Fantasy Baseball 2018: 3 Players to stash on the DL

The injuries have piled up this fantasy baseball season but those players should come back at some point, right?

Every fantasy baseball team has dealt with at least one major injury this season. As a result, the waiver wire has been depleted of healthy talent and it’s even worse for the deeper leagues. But, some of those players should come back at some point. If you have an open bench or DL spot, then you should stash those players and await their return.

This list will not consist of the star players, like Clayton Kershaw and Mookie Betts. Those players are likely still owned in a majority of fantasy leagues. If they, for some reason, are available in your league, then you 100 percent pick them up and never play with those people again.

I will include one starting pitcher, one infielder and one outfielder. Most leagues have more offensive spots with the mixed infield and utility positions. The players will be difference makers in one or two stats that may not be available from a healthy waiver wire pickup.

The final caveat is that the players listed will be coming off the DL within the next month. I won’t recommend adding someone who won’t be back until August, like David Dahl who is out six to eight weeks. You can wait another three weeks until he’ll be worth adding.

Joe Mauer, MIN

The veteran first baseman landed on the DL with a cervical strain and concussion-like symptoms. He recently took batting practice and completed a full workout including batting practice, fielded grounders, ran the bases and sprinted in the outfield before the Twins game on June 3.

Mauer, 35 years old, is having a good season. While the power is missing, only one home run, he is making good contact and is getting on base. He has a .283/.404/.355 line with 11 RBIs, 22 strikeouts and 28 walks.

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He should be back in the middle of the week and back at first base. Mauer is owned in just 8.9 percent of ESPN leagues.

Josh Reddick, HOU

If you are looking for power, Reddick has shown some pop this season. In 42 games, he has six home runs, a little less than half of his 2017 total. He also has 18 RBIs. With the deep Astros lineup, he will have plenty of opportunities to drive in runs.

Reddick missed some time with left leg irritation, which turned into an infection and was eventually placed on the 10-day DL. He was eligible to return on May 31 but needed a few extra days to get back to baseball form.

He joined Double-A Corpus Christi for his rehab assignment. Astros manager AJ Hinch expects him back in the lineup by the end of the week. He is still owned in 40.7 percent of leagues, making him less available but it should be higher.

Hyun-Jin Ryu, LAD

Ryu has been on the DL since May 3 with a groin injury. He played long toss on May 28, his first sign of baseball activity. The estimated return date is July 2 but some reports say he won’t be back until the All-Star break.

In his limited appearances, Ryu has been effective this season. In 29.2 innings, he posted a 2.12 ERA, 0.876 WHIP, 10.9 K9 and 3.0 BB9 with a 3-0 record. He threw three straight quality starts, which led to three wins for the 31-year-old.

Ryu is owned in 19.8 percent of leagues. The questionable return date makes him a risky pickup. When he does come back healthy, he looks like he can finish with his best numbers to date albeit a shortened season.

Honorable mentions: Wilmer Flores (NYM), Franchy Cordero (SD), Joey Lucchesi (SD)

Next: Stream Marlins Pitchers in Week 10

There are a lot of players that could return after the All-Star break, so you may be tempted to wait for those players. But, if you want to get a jump on your opponents and move up a few spots in the standings, then add these players as soon as you can.

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