RADIO
Roki Sasaki Punches Out 10, is it Time to Jump on Board?
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Roki Sasaki continued to trend upward with an excellent start on Friday against the crosstown-rival Los Angeles Angels. Sasaki picked up a no-decision, but he was dynamite, throwing seven shutout innings with only two hits allowed, two walks, and a season-high 10 strikeouts to lower his season ERA to 4.03. The matchup against the last-place Halos was a friendly one, and Sasaki delivered for his best start of the 2026 season. The 24-year-old Japanese native has gone 3-3 in his second year in the big leagues with a 1.26 WHIP, 60 strikeouts, and 21 walks in 58 innings pitched over 11 starts. Sasaki came into his sophomore season with L.A. with a reputation for being wild and allowing too many walks. He struggled to a 6.35 ERA and 7.17 FIP with 13 walks in 22 2/3 innings in his first five starts of the year, but since then, he has allowed only 11 runs (10 earned) while walking eight and fanning 38 in 35 1/3 frames across six starts. With his control improving, it's time for fantasy managers to jump on board in more leagues. Sasaki has at least seven K's in three of his last four starts and has not walked more than two batters in an outing since April 12.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ryan Helsley Could Start Rehab Assignment Next Week
Baltimore Orioles right-handed closer Ryan Helsley (elbow) completed his first bullpen session on May 30 at Camden Yards, throwing 15 to 20 pitches. He threw another bullpen on June 5 in Toronto and could start a minor-league rehab assignment next week, according to MLB.com. Helsley has been on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to April 29) since May 1 with right-elbow inflammation, but his return to the O's bullpen could be right around the corner if he avoids a setback during his rehab assignment. The hard-throwing right-hander was Baltimore's clear-cut closer to begin the 2026 season before he injured his elbow, and he should immediately return to that role once he's reinstated from the IL. Before going down, Helsley was 0-2 with a 2.53 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, seven saves, 15 walks, and seven walks in 10 2/3 innings to start his Orioles tenure. Until he returns, Rico Garcia has emerged as manager Craig Albernaz's primary saves option out of the bullpen. Helsley is currently rostered in 84% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Adley Rutschman Powers O's to Blowout Win With Four Hits, Five RBI
Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman was at his best on Friday in the team's 13-3 win over the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre. The 28-year-old switch-hitting backstop couldn't be stopped at the plate in this one, going a perfect 4-for-4 with a home run, two doubles, five RBI, four runs scored, and a walk to boost his season average to .273 and his OPS to .858. He was all the offense Baltimore needed, and he got the party started right away in the first inning with a solo home run off Blue Jays starter Trey Yesavage. Rutschman is now hitting .273/.352/.506 on the season with eight home runs, 36 RBI, and 25 runs scored in 46 games across 196 plate appearances. The two-time All-Star dealt with injuries in 2025 in his fourth year in the big leagues and played in a career-low 90 games, but he's back on track in 2026 and is hitting .279 (12-for-43) with a homer, four RBI, a triple, 10 RBI, and nine runs scored in his last 12 games since May 24.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Willy Adames Heating Up, Clubs Two Homers in Win Over Cubs
San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames continued to swing a hot bat in the 18-3 blowout win over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Friday, going 2-for-2 at the plate with two home runs, four RBI, four runs scored, and two walks to raise his season batting average to .250 and his OPS to .756. It was an impressive day for San Fran's offense at the friendly confines of Wrigley, as Adames, Matt Chapman, and Casey Schmitt all had two-homer days -- just the third time in franchise history that has been accomplished. The 30-year-old Adames is now hitting .250/.296/.460 on the year with 11 home runs, 29 RBI, 34 runs scored, and a stolen base in 63 games across 270 plate appearances in his second year with the Gigantes. Like most Giants hitters, Adames got off to a slow start in 2026, but he has turned things around recently, going 17-for-56 (.304) with six home runs, four doubles, a triple, 14 RBI, and 15 runs scored in his last 14 games. Eight of his 11 homers on the year have come in his last 17 games, a stretch in which he's gone 19-for-64 (.297).
