MLB News

Drake Baldwin • C • Braves

Drake Baldwin Reinstated From the Injured List on Monday

The Atlanta Braves announced on Monday that they have reinstated catcher Drake Baldwin (oblique) from the 10-day injured list and outrighted catcher Austin Wynns to Triple-A Gwinnett in a corresponding move. The Braves have a scheduled day off on Monday, so Baldwin will return for his first game in Tuesday's series opener against the visiting San Francisco Giants at Truist Park. The second-year backstop will be returning to Atlanta after missing a month with an oblique strain. The 25-year-old former third-round pick in the 2022 MLB draft out of Missouri State University has quickly become one of the best offensive-minded catchers in fantasy baseball after he was named the National League Rookie of the Year in 2025. Baldwin hit .274/.341/.469 with an .810 OPS, 19 homers, and 80 RBI in 124 games last year, and he'll return to a .303/.389/.543 slash line with 13 homers and 38 RBI in 48 games in his second season in the Show. Get ready to plug him back into all starting lineups in traditional fantasy leagues this week.

6 days ago

Jorge Polanco • 1B • Mets

Jorge Polanco Moved to 60-Day Injured List

The New York Mets announced on Monday that they transferred infielder Jorge Polanco (Achilles, ankle) to the 60-day injured list. It's merely a procedural move and won't affect Polanco's timetable for a return to the Mets. He has been battling Achilles tendinitis and recently suffered a setback with his ankle, forcing the Mets to pull him off his minor-league rehab assignment. The 32-year-old switch-hitting Dominican received a favorable recent MRI exam on his ankle, though, and he's scheduled to resume a rehab assignment later this week. If Polanco can avoid another setback, he might have a shot to be reinstated from the IL to rejoin the Mets' major-league roster next week. The 13-year-old MLB veteran got off to a bad start in his first year in Queens before his injuries, going 10-for-56 (.179) with a homer, two RBI, five walks, and 11 strikeouts in 14 games and only 61 plate appearances. Polanco can provide decent pop with eligibility at second and third base in Yahoo leagues, but durability concerns obviously make him less attractive in fantasy. He's currently rostered in 21% of Yahoo leagues.

6 days ago

Christian Scott • SP • Mets

Christian Scott Placed on Injured List With Hip Impingement

The New York Mets announced on Monday that they placed right-hander Christian Scott (hip) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to June 12) with a right-hip impingement. For now, right-hander Tobias Myers will be recalled from Triple-A Syracuse and will make the start on Monday at the Cincinnati Reds for New York's banged-up starting rotation. The good news for the Mets is that Scott's hip injury isn't serious, so he'll have a chance to return from the IL when he's eligible on June 27. With Scott out for at least the next two weeks, left-hander David Peterson, who has struggled in multiple roles this year, could see more starting opportunities, as could rookies Jonah Tong, Zach Thornton, and Jack Wenninger. In his return from Tommy John surgery this year, the 27-year-old Scott has looked good, going 2-0 with a 3.10 ERA (3.84 FIP) and 1.35 WHIP with 47 strikeouts and 19 walks in 40 2/3 frames across his nine starts. Scott has pitched well enough to have a rotation spot waiting for him when he's ready to return from his hip impingement. He's currently rostered in only 21% of Yahoo leagues.

6 days ago

Spencer Strider • SP • Braves

Spencer Strider to be Shut Down From Throwing for Four Weeks

After his consultation with Dr. Keith Meister on Monday, Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow) will be shut down from throwing for four weeks and then undergo a follow-up MRI exam, the team announced. If his follow-up MRI is clear, Strider will begin a throwing progression. Strider was pulled from his most recent start on Friday against the division-rival New York Mets with inflammation in his right elbow, and he was placed on the 15-day injured list the following day. The Braves and fantasy managers were very concerned, considering the 27-year-old only made two starts in 2024 before needing an internal-brace procedure. Strider also previously has had Tommy John surgery, so any signs of elbow trouble for him are a major red flag. He isn't dealing with any ligament damage, so he'll try to build back up for a second-half return if his elbow heals well over the next month. In a best-case scenario, he could rejoin the Braves' starting rotation at some point in August. The former fourth-rounder in 2020 out of Clemson University has struggled to a 5.31 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 46:20 K:BB in 39 innings across eight starts in 2026, and he'll be a huge question mark if he can return in the second half.

