The Cut List - Time To Let Go? Who To Consider Dropping For Fantasy Baseball (Week 11)

June 7, 2026

The fantasy baseball Cut List for Week 11 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 11 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

Shota Imanaga - SP, Chicago Cubs - 91% rostered

Imanaga started this season looking like the 2024 version of himself. The version that put up a 2.91 ERA over 29 starts as a rookie. After his ninth start of 2026, Imanaga had a 2.32 ERA. His 3.28 xFIP and 3.21 SIERA suggested regression was coming. But not to the extent we've seen.

Imanaga's last four starts have seen his ERA jump to 4.74 (76 innings). Thursday's outing was a fourth straight in which Imanaga allowed five or more earned runs. Although it is worth mentioning that Pete Crow-Armstrong didn't help matters with two earned runs coming from this play.

Imanaga's 10.80 ERA is considerably worse than his 5.14 xFIP and 4.68 SIERA over the last four starts. It's easy to believe his numbers will improve in the coming weeks. The problem is that Imanaga's home ballpark isn't helping, with three of his last four starts coming at Wrigley Field.

The good news is that Imanaga's next start is set to be on the road. The problem is, it's at Coors Field. Following that, he could face the Giants on the road or the Rockies at home. Then it'll be a home start against Toronto. It's fair to say that this will be a do-or-die run for Imanaga's fantasy managers.

Verdict: I still believe in Imanaga. He's been a victim of some bad luck lately, coinciding with a drop in performances. Wrigley Field will continue to be hitter-friendly in the coming weeks. While it's still worth holding onto Imanaga, picking when you start him over the next few weeks will be important.

Robbie Ray - SP, San Francisco Giants - 76% rostered

Ray completed five innings on Friday for the first time in five starts. He also didn't allow a run for only the second time this season. However, everything has been a little off with Ray recently. A strong start to the season saw Ray have a 2.76 ERA after his first eight appearances.

Since then, he's struggled. Struggled to go deep in games (22 innings in five starts). Struggled with walks (18). Struggled with strikeouts (16). Ray has a 6.95 ERA over his last five starts. With a 6.07 xFIP and 6.20 SIERA in that time, his struggles have been warranted.

Ray did have a 4.18 xFIP and 4.06 SIERA in his first eight starts, so regression was always likely. But we've also seen a decline in skills recently. Friday's start was a bit more promising, although Ray still walked five batters and only struck out four. Even when he's good, there's enough to be worried about.

Verdict: Ray has much better numbers at home than on the road. It's a small sample, but something to monitor, and it leads me to only starting Ray in better matchups. Given his next two starts are set to be against the Nationals and Braves, I'd be considering moving on in shallower leagues.

Lucas Erceg - RP, Kansas City Royals - 49% rostered

After Carlos Estevez hit the IL (injured list) almost as soon as the season began, Erceg was a top pick-up for saves. Things started well, but have been deteriorating recently. A fourth consecutive outing in which Erceg allowed a run resulted in Royals manager Matt Quatraro saying he'll play matchups in the ninth inning.

Quatraro did say that's in the short term, with Erceg viewed as a closer option long term. That's predicated on Erceg improving, and no one standing out from the Royals' bullpen. Yesterday, the Royals went with Daniel Lynch IV in the sixth, Erceg in the seventh, Matt Strahm in the eighth, and Alex Lange in the ninth.

Lange picked up the save on Thursday and again yesterday after the Royals took a one-run lead in the top of the ninth inning. He has not allowed a run over his last eight appearances. Lynch IV has a 1.71 ERA and seven holds. Strahm returned from the IL last weekend and has pitched successfully in high-leverage situations over the previous two years.

Verdict: The Royals have plenty of options for saves. Albeit none are standout. I wouldn't be surprised if Erceg finishes 2026 with the most saves of any Royals pitcher. But I also only expect around 10 more this year. Unless you're desperate for saves and in deeper leagues, I'd look at using Erceg's roster spot for someone else.

