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Drake Baldwin to Start a Rehab Assignment This Weekend
Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said that catcher Drake Baldwin (oblique) will face live pitching on Thursday and Friday before starting a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett this weekend, according to Zach Sweet of MLB.com. "Thursday and Friday will be big days for him," Weiss said. If everything goes well during the 25-year-old backstop's rehab assignment this weekend, Weiss said that Baldwin could be reinstated from the 10-day injured list during the team's homestand from June 16-21. The left-handed-hitting catcher is recovering from a Grade 1 strained right oblique that has kept him out for the last two weeks, but he's inching closer to a potential return next week. With Baldwin sidelined, the Braves have been using a combination of veteran Sandy Leon and Austin Wynns behind the plate. Baldwin was named the National League Rookie of the Year in 2025 and is already one of the best fantasy options at the position. He's hit .303 (57-for-188) so far in 2026 with 13 home runs, 38 RBI, 39 runs scored, and a stolen base, and he shouldn't be floating around on the waiver wire in any fantasy leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Zach Sweet
Source: MLB.com - Zach Sweet
Ronald Acuna Jr. Departs Early Tuesday With Lower-Leg Injury
Atlanta Braves star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (lower leg) was pulled from Tuesday's game early in Chicago against the White Sox after being thrown out at first and limped to the dugout with a trainer, according to Lindsay Crosby of Braves Today. Acuna looked to tweak something in his left leg while attempting to beat out a ground ball to third base in the fourth inning. Stay tuned for more information on Acuna's status and whether he might need another stint on the injured list. Before he was replaced in right field by Eli White, Acuna went 0-for-2 at the plate with a strikeout and a groundout. If Acuna requires a lengthy absence due to his injury, White will be in line for more playing time in Atlanta's outfield going forward. The 28-year-old Acuna has played in only 53 games so far in 2026 after already missing time with a leg injury in 2026, and he entered play on Tuesday with a .254/.373/.425 slash line, .798 OPS, seven home runs, 22 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and 31 runs scored across 233 plate appearances, numbers that don't really live up to the high expectations that Acuna is known for. UPDATE: Acuna was diagnosed with left-hamstring tightness in the same leg that landed him on the IL earlier this season.
Source: Braves Today - Lindsay Crosby
Source: Braves Today - Lindsay Crosby
Samuel Basallo Sits Out on Tuesday With Wrist Pain
Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo (wrist) was on the bench for a second straight day on Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners at Camden Yards due to wrist pain, according to Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun. Adley Rutschman also got a second straight day off, and it's unclear if he's dealing with an injury. With both Basallo and Rutschman out for Game 2 of the series, Sam Huff made the start behind the dish and was hitting in the nine-hole for the O's against Mariners right-hander Logan Gilbert. The 21-year-old Basallo also missed some time recently with an abdominal injury, so he's been a bit banged up lately. He was diagnosed with a bony growth on his left wrist on Monday, and it's something that could be an issue for him going forward. The Dominican left-handed-hitting catcher came into Tuesday's action batting .266/.330/.480 with an .810 OPS, nine home runs, 26 RBI, and 25 runs scored in his 177 at-bats in 2026 in his first full year in the majors. Basallo hasn't been as good in his last 18 games since May 19, going 11-for-47 (.234) with three homers, two doubles, nine RBI, seven runs, six walks, and 14 strikeouts, and it could be because of his recurring wrist issue. Stay tuned for more information.
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Jacob Calvin Meyer
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Jacob Calvin Meyer
Colson Montgomery Dealing With Back Tightness
Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz said that infielder Colson Montgomery (back) is getting an extra day off on Tuesday against the Atlanta Braves to recover from some back tightness that he's been dealing with, according to James Fegan of Sox Machine. Luisangel Acuna made the start at the 6 for the Pale Hose on Tuesday and was hitting in the eight-hole against Braves right-hander Grant Holmes. Fantasy managers should consider Montgomery to be day-to-day for now and check back on Wednesday to see if he's feeling good enough to return to action. The 24-year-old former 22nd overall pick in 2021 out of a high school in Indiana is hitting just .225 (53-for-236) in his first full season in the majors, but he has provided fantasy managers with plenty of power with 16 home runs, 12 doubles, 38 RBI, and 31 runs scored across his first 64 games and 270 plate appearances in 2026. He's rostered in 90% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Sox Machine - James Fegan
Source: Sox Machine - James Fegan
Konnor Griffin to Resume Throwing on Wednesday
Pittsburgh Pirates rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin (elbow) said the plan is for him to start throwing again on Wednesday, according to Pirates reporter Jason Mackey. Griffin is currently on the 10-day injured list due to a flexor strain in his right elbow, with no timetable for a return, but it's good news that he's already been cleared to resume throwing the baseball. The 20-year-old phenom isn't going to be ready to come off the IL when he's eligible, and he could be out for an extended period of time. Until Griffin can return from his elbow injury, Jared Triolo should be the Pirates' primary option at shortstop. The former ninth overall pick in 2024 didn't make the Pirates' Opening Day roster, but it wasn't long before he was called up to make his major-league debut in 2026. Griffin hasn't posted eye-popping numbers, but he has more than held his own in his first 51 big-league games, slashing .270/.327/.402 with a .729 OPS, four home runs, nine doubles, two triples, 22 RBI, 14 stolen bases, and 30 runs scored across 208 plate appearances. Despite a potential lengthy absence, Griffin remains rostered in 86% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Jason Mackey
Source: Jason Mackey
Oneil Cruz Still Dealing With Hand Injury
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz (hand) was initially slated to return to the starting lineup on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers at PNC Park, but he was scratched from the lineup and missed his second straight game with a cut on his hand that he suffered on Saturday, according to the team. Jake Mangum got the start in center field on Tuesday and was hitting seventh in the batting order against Dodgers left-hander Eric Lauer. The 27-year-old Cruz's injury isn't considered serious, so he could be back in action as soon as Wednesday against L.A. Cruz hits the ball as hard as anyone in the big leagues when he makes contact, making him a must-start in all fantasy formats when he's active. The Dominican outfielder currently leads the league with 98 strikeouts in 283 plate appearances this year, but he's a multi-category contributor and is slashing .264/.350/.472 with an .822 OPS, 14 home runs, 44 RBI, 21 stolen bases, and 45 runs scored in 64 games. Cruz is well on pace to set a new career high in home runs in his sixth year in the majors.
