.365/.574 with 47 HRs and a 163 wRC+. But don't forget, those numbers are the best-case scenario considering his injury track record.

Just to throw it out there, Tatis hasn't even broken the age of 25. In more simple terms, he is 23 and is nowhere close to the age of decline. We tend to forget that he's only been here for three seasons. A lot has occurred over that three-year span, but one takeaway from all of this commotion is that Tatis has a full career ahead of him.

 

Kris Bryant, Colorado Rockies

The likes of Kris Bryant did not make much of an impact in his first year as a Colorado Rockie. He made just 181 PAs before an apparent foot injury knocked him out for the season. In those 181 PAs, Bryant slashed an impressive .306/.376/.475. The 30-year-old is expected to make a full return for the 2023 season.

Bryant has been on an unusual trajectory, and it is difficult to gauge how he will perform in 2023. Steamer gives him a 1.7 fWAR, which may come true depending on what form of Kris Bryant we get. If he resembles the likes of the 2016 NL MVP, then it is definitely possible for him to accumulate a seven WAR. Although considered the low output of WAR since his 2016 season, it is quite unlikely for such a formidable goal. Since 2017, Bryant has not eclipsed a seven WAR, which is largely attributed to his injury history.

NFBC gives Bryant a 127.57 ADP, which is right in front of William Contreras and Jake McCarthy. Contreras is coming off a career year and was recently traded to the Brewers, while McCarthy had quite a fruitful year in Arizona. This is a comfortable place to put him, but it wouldn't be a stretch to bump him to 125 (right before Carlos Correa) if he channels his inner MVP.

 

Ozzie Albies, Atlanta Braves

It seemed as though Ozzie Albies was having one of those years until a gruesome injury knocked him off his tracks. He missed considerable time due to a fractured foot, only to return to a fractured pinky three months later in September. The Braves are hopeful that Albies will have a healthy 2023 season without any setbacks.

Let's not forget who Ozzie Albies was before he got plagued with injuries. The 25-year-old is a two-time All-Star with unformidable power and three seasons of 20-plus HRs under his belt. Although one glaring drawback is his health. Over his six-year career, Albies suffered 10 significant injuries. Yet despite his injuries, the Curacao native continues to play a vital role as the Braves second baseman. Assuming that he is healthy, Steamer projects Albies to smack 21 dingers, which is certainly attainable given his home run track record. A 3.1 fWAR may be an overshoot, but he has surpassed that in the past.

The second-baseman made just 269 PAs in 2022, yet NFBC affords him a grimacing 53.91 ADP, which is ahead of Julio Urias and Zach Wheeler. Taking Albies that early may be a risky move given his history, but it is quite possible for him to have a healthy year. Although regardless of Albies' status, Kris Bryant would still be the better option assuming he remains healthy.

 

Jazz Chisholm, Miami Marlins

Jazz Chisholm has every tool and intangible that a player can imagine if he keeps on the field. Since joining the pros in 2020, Chisholm has done the complete opposite. He barely scratched the surface this past year and appeared in just 60 games. His age is certainly not a source for such a volatile start to his career, but the Marlins hope to get Chisholm right for the 2023 season.

The Marlins seem to fully endorse Chisholm's employment as their second baseman and is considered a centerpiece for their future. The 24-year-old is entering his fourth year as a pro, and it's worrisome to see such early health problems. He sustained a stress fracture in his lower back, which sidelined him for the season, and had also been playing on a torn meniscus in his right knee. Chisholm's upside is worthy to offset these early health issues and there is no doubt that he is a 25-25 player. Steamer gives him 28 HRS and 26 swipes for 2023, which is certainly in the picture if he can stay on the field.

His 50.03 ADP is four slots ahead of Albies, but both players share the tendency to get injured. Both Albies and Chisholm would be ranked higher if their plate appearance numbers increased.

 

Anthony Rendon, Los Angeles Angels

Anthony Rendon now owns the record for most appearances in an injury-related article. His career has been plagued with injuries and he isn't getting any younger. The 32-year-old suffered a wrist injury in 2022, which was the cause for his minimal playing time. He hasn't made more than 250 PAs since 2019, and it appears that he is slowly regressing. The Angels will have their fingers crossed the moment Rendon steps onto the field in 2023.

The Houston native was evolving into a superstar in his prime year as a National, but the switch to Los Angeles brought unprecedented consequences. The long-term deal seemed to pay off in the 2020 shortened season when he slashed .286/.418/.497 with a 2.5 WAR. Ultimately, everything went downhill after that and Rendon has only been a liability. The best-case scenario for 2023 would be a minimum of 400 PAs when you factor in his delicate body over the past few seasons. Although paradoxically enough, Steamer gives him a 3.3 fWAR with 566 PAs and a 122 wRC+. If Rendon manages to meet those numbers, then there is a fair chance for his resurgence.

The ADP that Rendon gets isn't much of a surprise and shouldn't be tumultuous to anyone. As of now, it sits at 248.10, which is just before Alex Cobb and Christopher Morel. Cobb is a right-handed veteran toward the end of his career, while Morel has barely scratched the surface of his Major League career. There surely isn't any reason to put him any higher, but fantasy managers surely hope to employ him at full capacity. What version of Rendon will emerge in 2023?

 

Dustin May, Los Angeles Dodgers

Just a few years back, Dustin May was a top-three prospect for the Dodgers. He was in shouting distance for the 2020 NL Rookie of the Year and is yet to stay on the mound for a full season. He has maxed out at 10 starts since joining the majors in 2019 and we still wait for his true potential to emulate. The 25-year-old is arguably the hardest throwing starter in the game, and Dodgers expect May to play a big role in the 2023 rotation.

