MLB News

Willi Castro • 2B • Rockies

Willi Castro's Versatility Makes Him a Priority Waiver Wire Target Amidst June Surge

Across 275 plate appearances in 2026, Colorado Rockies utility man Willi Castro is hitting .280/.353/.407 with six home runs, 33 RBI, 36 runs scored, and six stolen bases. The 29-year-old has been on a tear in June, hitting .316 with four home runs and 14 RBI across 93 plate appearances this month. With just a 5.6% barrel rate, Castro does not profile as a significant power source for fantasy managers. Still, the veteran switch-hitter has a balanced profile at the plate that allows him to provide modest production across the other four categories. Castro also offers multi-positional eligibility, and his hitter-friendly home park in Colorado helps boost his abilities at the plate. In deeper league formats, Castro should be a priority waiver wire target for fantasy managers due to his versatility.

5 hours ago

Jacob Wilson • SS • Athletics

Jacob Wilson Worth Targeting on the Waiver Wire Amidst Ongoing Shoulder Issues?

Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (shoulder) has battled injury issues in 2026. After being placed on the injured list in early May due to a shoulder subluxation, Wilson re-injured the same shoulder on a play at the plate on Wednesday and has not played since. The Athletics have not yet placed Wilson on the injured list, so there's hope that he can make a quick return to the lineup. Across 214 plate appearances in 2026, Wilson is hitting .277/.310/.386 with four home runs, 26 RBI, 23 runs scored, and two stolen bases. The 24-year-old's carrying category in fantasy is batting average, but his strikeout rate has risen from 7.5% in 2025 to 11.7% this season. Still, Wilson hit .311 with 13 home runs across 523 plate appearances a year ago and carries some upside if he can get healthy over the second half of the season. Fantasy managers in need of batting average may have an opportunity to add Wilson off the waiver wire.

5 hours ago

Colt Emerson • 3B • Mariners

Colt Emerson a Must-Add Waiver Wire Target Ahead of Second-Half Breakout?

Since being promoted to the big leagues in mid-May, Seattle Mariners infielder Colt Emerson has emerged as his team's everyday shortstop. Across 116 plate appearances, the 20-year-old is hitting .212/.293/.481 with seven home runs, 17 RBI, 15 runs scored, and one stolen base. Emerson's underlying metrics are a bit concerning, as his strikeout rate (31.9%) is higher than his hard-hit rate (31.3%). Still, Emerson has gotten to some power at the MLB level, and he's widely considered one of the top prospects in all of baseball. Emerson stole 10 bases across 38 games at Triple-A before his promotion, so he has some untapped speed potential once he starts getting on base more consistently. Given his upside, Emerson profiles as a worthy waiver wire target despite some of his early struggles in the big leagues.

5 hours ago

Mickey Moniak • LF • Rockies

Mickey Moniak Carries High-End Power Potential on the Waiver Wire

Colorado Rockies outfielder Mickey Moniak missed a month after being placed on the injured list with ankle tendinitis in late May. However, the 28-year-old was reinstated by Colorado on Monday and has jumped back into a big-side platoon role for the Rockies. Moniak has been highly productive so far this season, hitting .275/.328/.581 with 12 home runs, 29 RBI, 22 runs scored, and one stolen base across 174 plate appearances. The 28-year-old owns a 12.7% barrel rate in 2026, and he's mashed right-handed pitchers to a .976 OPS. Moniak's playing time ceiling is limited by his platoon role, which holds down his fantasy value. Still, Moniak profiles as a valuable power source when he's in the lineup, and his favorable home park in Colorado helps boost his overall numbers. Fantasy managers in need of power should target Moniak on the waiver wire.

5 hours ago

Shane Bieber • SP • Blue Jays

Shane Bieber Remains a Waiver-Wire Target Despite Rough First Outing

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Shane Bieber had the start of his 2026 season delayed by an elbow issue, but he was able to return to the mound for Toronto on Tuesday. The 31-year-old struggled in his first outing of the year, allowing nine hits and four earned runs across 3 2/3 innings against the Houston Astros. Bieber was not much better in his minor league rehab outings before returning to the big leagues, allowing 13 earned runs across 17 innings (five starts). Still, Bieber was effective in a small sample size for Toronto in 2025, recording a 4-2 record with a 3.57 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 37 strikeouts across 40 1/3 innings (seven starts). Bieber's average fastball velocity of 92 miles per hour in his first start of 2026 is right in line with where he sat last season. Fantasy managers should not expect Bieber to provide the same production he once did at his peak, but the veteran right-hander still profiles as a quality waiver wire target.

