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Andy's mid-week fantasy baseball cuts, drops candidates for Week 3 of 2026. Is it time to let go already, and drop these player for a better waiver wire option?
Welcome back, RotoBallers, to the mid-week edition of our Cut List Rankings for fantasy baseball and Week 3 of the 2026 MLB season. Even though we are still in the early going of the campaign, managers have seen many high-end players underperform or suffer major injuries.
This week, fantasy baseball managers saw Cade Cavalli and Matthew Liberatore continue to stumble while Ryan Pepiot was shifted to the 60-Day Injured List.
So, which injured or disappointing players are it time to get rid of for fantasy baseball lineups? Read about our top players to cut for Week 3 of the MLB season. Good luck, RotoBallers!
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Cut List Rankings for Fantasy Baseball: Week 3
The top players to consider cutting for fantasy baseball, in priority order. Players at the top of the list should be dropped first and replaced on the waiver wire:
| Rank | Player Name | Position | Roster% | Baller Move |
| 1 | Cade Horton | SP | 30 | Drop in All Leagues |
| 2 | Noelvi Marte | 3B/OF | 35 | Drop in All Leagues |
| 3 | Shane Smith | SP | 20 | Drop in All Leagues |
| 4 | Jurickson Profar | OF | 10 | Drop in All Leagues |
| 5 | Dylan Crews | OF | 30 | Drop in All Leagues |
| 6 | Brandon Sproat | SP | 20 | Drop in All Leagues |
| 7 | Kyle Freeland | SP | 5 | Drop in All Leagues |
| 8 | Sean Manaea | SP | 30 | Drop in All Leagues |
| 9 | Chris Paddack | SP | 10 | Drop in All Leagues |
| 10 | Masyn Winn | SS | 35 | Drop in All Leagues |
| 11 | Michael McGreevy | SP | 15 | Drop in All Leagues |
| 12 | Tyler Mahle | SP | 10 | Drop in All Leagues |
| 13 | Cristian Javier | SP | 15 | Drop in All Leagues |
| 14 | Mike Burrows | SP | 25 | Drop in Most Leagues |
| 15 | Cade Cavalli | SP | 15 | Drop in Most Leagues |
| 16 | Matthew Liberatore | SP | 20 | Drop in Most Leagues |
| 17 | Luis Gil | SP | 15 | Drop in Most Leagues |
| 18 | Brayan Bello | SP | 20 | Drop in Most Leagues |
| 19 | Roki Sasaki | SP | 40 | Drop in Most Leagues |
| 20 | Chris Bassitt | SP | 35 | Drop in Most Leagues |
| 21 | Max Scherzer | SP | 25 | Drop in Most Leagues |
| 22 | Brady Singer | SP | 25 | Drop in Most Leagues |
| 23 | David Peterson | SP | 25 | Drop in Most Leagues |
| 24 | Yusei Kikuchi | SP | 25 | Drop in Most Leagues |
| 25 | Bailey Ober | SP | 15 | Drop in Most Leagues |
| 26 | Noah Cameron | SP | 40 | Drop in Most Leagues |
| 27 | Max Meyer | SP | 20 | Drop in Most Leagues |
| 28 | Kyle Isbel | OF | 15 | Drop in Most Leagues |
| 29 | Grant Holmes | SP | 40 | Drop in Most Leagues |
| 30 | Will Warren | SP | 50 | Drop in Most Leagues |
| 31 | Joey Wiemer | OF | 15 | Drop in Most Leagues |
| 32 | Griffin Jax | RP | 40 | Drop in Shallow Leagues |
| 33 | Abner Uribe | RP | 65 | Drop in Shallow Leagues (saves only) |
| 34 | Ryan Walker | RP | 75 | Drop in Shallow Leagues (saves only) |
| 35 | Dennis Santana | RP | 70 | Drop in Shallow Leagues (saves only) |
| 36 | Jose Caballero | 2B/3B/SS/OF | 65 | Drop in Shallow Leagues |
| 37 | Emmet Sheehan | SP | 90 | Drop in Shallow Leagues |
| 38 | Lance McCullers Jr. | SP | 25 | Drop in Shallow Leagues |
| 39 | Trent Grisham | OF | 50 | Drop in Shallow Leagues |
| 40 | Carson Benge | OF | 20 | Drop in Shallow Leagues |
| 41 | Eric Lauer | SP | 30 | Drop in Shallow Leagues |
| 42 | Mark Vientos | 3B | 20 | Drop in Shallow Leagues |
| 43 | Bryson Stott | 2B/SS | 40 | Drop in Shallow Leagues |
| 44 | Miguel Vargas | 1B/3B | 30 | Drop in Shallow Leagues |
| 45 | Reynaldo Lopez | SP | 40 | Drop in Shallow Leagues |
| 46 | Andrew Abbott | SP | 75 | Drop in Shallow Leagues |
| 47 | Spencer Torkelson | 1B | 65 | Drop in Shallow Leagues |
| 48 | Samuel Basallo | C/1B | 30 | Drop in Shallow Leagues |
