MLB News

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

Justin Wrobleski • SP • Dodgers

Justin Wrobleski Expected to Start on Tuesday Against Rays

Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Justin Wrobleski (hamstring) is listed as the team's probable starter for Tuesday's home game against the Tampa Bay Rays, according to Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register. Wrobleski was pulled from his last start early last Thursday against the Pittsburgh Pirates with a right-hamstring contusion, but he was able to throw a normal between-starts bullpen, and he should be ready to go on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. The 25-year-old southpaw has emerged as a fantasy asset in 2026 with his move to a starting role in L.A. Going into Tuesday's game against the first-place Rays, Wrobleski has gone 7-2 with the Blue with a career-best 2.95 ERA(3.67 FIP) and 1.05 WHIP with 45 strikeouts and 16 walks in a career-high 73 1/3 innings pitched across his 12 appearances (11 starts). It's been a nice start to 2026, but fantasy managers may want to consider selling high on Wrobleski, who has a weak 15.3% strikeout rate (20.2% for his career). Coming off an injury while facing Tampa, we'd recommend fading Wrobleski as a fantasy streamer on Tuesday evening.

5 days ago

Matt McLain • 2B • Reds

Matt McLain Emerging as a High-End Power/Speed Bat to Target on the Waiver Wire

Across 268 plate appearances in 2026, Cincinnati Reds infielder Matt McLain is hitting .208/.315/.364 with eight home runs, 25 RBI, 31 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases. While the 26-year-old's season-long numbers don't leap off the page, he's begun to heat up in June. Across 46 plate appearances this month, McLain is hitting .270/.413/.595 with three home runs, five RBI, nine runs scored, and four stolen bases. With his 10.1% barrel rate and his homer-friendly home park in Cincinnati, McLain has significant power upside. He's also raised his walk rate to 12.3% while lowering his strikeout rate 23.9% so far this season, which should maximize his opportunities to get on base and use his speed. McLain's 20.4-degree launch angle limits his batting average upside, but he profiles as a potentially high-end power/speed threat for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.

5 days ago

Noah Schultz • SP • White Sox

Noah Schultz Beginning a Rehab Assignment, a Top Waiver-Wire Stash Candidate?

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Noah Schultz (knee) is set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday, per Milb Central. The young left-hander has been sidelined since late May due to patellar tendinitis in his right knee, but it appears he could be nearing a return to the White Sox rotation. Schultz struggled across 38 2/3 innings (eight starts) after being called up for his MLB debut on April 14, recording a 2-4 record with a 5.82 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and 33 strikeouts. Command was a major issue for the 22-year-old, as he walked 13.1% of the batters he faced. However, Schultz remains one of the top pitching prospects in baseball and was absolutely dominant across his three Triple-A appearances before the promotion, logging 19 strikeouts and allowing just six baserunners across 14 innings pitched. With his return from injury potentially right around the corner, Schultz could be worth prioritizing on the waiver wire for fantasy managers.

5 days ago

Spencer Horwitz • 1B • Pirates

Spencer Horwitz Emerging as a Must-Add First Baseman on the Waiver Wire

Across 264 plate appearances in 2026, Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Spencer Horwitz is hitting .281/.383/.452 with nine home runs, 31 RBI, 29 runs scored, and one stolen base. The 28-year-old has demonstrated an elite plate approach so far this season, lowering his strikeout rate to a career-low 14.0% while maintaining a 13.3% walk rate. Horwitz has also emerged as the leadoff hitter in the Pirates' lineup on a near-everyday basis, which should allow him to continue racking up counting stats. The lefty-swinger's 8.0% barrel rate and 33.5% hard-hit rate are underwhelming and do not point to high-end power upside. Still, Horwitz's balanced approach at the plate and his ability to hit both right and left-handed pitching make him an appealing waiver wire target for fantasy managers.

5 days ago

Landen Roupp • SP • Giants

Is Landen Roupp Still Worth Targeting on the Waiver Wire Despite Recent Struggles?

Across 74 1/3 innings (14 starts) in 2026, San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Landen Roupp has recorded a 5-7 record with a 4.24 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 82 strikeouts. After a red-hot start to the season, Roupp has cooled off considerably in June. Across 14 1/3 innings (three starts) this month, the 27-year-old has allowed 10 walks and 13 earned runs. The lack of command is a concern for Roupp, as his walk rate is now up to 10.2% on the year. However, there's still reason to believe Roupp will bounce back from this current rough stretch. He's struck out a career-best 26.2% of the batters he's faced so far this season. Roupp also does a great job of limiting home runs (0.48 HR/9) because of his stellar ground ball rate (49.2%). In leagues where he may have been dropped due to his recent struggles, Roupp could be worthy of a buy-low waiver wire add ahead of his next scheduled start against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday.