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Matt Chapman has Monster Two-Homer, Eight-RBI Game Against Cubs
San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman had a day to remember at the friendly confines of Wrigley Field on Friday in an 18-3 drubbing of the Chicago Cubs. Chapman finished the day 2-for-3 at the plate with two home runs, eight RBI, and one strikeout to boost his batting average to .241 on the year and his OPS to .684. The 33-year-old has not had the best season offensively, but in just one day, he doubled his home run total. Chapman hit a grand slam off Cubs starter Edward Cabrera in the fourth inning, added a three-run blast in the sixth frame off reliever Ethan Roberts, and tacked on a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning. In addition to Chapman, both Casey Schmitt and Willy Adames left the yard two times apiece, marking just the third time in Giants history that three different players had two homers each. Chapman could be turning things around at the plate after a slow start in the first two months, as he's hit .310 (18-for-58) with three home runs and five doubles in his last 16 games. He's only rostered in 68% of Yahoo leagues, but his buy-low window could be closing fast.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Casey Schmitt Continues Breakout Season With Two Homers on Friday
San Francisco Giants utility man Casey Schmitt continued his breakout 2026 campaign on Friday in the 18-3 blowout win over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, going 4-for-6 at the plate with two home runs, three RBI, three runs scored, and a walk to raise his season average to .293 and his OPS to .884. The 27-year-old wasn't the only Giants player to have a monster day at the friendly confines of Wrigley, though, as both shortstop Willy Adames and third baseman Matt Chapman matched him with two-homer performances. It was quite the offensive display for the Gigantes, and just the third time in franchise history that three different players had two home runs in the same game. Schmitt has been on a heater this season and already has a career-high 15 long balls in 222 at-bats, adding 38 RBI, 31 runs scored, and five stolen bases in his 56 contests (237 plate appearances). Making him more attractive to fantasy managers is the fact that he's eligible at first, second, and third base, in addition to the outfield, in Yahoo leagues. Scoop him up if he's still available in your league.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Royce Lewis Rejoins MLB Roster, Worth Adding in All Leagues?
The Minnesota Twins recalled third baseman Royce Lewis from Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday and designated outfielder James Outman for assignment in a corresponding move, according to Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Lewis was sent to the minors in the middle of last month after starting the year with a horrid .163/.261/.279 slash line, a .539 OPS, three home runs, and a career-worst 31.1% strikeout rate in 31 games and 119 plate appearances. The 27-year-old turned things around at the plate with the Saints, though, going 20-for-60 (.333) with 10 home runs, 22 RBI, 14 runs scored, five walks, and 13 strikeouts in 15 games over 67 plate appearances to earn a trip back to the big leagues. Lewis also got some work in at first base down on the farm, so the Twins could try to mix him in at both corner-infield spots as he looks to rebound from his atrocious start at the plate in 2026. Lewis' strikeouts probably won't suddenly go away, but he can be a strong source of power when he's in the zone in fantasy baseball leagues, and he's rostered in only 21% of Yahoo leagues right now.
Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press - Betsy Helfand
Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press - Betsy Helfand
Jacob Latz Logs Ninth Save on Friday, Must-Add Closer in All League Formats
Texas Rangers left-hander Jacob Latz picked up his ninth save of 2026 on Friday, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out three across two scoreless innings in his team's 3-2 win over the Cleveland Guardians. Latz has emerged as a valuable weapon in the Texas bullpen this season, pitching to a 1.86 ERA and 0.62 WHIP with 29 strikeouts across 29 innings (23 games). The 30-year-old owns an excellent 21.7% K-BB rate and has settled into the closer role for the Rangers, recording saves in each of his last four appearances. Latz pitched 85 2/3 innings across 33 appearances (eight starts) for Texas in 2025, so his ability to work multiple innings makes him a slightly unorthodox closer. Still, there's no denying his production so far in 2026. In any league where he's not already rostered, Latz should be a priority waiver wire target for fantasy managers.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Colt Emerson a Priority Waiver-Wire Target After Early MLB Success
Since making his MLB debut on May 17, Seattle Mariners infielder Colt Emerson has emerged as an impact bat. Across his first 61 big league plate appearances, Emerson is hitting .255/.328/.582 with four home runs, nine RBI, and eight runs scored. The 20-year-old top prospect showed off more speed at Triple-A as well, stealing 10 bases in 13 attempts across 38 games this season before being promoted to the Majors. Emerson's underlying hitting metrics don't quite match up to his top-line production, as he's logged subpar barrel (5.4%) and hard-hit (35.1%) in a small sample. He's also struck out in 29.5% of his MLB plate appearances after posting a 27.2% strikeout rate at Triple-A. Still, Emerson is a high-profile prospect with five-category upside who has settled into an everyday role at third base in Seattle. He profiles as a worthy waiver wire target across all fantasy formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jackson Holliday Offers Balanced Five-Category Potential on the Waiver Wire
Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday had the start of his 2026 season delayed after he suffered a fractured hamate bone in February. Since returning to the Orioles on May 19, Holliday has hit .227/.327/.386 with two home runs, six RBI, eight runs scored, and three stolen bases. The 22-year-old's production may not leap off the page in any one category. Still, Holliday has showcased an improved eye at the plate (13.5% walk rate) early on this year, and his barrel and hard-hit rates are in line with where they were in 2025. The former top prospect was a solid deep-league compiler last season, hitting 17 home runs and stealing 17 bases while hitting .242. Holliday appears locked into everyday playing time in an improved Baltimore lineup in 2026, which should allow him to rack up counting stats the rest of the way. He may not offer tremendous upside, but Holliday's balanced approach makes him a valuable middle infielder to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Will Vest Deployed in Ninth Inning, Is he the Closer to Roster in Detroit?
