MLB News

Kaelen Culpepper • 3B • Twins

Twins Place Prospect Kaelen Culpepper on Triple-A Injured List

The Minnesota Twins placed shortstop prospect Kaelen Culpepper (hip) on the seven-day Triple-A injured list with a strained left hip, according to The Athletic's Aaron Gleeman. There was talk about Culpepper potentially being in line for a big-league promotion soon after tearing it up at the top minor-league level, but those talks will now be put on hold for the time being. The Twins' No. 2 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has hit .273/.377/.498 with an .875 OPS, 14 home runs, 43 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and 53 runs scored in 61 games across 289 plate appearances for the St. Paul Saints in 2026 before injuring his hip. The 23-year-old former 21st overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft out of Kansas State University uses the entire field and makes plenty of contact from the right side of the plate. He tends to chase offspeed pitches off the plate, but with his power/speed upside, he should be rostered in most dynasty/keeper leagues despite his injury. MLB Pipeline has Culpepper ranked 36th overall this year among all prospects.

5 days ago

Elly De La Cruz • SS • Reds

Elly De La Cruz on Track to Start a Rehab Assignment on Friday

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) is scheduled to run on Tuesday and Wednesday and would start a minor-league rehab assignment on Friday with Triple-A Louisville if he gets through his running program this week, according to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic. De La Cruz would play five innings on Friday, serve as the designated hitter on Saturday, and then return to shortstop on Sunday. Manager Terry Francona said next Tuesday would be the earliest that De La Cruz would be activated from the 10-day injured list. The 24-year-old switch-hitting Dominican superstar is nearing his return to the major-league roster as long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks this weekend when he returns to game action. Once De La Cruz is back with the Reds, Matt McLain will slide back over to second base, which could push infield prospect Edwin Arroyo back to the minors. De La Cruz is a must-start in all traditional leagues when he's active. He'll be returning to a .280/.346/.509 with a career-best .855 OPS, 12 homers, 37 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and 40 runs scored across 58 games played.

5 days ago

Ryan Helsley • RP • Orioles

Ryan Helsley Reinstated From the Injured List

The Baltimore Orioles announced on Tuesday that they reinstated right-handed reliever Ryan Helsley (elbow) from the 15-day injured list and optioned right-hander Anthony Nunez to Triple-A Norfolk in a corresponding move. Helsey is back in the big-league bullpen after striking out five of the seven batters he faced in two minor-league rehab appearances at Triple-A Norfolk. He ended up missing seven weeks with inflammation in his right elbow. Baltimore could very well ease Helsley back into a late-inning, high-leverage role now that he's back from his injury, but the full expectation is that he'll be manager Craig Albernaz's primary closing option again, pushing Rico Garcia back to a late-inning setup role. Before getting hurt early in the 2026 season, the two-time All-Star was looking good in his first 12 appearances with the O's, allowing three earned runs in 10 2/3 innings with seven saves, 15 strikeouts, and seven walks. Helsley has 112 career saves in his seven-plus big-league seasons. He's rostered in 84% of Yahoo leagues. If he's available on your waiver wire, scoop him up immediately.

5 days ago

Kade Anderson • SP • Mariners

Kade Anderson Not Part of Mariners' Immediate Rotation Plans

Seattle Mariners pitching prospects Kade Anderson and Ryan Sloan are not part of the team's immediate plans, a source told Adam Jude of The Seattle Times, as the team reassesses its six-man rotation. The expectation remains for both Anderson and Sloan to figure into the mix at the big-league level by late summer, though. Per MLB Pipeline, Anderson is the club's No. 3 prospect, with Sloan sitting right behind him at No. 3. Anderson, the third overall pick last year out of Louisiana State University, has been absolutely dominant in his first full season of pro ball at Double-A Arkansas, going 6-0 with a 1.13 ERA, 0.66 WHIP, and 82:7 K:BB in 55 2/3 innings pitched across 11 starts. The 6-foot-2, 179-pounder is one of the best pitching prospects to stash in 2026, even in redraft formats. Right now, he's rostered in 11% of Yahoo leagues with his first MLB promotion coming sooner rather than later. Anderson lacks high-end velocity, but he makes up for it with excellent run up in the zone, and he also features two plus breaking pitches in a high-spin slider and curveball.

