MLB News

Sam Antonacci • LF • White Sox

Sam Antonacci a Must-Add Waiver Wire Target Ahead of Second-Half Breakout?

Across 235 plate appearances in 2026, Chicago White Sox outfielder Sam Antonacci has hit .291/.391/.422 with four home runs, 22 RBI, 37 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases. The 23-year-old does not project to provide fantasy managers with much power, as he owns a 36.4% hard-hit rate and slugged just five home runs across 519 minor league plate appearances in 2025. Still, Antonacci has established himself as the near-everyday leadoff hitter in an underrated White Sox lineup. He's also struck out in just 15.7% of his plate appearances. Between his ability to hit for average and steal bases, Antonacci has a clear use case for deeper league fantasy managers. In leagues where he remains available, Antonacci profiles as a potential breakout candidate to target on the waiver wire.

6 hours ago

Alejandro Kirk • C • Blue Jays

Alejandro Kirk Remains a Priority Waiver Wire Target

Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk was one of the key cogs in his team's lineup in 2025, posting a .769 OPS with 15 home runs and 76 RBI across 506 plate appearances. However, the 27-year-old's 2026 season was disrupted after he suffered a fractured and dislocated left thumb in early April. Kirk missed over two months due to the injury, but he was activated by the Blue Jays on June 12. Kirk hasn't gotten going at the plate yet, as he owns a .205/.265/.318 slash line with one home run, six RBI, and three runs scored across 49 plate appearances. Still, Kirk profiles as one of the better sources of batting average for fantasy managers at the catcher position. In 2025, he logged a 50.8% hard-hit rate while striking out in just 11.7% of his plate appearances. In any league where Kirk is still on the waiver wire, he should be considered a priority pick-up for fantasy managers.

7 hours ago

Chase DeLauter • RF • Guardians

Chase DeLauter Progressing, Could Return During Upcoming Guardians Homestand

Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said that outfielder Chase DeLauter (rib) is progressing and has a chance to return during the team's upcoming homestand, which begins on Friday. The 24-year-old has been on the 10-day injured list since June 14 due to a fractured rib. Across 270 plate appearances before the injury, DeLauter hit .263/.337/.408 with seven home runs, 34 RBI, 24 runs scored, and two stolen bases. Injuries have been a major issue for DeLauter, who has already set career-high marks in plate appearances and games played as a professional this season. DeLauter's lack of power (5.8% barrel rate) has been a bit of a surprise after he posted a 12.5% barrel rate and 51.9% hard-hit rate across 177 Triple-A plate appearances in 2025. However, his 10.4% walk rate and 13.3% strikeout rate indicate high-end plate skills. If DeLauter can find his power stroke in the second half of the season, he could emerge as a breakout fantasy outfielder.

7 hours ago

Mickey Moniak • LF • Rockies

Mickey Moniak Reinstated from 10-Day Injured List on Monday

Colorado Rockies outfielder Mickey Moniak (ankle) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list ahead of his team's game against the Boston Red Sox on Monday. The 28-year-old had been on the IL since May 22 due to right ankle tendinitis. Moniak was off to a strong start to the season before the injury, hitting .280/.335/.607 with 12 home runs, 28 RBI, 21 runs scored, and one stolen base across 164 plate appearances. Moniak has emerged as a fantasy-relevant platoon bat since signing with the Rockies, as he hit 24 home runs and stole nine bases across 461 plate appearances with Colorado in 2025. His 13.5% barrel rate in 2026 is right in line with the 13.8% barrel rate he posted during his breakout campaign a season ago. Managers in need of a power boost should consider targeting Moniak on the waiver wire.

