MLB News

Minnesota Twins shortstop Kaelen Culpepper was removed early during his Triple-A game in Toledo on Saturday. There hasn't been a reason given yet, which could mean that the 23-year-old is heading to the big leagues. Before this game, Culpepper was slashing .277/.381/.504 with 14 home runs, 43 RBI, and 15 stolen bases in 60 games at Triple-A this season. Culpepper is currently the Twins' No. 2 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. They selected him in the first-round of the 2024 draft out of Kansas State. Fantasy managers should stay tuned for more updates. A move to the big leagues would make Culpepper a popular waiver wire addition.

Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz (oblique) could rejoin the team as early as next Monday, according to Brian McTaggart. Diaz has been sidelined since early May due to a left oblique strain. He began a rehab assignment in early June and appears to be nearing his return to the big league roster. The assumption is that Diaz will reclaim the starting catcher gig once he's back on the roster. Before going down, Diaz was slashing .238/.255/.347 with two home runs and 14 RBI across 26 games. Those aren't great numbers, but Diaz does have a good track record as a hitter throughout his career. Fantasy managers in need of help at the catching position should consider scooping up Diaz with his return looming.

Cleveland Guardians outfielder Angel Martinez (foot) was forced to make an early exit from Saturday's game against the Detroit Tigers. Martinez suffered a left foot contusion when he fouled a ball off his foot during the first inning of this contest. He stayed in the game for a bit, but was replaced by Steven Kwan in the third inning. The X-rays on his left foot came back negative for any fractures. For now, fantasy managers should consider Martinez as day-to-day. He's the second Guardians outfielder to go down during this game, with Chase DeLauter (ribs) leaving as well. The Guardians will need to make some roster changes if neither player can get back in the lineup within a few days.

Cleveland Guardians outfielder Chase DeLauter (ribs) was removed early during Saturday's game against the Detroit Tigers. DeLauter suffered a right ribcage contusion when he crashed into the wall during the first inning. He stayed in the game and singled in his lone at-bat of the game in the bottom of the inning. DeLauter was pulled for Daniel Schneeman after showing signs of discomfort while running to first base. It's unclear at the moment if DeLauter will be forced to miss additional time from this injury. For now, fantasy managers should consider DeLauter as day-to-day until more information on his status is available.

Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony (finger) is reportedly still experiencing discomfort when he attempts to swing the bat. Anthony has been out since early May due to a sprained ligament in his finger. He has attempted to resume baseball activities, but was shut down on multiple occasions. Despite the complications, Anthony believes that he is slowly progressing from his injury. Given his current pace, Anthony is unlikely to be back in the mix anytime soon. At best, Anthony might be able to rejoin the Red Sox roster in July after going through a rehab assignment. The young slugger still needs to be able to swing the bat before he can advance any further.

Colorado Rockies pitcher Eiberson Castellano has been called up to the big leagues on Saturday. The 25-year-old is set to make his MLB debut after pitching well in the minor leagues. This season, Castellano owns a 2.44 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and a 60:29 K:BB ratio across 11 appearances (10 starts) between Double-A and Triple-A. The expectation is that Castellano will work in a long relief role with Jeff Criswell being optioned to the minors. Castellano has worked as both a reliever and a starting pitcher during his time in the minors. He likely won't have fantasy value out of the bullpen, but he could be a deep league option if he sticks in the rotation.

Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (hand) made an early exit from Saturday's game against the Detroit Tigers. Ramirez was pulled in the sixth inning with an undisclosed injury. Now, Ramirez has been diagnosed with a fractured left hamate bone and will head to the Injured List. The Guardians haven't given a timetable for Ramirez, but he figures to miss at least a month of action. The expectation is that David Fry and Daniel Schneemann will see increased opportunities at the hot corner. The Guardians could turn to prospect Angel Genao, but that's likely dependent on how long Ramirez is going to be sidelined. This is a tough break for the Guardians and for fantasy managers who will be without the superstar slugger for an extended period of time.

The Detroit Tigers announced on Saturday that they placed right-hander Jack Flaherty (ankle, foot) on the 15-day injured list with a left peroneal strain and recalled infielder Hao-Yu Lee from Triple-A Toledo in a corresponding move. The Tigers pulled Flaherty from his start early on Friday against the Cleveland Guardians with an injury to his outer ankle/foot. The good news for Detroit is that they are getting ace left-hander Tarik Skubal (elbow) back on Saturday, with right-hander Casey Mize (groin) coming back from the IL on Sunday in the series finale against Cleveland. It's unclear how much time Flaherty will be forced to miss, but he will at least be out for a couple of turns through the starting rotation. The 30-year-old veteran has had a rough second year in Motown, losing a league-high eight games in his first 15 starts, also posting an ERA above 5.00 with a 1.57 WHIP, 78 strikeouts, and 34 walks in 65 2/3 innings pitched. Flaherty has been a bit unlucky this year, but even when considering his 4.60 expected ERA and 4.10 FIP, there's not a ton to like. He's currently rostered in just under half of Yahoo leagues.

