RADIO
Zack Wheeler Reaches Double-Digit Strikeouts for Second Straight Outing
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler wasn't too happy about being an All-Star Game snub, and he took it out on the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night in the Phillies' 4-1 victory at Great American Ballpark. Wheeler was dominant, allowing an earned run on four hits (one homer) while walking none and striking out a season-high 14 hitters in seven innings for his ninth win of 2026. It was Wheeler's second straight start with double-digit punchouts after he fanned 10 in just 4 2/3 innings on July 1 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The only run the Reds mustered was on a solo homer by Eugenio Suarez. Wheeler will try to keep the good times rolling this year and close out the first half of the season strong in a good matchup this Sunday against the Detroit Tigers. Wheeler came into 2026 fantasy drafts with some volatility following surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome, but he hasn't missed a beat in his 12th MLB season and is now sporting a 2.28 ERA. Keep him in all starting lineups for his upcoming matchup against the Tigers.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Kyle Finnegan Worth Stashing as a Long-Term Saves Source?
Across 41 1/3 innings (39 games) so far in 2026, Detroit Tigers right-hander Kyle Finnegan has recorded a 2.18 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 31 strikeouts, and one save. The veteran reliever has mostly been deployed in a setup role by Detroit, limiting his utility to fantasy managers. Finnegan's underlying metrics are also worrying, as he's logged just an 18.1% strikeout rate while walking 14.6% of the batters he's faced. Still, Tigers closer Kenley Jansen has been shaky this season, as he's pitched to a 4.98 ERA and has blown four saves in 14 opportunities. With 113 saves in 385 career MLB appearances, Finnegan has plenty of closer experience and could be the Tigers' preferred option if the team eventually decides to move away from Jansen. In deeper league formats, Finnegan could be worth stashing off the waiver wire for his long-term saves upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sean Manaea a Deep-League Streamer Following Return to Starting Role
New York Mets left-hander Sean Manaea opened the 2026 season in a bulk relief role, but he was moved back into the team's rotation in mid-June. Manaea was bludgeoned for six earned runs across five innings in his most recent outing by the Atlanta Braves. However, the 34-year-old has pitched reasonably well as a starter before that appearance, recording a 4.05 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 19 strikeouts across 20 innings (four starts). At this point in his career, Manaea's upside for fantasy managers is limited, and he should be avoided in difficult matchups. Still, the veteran is just two seasons removed from his highly productive 2024 campaign, when he recorded a 3.47 ERA with 12 wins across 32 starts. In deeper league formats, fantasy managers can target Manaea as a matchup-based streamer.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Noah Schultz Struggles Again on Tuesday, Still Worth Targeting on the Waiver Wire?
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Noah Schultz has struggled in his first taste of big-league action so far in 2026, recording a 2-5 record with a 6.00 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and 43 strikeouts across 48 innings (10 starts). After first earning an MLB promotion in mid-April, the 22-year-old was sent back to Triple-A in late May. However, Schultz was recalled by the White Sox in early July and has now allowed seven earned runs while recording 10 strikeouts across 9 1/3 innings (two starts) since his return. The young left-hander has a major issue with command, as he's walked 13.8% of the batters he's faced in the big leagues. Still, Schultz is widely considered to be a high-end pitching prospect, and he showed off elite strikeout potential at Triple-A this season with a 38.6% strikeout rate. Schultz's fantasy profile is risky, but he could be worth stashing through his current struggles for his upside as a second-half breakout candidate.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Francisco Alvarez Emerging as a High-Upside Power Bat to Target on the Waiver Wire
New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez got off to a slow start to the 2026 season, hitting .241 with four home runs across his first 128 plate appearances before suffering a knee injury in early May. However, since returning from the injury in mid-June, the 24-year-old has started to turn things around. Across 216 plate appearances for the season overall, Alvarez is hitting .251/.313/.426 with nine home runs, 20 RBI, and 19 runs scored. His underlying contact metrics also indicate significant power upside, as he's logged a 16.2% barrel rate. Health has been an issue for Alvarez throughout his career, so there's always a chance he could suffer another injury. Still, he profiles as a worthy power target for fantasy managers on the waiver wire as long as he's active.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Andrew Kittredge a Potential Saves Source to Target on the Waiver Wire?
