MLB News

Hurston Waldrep • SP • Braves

Hurston Waldrep a Top Pitcher to Stash Ahead of Impending Return?

Atlanta Braves right-hander Hurston Waldrep (elbow), who is currently on the 60-day injured list, had his minor-league rehab assignment transferred to Double-A Columbus on Tuesday, according to Grant McAuley of 929 The Game. Waldrep will make a rehab start there on Thursday after already having two two-inning outings in the Florida Complex League as he works his way back from right-elbow surgery. The 24-year-old has at least three more weeks of ramping up before he's considered an option for the big-league starting rotation, so it might not be until after the mid-July All-Star break that we see him back with the Braves. The former first-rounder in 2023 out of the University of Florida deserves some stash consideration in deeper fantasy leagues after he had a 2.88 ERA (3.21 FIP), 1.19 WHIP, and 55:22 K:BB in 56 1/3 innings pitched across 10 outings (nine starts) for Atlanta while going 6-1 last year. Waldrep's underlying metrics show that he was a bit fortunate in 2025, but he should have a starting rotation spot waiting for him in the second half of 2026. He's currently rostered in just 5% of Yahoo leagues.

4 hours ago

Chase Petty • SP • Reds

Reds Recall Prospect Chase Petty, Worth a Pickup in Deep Leagues?

The Cincinnati Reds recalled right-handed pitching prospect Chase Petty from Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday and optioned right-hander Zach McCambley to Louisville in a corresponding move, the team announced. It will be Petty's second stint in the big leagues this year after he allowed seven earned runs on 10 hits (two homers) while walking three and striking out only two in 10 2/3 frames in his two starts with the Reds. The 23-year-old former first-rounder by the Minnesota Twins in 2021 also struggled in his MLB debut in 2025, surrendering 14 runs (13 earned) while walking eight and fanning seven in just six innings over three outings (two starts) in Cincy. The New Jersey native will come up this time around to provide the Reds' bullpen with some depth after an extra-inning game on Tuesday night at Petco Park in which they used six different relievers. Per MLB Pipeline, Petty is ranked as the team's No. 7 prospect, but in a relief role, he will not have much fantasy upside in a short-term role in single-year formats after his latest call-up.

5 hours ago

Jake Burger • 1B • Rangers

Jake Burger Still Worthy of a Waiver-Wire Pickup Despite Recent Slump?

Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger got off to a rough start to June, going hitless in his first 19 plate appearances over five games with a run scored, two walks, and six strikeouts. He closed out May with six hits in 11 at-bats with three doubles and an RBI in three games, though, and he's recorded four hits (one double) and two RBI in eight plate appearances in his last two contests. Overall, the 30-year-old right-handed slugger is batting .238/.293/.414 with a .708 OPS, 10 home runs, 39 RBI, 30 runs scored, and a stolen base in 64 games and 259 plate appearances in his second year with the Rangers. Burger hit a dismal .170 in April, but he bounced back in May to hit .290 (27-for-93) with five home runs, seven RBI, 18 RBI, 18 runs, and a steal in 26 games. He still strikes out 26.3% of the time, which isn't ideal for fantasy managers looking for a boost in average or on-base percentage, but Burger still has enough pop to be worth a look off the waiver wire for corner-infield depth. He's currently rostered in just 22% of Yahoo leagues.

5 hours ago

Noah Cameron • SP • Royals

Noah Cameron Gaining Waiver-Wire Momentum After Another Quality Start

Kansas City Royals left-hander Noah Cameron has quietly produced quality starts in four of his last five outings and should be gaining traction on the waiver wire in fantasy baseball leagues. In his latest outing on Sunday against the division-rival Minnesota Twins, Cameron won his third game of the year by limiting the Twins to an unearned run on just three hits while walking none and striking out seven in six innings. Through his first six starts in 2026, Cameron had a 5.40 ERA with 22 runs allowed (19 earned), 28 strikeouts, and 11 walks in 31 2/3 innings. But in six starts since then, he has yet to allow more than three earned runs in any of his starts and has posted a strong 2.38 ERA (1.95 FIP) with 35 strikeouts and only six walks across 34 innings pitched. Cameron has punched out at least seven batters in three of his last four starts, as well, and he's allowed only four hits in his last 13 innings pitched over two starts. He has clearly turned things around on the mound and is gaining more traction off the waiver wire. Cameron should definitely be scooped up for his next scheduled start against the Houston Astros. He is rostered in 44% of Yahoo leagues at the moment.

