Fantasy owners have been barraged with injuries this season. Mookie Betts, Ronald Acuna Jr., Gerrit Cole, and Spencer Strider have all missed significant time this season and it’s not even July yet. However, fantasy players can use injuries to their advantage, so long as those individuals act quickly. With the second half of the 2024 MLB and fantasy baseball seasons coming into focus, here’s a look at five IL stashes to consider— for those who have the room, of course.
Jacob deGrom
This list leans heavily on pitchers, considering that very few impact hitters that could return over the coming weeks off the IL are available. The most notable option is Tommy Edman, whose rehab has been derailed thanks to an ankle sprain. Getting back to the topic at hand, the rehab of Jacob deGrom is progressing.
deGrom has been moving along in his rehab since he underwent Tommy John surgery last season. He recently threw from 90 feet and is targeting an August 2024 return to the Majors.
While it’s unknown how deGrom will look when he returns, the 36-year-old has been among the best strikeout pitchers for years. And, this year could harken back to memories from when he returned in August 2022 for the Mets after the first months of that year. That season, deGrom struck out 102 batters over 64.1 IP.
Clayton Kershaw
Another theme here is that all the pitchers listed here haven’t played in a game since 2024. Clayton Kershaw hasn’t pitched in a game since last October in the NLDS against the Diamondbacks, a series that didn’t go well for the lefty or the Dodgers.
Kershaw underwent shoulder surgery in the offseason and has been on the road back since then. The 36-year-old did make a rehab start with Rancho Cucamonga (A) on June 19, and he pitched well, as he struck out five over three frames.
Unfortunately for the lefty, shoulder soreness shut down his rehab. The Dodgers shut him down for a week in late June, which does give fantasy owners some time to re-calibrate and circle back to the future Baseball Hall of Famer.
Robbie Ray
The Giants acquired former Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray this past winter but it was widely expected that the lefty wouldn’t be ready for the start of the season. Ray underwent Tommy John and flexor tendon surgeries last spring.
Ray, who led the AL in strikeouts three years ago, is among the game’s best in that category when healthy. And, he’s begun to work his way to the Majors after over a year away from the Majors. Over his first 9.1 IP in his rehab assignment, spent between the ACL and San Jose (A), Ray struck out 17. Since he started his 30-day rehab window in early June, he could return in early July provided there are no setbacks.
Ray isn’t the only notable Giants starter on the IL, as Alex Cobb‘s missed all of this season, as well. However, his strikeout stuff makes him more impactful and tempting.
Eduardo Rodriguez
Arguably the most interesting name on our list of 2024 fantasy baseball IL stashes is Eduardo Rodriguez. The Diamondbacks signed Rodriguez to a multi-year deal last winter to bolster a top-heavy Arizona rotation and deepen it for the regular season. However, Arizona’s yet to receive contributions from the lefty.
Rodriguez, who excels at controlling the strike zone, suffered a lat strain in Spring Training and has missed all of 2024 to this point. The lefty was on a throwing program earlier in the year but was shut down due to discomfort.
The good news, for Arizona, is that Rodriguez is moving along in his rehab and is scheduled to get an MRI on July 6, per the team. Should he pass the MRI, Rodriguez can progress in his throwing program. Rodriguez has been throwing from 105 feet.
Jeffrey Springs
The Rays gave left-hander Jeffrey Springs a four-year extension last year and proceeded to make Tampa look smart in the process. The 31-year-old, who boasts a plus changeup that plays well off his low-90s fastball, struck out 24 over 16 innings and owned a sparkling 0.56 ERA over his first three starts of 2023.
But like deGrom and Ray, Springs underwent Tommy John surgery last spring to address a ligament tear in his left elbow. But over the last few weeks, Jeffrey Springs has been working in the FCL and Durham (AAA) to prepare for his impending 2024 debut.
Springs has slowly ramped up in his rehab, as the lefty most recently threw three innings on June 28. Given he started his rehab in early June, he’s not far off.