Source: Pittsburgh Pirates
Source: Pittsburgh Pirates
Jac Caglianone Back in Royals Lineup After Shoulder Injury
Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder Jac Caglianone (shoulder) is starting in right field and will bat sixth for the Royals in Tuesday's tilt against the visiting Texas Rangers and right-hander Nathan Eovaldi, according to MLB.com. Caglianone was pulled from Saturday's game early against the division-rival Minnesota Twins with soreness in his right shoulder, and he missed Sunday's series finale as a result. But after a scheduled day off on Monday, the 23-year-old left-handed slugger is back in action as he looks to get going at the plate in his first full year in the majors. The former sixth overall pick in 2024 out of the University of Florida is striking out at a 29.8% clip and is slashing a very modest .250/.326/.403 with a .729 OPS, six home runs, 15 RBI, 21 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 60 games and 218 plate appearances. Cags has gone 14-for-54 (.259) with a homer, double, five RBI, three runs scored, and two steals in his last 16 games, dating back to May 20. He has never faced Eovaldi in his young MLB career.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Salvador Perez Returns From Thumb Injury on Tuesday
Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (thumb) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting fifth for the Royals on Tuesday against the visiting Texas Rangers and right-hander Nathan Eovaldi at Kauffman Stadium, per MLB.com. Perez will return to the starting nine after missing the last two games with a minor thumb injury. The 15-year Venezuelan veteran has been a stalwart for the Royals in his long tenure with the team, but the veteran catcher has shown clear signs of decline so far in 2026 with a weak .204/.254/.345 slash line, career-worst .599 OPS, nine home runs, 26 RBI, 22 runs scored, 12 walks, and 49 strikeouts in 256 plate appearances over his 61 games played. Additionally, he's hitting .190 with a .428 career OPS and just one RBI in 21 at-bats versus Eovaldi. Fantasy managers may want to keep Perez on their benches, even though he's back from injury. In 16 games since May 18, Perez has gone 12-for-59 (.203) with two homers, a double, six RBI, five runs, five walks, and eight K's.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Bobby Witt Jr. Back in Action After Injury Scare
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (knee) is back in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the visiting Texas Rangers and right-hander Nathan Eovaldi, starting at shortstop and batting second, according to MLB.com. Witt was pulled from Sunday's game prematurely with soreness in his right knee, but after an off day on Monday, the star shortstop is back in the starting nine and should be returned to all starting fantasy lineups. The 25-year-old former first-rounder in 2019 will return to a .280/.354/.456 slash line, .810 OPS, nine home runs, 27 RBI, 23 stolen bases, and 33 runs scored across his 261 at-bats in his fifth year in the big leagues. Witt hasn't been as productive recently, hitting .233 (14-for-60) with two home runs, four doubles, four RBI, 10 runs scored, and eight stolen bases in 15 games since May 23, but the five-category contributor is a must-start when he's active. He's batting .333 with a 1.000 OPS and three RBI in 12 career at-bats versus Eovaldi.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Michael Harris II Returns From Back Injury to Face White Sox
Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (back) is starting in center field for the Braves and will hit out of the two-hole for Tuesday's contest in Chicago against the White Sox and left-hander Brandon Eistert, per MLB.com. Harris was sidelined for the last two games with tightness in his back, but he'll return for the series opener on the South side on Tuesday, and fantasy managers should return him to their starting lineups in traditional leagues. The 25-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder is in the midst of one of his best years in the big leagues, slashing .306/.340/.523 with an .863 OPS, 13 home runs, 40 RBI, 30 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 62 games across 235 plate appearances for the first-place Bravos. He's been even better in his last 17 games since May 19, too, going 24-for-69 (.348) with five home runs, four doubles, 16 RBI, 12 runs scored, and a stolen base in that span. Harris has never faced Eistert in his big-league career. Against lefties this year, Harris has gone 24-for-81 (.296) with four of his 13 long balls.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Rockies Promote No. 6-Ranked Prospect Cole Carrigg to Major Leagues
The Colorado Rockies are promoting top outfield prospect Cole Carrigg to the major leagues ahead of Tuesday's contest against the Chicago Cubs. Currently, the outfielder sits as the team's No. 6 overall-ranked prospect on MLB.com. Carrigg joined the Rockies in the third round of the 2023 MLB Draft and has enjoyed a dominant start to the regular season at the Triple-A level. With Albuquerque, Carrigg has posted a dominant .338/.414/.529 line with a stellar.943 OPS. Across this 57-game stint, the outfielder has hit six home runs and swiped an impressive 30 bags. During the 2025 campaign, Carrigg stole 46 bags while going deep 15 times across 123 games at Double-A. With Tyler Freeman now joining Brenton Boyle, Jordan Beck, and Mickey Moniak on the injured list, Carrigg could be given ample at-bats in this lineup. His elite raw speed makes him a worthwhile waiver wire target in 12-team standard leagues.
