{"id":47730,"date":"2026-08-16T01:25:41","date_gmt":"2026-08-15T20:25:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=47730"},"modified":"2026-08-16T01:25:41","modified_gmt":"2026-08-15T20:25:41","slug":"trio-of-valuable-fantasy-baseball-hurlers-to-target-despite-worrisome-injury-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=47730","title":{"rendered":"Trio of valuable fantasy baseball hurlers to target despite worrisome injury history"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<aside class=\"commerce-disclosure\">\n\t\t<i>Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission if you sign up through our links. Read our <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/betting-editorial-standards\/\">editorial standards<\/a> for more information.<\/i><br \/>\n\t<\/aside>\n<p>In a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fantasyalarm.com\/?affiliate=nypost\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-nyp-affiliate=\"true\">fantasy baseball<\/a> world where keeper formats and dynasty leagues are all the rage, even a last-place team has work to do in mid-August. <\/p>\n<p>Never call it a season unless there truly is nothing left to do.<\/p>\n<p>Almost no one writes content for managers who have surrendered the current campaign, but you actually hold a massive strategic advantage: time. <\/p>\n<p>Right now, is the ultimate window to build your 2027 roster through the \u201cPost-Op Pivot,\u201d aggressively trading for high-ceiling young pitchers who have already cleared the hurdle of major arm surgery.<\/p>\n<p>Fantasy managers remain inherently risk-averse regarding elbow and forearm injuries, often treating pitchers, post-surgery, as damaged goods. <\/p>\n<p>Nevertheless, once a young pitcher completes the grueling rehabilitation process and proves they can handle a mound again, the risk-to-reward ratio swings heavily in your favor.<\/p>\n<p>Modern sports medicine has made procedures like UCL reconstructions (Tommy John) and internal braces extraordinarily successful. <\/p>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-primary-tag\">\n<\/aside>\n<p>By targeting young pitchers who already have paid their surgical dues, you bypass the anxiety of waiting for the inevitable injury snap, acquiring post-hype talents at a steep discount.<\/p>\n<p>To pull this off, do not be afraid to overpay. <\/p>\n<p>Contending managers in your league are operating in win-now desperation. Hand them aging veterans, elite closers, or rental bats that can deliver a championship this year. <\/p>\n<p>In return, demand high-ceiling young arms whose owners have forgotten just how dominant they can be. Consider Washington\u2019s Cade Cavalli as a primary target. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><button class=\"button button--modal-trigger\" aria-label=\"Open the image in a modal.\" data-modal-image=\"40358433\"><br \/>\n\t<default:svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"icon-plus\" fill=\"#fff\" viewbox=\"0 0 1033 1000\" width=\"1em\" height=\"1em\"><default:path d=\"M380 364V0h273v355h380v290H653v355H380V645H0V355h380v9z\"\/><\/default:svg><br \/>\n<\/button><br \/>\n<img style=\"aspect-ratio:1.49926794;display:block\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-modal-image=\"40358433\" width=\"885\" height=\"590\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/washington-nationals-pitcher-cade-cavalli-137332367.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Cade Cavalli, a pitcher for the Washington Nationals, throws a baseball.\" class=\"wp-image-40358433\" 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https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/washington-nationals-pitcher-cade-cavalli-137332367.jpg?resize=231,154&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 231w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/washington-nationals-pitcher-cade-cavalli-137332367.jpg?resize=322,215&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 322w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/washington-nationals-pitcher-cade-cavalli-137332367.jpg?resize=662,441&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 662w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/washington-nationals-pitcher-cade-cavalli-137332367.jpg?resize=90,60&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 90w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/washington-nationals-pitcher-cade-cavalli-137332367.jpg?resize=120,80&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 120w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/washington-nationals-pitcher-cade-cavalli-137332367.jpg?resize=1200,800&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/washington-nationals-pitcher-cade-cavalli-137332367.jpg?resize=1038,692&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1038w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/washington-nationals-pitcher-cade-cavalli-137332367.jpg?resize=87,58&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 87w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/washington-nationals-pitcher-cade-cavalli-137332367.jpg?resize=50,33&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 885px) 100vw, 885px\"\/><figcaption>Washington Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli throws during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs. <span class=\"credit\">AP Photo\/Nick Wass<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The former first-round pick underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2023, missing significant developmental time. <\/p>\n<p>Because he spent years out of the national spotlight, rival managers often overlook his raw, explosive profile featuring a high-90s fastball paired with a devastating power curveball. <\/p>\n<p>With his rehab long behind him and his arm strength back to peak levels, Cavalli enters 2027 ready for a true fantasy breakout.<\/p>\n<p>Similarly, Pittsburgh starter Jared Jones fits this strategy perfectly. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><button class=\"button button--modal-trigger\" aria-label=\"Open the image in a modal.