MLB News

Roki Sasaki • SP • Dodgers

Is Roki Sasaki Still a Breakout Candidate to Target on the Waiver Wire?

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Roki Sasaki had a rough outing in his most recent start against the Chicago White Sox on June 12, allowing seven earned runs across 4 1/3 innings. Sasaki's overall numbers for the year are unimpressive, as he's recorded a 3-4 record with a 4.76 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 64 strikeouts across 62 1/3 innings (12 starts). However, the talented 24-year-old appeared to be turning a corner before this most recent hiccup. Across his last four starts leading into the Chicago game, Sasaki had allowed just four earned runs while striking out 29 across 24 1/3 innings. The hard-throwing right-hander also looks to have solved some of his control issues after a rough April that saw him walk 22 batters across 22 2/3 innings. Sasaki's inconsistency to this point in his MLB career brings some risk to his profile. Still, he clearly has talent in his arm and could offer major strikeout upside for fantasy managers if he can put it all together. Sasaki remains a worthy waiver wire gamble ahead of a potential breakout season.

4 hours ago

Seth Lugo • SP • Royals

Seth Lugo Reinstated and Starting on Friday Against Nationals

The Kansas City Royals announced on Friday that they reinstated veteran right-hander Seth Lugo (head) from the seven-day concussion injured list and optioned right-hander Mason Black to Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move. Lugo will return from the IL to face the Washington Nationals on Friday after he was struck in the forehead by a line drive in a scary scene at Kauffman Stadium against the Texas Rangers in his last start on June 10. The 36-year-old veteran will return to a 2-4 record with a 3.86 ERA (3.56 FIP) and 1.35 WHIP with 66 strikeouts and 25 walks in 79 1/3 innings pitched over his 14 starts in his 11th year in the majors. Despite being a soft-tosser with a below-average 19.8% strikeout rate, Lugo has kept hitters off balance enough to make him a deep-league streaming option. We would not recommend him in his first start off the IL, though, against a Nationals ballclub that ranks fifth in the league in OPS (.744). Lugo has little room for error with a lack of strikeout upside, and he'll likely have a limited pitch count in this one after not making a minor-league rehab start.

4 hours ago

Colt Emerson • 3B • Mariners

Should Colt Emerson be Considered a Priority Waiver-Wire Target?

Across 94 plate appearances since making his MLB debut in mid-May, Seattle Mariners infielder Colt Emerson is hitting .235/.309/.529 with six home runs, 16 RBI, 13 runs scored, and one stolen base. The 20-year-old has struggled with swing-and-miss, posting a 29.8% strikeout rate that may put a ceiling on his batting average. However, he's shown off his power stroke in recent weeks and has already hit four home runs in June. Emerson has also established himself as the everyday shortstop in Seattle, with veteran Mariners infielder J.P. Crawford being moved from shortstop to third base upon his return from a hand injury earlier this month. Emerson's underlying contact metrics (5.3% barrel rate, 29.8% hard-hit rate) do not support his power output so far, which should be a bit of a red flag for fantasy managers. Still, Emerson is considered to be one of the top prospects in all of baseball and hit seven home runs across 169 plate appearances at Triple-A this season before his promotion. Given his prospect pedigree and his role in Seattle, Emerson profiles as a priority waiver wire target.

4 hours ago

Dustin May • SP • Cardinals

Dustin May a Must-Add Arm Ahead of Potential Breakout

Once considered a top prospect during his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers, current St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Dustin May has battled injuries and inconsistency throughout his career to this point. However, the 28-year-old looks like he may be putting it all together in 2026. Across 81 2/3 innings (14 starts) on the year, May has recorded a 5-6 record with a 3.75 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 75 strikeouts. He's been particularly dominant of late, recording 15 strikeouts across 15 scoreless innings over two starts against the New York Mets and San Diego Padres. May's average fastball velocity is back up to 97 miles per hour after it dipped to 95.5 mph in 2025. He generates a ton of ground balls (46.2% ground ball rate) and limits home runs (0.55 HR/9). Particularly given his pitcher-friendly home environment in St. Louis, May profiles as a must-add starting pitcher on the waiver wire ahead of what could be a breakout season.

