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When Will Kaelen Culpepper Make his MLB Debut?
Minnesota Twins top infield prospect Kaelen Culpepper continues to showcase elite upside at the Triple-A level and is on the verge of his MLB debut. Over his last 15 contests at St. Paul, the budding infielder has carried an elite .325/.425/.581 line with a 1.005 OPS. During this stretch, Culpepper has gone deep five times and swiped four bags. Overall, the 23-year-old has looked quite comfortable during his first stint at the top club of the minor leagues, posting a .268/.372/.489 slash line with 10 doubles, 14 home runs, 14 stolen bases, and an impressive 49:35 K:BB. Seeing him not only maintain his five-category profile but also show a strong eye at the plate has made him an elite stash option among hitting prospects. Given that Minnesota has lacked much production in the middle of their infield, Culpepper appears to be on a trajectory to debut before the end of June.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Dodgers Not Very Concerned About Shohei Ohtani's Knee Injury
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said his level of concern with two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani's knee injury is "not high," and that he feels good about Ohtani being back in the starting lineup for Friday's series opener versus the Chicago White Sox, according to Jack Harris of The California Post. Ohtani first felt something in his knee/hamstring area after a stolen base attempt on what ended up being a foul ball earlier in Thursday's win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Roberts said the decision to pull Ohtani from the game early was him being proactive. The Dodgers will see how the four-time MVP feels on Friday, but the expectation is that he'll be available to play. Before leaving the eventual 8-6 win, the Japanese superstar went 2-for-2 at the plate with his 13th home run of the year, two runs scored, and two walks to boost his season average to .305 and his OPS to .964. Ohtani got off to a slow start offensively by his standards to begin 2026, but he has rebounded nicely and continues to be one of the best hitters in the game.
Source: The California Post - Jack Harris
Source: The California Post - Jack Harris
Brett Sullivan Goes Deep Twice in Loss to Cubs on Thursday
Colorado Rockies backup catcher Brett Sullivan was productive at the bottom of the Rockies' batting order in Thursday's 9-3 loss to the visiting Chicago Cubs at Coors Field, going 3-for-4 at the plate with two solo home runs to boost his season average to .231 and his OPS to .664. It was the first multi-homer game of Sullivan's career, and the 32-year-old veteran backstop is now up to three home runs on the season in 33 games played. With the strong performance in the series finale, Sullivan nearly doubled his career home run total, as he entered play on Thursday with only three homers in his first 75 major-league games since debuting in 2023 with the San Diego Padres. He entered Thursday with a weak .207/.247/.310 slash line, a .558 OPS, one homer, and nine RBI in his 94 plate appearances this year in his first season in Denver. Sullivan will continue to see infrequent starts behind stud starting catcher Hunter Goodman, so fantasy managers should continue to ignore him in all formats.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Kodai Senga Looks Good in Rehab Start at Double-A
New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga (arm, back) fared well in his minor-league rehab start on Thursday with Double-A Binghamton, allowing an earned run on a solo home run while walking one and striking out five in six innings to pick up the victory for the Rumble Ponies. Senga was originally scheduled to make his fourth rehab start on Tuesday, but he was scratched due to ulnar-nerve irritation in his right arm. Not only did Senga still get on the mound this week, but he delivered his best rehab performance so far on Thursday evening, throwing 51 of his 75 pitches for strikes. It's unclear what will be next for the 33-year-old Japanese native, but most likely, the Mets will want to see him make at least one more start down on the farm before considering him an option to rejoin the big-league rotation. In five starts in 2026 before going on the 15-day injured list, Senga gave up 21 runs (20 earned) while walking 13 and striking out 23 in 20 innings pitched. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues can afford to take a wait-and-see approach with Senga, who is currently rostered in only 12% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Coby Mayo is Gaining Deep-League Attention
Baltimore Orioles infielder Coby Mayo has fallen into a cold spell at the plate recently. Over the last week, Mayo is 3-for-21 at the plate, but fantasy managers shouldn't run away. Over the last 10 games, Mayo has smacked four of his nine home runs on the season. The 24-year-old is struggling right now, but the power potential is legitimate. The O's are likely going to stick with Mayo through this slump and let him get everyday at-bats at the big league level. There isn't a ton of value right now, but Mayo could be someone worth stashing in deep leagues as a potential power source.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Martin Perez a Worthy Deep-League Option
