John Means' long-awaited return from the IL Tuesday wasn't much better than Kyle Wright's Monday. There were some encouraging numbers below the surface, such as a pretty good swinging-strike rate and low average exit velocity, but I just don't think there's enough calendar left for him (or Wright, for that matter) to regain our trust.

Carlos Rodon has had several starts to do that and may only now be breaking through with a nine-strikeout effort Tuesday in which his velocity was up across the board. Dylan Cease likewise rebounded from a miserable eight-start stretch to allow just one earned run in 5 1/3 innings against the Royals, striking out eight. The problem for both is that they're lined up to start twice this week, which means the time to gamble on them may have already passed. If they're overpowering again Sunday, though, there's at least some hope they'll still be of use to you.

Shoot, maybe you'll need one to replace Max Scherzer. The three-time Cy Young winner left a second straight start with a health concern Tuesday, this time regarding his triceps rather than his forearm, and it's unclear exactly where the Rangers go from here. In other health news, Jeimer Candelario landed on the IL with a back strain, which perhaps frees up more at-bats for Pete Crow-Armstrong (with some rearranging of the rest of the Cubs lineup). Making his first start in center field Tuesday, the recent call-up made a couple of highlight-reel grabs, immediately living up to his reputation as a plus-plus defender.

If you're still playing for something, then you're probably looking for more concrete advice than what I've provided here so far. To that end, I've compiled a list of 15 players worth picking up for Championship Week, whether yours is next week or the very last week of the season.

Check out the complete list of 15 players Scott White is adding now here. Let's dive into the standouts now:

Nolan Jones, OF, Rockies: Jones is too good for matchups, really, and just needs to be rostered everywhere at this point as a viable five-category threat. But it certainly doesn't hurt that he'll get to enjoy the comforts of Coors Field for the final seven games of the season.

Mitch Garver, C, Rangers: Playing time has gone from a weakness to a strength for Garver so quickly that much of the Fantasy-playing world hasn't caught up to it yet. He has started 24 of the last 25 games for the Rangers, making him the No. 1 catcher during that time, and that's enough for you to consider starting him over underachievers like J.T. Realmuto and Sean Murphy right now.

Ryan Pepiot, RP, Dodgers: Control was the biggest concern for Pepiot coming up through the minor-league ranks, but it's taken a huge leap forward this year, allowing him to go practically untouched in his first few turns through the Dodgers rotation. He's a particularly attractive option with two favorable matchups next week but will also be a solid play the following week at the Giants.

Seth Lugo, SP, Padres: A couple of unravelings against top-tier offenses have kept Lugo's ERA on the high side, but the game log shows far more good than bad. Whether it's against the Rockies next week or at the Giants and White Sox the following week, he'll be an advisable, if not automatic, play.

Jorge Polanco, 2B, Twins: No team has better hitter matchups down the stretch than the Twins, particularly that final week against the Athletics and at the Rockies. There will probably be too many lefties to make Edouard Julien and Matt Wallner advisable plays, but Polanco's hot hitting has gone overlooked amid the Royce Lewis hubbub.

• Max Scherzer was pulled from his start due to a right triceps spasm. He dealt with tightness in his forearm a few weeks back. Feels like he's walking a tightrope right now with all these injuries.
• Shohei Ohtani was out again Tuesday, marking his ninth straight game missed due to right oblique tightness.
• Kenley Jansen left the second game of their doubleheader due to fatigue and illness symptoms.
• Clayton Kershaw is expected to make his next start Saturday in Seattle. His last start was skipped as he battles shoulder issues.
• Yu Darvish has officially been shut down for the rest of the season due to a bone spur in his right elbow. 
• Yandy Diaz exited Tuesday night after following a ball off the family jewels.
• Willson Contreras was removed with a right hand contusion. 
• Oneil Cruz won't return this season and will shift his focus to 2024 instead. He had surgery back in April to repair a fractured left fibula. 
• Christian Yelich has missed four straight with back stiffness. 
• Jeimer Candelario was placed on the IL with a lower-back strain. Alexander Canario was recalled. 
• Nolan Gorman exited Tuesday with right hamstring tightness. 
• Jose Siri was placed on the IL with a right hand fracture. Curtis Mead was recalled. Luke Raley started in CF with Jonathan Aranda at DH. Aranda has now started seven of their last nine games (hasn't done much).
• Michael Lorenzen could be moved to the bullpen with the Phillies expected to shift back to a five-man rotation.
• Whit Merrifield was out of the lineup due to left groin tightness.
• Brandon Belt was placed on the IL with lumbar spine muscle spasms. Spencer Horwitz started at first base with Vlad Jr. at DH.
• Garrett Mitchell, remember the name? The Brewers outfielder is set to meet with a doctor later this week and could be cleared to begin a rehab assignment this weekend. He had surgery back on May 2 to repair a left shoulder subluxation.
• The Dodgers are calling up pitcher Kyle Hurt.