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Is Angel Martinez an Undervalued Waiver-Wire Target?
As the early portion of the 2026 MLB season gives way to the summer months, Cleveland Guardians outfielder Angel Martinez looks like he could be on the verge of a breakout campaign. Across his first 186 plate appearances of the year, the 24-year-old is hitting .246/.286/.468 with nine home runs, 27 RBI, 24 runs scored, and eight stolen bases. Martinez has added significant power while also reducing his swing-and-miss, raising his barrel rate from 3.5% to 8.5% and cutting his strikeout rate from 22.7% to 18.8%. He's also been significantly more aggressive as a runner, as his current stolen base total (eight) already matches what he posted across 139 games in 2025. While Martinez may not provide elite production in any one fantasy category, he profiles as a balanced contributor who should provide quality counting stats due to his everyday role in the Cleveland outfield. He should hold broad waiver wire appeal for fantasy managers across most formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Josh Hader a Must-Stash Closer Ahead of Impending Injury Return
Houston Astros closer Josh Hader (biceps) has yet to pitch in the big leagues in 2026 as he recovers from left biceps tendinitis. However, the 32-year-old has already made seven minor league rehab appearances and is reportedly targeting a return to the Houston bullpen in the first week of June. Hader was one of the game's elite relievers in 2025, pitching to a 2.05 ERA and 0.85 WHIP with 76 strikeouts and 28 saves across 52 2/3 innings (48 games). He's looked like his vintage self in his rehab outings as well, racking up 11 strikeouts while allowing just six baserunners across seven innings of work. Hader profiles as a high-end fantasy closer once healthy and should be stashed off the waiver wire in all league formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Max Scherzer to Throw Live Batting Practice on Wednesday
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer (forearm) will throw a live batting practice session in Toronto on Wednesday, manager John Schneider told Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet. In addition to right-forearm tendinitis, Scherzer is battling left-ankle inflammation and a thumb issue. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer is breaking down near the end of his career, but as per usual, he's not going down without a fight. The three-time Cy Young winner and eight-time All-Star is building himself back up to try to return to Toronto's starting rotation, although it's been a long process. Scherzer has been on the 15-day injured list since late April and will most likely need a lengthy minor-league rehab assignment, so in a best-case scenario, he might not rejoin the Jays' starting rotation until mid-June or later. He struggled in his first five starts before landing on the shelf, going 1-3 with a 9.64 ERA (8.32 FIP) and 1.61 WHIP with 10 strikeouts and eight walks in 18 2/3 frames. Scherzer is only rostered in 4% of Yahoo leagues and should be ignored in mixed formats all year.
Source: Sportsnet - Ben Nicholson-Smith
Source: Sportsnet - Ben Nicholson-Smith
Zack Gelof Offers Power/Speed Upside as a Waiver-Wire Target
Across 129 plate appearances so far in 2026, Athletics infielder/outfielder Zack Gelof is hitting .229/.283/.424 with six home runs, 17 RBI, 21 runs scored, and six stolen bases. The 26-year-old opened the season with Triple-A Las Vegas, but he's worked his way into an everyday role as the A's third baseman since being recalled in mid-April. While Gelof's 25.6% strikeout rate in 2026 is a significant improvement from the 34.4% rate he posted across 547 plate appearances in 2024, he still profiles as a negative contributor in the batting average category for fantasy managers. However, Gelof owns a 9.8% career barrel rate at the big-league level and has swiped 46 bases across 275 total MLB games. As long as he limits his whiffs enough to stay in the everyday lineup, Gelof carries 20-homer, 20-steal upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Carson Benge Emerging as a High-Upside Waiver-Wire Target
New York Mets rookie outfielder Carson Benge got off to a rough start to his MLB career in the early portion of 2026, hitting .189 with a .525 OPS across 97 plate appearances through the end of April. However, the 23-year-old has turned the corner in May, hitting .307/.378/.398 with one home run, 12 RBI, 16 runs scored, and three stolen bases across 98 plate appearances so far this month. Benge's 8.0% barrel rate for the season likely limits his power upside. Still, he should provide fantasy managers with 15-plus homer power over the course of a full season while bringing surplus value in the speed and batting average categories. Benge has also batted in the leadoff spot in the Mets' lineup in each of his last 14 games played, helping him rack up counting stats. In leagues where he's not already rostered, Benge profiles as a steady cross-category contributor with upside to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Hunter Greene a Prime Injury Stash Candidate Heading into June