Seattle Mariners outfielder Randy Arozarena (left hamstring) exited Friday's game against the Nationals after tweaking his hamstring on a groundout to first base and will be held out of Saturday's lineup. Arozarena limped down the line and was removed as a precaution. Manager Dan Wilson described it as "a little bit of a hamstring strain, might have been more of a spasm or a cramp kind of a thing." Arozarena passed strength tests, did not require imaging, and told reporters he expects to be ready in a couple of days. Arozarena has been one of Seattle's most productive players this season, posting a strong .291/.377/.448 line with 18 doubles, seven home runs, and 19 stolen bases. While he remains out of action on Saturday, Luke Raley and Victor Robles will cover the corner outfield positions while Julio Rodriguez remains the center fielder.

Kansas City Royals left-hander Kris Bubic (shoulder) suffered a setback in his recovery as he exited his first rehab outing early on Tuesday. Bubic allowed six runs (five earned) on eight hits in 1 1/3 innings during the outing with Triple-A Omaha. Manager Matt Quatraro said Bubic's forearm feels good, but his shoulder did not respond well to the start. Bubic is scheduled to see a doctor this weekend for further evaluation. Bubic was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 18 with left elbow soreness after his May 14 start against the White Sox, but will now be further evaluated for another injury. What was initially expected to be a short absence has dragged on. In nine starts before the injury, he went 3-2 with a 4.11 ERA. Managers in deeper 12+ team leagues should still view him as a viable stash option heading into Week 12, as he was very productive on the bump last season, logging 116 1/3 innings to the tune of a 2.55 ERA.

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (knee) was held out of Friday's lineup against the White Sox due to left-knee inflammation, but he is back in the starting nine ahead of their contest on Saturday. Ohtani experienced discomfort in his left knee and hamstring area following a stolen-base attempt (nullified by a foul ball) and was removed as a precaution. Fortunately, the superstar avoided a major injury and is back at the top of the Dodger lineup serving as the designated hitter. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status in case the team opts to give him rest days at the dish and potentially modify his short-term pitching schedule. Through 67 games in the batter's box, Ohtani has posted a stellar .305/.421/.543 line with 15 doubles, 13 home runs, and six stolen bases, and remains a must-start option in all formats.

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Paul Sewald has settled in as the primary closer and continues to deliver strong results in high-leverage situations. Sewald owns a 3.20 ERA and 0.71 WHIP with 28 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings across 28 appearances. He has already recorded 16 saves and has been particularly sharp in recent outings, posting a 1.29 ERA over his last seven appearances. His command has been excellent, and he has limited hard contact while generating consistent swing-and-miss with his sweeper-and-fastball combination. While the Diamondbacks' bullpen has some depth behind him, Sewald has earned the trust of the coaching staff in the ninth inning and looks like the clear closer moving forward. For fantasy managers in need of saves, he remains a reliable and productive option in leagues where he's still available, as he is currently rostered in about 65% of Yahoo leagues.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (back) is out of the lineup on Saturday due to back tightness. Manager John Schneider commented before the game that the five-time All-Star's back tightened up during Friday's contest and that his absence on Saturday is purely precautionary to avoid aggravating the issue. The good news is that he is feeling better, and the hope is that with minimal time off, he can return to full health. His status is considered day-to-day, with updates likely to provide more clarity ahead of Sunday's game. The usually durable and reliable first baseman has hit just three home runs this season and is enduring what would be considered a down year by his standards, despite posting a .280 batting average. Charles McAdoo will get the start at first base on Saturday and is batting eighth in the lineup.

New York Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (calf) suffered a setback earlier this week while running the bases. Manager Aaron Boone said that the 36-year-old felt a tweak earlier in the week and that additional imaging may be needed to determine the extent of the injury. There had been some hope that Stanton would return to the lineup at some point during the Yankees' upcoming homestand, but that optimism is now in jeopardy. Given his extensive injury history, the team would be wise to continue taking a cautious approach with his recovery. As such, there is no timetable for his return until more is known about the severity of the setback.

