RADIO
Caleb Kilian Earns Fourth Save, Has he Fully Claimed Giants Closer Job?
San Francisco Giants right-hander Caleb Kilian earned the save on Thursday against the Milwaukee Brewers and has now converted on four of his five save opportunities on the season with a 1.19 WHIP and 3.58 ERA with 30 strikeouts and 14 walks through 27 2/3 innings pitched. While the Giants' closer role has been frustrating to figure out all season, Kilian appears to be taking control of that job, as his surface stats, stuff, and recent save opportunities appear to point in that direction. Additionally, Ryan Walker, who is leading the team with six save opportunities, was sent down to Triple-A on May 10, so he is not a threat to compete with Kilian for the time being. Kilian does not have any prior closing experience, so while he appears to be in the driver's seat for the job, his leash will be short; however, in formats where saves are scarce, Kilian is worth a waiver-wire add in deeper formats.
Source: Baseball Savant
Source: Baseball Savant
Spencer Jones Recalled to the Yankees, Hoping to Capitalize on the Opportunity
Jack Curry, analyst on the YES network, reported Friday morning that rookie outfielder Spencer Jones will be recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders to replace Aaron Judge (rib), who will be sidelined for four to six weeks with a stress fracture in his rib. While this is a massive concern for the Yankees, it's a huge opportunity for Jones, who got a taste of the Major Leagues earlier this season and never capitalized, hitting .167 (4-for-24) with a .426 OPS. The Yankees still do have a bit of a crowded outfield, but with Judge, Giancarlo Stanton (calf), and Jasson Dominguez (shoulder) all on the shelf, Jones should see close to every day playing time with Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham as the other outfielders. Given Jones' poor first showing with the Yankees, he isn't someone fantasy managers should be rushing to add on the waiver wire, but he does have elite power upside and is worth monitoring over the first few games. He is slashing .269/.378/.571 with 13 home runs in Triple-A this season.
Source: JackCurryYES
Source: JackCurryYES
Alex Lange Earns Another Save for Royals, Emerging as Priority Waiver-Wire Target
Kansas City Royals right-hander Alex Lange has picked up back-to-back saves over the Royals' last two games and is emerging as a waiver wire pickup for leagues where save opportunities are scarce. The Royals' bullpen has been a bit of a carousel with Carlos Estevez (shoulder) landing on the IL in April, and Lucas Erceg struggling of late and only converting 11 of 17 save opportunities with a 1.97 WHIP and 6.45 ERA on the season. Lange is no secret to closing, having converted on 26 saves in 2023 with the Tigers. On the season, Lange has a 4.18 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and 28 strikeouts in 28 innings pitched. While Lange may not be a long-term option or have elite stuff, he could be the new "flavor of the week" at the closer position and can help fantasy managers convert on some saves in the short-term.
Source: Baseball Savant
Source: Baseball Savant
Edward Cabrera Scheduled to Start on Friday Against Giants
Chicago Cubs right-hander Edward Cabrera (finger) is now scheduled to come off the 15-day injured list to start in Friday's series opener at Wrigley Field against the visiting San Francisco Giants, according to MLB.com. Cabrera was initially expected to come off the IL to start in Game 2 of the series on Saturday, but they will instead move him up a day and push right-hander Ben Brown back. The 28-year-old Dominican hurler didn't allow more than three runs in a start in his first year in Chicago until May 9, and he'll return from the IL with a 3-2 record, 4.00 ERA (4.45 FIP), and 1.35 WHIP with 47 strikeouts and 20 walks in 54 innings pitched across his first 10 starts in 2026. He wasn't exactly great in May, allowing 15 runs (12 earned) on 23 hits (five homers) while walking eight and striking out 18 in 18 2/3 innings over four starts. Cabrera's velocity is down this year, and he's sporting a career-low 20.7% strikeout rate, making him a shaky fantasy streamer with the Cubbies. He'll face a Giants squad in the middle of the pack in team OPS (.703) this year.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Shea Langeliers Hits Two Homers on Thursday, Heating Back Up?
Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers, who was serving as the designated hitter in Thursday night's contest at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs, went 2-for-4 at the plate with two home runs and three RBI in a 7-6 loss on the road. Langeliers boosted his season average to .289 and his OPS to .915 in the losing effort, with his second homer of the night being an inside-the-park variety when Chicago center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong lost the ball in the lights. The 28-year-old slugging catcher came into Thursday's tilt on the North side with a .118 average (6-for-51) with two homers, three doubles, three RBI, six runs scored, four walks, and eight strikeouts in his last 13 games, dating back to May 19. Fantasy managers are hoping that Langelier's two-homer showing on Thursday will get him going at the dish again. The two-homer game was Langelier's ninth multi-homer game of his career and already the third of the 2026 season. He remains one of the best sources of power at the catching position in fantasy baseball.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jackson Chourio has Huge Game in Loss to Giants on Thursday
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio doubled his home run total for the season in Thursday's 12-9 loss to the visiting San Francisco Giants at American Family Field, going 3-for-4 at the plate with two home runs, four RBI, four runs scored, a walk, and a strikeout to raise his season average to .308 and his OPS to .878. It was the 22-year-old's first multi-homer game of the 2026 season and the third of his career. The Venezuelan outfielder got a late start to the year due to a broken hand, and he hasn't shown much power on the year until Thursday night, but otherwise, he has been productive for the Brew Crew in his third year in the big leagues. Chourio came into Thursday's tilt with a .291/.354/.437 slash line, .791 OPS, only two home runs, 12 RBI, five stolen bases, and 15 runs scored across 25 games and 113 plate appearances. His big game on Thursday extended his current hitting streak to six games, and he now has three multi-hit games during that span. It's safe to say that Chourio is heating up now that the calendar has flipped to June.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ildemaro Vargas Leaves Early After Collision at First Base
Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Ildemaro Vargas (undisclosed), who was starting at first base on Thursday in the series finale against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers, left the game early after colliding with Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy in the fifth inning during a play at first base, according to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. Both players were removed from the game and looked to be in plenty of discomfort on the ground before trainers came out to check on them. Vargas was helped to the dugout and appeared to be holding his leg, although it's unclear exactly what his injury is. He went 0-for-2 at the plate before being replaced at first base by Pavin Smith. The 34-year-old Venezuelan veteran was one of the hottest hitters in baseball early in the 2026 season, but he has come back down to Earth lately, going 5-for-48 (.104) with a double, six RBI, two runs scored, three walks, and five strikeouts in 14 games going into Thursday's series finale at Chase Field. At the very least, Vargas will probably sit out of Friday's series opener against the Washington Nationals, but fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day until we know more. UPDATE: Manager Torey Lovullo said that Vargas is day-to-day with a bruised left thigh and rib cage, according to Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic.
Source: Arizona Sports - Alex Weiner
Source: Arizona Sports - Alex Weiner
Max Muncy Being Checked for Concussion After Collision on Thursday
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy (head) left Thursday's series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks early with shortness of breath and to rule out a concussion, the team announced. Muncy collided at first base in the fifth inning with D-backs infielder Ildemaro Vargas, and both players were pulled from the contest. It sounds as though Muncy may have avoided a serious injury, but he will probably be held out of the Freeway Series opener on Friday night back in L.A. against the visiting Los Angeles Angels. Fantasy managers should consider Muncy day-to-day until we hear more on Friday. Before being pulled, Muncy went 1-for-2 at the plate for the Dodgers. The 35-year-old veteran and two-time All-Star came into Thursday's tilt slashing .251/.346/.513 with an .859 OPS, 14 home runs, 22 RBI, and 40 runs scored across his 187 at-bats. Muncy won't ever be a great source of average in fantasy, but he gets on base plenty and will continue to have RBI opportunities in the heart of the Dodgers' stacked lineup as long as he can stay healthy. UPDATE: Muncy passed concussion testing and has been diagnosed with a sore nose, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports. He will sit out of Friday's game versus the Angels.
Source: Los Angeles Dodgers
Source: Los Angeles Dodgers
Aaron Judge Diagnosed with Stress Fracture, Out 4-6 Weeks
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (rib) has been diagnosed with a stress fracture of his first rib on his right side. The Yankees have announced that Judge is going to be sidelined 4-6 weeks because of this issue. The superstar slugger needs a rest period before the team can do more imaging. Judge will head to the Injured List, which is obviously going to be a huge blow to this lineup. He's going to need time to ramp back up as well, so fantasy managers should expect to be without Judge for an extended period of time. The MVP slugger is irreplaceable, but the assumption is that Max Schuemann, Jose Caballero, and possibly Spencer Jones will get a look in right field while Judge is sidelined. As mentioned, Judge needs a recovery window before more tests can be done, so fantasy managers will need to stay tuned for more updates on his status in the coming weeks.