5 hours ago

Jesús Sánchez • RF • Blue Jays

Jesus Sanchez Hits Injured List With Ankle Sprain

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jesus Sanchez (ankle) has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a right ankle sprain. The news came shortly after the 28-year-old underwent X-rays and an MRI, with both examinations revealing no structural damage or fractures. Still, manager John Schneider revealed on Saturday that the outfielder was very sore a day after injuring himself while making a leaping catch in the outfield. With the pain proving too much to overcome, Toronto will be without Sanchez's services for at least the next 10 days, though there is no word on whether this will be a minimal stay. As part of the corresponding move, Yohendrick Pinango was recalled by the Blue Jays and will provide Toronto with additional depth in the outfield. The 24-year-old is batting eighth and starting in left field on Saturday.

6 hours ago

Jesús Sánchez • RF • Blue Jays

Jesus Sanchez MRI Reveals No Fracture

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jesus Sanchez (ankle) underwent an MRI on Saturday to determine the severity of the ankle injury he sustained on Friday night. With both the X-rays and MRI coming back negative, he and the Blue Jays will now work to determine the next steps toward getting him back on the field. It is still possible that he will require a trip to the injured list, as manager John Schneider revealed that it remains an option. Regardless, the results are encouraging, as everything is structurally sound, and his return will largely depend on his pain tolerance. Once the soreness subsides, the team should have a better idea of how to proceed, but for now, consider him day-to-day.

6 hours ago

Romy Gonzalez • 1B • Red Sox

Romy Gonzalez Could be Activated on Sunday

Boston Red Sox second baseman Romy Gonzalez (shoulder) could be activated on Sunday, according to manager Chad Tracy. The 29-year-old had targeted Saturday for his return, but that timeline will ultimately fall short, possibly by just one day if things go according to plan. After suffering a shoulder injury last season, it was determined that he would need surgery to address the issue following a setback this past winter. He has yet to play this season, and given the bevy of injuries the team has endured, the Red Sox could certainly use his bat as a boost. He has struggled to the tune of just two hits over 21 plate appearances during his rehab assignment, though he has limited the damage by striking out only six times. He is worth rostering in the deepest of leagues, with the potential to provide even more value if he can recapture last season's success.

6 hours ago

Teoscar Hernández • LF • Dodgers

Teoscar Hernandez is Mashing on his Rehab Assignment

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez (hamstring) has homered in each of his three games with Triple-A Oklahoma City to begin his minor-league rehab assignment. The 33-year-old outfielder started this rehab assignment earlier in the week while recovering from a left hamstring strain and has turned all three of his base hits during that span into home runs. He now sports a solid .273 batting average while striking out just once. Considering how well he is swinging the bat, and with previous reports suggesting he could be reinstated as early as Monday, it appears that he is all but ready to make his return to the Dodgers' lineup. Through 51 games this season, the 11-year veteran is hitting .276 with seven home runs and 31 RBI.

6 hours ago

Kade Anderson • SP • Mariners

Kade Anderson Won't Get Promoted Until the Stretch Run?

The Seattle Mariners have floated the idea of creating a "super 'pen" for the stretch run late in the season, perhaps featuring promotions for pitching prospects Kade Anderson and Ryan Sloan, according to Adam Jude of The Seattle Times. Anderson, the former third overall pick in 2025 out of Louisiana State University and the team's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has dominated this year at Double-A Arkansas, going 8-0 with a stingy 1.22 ERA, 0.70 WHIP, and 99:10 K:BB in 66 2/3 innings across his 13 starts. It was reported in mid-June that the 21-year-old southpaw wasn't in Seattle's immediate plans for a big-league call-up, and this report by Jude corroborates that we probably won't see Anderson make his MLB debut until much later in 2026. He's currently rostered in 12% of Yahoo leagues, but fantasy managers in mixed redraft leagues won't have much incentive to hold him now, especially since he might not even pitch in a starting role if he joins the M's for the stretch run. But in dynasty/keeper leagues, Anderson is a must-stash for his clear high-end upside for 2027 and beyond.

6 hours ago

Christian Scott • SP • Mets

Christian Scott Activated and Starting Against Phillies

The New York Mets announced on Saturday that they reinstated right-hander Christian Scott (hip) from the 15-day injured list and optioned rookie left-hander Zach Thornton to Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move. Scott is returning to the Mets' starting rotation after a brief stint due to right hip impingement. The 27-year-old former fifth-rounder in 2021 out of the University of Florida isn't returning to the most fantasy-friendly matchup, but he should certainly be in play as a waiver-wire pickup for starting-pitching-needy fantasy managers. In his return from Tommy John surgery this year, Scott has looked solid in his first nine starts for the Mets, 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 innings pitched in his second season in the big leagues. The Phillies as a team rank just 22nd in the majors with a .703 OPS, but they have been heating up and won't be an easy matchup for Scott in his return. He's only rostered in 17% of Yahoo leagues, so he's widely available as a pitching reinforcement heading into the last portion of the first half of the season.