5 days ago

James Tibbs III • RF • Dodgers

Is James Tibbs III Nearing an MLB Debut?

Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect James Tibbs III reached base six times between Saturday and Sunday, thanks to two hits (double, home run) and four walks (zero strikeouts). The Dodgers' 10th-ranked prospect hasn't had a multi-hit performance through 12 games in June, but has still recorded a robust .400 OBP thanks to a 21.8 percent walk rate this month. For the season, the left-handed slugger is slashing .307/.422/.614 and is among the Triple-A leaders in home runs (19, first), runs (62, first), RBI (59, third), and walks (49, second). He's also among the leaders in strikeouts (79, seventh), but given his ability to still hit for average, hit for power, and get on base, the high strikeout rate is something that can be tolerated. Unfortunately, he is not on the 40-man roster, and there are no current openings on the major league squad with recently-promoted Ryan Ward doing enough at the plate to hold off Tibbs for now. Nevertheless, Tibbs should debut in the coming weeks, and with his offensive prowess, the 23-year-old is worthy of stashing in most leagues as he'll be able to show off his skills while hitting in a potent Dodger lineup whenever he gets the call.

5 days ago

Hagen Smith • SP • White Sox

White Sox Prospect Hagen Smith Dealing With Shoulder Impingement

The Chicago White Sox say that left-handed pitching prospect Hagen Smith (shoulder) has a left-shoulder impingement, according to James Fegan of The Athletic. The initial plan is for two weeks of no throwing for Smith, followed by two more weeks of ramping up and throwing before he returns to game action in the minors. The team's No. 4 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, will be out for a total of four weeks, pushing back his potential big-league debut to later in the second half of the 2026 season. The 22-year-old former fifth overall pick in 2024 out of the University of Arkansas has gone 0-5 at Triple-A Charlotte this year with a 4.67 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 77:36 K:BB in 52 innings and 14 starts. Despite the lackluster surface stats, Smith was beginning to gain more momentum for his first big-league call-up in Chicago before his shoulder injury. The 6-foot-3, 235-pounder should still be stashed in all dynasty/keeper leagues, but those in deeper single-year formats might want to temper expectations now for what Smith might be able to provide down the stretch in the big leagues. Smith is rostered in only 3% of Yahoo leagues.

5 days ago

Joshua Báez • RF • Cardinals

Joshua Baez a Must-Stash for Multi-Category Potential

St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect Joshua Baez remains one of the top bats to stash in fantasy for his multi-category potential whenever he makes it to the major leagues. The Cardinals' third-ranked prospect is hitting .370 (17-for-46) in June, with five doubles, three home runs, and a stolen base through 11 games this month. For the season, the former second-round draft pick is slashing .271/.337/.579, and his 19 home runs are tied for the Triple-A lead, while he's added 12 steals as well. The 6-foot-3 slugger is coming off a 2025 season in which he blasted 20 home runs and stole 54 bases in 117 games between High-A and Double-A. One area that needs improvement is his strikeout rate, which currently stands at 31.5 percent, and one would figure that would not improve at the major league level. Still, while the strikeouts may limit his batting average whenever he gets the call, the 22-year-old could still be a four-category contributor, and given the likelihood of a call-up within the next month or so, he is one of the few "must-stash" bats in most fantasy leagues.

5 days ago

Max Clark • CF • Tigers

Max Clark Hitting Well at Triple-A, Remains a High-End Offensive Stash

Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark's bat woke up over the weekend, going 6-for-13 (.462) in three games from Friday to Sunday, including a home run, a stolen base, and two walks compared to zero strikeouts. It was his fourth straight contest in which the Tigers' top-ranked prospect did not strike out at all, and he recorded two multi-hit efforts after going 13 consecutive games without one. The surge boosted his season average to .259 with a .345 on-base percentage, while the home run was his third in June after collecting just two over the first two months of the season. Although the team is not rushing him to the majors, with his bat coming alive, it could build some momentum for a midseason call-up for a team that is in need of some offensive help, ranking in the bottom third in terms of runs scored per game and near the bottom in stolen bases per game. With the ability to potentially impact five fantasy categories, the 21-year-old remains one of the top bats to stash despite his debut likely at least a few weeks out.