Source: Gary Phillips
Source: Gary Phillips
Juan Mejia a Potential Option for Saves
Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Juan Mejia has hit a rough patch lately. Mejia was pitching well in a high-leverage role for the Rockies, but might've pushed himself down on the depth chart lately. Over the last five outings, Mejia has allowed eight earned runs and has only thrown one clean inning. The right-hander currently holds a 5.79 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, and a 31:16 K:BB ratio with three saves in 25 appearances. It has been a struggle for Mejia lately, but a few quality outings could quickly put him back on the closer radar. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on Mejia as a possible saves candidate in the near future.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Nico Hoerner Continues Sluggish Play
Chicago Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner has not looked like himself at the plate lately. Hoerner is normally one of the most consistent hitters at his position, but has struggled over the last few weeks. Coming into Thursday's game, Hoerner is slashing .212/.293/.250 with zero home runs and three RBI over the last 14 days. It's worth noting that Hoerner has recorded a hit in four straight games coming into Thursday's contest against the Athletics. This is hopefully a sign that Hoerner is beginning to snap out of his cold streak at the plate. Fantasy managers should continue to stick with Hoerner through his struggles, as he could be turning the corner very soon.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Nolan Schanuel is Beginning Rehab Assignment on Friday
Los Angeles Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel (ankle) is scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Friday. Schanuel is currently working his way back from a left ankle injury that he suffered in late May. If everything goes well, Schanuel should be able to return to the Angels lineup by the weekend. This season, Schanuel is slashing .262/.313/.387 with four home runs, 24 RBI, and 13 walks across 208 plate appearances. He's someone worth considering stashing in deep leagues with his return on the horizon.
Source: Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
Source: Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
Brayan Bello Gets Optioned to Triple-A
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Brayan Bello is being optioned to Triple-A Worcester, according to Mac Cerullo. Bello has been putting together a miserable season, and it continued on Thursday. The right-hander allowed eight earned runs on seven hits while walking three batters across five innings of work in the loss to the Baltimore Orioles. After that outing, Bello holds a 6.34 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, and a 44:24 K:BB ratio across 12 appearances this season. The organization is hopeful that he can work out these issues in the minor leagues. The team hasn't announced who is coming up in his place, but Jake Bennett is believed to be the favorite to take over the roster spot.
Source: Mac Cerullo
Source: Mac Cerullo
Red Sox Likely to Promote No. 6 Prospect Jake Bennett to Major Leagues?
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Jake Bennett could be back on the big league roster soon. According to Ian Browne, Bennett could return to the starting rotation as early as Tuesday. The Red Sox need another starting pitcher after optioning Brayan Bello on Tuesday. The 25-year-old is the No. 6 prospect in the Red Sox farm system. He has already made two starts for the team this season. Bennett has pitched extremely well in the minor leagues and has earned another chance at the big league roster. He'd be worth a look in deep leagues if he does receive the call back to The Show next week.
Source: Ian Browne
Source: Ian Browne
Shohei Ohtani has "Small" Blister, a "Non-Issue" for his Pitching Starts
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged that two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (finger) is dealing with a "small" blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand, according to Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register. Ohtani was seen picking at his blister during his start on Wednesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, but it's a "non-issue" for his pitching starts going forward, per Roberts. The 31-year-old four-time MVP wasn't really bothered by the blister during his outing in Arizona, as he gave up just two hits in six shutout innings with six strikeouts to earn his sixth win of the year. The Dodgers are giving the Japanese superstar a day of rest on Thursday as a hitter in the series finale in the desert, but it has nothing to do with his blister, and he should be back in action as the designated hitter for L.A. for the start of the Freeway Series on Friday against his former team, the Los Angeles Angels. Ohtani is now hitting over .300 after a slow start at the plate, and the four-time All-Star is firmly in the National League Cy Young race with a 6-2 record, 0.74 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, and 67:18 K:BB in 61 innings over his 10 starts in 2026.
Source: The Orange County Register - Bill Plunkett
Source: The Orange County Register - Bill Plunkett
