Nobody is allowed to get injured anymore.
We’re inside of six weeks to go, after all, which means anyone who goes down now probably isn’t coming back. That’s not strictly true, of course. Minimal IL stints do exist, but they’re not so easily anticipated. Consider it a bonus if you get anything more from a player who you’re currently stashing in an IL spot.
Still, if you have the spots, you might as well use them, right? Even if it seems like a lost cause, the tide can turn quickly. Oneil Cruz and Maikel Garcia were both activated Monday after only a week or so of forewarning. Carlos Rodon is set to be activated Tuesday after making only two rehab starts. Konnor Griffin and Roman Anthony just went from months of no progress to being on the verge of a rehab assignment in the blink of an eye. Not all is lost until the clock runs out.
That’s why, for this last edition of the IL stash rankings, you may notice that certain players presumed to be done for 2026 still occupy a place of significance. Presumption isn’t the final say, after all, and if Nick Kurtz, Shea Langeliers or Spencer Schwellenbach do make it back for the final week or two, it’ll have a greater say in your league’s final outcome than if you had stashed, say, Davis Martin.
Think of it as just another form of lottery ticket as the season begins to wind down. Maybe don’t hold your breath, but do cross your fingers.
Too valuable to drop, period
Also really difficult to drop
Still a priority on some level
Stashing is purely a luxury
