Five fantasy baseball players to stash away on your DL

Matt Garza (Chicago Cubs - SP)Owned in 59 percent of Yahoo! leagues2012 stats: 18 games started, 5 wins, 7 losses, 96 strikeouts, 32 walks, 3.91 ERA, 1.18 WHIPGarza only really played half a season last year so those numbers are lower than what he is capable of. In 2011 he had 197 K's. He is also reliable for a decent ERA considering he has had an ERA under 4.00 every season of his career expect his rookie year back in 2006.Mark Teixeira  (New York Yankees - 1B)71 percent owned in Yahoo! leagues2012 stats: 123 games, 451 at-bats, 66 runs, 24 HR, 84 RBI, 2 SB, .251 averageTeixeira typically hits loads of RBIs and 20+ home runs his average has only been around the .250 mark for the last three years, though. He's recovering from a wrist injury so there's no telling how that will affect his power. He is expected back late April or early May.David Ortiz (Boston Red Sox - 1B)86 percent owned in Yahoo! leagues2012 stats: 90 games, 324 at-bats, 65 runs, 23 HR, 60 RBI, .318 averageOrtiz is expected back in the lineup in just a few weeks. He is a power hitter with a long track record (he hasn't hit fewer than 20 home runs since 2001). Unlike other players who swing for the fences, his average tends to be pretty respectable as well.View the list »
Brian McCann (Atlanta Braves - C)79 percent owned in Yahoo! leagues2012 stats: 121 games, 439 at-bats, 44 runs, 20 HR, 67 RBI, 3 SB, .230 averageNeed some help at catcher? Check to see if Brian McCann is available in your league. McCann has hit 20+ home runs for five straight seasons so he will add some power to your lineup upon his return. He is expected back late April.

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Picking up a player who is on the disabled list and then stashing them away until they get healthy is one way to improve your team over the long haul. Sometimes fantasy mangers get impatient when players are hurt, or maybe they have mounting injuries and need to drop some players to make room for replacements. Whatever the case may be, if you have a healthy and happy team, you can capitalize on this to your full advantage.

The best part of all is that you can do basically pull this off for free. First, find a player listed on the DL that is available on waivers or free agents. Drop someone and pick him up. Immediately move the injured player to your your DL slot then immediately go pick up another player (ideally at the same position as the one you dropped). Boom. You just added someone without having to give up much.

Here are five currently injured players available in some Yahoo! fantasy baseball leagues that you should consider adding:

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  • Brian McCann (Atlanta Braves - C)79 percent owned in Yahoo! leagues2012 stats: 121 games, 439 at-bats, 44 runs, 20 HR, 67 RBI, 3 SB, .230 averageNeed some help at catcher? Check to see if Brian McCann is available in your league. McCann has hit 20+ home runs for five straight seasons so he will add some power to your lineup upon his return. He is expected back late April.
  • David Ortiz (Boston Red Sox - 1B)86 percent owned in Yahoo! leagues2012 stats: 90 games, 324 at-bats, 65 runs, 23 HR, 60 RBI, .318 averageOrtiz is expected back in the lineup in just a few weeks. He is a power hitter with a long track record (he hasn't hit fewer than 20 home runs since 2001). Unlike other players who swing for the fences, his average tends to be pretty respectable as well.
  • Mark Teixeira  (New York Yankees - 1B)71 percent owned in Yahoo! leagues2012 stats: 123 games, 451 at-bats, 66 runs, 24 HR, 84 RBI, 2 SB, .251 averageTeixeira typically hits loads of RBIs and 20+ home runs his average has only been around the .250 mark for the last three years, though. He's recovering from a wrist injury so there's no telling how that will affect his power. He is expected back late April or early May.
  • Matt Garza (Chicago Cubs - SP)Owned in 59 percent of Yahoo! leagues2012 stats: 18 games started, 5 wins, 7 losses, 96 strikeouts, 32 walks, 3.91 ERA, 1.18 WHIPGarza only really played half a season last year so those numbers are lower than what he is capable of. In 2011 he had 197 K's. He is also reliable for a decent ERA considering he has had an ERA under 4.00 every season of his career expect his rookie year back in 2006.
  • Chad Billingsley (Los Angeles Dodgers - SP)Owned in 16 percent of Yahoo! leagues2012 stats: 25 games started, 10 wins, 9 losses, 128 strikeouts, 45 walks, 3.55 ERA, 1.29 WHIPBillingsley is available in a majority of leagues and won't be out very long as he is slated to make his first start on April 10th. Billingsley generally has some pretty good strikeout numbers and has also put up double digit wins for the last six years.
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Suggested by the author:

, Rochester Fantasy Sports Examiner

Alexander Hinkley has been playing fantasy sports for more than 10 years. He currently works as the Fantasy Content Manager for the National Lacrosse League and has an interest in fantasy lacrosse, hockey, baseball, and football. You may contact Alex with your comments and questions.

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