4 hours ago

Mick Abel • SP • Twins

Mick Abel a Must-Add Starting Pitcher Ahead of Looming Injury Return

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Mick Abel (elbow) has been sidelined since mid-April due to elbow inflammation. However, the 24-year-old has traveled with the team to Arizona for their weekend series and appears poised to come off the injured list and rejoin the Twins rotation on Sunday. Across 20 1/3 innings (four games) before the injury, Abel recorded a 1-2 record with a 3.98 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, and 23 strikeouts. After allowing nine earned runs in his first two outings of the year, Abel recorded 13 scoreless innings with 16 strikeouts across his last two starts before he was placed on the injured list. The former top prospect also pitched very well in his most recent rehab appearances, allowing just one earned run while striking out 10 across eight innings (two starts) with Triple-A St. Paul. Abel offers significant strikeout upside for fantasy managers upon his return and profiles as a priority stash candidate on the waiver wire.

4 hours ago

Tanner Scott • RP • Dodgers

Tanner Scott Remains a Must-Add Closer on the Waiver Wire

Across 31 innings (33 games) in 2026, Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Tanner Scott has recorded a 2.32 ERA, 0.71 WHIP, 38 strikeouts, and nine saves. The 31-year-old began the season in a setup role, but he has emerged as the team's preferred option in the ninth inning with Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz (elbow) currently working his way back from elbow surgery. While Diaz is expected to return this season, he's unlikely to be back in the big leagues until after the All-Star break. Scott has been more than capable as a stand-in, averaging 96.7 miles per hour on his fastball and logging a dominant 30.7% K-BB rate. Until Diaz returns, Scott profiles as a must-start closer for fantasy managers. In any league where he remains available on the waiver wire, Scott profiles as a priority target.

4 hours ago

Royce Lewis • 3B • Twins

Royce Lewis Heating Up in June, Re-Emerging as a Waiver-Wire Target

Minnesota Twins infielder Royce Lewis has had a rough year overall in 2026, hitting .199/.283/.356 with six home runs, 20 RBI, 17 runs scored, and four stolen bases. The oft-injured slugger missed time in April due to an LCL sprain in his left knee and has seen his strikeout rate rise from 19.9% in 2025 to 28.9%. However, Lewis has started to heat up in recent weeks. Across 47 plate appearances in June, the 27-year-old is hitting .286/.340/.548 with three home runs, seven RBI, six runs scored, and one stolen base. Lewis' underlying contact metrics remain strong, as he's posted a 12% barrel rate on the season. If he can maintain his current health, Lewis profiles as a high-upside waiver wire target for fantasy managers.

5 hours ago

Justin Dean • CF • Cubs

Cubs Promote Outfield Prospect Justin Dean to Major Leagues

The Chicago Cubs are calling up outfield prospect Justin Dean from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, according to Milb Central. Dean will make his debut with the Cubs after hitting just .238 (43-for-181) with three home runs, 25 RBI, 14 stolen bases, and 38 runs scored in 56 games across 223 plate appearances at Iowa. The 29-year-old former 17th-round selection by the Atlanta Braves in 2018 out of Lenoir-Rhyne University made his big-league debut last year with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he played in just 18 games and was mostly a defensive replacement late in games, going hitless in two plate appearances with one stolen base and one strikeout. Dean has experience playing all three outfield spots in the minor leagues, but beyond that, he doesn't really have much fantasy upside at almost 30 years old as bench depth for the Cubbies in the short term. In his eight minor-league seasons, Dean has hit .251/.357/.367 with a .723 OPS, 42 homers, 264 RBI, and 253 stolen bases in 745 games played. Fantasy managers should avoid Dean off the waiver wire.

5 hours ago

Ernie Clement • 2B • Blue Jays

Ernie Clement Out With Hip Soreness on Friday

Toronto Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement (hip) is dealing with some soreness in his left hip and will sit out of Friday's series opener at Wrigley Field against the hosting Chicago Cubs, according to Sportsnet's Arden Zwelling. The Blue Jays have been looking to get Clement a day of rest during their current stretch of 16 games in 16 days. Davis Schneider is making the start at second base on Friday and will bat eighth against Cubs right-hander Ben Brown. It doesn't sound like Clement's hip injury is very serious, so he could be right back in the starting nine on Saturday on the North Side of Chicago for Game 2 of the series. The contact-oriented Clement is currently hitting a strong .294 (85-for-289) for Toronto through 74 games in 2026 with a league-high 20 doubles, seven home runs, 28 RBI, 35 runs scored, and two stolen bases across an even 300 plate appearances. He's well on his way to setting a new career high in long balls after hitting just 12 in 2024 in his second season in Toronto. Clement is attractive in most fantasy leagues for his positional eligibility at first base, second base, third base, and shortstop.