7 hours ago

Kyle Tucker • RF • Dodgers

Kyle Tucker Exits Early on Monday Due to Low Back Spasms

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Kyle Tucker (back) exited early from his team's game against the Minnesota Twins on Monday due to low back spasms. Tucker walked in his lone plate appearances before being replaced in right field by Alex Call. Tucker has struggled in his first season in Los Angeles, hitting .234/.333/.374 with six home runs, 40 RBI, 44 runs scored, and six stolen bases across 318 plate appearances. The 29-year-old's 39.3% hard-hit rate is the worst mark of his career, and his barrel rate (5.2%) is in the single-digits for the first time since the shortened 2020 campaign. Tucker has managed to stay largely healthy this season, but he may now be facing a stint on the injured list if this back issue does not resolve itself quickly. Should Tucker indeed miss time, Call could move into an everyday role in the Dodgers' outfield.

7 hours ago

Dalton Rushing • C • Dodgers

Dalton Rushing Exits Early on Monday with Possible Concussion

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing (head) exited early from his team's game against the Minnesota Twins on Monday to "rule out a concussion," per an announcement from the team. The 25-year-old took a foul tip off his face mask in the first inning of the game. Entering play on Monday, Rushing was hitting .254/.342/.485 with eight home runs, 22 RBI, and 21 runs scored. With star Dodgers catcher Will Smith (neck) on the injured list with neck inflammation, Rushing has gotten his first chance to earn everyday playing time at the big-league level in June. If Rushing is now forced to miss time, Dodgers catcher Chuckie Robinson would likely see the majority of the playing time behind the plate for Los Angeles.

7 hours ago

Jorge Soler • DH • Angels

Jorge Soler Reinstated and Starting on Monday Night

The Los Angeles Angels announced on Monday that they reinstated outfielder Jorge Soler (oblique) from the 10-day injured list and designated infielder Nick Madrigal for assignment in a corresponding move. Infielder Trey Mancini was also outrighted to Triple-A Reno, but he elected free agency. Soler is serving as the designated hitter and will bat third for the Halos in his return on Monday in the series opener against the visiting Baltimore Orioles and right-hander Kyle Bradish. Soler has been out since June 6 with a strained left oblique, and he didn't go on a minor-league rehab assignment, so fantasy managers may want to expect the right-handed slugger to be knocking off quite a bit of rust. The 34-year-old Cuban outfielder already swings and misses often, but with nine home runs in 214 at-bats before his injury, he can also still provide useful power for managers searching for pop on the waiver wire. With that said, RBI opportunities might be few and far between for Soler on one of the worst teams in baseball. He's rostered in only 15% of Yahoo leagues.

12 hours ago

Max Scherzer • SP • Blue Jays

Max Scherzer Throws Successful Bullpen Session on Monday

Toronto Blue Jays veteran right-hander Max Scherzer (back) threw a bullpen session on Monday that went well, manager John Schneider told Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet. Scherzer has been recovering from back spasms that sent him to the 15-day injured list last week. Even though the future Hall of Famer has failed to stay healthy towards the end of his career, the Blue Jays believe he could return from his back injury sooner rather than later. Our best guess is that Toronto will take things slowly with the three-time Cy Young winner and hold him out beyond the All-Star break in mid-July. The 41-year-old eight-time All-Star has not pitched well when healthy in 2026 in his second year with Toronto, going 1-4 with a career-worst 10.23 ERA (8.79 FIP) and 1.73 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and 11 walks in 22 innings in just six starts. Given his inability to stay healthy the last two years for the Jays, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Scherzer shifted to a relief role in the second half. He's rostered in only 4% of Yahoo leagues.

13 hours ago

Addison Barger • RF • Blue Jays

Addison Barger Set to Start Rehab Assignment on Thursday

The hope is that Toronto Blue Jays third baseman/outfielder Addison Barger (elbow) will start a minor-league rehab assignment on Thursday, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. Barger will need around a week of rehab games before he is reinstated from the 10-day injured list to rejoin Toronto's major-league roster. The 26-year-old left-handed hitter has appeared in only nine games for the Blue Jays in 2026 due to elbow and ankle injuries, and he had just one hit in 28 plate appearances with two RBI, five walks, and seven strikeouts. He has been out since the middle of May with inflammation in his right elbow. Barring a setback on his rehab assignment, Barger should return to action in the big leagues before the All-Star break next month. Barger should be a lineup regular against righties when fully healthy, giving him some waiver-wire appeal in deeper fantasy leagues for his power from the left side of the plate and eligibility at both third base and in the outfield. He's currently rostered in only 20% of Yahoo leagues, but don't forget that he clubbed 21 homers and drove in 74 in 135 regular-season games last year before helping to lead the Jays to the World Series in the postseason.

