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Eric Carabelle
multiple authors
New York Yankees rhp gerrit cole Has been one of the top fantasy baseball pitching options since his debut in 2013 pittsburgh pirates. His 153 career wins have been eclipsed by only two active pitchers (Justin Verlander, max shazer), and has a career 3.17 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. But Cole, 35, will sit out half of the 2024 season and all of the 2025 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He will neither help the Yankees nor imaginary manager When this season starts.
While there are certainly more impactful fantasy options who will begin the 2025 season on the injured list, Cole — who is not among the top 100 choices in preseason average draft status (ADP) — represents a player that fantasy managers may forget about as he works his way back to the active roster. The Yankees hope Cole will make his debut in May, but that may be optimistic. Maybe his return will be in June…or even after that. As a result, if Cole is included he could fall outside the top 200 in numerous fantasy leagues. Cole barely ranks in the top 300 in NFBC ADP.
Fantasy managers aren’t known for their patience regardless of the game, but most people know Cole’s name. He was one of the top-10 starting pitchers in the draft as recently as two seasons ago, when he received his first Cy Young Award. Then he got hurt. Now he’s somewhat of an enigma, but is arguably the signature option for fantasy managers waiting until the later rounds of the draft with the aim of stashing in an IL spot for mid-summer statistical satisfaction. Don’t forget about Cole on draft day. You can appreciate that this summer.
Here are other popular (and maybe not so popular) names for fantasy baseball consideration this season likely to begin the 2026 campaign on the injured list. In some cases, potential investors aren’t forgetting about them, but perhaps something has really slipped their minds. Don’t forget about them.
out for a few weeks
corbin carrollOf, Arizona Diamondbacks: : An obvious top-10 selection when healthy after averaging 26 home runs, 40 stolen bases and 114 runs batted in over his three full-time seasons, Carroll underwent surgery for a broken hamate bone in his right hand in mid-February. He may sit out a short period of time in the regular season, but the Diamondbacks shouldn’t pressure him. Although there is some evidence that this injury has reduced potency in the past, this should not put potential investors off too much. Carroll is a fantastic statistical supplier.
francisco lindorss, New York Mets: : Lindor is more like a second-round pick than a top-10 option, despite coming off of his second 30-HR, 30-SB campaign. He also had the same surgery as Carroll. Every player’s treatment is different and, like Carroll, it’s certainly plausible that Lindor (who has appeared in at least 160 games three times in the last four seasons) will be ready for Opening Day or shortly thereafter.
jackson holiday2B, baltimore orioles: : It’s nothing major, but yes, Holiday also has a hamstring injury that required surgery. Unlike the Diamondbacks and Mets, the Orioles have already announced that Holiday will start the season on the IL, but he probably won’t miss enough time to scare off optimistic fantasy investors.
josh haiderRP, Houston Astros: : Hader, who saved 28 or more wins for each of the last six full MLB seasons, has battled biceps inflammation. Houston is likely to act cautiously. Hader’s 2025 season ended early due to a left shoulder strain. Astros RHP Setup Man brian abreu An interesting fantasy option. Also keep in mind tampa bay rays rhp edwin usettaA close candidate there may miss time due to shoulder problems.
blake snellSP, los angeles dodgers: : Snell, who made only 11 starts last season after dealing with shoulder problems, continues to have the same issues in 2026. Fantasy managers know the numbers are potentially elite when he performs (after all, he has won a pair of Cy Young Awards), but durability is not a strength. Be careful on draft day as he may miss limited time or perhaps even months. The Dodgers have the money and depth to be extra cautious. Do you?
shane bieberSP, toronto blue jays: : Like Snell, Bieber probably performed despite some arm soreness in last season’s playoffs. He is battling forearm fatigue and the Blue Jays, like the Dodgers, have the depth to wait weeks or months for the veteran to fully recover. Bieber last pitched like a fantasy ace in 2022, so he’s not like Snell in that regard, and he could go undrafted in your league.
Other: jason adam (quad), RP, San Diego Padres; tommy adman (Ankle), 2B/OF, Dodgers; lars nootbaar (heel), OF, St. Louis Cardinals; carlos rodon (elbow), sp, yankees.
out for a month or two
jack wheelerSP, philadelphia phillies: : Wheeler, who had six weeks left in the 2025 season after it was discovered he had a blood clot in his pitching shoulder (which later turned into thoracic outlet syndrome), would not pitch in early April. The Phillies are optimistic Wheeler can return to their rotation in May, which is why he doesn’t exactly fit the criteria for a fantasy “stash” as he remains popular in the draft. He is among the top 150 in NFBC ADP, while Cole is much later. Can we guarantee that Wheeler, who is three months older than Cole, pitches more or performs better than Cole? These are very different injuries, but it’s a little strange that Cole’s ADP is so bad.