5 hours ago

Shane Bieber • SP • Blue Jays

"Strong Possibility" Shane Bieber Returns on Monday

The Toronto Blue Jays are waiting until right-hander Shane Bieber (elbow) throws a side session on Saturday before announcing anything officially, but there is a "strong possibility" that he will be reinstated from the 60-day injured list to start on Monday against the Houston Astros, according to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. "All signs point towards he'll be ready to go," manager John Schneider said. Bieber said he's happy with how he felt after his last minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, when he reached 80 pitches. The 31-year-old former American League Cy Young winner has yet to pitch in the big leagues in 2026 while recovering from right-elbow inflammation. In his five rehab starts, his overall numbers weren't exactly great, posting a 6.88 ERA with 14 strikeouts and five walks in 17 innings pitched, but stuff-wise, he was pleased. The two-time All-Star returned from Tommy John surgery in 2025 in his first year in Toronto to go 4-2 with a 3.57 ERA (4.47 FIP) and 1.02 WHIP with 37 strikeouts and seven walks in 40 1/3 innings in just seven regular-season starts. Bieber is no longer a fantasy ace, but he should at least be worth a roster spot as rotation depth in deep-mixed leagues, and his matchup for his first start of the season on Monday against Houston is a favorable one.

5 hours ago

Clay Holmes • SP • Mets

Clay Holmes Plans to Resume Throwing by July 1

New York Mets right-hander Clay Holmes (leg), who fractured his fibula on May 15 when he was hit by a comebacker, is progressing well and plans to resume throwing by July 1, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. It's a positive update on Holmes, but he still has a long way to go and probably won't be a realistic option to return to the Mets' starting rotation until some point in August. With the 33-year-old veteran out for an extended period of time with his unfortunate injury, he's now only rostered in 23% of Yahoo leagues. Before his fractured fibula, Holmes had gone 4-4 with a 2.39 ERA (3.21 FIP) and 1.10 WHIP with 45 strikeouts and 18 walks in 52 2/3 innings pitched across his nine starts in his second year in Queens. The two-time All-Star's surface numbers were solid, but his expected ERA of 3.80 and 3.21 FIP suggest he was extremely fortunate to be pitching as well as he was early on. Holmes can still be an asset in fantasy to close out the year in 2026 when he returns from his leg injury, just don't expect him to be quite as good as he was in his first nine starts.

6 hours ago

Eury Pérez • SP • Marlins

Eury Perez Strikes Out Five in First Rehab Start

Miami Marlins right-hander Eury Perez (thigh) had a solid first minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday, allowing just one earned run on three hits while walking none and striking out five in 3 2/3 innings against Triple-A Durham. Perez threw 37 of his 51 pitches as he works his way back from a right-thigh strain. If everything continues to go well, Perez might only need one or two more rehab starts before potentially rejoining the Marlins before the All-Star break in mid-July. In addition to throwing 51 pitches on Thursday on the farm, the 23-year-old Dominican hurler was sitting at 96-98 mph with his fastball, topping out at 99.4 mph, so he looks like he could be ready to rejoin the big-league starting rotation sooner rather than later. Before his thigh injury, Perez had gone 3-6 with a career-high 4.60 ERA (4.66 FIP) and 1.26 WHIP with 72 strikeouts and 28 walks in 62 2/3 innings across his 12 starts in his third year in the majors. His elevated strikeout rate (27.8% in his career) makes him an arm to stash in most fantasy leagues. Perez is currently rostered in 75% of Yahoo leagues while he rehabs.

