The Cut List - Time to Let Go? Who To Consider Dropping for Fantasy Baseball (Week 8)

May 17, 2026

The fantasy baseball Cut List for Week 8 of 2026. Jamie analyzes potential fantasy baseball busts, overvalued players, and injured players to consider dropping.

Welcome back to The Cut List as we head into Week 8 of the 2026 season. For those who are not familiar, this is our weekly article looking at players whom fantasy managers might be considering cutting from their teams and struggling players who need a closer look.

We'll look at players who are worth monitoring for replacing and someone on the hot seat who should be held on to ... for now. Experienced Cut List readers will know I'm a strong advocate for not making knee-jerk reactions. A bad week or two shouldn't be a reason to push the panic button and dump someone.

If there's ever someone you want me to take a look at, drop their name in the Reddit comments, the RotoBaller Discord chat rooms, or reach out to me on X (@Baseball_Jimbo). Maybe you'll see them included next week. All stats and rostered rates (taken from Yahoo!) reflect when this piece was written.

Pitchers

Max Fried - SP, New York Yankees - 99% rostered

Fried left his last start after three innings, with what was described as "elbow posterior soreness". That left many fantasy managers scratching their heads and conducting countless online searches for what it meant. Thankfully, we got clarity soon after, with Fried being diagnosed with an elbow bone bruise.

Max Fried Heading to Injured List With Elbow Bone Bruise https://t.co/knewMT9gUw

— RotoBaller MLB (@RotoBallerMLB) May 16, 2026

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While the initial prognosis is promising and surgery seems to be avoided, fantasy managers can still expect a lengthy layoff. The statement from the Yankees read "Repeat imaging will again be taken in a few weeks (or when asymptomatic) to further determine when Fried can resume throwing".

If we're looking at a few weeks until further scans are done, that's mid-June. If Fried gets the all clear, then he'll need to build up and then head off for a rehab assignment. It feels like the start of July is the best case right now. That's still a lot better than what it could have been.

Verdict: Fried saw his ERA climb from 2.09 to 3.21 over his last three starts. It's fair to assume he's been dealing with this issue for the last couple of weeks. Provided there aren't any setbacks or bad news down the road, Fried is definitely worth holding on to.

Eury Perez - SP, Miami Marlins - 88% rostered

It's been a disappointing start to 2026 for Perez. Things were looking up after he tossed six shutout innings against the Brewers on April 19. That outing lowered Perez's ERA to 4.15. Perez has allowed 14 earned runs in his last four starts (21 1/3 innings), which has seen his ERA balloon to 4.94.

It doesn't take long to identify Perez's main issue. He's been walking far too many batters, evidenced by his 11.6% BB% (23rd percentile). Following Tuesday's game, Perez has walked multiple batters in seven of his nine starts. For those hoping for a step forward this year, Perez has taken a step back.

Not only is his walk rate up from last year, but Perez's 25.6% K% is also down from last year (27.3% K%). Given that last year's 95 1/3 innings were a career-high for Perez as a professional (he missed the 2024 season following elbow surgery), this year might not be the step forward many expected.

Verdict: Perez has still flashed his talent and remains a high upside pitcher. But his inconsistency and erratic outings will continue to hold back Perez. His strikeouts ensure a higher floor than many. Given how many fantasy options are currently on the IL (injured list), Perez is worth holding for a while longer.

Edward Cabrera - SP, Chicago Cubs - 82% rostered

If nothing else, Cabrera has been consistent this year. Friday's performance was the sixth time in his last seven starts in which Cabrera allowed exactly three earned runs. The only time he didn't was when Cabrera gave up five earned runs last weekend against the Rangers.

The frustration is amplified given that Cabrera started the season with two shutout performances. Despite the recent struggles, Cabrera has a 4.06 ERA on the season. His 3.86 xFIP and 4.08 SIERA suggest the ERA is as it should be. It's still a letdown after Cabrera had a 3.35 ERA last year (137 2/3 innings).