5 hours ago

Jacob Young • CF • Nationals

Jacob Young Worth a Look Off the Waiver Wire in Deep Leagues?

Washington Nationals outfielder Jacob Young came into the 2026 season with just five home runs in his first three years in the league. He's only hitting .237 (49-for-207) in his first 66 contests this season, but he's already up to eight home runs in his 223 plate appearances. The 26-year-old former seventh-round pick in 2021 out of the University of Florida stole 33 bases in 2024 in his first full season in the majors, too, so he has some speed to spare, even if he has only swiped five bags in 2026. Fantasy managers in search of outfield depth in deeper leagues should consider adding Young while he's hot early in June. In eight games so far this month, Young has gone 6-for-22 (.273) with a homer, two triples, two RBI, four runs scored, and a stolen base in 22 plate appearances. With plenty of wheels and a boost in power this year, Young has become more attractive in deep formats. He's currently rostered in just 2% of Yahoo leagues, so he's widely available.

5 hours ago

Brenton Doyle • CF • Rockies

Brenton Doyle Hasn't Resumed Baseball Activities

Colorado Rockies outfielder Brenton Doyle (oblique) can do daily activities without feeling pain in his left oblique, but he hasn't graduated to baseball activities, according to MLB.com. Doyle has been on the 10-day injured list since May 21 with a left-oblique contusion, and there remains no timetable for his return. But if the 28-year-old can resume baseball activities sooner rather than later, he could be in line for a potential late-June return. The former fourth-rounder in 2019 out of Shepherd University broke out with 23 home runs, 72 RBI, and 30 stolen bases in 149 games played for the Rockies in his second year in the big leagues in 2024, but he hasn't looked the same since. Doyle hit .233 (117-for-502) last year with only 15 home runs and 18 stolen bases, and he's barely hit over the Mendoza Line with just one homer and nine steals across his first 43 games in 2026 for Colorado. Regular playing time won't be guaranteed to Doyle when he recovers from his oblique injury, which is why he's now rostered in only 32% of Yahoo leagues.

5 hours ago

Mickey Moniak • LF • Rockies

Mickey Moniak Yet to Do Change-of Direction Running

Colorado Rockies outfielder Mickey Moniak (ankle) continues to hit, throw, and do some running in baseball cleats. He is making progress, but he hasn't been scheduled to do any change-of-direction tests yet, according to MLB.com. Moniak has been on the 10-day since May 22 with tendinitis in his right ankle. Depending on when he's cleared to ramp up his running program, the left-handed slugger could return to the Rockies' lineup by mid-June. The 28-year-old former first overall pick by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2016 out of La Costa Canyon High School in California has taken off in the last two years in Colorado and is currently hitting .280 (42-for-150) with 12 home runs, 28 RBI, 21 runs scored, and one stolen base in 43 games in 2026, but has he already peaked in his seventh year in the majors? Moniak is sporting just a .324 xwOBA and an expected batting average of .228. He has really hit his stride offensively since landing in Denver, but fantasy managers may want to expect plenty of regression once he returns from the IL.

5 hours ago

Paul Goldschmidt • 1B • Yankees

Paul Goldschmidt a High-Upside Power Bat to Roster with Increased Playing Time

New York Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt opened the 2026 season in a bench role and saw little playing time early on, logging just 33 plate appearances through the end of April. However, injuries to Yankees sluggers Giancarlo Stanton (calf) and Aaron Judge (rib) have opened up an opportunity for the veteran to emerge as a key piece of his team's lineup. Across 156 plate appearances on the year, Goldschmidt is hitting .281/.359/.525 with eight home runs, 27 RBI, 23 runs scored, and one stolen base. His underlying power metrics have bounced back after a down year in 2025, as his barrel rate is up from 7.9% to 11.9%. Goldschmidt has also batted no lower than third in the Yankees' lineup in eight straight games, logging nine RBI in that span. New York may have a tough time fitting all three of Goldschmidt, Stanton, and Ben Rice in the lineup once Stanton returns. Still, Stanton remains on the shelf for now, and Goldschmidt's production is impossible to ignore. He profiles as a priority waiver wire target for fantasy managers for as long as he's in an everyday role.

