MLB News

Manny Machado • 3B • Padres

Will Manny Machado's Big Game on Saturday Catapult him to a Turnaround?

San Diego Padres fans haven't seen All-Star third baseman Manny Machado carry the Padres' offense many times this year like he did in Saturday's 6-4, 10-inning victory over the hosting Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Machado finished the day 2-for-5 at the plate with a home run, a double, and a season-high five RBI. The 33-year-old seven-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger winner has had a very disappointing 2026 season to this point, but he recorded his 15th career game with at least five RBI on Saturday. Even after his big game to help the Friars to a victory on the road, Machado is slashing .178/.256/.367 with 13 home runs, 41 RBI, and 34 runs scored in his 306 plate appearances. Under the hood, Machado is in the 54th percentile in hard-hit rate, the 55th percentile in barrel rate, the 28th percentile in xwOBA, the 40th percentile in strikeout rate, and the 63rd percentile in walk rate. That doesn't exactly give fantasy managers hope that Machado is capable of returning to his career norms while struggling to catch up to fastballs like never before.

9 hours ago

Sal Stewart • 1B • Reds

Sal Stewart Breaks Out of his Funk With a Six-RBI Game

Cincinnati Reds infielder Sal Stewart entered Saturday's game versus the New York Yankees in the Bronx with a .200 average (12-for-60) with two home runs, three doubles, 10 RBI, five runs scored, a stolen base, nine walks, and 16 strikeouts in 16 games in June. The 22-year-old turned things around, though, by going 2-for-4 with two doubles, a career-high six RBI, and a run scored in the team's 10-2 win over the Yankees. The former 32nd overall pick in 2022 is in the midst of a breakout in 2026 in his first full year in the big leagues with the Reds, and he now has a .252/.346/.457 slash line with 14 home runs, 53 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and 40 runs scored in his 75 games played. In his first taste of the majors last year, Stewart teased at his high-upside potential by hitting .255 (14-for-55) with five homers, eight RBI, and 11 runs scored in his 18 games and 58 plate appearances. Stewart was a popular waiver-wire pickup early this year when he started hot, and he's now rostered in over 90% of Yahoo leagues. In addition to providing five-category upside for fantasy managers, Stewart also has a strong glove and has eligibility at second base, first base, and third base in Yahoo leagues.

9 hours ago

Travis Bazzana • 2B • Guardians

Travis Bazzana a Must-Add Off Waiver Wire After First Multi-Homer Performance

Cleveland Guardians rookie second baseman Travis Bazzana appears to be the real deal. After recently slumping for the first time in his big-league career following a hot start, Bazzana is heating up quickly. The 23-year-old former first overall pick in 2024 from Oregon State University went 4-for-4 at the plate in Saturday's 8-1 win over the Houston Astros at Daikin Park with two home runs, a career-high five RBI, and three runs scored to boost his season average to .274 and his OPS to .845 out of the leadoff spot. Both of his round-trippers came off Astros right-handed starter Spencer Arrighetti, and it was the first multi-homer game and four-hit game of his young MLB career. Bazzana came into Saturday's tilt hitting .182 in 15 games in June, but he has quickly turned that around and is now slashing .274/.369/.476 with seven homers, 23 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and 22 runs scored in his first 46 big-league games. He put on a power display on Saturday in Houston, but Bazzana is best known for his eagle eye and patience at the plate, helping fantasy managers in leagues that count on-base percentage. The Australian second baseman is rostered in only 39% of Yahoo leagues and needs to be snagged off the waiver wire ASAP.

9 hours ago

Ozzie Albies • 2B • Braves

Ozzie Albies Stays Hot With Two Home Runs Against Brewers

Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies continued his resurgent 2026 season in Saturday's 4-3 win over the visiting Milwaukee Brewers at Truist Park, going 3-for-4 at the plate with two home runs, three RBI, and three runs scored as the cleanup hitter. It was Albies' first multi-homer game of the year and the 11th of his career, and his second homer of the day (a two-run shot) walked the Brewers off the field. The 29-year-old switch-hitter came into Saturday's game with a .294 average (15-for-51) with a homer, three doubles, eight RBI, nine runs scored, and a stolen base in 14 games in June, and he kept his hot streak going by clearing the fences twice in the team's one-run victory. Albies' two-homer game boosted his season average to .284, and he's added 12 home runs, 13 doubles, 40 RBI, and 50 runs scored in his 322 plate appearances. It looks like Albies is back to his All-Star form in 2026 after combining for 26 home runs in 2024 and 2025 after he had a career-high 33 long balls with Atlanta in 2023, his last All-Star campaign. Albies has been a must-start in all fantasy leagues in 2026.