Hitters

Chandler Simpson - OF, Tampa Bay Rays - 69% rostered

The first of three outfielders featured here, all rostered in a nice amount of leagues. Simpson doesn't really require much analysis. I was always told, "If someone shows you who they are, believe them." Simpson has shown us who he is ever since being called up to the Majors last year.

He has zero power and elite speed. That's it. Simpson got off to a hot start this year. He hit .314/.349/.356 in April. While his numbers have been steadily declining, Simpson still scored 14 runs in May after scoring 16 in April. He will steal bases, score runs, and hit for a decent batting average. That's it.

At this stage of the season, you should have a good idea as to where your team is, what it lacks, and what its strengths are. Considering Simpson will only help with runs and steals while putting up a solid average, you need to determine his impact on your roster.

Verdict: Simpson has struggled a bit of late and left Friday's game with a thumb injury, missing yesterday's game. Assuming he avoids a lengthy IL stint, you're only dropping him if you don't need steals and runs. Just remember, someone who does need them will pick Simpson up, potentially harming your chances in rotisserie leagues.

Chandler Simpson Exits with Thumb Injury https://t.co/TEOlTDpFvy

— RotoBaller MLB (@RotoBallerMLB) June 6, 2026

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Kyle Stowers - OF, Miami Marlins - 69% rostered

Unfortunately, Stowers has not put up the kind of numbers fantasy managers hoped for. He didn't make his season debut until April 19 due to a hamstring injury and has only played 42 games. Stowers' .210/.287/.363 slash line isn't flattering. Nor are his four home runs, 14 RBI, 18 runs, and one stolen base.

This was mentioned last week with a couple of players that it can take time to get going after injuries. Stowers looks like no exception. Before this weekend's series with the Rays, he was hitting .270/.308/.541 over the previous nine games.

Back-to-back 0-for-4 performances dropped his slash line to .222/.255/.444 in the last 11 games. A reminder that small samples are still volatile. Stowers has been hitting the ball harder recently and now ranks in the 90th percentile for HardHit% (on Statcast) this year. That hints that he's getting healthier.

Verdict: The Marlins won't help Stowers put up big counting stats. He has been looking a bit more like his 2025 self recently. Stowers is worth hanging onto in deeper leagues, with another 20+ homer season still on the cards. He likely won't provide enough value to hold in shallower leagues.

Chase DeLauter - OF, Cleveland Guardians - 69% rostered

DeLauter's numbers as a rookie don't look too bad. He's hitting .256/.331/.408 with seven homers, 32 RBI, 23 runs, and two steals (61 games). Four of his seven home runs came in DeLauter's first three games. He's not gone deep since May 17. But there's reason for optimism.

While DeLauter's .418 xSLG (expected slugging percentage) is similar to his actual mark, DeLauter has a .280 xBA (expected batting average). That ranks in the 83rd percentile. DeLauter has also shown excellent plate discipline as a rookie, with a 12.7% K% and 10.4% BB%.

Verdict: DeLauter wasn't considered a top power hitter as a prospect. But he was a greater all-around hitter, with a .302/.384/.504 slash line and 20 homers in 138 Minor League games. We shouldn't expect league-winning numbers from DeLauter, but he's still worth holding in all but shallow leagues.

On the Hot Seat

Framber Valdez - SP, Detroit Tigers - 93% rostered

Valdez's first season in Detroit hasn't gone according to plan. Once again, he was the center of controversy, and the performances have been very up and down. After 13 starts (72 2/3 innings), Valdez has a 3-4 W-L record, 4.21 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and 59 strikeouts.

On Friday, Valdez restricted the Mariners to one run over five innings. He's now alternated one-run and four-run outings across his last four starts. After putting up a 5.93 ERA in May, it was a solid start to June. Despite his results being inconsistent, Valdez's underlying numbers have been consistent.

If we look at the main fantasy categories, Valdez has not been helpful in any of them. But he's also not been terrible. Three wins are meh, but the Tigers' offense hasn't aided Valdez much. His 59 strikeouts rank 60th overall in the Majors. Among the 65 qualified pitchers, Valdez ranks 48th in ERA and 53rd in WHIP.

