MLB Players on Way Back from Injuries: Updates on Mason Miller, Mike Trout, Triston Casas, Max Muncy, Taijuan Walker and More

The MLB trade deadline has passed and the fantasy baseball season is starting to wind down now.

Some fantasy owners are fighting for their playoff lives, while others could use a late-season boost to increase their championship aspirations.

Today, I wanted to discuss several MLB players who are working their way back from injuries and could help out fantasy teams again at some point. Let’s dive in!

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Christian Yelich Out with Back Injury

Milwaukee Brewers’ Yelich is still on the injured list with a back injury, but he hopes to play again before the end of the regular season.

In 73 games this season, Yelich has a .315 average and .406 on-base percentage, so not having him available is big for fantasy owners. We don’t really have any idea when Yelich might return, but with those kinds of numbers, it’s hard to move on from Yeli.

Fantasy owners appear to be holding out hope for his return, as his own percentage is still at 98% despite not playing since July 24 and with no return date in sight. He really is too valuable to just outright drop right now.

If a fantasy owner needs Yelich’s roster spot in order to try and make the postseason, I would suggest trying to trade Yelich. You likely aren’t going to get a big return, but the player coming your way might be better than anyone you can track down on the waiver wire. I’d much rather try that than dropping Yelich outright.

Jacob deGrom Getting Closer

deGrom has been out all season, but could be back sometime in August. He had surgery to repair his right UCL.

deGrom has had one of the biggest “what if” MLB careers. He has a career 2.53 earned run average since making his MLB debut in 2014. He’s made 30 or more starts only four times in his career, while finishing with 15 or less starts in four seasons as well.

Whenever he’s on the mound, his high strikeout numbers make him a good fantasy asset. That’s shown by his 61% own percentage despite not throwing a pitch in a game all season.

Once he starts making rehab appearances, his own percentage will likely shoot up, so in order to avoid the late frenzy to get him, adding deGrom now might be your only chance to land the talented pitcher.

Mason Miller Likely to Pitch Again

Miller is one of the most electric pitchers in the game today, but a fractured left pinky finger has him on the injured list.

The injury isn’t on his throwing hand, which means he should be able to return after his cast is off. He was placed on the IL July 25 and at the time of the injury was supposed to be re-evaluated in “a couple weeks.” He should return sometime in August barring any setbacks.

Miller was owned and played in just about every fantasy league before the injury, but has seen his own percentage dip to 89 now. A few of you could add one of the best fantasy relievers in the game for free, and as he sits on the IL, more and more fantasy owners might decide to move on from him, so he’s worth monitoring.

It might also make sense for you to try to swing a trade for Miller. Being a reliever and out of action for a bit has his fantasy value down, and if you can afford to stash him for a couple weeks, he could be a guy who really helps your fantasy team down the stretch.

Rehab for Mike Trout Shut Down

Trout is working his way back from a torn meniscus in his left knee but was shut down from his rehab assignment after experiencing soreness. 

Everyone knows the special talent Trout is, but he simply can’t stay on the field, which of course hurts his fantasy value. He’s rostered and started in every league when he’s healthy, but with no return date in sight, many of you might want to move on from Trout.

I’d approach him similarly to Yelich. I’d try to avoid outright dropping Trout and instead try to trade him. You won’t get a player of Trout’s caliber in return, but the player will likely be better than anything you can find on the waiver wire.

A healthy player is a lot better for some fantasy teams right now than a star hitter who may or may not play again this season. See what you can come up with in a trade before dropping Trout.

Christian Walker Out Roughly Three Weeks

Walker was enjoying a big season for Arizona, but recently went down with a low-grade left oblique strain. He hopes to only miss three weeks, but the injury is severe enough that the D-Backs traded for Josh Bell at the deadline.

In 107 games this season, Walker has a .254 average and .338 OBP. While those numbers don’t really stand out, his 23 homers and 20 doubles among his 102 total hits do. Walker also has 71 RBIs, 62 runs scored, two stolen bases, 48 walks and 114 strikeouts this season.

Because it’s viewed as just a couple-week injury, Walker isn’t likely going to be dropped in any leagues, but I bet his fantasy owners might be willing to trade him away. If you can afford to stash him for a couple weeks, you might be able to get Walker fairly cheap in a deal right now. 

Trade away from a position of strength and try to acquire a good fantasy hitter for the final few weeks of action. He could be just what your fantasy team needs to win it all.

Merrill Kelly and Eduardo Rodriguez also Close

Arizona’s Kelly and Rodriguez could both be back in early August. 

Kelly hasn’t pitched since late April, but has been throwing simulated games and bullpen sessions lately. After a rehab start or two, he could be ready to return to the MLB mound.

Rodriguez hasn’t pitched all season after getting injured in spring training. An MRI in early July showed he has completely healed from his left lat strain, and after he makes a couple rehab starts, he too could return to the mound for Arizona.

Kelly is rostered in 77% of leagues, but has shown to be a high-end fantasy pitcher over his career. As he nears an MLB return, his own percentage should be much closer to 100.

Rodriguez is still rostered in 38% of leagues despite not making a major league appearance this season. He was drafted highly before the season, and should also have an own percentage close to 100 when he’s ready to make his MLB season debut.

Michael Harris II About Two Weeks Away

Harris has been out since June 14, but hopes to return when he’s eligible to on Aug. 14.

In 67 games so far, Harris has a .250 average and .295 OBP. He has nine doubles, five homers and two triples among his 65 total hits, along with 20 RBIs, 30 runs scored, eight stolen bases, 15 walks and 59 strikeouts.

It hasn’t been the season we expected out of Harris, but he’s still a must-own fantasy player in all formats. He’s rostered in 85% of leagues now, and probably should be added (if you can) to avoid the late push for him as he nears a return.

Triston Casas Begins Rehab Assignment

Casas hasn’t played since April 20, but started a rehab assignment on Tuesday in Triple-A. It likely won’t take him long to get back into the swing of things, and so now is the time to add him if you can.

Casas has plenty of pop and appeals to fantasy owners as a run producer. He’s rostered in 67% of leagues and should see that number rise rapidly over the next few days.

If you could use some late-season first base help, Casas is a great option, and you can maybe get him for free.

Max Muncy Still Working His Way Back

Muncy has been out with a right oblique strain since May 15. He’s been taking grounders and running the bases, but doesn’t have a timetable for his return yet.

He’s proven to be a good fantasy asset when healthy, so he’s a name to track and possibly add when he gets closer to playing. Muncy is available in nearly 40% of leagues now, so many of you could nab him for free.

Taijuan Walker Begins Rehab Assignment

Philadelphia’s Walker is nearing a return from his right index finger inflammation. He is set to pitch three or four innings in the minors on Wednesday, meaning an MLB return isn’t too far off if things progress from there.

In 10 starts this season, Walker is 3-3 with a 5.60 ERA. He has 43 strikeouts over 53 innings.

It’s a small sample size, but not a great one. Walker has been a decent fantasy pitcher at times over his career, and will be a streaming option when he returns from the IL. He’s worth streaming in the right matchup and possibly holding on to if he dials things in.