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Carlos Estevez (shoulder) has begun throwing from flat ground and has ramped up both the intensity and volume of his work. While there have been no reports regarding the total number of throws or the distance involved, it is nonetheless a positive sign for a pitcher who has missed most of the season with a right rotator cuff strain. There is no timetable for his return, nor is it known what the next steps in his recovery will be, but it is evident that the 33-year-old is on the mend and moving in the right direction. The Royals will likely continue to bring him along slowly, given the nature of the injury and concerns surrounding his velocity during Spring Training. When he does return, there is no guarantee he will reclaim the role of the team's closer, despite the uncertainty developing at the back end of the bullpen between Lucas Erceg and Alex Lange.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans (elbow) threw his second successful bullpen session on Friday. He did this just two days after tossing 23 pitches on Wednesday. The fact that he continues to make progress and is able to keep throwing is a positive sign, considering he has missed more than a month with a left elbow impingement and also experienced a setback during his recovery. The next steps for the 28-year-old southpaw will be determined after this weekend and will be based on how he feels. If he emerges without any issues and is ready to continue throwing, he could begin facing live hitters shortly thereafter. All that being said, there is currently no timetable in place for his return. Ragans has struggled to find success this season, posting just one win in eight starts. Both his 4.84 ERA and 1.42 WHIP are the highest those marks have been since his rookie campaign, though injuries may have played a role in his disappointing season.

Baltimore Orioles reliever Ryan Helsley (elbow) is set to make his second rehab appearance with Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday. After tossing a scoreless inning on Thursday, manager Craig Albernaz said the right-handed pitcher feels good enough to pitch again. He will look to build on his first outing, during which his fastball averaged 97.7 miles per hour and topped out at 99.7 mph. He also needed just 14 pitches to retire all three batters he faced, with 12 of those pitches going for strikes. Helsley has been sidelined since the end of April with right elbow inflammation and is aiming to return soon to provide some much-needed stability to the Orioles' bullpen. The 31-year-old has seven saves this season and should provide an immediate boost to fantasy lineups upon his return, which could be sooner rather than later.

Baltimore Orioles infielder Jackson Holliday had surgery to fix a broken hamate bone in his hand back in spring training and had multiple setbacks along the way during his rehab, which is why he didn't make his 2026 season debut until May 19. The 22-year-old former first overall pick in 2022 out of Stillwater High School in Oklahoma hit only .229/.300/.360 with a .659 OPS in his first two big-league seasons, but he did produce 17 home runs and 17 stolen bases in 149 games in 2025 in his first full year in the majors in Baltimore. Holliday has only hit .215 (14-for-65) with three home runs, 11 RBI, 11 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 22 games across 76 plate appearances since making his season debut in May, but he did hit his third career grand slam earlier this week against the Seattle Mariners. So far in 10 games in June, Holliday has gone 6-for-32 (.188) with a homer, a double, a triple, five RBI, four runs scored, four walks, and 11 strikeouts. There's no doubt he's still trying to get locked in at the plate after getting a late start to the season, but fantasy managers should be keeping a close eye on the post-hype prospect. Holliday could quickly become a waiver-wire darling if/when he starts to heat up. He's only rostered in 40% of Yahoo leagues right now.

Texas Rangers left-handed reliever Jacob Latz has become manager Skip Schumaker's clear favorite for save chances in 2026. The 30-year-old southpaw has been outstanding for the Rangers so far this season, going 2-1 with a 1.69 ERA (2.52 FIP), 0.62 WHIP, a career-high 10 saves, 33 strikeouts, and seven walks in 32 innings pitched over his 25 appearances (one start). And since blowing his second save of the year on May 13 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Latz has really excelled, giving up just one earned run on five hits (one homer) while walking two, striking out 16, winning two games, and picking up five saves in 10 1/3 innings pitched. Latz made things interesting in his appearance on Wednesday against the Kansas City Royals, loading the bases with no outs, but he escaped for his 10th save of the year. He then picked up his second win of the year the following night. Latz has only given up runs in four of his 25 appearances in 2026 and is somehow rostered in under half of Yahoo leagues at the moment. If you need saves and Latz is on the waiver wire, the decision should be easy to pick him up.

Cincinnati Reds right-handed reliever Emilio Pagan (hamstring) threw 20 pitches in his first bullpen session on June 8 and was scheduled to throw another bullpen on Wednesday, according to MLB.com. Pagan is scheduled to undergo another MRI exam on Saturday to give the team an idea of how he's healing from a Grade 2 left-hamstring strain that landed him on the 15-day injured list on May 6. There's a chance that Pagan will return to Cincy's bullpen before the end of June, but it will all depend on how quickly he resumes facing live hitters. The 35-year-old veteran had six saves in his first 15 appearances earlier this year before injuring his hamstring, but it came with a career-worst 6.43 ERA (5.82 FIP) and 1.43 WHIP in 14 innings. The Reds' bullpen has been among the league's worst since Pagan landed on the IL, though, so even though he wasn't pitching all that well before his injury, he's expected to immediately return to the ninth-inning role whenever he's reinstated. It's why Pagan is still rostered in over 60% of Yahoo leagues while he's on the shelf.