15 injured stars whose returns could be just as impactful as a trade

This time of year, every contender is exploring trades to strengthen their roster for the stretch run. But reinforcements can also come from within, in the form of top stars returning from long-term injuries.

The 15 players below certainly qualify. With all expected back either before the Trade Deadline on July 30 or not long after, they could have the same impact for their teams as a big trade acquisition. (All stats below are through the All-Star break.)

Kyle Tucker and Justin Verlander, Astros
When Tucker fouled a ball off his right shin on June 3 and suffered a contusion that has kept him out for more than six weeks, he was tied for second in the Majors with 19 homers and ranked fifth among qualifying hitters with a .979 OPS. Although the Astros have done just fine without him, going 23-12 in their final 35 games of the first half, being able to insert a hitter of Tucker’s caliber back into their lineup could make all the difference in a tight American League West race.

Houston will also welcome the return of Verlander from a neck issue to give its injury-riddled rotation a boost. The three-time Cy Young Award winner had a 3.26 ERA over his first eight starts before running into some trouble in June.

Michael Harris II, Braves
Much like they did when Ronald Acuña Jr. tore his right ACL in July 2021, the Braves are reportedly shopping for outfield help at this year’s Trade Deadline after losing Acuña to a left ACL tear back in May. On his way back from a left hamstring strain that has kept him out since mid-June, Harris could mitigate Atlanta’s need if he looks more like the player he was over his first two seasons once he returns from the IL. The 23-year-old center fielder hit just .250 with five homers and a .653 OPS prior to his injury, a far cry from his .295/.334/.494 slash across 2022-23.

Devin Williams, Brewers
At a time of the year when virtually every contender is on the lookout for bullpen help, the Brewers will have the benefit of getting back their two-time All-Star closer from a back injury that has kept him out all year. Milwaukee has posted the third-best ERA (3.35) and the second-best save percentage (tied with Cleveland at 74%) without Williams, so it isn’t exactly hurting for relievers, but having more bullpen depth should provide a lift for a team trying to make do with a depleted rotation. Williams was arguably MLB’s best reliever across 2020-23, ranking first in ERA (1.75), K/9 (14.51) and opponents’ batting average (.145) among hurlers with at least 200 innings in that span.

Tommy Edman, Cardinals
Rookie Michael Siani has filled in admirably on defense in center field with Edman sidelined all season after undergoing surgery on his right wrist last year, but the 25-year-old is hitting just .227 with a .568 OPS (61 OPS+). With a career 100 OPS+, Edman isn’t anyone’s idea of an offensive powerhouse, but he represents a notable upgrade over Siani and could make a big difference for a Cardinals lineup that is tied for 21st in MLB in runs per game (4.15).

Merrill Kelly and Eduardo Rodriguez, D-backs
After making a surprising run to the World Series a year ago, the D-backs have spent 2024 treading water, but they remain in contention for a National League Wild Card berth and are about to get back two big rotation pieces for the stretch run. Kelly and Rodriguez were expected to be fill the second and third spots in Arizona’s rotation behind ace Zac Gallen this season, but Kelly made just four starts before going down with a right shoulder injury, and Rodriguez has missed the entire year with a left lat strain after signing a four-year, $80 million deal with the D-backs in free agency. As a result, the D-backs’ starting staff has the fourth-highest ERA (4.80) in MLB.

Arizona is also due to get starter Jordan Montgomery, another free-agent addition, back from right knee inflammation, though it remains to be seen what version of the left-hander the team will see. Montgomery was a postseason hero for the World Series-champion Rangers in 2023, but he owns a 6.44 ERA over 13 starts this year.

Mookie Betts and Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
With more players on the injured list than any other team, the Dodgers limped into the All-Star break with a 4-9 record over their final 13 games, getting outscored 90-53 in that span. Los Angeles’ top-heavy lineup is really missing Betts, who hit .304 with 10 homers, 40 RBIs, 50 runs scored and an .893 OPS over 72 games before fracturing his left hand on a hit-by-pitch on June 16.

Even more of an issue is the Dodgers’ rotation. After Tyler Glasnow went on the 15-day IL due to lower back tightness on July 9 and Bobby Miller was optioned to Triple-A one day later following another poor start, Los Angeles was left with only three healthy starters on the big league roster: Gavin Stone, James Paxton and Landon Knack. Although Glasnow is set to make a quick return from the IL, Los Angeles’ rotation needs more help. And with Yoshinobu Yamamoto (right rotator cuff strain) out until mid-August and possibly longer, the onus is on Kershaw to make a successful return from left shoulder surgery. The Dodgers are expected to be an aggressive buyer in the starting pitching market regardless, but barring a blockbuster deal for Garrett Crochet or Tarik Skubal, Kershaw might be just as big of an addition as anyone they acquire.

Kodai Senga, Mets
After numerous stops and starts, Senga finally appears to be nearing his return from a right shoulder ailment that has sidelined him all season, potentially giving the Mets an ace-caliber starter for their postseason push. As a rookie in 2023, the Japanese right-hander recorded a 2.98 ERA with 202 strikeouts over 166 1/3 innings, finishing seventh in the NL Cy Young Award voting.

Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres
When Tatis was first diagnosed with a stress reaction in his right thigh bone in late June, it was thought that the right fielder could miss the rest of the season, but his injury appears to be less severe than initially feared. The Padres need him back sooner rather than later. San Diego lost six of its final seven games before the All-Star break, scoring just 17 runs in that span. At 50-49, the Friars are one of eight NL teams hovering around the .500 mark and vying for one of the final two NL Wild Card spots.

Josh Jung, Rangers
Josh Smith has stepped up in a big way as Texas’ starting third baseman since Jung fractured his right wrist on a hit-by-pitch on April 1, but the defending World Series champions should benefit from having Jung’s powerful bat back in the lineup as they try to remain in the AL postseason hunt. The Rangers’ offense ranks 16th in MLB in scoring (4.31 runs per game) and is tied for 17th in homers (101) and 21st in slugging percentage (.382).

Triston Casas, Red Sox
Once considered a potential seller, the Red Sox have overcome a rash of injuries to put themselves in contention and now look likely to buy at the Trade Deadline. However, they might not need to be overly aggressive shopping for a hitter with Casas nearing a return from torn cartilage in his ribcage. His return will address one of the biggest weaknesses in Boston’s lineup. Since his injury, Red Sox first basemen have recorded a collective .684 OPS.

Royce Lewis, Twins
Lewis has dealt with a long list of injuries since being selected with the first overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, and this year has been no exception. The third baseman has played just 24 games in 2024, missing more than two months with a right quad strain suffered on Opening Day and going on the IL again with a right adductor strain on July 3. When he’s been available, though, Lewis has been one of the best hitters in baseball over the past two seasons, slashing .304/.367/.588 with 25 homers in 82 games. If the Twins can keep him healthy during the second half, he could be one of the biggest X-factors in the AL Wild Card race.

Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees
Although the Yankees’ slide began before Stanton strained his left hamstring on June 22, his absence has exacerbated New York’s woes. Despite having Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, the Bronx Bombers have recorded just a .400 slugging percentage since Stanton went down, ranking 22nd in MLB during that time. The Yanks have a lot of shopping to do prior to the Trade Deadline to address their numerous holes, but Stanton’s return should at least lessen their need for a hitter.