MLB News

Elvis Alvarado • RP • Athletics

Is Elvis Alvarado a Must-Add Saves Source Amidst Recent Emergence?

Athletics right-hander Elvis Alvarado got off to a rough start to the 2026 season, posting an 8.38 ERA across 9 2/3 innings before being sent down to Triple-A in mid-April. However, the 27-year-old has been much better since being recalled by the A's in early June, allowing just one earned run while striking out 13 and recording two saves across 8 1/3 innings. Alvarado is averaging 99 miles per hour on his fastball and has struck out 30.6% of the batters he's faced so far this year. The Athletics have also struggled to fill their closer role, as left-hander Hogan Harris leads the team with six saves but also owns a 14.8% walk rate and a 1.54 WHIP. If Alvarado can continue his recent hot stretch, he could emerge as the preferred option in the ninth inning for the A's. Deeper-league fantasy managers in need of saves should consider targeting Alvarado on the waiver wire.

6 hours ago

Jung Hoo Lee • RF • Giants

Jung Hoo Lee's Batting Average Production Making Him a Must-Add Outfielder?

Across 277 plate appearances entering play on Sunday, San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee had hit .331/.361/.462 with four home runs, 26 RBI, 39 runs scored, and four stolen bases. The 27-year-old is one of the hardest players in baseball to strike out (9.4% strikeout rate), which provides him with a solid batting average floor. Lee owns just a 2.5% barrel rate and a 30.4% hard-hit rate, so he's unlikely to provide fantasy managers with much power production. He's also not a significant speed threat, as his career high for stolen bases in a season is 10. Still, Lee is a consistent presence in the Giants' lineup who should provide fantasy managers with an excellent batting average and solid counting stats as long as he stays healthy. For rosters in need of batting average, Lee should be a priority waiver wire target.

6 hours ago

Colt Keith • 3B • Tigers

Colt Keith Emerging as a Priority Waiver-Wire Target?

Across 214 plate appearances this season entering play on Sunday, Detroit Tigers infielder Colt Keith had hit .261/.308/.382 with four home runs, 16 RBI, 27 runs scored, and three stolen bases. While Keith's season-long numbers do not jump off the page, he's slugged .553 and hit all four of his home runs across 41 plate appearances in June. Keith's 8.3% barrel rate and 42% hard-hit rate do not suggest high-end power upside, but his .429 xSLG still indicates that he's been unlucky in the power department in 2026. As the weather heats up in Detroit, Keith could bring some improved power production for fantasy managers. The 24-year-old may be worth targeting as a streaming option on the waiver wire in weeks where Detroit faces a run of right-handed pitching.

6 hours ago

Jack Leiter • SP • Rangers

Jack Leiter Placed on 15-Day Injured List with Ankle Impingement

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jack Leiter (ankle) has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to a posterior impingement in his right ankle. The 26-year-old has been pitching through ankle issues since late April. However, his performance has taken a turn for the worse in recent weeks, as he's allowed 15 earned runs across his last 13 2/3 innings pitched (three starts). Leiter's overall line for the year is unimpressive, as he's recorded a 3-7 record with a 5.29 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, and 83 strikeouts across 80 innings (15 starts). Still, working around discomfort in his ankle may be a contributing factor in Leiter's struggles. If he's able to make a full recovery, Leiter carries some strikeout upside for fantasy managers upon his return. Rangers right-hander Cal Quantrill could be the favorite to assume Leiter's role in the starting rotation while Leiter is sidelined.

7 hours ago

Liam Hicks • C • Marlins

Liam Hicks Placed on 10-Day Injured List with a Low Back Strain

Miami Marlins catcher Liam Hicks (back) has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a low back strain. Hicks was scratched from the Marlins lineup on Saturday with low back tightness, but it appears that imaging may have discovered a more serious issue. The 27-year-old has been a revelation so far this season for Miami, hitting .278/.359/.472 with 13 home runs, 53 RBI, 40 runs scored, and one stolen base across 288 plate appearances. He's drawn a walk in 10.1% of his plate appearances while logging just a 9.7% strikeout rate. Hicks has lined up at first base and/or designated hitter more often than he's been behind the plate in recent weeks, with Joe Mack handling the regular catching duties for Miami. Still, Miami selected the contract of catcher Brian Navarreto from Triple-A Jacksonville as the corresponding move to Hicks going on the injured list rather than calling up high-upside catcher Agustin Ramirez, whose defense behind the plate remains a question mark.

7 hours ago

Bobby Witt Jr. • SS • Royals

Bobby Witt Jr. Progressing, Remains Out on Sunday

Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (knee) remains out of his team's lineup for their game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday. However, Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that Witt Jr. is "feeling better" and will be reevaluated on Monday, per Anne Rogers on MLB.com. Witt Jr. was diagnosed with a Grade 1 MCL sprain in his right knee on Friday, but it appears he has a chance to avoid a stint on the injured list. The 26-year-old has been an elite fantasy shortstop once again this season, hitting .294/.368/.465 with 10 home runs, 32 RBI, 40 runs scored, and 28 stolen bases. While Witt Jr.'s presence in the Royals lineup is obviously preferable for fantasy managers, it's possible that playing through a knee injury may slow him down on the bases. Still, Witt Jr. is a must-start shortstop as long as he's active.