Given he was largely drafted as an SP2, Valdez hasn't provided value on his ADP (average draft position). With a 4.27 xFIP, 4.35 SIERA, and 18.6% K%, it's difficult to see Valdez returning SP2 value.

Verdict: With so many pitchers hurt (and struggling), Valdez is still doing enough to warrant rostering. The inconsistencies will remain, and it's difficult to know when he'll implode. If Valdez ends up with another ~6.00 ERA this month, then we should be looking to move on in almost every format.

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.

Kyle Tucker - OF, Los Angeles Dodgers - 99% rostered

The frustration with Tucker is obvious. Between 2021 and 2025, he averaged 132 games, 27 homers, 87 RBI, 80 runs, and 21 steals. He also hit .277/.365/.514 over those five years. This year, Tucker is hitting .240/.335/.391 with five homers, 29 RBI, 38 runs, and four steals (61 games).

As disappointing as Tucker has been, he still ranks 40th among outfielders on Yahoo! (5x5 rotisserie scoring). That at least warrants consideration for rostering in the shallowest leagues, regardless of their ADP or pedigree. In Tucker's case, he has enough pedigree to justify having a longer leash.

To add to the frustration of his fantasy managers, Tucker sat out yesterday's contest with the Angels. The Dodgers scored nine runs in the first inning. Hopefully, the day off did him good, and Tucker will be able to get in on the run scoring fun today.

Verdict: Tucker's value is helped by being with the Dodgers. His RBI and runs totals are still good. Tucker ended a nearly month-long homerless streak this week, which will have played on his mind. If this is the floor, Tucker could still have a productive season.

Maikel Garcia - 2B/3B/SS/OF, Kansas City Royals - 93% rostered

Garcia hit 11 home runs in his first 289 MLB games. Last year, he homered 16 times in 160 games. With just three homers in 58 games this year, it's safe to say last year looks like an outlier when it comes to Garcia's power. The same can be said for his 37 steals in 2024, given that Garcia had 23 stolen bases in 2023 and 2025.

Garcia has been dealing with a hamstring issue. Yesterday, he started his first game since last Saturday and went 1-for-4 (as the designated hitter). It looks like Garcia has avoided an IL stint, and it doesn't sound like an issue that has been hampering Garcia for long. So that isn't a likely cause for the lack of steals.

The timing of the hamstring injury was tough as Garcia had been heating up. He hit .344/.364/.406 in his eight games prior to missing last Sunday's contest. At the very least, it's worth seeing if Garcia can pick up where he left off.

Verdict: Garcia's positional versatility has benefits. His .280 xBA suggests he'll still help your batting average. Otherwise, the counting stats will be modest. But being able to insert Garcia into your lineups across multiple positions and know he won't hurt your team does have some value.

Jackson Merrill - OF, San Diego Padres - 91% rostered

Earlier, I said, "When someone shows you who you are, believe them." It's a shame we can't apply that to Merrill, as we have no idea who he is. In 2024, he came second to Paul Skenes for the National League Rookie of the Year Award. Last year, he had three IL stints and played just 115 games.

This year, Merrill just hasn't hit. While we can attribute his 2025 numbers to his injuries and stop-start season, this year has just been a disappointment. If we compare some of Merrill's numbers over the last three seasons, we can see he's just regressed offensively.

It is worth noting that Merrill's .430 xSLG this year ranks in the 64th percentile. He's got a career-high 46.0% HardHit% while walking more than ever (8.4% BB%). So it's not all bad, and it's not unreasonable to expect Merrill to post numbers similar to last year's over the rest of 2026.

Verdict: Merrill's rookie season was no fluke. We know what he's capable of, and his expected numbers suggest we'll see an improvement in his production. If you don't believe in Merrill having something of a bounceback, then by all means drop him. Just know he may be a top-30 outfielder over the rest of the season.

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