7 hours ago

Jack Flaherty • SP • Tigers

Jack Flaherty to Officially Return on Sunday Against Astros

Detroit Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty (ankle) will officially come off the 15-day injured list to start on Sunday in the series finale against the Houston Astros at Comerica Park, manager A.J. Hinch told Jared Ramsey of the Detroit Free Press. Flaherty has been sidelined since June 13 with an injury to a tendon in his ankle. The 30-year-old veteran has had a frustrating season to this point, leading the league with eight losses while posting a 5.35 ERA (4.09 FIP) and 1.57 WHIP with 78 strikeouts and 34 walks in 65 2/3 innings pitched over his 15 starts in his second year in Detroit. Flaherty sits in just the fourth percentile in hard-hit rate this year, but he's in the 73rd percentile in strikeout rate and didn't allow more than three earned runs in any of his last five starts before going on the IL with his ankle injury. His xERA (4.64) and xwOBA (.334) suggest he's had some bad luck in the first half as well, so Flaherty shouldn't just be blindly avoided in fantasy leagues because of his eight losses and ERA over 5.00.

7 hours ago

Trent Grisham • CF • Yankees

Trent Grisham Expected to Return During Upcoming Homestand

New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham (hamstring) is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list sometime during the team's upcoming homestand, manager Aaron Boone told Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. Grisham will likely play in at least one minor-league rehab game before rejoining the major-league roster. The Yankees return to the Bronx to start a series at home versus the Detroit Tigers on Monday, and the homestand runs through Sunday, July 5, against the Minnesota Twins. The 29-year-old left-handed-hitting center fielder has been on the shelf since June 13 with a strained right hamstring. When Grisham returns to the Yanks, rookie left-handed slugger Spencer Jones could be headed back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Grisham hasn't been quite as good this year as when he went off for a career-high 34 homers and 74 RBI in 2025, but he can still provide some pop as outfield depth in deep-mixed fantasy baseball leagues. He'll be returning to a .232/.341/.406 slash line with a .747 OPS, eight homers, 35 RBI, 40 runs scored, and six stolen bases in his 66 games this season.

8 hours ago

Nick Lodolo • SP • Reds

Nick Lodolo to Make his Next Start on Monday in Milwaukee

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo (wrist) is scheduled to make his next start on Monday in Milwaukee against the division-rival Brewers, according to MLB.com. Lodolo was pulled from his last start early on Tuesday against the Brewers after he took a line drive off his left wrist. The 28-year-old southpaw avoided a serious injury, though, and is set for a rematch against the Brew Crew after tossing four scoreless innings with six strikeouts against them on Tuesday before leaving early. The former seventh overall pick out of Texas Christian University in 2019 has teased plenty of strikeout upside in the past, but injuries have gotten in the way. Lodolo has been pretty inconsistent so far in 2026, and his strikeout rate sits at a career-low 18% through his first nine starts (46 2/3 frames). He'll take a bloated 5.59 ERA (5.37 FIP) and 1.52 WHIP into his 10th start of the year in Milwaukee to begin next week, and fantasy managers will probably want to avoid him in that spot. Before his injury-shortened start earlier this week, Lodolo allowed a season-high seven earned runs in 4 2/3 innings to the last-place New York Mets on June 17.

8 hours ago

George Springer • DH • Blue Jays

George Springer Heading for Paternity Leave

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer is heading for paternity leave this weekend, multiple sources told Gregor Chisholm of The Toronto Star. Springer could be placed on the paternity list as soon as Saturday, so fantasy managers will have to adjust their lineups this weekend as the Blue Jays continue their series in Toronto against the visiting Texas Rangers. The 36-year-old veteran could miss up to three days, so he shouldn't be expected to return to the team until early next week for the series against the New York Mets. The four-time All-Star turned back the clock in 2025 in helping the Jays reach the World Series, slashing .309/.399/.560 with a .959 OPS, 32 homers, 84 RBI, 18 steals, and 106 runs scored in 140 regular-season games. Springer has been unable to tap into that form so far in 2026, hitting .216/.307/.366 with a career-low .673 OPS, eight homers, 21 RBI, 27 runs, and six steals in 60 games. He's gone 17-for-76 (.224) with three homers, three doubles, seven RBI, 11 runs, three steals, 13 walks, and 17 K's in 20 games in June. Maybe a short break for the birth of his child will get him going to close out the first half of 2026.