Across four years in the pros, May has made just 25 starts while posting a 3.25 ERA. His average fastball in 2022 was 98.1 mph, which ranked fourth among all starting pitchers. If he adds 0.9 of a mile to his fastball, it would give him sole possession of the hardest average fastball for a starter. You get the point. May is a perennial talent barring any setbacks. He was given a 164.56 ADP, which is understandable given his inability to stay healthy, and it may even be an overshoot. Time will only tell if May can meet his projected 2.1 fWAR.

 

Adalberto Mondesi, Kansas City Royals

Out of all the aforementioned players, only two of them missed the entirety of the 2022 season. Adalberto Mondesi is one of them. The speedster played just 15 games before suffering a season-ending torn ACL. Mondesi has landed on the injury list quite frequently, and it is seemingly impossible to keep off it. He is now a seven-year veteran and hasn't played more than 100 games in any season aside from 2019 (102 games). When he returns to the action in 2023, Steamer gives Mondesi a .234/.279/.384 line with 28 swipes and 14 HRs. However, the 27-year-old has only had one season where he produced over 10 HRs.

Mondesi currently has a 282.99 ADP, which is ahead of Eric Haase and Jared Kelenic. Haase is an average catcher at best, while Kelenic is not guaranteed any playtime in the majors this season. Mondesi would serve well as a utility man if you forgot to prepare for the last few rounds, but don't get your hopes up. Who knows if the LA native will serve up a healthy season?

 

Chris Sale, Boston Red Sox

Chris Sale is one of those pitchers that sticks around through thick and thin. Sale has completely fallen off the map over the past few years and his intangibles seem to be deteriorating. It feels like yesterday that Sale was mowing down batters left and right, but his recent injury report is not too promising. Regardless if he stays in Boston or not, Steamer projects a 3.47 ERA, 26 starts, and a 28.4 K% with a 3.24 FIP.

Throwing 151 innings would be a realistic threshold for Sale just a few years back, but those days may be gone. As of now, his ADP is at 175.21, which puts him ahead of Oscar Gonzalez and Jeffrey Springs. Sale is obviously capable of displaying Cy Young numbers, but if we want to rationalize his expectations, you cannot draft him at his current ADP.

More Fantasy Baseball Advice




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Daily Stats & Leaders
All Pitcher Matchups
Compare Any Players
Compare Any Players
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Aaron Jones Sr.

Injures Hamstring During Sunday Night Football
Darren Waller

Not Expected to Play in Week 3
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
Jameson Williams

Records Long Touchdown in Week 2, Still Limited to Downfield Role?
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Jayden Daniels

Considered "Day-to-Day" with Knee Injury
Carlos Estévez

Carlos Estevez Exits with Back Tightness
Jonathan Taylor

Tops 200 Yards From Scrimmage in Week 2 Win
Joe Burrow

Could Miss Three Months if he Requires Toe Surgery
Davante Adams

Headlines Rams Receiving Corps Sunday
Wan'Dale Robinson

Explodes for 142 Yards, Touchdown in Overtime Thriller
Joe Flacco

Browns Not Considering Benching Joe Flacco After Week 2
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
Luis Arraez

Takes a Seat on Sunday With Head Injury
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia Activated, Starting on Sunday
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
Bryan Woo

Records Career-High 13 Strikeouts
Max Muncy

Exits Early on Saturday
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Salvador Perez

Reaches 300 Home Runs, 1,000 RBI
Jose Altuve

Exits Early With Foot Discomfort
Trey Yesavage

Heading to Big Leagues
Will Smith

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
Tarik Skubal

Avoids Serious Injury, Expected to Make Next Start
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
Tanner Bibee

Fans 10 in Two-Hit Shutout
Zach Neto

Dealing With Wrist Soreness
Masyn Winn

Shut Down for Rest of Season
Tarik Skubal

to Undergo Imaging on Saturday
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
CFB

David Sanders Jr. Won't Play Against Georgia
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks
CFB

Dylan Edwards Slated to Return on Friday
Adam Lowry

Aims for Early-Season Return
CFB

Ryan Williams Expected to Play Against Wisconsin
CFB

Billy Edwards Jr. Unlikely to Play on Saturday
P.J. Washington

Officially Signs Contract Extension
CFB

David Sanders Jr. Questionable to Make Debut Against Georgia
Lauri Markkanen

Big at Both Ends as Finland Books Place in EuroBasket Semis
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Notches 39 Points in Losing Effort
NBA

Cam Reddish Expected to Move to Europe
NBA

Trey Lyles Joins Real Madrid
Charles Bassey

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Hawks
Sacramento Kings

Terence Davis Waived by Kings
Matthew Knies

Ready for Bigger Role With Maple Leafs
Jack Eichel

Unbothered by Lack of Extension
Sidney Crosby

Not Thinking About Leaving Pittsburgh
SJ

Michael Misa Signs Entry-Level Contract With Sharks
Rutger McGroarty

Nursing an Injury
Cameron Champ

the Ultimate Wild Card at Procore
Cameron Young

Looks to Extend Momentum in Napa
Davis Thompson

Searching for a Spark at Procore
Sahith Theegala

Looking to Reignite Form at Procore
Mackenzie Hughes

Aims for Another Strong Showing at Procore
Luke Clanton

Brings Ball-Striking Upside to Napa
Seamus Power

Looking to Overcome Poor Course History at Procore
Joe Highsmith

Hoping to Find Form in Napa
Kristaps Porzingis

Reportedly Still Not Completely Healthy
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Reportedly on the Trade Block
Andre Drummond

Future in Philadelphia in Doubt
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Helps Greece Reach Semis at EuroBasket
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Posts Historic Triple-Double

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP