RADIO
Luis Lara Offers Well-Rounded Fantasy Profile, Remains Top Stash Candidate?
Milwaukee Brewers outfield prospect Luis Lara is doing everything he can at Triple-A Nashville to encourage a promotion to the major leagues. The outfielder is hitting .313 with 56 runs, seven homers, 30 RBI, and 20 stolen bases across 67 games of action. That power-speed combination should play at the big league level (.873 OPS in 246 at-bats). The Brewers have shown an ability to get the most out of all types of players in Milwaukee, and Lara profiles as another player who could thrive at American Family Field. With the Brewers beckoning, Lara is a name to target in the waiver-wire process, and he could provide immediate dividends for fantasy managers. Additionally, earlier in June, the Brewers inked the top-100 prospect ot a seven-year contract extension, signaling his long-term role on this roster. Entering Week 13, Lara profiles as a top outfield prospect to stash as he is on the trajectory to compete for an MLB debut in the coming weeks.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Will Smith Won't Return on Current Road Trip
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Sunday that catcher Will Smith (neck) will not travel on the team's current road trip, which starts on Monday, June 22, in Minnesota and ends on Wednesday, July 1, in Sacramento against the A's, per MLB.com's Sonja Chen. Smith could return early next homestand, though, which starts on Thursday, July 2, against the division-rival San Diego Padres, and he might need a short minor-league rehab assignment. The 31-year-old veteran recently received a cortisone injection in his neck to help him deal with inflammation that has kept him sidelined for the last two weeks. The three-time All-Star should be stashed in most fantasy baseball formats despite his injury and the fact that he has disappointed with a .249 average (43-for-173), six home runs, 23 RBI, and 23 runs scored in 2026 before landing on the 10-day injured list. His replacement, Dalton Rushing, has hit .254 (34-for-134) with eight long balls, 22 RBI, and 21 runs scored in 45 games in his first full year in the majors.
Source: MLB.com - Sonja Chen
Source: MLB.com - Sonja Chen
Teoscar Hernandez Hoping to Return to Dodgers on June 29
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Sunday that outfielder Teoscar Hernandez's (hamstring) minor-league rehab assignment will be with Triple-A Oklahoma City and that the hope is he will return for a series in Sacramento against the Athletics, starting on Monday, June 29, according to Sonja Chen of MLB.com. Hernandez should be cleared to begin a rehab assignment this week at OKC after taking live batting practice the last few days. The 33-year-old veteran right-handed slugger has been sidelined with a Grade 1 hamstring strain since late, May, but barring a setback on his rehab assignment this week and weekend, he could be ready to go to begin next week. The Dominican outfielder could be eased back into the Dodgers' starting lineup next week, but he's an everyday player for the team when he's fully healthy. Hernandez was hitting a strong .276/.348/.436 with a .785 OPS, seven home runs, 31 RBI, 30 runs, and two steals in 181 at-bats before tweaking his hamstring. The two-time All-Star has at least 25 home runs in each of his last five seasons, dating back to 2021 with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Source: MLB.com - Sonja Chen
Source: MLB.com - Sonja Chen
Is Jackson Holliday Still a Worthy Waiver-Wire Option Despite Cold Start?
Baltimore Orioles infielder Jackson Holliday (groin) remains an intriguing waiver-wire option despite a slow start and some short-term uncertainty. The 22-year-old is batting .200/.286/.388 with four home runs, 12 RBI, 14 runs, and three stolen bases over 85 at-bats since returning from right hamate surgery. His production has dipped further over his last 15 games (.174 AVG), but his combination of power, speed, and regular playing time when healthy preserves his fantasy upside. Last summer, the former top-ranked prospect produced 17 home runs and 17 stolen bases across 149 games, demonstrating the multi-category ceiling that remains. Holliday was removed after experiencing groin tightness on Saturday and sat out the following game, but the Orioles consider him day-to-day, and he does not expect the issue to require an injured-list stint. Managers should continue to monitor his status, but he should not be in danger of missing much time this coming week. Holliday's Yahoo rostership rate sits at 32%, leaving him available in roughly two-thirds of leagues as an upside pickup for managers who can tolerate some immediate uncertainty.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Karson Milbrandt a Must-Stash as he Climbs Minor-League Ladder?
Miami Marlins pitching prospect Karson Milbrandt has impressed at every level and challenge placed before him this season. The 6-foot-2 right-hander continues to progress in the Marlins' minor league system and is seeing his fantasy value soar. At his latest stop at Triple-A Jacksonville, he has yet to record a decision in three starts but has dazzled with a 1.20 ERA and 15 punchouts (over 15 innings). Before that, at Double-A Pensacola, Milbrandt was dominant, posting a 4-1 record and a 1.34 ERA with 70 strikeouts over 47 innings of work. With the Marlins needing depth at the major-league level in their starting rotation with Eury Perez and Janson Junk both on the 15-day injured list, Milbrandt could find his way to Miami shortly. His high upside and prolific strikeout rate make him an appealing stash option for fantasy managers in deeper leagues.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Is Matt McLain Re-Emerging as a High-Upside Waiver Target?
Cincinnati Reds infielder Matt McLain is rebuilding his fantasy value after a difficult start to the season. Over 245 at-bats, the 26-year-old is batting .204/.309/.355 with eight home runs, 25 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and a .664 OPS. He has looked more productive across his last 15 games, hitting .239/.364/.500 with three homers, nine runs, four RBI, and four steals. The batting average and strikeout rate still carry risk, but McLain has already demonstrated a much higher ceiling. He hit .290 with 16 home runs and 14 stolen bases over 89 games as a rookie in 2023. Under the hood, his current 9.9% barrel rate suggests there could be more room for untapped power upside. McLain's 43% Yahoo roster rate leaves him available in a majority of leagues, making him a strong pickup for managers seeking middle-infield power and speed as he begins to find his footing at the plate.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Josh Jung Entering Must-Add Territory Amid Breakout Season?
Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung is making a strong case to be rostered in more fantasy leagues during the best sustained stretch of his major-league career. Across 72 games, the 28-year-old is batting .309/.368/.457 with eight home runs, 31 RBI, 36 runs, one stolen base, and an .825 OPS. More importantly, Jung has cut his strikeout rate to a career-best 16.0%, giving his batting-average production a more stable foundation. Jung has stayed hot by collecting eight hits and scoring four runs over his last four games. His modest 5.6% barrel rate suggests fantasy managers should not expect an immediate home-run explosion, but his hard contact, everyday role, and improved approach should continue to produce a useful average, runs, and RBI. Jung is already up to 53% rostered on Yahoo, yet he's still available in nearly half of leagues as a priority pickup for managers needing help at third base.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Christian Scott to Throw Sim Game, Could be Back Next Week
New York Mets right-hander Christian Scott (hip) will throw a simulated game on Monday at Citi Field, according to The Athletic's Tim Britton. Scott, who went on the 15-day injured list early last week due to a right-hip impingement, feels much better after receiving an injection in his hip last week. Britton says that Scott could be ready to rejoin the Mets' starting rotation by next week. The 27-year-old will have a spot in New York's rotation waiting for him after looking good in his return from Tommy John surgery so far in 2026. The former fifth-round selection in 2021 out of the University of Florida went 2-0 with a 3.10 ERA (3.84 FIP) and 1.35 WHIP with 47 strikeouts and 19 walks in 40 2/3 innings pitched in his nine starts before going on the IL with his hip injury. Scott is only rostered in 13% of Yahoo leagues right now, but if he continues to pitch well upon his return, that number will be going up as we head into the All-Star break next month.
Source: The Athletic - Tim Britton
Source: The Athletic - Tim Britton
Francisco Lindor Could be Back This Week
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (calf) played all nine innings of his minor-league rehab game with Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday, and he could come off the 10-day injured list this week, according to Tim Britton of The Athletic. The plan right now is for Lindor to play in a simulated game at Citi Field on Monday to give him a feel of back-to-back games. The Mets will likely want him to rest on Tuesday before considering whether to activate him to the major-league roster on Wednesday. The 32-year-old is recovering from a strained left calf, but fantasy managers should get him back later this week, barring a setback in the next couple of days. Lindor, a five-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger, will give the struggling Mets a big boost offensively, although he was hitting just .226 (21-for-93) with two homers, five RBI, 14 runs, and two steals in 24 games at the time of his injury earlier this year. When healthy, Lindor is a must-start in all fantasy formats for his high-end power/speed upside. Bo Bichette will move from shortstop back to third base in Queens when Lindor is ready to return.
Source: The Athletic - Tim Britton
Source: The Athletic - Tim Britton
Mike Burrows To Start Against Blue Jays on Wednesday
Houston Astros right-hander Mike Burrows is scheduled to make the start in Wednesday's series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Burrows was moved to a relief role over the weekend and threw a scoreless inning out of the bullpen on Friday against the Cleveland Guardians. The 26-year-old will return to start this week against Toronto, but he might be heading right back to the bullpen after that, so fantasy managers in deeper leagues won't necessarily want to jump on board. In his 15 appearances (14 starts) for the Astros in 2026 in his first year with the team, Burrows has struggled to the tune of a 3-8 record, 5.79 ERA (5.64 FIP), and 1.58 WHIP with 66 strikeouts and 30 walks in 79 1/3 innings pitched. He has allowed a league-high 51 earned runs and will be a volatile streaming option for fantasy managers on Wednesday, even in a good matchup against the Blue Jays. Toronto ranks just 23rd in the league in OPS (.703), but they also have the second-fewest strikeouts in the league (562).
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Matthew Boyd Looks Great in Rehab Start on Saturday
Chicago Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd (knee, shoulder) looked strong in his minor-league rehab start on Saturday with High-A South Bend, throwing four shutout innings with only two hits allowed, no walks, and seven strikeouts. Boyd threw 40 of his 59 pitches for strikes as he returned to game action following soreness in his left shoulder. The 35-year-old veteran southpaw initially landed on the 15-day injured list on May 6 after having a meniscectomy on his left knee. If Boyd's bullpen session scheduled for Monday goes off without a hitch, he's expected to be reinstated from the IL to make his next start with Chicago, either later this week against the New York Mets or this weekend against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers. A matchup against the Mets would be much more enticing for fantasy managers looking for a streamer. Boyd was a first-time All-Star in 2025 with the Cubs, going 14-8 with a 3.21 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 154:42 K:BB in 31 regular-season starts. However, he had a 6.00 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 31:6 K:BB in five starts this year before injuring his knee. Boyd can be a useful fantasy streamer once he's back, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect a rebound to last year's heights. He's currently rostered in 55% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Edward Cabrera Scheduled to Start on Tuesday Against Mets
Chicago Cubs right-hander Edward Cabrera (hand) is listed as the team's starter for Tuesday's game at Citi Field against the New York Mets, according to MLB.com. Cabrera was pulled from his last start early on Tuesday against the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley Field with cramping in his right hand, but he evidently had a successful bullpen session over the weekend and was cleared to make his next start in Queens on Tuesday in Game 2 of the series against the Mets. The 28-year-old Dominican hurler has been hard to trust in fantasy in his first year in Chicago, as he's gone 4-4 with a 5.21 ERA (5.15 FIP) and 1.39 WHIP with 61 strikeouts and 25 walks in 67 1/3 innings across his 13 starts. In his three starts in June, Cabrera has unraveled, allowing 15 earned runs on 16 hits (six homers) while walking five and striking out 14 in 13 1/3 innings pitched. The good news is that he's facing the Mets, a team that ranks 29th in baseball in OPS (.669). In his first outing against New York in 2026 on April 17 at Wrigley Field, Cabrera picked up his second win of the year by giving up three earned runs on eight hits while walking two and striking out four in six innings.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Shane Bieber's Season Debut Pushed Back to Tuesday
The Toronto Blue Jays' series finale against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field was rained out on Sunday, which will push right-hander Shane Bieber's (elbow) 2026 season debut back from Monday to Tuesday against the Houston Astros, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Bieber will be in line for a two-start week in his first week back on the big-league roster, with his second start this week scheduled against the Texas Rangers. Even though the 31-year-old veteran hasn't pitched at all in the big leagues yet this year, he'll be a tempting two-start pitcher right away with two good matchups against Houston and Texas. Bieber went five innings in each of his final two minor-league rehab starts, but he also had a 6.88 ERA and 1.88 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and five walks in 17 innings over his five rehab starts as he worked his way back from right-elbow inflammation. There's will still be plenty of risk for fantasy managers considering starting Bieber this week, despite his strong matchups. The former American League Cy Young winner is currently rostered in 58% of Yahoo leagues, and although he shouldn't be considered a fantasy ace anymore, he should have plenty of value the rest of the way in the right matchups if he can stay healthy.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Rico Garcia Emerging as Priority Closer Handcuff to Stash?
Baltimore Orioles right-hander Rico Garcia has been one of the better relievers in baseball so far this season, recording a 1.72 ERA and 0.73 WHIP with 35 strikeouts and four saves across 31 1/3 innings (34 games). With Orioles closer Ryan Helsley on the injured list for the better part of two months due to elbow inflammation, Garcia emerged as one of Baltimore's preferred ninth-inning options. Helsley returned from the IL on Wednesday, which could eliminate Garcia's save opportunities. However, Helsley has struggled mightily in his first two outings since his return, allowing five runs (four earned) and three home runs across 1 2/3 innings. If Helsley continues to falter, Garcia could re-emerge as part of the ninth-inning mix in Baltimore. Particularly in deeper leagues, Garcia profiles as a worthy closer stash candidate on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Does Ezequiel Tovar Still Have Deep-League Waiver Wire Appeal?
Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar has mostly struggled at the plate in 2026, hitting .213/.259/.327 with five home runs, 24 RBI, 23 runs scored, and four stolen bases across 274 plate appearances. The 24-year-old has struck out in 28.5% of his triple to the plate and has also seen his barrel rate drop to a career-worst 7.8%. However, Tovar is an elite defender at shortstop who signed a seven-year contract extension with the Rockies in March 2024, both of which help keep him in the Colorado lineup on an everyday basis. While Tovar has struggled in recent seasons, he's just a couple of years removed from hitting .269 with 26 home runs across 695 plate appearances in 2024. There's also reason to believe he's been a bit unlucky at the plate this season, as his .282 BABIP is significantly below his career mark of .325. In deeper formats, Tovar could be worth targeting on the waiver wire in hopes of a second-half turnaround.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