What has been notable with Cabrera this year is the decline in strikeouts. In 2025, he had a 25.8% K% and a career 25.9% K%. This year, Cabrera is sporting a 21.3% K% (51st percentile). He has struck out 23 batters in the last four starts (21 1/3 innings). That is a trend Cabrera needs to maintain.

Verdict: It wouldn't take much for Cabrera to turn the corner. A couple more strikeouts and a couple fewer runs over the next two weeks, and we will likely see a more similar version of Cabrera to last year's. That's easier said than done, but Cabrera does warrant holding for a bit longer at least.

Hitters

Cal Raleigh - C, Seattle Mariners - 99% rostered

No one would have expected a repeat of Raleigh's 2025 season when drafting him. But the regression this year has been startling. Raleigh has a .161/.243/.317 slash line with seven home runs, 18 RBI, 16 runs, and two stolen bases. His 31.5% K% ranks in the seventh percentile.

Somewhat mercifully, having been playing through injury and going 2-for-36 this month, Raleigh was placed on the IL earlier this week. He missed some time earlier this year with an apparent side issue and is officially on the IL with an oblique injury.

Cal Raleigh Being Shut Down for a Week https://t.co/VtZlTzsWhW

— RotoBaller MLB (@RotoBallerMLB) May 16, 2026

We at least have some sort of reason why Raleigh has struggled so much this year. As long as the Mariners don't rush Raleigh back and he can return to the diamond completely over the oblique issue, we should see a significant uptick in his production. The question remains as to when that will be.

Verdict: Raleigh is due to be reassessed next week, when we should get a better timeline for his return. It would serve best for everyone if Raleigh remains sidelined until he's 100% healthy, given how badly he's performed while hurt. The IL stint may be a blessing for fantasy managers who can see how he fares when healthy before making a decision.

Trevor Story - SS, Boston Red Sox - 63% rostered

Speaking of people playing through an injury, we found out on Friday that Story has been dealing with a groin issue. He was officially placed on the IL with a sports hernia. On Saturday, it was revealed that Story had been dealing with the issue since late March.

At least we have an explanation for why Story is hitting .206/.244/.303 with three homers, 19 RBI, 16 runs, and four steals. Story being hurt shouldn't come as a shock to his fantasy managers. He managed just 163 games in his first three seasons with the Red Sox.

Last season's 157 games were more of an outlier than the norm. Ian Browne of MLB.com reported that Story has been given the option for surgery. Story said surgery would sideline him for "six to 10 weeks, give or take.” That would mean we don't see Story until July, at best.

Verdict: Now Story is on the IL, it makes things a bit easier for fantasy managers. The problem is, we have no idea when Story will return. Surgery is only an option, so we're looking at a very wide timescale right now. If you don't have the capacity to stash Story, just drop him and move on.

Spencer Torkelson - 1B, Detroit Tigers - 51% rostered

Few hitters have gained, lost, and re-gained fantasy managers' trust more than Torkelson. Unfortunately, we're back in a spell of losing trust, for those who stayed faithful until now. Torkelson is hitting .201/.322/.376 and is only on pace to hit 22 homers.

Torkelson is very much playing up to the "he's only worth drafting in odd-numbered years" narrative. In truth, he should probably have numbers more resembling 2025 than 2024. His Statcast Profile sums Torkelson up better than most.

If you're getting Joey Gallo vibes, there's a reason. Torkelson hits the ball hard, strikes out a lot, and walks plenty. But, he's got a career .225 batting average, and that is unlikely to improve by much by the end of 2026.

Verdict: If you need power, Torkelson can still provide it. And in some points leagues, he will provide value given his high walk rate. Otherwise, Torkelson isn't someone who needs to be rostered, and his batting average will likely offset any power he provides.

On the Hot Seat

Alex Bregman - 3B, Chicago Cubs - 94% rostered

The Friendly Confines were meant to help restore some of the fantasy value that Bregman lost in 2025. A quad injury limited him to just 114 games last year, but Bregman still hit .273/.360/.462. The question was whether one of the most reliable hitters could remain reliable.

So far, while Bregman has remained healthy, he's not been a reliable contributor. He's hitting .256/.341/.367 with four homers, 14 RBI, 20 runs, and two steals (45 games). His power has disappeared, with his .111 ISO set to be a career low. By a long way (.152 ISO in 2021).

