MLB News

Yilber Díaz • SP • Diamondbacks

Diamondbacks Promote Yilber Diaz, a Worthy Pickup in Standard Leagues?

The Arizona Diamondbacks are calling up right-handed pitching prospect Yilber Diaz from Triple-A Reno on Friday to replace right-hander Ryne Nelson (forearm) on the active MLB roster after he was diagnosed with a partially torn flexor tendon in his forearm, according to Arizona Sports' John Gambadoro. Diaz, the team's No. 22 prospect per MLB Pipeline, will return to the big leagues after posting a 4.31 ERA (4.57 FIP), 1.47 WHIP, and 20:15 K:BB in 31 1/3 innings over eight appearances (four starts) in his first two years in the league in 2024 and 2025. The 25-year-old Venezuelan returns to Arizona after going 3-3 with a 4.50 ERA, 1.66 WHIP, four saves, and a 43:21 K:BB in 32 innings in 26 relief appearances at Reno in 2026. Since he has made a full-time move to a relief role this year, fantasy managers should steer clear of Diaz for now. It's unclear exactly who will take Nelson's rotation spot in the desert, but it will most likely be Brandon Pfaadt.

4 hours ago

Ryne Nelson • SP • Diamondbacks

Ryne Nelson Going on the Shelf With Partially Torn Flexor Tendon

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Ryne Nelson (forearm) will head to the injured list with a partially torn flexor tendon in his right forearm, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports. Nelson is now facing an extended absence, although there is no specific timetable for when he might rejoin Arizona's starting rotation in the second half of 2026. The 28-year-old has been up and down for fantasy managers this year, going 3-5 with a 4.97 ERA (5.39 FIP) and 1.24 WHIP with 62 strikeouts and 22 walks in 83 1/3 frames over his 15 innings pitched, but he was trending up after his most recent start on Monday against the Los Angeles Angels, when he allowed just two earned runs on nine hits (one homer) while walking none and striking out five in seven innings for his third win of the year. With Nelson potentially missing a month or more, right-hander Brandon Pfaadt will likely be the team's top option to replace him in the starting rotation going forward.

4 hours ago

Jack Flaherty • SP • Tigers

Jack Flaherty to Throw a Bullpen on Saturday

Detroit Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty (ankle) will throw a bullpen session on Saturday, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. Flaherty will be throwing off a mound for the first time this weekend since a strained left peroneal muscle in his ankle landed him on the 15-day injured list last week. Barring a setback as he begins to ramp back up, Flaherty has a chance to return to the Tigers' starting rotation before the All-Star break in mid-July. He's eligible to come off the IL on June 28. The 30-year-old veteran is leading the league in losses (eight) in 2026 for the second straight season in Detroit and has a bloated 5.35 ERA (4.08 FIP) and 1.57 WHIP with 78 strikeouts and 34 walks in 65 2/3 innings across his 15 starts. Flaherty hasn't pitched as poorly as his underlying metrics suggest, but fantasy managers don't have a whole lot of incentive in shallow-mixed leagues to keep him stashed for the time being. He's currently rostered in only 43% of Yahoo leagues.

4 hours ago

Gleyber Torres • 2B • Tigers

Gleyber Torres Receives a Cortisone Shot, Starting Rehab Soon

Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres (oblique) received a cortisone shot and will start his rehab in a day or two, according to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News. Torres landed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday for the second time this year with a strained oblique and is likely to be out for at least another month, meaning he won't return for fantasy managers until after the All-Star break in mid-July. The 29-year-old Venezuelan doesn't provide much power or speed offensively, but he is a great source of on-base percentage and batting average as a high-contact hitter with great plate discipline. Since returning from his first stint on the IL on June 2, Torres was on a hot streak, going 14-for-41 (.341) with two homers, four doubles, seven RBI, and eight runs scored in 11 games in June. Fantasy managers can only hope he'll pick up where he left off whenever he returns from his second trip to the IL in the second half of 2026. In the meantime, expect Hao-Yu Lee and Zach McKinstry to split playing time at the keystone in Motown. Torres is currently being stashed in just under half of Yahoo leagues while he rehabs his balky oblique muscle.

4 hours ago

Justin Verlander • SP • Tigers

Tigers Scratch Justin Verlander From his Start on Sunday

The Detroit Tigers have scratched veteran right-hander Justin Verlander (hip, hamstring) from his scheduled start on Sunday against the division-rival Chicago White Sox with a left-hamstring injury after he threw a bullpen session on Wednesday in Houston, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. The Tigers expect Verlander's recovery to be "a matter of weeks." It's a tough blow for the future Hall of Famer and three-time Cy Young winner, as Verlander was on track to come off the 60-day injured list to start on Sunday after spending almost three months on the shelf with inflammation in his left hip. Now the 43-year-old is dealing with a hamstring ailment that will keep him on the IL for another couple of weeks. Right-hander Keider Montero is expected to replace Verlander in the series finale against Chicago on Sunday. Verlander has had an amazing run in his 21 years in the big leagues, but he's struggled to stay healthy towards the end and doesn't have much juice left.

5 hours ago

Cade Cavalli • SP • Nationals

Cade Cavalli Scratched From Friday's Start Due to Illness

Washington Nationals right-hander Cade Cavalli (illness) has been scratched from his start on Friday in the series opener against the Kansas City Royals due to an illness, according to Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic. In Cavalli's place, the Nats will use left-hander PJ Poulin as an opener. We do not know as of right now whether Cavalli will be able to make his next start this weekend against the Royals or if he'll be skipped entirely in Washington's starting rotation. The 27-year-old former 22nd overall pick in 2020 out of the University of Oklahoma has emerged as a waiver-wire target in his third year in the big leagues in 2026, going 4-4 with a 3.98 ERA (3.41 FIP) and 1.39 WHIP with 81 strikeouts and 25 walks in 74 2/3 innings pitched across his 15 starts for the Nats. Cavalli has allowed over three earned runs in just two of his 15 starts this year and has boosted his strikeout rate to 24.3% after sporting a well below-average strikeout rate of 18.3% in 2025.

5 hours ago

Elly De La Cruz • SS • Reds

Elly De La Cruz Set to Begin Rehab Assignment at Triple-A

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Friday, per a team announcement. De La Cruz has been on the 10-day injured list since June 1 due to a hamstring strain, but he appears to be close to a return to the big leagues. Across 257 plate appearances before the injury, De La Cruz hit .280/.346/.509 with 12 home runs, 37 RBI, 40 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases. The 24-year-old's underlying contact metrics were the best of his career, as he had logged a 14.6% barrel rate and a 50.9% hard-hit rate. Although De La Cruz was just 10 for 15 as a base stealer before the injury, speed remains a major part of his fantasy appeal. De La Cruz also struggled mightily in the second half of the 2025 season while attempting to play through a quad injury, so fantasy managers will have to hope that the superstar shortstop is fully recovered this time around. Still, De La Cruz profiles as a must-start shortstop with five-category upside upon his return to the Reds lineup.

5 hours ago

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.

5 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.

5 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.

5 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.

5 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.

5 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.

6 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.

6 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.

6 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.

6 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.

6 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.

7 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.

8 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.

8 hours ago

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