13 hours ago

Yordan Alvarez • DH • Astros

Yordan Alvarez Won't Take Part in Home Run Derby

Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez, the front-runner for MVP in the American League this year, said he will not participate in this year's Home Run Derby. "I'm still open," Alvarez said on Sunday, "but not this year." Alvarez hit his 25th home run of the year in Sunday's 2-1 win over the visiting Cleveland Guardians at Daikin Park, and he trails only Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber for the major-league home run lead. Alvarez had an invitation to take part in the 2022 Home Run Derby at Dodger Stadium, but he went on the injured list with a right-hand injury right before the All-Star break. He also missed the 2023 All-Star game due to an oblique injury. The Astros haven't had a competitor in the Home Run Derby since third baseman Alex Bregman did it in both 2018 and 2019. Alvarez is set to compete in his fourth career All-Star game next month in Philly. He's currently slashing .322/.428/.640, and his 1.068 OPS and .640 slugging percentage lead all of baseball. After an injury-plagued 2025 campaign that limited him to only 48 games, the former AL Rookie of the Year has bounced back in a huge way in 2026.

13 hours ago

Bobby Witt Jr. • SS • Royals

Bobby Witt Jr. Still Out With Knee Injury

Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (knee) remains out of the starting lineup for Monday's series opener against the hosting Tampa Bay Rays, according to MLB.com. Maikel Garcia is starting at shortstop and batting second, with Nick Loftin starting at the hot corner and batting eighth against Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen. The Royals believe that Witt will avoid going on the injured list, but he has yet to play since being pulled from last Thursday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals with a Grade 1 MCL sprain in his right knee. The longer the All-Star shortstop remains out, the greater the chance that he will go on the IL to close out the month of June. The 26-year-old two-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger can do it all on the baseball field and is one of the best five-category contributors in the game. He's currently slashing .294/.368/.465 with an .833 OPS, 10 home runs, 32 RBI, 28 stolen bases, and 40 runs scored in 76 games played and 337 plate appearances. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Tuesday to see if he can return to the starting nine for the Royals. UPDATE: According to MLB.com's Brian Murphy, Witt hit in the batting cages, fielded grounders, and ran the bases before Monday's game against Tampa.

13 hours ago

Bryan Abreu • RP • Astros

Astros Place Reliever Bryan Abreu on the Restricted List

The Houston Astros announced on Monday that they placed right-handed reliever Bryan Abreu on the restricted list and recalled right-hander Logan VanWey from Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move. It's unclear exactly why Abreu has landed on the restricted list, but it could be due to visa issues with the team playing in Toronto for a series this week. If the 29-year-old Dominican is dealing with a visa issue, we probably won't see him back with the team until their series opener on Thursday versus the Detroit Tigers. Abreu had a shot to lock down the team's closer duties to begin the 2026 season with left-hander Josh Hader on the injured list, but he got off to a rough start and is currently carrying a 6.39 ERA (6.78 OPS), 1.82 WHIP, five saves, 33 strikeouts, and 24 walks in 25 1/3 innings out of the bullpen this year for the Astros. Now that Hader is back from his biceps injury and locked in as the team's unquestioned closer, Abreu is less attractive in fantasy baseball. He's currently rostered in only 22% of Yahoo leagues.