6 days ago

Elly De La Cruz • SS • Reds

Elly De La Cruz Could Start Rehab Assignment This Week

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) will run the bases on Monday and Tuesday, and if all goes well, he will start a minor-league rehab assignment later this week, according to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic. De La Cruz is recovering from a strained hamstring, but if he avoids a setback this week and once he starts a rehab assignment, he could be back in Cincy's starting lineup early next week. Until then, middle infielder Matt McLain will continue to hold down the fort at the 6 for the Reds, with Edwin Arroyo and Spencer Steer splitting time at the keystone. While he rehabs, the 24-year-old Dominican switch-hitter should be stashed in an injured list spot in all fantasy formats as one of the most dynamic all-around players in the game when he's healthy. Before going on the 10-day IL, De La Cruz was hitting .280/.346/.509 with an .855 OPS, 12 home runs, 37 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and 40 runs scored across 58 games and 257 plate appearances. The two-time All-Star has one of the highest ceilings in baseball with 30-homer potential. He stole a league-leading 67 bases in 2024 in his first full season in the big leagues.

6 days ago

Jake McCarthy • CF • Rockies

Jake McCarthy Returns From Illness on Monday

Colorado Rockies outfielder Jake McCarthy (knee) is making the start in left field and will bat seventh for the Rockies in Monday's series opener at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs and left-hander Shota Imanaga, according to MLB.com. McCarthy missed the last five games while being under the weather, but he's feeling better now and is back in the starting nine to begin the week. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder has looked good so far in his first year with the Rockies, slashing .282/.326/.448, but fantasy managers setting DFS lineups will want to avoid him against a tough lefty. McCarthy doesn't have much pop (just four homers in 174 at-bats), but he has plenty of speed (11) for those in need of the stat in deeper mixed leagues. McCarthy has also produced 27 RBI and 22 runs scored in 2026. He has gone 12-for-37 (.324) with none of his four homers against lefties on the year, and he's hitless in just six career at-bats against Imanaga.

6 days ago

Robert Cranz • SP • Nationals

Nationals Prospect Robert Cranz Moving to Triple-A, Approaching Stash Territory?

The Washington Nationals are promoting right-handed pitching prospect Robert Cranz to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings, according to Chase Ford of Milb Central. The 23-year-old former seventh-round pick in the 2024 MLB draft out of Oklahoma State University will move up to the highest level of the minors after combining to go 2-1 with a 2.73 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 50:15 K:BB, and four saves in 29 2/3 innings pitched in 22 relief appearances between High-A Wilmington and Double-A Harrisburg. Cranz is currently unranked as one of the Nationals' top prospects, but if he keeps pitching like he has so far in 2026, he should sneak into the team's top-30 rankings at MLB Pipeline. He has worked almost exclusively in high-leverage situations out of the bullpen on the farm, displaying plenty of swing-and-miss stuff. Cranz could continue to be a fast riser in the Nationals' system, but it remains to be seen if he's a realistic candidate to debut in the big leagues in 2026. Fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues looking for improvements from their relief corps will want to keep a close eye on Cranz.

6 days ago

Reid Detmers • SP • Angels

Reid Detmers a Top Option for Strikeouts on the Waiver Wire?

Los Angeles Angels left-handed pitcher Reid Detmers has become a strong waiver-wire option for fantasy managers seeking strikeouts. The 26-year-old enters the week with a 2-5 record, 4.00 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 97 strikeouts over 81 innings. While his win-loss record and season-long ERA don't fully reflect his recent work, Detmers has posted a 1.73 ERA, 0.54 WHIP, and 36:5 K:BB across his last four starts. That stretch includes 14 strikeouts over eight innings against the Texas Rangers, six scoreless innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and seven innings of one-run ball with nine strikeouts against the Houston Astros. The Angels may limit his win upside, but the strikeout volume and recent ratio improvements are strong enough to matter in most formats. With his roster rate already up to 64% on Yahoo, Detmers may not be sitting on every waiver wire, but fantasy managers should move quickly in any league where he remains available.