Anthony VolpeSS, Yankees: Volpe, whose 2025 season could be derailed by a labrum injury, is recovering after October surgery. Volpe, on the other hand, has been consistent throughout his three MLB seasons, posting an OPS in the .660 range each year, and averaging 17 home runs, 23 stolen bases, and 72 runs batted in. He can assist investors in both point formats and roto leagues. base stealer jose caballero Filling figures for at least one month.
Jordan Westberg3B, Orioles: Westberg, an All-Star and expected to start for the Orioles during the 2024 season, suffered a partial tear of the UCL in his throwing elbow. The franchise is hoping that platelet-rich plasma injections and rest will help him avoid season-ending Tommy John surgery. The Orioles may be headed to Kobe Mayo Or blaze alexander.
Tristan Casas1B, boston red sox: : Casas, whose 2025 season ended in the second game of May due to a catastrophic knee injury, looked to boast a bright future in 2023 after hitting 24 home runs as a rookie. He hit only .222 with 16 home runs in his 92 games. Red Sox also traded wilson contreras To handle first base. The 26-year-old Casas will certainly remain a fantasy sleeper if he returns healthy.
Other: Lourdes Gurriel Jr.. (knee), OF, Diamondbacks; jared jones (elbow), sp, pirouette; Ha-seong kim (finger), ss, atlanta braves; shaun murphy (hip), c, breves; Justin Steele (elbow), sp, chicago cubs.
May return for fantasy playoffs
corbin burnsSP, Diamondback: Burns is expected to return after the All-Star break after recovering from Tommy John surgery, having posted a 2.66 ERA in 11 starts last season. The four-time All-Star and 2021 NL Cy Young Award winner has a career ERA of 3.15, but there is no guarantee how often he will pitch in 2026.
Spencer SchwellenbachSP, Bahadur: Schwellenbach went through the first few months of 2025 with a 3.09 ERA, but it all ended in June due to an elbow fracture. Fantasy managers were initially excited for 2026, but when spring training began, the Braves announced that Schwellenbach (and promising teammates) Hurston Waldrep) required a procedure to remove bone spurs from his pitching elbows.
felix bautistaRP, Orioles: Bautista has been quite the risk/reward option as he was arguably fantasy’s top relief pitcher in 2023 (1.48 ERA, 33 saves). He missed the 2024 season due to recovery from Tommy John surgery, then saved 19 games in an inconsistent 2025 campaign before shoulder problems removed him from active duty. Bautista required surgery to repair his labrum and rotator cuff. Bautista won’t be able to pitch at all in 2026. the orioles said Ryan Helsley To close the victory.
anthony santanderOuch, Blue Jays: Santender, who hit 44 home runs for the 2024 Orioles, had one of the best performances of the 2025 season, as he hit just .175 with six home runs in 54 games before a shoulder injury took him out of the lineup for months. He returned for part of the postseason, but did not perform well. Now Sanchez will miss at least half of the season after undergoing surgery for a torn labrum in February.
Other: Ronel Blanco (elbow), SP, Astros; jackson jobe (elbow), sp, detroit tigers; jordan montgomerySP, Texas Rangers; AJ PookRP, diamondback; clark schmidt (elbow), sp, yankees; AJ Smith-Shower (elbow), sp, brave.
Keeper League Special for 2027
pablo lopezSP, minnesota twins: : Lopez, who posted a 2.74 ERA in 14 starts last season, suffered a torn UCL at the start of spring training and will miss the entire 2026 season. When healthy, Lopez is a potential top-20 fantasy starting pitcher option, striking out .234 hitters in 2023 and winning 15 games in 2024.
reese olsonSP, Tigers: Olson, who boasts a 3.60 ERA in three truncated MLB seasons, is out this season after shoulder surgery. Olson was never viewed as a top prospect, but he has performed well when available, and those in deep fantasy leagues have taken notice.
sebastian walcottSS, Rangers: Walcott, one of the top prospects in the game, underwent internal brace surgery to repair a torn UCL in February. There was no guarantee that Walcott, who turns 20 on March 14, would debut for Rangers this season, but don’t forget about this attractive player for 2027.
Others likely to miss the 2026 season include seattle mariners rhp logan evans (elbow), Padres RHP yu darvish (elbow) and san francisco giants rhp Randy Rodriguez (elbow).
