RADIO
Is Jared Jones a Must-Add off the Waiver-Wire Ahead of his Season Debut?
Jared Jones (elbow), a 24-year-old former second-round pick in 2024 for the Pittsburgh Pirates, will make his season debut Friday at home against the Minnesota Twins, which will be Jones' first start at the big-league level since he underwent UCL surgery last May. Through five rehab starts this season, Jones has dominated the MiLB with a 2.89 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 18 2/3 innings pitched. He also had an outstanding 32.9 percent strikeout rate and a 15.5 percent SwStr rate. Jones has demonstrated elite bat-missing upside in the past. During his first turn with the Pirates back in 2024, he started 22 games and posted a 4.14 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with 132 strikeouts over 121 2/3 innings. His arsenal is led by an elite four-seamer that averages 97.3 mph and a great slider that generated a 37.3 percent whiff rate in 2024. Jones, if available on your waiver wire, is a must-add starting pitcher in leagues of 12 teams or more, simply based on his swing and miss upside alone. He has the ability to be a strong contributor in all the important starting pitcher categories.
Source: Baseball Savant
Source: Baseball Savant
Paul Sewald Remains Top Option For Saves on the Waiver Wire
Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed closer Paul Sewald has converted on 14 of his 15 save opportunities this season and owns a 3.80 ERA and 0.75 WHIP with 24 strikeouts and 21 1/3 innings pitched. The 14 saves on the season are tied for third in MLB behind Cade Smith and Mason Miller, and the 15 opportunities are tied for fifth. While Sewald's velocity isn't elite (91.4 mph average fastball velocity), he has still demonstrated solid control and high strikeout upside. In fact, hitters are hitting .146 of his four-seamer, and he has a solid 21.4 percent whiff rate on his fastball, even though the velocity isn't there. During a season where the closer situation has been difficult to navigate because of injuries and some of the top arms underperforming, Sewald continues to be one of the top options for saves, and is a must-add if available on the waiver wire.
Source: Baseball Savant
Source: Baseball Savant
Hunter Greene Holds Elite Stash Value Ahead of Impending Return
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene (elbow) threw a bullpen on Tuesday, which was the first time throwing off the mound since he underwent elbow surgery in mid-March to remove bone chips from his right elbow. This was a positive first step in his eventual return to the mound, albeit still multiple weeks away, but an elite arm worth stashing on your IL spot if you have it available. Greene possesses elite upside, so if your roster configuration can afford to grab him now, he provides league-winner upside down the stretch, especially for teams comfortably at the top of their standings that can afford to roster a high-upside player and one less bench spot. Entering the 2026 season, Greene was a consensus top-20 starting pitcher and is coming off back-to-back seasons with a sub-3 ERA and north of 27.7 percent strikeout rate. Greene, who is 26 years old, should be entering his prime, but has been repeatedly slowed by injuries throughout his career. He is one of the most electric arms in the game when healthy. Once he returns, he will immediately be slotted at the top of the Reds' rotation to go along with young stars Chase Burns and Nick Lodolo.
Source: Baseball Savant
Source: Baseball Savant
Travis Bazzana a Must-Add Player off the Waiver Wire
Cleveland Guardians' No. 1 prospect and MLB's 13th-ranked overall prospect, Travis Bazzana, is breaking out in a big way since his call-up to the big league club back on April 28. Over the past month, Bazzana has slashed .302/.407/.458 with three home runs, 12 runs scored, 11 RBI, and seven stolen bases. Additionally, he has been batting leadoff against right-handed pitchers of late with the slumping Steven Kwan, which only should improve what he is already showcasing. He is displaying his upside by producing across all major fantasy categories. Bazzana, who is 23 years old and a former No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, doesn't appear to be going anywhere anytime soon. Bazzana, if available on your waiver wire, should be picked up, as he is approaching must-start territory.
Source: Baseball Savant
Source: Baseball Savant
Andrew McCutchen is Designated for Assignment by Rangers
Texas Rangers outfielder Andrew McCutchen has been designated for assignment by the organization. It seems his time in Arlington has come to an end after an ugly beginning to the season. This season, McCutchen is 14-for-73 at the plate with one home run and five RBI across 37 games. The 39-year-old will look to play elsewhere, but it's unclear if anyone would be interested in the struggling veteran. He'd be a great clubhouse presence and leader, but his struggles with the bat might not make it worth the investment for most organizations. McCutchen isn't a relevant fantasy contributor, no matter where he lands right now.
Source: Dallas Morning News
Source: Dallas Morning News
Tyler Samaniego to Operate as Opener on Friday
Boston Red Sox reliever Tyler Samaniego will serve as the opener during Friday's game against the Cleveland Guardians. Samaniego was recalled on Thursday, with Garrett Whitlock (knee) heading to the Injured List. Samaniego has been impressive with a 1.04 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, with 13 strikeouts across 18 appearances with the Red Sox this season. He won't be an ideal fantasy option with Brayan Bello expected to pitch the bulk of the innings. This recipe has worked well lately with Bello, so the Red Sox will continue using it. The right-hander could be a possible deep league option for Friday's game.
Source: Ari Alexander
Source: Ari Alexander
Nick Gonzales Exits Early with Knee Discomfort
Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Nick Gonzales (knee) was forced to make an early exit from Thursday's game against the Chicago Cubs. Gonzalez was seen limping out of the box during his at-bat in the second inning. He was removed shortly after that, with Tyler Callihan replacing him at third base. Gonzales was hitless in his lone at-bat of the game. He fouled a ball off his knee on Wednesday, so he could've aggravated that issue. For now, fantasy managers should consider Gonzales as day-to-day with left knee discomfort. Fantasy managers will need to check back ahead of Friday's game against the Minnesota Twins for another update on his status.
Source: Pittsburgh Pirates
Source: Pittsburgh Pirates
Konnor Griffin is Dealing with Forearm Soreness
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin (forearm) wasn't in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Chicago Cubs. Griffin sat out of Thursday's contest due to right forearm soreness. This sounds like a day-to-day type of issue, so it remains to be seen if Griffin will suit up for Friday's game versus the Minnesota Twins. Jared Triolo received the start at shortstop on Thursday. He could see a few starts over there until Griffin is ready to play again. Fantasy managers should check back for another update on his status ahead of Friday's game.
Source: Danny Demilio
Source: Danny Demilio
Esmerlyn Valdez Optioned to Triple-A
Pittsburgh Pirates infielder/outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday. He'll head back to the minor leagues after playing only five games in the big leagues. During that span, Valdez went 2-for-16 with two home runs, five RBI, and struck out nine times. The Pirates likely want to see his strikeout rate improve, and Valdez should work on that in an everyday role at Triple-A. In a corresponding move, infielder Tyler Callihan has been recalled to take the spot on the active roster. Valdez is likely to be back at some point, but isn't someone worth holding in redraft formats.
Source: Pittsburgh Pirates
Source: Pittsburgh Pirates
Carlos Estevez Resumes Playing Catch on Wednesday
Kansas City Royals veteran right-handed reliever Carlos Estevez (shoulder) suffered a right rotator-cuff strain while rehabbing a foot injury on May 6, but he resumed playing catch on Wednesday, May 27, according to MLB.com. Estevez got bombed for four runs in just one-third of an inning against the Atlanta Braves in his season debut on March 28 and has been on the 15-day injured list ever since. In addition to a foot injury he suffered in that outing, Estevez was working through a noticeable dip in velocity, which was an issue in spring training as well. It's positive news that the 33-year-old is throwing again, but he has a ways to go before he'll be an option late in games for the Royals again, and he might not return until early July. Despite the disappointing season so far, his track record (124 career saves) and Lucas Erceg's struggles in the ninth inning in his absence make him a stash candidate for saves-needy fantasy managers in deeper leagues. Estevez is rostered in half of Yahoo leagues currently.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Max Scherzer to Start a Rehab Assignment on Sunday
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer (forearm) will start a minor-league rehab assignment and pitch for Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday, according to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. His pitch count could be around 45 to 60 pitches, depending on how he feels, according to manager John Schneider. The skipper said that Scherzer will likely have another rehab outing next Friday, but "he's taking it one start at a time." The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer will be pitching in a game this weekend for the first time since going on the 15-day injured list in late April with right-forearm tendinitis and ankle inflammation. Scherzer also dealt with a recurring thumb issue while ramping up his throwing, but that apparently is no longer an issue. There has been a long laundry list of injuries that the three-time Cy Young winner has dealt with in recent seasons that have prevented him from being consistent. As they say, Father Time is undefeated. Like the bulldog he is, Scherzer is fighting to make it back to the Blue Jays this year, but he isn't a lock to be a full-time member of the starting rotation sometime in June. In his first five starts in 2026, Scherzer struggled, posting a 9.64 ERA and 1.61 WHIP while going 1-3 with just 10 K's in 18 2/3 innings pitched. He's rostered in just 4% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Sportsnet - Arden Zwelling
Source: Sportsnet - Arden Zwelling
Red Sox Put Garrett Whitlock on Injured List With Knee Inflammation
The Boston Red Sox placed right-handed reliever Garrett Whitlock (knee) on the 15-day injured list on Thursday (retroactive to May 25) with left-knee inflammation, according to Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald. In a corresponding move, the BoSox recalled left-hander Tyler Samaniego from Triple-A Worcester. Whitlock initially injured his left knee when he slipped on a wet mound in Sunday's game against the Minnesota Twins. He has been unavailable the last few days as a result, and now he'll miss another two weeks at the very least. The 29-year-old late-inning setup man doesn't have much fantasy value without a clear path to saves in Boston, which is why he's rostered in fewer than 20% of Yahoo leagues. Still, he's a valuable bullpen piece for the Red Sox and has gone 3-1 this year with a 3.20 ERA (2.76 FIP) and 1.12 WHIP with 25 strikeouts and only six walks in 19 2/3 relief innings pitched.
