Fantasy baseball players who jutted out to quick starters are likely looking for reinforcements — both in the short-term and long-term. Depending on the league, it’s possible that some interesting IL players are available and it might be in your best interest to try to fit one on the roster. Here’s a look at first-half IL stashes to consider during the 2025 fantasy baseball season.
Hitters
- C Francisco Alvarez (C – Yankees)
- C Ivan Herrera (C – Cardinals)
- C Tyler Stephenson (C – Reds)
- SS Zach Neto (SS – Angels)
Realistically speaking, you’re more likely to find more interesting injured pitchers on the waiver wire, compared to hitters. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean one can’t find good hitters who could be impact bats.
One name to consider is Francisco Alvarez, who’s recovering from a fractured left hamate bone. Alvarez steadily made progress over March and early April and per manager Carlos Mendoza, will start a rehab assignment beginning on April 9.
It’s not too long ago that Alvarez hit 25 home runs as a rookie; he did it two years ago. The 23-year-old didn’t for as much power in 2024, as Alvarez missed time with a thumb sprain. Things got better for Alvarez as the season progressed, as five of his 11 home runs on the season came in September.
On another note, Alvarez shortened his swing (7.2” mean in 2024, 7.4” in 2023), which helps him hit fastballs more consistently. Alvarez hit .315 off fastballs in 2024, a 100 point increase from 2023 (.215).
Alvarez is one of several IL catchers who should be available in either half or more than half of leagues and are names of interest. Another one of those names is Ivan Herrera.
Herrera took over as the primary catcher in St. Louis this season, as the Cardinals moved Willson Contreras to first base. The 24-year-old Herrera has long been a contact-first catcher and put up respectable numbers doing so. Last season across 72 games, Herrera batted .301 with five home runs.
It was a completely different story over the first week of 2025, as the St. Louis catcher blasted four home runs and six extra-base hits across seven games. However, he was sidelined with left knee inflammation and placed on the IL on April 7.
Don’t expect Herrera to hit for as much power when he turns; after all, he was hitting at an unsustainable 20.8% Barrel/PA. Nonetheless, if you have room to spare, he’s worth a stash, as having two reliable catchers on rosters is valuable.
Lastly, if Zach Neto — who’s available in roughly 1/3 of Yahoo! leagues — is not claimed, grab him. Neto is currently on a rehab assignment with Salt Lake (AAA) and is less than one year removed from a 23-home run, 30-stolen base campaign.
Pitchers
- Shane Bieber (SP – Guardians)
- Yu Darvish (SP – Padres)
- Luis Gil (SP – Yankees)
- Sean Manaea (SP – Mets)
- Brandon Woodruff (SP – Brewers)
Two notable names not on this list are Reynaldo Lopez and Jared Jones. For Lopez, he’ll have arthroscopic shoulder surgery this week that’ll likely keep him out until later on in the season (he’s on the 60-day IL, meaning the earliest he can come back is late May).
He’s worth watching for now. However, because details on what’s wrong with the shoulder aren’t fully known, Lopez is cut from the list.
The same can be said for Jared Jones, who is available in roughly 35% of Yahoo! leagues. Jones is dealing with a UCL sprain and is on the 60-day IL. Given the nature of his injury, temper expectations.
As for who I recommend, start with Luis Gil. Gil was a fantasy superstar last season, as he won 15 games and struck out 171 over 151.2 IP last year. However, the right-hander started 2025 on the IL thanks to a lat strain.
Like Lopez and Jones, Gil is on the 60-day IL. But as of this writing, he’s playing catch and is slowly progressing.
Next up is Brandon Woodruff, currently on the IL as he recovers from shoulder surgery that kept him out for all of 2024. Woodruff will throw another simulated game this week, one week after he made one for the Brewers. If it goes well, he’ll go on a rehab assignment, which can last as long as 30 days.
Lastly, a look at the more unknown pitchers, at least in terms of timeline.
Shane Bieber progressed to throwing multiple bullpen sessions in late March. He’s still likely months away from a potential return. However, Bieber was very good early on in 2024 and remains an intriguing option thanks to his reputation.
Yu Darvish, like Bieber, has swing-and-miss stuff and is on a competitive team. He’s dealing with right elbow inflammation and hasn’t thrown off a mound since the injury.
Lastly, Sean Manaea had a setback on the strained right oblique and needed a platelet-rich injection on March 31. But after how he transformed himself in 2024, the Mets left-hander can be a valuable fantasy asset — if he can come back before the end of the first half.
Be careful with how you manage the IL. Personally, I would grab & hold on to one player who will be out long-term. Don’t go overboard with stashing players on the IL, because those spots will become critical as the season — and the wear and tear — rolls on. Personally,
However, if you have a spot to spare, the names above are worth looking at.
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