| 49 | Brenton Doyle | OF | 55 | Drop in Shallow Leagues |
| 50 | Heliot Ramos | OF | 55 | Drop in Shallow Leagues |
| 51 | Kyle Harrison | SP | 30 | Drop in Shallow Leagues |
| 52 | Matt McLain | 2B | 60 | Drop in Shallow Leagues |
| 53 | Cody Ponce | SP | 45 | IL Stash in 15+ Team Leagues |
| 54 | Hunter Greene | SP | 75 | IL Stash in 15+ Team Leagues |
| 55 | Jordan Westburg | 3B | 40 | IL Stash in 15+ Team Leagues |
| 56 | Addison Barger | 3B/OF | 55 | IL Stash in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 57 | Alejandro Kirk | C | 45 | IL Stash in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 58 | Joe Musgrove | SP | 40 | IL Stash in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 59 | Grayson Rodriguez | SP | 15 | IL Stash in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 60 | Shane Bieber | SP | 60 | IL Stash in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 61 | Carlos Estevez | RP | 80 | IL Stash in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 62 | Tatsuya Imai | SP | 60 | IL Stash in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 63 | Jackson Holliday | 2B | 70 | IL Stash in All Leagues |
| 64 | Spencer Strider | SP | 90 | IL Stash in All Leagues |
| 65 | Ryan Pepiot | SP | 85 | IL Stash in All Leagues |
| 66 | Nick Pivetta | SP | 95 | IL Stash in All Leagues |
| 67 | Kyle Stowers | OF | 95 | IL Stash in All Leagues |
| 68 | Brent Rooker | OF | 95 | IL Stash in All Leagues |
| 69 | Jeremy Pena | SS | 85 | IL Stash in All Leagues |
| 70 | Alec Bohm | 3B | 50 | Hold |
| 71 | Seranthony Dominguez | RP | 50 | Hold |
| 72 | Jordan Romano | RP | 55 | Hold |
| 73 | Andrew Painter | SP | 50 | Hold |
| 74 | Jorge Polanco | 2B/3B | 50 | Hold |
| 75 | Max Muncy | 2B/3B/SS | 60 | Hold |
| 76 | Daulton Varsho | OF | 50 | Hold |
| 77 | Connelly Early | SP | 60 | Hold |
| 78 | Marcus Semien | 2B | 65 | Hold |
| 79 | Jakob Marsee | OF | 85 | Hold |
| 80 | Shane Baz | SP | 65 | Hold |
| 81 | Owen Caissie | OF | 25 | Hold |
| 82 | Jake Burger | 1B | 30 | Hold |
| 83 | Kazuma Okamoto | 3B | 75 | Hold |
| 84 | Jac Caglianone | OF | 65 | Hold |
| 85 | Munetaka Murakami | 1B | 90 | Hold |
| 86 | Ranger Suarez | SP | 80 | Hold |
| 87 | Jo Adell | OF | 90 | Hold |
| 88 | Daylen Lile | OF | 60 | Hold |
| 89 | Jacob Wilson | SS | 75 | Hold |
| 90 | Kodai Senga | SP | 55 | Hold |
| 91 | Tanner Bibee | SP | 85 | Hold |
| 92 | Eury Perez | SP | 90 | Hold |
| 93 | Michael Busch | 1B | 85 | Hold |
Fantasy Baseball Player Outlooks
Noelvi Marte, 3B/OF, Cincinnati Reds
Cut List Ranking No. 2
The Cincinnati Reds announced on Monday that they optioned outfielder Noelvi Marte to Triple-A Louisville after their game on Sunday. Marte should get another opportunity in Cincinnati this year, but for now, he'll be replaced on the active big-league roster with outfielder Rece Hinds. The 24-year-old Marte went 4-for-29 (.138) with two runs scored, a stolen base, two walks, and 10 strikeouts in his first 11 games in 2026 before being sent to the minors.
Hinds is worth a look off the waiver wire for outfield depth in deeper fantasy leagues now that he should be sharing playing time in right field for the Reds with the left-handed-hitting Will Benson. Marte, who was a former top prospect for the Reds, still has power/speed upside in dynasty/leagues, but he's running out of time to earn a regular role at the major-league level.
Adding to his intrigue in keeper leagues, Marte has eligibility at both third base and the outfield.
Jake Burger, 1B, Texas Rangers
Cut List Ranking No. 82
Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger was seeing the ball well in Monday night's 8-1 win over the division-rival Athletics in Sacramento, going 2-for-4 at the plate with two home runs, four RBI, a walk, and a strikeout. Burger got the party started in the first inning with a three-run tater off of right-handed starter Luis Severino, and the Rangers never looked back.