7 hours ago

Curtis Mead • 1B • Nationals

Curtis Mead Still an Option Worth Rostering in Deeper Leagues?

Washington Nationals infielder Curtis Mead has seen increased playing time in the nation's capital in the first half of the 2026 season, giving him some deep-league fantasy value for his power stroke from the right side of the plate. The 25-year-old Australian has hit .232/.343/.465 with a career-best .807 OPS, a career-high 11 home runs, 34 RBI, 33 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 61 games across 216 plate appearances so far this year in his first year with the Nationals. Before this season, Mead had never played in more than 90 games in the big leagues in his three years in the league after debuting in 2023 with the Tampa Bay Rays. While he has some appeal in deeper leagues for his power, Mead has gone just 11-for-53 (.208) with three home runs, one double, nine RBI, seven runs scored, five walks, and 12 strikeouts in 16 games in June. Mead sits in the 58th percentile in hard-hit rate, the 70th percentile in barrel rate, and the 89th percentile in xwOBA while sporting a .261 expected batting average and .367 xwOBA. The power is real, and with eligibility at second, third, and first base, Mead can help fantasy managers in deeper leagues in need of more pop. He's rostered in 20% of Yahoo leagues.

10 hours ago

Caleb Kilian • RP • Giants

Caleb Kilian a Top Closer to Pick Up?

Although San Francisco Giants right-handed reliever Caleb Kilian only has one save in his seven appearances out of the bullpen in June, he is the preferred closing choice for manager Tony Vitello and the top option for saves in fantasy in San Francisco. In his first year in the Bay Area and his fourth in the big leagues, Kilian has gone 2-3 with a career-low 3.06 ERA (4.25 FIP), 1.11 WHIP, his first four career saves, 38 strikeouts, and 15 walks in 32 1/3 innings pitched. Tristan Beck picked up the Giants' last save on Wednesday, but Kilian still feels like the favorite for saves in this bullpen since Ryan Walker returned to the big leagues. Since allowing a season-high five earned runs against the Colorado Rockies in a blown save and a loss on May 29, Kilian has thrown 7 1/3 scoreless innings with four hits allowed, three walks, 11 strikeouts, a win, and a save. The former eighth-round pick in 2019 out of Texas Tech University isn't going to have a long leash if he struggles, but right now, he's your best bet if you're scrounging for saves on the waiver wire. Kilian is rostered in just 9% of Yahoo leagues.

11 hours ago

Emilio Pagán • RP • Reds

Emilio Pagan Feels Good After Throwing Live Bullpen Session

Cincinnati Reds right-handed reliever Emilio Pagan (hamstring) felt good during his 20-pitch live bullpen session (he used his full repertoire of pitches) on Friday at Yankee Stadium, according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. "The fastball command was good, stuff was good. Physically, I felt strong. I'm really happy with how it went," Pag n said. "I felt like I could have thrown probably another 15-20 more, too. I felt like I was getting stronger as I went. That's a good sign." The 35-year-old has been out since he strained his left hamstring on May 5 against the division-rival Chicago Cubs, and his original prognosis was that he would miss four to eight weeks. Pagan threw his first bullpen on June 9 and has continued to progress without setbacks. He will next throw another live bullpen on Monday, and if that goes well, manager Terry Francona expects him to start a minor-league rehab assignment. The Reds' bullpen has mostly struggled the last six weeks without Pagan. The veteran reliever had a 6.43 ERA and six saves in nine chances before his injury, but he's coming off a career year in 2025 in which he had a 2.88 ERA and a career-high 32 saves. The expectation is that Francona will reinsert Pagan as the team's primary closer whenever he's activated from the IL.

11 hours ago

Austin Wells • C • Yankees

Yankees Reinstate Austin Wells From the Injured List

The New York Yankees announced on Sunday that they reinstated catcher Austin Wells (head) from the 10-day injured list. Wells returns to the Yankees after missing two weeks while dealing with cervical headaches, but it's unclear if he'll be in the starting lineup for Sunday's series finale in the Bronx on Father's Day against the Cincinnati Reds. During three minor-league rehab games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Wells went 2-for-12 at the plate with two home runs. Now that he's back, the left-handed-hitting backstop will return to starting catching duties for the Yankees, with Ali Sanchez backing him up. The 26-year-old former 28th overall pick in 2020 out of the University of Arizona had a career-high 21 home runs and drove in 71 runs in 126 regular-season games in 2025 in his second full season in the big leagues, so he's displayed above-average power for a catcher. However, before landing on the IL, Wells was struggling mightily with a .166/.278/.255 slash line, career-low .533 OPS, four homers, seven RBI, and a 26.6% strikeout rate in 47 games across 169 plate appearances. Wells is rostered in under 10% of Yahoo leagues.

