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The Year of the Setback strikes again. The latest victim: Luis Severino, who was winding down his second rehab assignment for Tommy John surgery (the first having been interrupted by a groin injury in June) when he felt tightness in his right shoulder. The severity of the injury is still unknown, but even if it shuts him down for only a week or two, it significantly lengthens the odds of him making a substantive contribution in Fantasy Baseball this year.

Yup, we've reached the stage of the season when every injury has the potential to be a season-ender, particularly with regard to starting pitchers. By the time they go through the buildup process, there may not be time left for them to make more than a start or two.

Which makes it really difficult to know what to do with Jacob deGrom, who we recently learned is being shut down for two more weeks with elbow inflammation. By that point, he'll have missed eight weeks, making a lengthy buildup inevitable -- and that's presuming he's cleared right away.

Clayton Kershaw is at least playing catch already. Shane Bieber is back to throwing off a mound. Pablo Lopez and Aaron Civale have been doing so for weeks now and are on the verge of a rehab assignment. It's fair to wonder how much any of them will have a chance to contribute, and yet they're much further ahead of deGrom.

It's why, for the purposes of my IL stash rankings, I'm to the point now where I'm moving deGrom out of the "too valuable to drop, period" category ... but just barely. He still ranks fairly high. I'd still prefer not to drop him if I have the available IL space. My chances of winning are severely diminished without him, so it's worth holding out hope for a miraculous return. Even if it's only for a start or two, it could be the start or two that makes all the difference. And if you don't get the benefit of them, someone else will.

When prioritizing my IL spots, I'll still hold out for the bigger impact even if the odds of a return are smaller. That's all the more true in a 12-team league than something deeper. If you're not even sure whether you'd continue to roster a player when he comes off the IL -- if it's at all in question -- then why stash him over a certified difference-maker like deGrom? You already have a wide selection of maybes on the waiver wire. Having one in an IL spot doesn't really put you ahead. 

Here are some additional injury updates to consider:

  • Mike Trout, like deGrom, doesn't appear to be any closer to returning, having yet to begin running full speed. At this point, you can't count on him making it back at all, but it's still best to stash him if you can help it.
  • It sounds like Adalberto Mondesi may still be worth stashing as well, at least in 5x5 leagues for the possible steals help. He had to shut down his rehab assignment this weekend with continued soreness in his oblique, but it turns out it was only scar tissue. He'll continue fielding, throwing and hitting from the right side.
  • Mookie Betts' hip issue is now known to be a bone spur, and he recently got an injection to help with the pain. Because it's a pain-tolerance issue at this point, at least until he can have surgery this offseason, it's possible he doesn't miss extended time.
  • There is no timetable for Alex Bregman's return from a quadriceps injury after he was pulled from his rehab assignment over a week ago. He's doing rehab work on the side for now to ensure that his legs are "fully underneath him." It means he'll likely need another lengthy rehab assignment once that side work ends.
  • Ian Anderson and Corey Kluber have both begun rehab assignments, but the former is much closer to returning than the latter.
  • The Yankees are nearly past their COVID-19 outbreak. Gary Sanchez and Jordan Montgomery are both expected back Tuesday. Anthony Rizzo will be a few days behind them.
Too valuable to drop, period
1
Yu Darvish San Diego Padres SP
back tightness
2
Kyle Tucker Houston Astros RF
undisclosed (COVID-related)
3
Carlos Rodon Chicago White Sox SP
shoulder fatigue
4
Mookie Betts Los Angeles Dodgers RF
bone spur in hip
5
Jesse Winker Cincinnati Reds LF
intercostal strain
6
Julio Urias Los Angeles Dodgers SP
calf contusion
7
Javier Baez New York Mets SS
back spasms
8
Shane Bieber Cleveland Indians SP
strained shoulder
9
Byron Buxton Minnesota Twins CF
fractured hand
10
Francisco Lindor New York Mets SS
strained oblique
11
Aroldis Chapman New York Yankees RP
elbow inflammation
12
Ian Anderson Atlanta Braves SP
shoulder inflammation
13
Willson Contreras Chicago Cubs C
sprained knee
14
Clayton Kershaw Los Angeles Dodgers SP
forearm inflammation
15
Mike Trout Los Angeles Angels CF
strained calf
16
Alex Bregman Houston Astros 3B
strained hamstring
Maybe in the shallowest leagues
17
Jacob deGrom New York Mets SP
elbow inflammation
18
Pablo Lopez Miami Marlins SP
strained rotator cuff
19
Aaron Civale Cleveland Indians SP
sprained finger
20
Anthony Rizzo New York Yankees 1B
COVID-19
21
Rhys Hoskins Philadelphia Phillies 1B
strained groin
22
Adalberto Mondesi Kansas City Royals SS
strained oblique
23
Gary Sanchez New York Yankees C
COVID-19
If you have to, you have to
24
Jordan Montgomery New York Yankees SP
COVID-19
25
Luis Severino New York Yankees SP
Tommy John surgery, strained groin, sore shoulder
26
Yasmani Grandal Chicago White Sox C
torn knee tendon
Stashing is purely a luxury
27
Corey Kluber New York Yankees SP
strained shoulder
28
player headshot
Akil Baddoo Detroit Tigers CF
concussion
29
Ryan Mountcastle Baltimore Orioles 1B
concussion
30
Raimel Tapia Colorado Rockies LF
sprained toe
31
Gleyber Torres New York Yankees SS
sprained thumb
32
player headshot
Huascar Ynoa Atlanta Braves SP
fractured hand
33
Jose Urquidy Houston Astros SP
shoulder discomfort
34
Domingo German New York Yankees SP
shoulder inflammation
35
player headshot
Cavan Biggio Toronto Blue Jays 3B
back/neck soreness