7 hours ago

Bryce Eldridge • 1B • Giants

Bryce Eldridge Quickly Turning into a Must-Stash Power Bat

San Francisco Giants rookie first baseman Bryce Eldridge could easily be trending towards a second-half breakout in 2026, and he's starting to generate more attention off the waiver wire in fantasy baseball leagues for his elite raw power from the left side of the plate. In 33 games with the Gigantes this year, Eldridge has delivered a .319/.405/.558 slash line, .962 OPS, six home runs, 16 RBI, and 19 runs scored in a small sample size of 131 plate appearances. He debuted with San Fran in 2025, but he appeared in just 10 games. The 21-year-old former 16th overall pick in 2023 is in the midst of an eight-game hitting streak in which he has gone 13-for-31 (.419) with four home runs, two doubles, 10 RBI, and six runs scored in 37 plate appearances. Eldridge went deep in three straight games and has homered in four of his last seven contests after clearing the fences in the team's last game on Wednesday against the Atlanta Braves. The Giants could sell off some major pieces at this year's trade deadline, which could put Eldridge in line for a more prominent role in the Bay Area going forward. Fantasy managers in need of some pop should definitely look Eldridge's way, as he's available in more than half of Yahoo leagues.

7 hours ago

Paul Sewald • RP • Diamondbacks

Paul Sewald on a Roll, an Obvious Waiver Pickup for Saves

Arizona Diamondbacks veteran right-handed closer Paul Sewald doesn't light up the radar gun, is 36 years old, and has had his fair share of struggles in a high-leverage role in the past, but you can't argue with his results this year in the desert. The 10-year veteran has a 3.29 ERA (4.08 FIP), which also isn't exactly enticing for a ninth-inning arm, but he is currently tied for third in the majors with 18 saves in 2026 and also has a 0.73 WHIP and a 30.1% strikeout rate in 27 1/3 innings. Sewald is more prone to blow-ups than other high-end fantasy closers, sure, but he hasn't blown a save since May 13 against the Texas Rangers. Since then, he has only allowed two earned runs on four hits while walking two and striking out 12 in 12 innings over 12 outings with two wins and nine saves for the D-backs. In his first 18 appearances this year, Sewald had a 4.70 ERA (4.33 FIP) with an 0-4 record, nine saves, and one blown save. He's not perfect, but he should be rostered in more than the 68% mark in Yahoo leagues.

7 hours ago

Carson Benge • RF • Mets

Carson Benge in the Midst of a Rookie-Year Breakout?

New York Mets rookie outfielder Carson Benge has quickly become a lineup regular and table-setter for the Mets in 2026 in his first year in the big leagues, batting .257/.316/.385 with a .701 OPS, seven home runs, nine doubles, two triples, 26 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and 39 runs scored in his first 72 big-league games across 288 plate appearances. The 23-year-old former 19th overall pick out of Oklahoma State University in the 2024 MLB draft went 3-for-5 with a run scored and a stolen base in the team's 6-4 win over the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday out of the leadoff spot, and he's now hitting .293/.338/.533 with four home runs, six RBI, and 14 runs scored in his last 18 games. The left-handed-hitting outfielder has also gone 16-for-49 (.327) with two of his seven home runs against left-handed pitchers. In what has become a lost season for New York, Benge should be a lineup regular all year, and his recent hot streak makes him a must-add off the waiver wire for his high-end upside in multiple fantasy categories. Benge is currently rostered in only 44% of Yahoo leagues.

7 hours ago

Payton Tolle • SP • Red Sox

Fantasy Managers Need to Jump on the Payton Tolle Bandwagon

Boston Red Sox left-hander Payton Tolle took his fourth loss of the season in his most recent outing on June 16 versus the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays, when he allowed three earned runs on four hits (two homers) while walking two and striking out six in just five innings of work. He gave up a season-high four earned runs in six innings for a loss in his previous outing on June 9 against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays, but the 23-year-old southpaw remains one of the best young left-handed arms to roster in fantasy baseball leagues in just his second year in the league. The former second-round pick in 2024 out of Texas Christian University is 3-4 in 2026 with a strong 2.93 ERA (3.08 FIP) and 1.06 WHIP with 60 strikeouts and 16 walks in 58 1/3 innings over his 10 starts after having an ERA over 6.00 with a 1.59 WHIP and 19:8 K:BB in 16 1/3 frames in his first seven MLB appearances (three starts) in 2025. Tolle has a 25.5% strikeout rate since debuting last year and a 7.7% walk rate. He has done enough to stick around in Boston's starting rotation and is an emerging young arm with his arrow pointed up. Tolle has bounce-back potential in his next scheduled start against the banged-up Seattle Mariners.