6 days ago

Jack Wenninger • SP • Mets

Jack Wenninger Nearing Promotion to MLB Roster?

New York Mets right-handed pitching prospect Jack Wenninger could be moving closer to his first major-league opportunity as the Mets search for rotation help, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. The 24-year-old is the club's No. 5 prospect (according to MLB.com) and has posted a 2.93 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 54 strikeouts over 55 1/3 innings at Triple-A Syracuse. Wenninger had a dominant start to the season, and although his ratios have backed up from his early run, he remains one of the most logical internal options for New York. The Mets' rotation depth has taken several hits, with Clay Holmes (fibula) and Kodai Senga (arm) already sidelined and Christian Scott (hip) slated to join them on the injured list. Wenninger's command remains the key caveat, as he has walked 30 batters over 55 1/3 innings. Still, with a 1% Yahoo roster rate, he is worth stashing in deeper 15+ team redraft leagues as he appears to have a clear path to join the MLB roster.

6 days ago

Ezequiel Tovar • SS • Rockies

Ezequiel Tovar Emerging as Sneaky Waiver-Wire Target With Rising Power

Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar is showing signs of life after a rough start and can provide upside for fantasy managers at the middle-infield position. The 24-year-old enters Monday hitting just .218/.265/.340 with five home runs, 24 RBI, 21 runs, and four stolen bases over 238 at-bats. However, he has been better lately, batting .224 with four homers, eight RBI, seven runs, one steal, and a .431 slugging percentage over his last 15 games. Tovar also went 3-for-6 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored in Sunday's 23-9 win over the Athletics. The average and on-base percentage remain concerns, but his 26-homer, 78-RBI season in 2024 gives the rebound some credibility. At 39% rostered on Yahoo, Tovar should be picked up in 12-team formats or deeper by fantasy managers looking for shortstop help with some power upside.

6 days ago

Gregory Soto • RP • Pirates

Gregory Soto Remains Priority Target for Saves on the Waiver Wire

Pittsburgh Pirates left-handed pitcher Gregory Soto remains a priority waiver-wire target for fantasy managers chasing saves. Soto has emerged as the favorite for ninth-inning work in Pittsburgh and enters Monday with 10 saves, a 3.26 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 35 strikeouts over 30 1/3 innings. He has converted three saves in June, including Saturday, June 13's 3-2 win over the Miami Marlins. However, Soto has begun to struggle, allowing five earned runs over 2 2/3 innings this month, including a blown save against the Houston Astros on June 3. Mason Montgomery and Dennis Santana still give Pittsburgh other late-inning options, but Soto has the clearest path to saves given his typical usage. With a 47% Yahoo roster rate, he should be added in most formats where saves are a need, despite his inconsistent start to the month.

6 days ago

JR Ritchie • SP • Braves

JR Ritchie a Waiver-Wire Target With Move to Rotation?

Atlanta Braves rookie right-hander JR Ritchie will make the start on Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants at Truist Park, according to Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Ritchie, the team's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, allowed 15 runs (13 earned) on 21 hits (four homers) while walking 16 and striking out 21 in 25 2/3 innings over five starts earlier in the year for Atlanta before being sent to Triple-A Gwinnett. The 22-year-old former 35th overall pick in 2022 recently returned to the big-league roster in a relief role, and he pitched five scoreless innings of relief with two walks and a strikeout on June 12 against the division-rival New York Mets. Despite Ritchie's rough greeting in MLB as a starter earlier this year, he'll be worth considering for rotation depth in deeper leagues now that he's set to take the starting spot of injured right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow), at least in the short term. The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder is a ground-ball pitcher with a deep arsenal, but he can also generate plenty of swings and misses while attacking the strike zone. Right now, he's rostered in only 5% of Yahoo leagues.

