CBS Sports expands fantasy baseball injury rankings amid rising MLB injury rates
The publisher has extended its injured list stash rankings to 60 players for the first time, citing a period where injuries are outpacing recoveries across Major League Baseball.
CBS Sports has published an updated assessment of fantasy baseball injured list stashes, expanding the scope of its rankings from 40 to 60 players. The update, released on June 3, 2026, marks a significant shift in the publisher’s coverage of player availability, driven by what the outlet describes as a period where injuries are currently outpacing recoveries in the sport.
The expansion of the list to 60 entries is noted as a first-time occurrence for the rankings, which previously capped at 40. This adjustment reflects the increasing complexity of managing fantasy rosters during what the publisher terms the "dog days" of the season, as the volume of sidelined players necessitates a broader evaluation of potential replacements.
Two players have been added to the priority stash list in this iteration: Elly De La Cruz and Konnor Griffin. CBS Sports identifies both athletes as priority stashes, indicating their high value to fantasy teams despite their current status on the injured list. The inclusion of these names underscores the publisher’s focus on identifying high-impact players who are expected to return and provide immediate value.
The rankings methodology prioritises potential on-field impact over the immediacy of a player’s return. While proximity to return is a factor, the publisher explicitly states that the latter metric carries more weight in determining a player’s rank. This approach suggests a strategic shift towards valuing long-term roster stability and performance potential over short-term availability.
Several high-profile long-term injured players are noted as nearing or undertaking rehab assignments, signalling potential returns to the active roster. These include Hunter Brown, Francisco Lindor, Corey Seager, and Wyatt Langford. The update also references Jared Jones as nearing a return, further illustrating the dynamic nature of player availability that fantasy managers must navigate.
This development occurs within a broader sports news cycle for CBS Sports, which has recently covered other major sporting events, including NBA and NHL playoff series. The focus on fantasy baseball injuries highlights the ongoing challenges for fantasy participants as they manage roster construction amidst a high volume of player absences.
