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Fantasy baseball cuts/drops rankings for Week 3 of 2026. Is it time to drop these players, and replace them with fantasy baseball waiver wire risers instead?
Welcome back, RotoBallers, to the weekend edition of our Cut List Rankings for fantasy baseball for the upcoming Week 3 of the fantasy baseball season. Even though we are only two weeks through the long campaign, fantasy managers have seen many high-end players suffer injuries or mid-round selections greatly disappoint their ADP.
This week, fantasy baseball managers saw several outfielders continue their slump and are quickly trending towards drop territory, including Brenton Doyle and Mets rookie Carson Benge.
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 | 35 | Drop in All Leagues |
| 2 | Shane Smith | SP | 20 | Drop in All Leagues |
| 3 | Jurickson Profar | OF | 10 | Drop in All Leagues |
| 4 | Dylan Crews | OF | 30 | Drop in All Leagues |
| 5 | Brandon Sproat | SP | 20 | Drop in All Leagues |
| 6 | Sean Manaea | SP | 30 | Drop in All Leagues |
| 7 | Chris Paddack | SP | 10 | Drop in All Leagues |
| 8 | Masyn Winn | SS | 35 | Drop in All Leagues |
| 9 | Michael McGreevy | SP | 15 | Drop in All Leagues |
| 10 | Tyler Mahle | SP | 10 | Drop in All Leagues |
| 11 | Cristian Javier | SP | 15 | Drop in Most Leagues |
| 12 | Luis Gil | SP | 15 | Drop in Most Leagues |
| 13 | Brayan Bello | SP | 20 | Drop in Most Leagues |
| 14 | Roki Sasaki | SP | 40 | Drop in Most Leagues |
| 15 | Bailey Ober | SP | 15 | Drop in Most Leagues |
| 16 | Chris Bassitt | SP | 35 | Drop in Most Leagues |
| 17 | Max Scherzer | SP | 25 | Drop in Most Leagues |
| 18 | Max Meyer | SP | 20 | Drop in Most Leagues |
| 19 | Brady Singer | SP | 25 | Drop in Most Leagues |
| 20 | David Peterson | SP | 25 | Drop in Most Leagues |
| 21 | Noelvi Marte | 3B/OF | 45 | Drop in Most Leagues |
| 22 | Carlos Estevez | RP | 80 | Drop in Shallow Leagues |
| 23 | Griffin Jax | RP | 40 | Drop in Shallow Leagues |
| 24 | Abner Uribe | RP | 65 | Drop in Shallow Saves Leagues |
| 25 | Ryan Walker | RP | 75 | Drop in Shallow Saves Leagues |
| 26 | Emmet Sheehan | SP | 90 | Drop in Shallow Leagues |
| 27 | Yusei Kikuchi | SP | 35 | Drop in Shallow Leagues |
| 28 | Brenton Doyle | OF | 55 | Drop in Shallow Leagues |
| 29 | Jose Caballero | 2B/3B/SS/OF | 65 | Drop in Shallow Leagues |
| 30 | Cade Cavalli | SP | 15 | Drop in Shallow Leagues |
| 31 | Seranthony Dominguez | RP | 50 | Drop in Shallow Saves Leagues |
| 32 | Dennis Santana | RP | 65 | Drop in Shallow Saves Leagues |
| 33 | Joey Wiemer | OF | 25 | Hold in Deeper Leagues |
| 34 | Trent Grisham | OF | 50 | Hold in Deeper Leagues |
| 35 | Carson Benge | OF | 20 | Hold in Deeper Leagues |
| 36 | Matthew Liberatore | SP | 25 | Hold in Deeper Leagues |
| 37 | Eric Lauer | SP | 30 | Hold in Deeper Leagues |
| 38 | Bryson Stott | 2B/SS | 40 | Hold in Deeper Leagues |
| 39 | Samuel Basallo | C/1B | 30 | Hold in Deeper Leagues |
| 40 | Heliot Ramos | OF | 55 | Hold in Deeper Leagues |
| 41 | Cody Ponce | SP | 45 | IL Stash in 15+ Team Leagues |
| 42 | Hunter Greene | SP | 75 | IL Stash in 15+ Team Leagues |
| 43 | Addison Barger | 3B/OF | 55 | IL Stash in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 44 | Alejandro Kirk | C | 45 | IL Stash in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 45 | Jordan Westburg | 3B | 40 | IL Stash in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 46 | Joe Musgrove | SP | 40 | IL Stash in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 47 | Grayson Rodriguez | SP | 15 | IL Stash in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 48 | Shane Bieber | SP | 60 | IL Stash in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 49 | Merrill Kelly | SP | 60 | IL Stash in 12+ Team Leagues |
| 50 | Jackson Holliday | 2B | 70 | IL Stash in All Leagues |
| 51 | Spencer Strider | SP | 90 | IL Stash in All Leagues |
| 52 | Ryan Pepiot | SP | 90 | IL Stash in All Leagues |
| 53 | Kyle Stowers | OF | 95 | IL Stash in All Leagues |
| 54 | Brent Rooker | OF | 95 | IL Stash in All Leagues |
| 55 | Jorge Polanco | 2B/3B | 50 | Hold |
| 56 | Mark Vientos | 3B | 20 | Hold |
| 57 | Jake Burger | 1B | 30 | Hold |
| 58 | Kazuma Okamoto | 3B | 80 | Hold |
| 59 | Andrew Painter | SP | 50 | Hold |
| 60 | Reynaldo Lopez | SP | 40 | Hold |
| 61 | Will Warren | SP | 50 | Hold |
| 62 | Connelly Early | SP | 60 | Hold |
| 63 | Miguel Vargas | 1B/3B | 40 | Hold |
| 64 | Daulton Varsho | OF | 50 | Hold |
| 65 | Spencer Torkelson | 1B | 65 | Hold |
| 66 | Owen Caissie | OF | 25 | Hold |
| 67 | Jac Caglianone | OF | 65 | Hold |
| 68 | Ranger Suarez | SP | 80 | Hold |
| 69 | Jo Adell | OF | 90 | Hold |
| 70 | Jakob Marsee | OF | 85 | Hold |
| 71 | Daylen Lile | OF | 60 | Hold |
| 72 | Jacob Wilson | SS | 75 | Hold |
| 73 | Michael Busch | 1B | 90 | Hold |
Fantasy Baseball Player Outlooks
Brandon Sproat, SP, Milwaukee Brewers
Cut List Ranking No. 4
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Sproat is no longer listed among the team's probable starters for this weekend's series against the Washington Nationals, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. Right-hander Chad Patrick is scheduled to start on Friday, followed by lefty Kyle Harrison on Saturday, and veteran right-hander Brandon Woodruff on Sunday in the series finale. Sproat was originally scheduled to take the mound for his next start on Saturday.