6 days ago

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. • 1B • Blue Jays

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Likely to Rejoin the Lineup on Tuesday

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (back) felt better on Sunday, according to manager John Schneider, although he still sat out a second straight game due to back tightness, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. Guerrero seems likely to return to the starting lineup for Tuesday's series opener against the division-rival Boston Red Sox after another scheduled day off on Monday. The 27-year-old Canadian was gearing up to pinch hit in the ninth inning on Sunday against the New York Yankees, but he never appeared in the game. The five-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner has only three home runs on the year through 68 games and has gone 7-for-38 (.184) with three doubles, three RBI, four runs scored, four walks, and five strikeouts in 10 games so far in June. Despite the recent cold stretch, Vladdy is hitting .280 (69-for-246) on the year with a .372 on-base percentage. Guerrero's buy-low window is firmly open right now, but it could close quickly once he returns from his back injury.

6 days ago

Christian Scott • SP • Mets

Christian Scott Heading to Injured List With Undisclosed Injury

New York Mets right-hander Christian Scott (undisclosed) is set to land on the 15-day injured list this week with an undisclosed injury, league sources told Will Sammon of The Athletic. The good news for the Mets and their banged-up starting rotation is that early indications are that Scott's injury is minor. But with Scott now set to miss at least two weeks, the Mets only have left-hander Sean Manaea and right-handers Nolan McLean and Freddy Peralta as firm starters. Scott's injury could mean more starting opportunities for lefty David Peterson, who currently has a 5.75 ERA (3.51 FIP). In his first season back from Tommy John surgery this year, Scott has shown plenty of promise with a 3.10 ERA in nine starts across 40 2/3 innings. Right-hander Tobias Myers is set to start on Monday for the Mets against the Cincinnati Reds on the road, but he's not stretched out as a starter. To fill Scott's spot in the rotation, the Mets could turn to rookies Jonah Tong and Zach Thornton. Tong is the higher upside prospect. Eventually, righty Kodai Senga (back, arm) could be an option to return to the rotation following his minor-league rehab assignment. Scott is rostered in only 23% of Yahoo leagues.

6 days ago

Gage Jump • SP • Athletics

Gage Jump Proving Worthy of a Waiver-Wire Pickup Despite Inexperience?

Athletics rookie left-hander Gage Jump, who is considered the team's No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has more than held his own in his first four major-league starts. The 23-year-old former second-round pick in 2024 out of Louisiana State University has gone 2-1 with a 3.09 ERA (2.51 FIP) and 1.11 WHIP with 19 strikeouts and six walks in 23 1/3 innings pitched. The young southpaw allowed four earned runs in five innings to the Seattle Mariners in his MLB debut on May 26, but he followed that up with two quality starts versus the Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros. At the hitter-friendly minor-league venues of Sacramento and Las Vegas, Jump has surrendered seven runs in 10 innings in two starts, while he's been much better on the road. In shallow-mixed fantasy leagues, fantasy managers should keep an eye on Jump, while in deeper leagues, he's worth considering off the waiver wire as a matchup-based streamer. He has pitched well enough so far to keep his rotation spot once Aaron Civale (shoulder) returns from the injured list.

6 days ago

Jared Jones • SP • Pirates |

Jared Jones • 1B • Pirates

Jared Jones Should be Rostered in More Fantasy Baseball Leagues

Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Jared Jones got a late start to the 2026 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery that knocked him out for the entire 2025 campaign. The 24-year-old former second-round pick in 2020 made his season debut on May 29 and was a bit rusty, allowing five earned runs on seven hits (two homers) in 4 1/3 innings, but he also had six strikeouts against the Minnesota Twins. Jones has made only three starts so far and has yet to get into the sixth inning, posting a 4.73 ERA (4.08 FIP) and 1.42 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and five walks in 13 1/3 innings pitched. He is still getting stretched out in his return from elbow reconstruction, but the good news is that his control has been solid. In his rookie season for the Bucs in 2024, Jones impressed with a 4.14 ERA (4.00 FIP), 1.19 WHIP, and 132:39 K:BB in 121 2/3 innings over 22 starts. Fantasy managers are going to need to be patient here, but the upside is absolutely worth taking a flier on for starting rotation depth for the second half of the season. Jones is widely available on the waiver wire, too, as he's rostered in 43% of Yahoo leagues at the moment.