He got Severino again for a solo job in the eighth inning. The home runs were the 30-year-old's first since he homered in back-to-back games to begin the 2026 regular season. Burger is known as a streaky hitter, so fantasy managers will want to ride his power bat until he cools off. After his big power performance on Monday night, the former first-rounder by the Chicago White Sox in 2017 out of Missouri State is hitting .246 (16-for-65) with four home runs, 11 RBI, and seven runs scored in 16 games played.
Jordan Romano, RP, Los Angeles Angels
Cut List Ranking No. 72
Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Jordan Romano locked up his first four saves of the season, but he stumbled on Monday night in New York. He came in with a 10-8 lead and failed to record a single out before giving up three runs on three hits, including a Trent Grisham home run that tied the game. After Grisham's dinger, Jose Caballero doubled, stole third, and scored on a wild pitch to get the Yankees a walk-off win and hand Romano his first loss of the year.
In his previous six games, Romano had not allowed a hit over five innings with seven strikeouts and two walks. He hadn't pitched in a week coming into this appearance and was due for a little regression. He will likely remain the team's primary closer for now, but he'll need to get back on track the next time he's called on for relief.
Nick Pivetta, SP, San Diego Padres
Cut List Ranking No. 66
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Nick Pivetta (elbow) was placed on the 15-day Injured List, retroactive to April 13. Pivetta will head to the shelf after being lifted from Sunday's start against the Colorado Rockies due to elbow stiffness. The Padres are calling the injury right elbow inflammation, but he'll likely undergo further testing to determine the severity of the issue.
In a corresponding move, right-hander Alek Jacob has been recalled from Triple-A El Paso. Jacob should provide bullpen depth with Matt Waldron set to replace Pivetta in the rotation. Waldron hasn't pitched this season, but is scheduled to start against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday. The 29-year-old should be viewed as a risky streaming choice for that one.
Trent Grisham, OF, New York Yankees
Cut List Ranking No. 39
New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham didn't make the start in Monday's series opener against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium with left-hander Yusei Kikuchi on the mound, but he entered the game off the bench and still managed to do a ton of damage at the plate. Grisham finished the contest 2-for-3 with two home runs and five RBI in a close, 11-10 win.
The 29-year-old left-handed hitter hit a three-run home run in his first plate appearance in the fifth inning off Shaun Anderson, and then he hit a clutch two-run long ball in the ninth inning off closer Jordan Romano with the Yankees trailing by two runs. It was nice to see Grisham come alive at the plate on Monday night after a very quiet start to his 2026 season offensively.
Even after his two-homer performance against the Halos, Grisham is still hitting only .167 (8-for-48) with 13 walks and 10 strikeouts in 61 plate appearances in his first 16 games of the year. Fantasy managers will be hoping that his big game on Monday will get him going at the plate.
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Articles
Looking to add a player off the waiver wire? After diving into the cut list rankings, read about some waiver wire pickups to consider instead:
- Updated Waiver Wire Rankings
- Sneaky Starting Pitchers to Pick Up
- Top 25 Injured Players to Stash
- Top 25 Prospects to Stash
Each week, our MLB team puts out a complete array of fantasy baseball waiver wire articles to compliment our slick Who Should I Pickup? Waiver wire player comparison tool. Bookmark it!
In addition, be on the lookout for our other waiver wire articles all season long. We will be releasing weekly waiver wire articles for each position, FAAB bidding recommendations, streamers, and more throughout the week.
Who Should I Pickup Fantasy Baseball Tool
Trying to decide who to pick up off the waiver wire instead? Check the Who Should I Pickup tool:
Compare up to four players and we'll tell you who to pickup...
2026 Player Decisions. Looking to pickup someone else instead? Today's focus is on specific players like Ryan Weathers, Joey Cantillo, Steven Matz, Josh Bell, Jakob Junis, Jorge Soler, Liam Hicks. These are some common searches for 2026 fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups.
Using The Tool. This is a simple tool but very powerful. The first step is to enter the player names that you want to compare. In the first box, search for the first player's name. In the second box, search for the second player's name. Compare up to four MLB players at once, and then click the Who To Pickup? button to see who the recommended waiver wire pickups are based on fantasy baseball rankings, projections, and more.
Improvements For Who Should I Pickup? You may have noticed, our Who Should I Pickup? tool has gotten an overhaul. We've added lots of great features for you to give you as much information as possible to win on the waiver wire in 2026. You'll see MLB player tiles with stats, projections, and a slick new interface. We hope you enjoy!
How It Works. Our RotoBaller staff puts together their weekly fantasy baseball waiver wire rankings and projections based on their research, and updates them constantly throughout the week. That information is the core data that is powering the decision-making in this tool. When you search for player names, you will only see those players who are ranked.
Popular Player Comparison Searches - Who To Pickup
Below are some popular searches and comparisons from our Who To Pickup tool for 2026 for players like Ryan Weathers, Joey Cantillo, Steven Matz, Josh Bell, Jakob Junis, Jorge Soler, Liam Hicks.:
No matching players.More Fantasy Baseball Advice
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