Source: Boston Herald - Gabrielle Starr
Source: Boston Herald - Gabrielle Starr
Guardians Place Steven Kwan on Bereavement List
The Cleveland Guardians placed outfielder Steven Kwan on the bereavement/family medical emergency list on Thursday, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. Kwan will miss the entire three-game weekend series against the Boston Red Sox and could also miss the start of next week's series in the Bronx against the New York Yankees. Fantasy managers setting daily lineups must act accordingly. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder is having the worst year of his career in 2026 in his fifth season in the big leagues, as he enters play on Thursday hitting just .207/.329/.259 with a .588 OSP, one home run, 12 RBI, 25 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 54 games and 234 plate appearances. The former fifth-round selection in 2018 out of Oregon State has never been a big power guy at 5-foot-8 and 170 pounds, but his speed numbers have also been down, and he currently has a career-low 8.8% hard-hit rate, which sits in the first percentile in the big leagues. Kwan has a career-low .231 BABIP as well, which means he should see some positive regression to the mean, but his current expected average sits at .229.
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Ezequiel Duran Back From Illness on Thursday
Texas Rangers infielder Ezequiel Duran (illness) is feeling better on Thursday and is back in the starting lineup for the series finale against the visiting Houston Astros, starting at shortstop and batting seventh against Astros right-hander Spencer Arrighetti, according to MLB.com. Duran was pulled from Wednesday's loss to the Astros due to an illness, but he's back in there the very next day. The 27-year-old Dominican utility man doesn't have much power or speed, but he can rack up counting stats for fantasy managers in a variety of roles in Texas like he has been of late. Duran has been serving as the team's primary shortstop with Corey Seager (back) on the injured list, and he'll enter play on Thursday evening with a .279/.333/.456 slash line with a .789 OPS, four home runs, 26 RBI, 22 runs scored, and four steals in 47 games across 163 plate appearances in his fifth year in Texas. He's most valuable in fantasy because he's eligible at first, second, third, shortstop, and the outfield in Yahoo leagues. Duran is hitless in just three career at-bats against Arrighetti.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Carmen Mlodzinski Being Moved to the Bullpen
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly said that right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski will move to the bullpen this weekend with right-hander Jared Jones (elbow) returning from the 60-day injured list on Friday to make his season debut against the Minnesota Twins, according to Pirates insider Jason Mackey. Mlodzinski hasn't been bad this year, but he'll provide the Pirates with a valuable multi-inning arm out of the bullpen now that Jones is back. The 27-year-old former first-rounder in 2020 out of the University of South Carolina has gone 4-3 in 2026 with a decent 3.76 ERA (3.30 FIP) and 1.42 WHIP with 46 strikeouts and 20 walks in 55 innings across his 11 appearances (nine starts) for the Bucs in his fourth year in the league. Mlodzinski will now lose whatever little fantasy appeal he had in NL-only leagues with the move to the Pirates' bullpen. He's rostered in only 12% of Yahoo leagues, and that number will now most likely dip below 10% with the news of his demotion to the 'pen.
Source: Jason Mackey
Source: Jason Mackey