\" data-modal-image=\"40358483\"><br \/>\n\t<default:svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"icon-plus\" fill=\"#fff\" viewbox=\"0 0 1033 1000\" width=\"1em\" height=\"1em\"><default:path d=\"M380 364V0h273v355h380v290H653v355H380V645H0V355h380v9z\"\/><\/default:svg><br \/>\n<\/button><br \/>\n<img style=\"aspect-ratio:1.49926794;display:block\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-modal-image=\"40358483\" width=\"885\" height=\"590\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/pittsburgh-pirates-pitcher-jared-jones-136925236.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Jared Jones mid-delivery.\" class=\"wp-image-40358483\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/pittsburgh-pirates-pitcher-jared-jones-136925236.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 6267w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/pittsburgh-pirates-pitcher-jared-jones-136925236.jpg?resize=300,200&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/pittsburgh-pirates-pitcher-jared-jones-136925236.jpg?resize=768,512&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 768w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/pittsburgh-pirates-pitcher-jared-jones-136925236.jpg?resize=1024,683&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, 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https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/pittsburgh-pirates-pitcher-jared-jones-136925236.jpg?resize=81,54&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 81w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/pittsburgh-pirates-pitcher-jared-jones-136925236.jpg?resize=200,133&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/pittsburgh-pirates-pitcher-jared-jones-136925236.jpg?resize=231,154&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 231w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/pittsburgh-pirates-pitcher-jared-jones-136925236.jpg?resize=322,215&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 322w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/pittsburgh-pirates-pitcher-jared-jones-136925236.jpg?resize=662,441&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 662w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/pittsburgh-pirates-pitcher-jared-jones-136925236.jpg?resize=90,60&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 90w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/pittsburgh-pirates-pitcher-jared-jones-136925236.jpg?resize=120,80&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 120w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/pittsburgh-pirates-pitcher-jared-jones-136925236.jpg?resize=1200,800&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/pittsburgh-pirates-pitcher-jared-jones-136925236.jpg?resize=1038,692&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1038w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/pittsburgh-pirates-pitcher-jared-jones-136925236.jpg?resize=87,58&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 87w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/pittsburgh-pirates-pitcher-jared-jones-136925236.jpg?resize=50,33&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 885px) 100vw, 885px\"\/><figcaption>Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Jared Jones delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets. <span class=\"credit\">AP Photo\/Gene J. Puskar<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Jones dazzled early in his career with upper-90s heat and a wipeout slider, but hit a wall when he required an internal brace procedure on his throwing elbow in 2024. Unlike traditional Tommy John, internal brace repairs often allow for a cleaner, more reliable recovery. <\/p>\n<p>Fully healthy and equipped with a reinforced elbow, Jones possesses a frontline starter ceiling you can extract from a contender for the price of a mid-tier veteran.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, look to Cleveland\u2019s Parker Messick. <\/p>\n<p>He underwent forearm flexor tendon surgery in 2022, missing valuable time early in his professional career. <\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Learn all you need to know about MLB Betting<\/h3>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<p>Since then, Cleveland\u2019s pitching factory has worked its magic as he worked his way back. Messick has fully recovered, rebuilt his stamina, and refined a superb multi-pitch mix headlined by an elite changeup. <\/p>\n<p>He represents the ideal post-op sleeper who can yield ace-like dividends for your 2027 rotation at a fraction of the cost.<\/p>\n<p>Stop waiting for next year\u2019s draft. Capitalize on contender desperation today, swap your win-now assets and build your 2027 rotation around young, fully recovered arms.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<p><em><em>Howard Bender is the head of content at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fantasyalarm.com\/?affiliate=nypost\">FantasyAlarm.com<\/a>. Follow him on X <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/rotobuzzguy\">@rotobuzzguy<\/a>, catch him on the award-winning \u201cFantasy Alarm Radio Show\u201d on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Ch. 87) weekdays from 6-8 p.m. and dominate your leagues with the latest baseball news and advice from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fantasyalarm.com\/articles\/mlb?affiliate=nypost\">Fantasy Alarm<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission if you sign up through our links. Read our editorial standards for more information. In a fantasy baseball world where keeper formats and dynasty leagues are all the rage, even a last-place team has work to do in mid-August. Never call it a&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":47731,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/08\/newspress-collage-1pute3mlc-1786822040432.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&1786807732&w=1200","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-47730","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-hub"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47730","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=47730"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47730\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/47731"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=47730"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=47730"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=47730"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}