5 days ago

Zack Gelof • 3B • Athletics

Zack Gelof Flashing Five-Category Upside, Entering Must-Add Territory?

Athletics infielder/outfielder Zack Gelof is forcing his way back onto fantasy rosters with a strong multi-category surge. The 26-year-old is batting .275 with nine home runs, 26 RBI, 32 runs, seven stolen bases, and a .798 OPS over 189 at-bats. Gelof has been even better during his current hot stretch, hitting .322 with three homers, eight RBI, 11 runs, one steal, and a .559 SLG over his last 15 games. Gelof also pushed his hitting streak to 19 games on Monday, giving fantasy managers another reason to pay closer attention to this surge. Strikeouts are still part of the profile (25.5% K%), but his power, speed, and multi-position eligibility in some formats make him useful in standard category leagues. His 43% Yahoo roster rate leaves enough waiver-wire availability for managers to act where flexibility and category balance are priorities.

5 days ago

Sam Antonacci • LF • White Sox

Sam Antonacci Offering Useful Speed and Runs Off the Waiver Wire

Chicago White Sox infielder/outfielder Sam Antonacci is becoming a useful waiver-wire option for fantasy managers looking for speed and run production. On the season, the 23-year-old is hitting .278 with two home runs, 17 RBI, 32 runs, nine stolen bases, and a .760 OPS over 208 plate appearances. Antonacci has also taken a step forward over his last 15 games, batting .293 with 12 runs, one homer, seven RBI, and two steals. The power ceiling is limited, so Antonacci is not the optimal target for managers chasing home runs. However, his batting average, on-base skills, speed, and multi-position eligibility in some formats give him practical value in category leagues. His 23% Yahoo roster rate still leaves him available in plenty of formats, making him worth a look for fantasy managers who need runs, steals, a boost in batting average, and flexible positional eligibility.

5 days ago

Kade Anderson • SP • Mariners

Kade Anderson Dominates Again, but Any Closer to MLB Debut?

Seattle Mariners pitching prospect Kade Anderson impressed yet again in his latest start at Double-A Arkansas, tossing 6 2/3 innings of scoreless ball on Saturday, allowing just three hits and no walks while striking out six batters. That is now four straight starts in which the southpaw has not allowed a run, and his third straight in which he did not walk a batter. The effort reduced his ERA for the season to 1.13 with a 0.66 WHIP and a 37.7 percent K-BB%, all of which lead the entire minor leagues for pitchers with at least 50 innings pitched. There is seemingly nothing left to prove at Double-A, so it's just a matter of time before the lefty earns a promotion to Triple-A Tacoma, at which point he'll be knocking on the door to the majors. The Seattle rotation isn't in need of reinforcements at the moment, but should Anderson continue to perform at a high level, a major league debut this season is very likely, and could possibly even happen by the end of July at this rate. That being the case, the former third-overall draft pick is one of the top arms to stash in redraft leagues for his multi-ratio-boosting upside.

5 days ago

Kaelen Culpepper • 3B • Twins

Does Minor Injury Diminish Kaelen Culpepper's Stash Worthiness?

Minnesota Twins infield prospect Kaelen Culpepper (glute) was removed from his latest game at Triple-A on Saturday due to glute tightness, and according to Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll, the team believes the injury will not warrant a trip to the injured list. Culpepper should simply be considered day-to-day. Having not played on Sunday and with no game on Monday, it will be interesting to see if the Twins' second-ranked prospect is out there on Tuesday against Omaha or if he'll need more time. The injury slows some momentum that had been building for the former first-round draft pick as he had hit safely in 16 of his last 17 games before Saturday (0-for-3), going 24-for-69 (.348) with two doubles, a triple, five home runs, and five stolen bases over that time, along with an impressive 12:11 BB:K. The recent hot stretch lifted the 23-year-old's season-long slash line to .273/.377/.498 with 14 home runs, 15 steals, a strong 12.8 percent walk rate, and a 17.3 percent strikeout rate. The right-handed hitter should still be on track to debut in the majors in the coming weeks and should be viewed as a high-end stash for fantasy in all leagues with five-category potential.