If we go back to last year, we can see that Bregman's slash line had been in decline before this season. It's just continued into 2026. Most notably, the slugging percentage. It's worth noting that Bregman sustained his injury in game 51 last year. Things have declined since then.

That's not to suggest he's still suffering lingering effects from the quad strain. But it's highlighting that Bregman's numbers this year are a reflection of how he performed after missing multiple weeks. Bregman's 2025 fantasy managers will be all too familiar with his .250/.341/.386 second-half slash line.

Bregman enters today with a seven-game hitting streak. However, the problem remains: a lack of power. Only two of his 10 hits during the streak were for extra bases. Bregman has also only tallied four extra-base hits in his last 19 games. It's difficult to see the 30+ homer Bregman returning.

Verdict: Bregman can still hit for a decent average, and his 11.2% BB% will be beneficial in points or leagues using OBP. We just won't see the same level of power we've been accustomed to. That will also hurt his RBI and run totals, making Bregman borderline rosterable in shallow leagues.

Reader Requests

As always, we're keen to hear who you want us to analyze. If there is anyone you want to include on next week's Cut List, drop their names on the Reddit thread or in the RotoBaller Discord chat rooms. Alternatively, you can reach out to me on X, and we'll endeavor to cover some requests each week.

Teoscar Hernandez - OF, Los Angeles Dodgers - 87% rostered

Last year, Hernandez hit .247/.284/.454 with 25 homers, 89 RBI, 65 runs, and five steals (134 games). This year, Hernandez is hitting .268/.341/.416 and has a 162-game pace of 20 home runs, 87 RBI, 87 runs, and four stolen bases. Granted, Hernandez would have had an even better 2025 if he stayed healthy, but he's not far off a repeat.

This week, Hernandez is hitting .435/.480/.696, and on Friday, he homered for the first time since April 15. Hernandez has also hit three doubles this week. That has all coincided with a drop down the batting order. And he's only another good week from being on pace to better last year.

Verdict: One more good week, and Hernandez will have removed any concerns fantasy managers had. He's got a good batting average, and the counting stats will continue wherever Hernandez hits in the Dodgers lineup. He ranks 35th among outfielders on Yahoo! (standard 5x5 scoring) and warrants holding.

George Springer - OF, Toronto Blue Jays - 83% rostered

Statcast Profiles aren't the be-all and end-all when assessing a player. But you have a better chance of finding Waldo in the Bermuda Triangle than you do the red bars of positivity in Springer's Statcast Profile this year. In Springer's defense, he missed most of April with a toe injury.

Since returning from the IL, Springer is hitting .188/.250/.208 and only has two RBI and five runs (13 games). He won't come close to repeating last year. In fact, Springer needs to seriously improve to avoid having his worst season in the Majors. Not ideal given he's heading into free agency this offseason.

Verdict: I'm not ready to write off Springer just yet, even at 36 years old. But he's seemingly having to play through the toe issue, and its impact isn't entirely obvious. I'd give Springer until the end of May, but if there's an appealing option available to you now, make the switch.

MacKenzie Gore - SP, Texas Rangers - 81% rostered

Gore's move to Texas was meant to improve his fantasy value. After four disappointing outings, Gore's latest start on Tuesday should have acted as a reminder to fantasy managers of his abilities. Gore picked up his first win since April 8 with eight innings of one-run ball against Arizona.

While Gore's 4.50 ERA is unslightly, much of his other numbers aren't too dissimilar to the previous two seasons. The most notable difference from the table below is the increase in fly balls and decrease in ground balls. The increase in walks isn't ideal, either.

Much of the optimism for Gore this year was his new home. Globe Life Field is the most pitcher-friendly ballpark, and Gore has at least been aided by that. He has a 2.63 ERA at home (24 innings) and a 6.38 ERA on the road (innings). That's something we need to focus on moving forward.

Verdict: You're starting Gore at home. In every instance. However, he's someone I'm not comfortable starting on the road against a good offense. That still makes Gore worth holding onto, but also something you need to factor in every week.

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