8 hours ago

Michael Soroka • SP • Diamondbacks

Michael Soroka to Start Throwing Bullpens Soon

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka (glute) will start a Tuesday and Friday bullpen routine soon, according to MLB.com. Soroka was placed on the 15-day injured list on June 20 with left-glute discomfort, and he isn't expected to return to the D-backs' starting rotation until late July or August. The 28-year-old Canadian was having a resurgent 2026 season in his first year in the desert before his glute injury, going 8-3 for the Snakes with a 3.07 ERA (2.93 FIP) and 1.08 WHIP with 79 strikeouts and 17 walks in 82 innings pitched across his 15 starts. The sell-high window is probably closed now that Soroka is on the IL, and it's fair to wonder if he can keep it up in the second half when he returns. The former 28th overall pick by the Atlanta Braves in 2015 has reached the 100-inning mark just once in his MLB career, and that was back in 2019 in his second year in the majors with the Braves. His 3.91 xERA and .309 xwOBA hint at regression in the second half, and his strikeout rate sits in the 57th percentile.

9 hours ago

Blake Snell • SP • Dodgers

Blake Snell Throws Successful Bullpen Session

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that left-hander Blake Snell (elbow) threw his scheduled 15-pitch bullpen session on Friday, and it went well, according to David Vassegh of 570 L.A. Sports. It was Snell's first time throwing off a mound since he had surgery on his left elbow to remove loose bodies on May 19. The Dodgers are slow-playing the 33-year-old southpaw, who has only made one start in 2026 due to injuries, and he's expected to need at least four more bullpens before he's cleared to face live hitters. It's unclear exactly when the two-time Cy Young winner might rejoin the Dodgers' starting rotation, but it might not be until late July or early August. Snell is being stashed in most fantasy leagues despite making just 12 regular-season starts with the Dodgers since the beginning of the 2025 season, primarily because of his career 30% strikeout rate. In his 11 regular-season starts last year, Snell was strong, posting a 2.35 ERA (2.69 FIP) and 1.25 WHIP with 72 strikeouts and 26 walks in 61 1/3 innings pitched. He's currently rostered in 76% of Yahoo leagues.

9 hours ago

Gregory Soto • RP • Pirates

Gregory Soto Remains a Priority Closer Target on the Waiver Wire

Across 33 1/3 innings (34 games) in 2026, Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Gregory Soto has recorded a 4-1 record with a 3.24 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 39 strikeouts, and 11 saves. The 31-year-old has run into some difficulties in June after a dominant start to the season, allowing six earned runs across 5 2/3 innings (seven appearances) this month. Still, Soto has notched four saves in June and looks to be secure in the ninth-inning role in Pittsburgh. Soto's underlying numbers for the year remain impressive, as he's averaging 97.1 miles per hour on his fastball and has struck out 29.3% of the batters he's faced this season. He also does an excellent job of limiting home runs (0.54 HR/9), which should help him avoid blow-up innings. Even with his shaky performance of late, Soto remains a priority waiver wire target for fantasy managers in any league where he's not already rostered.

10 hours ago

Jung Hoo Lee • RF • Giants

Jung Hoo Lee a Priority Waiver Wire Target Amidst Hot Streak

Across 297 plate appearances in 2026, San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee is hitting .327/.360/.471 with five home runs, 30 RBI, 41 runs scored, and five stolen bases. The 27-year-old does an excellent job of limiting swing-and-miss, as he's struck out in just 9.1% of his trips to the plate this season. Lee's .345 batting average on balls in play this season is well above his career mark of .304, so he may be in line for some batting average regression in the second half of the year. Still, Lee's ability to consistently make contact keeps his floor in the category high. Lee has also started to reach a bit more power in June, posting a .560 slugging percentage with 11 RBI across 89 plate appearances this month. Fantasy managers should not expect anything more than modest production in the power and speed departments from Lee, but he can be relied upon as a batting average and runs asset. In leagues where Lee is available on the waiver wire, he is a worthy target for fantasy managers.

10 hours ago

Alex Lange • RP • Royals

Alex Lange Allows Five Runs in Non-Save Situation, Should Managers Be Concerned?

Kansas City Royals right-hander Alex Lange had a rough outing on Friday, allowing five earned runs while recording just one out in the seventh inning of his team's 22-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox. Lange has emerged as the primary closer in Kansas City, recording six saves in June. Entering play on Friday, the 30-year-old had allowed just two earned runs while notching 13 strikeouts across 10 innings pitched this month. The Royals were trailing 16-1 when Lange entered the game on Friday, which may help explain why he wasn't as locked in as he's been in recent appearances. Several of Kansas City's other high-leverage options, such as Lucas Erceg and John Schreiber, also allowed multiple earned runs on Friday in the blowout loss. Fantasy managers should take note of Lange's miserable showing, but should not necessarily panic given the circumstances.

10 hours ago

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