13 hours ago

Trent Grisham • CF • Yankees

Trent Grisham Making Progress, Doing Agility Exercises

New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham (hamstring) has been performing on-field agility exercises, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. The Yankees are discussing whether Grisham will accompany the team on their road trip to Detroit and Boston. "We're really encouraged by how well he's doing," manager Aaron Boone said. The 29-year-old left-handed-hitting center fielder is recovering from a mild strained right hamstring that landed him on the 10-day injured list on June 13. It's unclear exactly when Grisham might be a candidate to be reinstated from the IL, but he could have a shot to make it back before the All-Star break in mid-July if he continues to make progress. With both Aaron Judge (ribs) and Giancarlo Stanton (calf) also on the IL, the Yankees have been forced to rely regularly on rookie Spencer Jones and now Jasson Dominguez in their outfield next to Cody Bellinger. Grisham had a career-best 34 home runs and 74 RBI in 143 regular-season games for the Yanks last year and can provide nice pop from the left side as outfield depth for fantasy managers. However, his high swing-and-miss rates mean he will be a batting average drain (currently hitting .232). Grisham has eight homers, 35 RBI, and six steals in his 66 games played in 2026. He's rostered in 44% of Yahoo leagues while he heals.

13 hours ago

Jack Flaherty • SP • Tigers

Jack Flaherty to Make a Rehab Start on Tuesday

Detroit Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty (ankle) will make a minor-league rehab start on Tuesday at Double-A Erie, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. Reports coming out of Flaherty's bullpen session were all positive, so he could be cleared to return from the 15-day injured list after making only one rehab start in the minors. Fantasy managers probably are in no rush to pick the 30-year-old veteran starter back up off the waiver wire, though, after he went 1-8 with a 5.35 ERA (4.09 FIP) and 1.57 WHIP with 78 strikeouts and 34 walks in 65 2/3 innings pitched over his first 15 starts before injuring his ankle. The former first-round pick by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2014 allowed three runs or fewer in each of his last five starts, though. If Flaherty can improve his command in the second half of the year in Detroit -- he currently has an 11.1% walk rate -- positive regression should follow. While he's recovering from his ankle injury, Flaherty is rostered in 42% of Yahoo leagues.

13 hours ago

Corey Seager • SS • Rangers

Corey Seager Still Day-to-Day, Potential Return Date Unclear

Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (concussion) is still day-to-day after being placed on the seven-day concussion injured list last week, but he was out on the field with the team during warmups and defensive drills before Sunday's series finale against the San Diego Padres at Globe Life Field, according to Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News. Seager will travel with the team this week, but it's to be determined when he might return to play. It's been an injury-plagued 2026 season for the 32-year-old veteran, as he also spent time in the first half of the season with a back injury. In addition to more injuries for the five-time All-Star and two-time World Series MVP, Seager has hit a very disappointing .186/.284/.373 with a .657 OPS, nine home runs, 24 RBI, 25 runs scored, and a stolen base in his 177 at-bats this year. Seager's track record makes him worth holding in most fantasy baseball leagues, but there is concern that he could continue to struggle at the plate and with injuries into the second half. Right now, he's rostered in 88% of Yahoo leagues. Ezequiel Duran will continue to hold down the fort at the 6 in Texas until Seager is cleared to return from the IL. UPDATE: Seager is scheduled to take live batting practice on Tuesday, according to The Dallas Morning News' Evan Grant.

14 hours ago

Jett Williams • SS • Brewers

Will Jett Williams Reach the Major Leagues in 2026?

Milwaukee Brewers shortstop prospect Jett Williams is on the list of a talented group of prospects who make their home at the position up the middle. Cooper Pratt is a recent call-up at the position, and Jesus Made is one of the most talented names in the minors at the position. But don't count out Williams, who is hitting .217 with nine homers, 37 RBI, and 15 stolen bases at Triple-A Nashville. The numbers aren't necessarily overwhelming, but Williams is a first-round pick of the New York Mets before arriving in Milwaukee's system in the Freddy Peralta trade this past winter. Williams is part of a loaded Brewers infield and will have to increase his production in order to garner a call-up to the big league level. He has the pedigree to predict future fantasy success, but it will be an uphill battle to contribute to the Brewers this year or in the near future. Given his lack of a clear path to MLB at-bats and following Pratt's promotion, Williams is best left as a deep-league stash target in 12+ team leagues with multiple N/A spots.