Across 22 innings (26 games) so far in 2026, Baltimore Orioles right-hander Andrew Kittredge has recorded a 4.91 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with 22 strikeouts and one save. While the 26-year-old's overall numbers aren't particularly impressive, he's been much better of late. Dating back to June 11, Kittredge has allowed just one earned run across 8 1/3 innings (10 appearances). The Orioles recently placed closer Ryan Helsley (elbow) on the 15-day injured list, opening the door for potential save opportunities elsewhere. While Baltimore has turned to right-hander Tyler Wells in recent games, Kittredge has 22 career saves and might be the most experienced option remaining in the Orioles bullpen. If he continues to pitch well and Wells were to falter, Kittredge could work his way into the ninth-inning role. In deeper league formats, Kittredge could be worth targeting on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ryan Jeffers a Priority Waiver-Wire Target Ahead of Impending Injury Return
Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers (hand) has been on the 10-day injured list since mid-May due to a fractured hamate bone in his left hand. However, Jeffers began a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Friday and could be on the verge of a return to the big leagues. The 29-year-old got off to a strong start to the 2026 season before the injury, hitting .295/.408/.541 with seven home runs, 26 RBI, 26 runs scored, and one stolen base across 147 plate appearances. Albeit in a small sample size, Jeffers had posted the lowest strikeout rate (15.6%) of his career while also posting his highest barrel rate (16.0%). If Jeffers picks up where he left off upon his return to the Twins, he profiles as a top-12 caliber catcher for fantasy managers with significant power upside. In leagues where he's not already rostered, Jeffers should be a priority waiver wire target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
J.T. Ginn Pulled Early on Tuesday With Illness
Athletics right-hander J.T. Ginn (illness) was pulled early from his start on Tuesday against the hosting Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park due to an illness, manager Mark Kotsay told Jason Burke of Inside the A's. Kotsay said Ginn's energy level was dropping after the game. "He gave us everything he had," Kotsay said. The 27-year-old made it through four innings and allowed two earned runs on two hits (one homer) while walking two and striking out four to lose his fifth game of the year. Ginn should now be considered up in the air to make his final start of the first half this Sunday against the Chicago White Sox on the road. Even if Ginn is feeling better by the weekend and is cleared to take the mound for Sunday's series finale on the South Side, fantasy managers should consider him a dangerous streamer against a White Sox team that has had an impressive turnaround in 2025. Ginn, a second-rounder by the New York Mets in 2020 out of Mississippi State University, came into his outing on Tuesday with a 7-4 record this year with a 3.04 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 82 strikeouts in 94 2/3 frames over his 19 outings (16 starts) in his third season with the A's.
Source: Inside the A's - Jason Burke
Source: Inside the A's - Jason Burke
Ryan O'Hearn Goes Off for Three Homers, 10 RBI in Rout of Braves
Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman/outfielder Ryan O'Hearn made Pirates history on Tuesday night in the team's 12-4 blowout win at PNC Park over the visiting Atlanta Braves. O'Hearn was locked in at the plate, going 4-for-5 with three home runs and a franchise-record 10 RBI to raise his season average to .293 and his OPS to .851. The left-handed-hitting slugger lifted a grand slam and two three-run homers to become the 17th player in the modern era with at least 10 RBI in a single game. O'Hearn was already in consideration as a waiver-wire target during his breakout campaign in 2026, and now he really is after his monstrous performance on Tuesday. He's now slashing .293/.351/.500 with 16 long balls, 61 RBI, 47 runs scored, and a stolen base in 319 plate appearances in his first season in the Steel City. O'Hearn has hit safely in eight of his last nine starts and is sizzling hot as we approach next week's All-Star break. He's rostered in only 65% of Yahoo leagues, but that number is about to rise after he went nuclear against Atlanta.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jacob Misiorowski Wins 10th Game, Continues Dominance With 11 K's
In the Milwaukee Brewers' first game of a doubleheader on Tuesday against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals, right-hander Jacob Misiorowski continued his dominance by allowing three earned runs on three hits (two homers) while walking none and striking out 11 batters in seven innings for his 10th win of the 2026 season. The 24-year-old flamethrower wasn't at his best by any means on Tuesday, allowing homers to Jordan Walker and Ivan Herrera, but he reached double-digit strikeouts for the eighth time out of his 18 starts on the year. The Miz is now up to 167 strikeouts on the season, which is 30 more than the next closest pitcher (Dylan Cease). He also became the seventh starter with 10 wins in 2026. Misiorowski, a second-round pick in 2022 by Milwaukee, has been by far the most dominant starting pitcher in the big leagues this year in his first full season in the majors. He's an absolute must-start in all fantasy leagues whenever he toes the rubber because of his elite strikeout stuff.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Nick Pivetta Throws Bullpen on Tuesday