Source: Colorado Rockies
Source: Colorado Rockies
Daulton Varsho Remains Out on Tuesday With Wrist Injury
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (wrist) will start on the bench again for Tuesday's game against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies at the Rogers Centre, according to MLB.com. Nathan Lukes is starting in center field and will bat second for the team against Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler. The Blue Jays have said that they are optimistic that Varsho won't need a trip to the injured list, but this will be his fourth straight missed game due to inflammation in his left wrist. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Wednesday to see if he's cleared to rejoin the starting nine in Toronto. The 29-year-old former second-round pick in 2017 out of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has been a very modest fantasy asset offensively this year, slashing .256/.331/.408 with a .738 OPS, five home runs, 17 RBI, 26 runs scored, and four stolen bases in his 211 at-bats. He's been ice-cold at the plate lately, too, going 7-for-41 (.171) with two doubles, a triple, an RBI, four runs scored, seven walks, and nine strikeouts in 15 ballgames since May 22. UPDATE: Manager John Schneider said that an MRI exam on Varsho's injured left wrist came back negative, according to Sportsnet's Shi Davidi.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Byron Buxton Back From Shoulder Injury on Tuesday
Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (shoulder) is starting in center field and batting leadoff for the Twins on Tuesday against the division-rival Detroit Tigers and right-hander Troy Melton, according to MLB.com. It will be Buxton's first game since he was pulled from Friday's game early against the Kansas City Royals due to a right-shoulder contusion after he crashed into the outfield wall. The 32-year-old veteran should be returned to starting lineups in all traditional leagues. The two-time All-Star has carried over the momentum from last year, when he clubbed a career-high 35 home runs while driving in 83 and stealing 24 bases in 126 games. So far in 2026, Buxton is hitting .257 (58-for-226) with 18 home runs, 28 RBI, 41 runs scored, and five stolen bases across 55 games played. Since May 13, he's hitting .262 (16-for-61) with five homers, three doubles, seven RBI, 10 runs, and a steal in 16 contests. He has yet to face Melton in his career.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Chandler Simpson Returns to Rays Lineup on Tuesday
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson (thumb) is starting in left field and will hit in the three-hole for the Rays on Tuesday at Tropicana Field against the division-rival Boston Red Sox and left-hander Payton Tolle, according to MLB.com. Simpson returns to action after missing the last three games due to soreness in his left thumb. The 25-year-old former second-round pick in 2022 out of Georgia Institute of Technology is still searching for his first major-league home run after debuting in Tampa last season, but what he lacks in power, he makes up for in speed and contact abilities. Simpson will return to a .276/.312/.328 slash line with a .639 OPS, a league-leading four triples, 12 RBI, 14 stolen bases, and 30 runs scored in his 250 plate appearances and 61 games played in 2026. In DFS, Simpson is an easy fade against a left-hander, as he's hitting just .230 (17-for-74) against southpaws on the season. He has gone hitless in just three career at-bats against Tolle.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Will Smith Continues to Sit With Neck Injury
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (neck) continues to sit out of the starting lineup for the team's Tuesday matchup against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park, per MLB.com. Dalton Rushing will catch for left-hander Eric Lauer and will bat eighth against Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes. This will be Smith's third straight missed game due to stiffness in his neck, but manager Dave Roberts said over the weekend that the team expects him to return soon. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Wednesday to see if the veteran backstop is feeling good enough to return. The 31-year-old three-time All-Star has been a bit of a disappointment so far this year for fantasy managers, slashing .249/.338/.382 with a .720 OPS, six home runs, 23 RBI, and 23 runs scored in 52 games across 201 plate appearances. Fantasy managers setting DFS lineups should look to avoid Rushing at the bottom of the batting order against one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball. UPDATE: Roberts said on Tuesday that Smith "still doesn't feel right" and could require a stint on the injured list, per Sportsnet LA's Kirsten Watson.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
