We've reached the point in the season when IL spots take on far less significance.
"Already?" you ask. Already, I say.
Yes, the second half has barely begun, but "half" in that context is only colloquial. By game count, less than 40 percent of the season remains, and while you may think that's plenty of time for a player to recover and contribute, it leaves little margin for error. It allows for little runway if the returnee is showing rust early or if he's simply still building up, which is often the case for starting pitchers. And at least in Head-to-Head leagues, the entire month of September, if not a little earlier, is devoted to the playoffs, so by the time you get some of those IL stashes back, your team may already be done for.
Of course, those concerns apply mostly to players going on the IL now, putting them at the start of their recovery. A number of high-profile IL stashes are on the verge of returning, beginning with the top three names on this list.
Too valuable to drop, period1
Nick Kurtz Athletics 1B sprained thumb - has resumed hitting and fielding and traveled with the team this week, which hints of a weekend activation2 
Ronald Acuna Jr. Atlanta Braves RF strained hamstring - on rehab assignment, but the Braves want to make sure he has his timing down before activating him, which could come later this week3 
Jose Ramirez Cleveland Guardians 3B fractured hamate bone - may be nearer to activation than has been reported; said to be recovering well enough that he may not need a rehab assignment4 
Max Fried New York Yankees SP bone bruise in elbow - threw 50 pitches in first rehab start Friday; may need only one more before returning5 
Oneil Cruz Pittsburgh Pirates CF fractured hand - has been swinging a bat for a couple weeks now, but move to 60-day IL will keep him out until at least Aug. 86 
Edwin Diaz Los Angeles Dodgers RP loose bodies in elbow - next step of rehab will be to appear on back-to-back days this week, opening door for possible weekend return7 
Aaron Judge New York Yankees RF stress fracture in rib - re-imaging on July 15 confirmed he's not quite ready to resume baseball activities; Yankees ' cautious approach could keep him out until September8 
Kyle Harrison Milwaukee Brewers SP forearm tightness - MRI showed nothing structural, and he's bounced back from bullpen session fine; could return when first eligible July 279 
Ranger Suarez Boston Red Sox SP strained groin - has been fielding and throwing; could return when first eligible Tuesday10 
Adley Rutschman Baltimore Orioles C wrist inflammation - seems like mild case, suggesting he could return before the end of July11 
Carlos Rodon New York Yankees SP elbow inflammation - has received two rounds of PRP injections and is back to throwing off mound; could return within 2-3 weeks12 
Blake Snell Los Angeles Dodgers SP loose bodies in elbow - went 1 1/3 innings in first rehab start Saturday, likely to need 3-4 more13 
Max Meyer Miami Marlins SP strained neck - issue first came up two turns ago and tried pitching through; could return as soon as Aug. 414 
Tyler Glasnow Los Angeles Dodgers SP back spasms - finally throwing bullpen sessions but has yet to progress beyond fastballs; Dodgers likely to continue slow-playing him because they can15 
Maikel Garcia Kansas City Royals 3B strained hand - has resumed swinging but not batting practice yet; seems like he could be back before the end of July16 
Corey Seager Texas Rangers SS back inflammation - able to do some hitting and fielding, but no clear timetable for return yetAlso really difficult to drop1 
Garrett Crochet Boston Red Sox RP strained lat - still only playing catch as he works to strengthen rotator cuff; some hope he can return in August, but September more likely2 
Spencer Strider Atlanta Braves SP elbow inflammation - will have follow-up appointment this week and could be cleared to resume throwing thereafter3 
Will Smith Los Angeles Dodgers C neck inflammation - had to pause ramp-up just before the break due to continued neck pain, but expected to resume ramp-up this week4 
Konnor Griffin Pittsburgh Pirates SS torn tendon in finger - was placed on 60-day IL almost immediately, putting him out until Sept. 4, but has a legitimate chance of playing most of September5 
Roman Anthony Boston Red Sox OF sprained wrist and finger - still working out at the team's spring training facility, won't begin hitting progression until he regains strength in his hand6 
Kris Bubic Kansas City Royals SP elbow/shoulder soreness - could begin throwing program this week, putting him on track to return in mid-August7 