14 hours ago

Jaxon Wiggins • SP • Cubs

Jaxon Wiggins a Name to Monitor in Deeper Leagues Amid Rehab Assignment

Chicago Cubs right-handed pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins is currently on a rehab assignment at High-A South Bend, where he pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing one run with three strikeouts in a start on Sunday. It's been an injury-plagued year for Wiggins, the second-round pick out of the University of Arkansas, but the promising right-hander was part of the Futures Game last season as a representative of the Chicago Cubs organization. Wiggins pitched to a 2.19 ERA between three levels in 2025, capped off by a finale at Triple-A Iowa. Across 78 innings, he totaled 97 punchouts with a stellar 1.03 WHIP. Recovering from right elbow inflammation, Wiggins is a promising prospect, and savvy fantasy managers should continue to keep an eye on his progress as he rehabs. Given Chicago's lack of starting pitching depth, Wiggins could become a priority pitching prospect to stash in the coming weeks once he returns to Triple-A.

14 hours ago

Zac Veen • LF • Rockies

Zac Veen Emerging as Priority High-Upside Stash Candidate in Week 13

Colorado Rockies outfield prospect Zac Veen had a taste of the major leagues in 2025 with the Rockies, but did little in his cameo appearance. Over his first 12 MLB games, Veen carried a low .112 average with a 14:2 K:BB. He was unable to earn a spot on the team's Opening Day roster due to injury and performance, and, as a result, has spent the whole season in Triple-A Albuquerque. Veen, a left-handed hitting outfielder, battled injury to begin the season, but has produced with 11 homers and 48 RBI in 246 at-bats at the Triple-A level to go with 14 steals and a .325 batting average. Those well-rounded numbers could make Veen, a former first-round pick, a sneaky stash option as he continues to knock on the door to a return trip to Colorado. With many outfielders on the MLB roster dealing with injuries, including Jordan Beck, Brenton Doyle, and Mickey Moniak, Veen could push for a promotion in the near future, given his dominant performance.

15 hours ago

Grant Taylor • RP • White Sox

Grant Taylor Worth Adding Despite Limited Save Opportunities?

Chicago White Sox right-handed relief pitcher Grant Taylor offers fantasy value even without a full-time closer role. Across 37 2/3 innings, the 24-year-old is 2-0 with two saves, five holds, a 2.39 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 53 strikeouts. Taylor has been especially effective over his last 15 appearances, recording a 2.14 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, and 28:4 K:BB across 21 innings. Seranthony Dominguez remains Chicago's primary closer, while Bryan Hudson is also part of the late-inning mix, so Taylor should not be treated as the unquestioned ninth-inning option. However, his strikeout production and strong ratios give him standalone value in saves-plus-holds formats, and he would be a logical candidate for more save chances if Dominguez continues to struggle (six earned runs over his last 11 frames). Taylor remains available in most Yahoo leagues at a 21% roster rate, making him an appealing bullpen pickup for fantasy managers seeking immediate strikeouts with the potential to earn saves.

15 hours ago

Randy Arozarena • LF • Mariners

Randy Arozarena Could Rejoin the Mariners This Week

Seattle Mariners outfielder Randy Arozarena (hamstring) did some baserunning on Sunday and could come off the 10-day injured list before the team's series opener on Tuesday on the road against the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to Adam Jude of The Seattle Times. Seattle has a scheduled day off on Monday. The 31-year-old has been cleared to travel with the M's during their road trip this week, so if he doesn't come back on Tuesday, he could return at any point this week. When Arozarena returns to Seattle's starting lineup, he should be considered a must-start in all fantasy formats. The Cuban slugger has been money at the plate so far in 2026 in his second full season with the Mariners, slashing .291/.377/.448 with an .826 OPS, seven home runs, 33 RBI, 19 stolen bases, and 47 runs scored across 71 games and 302 plate appearances. With the two-time All-Star out recently with a minor hamstring pull, Victor Robles has received extra run in Seattle's outfield.

15 hours ago

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