Dave Funnell continues his series looking at the injury history and risk position by position. This week, he once again digs into the injury concerns at the utility position. For more injury analysis make sure to follow Dave on Twitter @sportz_nutt51.
When assessing the future stats of a player, it’s imperative to consider player health and injury risk when speculating on playing time. After all, getting onto the field and being given a chance to succeed only happens if the player is healthy enough. That’s why looking at a player’s track record of health gives credence to whether someone is worth drafting. A fantasy team could have all the talent in the world, but if they’re on your Injured List or bench, they lose a ton of value.
We are moving toward draft season, and all eyes will be on the top players at each position. Knowing of any inherent risk to drafting someone can help teams in the long run. That’s why going through the examinations of injury risk is important for roster construction. The following will be the Injury History of the top players at every position with special notes on their healthy or troubled pasts. Seeing trends in their health could help determine any future problems.
MLB Injury Risk at DH/UT
The players listed below will be separated into one of three categories: red light, yellow light, green light. The timeframe that will be examined will primarily be from 2021 to 2023, though looking into the distant past might also take place.
Red Light: any players listed here have an extensive and/or concerning injury history that seems likely to come into play in the future. The potential for injury outweighs their production on the field and their selection could lead to roster problems down the line. The reoccurrence of a particular injury or multiple injuries also creates the need for a red light. Fantasy owners should be wary of drafting these players because the risk of injury is high.
Yellow Light: any players listed here have had their injury problems before, but they’re not necessarily prone to injury. These players here have situations to monitor, especially during the off-season and Spring Training, but it’s not necessarily as bleak as it could be. The types of injuries could also be freakish or due to bad luck with events leading to it being out of the ordinary. Fantasy owners should be aware of the injury history, but know the possibility for health is there too.
Green Light: any players listed here have had minimal problems and their future doesn’t appear to be in any jeopardy. There is nothing from their past that would indicate an injury-prone future. While injuries could happen at any time, there are no red flags in this player’s history to suggest it will lead to another one. Fantasy owners can feel safe in drafting these players.
Things to remember:
- The players listed are in the general order from which they are being drafted.
- The level of confidence has to do with their health and nothing to do with their abilities on the field.
- A player’s injured past is not a direct indication that they will get injured in the future.
- Pitchers tend to be more prone to getting injured as opposed to hitters, especially with long-term injuries.
- The minimum time away on the Injured List is ten days for hitters and fifteen days for pitchers.
1. Shohei Ohtani – Los Angeles Dodgers
2024 – 159 games played, 636 at-bats, 731 plate appearances
It was a storybook year for Shohei Ohtani, as he won his third MVP in four seasons and became a World Series champion. It was quite the Dodgers debut for the world’s greatest player. And yet, his 2025 comes with incredibly cloudy skies. Not only is he rehabbing from (what is believed to be) his second Tommy John Surgery, but he also had off-season surgery on his shoulder to repair a torn labrum. The good news is that he is expected to be ready for Spring Training without any restrictions on his shoulder. Still, there’s that, his ability to finally pitch again, and his incredibly long Injury History that lingers in the background, making the consensus first-overall pick not as much of a lock as one might believe. At the end of the day, there are too many things to worry about after a long season that make his value in 2025 very difficult to assess. For anyone else in the league, there would be no doubt that he is a massive avoid in all formats. Yet, the only real counter here is that it’s Shohei Ohtani. It all depends on how risk-averse you are. Draft with caution.
2. Brent Rooker – The Athletics
2024 – 145 games played, 546 at-bats, 614 plate appearances
Brent Rooker took another step in his development last year, proving that he is one of the game’s best power hitters. It was revealed in October that he had played through the entire season with a forearm injury that required surgery. While he is expected to be fully healthy come Opening Day, it’s a testament to his fortitude to be able to do what he did. He looks locked in and ready to go in 2025 and should gain outfield eligibility early on. Draft with confidence.