9 hours ago

Bryce Harper • 1B • Phillies

Bryce Harper Hits for the Cycle for First Time in his Career

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper had a special day at the plate on Saturday in the team's 15-3 blowout win over the division-rival New York Mets. Harper finished 4-for-5 at the plate with three runs scored and two walks to produce the first cycle of his career. The 33-year-old two-time MVP and eight-time All-Star hit a solo home run in his first at-bat, and he finished off the cycle in the fifth inning in a game in which teammate Kyle Schwarber also hit three home runs. The Phillies' offense just could not be stopped at Citizens Bank Park. Harper's fantasy managers had to have been happy with what they saw on Saturday night, as he entered the game in a 1-for-22 slump in his last seven games. With the offensive outburst and first cycle of his career, Harper is now slashing .259/.367/.506 with 16 home runs, 43 RBI, 50 runs scored, and five stolen bases in his 316 plate appearances. The Phillies and fantasy managers alike are hoping that his four-hit day against the Mets can get him going at the plate with the All-Star break quickly approaching next month.

10 hours ago

Kyle Schwarber • DH • Phillies

Kyle Schwarber has a Monster Three-Homer Game in Rout of Mets

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder/designated hitter Kyle Schwarber put on a power display on Saturday evening at Citizens Bank Park in the team's 15-3 blowout win over the division-rival New York Mets, going 4-for-5 at the plate with three home runs, six RBI, and four runs scored to raise his season average to .254 and his OPS to .963. Schwarber hit his first two home runs in the first inning, with both long balls traveling 450 feet. It was the left-handed slugger's fifth career three-homer game, and he has now hit safely in eight of his last nine games. In that span, Schwarber has cleared the fences five times with nine RBI and nine runs scored. The 33-year-old veteran and three-time All-Star already came into Saturday's contest in Philly with a league-high 25 home runs despite also punching out a league-high 112 times in 72 games played. After the three-homer showing, Schwarber is now slashing .254/.368/.595 with 28 home runs, 49 RBI, 49 runs scored, and a stolen base in his 329 plate appearances. Schwarber is a freak of nature and remains the best source of raw power in the big leagues in a hitter-friendly home ballpark.

10 hours ago

Zack Gelof • 3B • Athletics

Zack Gelof Sits Out on Saturday After Being Hit by a Pitch

Athletics infielder/outfielder Zack Gelof (head) was held out of Saturday's starting lineup against the visiting Los Angeles Angels because he came in just not feeling at his best, manager Mark Kotsay told Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. Kotsay decided to give Gelof a full day off. Gelof did not need to go through the concussion protocol after getting checked out by a doctor after being hit in the ear flap of his helmet in Friday's contest, and he could be back for Sunday's series finale. Fantasy managers will want to consider Gelof day-to-day for now. If Gelof doesn't return on Sunday, his next chance to get back into the lineup will be in Tuesday's series opener against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Fantasy managers are hoping that the 26-year-old's head injury won't affect his breakout at the plate. He's currently riding a 23-game hitting streak in which he has gone 32-for-89 (.360) with five homers, six doubles, 13 RBI, 16 runs scored, and two stolen bases to raise his season slash line to .286/341/.502 with an .843 OPS in 222 plate appearances.

10 hours ago

Jorge Soler • DH • Angels

Jorge Soler Getting Close to a Rehab Assignment

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jorge Soler (oblique) took batting practice on the field on Saturday and is nearing a minor-league rehab assignment, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. With the 34-year-old right-handed slugger getting closer to playing in games, he should be able to rejoin the Halos before the mid-July All-Star break, barring a setback. Soler has been on the 10-day injured list with a strained left oblique muscle since June 6. The Cuban outfielder has also dealt with a groin injury in 2026, and he will return to a .220/.300/.402 slash line, .702 OPS, nine home runs, 33 RBI, 28 runs scored, and 31.3% strikeout rate in 243 plate appearances this year. In 27 games (110 plate appearances) in May, Soler really struggled, going 19-for-101 (.188) with three home runs, four doubles, eight RBI, 11 runs scored, eight walks, and 35 strikeouts. Soler has a tendency to run hot and cold, and while he can still provide some decent pop from the right side of the plate, he's a killer for a fantasy team's batting average and on-base percentage because of his inability to make consistent contact. He's rostered in only 15% of Yahoo leagues right now and plays on one of the worst teams in baseball.

10 hours ago

Christian Scott • SP • Mets

Christian Scott on Track to Return Next Saturday?