5 days ago

Edwin Arroyo • 2B • Reds

Edwin Arroyo Offers Deep-League Power-Speed Upside

Cincinnati Reds infield prospect Edwin Arroyo has not made a loud fantasy impact yet, but his prospect pedigree and recent Triple-A production still make him worth a look in deeper formats. The 22-year-old is hitting .219 with two RBI, two runs, no homers, no steals, and a .497 OPS through 32 major-league at-bats. That line does not stand out, but Arroyo earned the promotion after batting .323 with 11 home runs, 34 RBI, 41 runs, and nine stolen bases over 53 games at Triple-A Louisville. Arroyo was called up after Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) landed on the injured list, giving him a clearer path to short-term playing time in Cincinnati's infield. The early MLB results lower his upside in smaller leagues, but the switch-hitting prospect has already shown power and speed in the upper minors that make him worthy of a closer look in deeper formats. Available in 96% of Yahoo leagues, Arroyo is a deeper redraft target for fantasy managers willing to speculate on his five-category potential, while De La Cruz remains on the shelf.

5 days ago

Nick Gonzales • 3B • Pirates

Nick Gonzales Emerging as Sneaky Multi-Position Waiver Target

Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Nick Gonzales is making a case for more fantasy attention in deeper leagues. Through his first 67 games, the 27-year-old is hitting .296 with two home runs, 31 RBI, 38 runs, four stolen bases, and a .711 OPS. Gonzales has also remained useful lately, batting .300 with two homers, nine RBI, 14 runs, and one steal over his last 15 games. The power ceiling is limited, and Gonzales has cooled off over his last seven games, so he is not a must-add in shallow formats. However, his batting average, steady run production, and multi-position eligibility give him solid fantasy value in deeper 12-team leagues. Available in nearly three-quarters of Yahoo leagues, Gonzales is a strong target for fantasy managers in deeper formats who need infield depth and a boost in batting average.

5 days ago

Rico Garcia • RP • Orioles

Is Rico Garcia Still the Primary Source for Saves in Baltimore?

Baltimore Orioles right-handed pitcher Rico Garcia remains a priority waiver-wire target for fantasy managers chasing saves, despite his recent performance. The 32-year-old has tallied four saves with a 1.82 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, and 32 strikeouts over 29 2/3 innings. Garcia has been one of Baltimore's most effective relievers for most of the season, and his combination of strikeouts, ratio help, and ninth-inning access keeps him firmly on the fantasy radar. The recent results have been shakier, as Garcia has allowed four earned runs over his last four appearances, which opened the door for Andrew Kittredge to earn his first save on June 11. Additionally, the team's primary closer, Ryan Helsley (elbow), has started a rehab assignment, so Garcia's path to saves may narrow later this month, but he remains the clearest option in Baltimore for now. Sitting at a 30% Yahoo roster rate, Garcia still has enough value for fantasy managers looking for short-term bullpen help.

5 days ago

Trent Grisham • CF • Yankees

Yankees Expect Trent Grisham to be Out "a Few Weeks"

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone told Talkin' Yanks that he expects outfielder Trent Grisham (hamstring) to be out for "a few weeks" with his right-hamstring strain. The Yankees placed the left-handed slugger on the 10-day injured list on Saturday, but he will end up missing more than the minimum time. With Aaron Judge (ribs) and Giancarlo Stanton (calf) also on the IL, the Yankees have been forced to turn to rookie Spencer Jones and Jasson Dominguez in their outfield next to Cody Bellinger for the time being. The 29-year-old Grisham broke out last year in his second season with the Yanks, hitting .235/.348/.464 with an .811 OPS, 34 home runs, 74 RBI, 87 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 143 regular-season games, but that very well could be his outlier season. So far in 2026, Grisham has hit .232 (52-for-224) with eight long balls, 35 RBI, six steals, and 40 runs scored. The good news is he's sporting a career-best 15.9% strikeout rate and a career-high 14.4% walk rate, so the best may be yet to come for Grisham once he recovers from his hamstring strain. UPDATE: Boone said on Tuesday that Grisham has been diagnosed with a "moderate" strain of his right hamstring, per Brendan Kuty of The Athletic.