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene (elbow) has not yet pitched in 2026 after undergoing elbow surgery in mid-March. However, the 26-year-old is slated to throw a bullpen on Tuesday and could be nearing the start of a minor league rehab assignment. Greene was one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2025, recording a 7-4 record with a 2.76 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 132 strikeouts across 107 2/3 innings (19 starts). He averages 99.4 miles per hour on his fastball and recorded an elite 25.2% K-BB rate. Greene is currently on the 60-day injured list and will likely require at least a few starts in the minors before he makes his return to the big-league mound. Still, fantasy managers should be looking to stash Greene off the waiver wire due to his league-winning upside once he returns to full health.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Addison Barger a "Couple Days Away" From Throwing
Toronto Blue Jays third baseman/outfielder Addison Barger (elbow) is "probably still a couple days away from starting throwing," manager John Schneider told Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet. "It's been a little slower with him." It's been an injury-plagued 2026 campaign for Barger so far this year, as this is the second time he's been on the 10-day injured list. The 26-year-old left-handed hitter has only played in nine games to this point and has gone 1-for-22 with a double, two RBI, five walks, and seven strikeouts. Barger has been out for two-plus weeks with right-elbow inflammation and will most likely require a short minor-league rehab assignment before rejoining the big-league squad in June. In his first full season in Toronto in 2025, Barger slashed .243/.301/.454 with a .756 OPS, 21 home runs, 74 RBI, 61 runs, and four steals in 135 regular-season games. He was a postseason hero as well and helped guide the team to the World Series. Barger is currently rostered in just 23% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Sportsnet - Ben Nicholson-Smith
Source: Sportsnet - Ben Nicholson-Smith
Shane Bieber Throws Two Innings in First Rehab Start
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Shane Bieber (elbow) worked two scoreless innings while giving up two hits and striking out three in his first minor-league rehab start on Monday in the Florida Complex League, according to Sportsnet. It was Bieber's first game action since last year's World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The veteran right-hander will continue to build up his workload from here, but it's unclear when his next rehab outing will be. The 30-year-old has not pitched for Toronto at all in 2026 yet after entering spring training back in February with right-elbow fatigue. Bieber got a late start to last year as well while recovering from Tommy John surgery, which is why the team has slow-played his recovery. In seven regular-season starts in 2025, Bieber struck out 37 and had a 3.57 ERA in 40 1/3 innings. His return will be a big boost for a Jays rotation that is missing both Jose Berrios and Cody Ponce for the entire season, with Max Scherzer also sidelined. The former American League Cy Young isn't going to be as dominant as he was earlier in his career with Cleveland, but his strong showing last year after coming back from TJ surgery makes him an obvious stash candidate. He's currently rostered in 45% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Aaron Civale Likely to Land on Injured List With Shoulder/Lat Issue
Athletics right-hander Aaron Civale (shoulder, lat) had another tough outing in Monday's 9-2 loss to the division-rival Seattle Mariners and is expected to be placed on the injured list, manager Mark Kotsay told Theo DeRosa of MLB.com. Civale allowed seven earned runs on nine hits (three homers) while walking one and striking out only two in four innings on Monday to take his second loss of the 2026 season. Kotsay and Civale were unable to pinpoint the issue, but his injury appears to be related to his right shoulder or lat. In his place, the A's plan to call up left-handed pitching prospect Gage Jump. Civale first noticed something with his shoulder/lat during his previous outing against the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday, when he allowed five runs in five innings, and his fastball velocity was down more than 1 mph. His fastball was 3 mph below his season average on Monday, sparking more concern. The good news is Civale said he hasn't felt much pain, but "just something's off." It's hard to say how quickly Civale will be able to bounce back and come off the IL. He's currently rostered in just 21% of Yahoo leagues and has a 4.20 ERA and 1.47 WHIP with only 39 strikeouts in 55 2/3 innings over his 11 starts.