5 hours ago

Gavin Sheets • 1B • Padres

Gavin Sheets Remains a Power Bat to Target on the Waiver Wire Despite Recent Skid

Across 213 plate appearances in 2026, San Diego Padres first baseman/outfielder Gavin Sheets is hitting .223/.315/.441 with 10 home runs, 26 RBI, 26 runs scored, and three stolen bases. The lefty-swinger is limited to a big-side platoon role, as he's hit .143 in 38 plate appearances against left-handed pitching. Still, Sheets' 9.5% barrel rate and 45.3% hard-hit rate both support solid power output. He also owns a 10.8% walk rate, which helps lift his production floor and keeps his playing time stable. Sheets typically hits in the heart of the Padres' lineup on days that he starts. If some of San Diego's struggling hitters around Sheets start to heat up over the summer months, Sheets will be in a good position to rack up counting stats. His upside is limited by his lack of ability to hit lefties, but Sheets still profiles as a solid deep-league power bat to target on the waiver wire.

5 hours ago

Troy Melton • SP • Tigers

Troy Melton Emerging as a Breakout Candidate on the Waiver Wire

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Troy Melton picked up his third win of the season on Tuesday night, allowing four earned runs but striking out five across five innings of work in his team's 10-4 win over the Minnesota Twins. The 25-year-old has been effective in 2026 since returning from the elbow injury that delayed his start to the season until late May. Across 25 2/3 innings (four starts), Melton has recorded a 3-0 record with a 2.81 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 14 strikeouts. The right-hander's average velocity is down from 97.1 miles per hour in 2025 to 95.9 mph, and he's struck out just 13.7% of the batters he's faced, both of which are worrying signs. Still, Melton owns a 2.78 ERA across 71 1/3 career MLB innings, and he showcased more strikeout upside in the minors, logging a 32.4% strikeout rate across 75 2/3 minor league innings in 2025. He's worth targeting on the waiver wire ahead of a potential breakout season.

6 hours ago

Matthew Liberatore • SP • Cardinals

Is Matthew Liberatore a Viable Deep-League Streamer?

Across 66 1/3 innings (13 starts) in 2026, St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore has recorded a 3-3 record with a 4.48 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, and 61 strikeouts. While Liberatore's top-line numbers don't leap off the page, he's been a bit better of late. Over his last four starts (19 1/3 innings), the 26-year-old owns a 31.4% strikeout rate. Liberatore's overall K-BB rate for the season remains an unimpressive 12.1%, and his xERA is 5.19, so his fantasy upside appears limited. Still, the left-hander is locked into a rotation spot in St. Louis and has begun to demonstrate some strikeout upside. In deeper leagues, Liberatore could be a worthy starting pitcher streamer to target on the waiver wire in the right matchups. Liberatore's next scheduled start is on Saturday in Minnesota against the Twins.

6 hours ago

Joc Pederson • DH • Rangers

Joc Pederson Emerging as a Power Bat to Target on the Waiver Wire

Across 202 plate appearances so far in 2026, Texas Rangers designated hitter Joc Pederson is hitting .237/.343/.444 with eight home runs, 23 RBI, and 25 runs scored. The 34-year-old got off to a slow start to the season but rebounded in May, posting a .919 OPS with six home runs last month. Pederson's playing time is limited to a strict big-side platoon role, as he's logged just 15 plate appearances against left-handed pitching on the year. Still, he's proven he can be an effective deep-league power source for fantasy managers even in a relatively small number of at-bats throughout his career. Pederson had a down year at the plate in 2025, but he hit .275 with 23 home runs across 449 plate appearances with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2024. With a 13.4% walk rate, 9.1% barrel rate, and 47% hard-hit rate, Pederson's underlying metrics back up his solid production in 2026. For fantasy managers in need of power, Pederson profiles as a useful waiver wire target.

