MLB News

Konnor Griffin • SS • Pirates

Konnor Griffin Trending Toward Rehab Assignment as Pirates Eye Early July Return

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin (forearm) is expected to begin rehab games within the next week, according to general manager Ben Cherington, assuming his progression continues without setbacks. Griffin has been sidelined since May 31 with a right forearm strain and has been working through his throwing program while rehabbing in Florida. The 20-year-old was beginning to heat up before the injury, hitting .317 over a 15-game stretch, which raised his season line to a .270 AVG and a .729 OPS. Expectations are sky-high for the first-round pick in the 2024 draft, as he is expected to return around early July.

5 hours ago

Munetaka Murakami • 1B • White Sox

Munetaka Murakami Progressing in Hamstring Recovery, Trending Toward Return

Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami (hamstring) continues to progress in his recovery from a right hamstring strain with increased baseball activity. Manager Will Venable said the 26-year-old is currently evaluated at around 80 percent, and he added that the club is seeing strong progress in his rehab. Murakami has been an elite power threat in his first season after coming over from Japan, slugging .560 with a .938 OPS and 20 home runs in 57 games before the injury. His presence has been central to the White Sox offense, and his current return timeline is set for late June to early July as he continues to ramp up.

5 hours ago

Elly De La Cruz • SS • Reds

Elly De La Cruz Set for Tuesday Return Against Brewers

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) is on track for a return on Tuesday against the Milwaukee Brewers after being sidelined since June 1 with a right hamstring strain. The young phenom is fresh off a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville and has progressed nicely, beating his expected return timeline. The 24-year-old continues to improve in his fourth year in the league, with expectations remaining sky-high given the talent he possesses. De La Cruz is slashing .280/.346/.509 with an .855 OPS and 12 home runs in 58 games, while also adding 10 stolen bases with his blazing speed. He has seen a major jump in his average launch angle, which has helped fuel the highest slugging percentage of his career. The Reds will hope De La Cruz can pick up right where he left off as he continues to trend upward on all fronts.

5 hours ago

Brandon Woodruff • SP • Brewers

Brandon Woodruff Set for Monday Return Against Reds

Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff is set to rejoin the Brewers rotation on Monday against Cincinnati after recovering from a shoulder injury that sidelined him since May 1. Woodruff completed a successful rehab assignment with High-A Wisconsin and appears ready to return to the mound. The 33-year-old made six starts before the injury, posting a 3.60 ERA and 1.03 WHIP across 30 innings. With a career 3.12 ERA, Woodruff remains one of the most reliable arms in Milwaukee's rotation when healthy. Now in his ninth season with the Brewers, the two-time All-Star will provide a major boost as Milwaukee continues its push in the NL Central.

5 hours ago

Dominic Canzone • DH • Mariners

Dominic Canzone Exits With Hamstring Issue, Early Reports Appear Minor

Mariners outfielder Dominic Canzone (hamstring) exited Sunday's game against the Red Sox in the sixth inning with a reported hamstring injury. The 28-year-old showed clear discomfort while running out an RBI groundout and was removed immediately after the play. Canzone later said he expects to be fine and is not expected to miss significant time, as he traveled with the team to Pittsburg for their upcoming six-game road trip. He has been one of Seattle's most productive hitters this season, slashing .281/.353/.562 with a .915 OPS and 12 home runs. The 12 homers are already a career high, showing Canzone has taken a major step forward. The Mariners will continue monitoring his status, but the injury does not appear serious at this point.

6 hours ago

Jared Jones • SP • Pirates |

Jared Jones • 1B • Pirates

Jared Jones Initial Imaging Comes Back Negative, Further Testing Ahead

Pirates right-hander Jared Jones (elbow) received a positive update after being struck by a line drive on Sunday, with initial imaging coming back negative. Jones is expected to undergo further evaluation on Monday, but the early results are encouraging for the 24-year-old flamethrower. Jones has struggled to find consistency this season after missing all of 2025 due to injury, posting a 5.75 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, and 21 strikeouts across five starts. His high-end potential remains clear, highlighted by a fastball that averages 99 mph. However, there is still no timeline for his return, and fantasy managers should monitor the situation closely.

6 hours ago

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.

13 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.

13 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.

13 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.

13 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.

14 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.

14 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.

17 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.

17 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.

18 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.

18 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.

18 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.

18 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.

18 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.

19 hours ago

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