7 hours ago

JJ Bleday • LF • Reds

JJ Bleday Still Worth Rostering Amid Cold Spell in June?

Cincinnati Reds outfielder JJ Bleday, who was the fourth overall pick by the Miami Marlins in 2019 out of Vanderbilt University, was a first-round bust in his first four years in the big leagues with the Fish and the Athletics, but he has found a home in Cincinnati and is in the midst of the best year of his young MLB career. Through 45 contests with the Reds in 2026, Bleday is hitting .265/.367/.572 with a .940 OPS, 13 home runs, 35 RBI, 27 runs scored, and two stolen bases across his 196 plate appearances. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder is well on pace to set a new career high in home runs, and his resurgence at the plate has led to him being a popular waiver-wire pickup in the first half of the season. Four of Bleday's 13 homers have come in June, but he's gone 11-for-57 (.193) during the month with two doubles, nine RBI, nine runs, a steal, nine walks, and 12 strikeouts in 15 games. While he may have cooled off a bit in June, Bleday has an expected batting average of .274 and an xwOBA of .388, with his underlying metrics backing his strong start to the 2026 campaign. If you need power off the waiver wire, Bleday is a widely available asset and is currently rostered in 56% of Yahoo leagues.

7 hours ago

Joshua Báez • RF • Cardinals

When Will Joshua Baez Earn the Call to St. Louis?

St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect Joshua Baez has enjoyed an incredible stretch at the plate at Triple-A and is on the verge of earning the call to the big leagues. Through 64 total games with the Memphis Redbirds, the outfielder has held a dominant .275/.343/.628 line with 24 home runs and 12 stolen bases. Over his last 14 contests (since June 2), the outfielder has been even more impressive at the dish, launching eight of these home runs with a .368/.381/.877 line. On June 16, Baez made headlines across the minor leagues, slugging four long balls in a single game. However, despite this level of play, the Cardinals have yet to turn to him. Even though Lars Nootbaar and Nathan Church are both back in action, Baez's current production should pave the way for him to join the MLB roster before the end of the month, especially if they remain in the Wild Card race. He remains an elite prospect to stash in all standard leagues ahead of Week 13.

8 hours ago

Kade Anderson • SP • Mariners

Is Kade Anderson the Top Pitching Prospect to Stash?

Seattle Mariners left-handed pitching prospect Kade Anderson has seen his short-term fantasy stock take a hit this past week, but the budding ace remains firmly on the stash radar. The Mariners acknowledged that they will be looking to "piggyback" each of their MLB starters and do not view Anderson as part of their immediate plans. While this could change in the second half, for now it appears the former LSU superstar will remain in the minor leagues for the foreseeable future. However, during his first taste of professional baseball, the southpaw has looked nothing short of dominant, posting an elite 1.13 ERA, 0.66 WHIP, and an 82:7 K:BB over 55 2/3 innings of work. While his path to the majors is not overly clear, his upside remains elite, making him a top-stash candidate in standard formats with NA spots.

8 hours ago

Quinn Mathews • RP • Cardinals

Quinn Mathews Quickly Emerging as Priority Stash Target?

St. Louis Cardinals left-handed pitching prospect Quinn Mathews has begun to turn the corner at Triple-A and is quickly emerging as a top prospect to stash among pitchers. Mathews turned in a dominant debut season in the St. Louis system in 2024 but has yet to return to that level of play. In 2025, he logged only 99 innings and saw those troubles linger early in 2026. Through his first 35 2/3 innings this season, the southpaw posted a hefty 5.55 ERA with a 1.63 WHIP. During this stint, Mathews posted a rough 44:30 K:BB. However, over his last 21 innings of work (four starts), the former Stanford standout has held a stellar 1.71 ERA with a much-improved 28:9 K:BB. While he may need to show this success over a longer stretch, he has a clear path to the majors given St. Louis' weak rotation. He is a viable target in the 12+ team leagues ahead of Week 13, but can quickly enter priority stash range if he turns in a strong conclusion to June.

8 hours ago

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