5 days ago

Grant Taylor • RP • White Sox

Is Grant Taylor Destined to Take Over the Closer Role in Chicago?

Chicago White Sox right-hander Grant Taylor has been one of his team's best pitchers in 2026, recording a 2-0 record with a 2.21 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 52 strikeouts, and two saves across 36 2/3 innings (27 games). The 24-year-old is averaging 98.4 miles per hour on his fastball and owns an elite 29.1% K-BB rate. So far this season, Chicago has deployed Taylor as both an opener and in a fireman role out of the bullpen rather than in the ninth inning. Veteran reliever Seranthony Dominguez currently leads the team with 12 saves, but he's also logged a 13.5% walk rate and a 3.81 ERA. The White Sox have shown a willingness to give save opportunities to both Taylor and left-hander Bryan Hudson. If Chicago eventually pulls the plug on Dominguez, Taylor profiles as the obvious replacement option. Even if Taylor only gets the occasional save the rest of the way, he's pitched well enough that he can still be a valuable waiver wire addition for fantasy managers.

5 days ago

Jung Hoo Lee • RF • Giants

Jung Hoo Lee Emerging as a Batting-Average Asset on the Waiver Wire

San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee has been one of his team's lone offensive bright spots so far in 2026, hitting .331/.364/.445 with three home runs, 24 RBI, 35 runs scored, and three stolen bases across 261 plate appearances. With a 9.5% strikeout rate, Lee is one of the most difficult players in baseball to strike out. The 27-year-old is also on an absolute tear in June, hitting .431 across his first 53 plate appearances this month. Lee's underlying contact metrics suggest that his power upside is very limited, as he owns a 2.3% barrel rate and a 30.6% hard-hit rate. He's also benefitted from a .356 batting average on balls in play so far this season, which is significantly higher than his career mark of .305. Still, Lee profiles as a batting average asset for fantasy managers even with some regression baked in. For fantasy managers who have power to spare but are struggling with batting average, Lee could be worth targeting on the waiver wire.

5 days ago

Francisco Lindor • SS • Mets

Francisco Lindor Could Start a Rehab Assignment Next Week

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (calf) started facing live pitching on June 12 in a simulated environment that also included defensive work. If additional sim games go well this week, Lindor could start a minor-league rehab assignment next week, according to MLB.com. The 32-year-old five-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger winner has been out since April 23 due to a left-calf strain, but he has been progressing and is fully expected to return to the Mets' starting lineup before the end of June. If everything goes well once Lindor begins a rehab assignment, it's possible that he could be back from the 10-day injured list by next weekend. Although Lindor was hitting just .226/.314/.355 with a .669 OPS, two home runs, five RBI, 14 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 24 games before his injury, he belongs on all fantasy rosters. The Puerto Rican shortstop had at least 31 home runs in each of the last three seasons while also driving in at least 86 runs and stealing 29 bases for the Mets.

5 days ago

Eugenio Suárez • 3B • Reds

Eugenio Suarez Homers Twice, Drives in Six on Monday Against Mets

Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez could be turning a corner after going 2-for-4 with two home runs, a season-high six RBI, and two strikeouts in the 12-0 blowout victory over the visiting New York Mets at Great American Ballpark on Monday night. The 34-year-old Venezuelan right-handed power hitter has struggled in 2026, slashing .222/.287/.395 with a .682 OPS, seven home runs, 25 RBI, 16 runs scored, and a career-high 31.5% strikeout rate in his 178 plate appearances in his return to Cincinnati. Suarez has always been a high-strikeout hitter with lots of swing and miss in his game, but he's also in just the ninth percentile in hard-hit rate in 2026, so when he is making contact, he's not hitting the ball as hard as he typically does. The two-time All-Star had a two-run homer and a grand slam on Monday against New York for his first multi-homer game of the year. In his last six games, Suarez has gone 8-for-24 (.333) with three homers, two doubles, nine RBI, three runs, no walks, and eight strikeouts. The strikeouts aren't going to go away, but he could be in the midst of a nice hot streak.