New York Mets right-hander Christian Scott (hip) threw a bullpen session on Saturday with no issues, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. He expects to throw one or two more bullpens, which keeps him in line to be activated from the 15-day injured list on or around when he's eligible to return next Saturday, June, 27. Saturday was the first time that the 27-year-old threw off a mound since the Mets placed him on the IL on Monday with a right-hip impingement. Scott's injury isn't serious enough for the Mets to consider sending him on a minor-league rehab assignment before returning to the big-league starting rotation. The former fifth-round pick by New York in 2021 out of the University of Florida has looked good so far in 2026 in his return from Tommy John surgery, going 2-0 with a 3.10 ERA (3.84 FIP) and 1.35 WHIP with 47 strikeouts and 19 walks in 40 1/3 frames across nine starts. With Scott's potential return coming in exactly a week, fantasy managers in need of rotation help should consider adding him off the waiver wire soon. Scott is only rostered in 14% of Yahoo leagues.

11 hours ago

Michael Soroka • SP • Diamondbacks

Michael Soroka Placed on 15-Day Injured List With Glute Injury

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Michael Soroka (glute) was placed on the 15-day Injured List on Saturday. Soroka suffered a strained left glute while warming up in the second inning of Friday's contest. This is a tough break for the D-Backs, who don't have a ton of reliable pitching options at the moment. Soroka will be out for at least the next two weeks, but could require a rehab assignment as well. In a corresponding move, reliever Philip Abner was recalled from Triple-A Reno. The D-Backs haven't announced who is going to take over the vacant spot in the starting rotation.

11 hours ago

Mick Abel • SP • Twins

Mick Abel Suffers Setback After Throwing Bullpen, Won't Return From Injured List

Minnesota Twins right-hander Mick Abel (elbow) had a setback with his recovery after throwing a 20-pitch bullpen session on Friday and will not return from the 15-day injured list this week, according to Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Abel will undergo an MRI exam when the team returns to Minnesota. We'll have a better idea of when the 24-year-old might be able to return from the IL after his MRI exam, but at the very least, he will most likely be out into late July or early August. The former 15th overall pick in 2020 by the Philadelphia Phillies was emerging as a pitcher to consider adding off the waiver wire with his return to the Twins' starting rotation right around the corner because of his strikeout upside. Abel has only thrown 20 1/3 innings in 2026 to this point because of his elbow injury, posting a 3.98 ERA (2.75 FIP) and 1.57 WHIP with 23 strikeouts and 10 walks in 20 1/3 innings over four appearances (three starts). Fantasy managers in mixed leagues can now hold off on adding Abel, who is rostered in only 20% of Yahoo leagues.

11 hours ago

Jordan Lawlar • LF • Diamondbacks

Jordan Lawlar Heads Back to Injured List With Hamstring Strain

Arizona Diamondbacks infielder/outfielder Jordan Lawlar (hamstring) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Saturday. Ouch, Lawler can't catch a break as he'll head back to the shelf this weekend. Lawler missed two months after suffering a fractured wrist in his sixth game of the season. He returned about a week ago and is already heading back to the IL with a hamstring strain that he suffered during Friday's game. In a corresponding move, infielder Tim Taza has been recalled from Triple-A Reno. He figures to serve as depth with Jorge Barrosa seeing the bulk of the playing time in center field without Lawler around. Lawler is expected to miss around 4-to-6 weeks of action, so fantasy managers in redraft formats might want to move on.

11 hours ago

Nathan Eovaldi • SP • Rangers

Nathan Eovaldi to Start Series Finale Against Padres

Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said that right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (knee) will start Sunday's series finale against the San Diego Padres at Globe Life Field. Eovaldi was scratched from his start on Saturday against San Diego with soreness in his left knee, but it turned out to be a pretty minor issue. The 36-year-old veteran will head into Sunday's start with a 6-7 record, 4.23 ERA (4.66 FIP), and 1.17 WHIP with 83 strikeouts and 21 walks in 87 1/3 innings pitched across 14 starts. The two-time All-Star has allowed at least three earned runs in each of his last five starts while also giving up 19 earned runs on 30 hits (seven home runs) with 28 strikeouts and nine walks in 32 2/3 innings pitched for a 5.23 ERA (5.18 FIP) over that span. Eovaldi's strikeout rate has also fallen from 26% last year to 22.9% in 2026. However, with a great matchup against the punchless Padres' lineup, Eovaldi has a great chance to bounce back on Sunday, even though he's coming off an injury scare.