5 days ago

Jasson Domínguez • DH • Yankees

Jasson Dominguez Could Sit Out After Having Tooth Pulled

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone told Talkin' Yanks that outfielder Jasson Dominguez (tooth) had a tooth pulled on Tuesday, and no decision has been made on whether he will start against the visiting Chicago White Sox and right-hander Davis Martin in the Bronx. The 23-year-old switch-hitting Dominican returned from the injured list over the weekend following a shoulder injury, and he will be an everyday player for the Yankees going forward with Aaron Judge (ribs) and Giancarlo Stanton (calf) still sidelined. The Martian has teased power/speed upside since entering the big leagues in 2023, but he has failed to deliver. He's played in only 11 games in pinstripes in 2026 and has gone 8-for-38 (.211) with two homers, three doubles, five RBI, five runs scored, two walks, and six strikeouts in his 41 plate appearances. As long as he's playing regularly, though, he'll have value in deep-mixed fantasy leagues in the Bronx. Dominguez is currently rostered in 13% of Yahoo leagues.

5 days ago

Ryan Waldschmidt • CF • Diamondbacks

Ryan Waldschmidt to Focus on Hitting Breaking Pitches in the Minors

After a strong start to his major-league career, opposing pitchers started to pepper Arizona Diamondbacks outfield prospect Ryan Waldschmidt with breaking pitches in the zone, and he struggled to handle the league's adjustment, according to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. With the D-backs getting healthier in the outfield recently, they opted to send the 23-year-old back to Triple-A Reno to work on some things after he hit .259/.314/.357 with a .671 OPS, no home runs, eight RBI, 11 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 112 at-bats. His 32.4% strikeout rate was 10 points higher than the major-league average, although his chase rate wasn't worse than average. Manager Torey Lovullo said that Waldschmidt needs to improve at controlling counts and not trying to do damage on pitcher's pitches. The team's top prospect, per MLB Pipeline, saw 38% breaking balls, which drew a 56% whiff rate. The former 31st overall pick in 2024 out of the University of Kentucky has lots of power/speed upside and has the skills to be a mainstay in Arizona for a long time, which makes him worth stashing still in dynasty/keeper formats. Lovullo is confident that he'll be back up with Arizona again this year.

5 days ago

Kyle Teel • C • White Sox

Kyle Teel to Begin Rehab With Triple-A, a Priority IL Stash?

Chicago White Sox catcher Kyle Teel (knee, hamstring) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday night with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights, according to Milb Central. Teel has yet to play in the big leagues this year after initially straining his hamstring while playing in the World Baseball Classic. Then the 24-year-old backstop sprained the LCL in his knee in late May while on a rehab assignment in the minors. Teel is finally restarting a rehab assignment, but he's nearing a return for his 2026 season debut in Chicago. Once fully healthy, he should see most of the starts for the Pale Hose behind the plate after slashing .273/.375/.411 with a .786 OPS, eight home runs, 35 RBI, 38 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 78 games and 297 plate appearances for the ChiSox in his first year in the big leagues. Teel was the 14th overall pick by the Boston Red Sox in 2023 out of the University of Virginia. He needs to improve against lefties, but at the very least, his on-base skills at the catcher position make him a top stash candidate if you're hurting at the position. Teel is currently rostered in just 8% of Yahoo leagues.

5 days ago

DJ Herz • SP • Nationals

DJ Herz a Sneaky Stash Target Ahead of Rehab Assignment?

Washington Nationals left-hander DJ Herz (elbow) will start a minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday with the Single-A Fredericksburg Nationals, according to Milb Central. Herz is close to making his return to the Nationals after having Tommy John surgery last year. Through his first two rehab starts in the rookie-level Florida Complex League, the 25-year-old southpaw has looked strong, throwing five scoreless innings with no walks and eight strikeouts. The Nationals aren't going to rush Herz back to the big leagues, though, so he could still require a handful of rehab starts before they consider reinstating him from the 60-day injured list. The former eighth-round pick by the Chicago Cubs in 2019 made his major-league debut with Washington in 2024 and went 4-9 with a 4.16 ERA (3.71 FIP) and 1.26 WHIP with 106 strikeouts and 36 walks in 88 2/3 frames across his 19 starts. Herz was more of a fly-ball pitcher, but his 29.3% whiff rate and 27.7% strikeout rate make him an interesting long-term starting option for those in deeper fantasy leagues. In those same formats, managers may want to consider stashing Herz now. He's available in all Yahoo leagues right now.

5 days ago

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