5 days ago

MacKenzie Gore • SP • Rangers

MacKenzie Gore Fans a Season-High 10 Hitters in Loss to Twins

Texas Rangers left-hander MacKenzie Gore was saddled with his sixth loss of the season in the 4-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins at Globe Life Field on Monday night, but he also had a season-high 10 strikeouts. Gore allowed four earned runs on four hits (two homers) while walking two. The 27-year-old southpaw was bit by the long ball early in this one, with most of the damage coming on a three-run homer off the bat of first baseman Josh Bell in the first inning. In his three starts in June, Gore has surrendered 10 earned runs on 21 hits (two homers) while walking eight and striking out 21 in 16 2/3 innings pitched. He's now 4-6 with a 4.27 ERA (3.65 FIP) and 1.31 WHIP with 86 strikeouts and 35 walks in 78 innings over his 15 starts in his first season with the Rangers. It's been an up-and-down year for Gore in 2026, but fantasy managers should consider him a strong streaming option for his upcoming matchup against his former team, the San Diego Padres. The Padres currently rank last in MLB in OPS at .652.

5 days ago

Nick Kurtz • 1B • Athletics

Nick Kurtz Continues Power Binge With Two More Homers

Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz is as hot as they come right now. In the A's 11-2 blowout win over the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night, Kurtz went 3-for-4 at the plate with two home runs, five RBI, and a walk to raise his season average to .293 and his OPS to 1.006. Both of his home runs on the night were powered to the opposite field and were light-tower shots. Overall in his second season in the big leagues, Kurtz is hitting .293/.443/.563 with 18 home runs, a league-high 57 RBI, 51 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in 325 plate appearances. The former fourth overall pick out of Wake Forest University in 2024 immediately turned into a fantasy star in his rookie campaign last year, hitting .290 (122-for-420) with 36 home runs and 86 RBI in 117 games played. Kurtz also leads the league this year with his 67 walks and .443 on-base percentage. So far in June, he's crushing baseballs to the tune of a .313 average (15-for-48) with eight home runs, a double, 16 RBI, 12 runs, and a steal. The combination of his elite raw power and his hitter-friendly home park in Sacramento is certainly paying off for fantasy managers.

5 days ago

Garrett Whitlock • RP • Red Sox

Is Garrett Whitlock a Top Reliever to Stash for Saves?

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Garrett Whitlock has been very effective in a setup role this season for the struggling Red Sox, allowing just seven earned runs while racking up 27 strikeouts in 21 2/3 innings in his 22 appearances. He missed 15 days with left knee inflammation but returned last week and looked solid in two scoreless innings since coming back. Right now, he's clearly behind Aroldis Chapman in Boston's bullpen, and Chapman has been outstanding with 14 saves in 21 games. Chapman has been so good, though, that he's likely to be a hot commodity at the MLB Trade Deadline. If the Sox trade Chapman and keep Whitlock, Whitlock would quickly be an elite closer. Whitlock could also be on the trading block, though, leaving many unknown factors. If he ends up as the primary closer with the Red Sox or another team, he has the potential to be a great source of saves. If you're in a deep league where you have to move early, stashing him now could be a strategy that pays off down the stretch.

5 days ago

Josh Jung • 3B • Rangers

Josh Jung Can Be An Elite Contact Contributor

Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung is a great option on the waiver wire if you're looking for a consistent contact option from the hot corner. The 28-year-old righty has dramatically slashed his K% from 25.2% last year to 16.1% this year, while his batting average has jumped from .251 in 2025 to .302 in his first 67 games this season. His hard-hit rate and barrel rate have actually dipped a little bit, but he's putting the ball in play and making things happen from a premium run-production spot near the top of the order. Jung has eight homers to go with his 32 runs scored, 30 RBI, and his .360 wOBA. He has been especially effective at home, but wherever he has played, he has been solid enough to help fill in your roster if you need batting average and run production over pure power.

5 days ago

Ian Seymour • RP • Rays

Is Ian Seymour Stepping Up as a Potential Stash Candidate?

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher/relief pitcher Ian Seymour seems to be moving towards a transition to a spot in the starting rotation after beginning the year in the bullpen. He has a 4.93 ERA and 4.64 FIP in his 38 1/3 innings this season, but his xERA is only 3.54, indicating he has had some below-average contact luck. He has 41 strikeouts in 38 1/3 innings, and his 25% K% is enough to give him an intriguing upside. The 27-year-old lefty started against the Red Sox last Monday and went four innings, giving up just one run. On Sunday, he came in after an opener and worked 3 1/3 innings against the Angels, allowing two runs on two hits and three walks. He'll need to improve his control and efficiency as he stretches back out, but his strikeout upside makes him worth stashing in deep leagues if the Rays continue to position him to pitch as a starter or a predictable primary reliever going forward.

5 days ago

Curtis Mead • 1B • Nationals

Curtis Mead Can be a Strong Infield Addition Off the Waiver Wire

Washington Nationals first baseman/third baseman Curtis Mead has become a regular part of his team's batting order, usually hitting third in the young lineup and providing nice run-production potential. Mead has swatted six homers in his last 20 games while going 18-for-73 (.247) with two doubles, 12 runs scored, and 15 RBI over that span. He has a 14% barrel rate to go with his 42.1% hard-hit rate, so there isn't anything flukey about his production. The 25-year-old righty has solid splits and has been very solid this season, cutting down his K% from 23.9% last year to 17.2% this year and increasing his BB% from 5.7% to 12.3%. His improved plate discipline has definitely helped his power production, and he can be a solid pickup in almost all formats if you need corner infield help.