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Martin Perez was supposed to take the mound against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. That game was postponed due to weather. Instead, Perez is expected to take the mound for the series opener against the New York Mets on Friday. The veteran southpaw is an intriguing streaming option given his recent success. Over the last three starts, Perez owns a 3.45 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, with nine strikeouts over 15.2 innings of work. He also has strong career numbers against the Mets, with a 3.09 ERA across 43.2 innings against the Mets in his career. The lack of strikeouts will likely keep his overall ceiling lower, but Perez remains a fairly trustworthy option at the moment.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Shane Bieber Pitches Well During Rehab Outing
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Shane Bieber (elbow) was outstanding on the mound during his rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday. Bieber tossed six shutout innings, allowing five hits, while striking out four batters. This was his second rehab start, and Bieber was much more successful during this outing. The right-hander threw 62 pitches, so the Jays will likely want to increase that number before activating him off the Injured List. The expectation is that Bieber will need at least one more rehab start before rejoining the Jays roster. He has been sidelined all season while rehabbing an elbow injury. Bieber is looking like a strong stash candidate with his return to the mound on the horizon.
Source: milb.com
Source: milb.com
Nolan Jones Acquired by White Sox
Cleveland Guardians outfielder Nolan Jones was acquired by the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. In exchange, the Guardians will receive $250,000 in international bonus pool money. This season, Jones has slashed .275/.385/.460 with eight home runs, 31 RBI, and three stolen bases in 52 games at Triple-A Columbus. Jones is a former second-round pick of Cleveland from the 2016 draft. Jones blasted 20 homers during the 2023 season with the Colorado Rockies. Since then, Jones hasn't been able to have the same type of success at the big league level. He'll report to Triple-A Charlotte and will hopefully earn his way to the big league roster at some point.
Source: Chicago White Sox
Source: Chicago White Sox
Justin Wrobleski Pulled With Hamstring Injury
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Justin Wrobleski (hamstring) was forced to make an early exit from Thursday's outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Wrobleski took a line drive off his leg during the fifth inning of this game. After a visit from manager Dave Roberts, Wrobleski would exit the game. The southpaw has been diagnosed with a right hamstring contusion. Before leaving, Wrobleski allowed four earned runs on six hits with one strikeout over 4.2 innings of work. It's unclear at the moment if Wrobleski will be ready in time for his next start. Fantasy managers should check back for another update on his status shortly. UPDATE: Roberts said after Thursday's game that Wrobleski is expected to be fine for his next scheduled start against the first-place Tampa Bay Rays next Wednesday, per the Los Angeles Times' Maddie Lee.
Source: Kirsten Watson
Source: Kirsten Watson
Shohei Ohtani Exits With Knee Inflammation
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee) was forced to make an early exit from Thursday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday. Ohtani exited the game in the top of the seventh inning due to left knee inflammation. Before leaving the game, Ohtani was 2-for-2 at the plate with a home run, one RBI, and two walks. Santiago Espinal took over the designated hitter spot for Ohtani for the rest of this game. Ohtani did have left knee surgery in 2019, so it's unclear if that has anything to do with this. The Dodgers should give an update on his status soon. For now, fantasy managers should consider Ohtani as day-to-day until further notice. UPDATE: The California Post's Jack Harris reports that Ohtani's knee injury is not considered serious, and he has a strong chance to be in the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the Chicago White Sox.
Source: Kirsten Watson
Source: Kirsten Watson
Jordan Lawlar to Return to D-Backs on Friday
Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman/outfielder Jordan Lawlar (wrist) will come off the 60-day injured list to rejoin the major-league roster for Friday's series opener against the Cincinnati Reds, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports. Lawlar will be returning to the Snakes this weekend for the first time since hitting the IL back in early April with a right-wrist fracture. During his minor-league rehab assignment, the 23-year-old former top prospect went 6-for-28 with two RBI and five runs scored in eight games. The former sixth overall pick in 2021 out of Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas has yet to impress in the big leagues in just 48 games played since debuting in 2023, hitting .191 (22-for-115) with just one home run, seven RBI, four steals, and a 33.6% strikeout rate. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues will probably want to take a wait-and-see approach with Lawlar, but he should play regularly in Arizona's outfield once he returns. Lawlar is widely available in Yahoo leagues, as he's rostered in just 6% of leagues.