6 days ago

Spencer Strider • SP • Braves

Spencer Strider's MRI Exam Rules Out Ligament Damage in his Elbow

Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider's (elbow) MRI exam did not show any ligament damage, just inflammation, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. It's excellent news for a pitcher who made only two starts in 2024 and eventually needed an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow. There aren't any current concerns that Strider will need another elbow surgery. The 27-year-old's visit on Monday with Dr. Keith Meister, who performed his surgery in 2024, was just to indicate what Strider's next steps will be. By Tuesday, Bowman says that we will have a better idea of when Strider could resume throwing. There was definitely some concern that Strider would need another season-ending elbow injury after his velocity plummeted and he was pulled from his start early on June 12 against the New York Mets. He is on the 15-day injured list and most likely won't rejoin Atlanta's starting rotation before the mid-July All-Star break, but he will return this season. Fantasy managers need to hang onto the former fourth-rounder in 2020 out of Clemson University. Strider has gone 4-2 this year with an elevated 5.31 ERA (5.36 FIP) and 1.36 WHIP, but his 27.9% strikeout rate gives hope for fantasy managers.

6 days ago

Cal Raleigh • C • Mariners

Cal Raleigh Expected to Return on Tuesday

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (oblique) is expected to be reinstated from the 10-day injured list before Tuesday's series opener in Seattle against the Baltimore Orioles, according to Adam Jude of The Seattle Times. In addition to Raleigh, the M's are expected to activate shortstop J.P. Crawford (hand) from the IL before Tuesday's tilt. The 29-year-old Raleigh, who finished second in the American League MVP voting in 2025 after hitting a league-high 60 home runs and driving in 125 in 159 regular-season games, has been one of the biggest busts in fantasy baseball so far in 2026. Through 41 games (181 plate appearances) before straining his oblique, the left-handed slugger hit .161/.243/.317 with a .560 OPS, seven home runs, 18 RBI, and a 31.5% strikeout rate. The good news is that he's healthy again and went 7-for-17 at the plate with five home runs during a five-game minor-league rehab assignment with High-A Everett and Triple-A Tacoma. Fantasy managers can only hope that he's ready to turn things around now that he's past his oblique issue. With Raleigh sidelined, the Mariners had been mixing and matching behind the dish with Mitch Garver and Jhonny Pereda.

6 days ago

Kerry Carpenter • RF • Tigers

Kerry Carpenter Can Provide Pop Off the Waiver Wire

Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter hit just .216 (22-for-102) with a .299 on-base percentage, 11 walks, and 40 strikeouts in his first 37 games of the 2026 season before getting hurt and landing on the injured list. But since rejoining the big-league squad on May 31, the left-handed-hitting outfielder has gone 10-for-33 (.303) with three home runs, a double, nine RBI, and four runs scored in 38 plate appearances for the Tigers. The 28-year-old former 19th-round selection in 2019 out of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University had a career-high 26 home runs and 62 RBI in a career-high 130 regular-season games for Detroit last year, and he also reached the 20-homer mark in 2023 in his first full season in the big leagues. Carpenter has a weak .321 career on-base percentage, and he has struck out over 30% of the time so far in 2026, but he has 79 home runs in 414 major-league games to this point and has enough power to help carry fantasy squads for stretches when he's locked in at the plate. He's currently rostered in 41% of Yahoo leagues and is worth a pickup for fantasy managers who need power.

6 days ago

Samuel Basallo • C • Orioles

Samuel Basallo Worth a Pickup After Recent Injury Scares?

Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo has been a little banged up lately, first missing time with an abdominal issue and then sitting out a few games last week due to wrist discomfort that was the result of a bony growth on his left hand. The 21-year-old left-handed-hitting backstop has since returned to action, though, and he has a hit in three straight games. Basallo hasn't had the greatest month of June, going 5-for-35 (.143) with a homer, a double, four RBI, four runs scored, three walks, and 10 strikeouts, but overall on the season, he has actually outproduced fellow catcher Adley Rutschman. In 60 games and 215 plate appearances in his first full season at the big-league level with Baltimore, Basallo is slashing .258/.321/.469 with a .790 OPS, 10 home runs, nine doubles, a triple, 29 RBI, and 27 runs scored. As long as his wrist issue doesn't worsen throughout the rest of the year, Basallo can provide above-average pop while also providing a stable average at the weakest position in fantasy baseball, and he's rostered in just over half of Yahoo leagues.

6 days ago

MLB News

LEGEND