Source: MLB.com - Theo DeRosa
Source: MLB.com - Theo DeRosa
Ryan O'Hearn Does Agility Drills on Monday
Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman/outfielder Ryan O'Hearn (quadriceps) left the game against the Philadelphia Phillies on May 16 after the third inning because of right-quad discomfort and was placed on the 10-day injured list the next day with a right-quad muscle strain. O'Hearn worked in the outfield on Monday with agility/cone drills, according to MLB.com. Barring a setback once he starts ramping up more, O'Hearn is expected to come off the IL at some point in mid-June. Monday was the first activity that the 32-year-old veteran has done since injuring his quad. In his first year in the Steel City, O'Hearn has hit .289/.368/.459 with an .827 OPS, seven home runs, 29 RBI, 27 runs scored, and a stolen base across 44 games and 182 plate appearances. Although he has just one home run against left-handers, he's gone a very respectable 13-for-47 (.277) against them with a .300 on-base percentage. O'Hearn is currently rostered in 59% of Yahoo leagues. In his absence, the Bucs have been mixing and matching in right field with Esmerlyn Valdez, Jhostynxon Garcia, and Jake Mangum.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Too Early to Put a Timetable on Drake Baldwin's Return
Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin (oblique) is only dealing with a Grade 1 strain of his right oblique muscle, which creates hope that he might be on the 10-day injured list for just one month, but manager Walt Weiss said it's too early to put a timetable on his return, per MLB.com. Baldwin was put on the IL on May 19, and barring a setback, he could be back with the big-league club around the middle of June. The 25-year-old National League Rookie of the Year in 2025 has yet to resume baseball activities, and until then, we won't have a clearer picture of when he might be back with the Braves. In the meantime, he should be stashed in all fantasy baseball leagues as one of the best-hitting catchers in the game in just his second season. Baldwin was hitting .303/.389/.543 with a .931 OPS, 13 homers, 38 RBI, 39 runs, and a steal in 188 at-bats before his oblique injury. Sandy Leon and Chadwick Tromp will continue to split the catching duties in Atlanta until Baldwin can return at some point next month.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Rico Garcia Can Be a Solid Bullpen Addition from the Waiver Wire
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Rico Garcia continues to share closing duties with Anthony Nunez while Ryan Helsley (elbow) is on the IL, but he could be lined up for more opportunities in the short term since Nunez has struggled. On Monday, Nunez came on in the eighth against the Rays, and he was charged with a blown save after giving up two hits and a run. Garcia came on and spun two shutout innings with one strikeout and one hit allowed in the 9th and 10th innings before the O's eventually walked off the winners in the 13th. Garcia has thrived in high-leverage spots all season, compiling a 0.77 ERA and 0.64 WHIP in his 23 1/3 innings. He could get a few more save chances while Helsley ramps back up, so he makes sense as a short-term add in deep leagues, even though he doesn't have the full-time closer role in Baltimore.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Emilio Pagan Worth Stashing for Bullpen Depth?
Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Emilio Pagan (hamstring) tweaked his hamstring while throwing a pitch against the Cubs on May 5. He landed on the injured list with an estimated timetable of 4-to-8 weeks, and since that was almost four weeks ago, it makes sense that he's almost ready to start working his way back. On Saturday, manager Terry Francona said that Pagan was meeting with a doctor and could begin playing catch soon. Before the injury, Pagan was 2-1 with six saves in 15 appearances. He had a 6.43 ERA and 5.79 FIP, but he was still clearly the team's preferred closer after he posted 32 saves last year. Without him, the Reds have gone with a committee that has struggled with multiple blown saves in his absence. Pagan should get a shot to reclaim the job as soon as he's ready to return, so if you need to get ahead of his rehab in your NL-only or deep league, now is the time to stash him. In standard-sized formats, he is an interesting option to put in an available IL spot if you know you'll need saves later in the season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tanner Bibee Allows Five Home Runs in Loss, Time to Drop in All Leagues?
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee had a rough outing on Monday night at home against the Nationals, giving up seven runs on eight hits, including five home runs. Bibee gave up a leadoff homer to James Wood to start things off on the wrong foot and never got any kind of momentum going. The loss dropped Bibee to 0-7 on the year with a 4.57 ERA and 4.85 FIP. He has allowed 12 homers in his 12 starts and has allowed 11 runs in his last three games. Despite Monday's home run derby, he has had a few strong outings recently. He went eight innings and gave up just one run in Detroit in his previous start, and he had three quality starts in a row before Monday's disaster. There are enough reasons for optimism to still hold onto him in deep leagues, but until he turns things around, he's not worth a roster spot in shallower formats.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Blake Treinen Worth Monitoring in Deeper Leagues?
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Blake Treinen got his first save of the season on Monday night against the Rockies. He only needed four pitches to get the job done in his team's 5-3, come-from-behind win. Lefty Alex Vesia started the ninth and got two outs, but allowed a single to Willi Castro. When the Rockies went to pinch-hitter Braxton Fulford as the potential tying run, manager Dave Roberts countered by bringing in the righty Trieinen. Treinen struck out Fulford to end the game, posting his ninth scoreless outing in his last 11 appearances. The 37-year-old veteran is 1-1 with a 3.24 ERA and 3.97 FIP in his 21 games this season and has mostly been used in middle relief. With Tanner Scott pitching back-to-back days before Monday's win and the comeback way the game came together, Trienen's save seems like an outlier, but in deep leagues, he is worth watching to see if he gets more work at the end of the game as the Dodgers continue to cover until Edwin Diaz (elbow) returns.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