6 hours ago

Agustín Ramírez • C • Marlins

Is Agustin Ramirez a Top Stash Candidate with Five-Category Potential?

After getting off to a slow start to the 2026 season, Miami Marlins catcher Agustin Ramirez was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville in early May. The 24-year-old has performed well since being sent down, hitting .255/.324/.426 with four home runs, 12 RBI, 16 runs scored, and nine stolen bases. Ramirez's speed is rare relative to his position and gives him significant fantasy upside. The young backstop also showed he can produce at the big-league level in 2025, hitting .231 with 21 home runs and 16 stolen bases across 585 plate appearances. The biggest issue in Ramirez's profile is his porous defense, which was likely the reason why he was sent down earlier this year. Still, Ramirez carries enough offensive upside that Miami seems likely to find a place for him in the lineup sooner rather than later. Fantasy managers in need of help behind the plate should consider stashing Ramirez off the waiver wire.

6 hours ago

River Ryan • SP • Dodgers

River Ryan Looks to Bounce Back, Remains on Stash Radar for Now

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher River Ryan was humming along at Triple-A Oklahoma City before his last outing, posting a 2.05 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and an elite 29.5 percent K-BB% through his first five starts. In his latest start, though, the former 11th-round draft pick yielded four earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out four. The walks were easily a season high after walking a total of three in the five previous contests, and four strikeouts tied a season low total. Although it took some shine off his stash status, everyone has a dud performance from time to time, and with a good 2.89 ERA still for the year, along with a 1.09 WHIP and a FIP that is actually lower (2.51), the arrow is still pointing up for Ryan. If the right-hander struggles in his next outing, which comes Wednesday night in Charlotte, then it may be time to reconsider stashing him, but for now, the 27-year-old is a worthwhile stash option in deeper leagues as he waits for an opening in the Dodgers' six-man rotation.

6 hours ago

JR Ritchie • SP • Braves

Braves Recall Top Prospect JR Ritchie, Worth Adding in Standard Leagues?

The Atlanta Braves recalled right-handed pitching prospect JR Ritchie to the majors on Wednesday, according to Milb Central. It will be the second time that Ritchie has been in the big leagues in 2026 in his rookie season, having posted a 4.56 ERA and 1.44 WHIP with 16 walks and 21 strikeouts in 25 2/3 innings over his first five starts in Atlanta in his first go-around. The team's No. 2 overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has been much better in his eight starts (39 1/3 innings) with Triple-A Gwinnett this year, going 4-2 with a 2.75 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 36:20 K:BB. The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder throws in the high-90s and gets plenty of swing and miss with his fastball, making him an intriguing arm in dynasty/keeper leagues. It appears that Ritchie will be used in more of a relief role this time around in Atlanta, though, so fantasy managers in redraft leagues can hold off on adding him for now. Ritchie is currently rostered in only 4% of Yahoo leagues.

6 hours ago

Joshua Báez • RF • Cardinals

Can Joshua Baez Slug His Way to a Major-League Debut?

St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect Joshua Baez continued his power surge on Tuesday, slugging his 18th home run of the season. Over his last 12 games, the Cards' third-ranked prospect is 23-for-58 (.397) with five doubles, two triples, and seven home runs. The former second-round draft pick hasn't shown off his wheels during this hot stretch, but perhaps that is because many of his hits are going for extra bases, and he isn't drawing many walks (three). For the season, the 6-foot-3 slugger is slashing .274/.346/.591, and on top of his 18 home runs, he has 11 steals. With the power comes a high strikeout rate of 32.1 percent, but it was better during the recent 12-game span, down to 25.9 percent. The power and ability to steal bases (he had 54 steals in 2025) are enticing for fantasy, and it is what should earn him a debut by the All-Star break. With multi-category upside, the 22-year-old remains a must-stash in most leagues.