Source: Arizona Sports - John Gambadoro
Source: Arizona Sports - John Gambadoro
Hagen Smith Trending Towards Making MLB Debut on Saturday?
According to Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com, the Chicago White Sox could promote top pitching prospect Hagen Smith on Saturday to make his MLB debut against the two-time reigning World Series Champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers. According to Levine, the team is considering turning to the former fifth overall pick to take the mound as there is an open spot in the rotation. While the team has yet to confirm this report, it appears the young southpaw is trending towards making his MLB debut this weekend. Smith has spent the entire campaign at Triple-A Charlotte and has endured some early growing pains. However, after struggling to the tune of a 4.54 ERA with a 1.46 WHIP over his first 32 2/3 innings, he has quickly found his footing. In his last four starts (19 innings), the southpaw has posted a stellar 2.37 ERA with a 32:7 K:BB. Smith was already considered a top pitching prospect to stash, but now holds near must-stash upside in all 12-team leagues given his nearing debut and elite strikeout potential.
Source: Bruce Levine
Source: Bruce Levine
Samuel Basallo Back in Baltimore's Lineup Versus Mariners
Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo (wrist) is doing the catching for right-hander Kyle Bradish in Thursday's series finale at Camden Yards and will bat fifth against Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo, per MLB.com. Basallo has been dealing with a bony growth on his left wrist and was held out of the starting lineup for each of the last three games. It's something that he could deal with going forward, but for now, the left-handed slugger will return to the O's lineup for the series finale against Seattle. The Dominican backstop will return to a .263/.327/.475 line with an .801 OPS, nine home runs, 27 RBI, and 25 runs scored in his 179 at-bats in his first full year in the majors. Basallo has been much better against right-handers this year, going 36-for-133 (.271) against them with eight of his nine home runs on the year. The young catcher has struggled so far in June, though, with just two hits in 22 plate appearances over eight games.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Adley Rutschman Returns From Hamstring Injury on Thursday
Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (hamstring) is back in the team's starting lineup for Thursday's series finale against the visiting Seattle Mariners and right-hander Bryan Woo, serving as the designated hitter and batting third in the order, per MLB.com. Rutschman will return to the O's lineup after missing the last three games with tightness in his left hamstring. The 28-year-old switch-hitter has been swinging the bat much better of late, going 13-for-42 (.310) with a homer, four doubles, a triple, 10 RBI, and seven runs scored in his last 11 games since May 27. Overall, the former first overall pick out of Oregon State is slashing .267/.343/.489 with a career-best .832 OPS, eight home runs, 36 RBI, and 25 runs scored in 48 games across 204 plate appearances in his fifth year in the big leagues. Fantasy managers will want to get the two-time All-Star back into their starting lineups now that he's been cleared of his hamstring injury. In three career at-bats against Woo, Rutschman has a home run and two RBI.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Colt Emerson Returns to M's Lineup Following Bout With Back Spasms
Seattle Mariners rookie infielder Colt Emerson (back) is starting at shortstop and will bat ninth for Seattle in Thursday's series finale against the hosting Baltimore Orioles and right-hander Kyle Bradish at Camden Yards, according to MLB.com. Emerson didn't play in any of the last three games due to a bout with back spasms, but he's feeling good enough to play on Thursday. The 20-year-old infield prospect is one of the most intriguing young power/speed threats in baseball, although he won't carry a ton of DFS appeal at the bottom of the Mariners' batting order in his return. In his first 19 games in the big leagues, Emerson has gone 15-for-62 (.242) with four home runs, five doubles, a triple, 10 RBI, and nine runs scored across 69 plate appearances. He will play regularly for the M's at the 6 with J.P. Crawford (hand) on the injured list currently. Emerson has only five walks and 21 strikeouts early on, so he'll need to make more contact to capitalize on his potential.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
