In fantasy baseball, patience is key, especially when managing injured players. Stashing players with injury concerns can be a smart move, particularly during the later rounds of drafts. Players like Nico Hoerner (2B, Chicago Cubs) and Sean Manaea (LHP, New York Mets) may be worth the wait as they recover. Acuña and Strider are notable longer-term stashes who could make a comeback around the fantasy playoffs. Expect to see a mixed bag of performances upon their return, yet their potential upside warrants consideration.

Prospects for Acuña (of the Atlanta Braves) and Strider suggest they may return to the field but may not immediately regain their elite status. Other players, such as Shane Bieber and Eury Pérez, represent keeper league options with high ceilings for the future. Understanding injury timelines is crucial for optimizing your fantasy roster.

Fantasy baseball enthusiasts face a challenging second base landscape for the 2025 season with only a handful of elite options available. Currently, just five second basemen, including Mookie Betts and Jose Altuve, are being drafted within the top 85 picks. Luis Rengifo of the Los Angeles Angels is a late-round gamble worth considering, boasting a low ADP of 224.3 after a solid previous season. Nico Hoerner of the Chicago Cubs, on the other hand, is viewed as overvalued given his 127.3 ADP despite his solid batting average and lack of power stats.

Jordan Westburg of the Baltimore Orioles remains a potential breakout candidate at his 112.2 ADP following a strong 2024, while Ozzie Albies and Jose Altuve face scrutiny for their high draft positions due to past injuries and declining numbers. Overall, this year's draft could offer both undervalued gems and overhyped disappointments as fantasy managers navigate the second base selections with caution.

Jon Berti, who struggled with injuries last season while with the New York Yankees, is set to join the Chicago Cubs on a one-year contract worth $2 million, with additional incentives totaling $1.3 million. Berti’s previous season was marred by a groin and calf issues that limited him to just 25 games, along with missing out on the World Series due to a hip flexor injury. At 35, he is anticipated to add depth to the Cubs' infield, which already features Nico Hoerner and promising prospect Matt Shaw. Cubs GM Carter Hawkins emphasized the team's strategy of acquiring versatile players who can cover multiple infield positions.

Berti, who was traded to the Yankees from the Miami Marlins, notably led the majors in stolen bases in 2022 and has shown promise, batting .294 in 424 plate appearances last season. Following Anthony Rizzo's injury, he stepped in as a first baseman during the playoffs, despite lacking prior experience at that position in MLB. This offseason has seen significant changes in the Yankees’ lineup, with Gleyber Torres moving to the Detroit Tigers, and Paul Goldschmidt joining the Yankees to fill Rizzo's role.

Chicago Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner's status for the upcoming season remains uncertain following flexor tendon surgery he underwent earlier this offseason. He has not yet begun his throwing program or hitting practice, raising questions about his readiness for Opening Day, which is scheduled for March 18 against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Japan. Last season, Hoerner played through the injury, impacting his throwing ability.

The 27-year-old, who hit .273 with seven home runs and a .335 on-base percentage last season, has emerged as one of the Cubs' key players, also excelling on the base paths with 31 stolen bases in 2024. He received a Gold Glove Award in 2023 for his defensive prowess. Despite trade rumors circulating earlier in the offseason, the Cubs opted to keep Hoerner, possibly influenced by his ongoing injury concerns.

Hoerner is under contract through the 2026 season after signing an extension before the 2023 season. Once cleared, he is expected to play alongside Dansby Swanson at shortstop for the Cubs, who finished tied for second in the National League Central last season, trailing the Milwaukee Brewers by ten games.

The Chicago Cubs are intensifying their focus on enhancing their bullpen and bench as the offseason progresses, as stated by president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer at the team's annual fan convention. Hoyer confirmed that the Cubs aim to reinvest savings from the Cody Bellinger trade back into the roster. Furthermore, he indicated that the team’s opening day third baseman is likely already within the organization. In injury updates, infielder Nico Hoerner is recovering well after undergoing flexor tendon surgery.

Last season, the Cubs finished second in the NL Central with an 83-79 record, and have not reached the playoffs since 2020. The bullpen, particularly, struggled with 35 losses, ranking fourth in the majors, and blew 26 saves while posting a 3.81 ERA. Hoyer expressed optimism regarding potential improvements, stating, “We’re involved in a lot of different relievers,” and emphasized the team’s commitment to upgrading the roster.

In a recent trade with the Houston Astros, the Cubs gained outfielder Kyle Tucker, bolstering their lineup while parting with Isaac Paredes. Among the roster candidates is top prospect Matt Shaw, who is viewed as a leading option to fill the third base position. Hoyer, whose contract is nearing its end, remains focused on the upcoming season despite speculation surrounding his future with the organization. Tucker, who recently agreed to a one-year contract worth $16.5 million, turned 28 on the day of the convention and is eligible for free agency after the 2025 season.