6 hours ago

Kris Bubic • SP • Royals

Kris Bubic Hit Hard in Tuesday's Rehab Start

Kansas City Royals left-hander Kris Bubic (elbow) didn't exactly have the best minor-league rehab start on Tuesday for the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers, allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits while walking one and striking out zero in just 1 1/3 innings of work to take the loss against Triple-A Las Vegas. The 28-year-old southpaw required 49 pitches to get just four outs. He's attempting to return from soreness in his left elbow and general arm fatigue, but he'll require at least one more rehab start in the minors before the Royals feel comfortable reinserting him into their starting rotation at the big-league level. Before going on the 15-day injured list, Bubic went 3-2 for KC this year with a 4.11 ERA (3.72 FIP) and 1.23 WHIP with 51 strikeouts and 26 walks in 50 1/3 innings pitched across his nine starts. Bubic was a first-time All-Star in 2025 in his sixth year in the big leagues, and he's currently rostered in just over half of Yahoo leagues while he rehabs.

7 hours ago

Brandon Woodruff • SP • Brewers

Brandon Woodruff Strikes Out Five in Rehab Start in Arizona Complex League

In his first minor-league rehab start in the Arizona Complex League on Tuesday, Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) gave up three runs on five hits while walking two and striking out five in 3 2/3 innings of work, according to Jack Stern of Brewer Fanatic. Woodruff continued to experiment with a lower arm slot during the outing and leaned heavily on changeups and cutters, with his fastballs averaging under 91 mph. The 33-year-old veteran and two-time All-Star is essentially having to reinvent himself as a pitcher mechanically after more shoulder issues cropped up this season. Woodruff wasn't bad in his six starts, going 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 25:7 K:BB in 30 innings, but he developed dead arm because of his mechanics. Remember, he had right-shoulder surgery and missed all of the 2024 season before making just 12 starts last year. It's unclear when he might return to Milwaukee's starting rotation, but when he does, he could be a much different pitcher, and fantasy managers shouldn't expect a ton of swing-and-miss stuff.

7 hours ago

Dillon Dingler • C • Tigers

Dillon Dingler Heating Up in June, has Monster Game on Tuesday

Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler went 4-for-5 at the plate with two home runs, a double, four RBI, three runs scored, and a strikeout in the team's 10-4 win over the division-rival Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night. The 27-year-old third-year player is now hitting .248/.329/.528 with an .857 OPS, 16 home runs, 13 doubles, 48 RBI, and 32 runs scored in 60 games across 248 plate appearances in what has quickly become a breakout campaign for the former second-round pick in 2020 out of The Ohio State University. After stumbling late in May with just six hits in 51 plate appearances in 12 games to close out the month, Dingler has come alive since the calendar flipped to June, going 11-for-28 (.393) with five home runs, two doubles, 14 RBI, and nine runs scored in 32 plate appearances across seven games. He has two four-hit performances in that span. Dingler has quickly become one of the best offensive producers at catcher in 2026, and he's still available in 20% of Yahoo leagues.

7 hours ago

Charlie Condon • LF • Rockies

Charlie Condon Homers Again, Major-League Debut Coming?

Colorado Rockies corner infield/outfield prospect Charlie Condon homered on Tuesday for the second straight game, and after going 31 games without a home run from April 14 through May 22, the 6-foot-5 slugger has now homered six times in his last 14 games, with five doubles to boot. Not only that, during this stretch he is hitting .280 and reaching base at a .422 clip thanks to a strong 16.9 percent walk rate, while keeping the strikeouts at a palatable 18.6 percent rate. For the season, the Rockies' second-ranked prospect is slashing .250/.385/.466 with 10 home runs and five steals through 55 games. Though it was fellow outfield prospect Cole Carrigg who was recently promoted to Colorado, Condon's turn shouldn't be too far off, and with the ability to play both corner infield spots, both corner outfield spots, or simply be the designated hitter, there are multiple paths to the majors. With multiple players slumping and the team already firmly in the basement of the NL West, the 23-year-old should be up by midseason and should be considered a top bat to stash for home runs.

7 hours ago

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