5 days ago

Orlando Ribalta • RP • Nationals

Is Orlando Ribalta Emerging as a Name to Know for the Nationals?

Washington Nationals relief pitcher Orlando Ribalta has been very effective as a setup man for the Nationals this season and could be a key name to watch if Clayton Beeter stumbles as closer. Ribalta has posted an impressive 1.80 ERA with a 3.40 FIP in his 20 appearances this season, earning two saves and four holds over 20 innings. He only has 14 strikeouts, so he isn't an elite strikeout producer, but he has limited his walks and only allowed a .171 batting average against him. Ribalta isn't a must-add until his role changes in standard-sized leagues, but he's definitely pitching effectively enough to watch closely. In shallower leagues where bullpen arms are stretched thin, he could be a nice speculative pickup from the waiver wire if you're trying to get ahead of the ever-shifting bullpen roles in Washington.

5 days ago

Pete Crow-Armstrong • CF • Cubs

Pete Crow-Armstrong Hits for the Cycle in Walk-Off Win Over Rockies

Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong accomplished something special in Monday night's series opener at Wrigley Field in a 5-4 walk-off win over the visiting Colorado Rockies. Crow-Armstrong went a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate to hit for the cycle while driving in two runs and scoring once as Chicago's leadoff hitter. It was the first cycle of the 24-year-old's career, and he hit his 13th home run in the process. With the rare performance, PCA is now hitting .277 on the season with an .844 OPS, and he's been incredibly hot offensively of late, hitting .452 with 10 extra-base hits in his last 10 games. Crow-Armstrong was a first-time All-Star in his second full season in the big leagues with the Cubs in 2025, reaching 31 homers, 95 RBI, 35 stolen bases, and 91 runs scored in 157 regular-season games, but he tanked in the second half. His plate discipline is still a work in progress, as he's in just the ninth percentile in chase rate and the 26th percentile in strikeout rate, but he's in the 89th percentile in hard-hit rate and the 77th percentile in xwOBA. Crow-Armstrong can be a streaky hitter, but he's as dynamic as they come when he's on a roll, and it's safe to say he's on a nice little roll right now.

5 days ago

Colt Keith • 3B • Tigers

Colt Keith Goes Off on Monday Night With Three Home Runs

Detroit Tigers infielder Colt Keith had a day to remember on Monday night in Houston in the Tigers' 9-3 win over the hosting Astros at Daikin Park. Keith went 3-for-4 at the plate with three home runs, a career-high six RBI, and a strikeout to boost his season batting average to .267 and his OPS to .701. The 24-year-old left-handed hitter went 62 games to begin the 2026 season without clearing the fences before hitting his first home run of the year on June 11 against the Minnesota Vikings, and now he sits at four round-trippers after an out-of-nowhere display of power. The former fifth-rounder in 2020 came into Monday's series opener with a .257/.299/.335 slash line, .634 OPS, just one home run, 10 RBI, 24 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 191 at-bats. Keith hit exactly 13 home runs in each of his first two years in the big leagues. He's on a homer binge right now, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect it to last. Keith has minimal power and speed, but he is eligible at first, second, and third base in Yahoo leagues, which makes him more attractive as bench depth in deeper fantasy leagues.

5 days ago

Dustin May • SP • Cardinals

Dustin May Dominates Padres, Hurls Complete-Game Shutout

St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Dustin May had all of his stuff working during his start at Busch Stadium on Monday night in the team's 3-0 victory. May threw a complete-game, nine-inning shutout with only one hit allowed, one walk, and nine strikeouts to win his fifth game of the year and lower his season ERA to 3.75. In his last two games, May has thrown 15 shutout innings with five hits allowed, two walks, and 15 strikeouts, so he's clearly been locked in the zone lately. The 28-year-old former third-rounder by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016 had a perfect game going against San Diego through six innings before walking outfielder/second baseman Fernando Tatis Jr. to start the seventh frame. Third baseman Manny Machado broke up the no-hitter later that same inning. Since May 27, May has given up three earned runs or fewer in four straight starts, which has built his case as a waiver-wire pickup in fantasy baseball. May could have another stellar start this weekend on Sunday against the Kansas City Royals. Run to the waiver wire and grab him. He's only rostered in 53% of Yahoo leagues.

5 days ago

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