You're obviously devoting IL space to a stud who gets hurt, but you may need to clear a spot for him
By Scott White Apr 7, 2026 at 9:33 am ET • 4 min read 
Things had been quiet on the injury front since the opening day reveal of Jackson Chourio's fractured hand.
A little too quiet.
Just when you thought you had your preferred IL stashes stowed away for the long haul, in came a deluge of new talent over the weekend. The biggest blows were to Juan Soto (strained calf), Mookie Betts (strained oblique), and Hunter Brown (strained shoulder), who I've listed in reverse order of how much time they're likely to miss. Other knocks included Cade Horton (strained forearm), Matthew Boyd (strained biceps), and Alejandro Kirk (fractured thumb).
The former three are obviously must-stash, and the latter three come pretty close, at least in certain formats. But again, you've likely already devoted IL space to other players. How do you make room?
That's why these rankings exist: to help you prioritize. They're not one-size-fits-all, because no rank list can be, but they can at least serve as a check for your assumptions. To be transparent about my own biases, I tend to prioritize the better player over the shorter timeline, not wanting to devote valuable IL space to a player who I'm liable to cut as soon as he's active.
Too valuable to drop, period1
Juan Soto New York Mets LF strained calf - looked like he might avoid an IL stint at first, but expected to miss 2-3 weeks2 
Jackson Chourio Milwaukee Brewers CF fractured hand - IL stint was an opening day surprise, but his 2-to-4-week timetable is within our sights now3 
Hunter Brown Houston Astros SP strained shoulder - still being examined to determine timetable for return4 
Mookie Betts Los Angeles Dodgers RF strained oblique - normal timetable is 4-6 weeks, but both Betts and manager Dave Roberts are optimistic he can beat it5 
Seiya Suzuki Chicago Cubs RF sprained knee - on rehab assignment, could return as early as this weekend6 
Josh Hader Houston Astros RP biceps tendinitis - has been throwing bullpens and should face hitters soon, could be back before end of April7 
Nick Lodolo Cincinnati Reds SP blister on index finger - left rehab start April 2, trying new treatments to make it back sooner8 
Trey Yesavage Toronto Blue Jays SP shoulder impingement - will make second rehab start Thursday, may need a couple more before returning9 
Kyle Stowers Miami Marlins RF strained hamstring - only Grade 1 strain, so he's likely to return before the end of April10 
Ryan Pepiot Tampa Bay Rays RP hip inflammation - threw a bullpen session Friday, could be activated for current series against Cubs11 
Zack Wheeler Philadelphia Phillies SP thoracic outlet syndrome - one good rehab start and one bad, with two to go; velocity down 3 mph, though12 
Spencer Strider Atlanta Braves SP strained oblique - throwing bullpen sessions and may be just a couple weeks away, but velocity issues persist13 
Gerrit Cole New York Yankees SP Tommy John surgery - simulating innings in batting practice; mid-May remains a realistic goal14 
Carlos Rodon New York Yankees SP elbow surgery - has continued to throw even while dealing with hamstring soreness; rehab assignment forthcoming15 
Blake Snell Los Angeles Dodgers SP shoulder fatigue - expected to begin throwing to hitters this week, but still likely out until late MayAlso really difficult to drop16 
Matthew Boyd Chicago Cubs SP strained biceps - was having trouble bouncing back between starts, likely looking at a short stay17 
Cade Horton Chicago Cubs P strained forearm - placed on IL right away, but severity remains unknown18 
Kyle Teel Chicago White Sox C strained hamstring - should begin hitting off a tee this week with an eye on returning within a couple weeks19 
Jackson Holliday Baltimore Orioles SS broken hamate bone - about a week into rehab assignment, so return should be soon20 
Jordan Westburg Baltimore Orioles 2B sprained UCL - will begin throwing progression this week, which will offer a better idea if he can return this year21 
Merrill Kelly Arizona Diamondbacks SP intercostal nerve irritation - went five innings in first rehab start Friday, scheduled for anotherStill a priority on some level22 
Grayson Rodriguez Los Angeles Angels SP shoulder inflammation - playing catch, but no bullpen sessions yet; April return seems like a long shot23 
Justin Steele Chicago Cubs SP UCL revision surgery - throwing live batting practice, could be ready before the end of May24 
Alejandro Kirk Toronto Blue Jays C fractured thumb - set to undergo surgery Tuesday; timetable won't be revealed until later, but May is possible25 
Shane Bieber Toronto Blue Jays SP forearm fatigue - throwing bullpen sessions, but absence could extend deep into May26 
Joe Musgrove San Diego Padres SP Tommy John surgery - shut down with renewed soreness after exhibition start in March, playing catch again27 
Hunter Greene Cincinnati Reds SP elbow surgery - had bone spurs removed March 11, won't begin throwing until late April with an eye on midseason return28 
Spencer Schwellenbach Atlanta Braves P elbow surgery - had bone spurs removed in mid-February, won't return until June or JulyStashing is purely a luxury29 
Carlos Estevez Kansas City Royals RP foot contusion - injury is less of a concern than velocity; unlikely to regain closer role without improvement30 
Quinn Priester Milwaukee Brewers SP nerve issue in wrist - facing live hitters already, could begin rehab assignment soon31 
Bryce Miller Seattle Mariners SP strained oblique - has been throwing bullpen sessions, but no timeline yet32 
Jared Jones Pittsburgh Pirates SP Tommy John surgery - has been throwing batting practice, could begin pitching in games in late May33 
Corbin Burnes Arizona Diamondbacks SP Tommy John surgery - has begun throwing bullpen sessions, but not expected back until midseason34 
Anthony Volpe New York Yankees SS shoulder surgery - participating in batting practice, likely just a week or two from beginning rehab assignment35 
Ha-seong Kim Atlanta Braves 2B torn tendon in finger - mid-May remains the target; should begin rehab assignment within a couple weeks36 
Sean Murphy Atlanta Braves C hip surgery - has been catching sim games, trying to build up to nine innings; April return is on the table37 
Jordan Lawlar Arizona Diamondbacks SS fractured wrist - X-ray turned up negative at first, but CT scan revealed fracture; expected to miss 6-8 weeks38 
Kirby Yates Los Angeles Angels RP knee inflammation - nearing return but working on mechanics right now; looking less likely to overtake Jordan Romano39 
Andrew Vaughn Milwaukee Brewers 1B broken hamate bone - has undergone surgery; usual six-week timetable puts him on track to return in mid-May40 
Lourdes Gurriel Arizona Diamondbacks LF torn ACL - participating in simulated games; full rehab assignment will come later in April Join the Conversation comments 
