Key Injuries Heading into 2026 Spring Training: Fantasy Baseball Fallout

Snellzilla is always injured, but not always so early. A healthy Blake Snell has won 2x Cy Youngs — so he is definitely worth drafting/stashing, however, select him at your own risk, because even if he comes back “100%”, he still may miss more time.

Spencer Schwellenbach (ATL)

Bone spurs in his elbow. Not good. He is expected to miss at least the first two months of the season.

After showing his ace capabilities until the injury last season, Spencer Schwellenbach was high on most people’s rankings. After being burned in the past by injury-discounted starters on draft day, I would stay away from him as a dominant return is far from guaranteed.

Hurston Waldrep (ATL)

Looks like 3 months+ for Hurston Waldrep at the minimum and maybe even TJ. Avoid. Look for him to bounce back in 2027.

Major Hitter Injuries

Corbin Carroll (AZ)

Francisco Lindor (NYM)

Jackson Holliday (BAL)

These guys all had hamate surgery and should be back before or around Opening Day. As smaller guys already, this will further limit their power numbers until they are 100%, which may take a while. Personally, I am avoiding all three, however, it may be smart to buy low in May or so if they start off poorly. Corbin Carroll and Francisco Lindor should still swipe some bags, but Jackson Holliday may be best on somebody else’s team due to the limited upside.

Jordan Westburg (BAL)

Jordan Westburg was diagnosed with a partially torn UCL and will miss all of April. He is worth avoiding in the early rounds, but if you can land him with your last few picks he will be worth a stash. Baltimore’s lineup is much improved from 2025 and he will be hitting near the top of it.

Fantasy Baseball Fallout and Strategies

Hopefully, you did not draft before the news of any of these injuries. Francisco Lindor’s injury at an already thin position can shake up your pre-draft rankings quite a bit — bumping up guys like Zach Neto and Jeremy Pena a tier or two.

Dynasty players — good luck if you own these guys. It may be worth moving a few vets to re-tool and look for success in the 2026 rookie draft. If you can get substantial packages for older players, it may be smart to consider trading them.

How to Adjust Your Draft Plan

Look for healthy players coming into the year — especially starters. Pitcher health is very important, so don’t waste picks on guys who may have lingering issues throughout the season.

Use your IR spots wisely. Remember, if you need to activate someone, you need to drop a roster player — so make sure the injured player is somebody who will make a difference on your team.

Throughout the year, it is smart to keep a close eye on players’ health — whether it be major injuries or minor stingers. Something like a bruised hand can really affect a player’s production (William Contreras last year).

Make sure you are up-to-date with the rest of the league’s injuries prior to draft day. If more top-end players are dealing with issues, look to pivot to healthy middle-of-the-pack guys who fall past their ADPs or vets who nobody wants to touch but have a little bit of upside.

Good luck!

People Want to Know About Injuries in Spring Training and Fantasy Baseball Impact

What are the key injuries in 2026 spring training?
Pablo López has a torn UCL, Corbin Carroll and Francisco Lindor had hamate surgeries, and Jordan Westburg has a partially torn UCL.

How do 2026 spring training injuries affect fantasy baseball?
They suppress ADP for affected players and create draft value and replacement opportunities.

Will Corbin Carroll be ready for Opening Day 2026?
He is tracking toward a return near Opening Day following hamate surgery.

Should I draft Pablo López in 2026 fantasy baseball?
No. He will miss the entire season after Tommy John surgery.

How should managers handle injuries in 2026 fantasy drafts?
Apply draft discounts, prioritize healthy depth, and use IR strategically in applicable formats.