8 Injured MLB Players Whose Returns Are Better Than Trade Deadline Deals

Usually around June and July, MLB front offices will evaluate their team and focus on the trade deadline. They will have to make a decision about whether they are buyers or sellers at the deadline.

This year could be different as there are several ballclubs with superstar caliber players currently on the disabled list whose expected returns will be right around mid-summer.

It might make sense for some teams to take a wait-and-see approach about how their own players come back from injuries. They could end up getting a boost to their win column from their refortified ranks and not have to trade away any of their prospects.

There are eight players who are expected to return later this season, based on CBSSports.com projections, who can provide bigger returns than any players who could potentially be available in the trade market. 

Alex Rodriguez

Expected Return: Mid-July

Alex Rodriguez is not the superstar that he once was, but right now, he is a better option than what the New York Yankees currently have for third base.

With Kevin Youkilis joining A-Rod on the DL, the Yankees made a trade with the Rockies to bring in Chris Nelson. It has not worked out though, as he has not registered a hit in 10 at-bats this year.

Last year, Rodriguez appeared in 122 games and hit .272 with 18 home runs and 57 RBI. These are not the kind of numbers fans have grown accustomed to seeing from him.

However, if he is able to contribute similar numbers like last year, it would be a much-needed upgrade to that lineup over the likes of Nelson and Jayson Nix.

Michael Pineda

Expected Return: Early June

Michael Pineda is expected to make his New York Yankees' debut sometime in June, which is roughly 15 months later than the organization and fans had hoped.

He came over to New York in a trade with Seattle that sent star prospect Jesus Montero to the Mariners.

The Yankees decided to make the move after Pineda's rookie year in 2011, which included an All-Star appearance and fifth-place finish in the AL Rookie of the Year race. He went 9-10 with a 3.74 ERA, but finished the second half of the year 1-4 with a 5.11 ERA.

This has to raise some concern in the future if the young pitcher can handle a full workload, especially coming off arthroscopic surgery on his pitching shoulder. In terms of this year though, he will be a welcomed addition to an aging starting rotation.

Derek Jeter

Expected Return: Mid-July

It has been more of a struggle for Derek Jeter to get back on the field than he initially thought when he broke his ankle last October.

He suffered a setback a few weeks ago when he re-injured the ankle and the initial projection for his Opening Day return this season is now looking more like after the All-Star break.

Jeter was having one of his best seasons in a long time last season, hitting .316 at the top of the order, but there are questions about whether he can get back to playing at a high level with his age and coming off the injury.

Even if he does struggle a bit, his impact can't be seen in a stat line. The shortstop is unquestionably the leader of this team. With him just being out there, it will give a boost to the Yankees' confidence.

Daniel Hudson

Expected Return: Mid-July

If Daniel Hudson can perform like he did in 2011, his return might be the push the Diamondbacks need to vault the Giants and Rockies for the division lead.

The Diamondbacks have a young starting rotation that has pitched well, but could potentially need some rest coming down the stretch. This is where a healthy Hudson could step in.

Last year, Hudson had to have Tommy John surgery so the Diamondbacks will try to ease him back into regular action. The surgery that is not an easy procedure to come back from, as the majority of the time, it isn't until the second year that pitchers really get back to performing at the level they were beforehand.

The best situation for Hudson may be to work out of the bullpen in long relief and spot-start for some of the younger pitchers in the rotation. This would be able to keep everyone fresh as well as allow Hudson to build his strength back from the surgery.

Zack Greinke

Expected Return: Late May

There aren't many who can question Zack Greinke's bravery after standing in and taking on a charging Carlos Quentin in their April 11 mound brawl. However, the Dodgers' organization and fan base probably wish that he didn't throw that shoulder block that resulted in a broken collarbone for the pitcher.

The good news is that Dodgers fans only have to wait about another month before they get their star free-agent acquisition back and they certainly need him as Los Angeles resides in last place in the NL West.

Greinke was off to a great start this season with one win and a 1.59 ERA in two starts before going down. The Dodgers have been hit pretty hard with injuries throughout their starting rotation, which was considered a strength to start the season.

A healthy Greinke would be the addition the Dodgers need to right their ship.

Jose Reyes

Expected Return: Late June

Like the Dodgers, the Blue Jays did not expect to find themselves in last place in their division when the season started.

The loss of Jose Reyes to an ankle injury a few weeks ago definitely was something Toronto didn't need and makes the challenge to get back into the AL East race that much more daunting.

The shortstop was off to a great start with his new team, hitting .395 with five RBI and five stolen bases over the first 10 games. If he can come back and play like he was prior to the injury, the Jays should be able to make a late push for a playoff spot.

Ryan Ludwick

Expected Return: Early July

Xavier Paul has played pretty well this season filling in for Ryan Ludwick. However, Ludwick provides more offensive firepower and can help the Reds close the gap with the Cardinals for the division lead. 

Ludwick rejuvenated his career in his first year with Cincinnati last season, hitting .275 with 26 home runs and 80 RBI. That is why it was such a huge loss when he suffered a shoulder injury on Opening Day that will keep him out of action until July.

If the Reds can keep within striking distance of St. Louis and Pittsburgh until Ludwick can come back, they will be a team to watch at the end of the season. By adding his bat to the lineup with Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, Brandon Phillips and Shin-Soo Choo, Cincinatti should be able to provide enough offense to support a solid starting rotation.

Neftali Feliz

Expected Return: Early August

With all the injuries the Rangers have had to deal with in their starting rotation, it is impressive they are leading the AL West. They will only get stronger by the time August rolls around when Neftali Feliz is expected to return from Tommy John surgery.

The question is where Feliz fits within the Rangers' pitching staff. For the first three years of his career, Feliz came out of the bullpen and actually was pretty successful with 72 saves between 2010 and 2011.

In 2012, the Rangers decided to move Feliz to the starting rotation and after only seven starts, he went down with the arm injury. He was successful as a starting pitcher too, with a 3.16 ERA and 37 strikeouts in 42.2 innings. 

With the addition of Joe Nathan, it would probably be safe to assume that Feliz will end up back in the rotation upon his return. In the end though, whichever role Texas decides for Feliz will only help the Rangers and make them that much stronger down the stretch.