It's unclear exactly why Milwaukee will skip the 25-year-old, but it probably has something to do with his 14.85 ERA through 6 2/3 innings in his first two appearances (one start) with the team this year. In addition to allowing 11 runs, Sproat has walked as many as he's struck out (seven) in his first couple of games after being included in the offseason trade that sent starting pitcher Freddy Peralta to the New York Mets.
If Sproat isn't injured, the Brewers might just be taking advantage of Thursday's off day to push him back and give him more time to make some adjustments before his next outing.
Brenton Doyle, OF, Colorado Rockies
Cut List Ranking No. 28
Colorado Rockies outfielder Brenton Doyle has gotten off to a very slow start to the 2026 season. The 27-year-old righty is hitting just .139 (5-for-36) through his first 12 games with no home runs, one double, and 15 strikeouts. His 38.5% K% is up over ten percentage points from last season, and his hard-hit rate has slipped to 42.9% with a 0.0% barrel rate. Doyle does have two stolen bases, but he is not putting the ball in play enough to take full advantage of his speed.
With his home games at Coors Field, Doyle will always have the potential to go on a hot streak and be fantasy relevant for a stretch. Still, given his current struggles, he's definitely droppable for now in shallow leagues where waiver-wire options are starting the season in much better form.
Carson Benge, OF, New York Mets
Cut List Ranking No. 35
New York Mets outfielder Carson Benge homered on Opening Day but has had a hard time since then. In his first 11 games of the season, Benge is only 4-for-37 (.108) with three singles to go with that home run. He has contributed four stolen bases, but he has also struck out 12 times for a 28.6% K%. He hasn't had a barrel since that Opening Day dinger, and his hard-hit rate is only 44%.
Benge still has speed and plenty of long-term potential, so if you can hold him in deep leagues, I still like his potential to turn things around later in the year. However, in shallow leagues with plenty of strong pickups available on the waiver wire, it may be time to move on from Benge and look to pick him back up later if he gets going.
Jorge Polanco, 2B/3B, New York Mets
Cut List Ranking No. 55
An MRI exam that New York Mets infielder Jorge Polanco (Achilles) had on Thursday showed no structural damage, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Polanco is suffering from Achilles bursitis, which he can play through. Although he was held out of the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the Athletics, Polanco said he is feeling better, and he doesn't think he'll need to go on the 10-day injured list. It's good news for a veteran player with a long history of lower-body injuries that have caused him to miss time.
It's something to watch for the Dominican switch-hitter, though, as he's gone just 8-for-40 (.200) with no homers, one RBI, and two runs scored in his first 10 games with the Mets. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Saturday to see if Polanco is back in the starting nine for Game 2 of the series versus the A's. With Polanco out on Friday, Bo Bichette is serving as the designated hitter, with Ronny Mauricio playing third base and batting seventh.
Reynaldo Lopez, SP, Atlanta Braves
Cut List Ranking No. 60
After filing an appeal on his seven-game suspension from Major League Baseball, Atlanta Braves right-hander Reynaldo Lopez reached a settlement with the league and will have his suspension reduced to five games, effective immediately, according to Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Lopez threw a pitch up and in to Los Angeles Angels outfielder/designated hitter Jorge Soler in the fifth inning on Tuesday night, and Soler took exception, charging the mound. Lopez and Soler threw haymakers at each other before the benches cleared to break up the brawl at Angel Stadium.
With the reduced suspension, Lopez will not end up missing a start early in the year. He'll take the ball next Tuesday against the division-rival Miami Marlins, where he should be started by fantasy managers. The 32-year-old former reliever was a first-time All-Star in 2024 in his first year in Atlanta in his return to a full-time starting role.
Lopez made only one start in 2025 due to shoulder issues, but he's healthy again and is off to a fine start in three outings so far, posting a 1.15 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 13:5 K:BB through three starts.
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:
- Eric Cross' Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickups
- Updated Waiver Wire Rankings
- FAAB Waiver Wire Bidding
- 7 Must-Add Waiver Wire Targets
- Top-5 Hitting Prospects to Stash
- Top-5 Pitching 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 Cam Smith, Parker Messick, Joey Cantillo, Paul Sewald, Riley O'Brien, Carter Jensen. 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 Cam Smith, Parker Messick, Joey Cantillo, Paul Sewald, Riley O'Brien, Carter Jensen:
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