3. Kyle Schwarber – Philadelphia Phillies
2024 – 150 games played, 573 at-bats, 692 plate appearances
Kyle Schwarber has thrived with his stalky frame, becoming quite durable and reliable for years. Other than a serious knee injury early in his career, he has been someone who has played almost every day. He has missed just 21 games since the start of the 2022 season while becoming one of the best power hitters in baseball. Last season, he transitioned into the role of a designated hitter, which could continue in 2025, especially at this point in his career. That change of pace didn’t affect him at the plate, as he managed to finish with his lowest total strikeouts in years. Draft with confidence.
4. Marcell Ozuna – Atlanta Braves
2024 – 162 games played, 606 at-bats, 688 plate appearances
Marcell Ozuna has done well in overcoming his physical and legal issues from earlier in his career, which has helped him develop into a steady force in the Braves lineup. His 162 games played last season is a testament to his durability and new-leaf mentality of changing who he is on and off the field. Since the start of the 2023 season, Ozuna has only made two non-DH appearances in games, both of which took place in left field near the beginning of the 2023 season. Despite entering his age-34 season, he remains a mainstay in the Braves lineup and near the top of draft boards. The only hope here is that there is no performance fatigue due to his everyday role with the team last season. Draft with confidence.
5. Joc Pederson – Texas Rangers
2024 – 132 games played, 367 at-bats, 449 plate appearances
Joc Pederson has had his fair share of injuries over the years, leading to some concern about his health. He has suffered multiple concussions, wrist and hand ailments, as well as groin setbacks, leading to him missing some time over the years. And yet, he consistently plays well over 100 games per season even as a left-handed platoon bat. In addition to this, he also signed with the Texas Rangers this off-season to the tune of a two-year deal worth $37 million. As a result, he will play when called upon, and it might be quite often, given his power potential. The hope is that as he enters his age-33 season, he can have a second consecutive season where he avoids injuries and produces the way that the Rangers hoped when they signed him. Still, his injury history warrants some notice. Draft with attention.
6. Giancarlo Stanton – New York Yankees
2024 – 114 games played, 417 at-bats, 459 plate appearances
The injury history for Giancarlo Stanton is long and extensive. Over his 15 years of service in baseball, he has been on the Injured List 12 times for fractures, strains, and sprains. His manager has already stated that he will lose playing time this year to keep him healthy, which is not a ringing endorsement for drafting him. He will also begin the season on the Injured List with tennis elbow in both elbows, which was an injury that lingered from last season. He has no timetable for a return, and speculation is that it could be significant in length.. While his 114 games played last season is encouraging, it’s still not enough to warrant any sort of recommendation here. Draft with caution.
7. Masataka Yoshida – Boston Red Sox
2024 – 108 games played, 378 at-bats, 421 plate appearances
Masataka Yoshida had off-season shoulder surgery, which was an ailment that hindered his production and ability to stay on the field in 2024. As we move through February, there is no guarantee that he will be ready for Opening Day as he continues to rehab. Needless to say, he has been a disappointment to both fantasy owners and the Red Sox themselves, with rumors of an impending trade being floated. His inability to play in the field really limits his value to the team and in trades. Boston has an influx of young talent, but they also seem saddled with Yoshida, his contract, and their inability to utilize them in more ways than they can. Given these restrictions and how hard it can be to play to one’s potential after shoulder surgeries, he is someone to avoid in drafts unless the price is right. Draft with caution.
8. Kris Bryant – Colorado Rockies
2024 – 37 games played, 133 at-bats, 155 plate appearances
Kris Bryant might be one of the biggest disappointments in all of baseball. Since arriving in Colorado, he has missed time on the Injured List eight different times for five different body parts. He continues to rehab and recover from multiple injuries with the Rockies, trying various treatment plans to justify this catastrophic signing. He’s still just 33 years old and has years left to go on his contract, but he is beyond fragile and so difficult to trust. He is an avoid at (almost) all costs, though with his draft price being lower than ever, it’s understandable if you want to buy back in with no risk whatsoever. Draft with caution.
For more of the great fantasy baseball rankings and analysis you’ve come to expect from FantraxHQ, check out our full 2025 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit! We’re here for you all the way up until Opening Day and then on into your championship run.