Detroit Tigers right-hander Will Vest shut the door on the Seattle Mariners on Friday night, allowing a hit and a walk but striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning during his team's 7-3 win. Vest has struggled so far in 2026, recording a 1-4 record with a 6.86 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 22 strikeouts, and one save across 19 2/3 innings. However, Vest was arguably Detroit's top reliever in 2025, recording a 3.01 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 75 strikeouts and 23 saves across 64 appearances. Even though Friday's outing was a non-save situation, Vest's usage in the ninth inning could suggest that he is the closer to own in Detroit while Tigers closer Kenley Jansen (pelvis) is on the 15-day injured list due to pelvic inflammation. In deeper leagues, Vest could be worth targeting on the waiver wire as a short-term source of saves.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Kirby Yates Loses Second Game, Will He Lose Save Opportunities?
Los Angeles Angels right-hander Kirby Yates was tagged for his second loss of the season on Friday night, entering a 0-0 game in the bottom of the ninth and allowing a walk-off solo home run to Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman. The veteran Yates has been the Angels' preferred option in the ninth inning in recent weeks after recording his first save of the year on May 23. However, Yates has posted a 4.82 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 9 1/3 innings (11 games) this year. He also owns a 1.93 HR/9 after being tagged for a 1.96 HR/9 across 41 1/3 innings in 2025, and his average fastball velocity has dipped to a career-worst 90.6 miles per hour. Yates has 99 career saves, and the Angels don't exactly have an obvious replacement for him in the closer role. Still, fantasy managers should proceed with caution if relying on Yates for saves.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Spencer Jones Fills Stat Sheet on Friday, Worth Adding Amid Full-Time Role?
In his first game since being recalled from Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre, New York Yankees outfielder Spencer Jones recorded a 3-for-3 night with a double and an RBI in his team's 5-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox. With Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (rib) in line for an extended absence due to a stress fracture in his rib, Jones seems likely to see the majority of the playing time in right field against right-handed pitching. The 25-year-old struggled in his first taste of big league pitching earlier this season, logging four hits in 27 plate appearances and striking out in over 40% of his trips to the plate. Swing-and-miss is the big issue in Jones' profile, as he has struck out in 32.4% of his 185 Triple-A plate appearances so far this season. However, he hit 35 home runs and stole 29 bases across 116 minor league games in 2025. Fantasy managers should be ready for the damage Jones might do to their batting average, but he could still be worth adding off the waiver wire for his power/speed upside.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Michael Harris II Dealing With Back Tightness, Not Believed to be Serious
Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (back) was removed from Friday night's game early against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the ninth inning with back tightness, according to Barrett Sallee of 680 The Fan. "We don't think it's anything serious," manager Walt Weiss said. "There's a pretty good chance he'll be back in there tomorrow." It sounds as though Harris escaped a major injury, so he could be right back in action for Game 2 of the series in Atlanta on Saturday. Before leaving the game late, the 25-year-old went 2-for-5 at the plate with a run scored and two strikeouts to raise his season average to .303 and his OPS to .854. He was replaced in center field at Truist Park by Eli White. The former third-round pick in 2019 hasn't run much yet (three steals) after reaching exactly 20 steals in three of his first four MLB seasons, but otherwise, Harris is having a career year. Coming into Friday's action, Harris had a robust .301/.336/.519 slash line, career-high .855 OPS, 13 long balls, 37 RBI, and 29 runs scored across 60 games and 229 plate appearances. He's been a must-start for fantasy managers in traditional leagues every day.
Source: 680 The Fan - Barrett Sallee
Source: 680 The Fan - Barrett Sallee
Byron Buxton Suffers Shoulder Contusion After Colliding With the Wall
Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (shoulder) was removed from Friday night's game early against the division-rival Kansas City Royals with a right-shoulder contusion after he collided with the outfield wall while making a catch in the third inning, according to Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Buxton went 0-for-1 at the plate before eventually being replaced by Ryan Kreidler in center field. Until we know more about the severity of Buxton's injury, we'll consider him day-to-day. Fantasy managers will want to check back for more information on the veteran outfielder on Saturday and to see if he's back in the starting lineup at Target Field. An extended absence for Buxton could lead to more playing time in center field for both Austin Martin and James Outman in Minnesota. The 32-year-old Buxton had a career-high 35 home runs and also drove in 83 runs and stole 24 bases in a resurgent 2025 season in his 11th year in the big leagues, but he's currently on pace to set a new career high in homers, as he entered Friday's action with 18 long balls in just 54 games played. Buxton has a lengthy injury history over his career, so fantasy managers won't be surprised if he lands on the injured list.
Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press - Betsy Helfand
Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press - Betsy Helfand