11 hours ago

Luke Raley • RF • Mariners

Luke Raley to Miss Fifth Straight Game

Seattle Mariners outfielder Luke Raley (illness) remains out of the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Boston Red Sox. Raley was expected to return on Saturday, but he'll miss his fifth straight game with the flu. The Mariners are still calling him day-to-day, so Raley shouldn't require a trip to the Injured List. Rob Refsnyder and Connor Joe will cover the corner outfield spots against southpaw Connelly Early on Saturday. Fantasy managers should check back on Sunday for another update on Raley. When healthy, Raley has been a pleasant surprise with 14 home runs.

11 hours ago

Adley Rutschman • C • Orioles

Adley Rutschman Lands on 7-Day Injured List

Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (concussion) was placed on the 7-day concussion Injured List on Saturday. Rutschman will land on the shelf after being hit in the head by an errant throw during Thursday's game. He will be required to clear concussion protocol before returning to the O's lineup. In a corresponding move, outfielder Michael Siani is being recalled as an extra bat off the bench. Samuel Basallo and Sam Huff will split up the work behind the plate while Rutschman is sidelined. Fantasy managers should stay tuned for updates on Rutschman's status.

11 hours ago

Shohei Ohtani • DH • Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani Returns From Paternity List

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (personal) is back from the paternity leave list on Saturday. Ohtani was away from the team on Friday, so he could witness the birth of his second child. He'll return on Saturday, batting in the leadoff spot and serving as the designated hitter versus left-hander Trevor Rogers. Over the last week, Ohtani is 2-for-14 with two home runs, two RBI, and five walks. Overall this season, Ohtani is slashing .296/.418/.545 with 15 home runs, 42 RBI, and six steals in 68 games. Fantasy managers can get Ohtani back in their lineups on Saturday.

11 hours ago

Bryan Reynolds • LF • Pirates

Bryan Reynolds Back in the Lineup on Saturday

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds (groin) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Colorado Rockies. Reynolds was scratched before Friday's game due to left groin discomfort. He would come off the bench and deliver an RBI single in his lone plate appearance. A day later, Reynolds appears to be feeling good enough to get back into the starting lineup. He'll bat third and cover left field versus right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano on Saturday. Fantasy managers should double-check their lineups and make sure Reynolds is in their lineup ahead of first pitch.

11 hours ago

Elmer Rodríguez • SP • Yankees

Elmer Rodriguez to Start on Sunday, Worth Adding Ahead of Return?

New York Yankees starting pitcher Elmer Rodriguez was recalled to make the start against the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday. The Yankees want to give their starters some extra rest, so they'll recall Rodriguez to make the start on Sunday. The right-hander has already made three starts for the Yankees this season. He owns a 4.15 ERA, 1.85 WHIP, and a 6:9 K:BB ratio across 13 innings in Pinstripes. Rodriguez has posted quality numbers during his 10 starts in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season. The Reds offense isn't exactly striking fear into any pitchers right now. Fantasy managers should consider scooping up Rodriguez for a spot start on Sunday.

11 hours ago

Trea Turner • SS • Phillies

Trea Turner Returns From Calf Injury on Saturday

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner (calf) is back at shortstop and hitting in his customary leadoff spot for Saturday's game at Citizens Bank Park against the division-rival New York Mets and right-hander Freddy Peralta, according to MLB.com. Turner was hit by a pitch on the right calf in the bottom of the first inning on Thursday and eventually made an early exit from the game, but after a day off on Friday, he's back in action on Saturday as he looks to start turning his disappointing 2026 season around. The 32-year-old three-time All-Star and two-time batting champion enters action on Saturday with a .223/.276/.334 slash line with a .610 OPS, seven home runs, 21 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and 43 runs scored in 73 games across 319 plate appearances. He has yet to homer in 15 games in June and has gone 13-for-58 (.224) during the month with three doubles, two RBI, four stolen bases, nine runs scored, three walks, and 16 strikeouts in 63 plate appearances. It might be tough for Turner to start his turnaround on Saturday against Peralta, whom he has hit just .063 against with a .368 OPS, one homer, and three RBI against in 16 career at-bats.

16 hours ago

Jared Jones • SP • Pirates |

Jared Jones • 1B • Pirates

Jared Jones' Waiver-Wire Value Dropping After Rocky Early Season Stretch

Pirates right-hander Jared Jones has struggled since returning from an injury that sidelined him for the entire 2025 season, making his 2026 debut less than a month ago. The 24-year-old has allowed 12 runs across four starts and is pitching to a 6.23 ERA with a 1.62 WHIP over 17 innings. The former second-round pick posted a 4.14 ERA during his rookie season in 2024 and showed flashes of frontline starter potential. His 98th percentile fastball continues to anchor an elite pitch mix, but Jones has struggled to miss bats at his expected rate and limit damage. The results have not matched expectations, but the underlying tools and velocity suggest a turnaround remains within reach.

17 hours ago

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