San Diego Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta (forearm) threw a bullpen and did some fielding practice on Tuesday at Petco Park, according to Annie Heilbrunn of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Pivetta is slowly making progress after landing on the injured list in mid-April with a flexor strain in his right forearm. He was eventually moved to the 60-day IL, and barring a setback as he continues to ramp up his arm, a best-case scenario is probably for Pivetta to return to San Diego's starting rotation at some point in August. The 33-year-old Canadian was the Friars' best starting pitcher in 2025 in his first year with the club, going 13-5 with a 2.87 ERA (3.49 FIP) and 0.98 WHIP with a career-high 190 strikeouts and 50 walks in 181 2/3 innings across 31 starts. He went 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA (1.24 FIP) and 1.12 WHIP with a 24:6 K:BB in 16 innings over four starts in 2026 before injuring his forearm. The expectation is that Pivetta will return in the second half, which has made him stash-worthy in the majority of fantasy leagues. Pivetta is currently rostered in 72% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Annie Heilbrunn
Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Annie Heilbrunn
Kaelen Culpepper Goes Back on Injured List With Glute Injury
Minnesota Twins shortstop prospect Kaelen Culpepper (glute) is going back on the seven-day injured list at Triple-A St. Paul with the same glute injury that he missed time with last month, according to Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic. In addition to aggravating his glute injury, Culpepper hasn't played for the Saints in the last week after he was hit by a pitch on his hand last week. It's unclear how long the 23-year-old will be out of action on the farm with his latest glute injury, but it definitely pushes back his potential timetable for an MLB debut this year. We've been hyping Culpepper as one of the best infield prospects to stash in fantasy leagues this year, as the former 21st overall pick in 2024 out of Kansas State University has hit .272/.376/.492 with an .868 OPS, 14 home runs, 43 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and 54 runs scored in 63 games (295 plate appearances) at Triple-A in 2026. The Twins' No. 2 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, is only rostered in 4% of Yahoo leagues, but the 5-foot-10, 185-pounder's power/speed upside at a premier position still makes him stash-worthy in dynasty/keeper leagues despite his injury setbacks.
Source: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
Source: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
Tyler Soderstrom Progressing With Baseball Activities, Could Return "Very Soon"
Athletics first baseman/outfielder Tyler Soderstrom (hip) is progressing with his baseball activities and is doing outfield drills, hitting, and running, according to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. Manager Mark Kotsay said there's hope that the team could get him back "very soon" from the 10-day injured list. It's unclear how soon Soderstrom will be activated, but Gallegos suggests it could come as soon as this week's series in Detroit against the Tigers. The 24-year-old is eligible to be activated from the IL at any time with his left-hip impingement. The struggling A's would love to get Soderstrom back before next week's All-Star break. When he returns, he'll be coming back to a .242/.343/.460 slash line with an .803 OPS, 13 home runs, 41 RBI, 41 runs scored, and a stolen base in 80 games across 335 plate appearances in his fourth year in the big leagues. Soderstrom is rostered in 91% of Yahoo leagues for his emerging power stroke from the left side, so he shouldn't be available in many fantasy formats. In 24 games in June, Soderstrom went 23-for-81 (.284) with six homers, three doubles, 15 RBI, and 15 runs scored in 98 plate appearances.
Source: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
Source: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
Wyatt Langford Hoping to Return Before the All-Star Break
Texas Rangers outfielder Wyatt Langford (hamstring) ran at high intensity on Tuesday and is hoping to come off the 10-day injured list before the All-Star break next week, according to Jeff Wilson of DLLS Sports. Just a few weeks ago, the Rangers said that Langford wouldn't return before the break, so he has exceeded expectations during his rehab. He's recovering from a strained left hamstring and would have to skip a minor-league rehab assignment if he's going to return this week/weekend. The 24-year-old former fourth overall pick out of the University of Florida in the 2023 MLB draft continues to be plagued by injuries early in his career, but his high-end power/speed potential keeps him stash-worthy while he rehabs yet another injury. In 40 games and 173 plate appearances so far in 2026 in his third big-league season, Langford has hit .278/.324/.500 with an .824 OPS, eight home runs, 20 RBI, 23 runs scored, and six stolen bases. Langford had his first 20-20 season (22 homers and 22 steals) in just 134 games and 573 plate appearances in his second full MLB campaign.
Source: DLLS Sports - Jeff Wilson
Source: DLLS Sports - Jeff Wilson
Ronald Acuna Jr. Could Begin Rehab Assignment Next Week
Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said that outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (hamstring) could begin a minor-league rehab assignment next week, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. The 28-year-old former MVP and five-time All-Star has been on the injured list for the second time this year for almost a month with another hamstring strain, but he's nearing a return to action and could be ready to roll for the start of the second half on Friday, July 17, after next week's All-Star break. Lower-body injuries have been a nemesis for the Venezuelan outfielder, who is an elite five-category producer when he's fully healthy. Due to his hamstring issues, 2026 has been a disappointment in the first half for Acuna, who is slashing .251/.373/.421 with a .793 OPS, seven home runs, 22 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and 31 runs scored in his 195 at-bats. Despite not living up to his lofty standards in the first half, Acuna should be rostered in all fantasy leagues. Fantasy managers may want to attempt to buy low on him heading into next week's All-Star break.
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