11 hours ago

Jaden Hill • RP • Rockies

Rockies Turn to Jaden Hill for Second Save, Is He the Closer to Roster in Colorado?

Colorado Rockies right-handed pitcher Jaden Hill earned his second save in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 26-year-old entered with runners on the corners and one out (replacing Brennan Bernardino) before hitting Nick Gonzales to load the bases. Hill recovered by striking out Tyler Callihan, and the game ended when Jake Mangum's groundball resulted in a forceout. He now has two saves, a 5.06 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, and 28 strikeouts over 26 2/3 innings. Hill has recorded Colorado's two most recent saves, moving him to the front of an unsettled ninth-inning committee. Antonio Senzatela, Victor Vodnik, and Juan Mejia remain capable of receiving opportunities, while Hill's poor ratios create considerable fantasy risk. His 1% Yahoo roster rate makes him easy to find for managers seeking a speculative saves pickup in deeper leagues, as he appears to see his fantasy value gradually increasing.

11 hours ago

Clayton Beeter • RP • Nationals

Clayton Beeter Earns Fifth Save, Becoming Priority Waiver Target?

Washington Nationals right-handed pitcher Clayton Beeter earned his fifth save in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. The 27-year-old allowed one run on one hit and two walks (one intentional) but escaped further damage by striking out the final two batters with the tying run at second base. Beeter is now 2-1 with a 3.63 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 25 strikeouts, and has earned five saves over 22 1/3 innings. The ninth-inning picture is not completely settled, as Gus Varland leads Washington with six saves and converted an opportunity earlier in the week. Still, Beeter received the club's latest save chance and has the strikeout ability to remain prominently involved. Only 11% rostered on Yahoo, he should be prioritized in deeper leagues by fantasy managers willing to navigate a committee for potential saves.

11 hours ago

Jose Cabrera • SP • Diamondbacks

Jose Cabrera Making MLB Debut, a Viable Streaming Option in Deeper Leagues?

According to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports, Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed pitching prospect Jose Cabrera will make his major-league debut against the Minnesota Twins on Sunday. The 24-year-old has produced a 3-2 record, 3.69 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 64 strikeouts over 61 innings across 12 starts between Double-A Amarillo and Triple-A Reno. Cabrera will take the rotation turn vacated by Ryne Nelson (elbow), while Michael Soroka's glute injury has further thinned Arizona's pitching depth. The matchup carries considerable risk after Minnesota scored 16 runs in Saturday's win over Arizona, and Cabrera is not guaranteed to remain in the rotation beyond his debut. However, his strong minor-league ratios and more than one strikeout per inning make him intriguing for managers willing to accept some volatility. Yahoo managers have yet to roster Cabrera, leaving him at 0% rostered and as a high-risk streamer in NL-only and deeper redraft leagues.

12 hours ago

Jackson Holliday • 2B • Orioles

Jackson Holliday Dealing With Groin Tightness

Baltimore Orioles middle infielder Jackson Holliday (groin) was pulled from Saturday night's game early against the Los Angeles Dodgers due to groin tightness, according to Jake Rill of MLB.com. Manager Craig Albernaz didn't want it to become too serious. Before leaving the eventual 3-2 win over the Dodgers on the road, Holliday went 0-for-3 at the plate with two strikeouts. He was replaced at second base by Jeremiah Jackson. It doesn't sound like Holliday's injury is particularly serious, so we'll consider him day-to-day. However, fantasy managers shouldn't expect Holliday to be back in the starting lineup for Sunday's series finale at Dodger Stadium. After his hitless performance on Saturday, the 22-year-old former first overall pick in 2022 is hitting just .200 (17-for-85) with four homers, 12 RBI, 14 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 29 games after getting a late start to the 2026 season due to a broken hamate bone in his hand that he suffered back in February. Holliday has 20-20 upside as a former top prospect, but he has yet to put it all together at the big-league level.

12 hours ago

Joey Meneses • 1B • Athletics

Joey Meneses Returning to Majors, Worth a Deep-League Pickup?

According to Mart n Gallegos of MLB.com, the Athletics are calling up first baseman/outfielder Joey Meneses from Triple-A Las Vegas. The 34-year-old earned another major-league opportunity by batting .348 with a .944 OPS, 11 home runs, 20 doubles, and 76 RBI across 69 games at Triple-A. Meneses has produced in the majors before, most notably when he hit .324 with 13 home runs and 34 RBI over 56 games for the Washington Nationals in 2022. Brent Rooker's absence creates a potential path to at-bats at designated hitter or in the corner spots, although Nick Kurtz's presence at first base leaves Meneses without a guaranteed everyday role. His Pacific Coast League production should also be viewed cautiously until he proves it against major-league pitching. Completely un-rostered at 0% on Yahoo, Meneses is worth a speculative pickup in AL-only and deeper redraft leagues for managers seeking power and RBI help.

12 hours ago

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.

21 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.

22 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.

22 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.

22 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.

22 hours ago

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