Connelly Early Boston Red Sox SP elbow inflammation - has resumed throwing, likely to begin rehab assignment before the end of the month8 
Mike Soroka Arizona Diamondbacks SP glute discomfort - throwing bullpen sessions, scheduled for a simulated game Saturday with a rehab start to follow; early August return likely9 
Nick Lodolo Cincinnati Reds SP blister on index finger - has had blister drained and is doing some throwing, but needs some time for wound on finger to healStill a priority on some level1 
Spencer Schwellenbach Atlanta Braves P bone spurs in elbow - still some hope he can return before the end of August, but won't happen if he doesn't begin rehab assignment soon2 
Nick Pivetta San Diego Padres RP flexor strain - will face hitters for the first time this week, with rehab assignment to follow; could be back in first half of August3 
Daniel Palencia Chicago Cubs RP flexor strain - Cubs have been hopeful he could return in mid-August, but slow progression could push his return into September4 
Trevor Story Boston Red Sox SS sports hernia - says he'll begin rehab assignment "sometime in August," which might allow him six weeks or so to contribute5 
Ryan Helsley Baltimore Orioles RP elbow inflammation - no structural damage, but recent move to 60-day IL puts him out until almost September, by which point the Cubs may have another closer6 
Ben Brown Chicago Cubs RP stress reaction on his neck - said to be asymptomatic, but Cubs are expected to proceed cautiously with him after he missed four months with similar injury last yearStashing is purely a luxury1 
Brendan Donovan Seattle Mariners 2B strained groin - rehab assignment off to slow start, suggesting he may need a week or so to shake off the rust2 
Spencer Horwitz Pittsburgh Pirates 1B strained hamstring - on rehab assignment Tuesday, giving him chance of returning this weekend3 
Matt Chapman San Francisco Giants 3B strained abdominal - despite no official rehab assignment yet, he's apparently made enough progress that he could potentially return this weekend4 
Giancarlo Stanton New York Yankees DH strained calf - recently resumed running, but still no clear timetable for return5 
A.J. Smith-Shawver Atlanta Braves SP Tommy John surgery has looked good in four rehab starts, touching 99 mph, so could get a shot in Braves rotation soon6 
Jackson Jobe Detroit Tigers P Tommy John surgery - lasted three innings in latest rehab start, his third; probably looking at two more, at least7 
Joe Musgrove San Diego Padres SP Tommy John surgery - beginning to ramp up in earnest now with a two-inning simulated bullpen session Friday; August return possible8 
Clay Holmes New York Mets RP fractured fibula - rehab assignment got pushed back to Thursday because of rain Saturday; looking to return July 28, so may not be fully stretched out9 
Robert Suarez Atlanta Braves RP elbow inflammation - has resumed throwing but no clear timetable for return still10 
Zack Gelof Athletics 3B lacerated knee - removal of stitches this week should allow him to ramp up in earnest11 
Corbin Burnes Arizona Diamondbacks SP strained shoulder - back on a throwing program since July 10, still unclear when he'll resume throwing off a mound; also coming back from Tommy John surgery12 
Clarke Schmidt New York Yankees SP internal brace procedure - threw first batting practice Saturday; could begin rehab assignment before end of the month13 
Edward Cabrera Chicago Cubs SP strained hamstring - throwing bullpen sessions and expected back the second week of August14 
Connor Prielipp Minnesota Twins SP blister on middle finger - made a rehab start Sunday; could make one more or return this Sunday15 
Jordan Lawlar Arizona Diamondbacks LF strained hamstring - taking part in all baseball activities except for full-speed running could play a big role in final two months16 
Endy Rodriguez Pittsburgh Pirates C strained glute - has been hitting for about a week, should begin rehab assignment before end of month17 
Ryne Nelson Arizona Diamondbacks SP flexor strain/UCL sprain - has already begun throwing program, but unclear if he'll be able to build up enough to return as starter18 
Felix Bautista Baltimore Orioles RP torn labrum - has impressed in throwing sessions and has chance of returning before season is done, though in what role is unclear19 
Matt McLain Cincinnati Reds 2B strained calf - joined team for road trip and took batting practice Monday; could be activated this week Add CBS Sports on Google Join the Conversation comments 
