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Moises Ballesteros' Hot Bat Earning Waiver-Wire Consideration
Chicago Cubs catcher/designated hitter Moises Ballesteros is impressing in the early part of 2026, showing why his hit tool was so highly regarded before joining the big leagues. The Cubs' former top prospect has hit safely in eight of his last 10 games, with five multi-hit performances mixed in there. It has raised the left-handed slugger's season-long slash line to .364/.396/.591 with three home runs, a .429 wOBA, and a 174 wRC+. Unfortunately, the 5-foot-8 Venezuelan continues to get pulled against left-handed pitching, logging just three plate appearances against southpaws in 2026, which is going to dampen his appeal in season-long leagues and more so in daily formats. Nevertheless, he's 16-for-41 (.390) against righties, so if he can earn more at-bats with his exceptional hitting, the 22-year-old could see an increase in categorical productivity. He may not be a must-add yet, but Ballesteros is certainly a must-watch in the event he gains more at-bats.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Reid Detmers a Worthy Waiver-Wire Add With Strikeout Upside
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Reid Detmers has had a promising yet inconsistent start to the season, allowing a combined eight runs in two starts but just one earned run combined in the other two starts, including a nine-strikeout performance against the Yankees in his latest turn through the rotation. It has produced an acceptable 3.57 ERA (3.40 xFIP) with a 1.06 WHIP and a strong 21.3 percent K-BB%. A solid ERA and WHIP with strikeout upside is exactly what fantasy managers were hoping for after the southpaw finished last season with a 2.19 ERA (2.77 SIERA), 1.11 WHIP, and a 23.9 percent K-BB% from May 9 through the end of the campaign (49 appearances, 49 1/3 innings pitched). Those innings were in relief, though, so it was interesting to see if it would carry over to his role as a starter this season, and it appears to have continued. As a starter back in 2022, the former first-rounder threw a no-hitter, so the talent has always been there; he just needed to find it again. The 26-year-old will have his work cut out for him in his next start, a home date with Toronto on Monday, a team that owns the eighth-best batting average against lefties this year (.262). But for interested season-long managers, he's still available in nearly half of Yahoo! leagues.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Shane McClanahan Unable to Regain Pre-Injury Form
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane McClanahan lasted just 4 1/3 innings in his latest start on Sunday, allowing four earned runs on eight hits while striking out five batters in a 6-3 loss to the Pirates. On the bright side, the lefty threw 72 percent of his pitches for strikes and did not walk a batter, something that plagued him in his first three starts, where he walked 11 hitters. In all, the 28-year-old has posted a 5.00 ERA (4.48 xFIP), 1.33 WHIP, and an 8.8 percent K-BB%. It's a far cry from the 3.02 ERA (3.15 xFIP), 1.10 WHIP, and 20.9 percent K-BB% that he recorded in 74 starts from 2021 to 2023. The former 31st-overall draft pick dealt with Tommy John surgery that disrupted his 2023 season and caused him to miss all of 2024, then encountered a setback with a nerve issue that completely derailed 2025, so there could still be more rust to knock off. However, a couple more subpar starts and he may be headed to the cut list for fantasy. The 6-foot-3 hurler will get Minnesota at home his next time out, a team that is top 12 in runs scored per game (5.09), wOBA versus LHP (.327), and wRC+ versus LHP (107).
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Is Lucas Erceg's Closer Seat Getting Warm After Blown Save?
Kansas City Royals closer Lucas Erceg had converted five straight save chances before his last appearance on Thursday this past week, when he allowed three earned runs on three hits and one walk, blowing the save opportunity and taking the loss to the Tigers. Before that, the right-hander had not allowed a run in six of seven appearances, but after Thursday's collapse, his ERA now stands at 6.14 with a 1.50 WHIP and a 6.7 percent K-BB%. The 30-year-old has pitched well for the Royals over the last two years, but saw a significant drop-off in strikeout rate between 2024 and 2025, from 28.5 percent to 19.3 percent. It has fallen even more this season, currently standing at 16.7 percent. Fantasy managers won't argue with collecting five saves so far, but with diminishing strikeouts and regular closer Carlos Estevez (foot) beginning a rehab assignment this week, Erceg's handle on the role is becoming somewhat tenuous.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Cole Ragans Struggles Again on Sunday, Quickly Losing Fantasy Value
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans struggled mightily in Sunday's 7-0 loss to the Yankees, allowing seven earned runs while serving up three home runs for the second time this season and also walking a career-high eight batters in just 4 1/3 innings pitched. The southpaw managed to strike out six batters as well, but threw only 51 percent of his pitches for strikes (49 of 97). It has been a rough start to the season for the 28-year-old, now the owner of a 6.00 ERA (5.30 xFIP), 1.67 WHIP, and a lowly 4.3 percent K-BB%. The former All-Star dealt with injuries in 2025 that limited him to just 13 starts, including a rotator cuff injury that sidelined him for three months. Hopefully it is not related, but his fastball velocity is down almost a full mile per hour this season, and he's seen a significant drop-off in both chase and whiff rates (from 68th and 95th percentile, respectively, to 17th and 58th percentile). The 6-foot-4 hurler will be hard to trust his next time out against a much-improved Angels offense that is top 10 in runs per game (5.0), wOBA versus LHP (.341), and wRC+ (116) versus LHP. With Ragans' potential, he may not be a drop yet, but managers could justify sitting him until the lefty rights the ship.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Payton Tolle a Top Name to Stash Following Recent Red Sox Injury
Boston Red Sox pitching prospect Payton Tolle potentially became even more fantasy relevant after Boston starter Sonny Gray (hamstring) was removed from his outing on Monday against the Tigers in the third inning with what is being described as right hamstring tightness. Tolle hasn't pitched for Triple-A Worcester since April 12, so he could be fresh and is already on the 40-man roster. Boston's top-ranked prospect debuted with the club in August last year and was fairly solid outside of one poor outing, racking up 19 strikeouts in 16 1/3 innings pitched (IP) both as a starter and a reliever. The southpaw had a hiccup in his first outing at Triple-A this year, but has shone over his last two turns, allowing just one earned run on seven hits and two walks while striking out 13 batters in 11 IP. The 23-year-old's strikeout upside already made him a worthy stash candidate in most formats, but with the likelihood of a call-up now much higher, the time is now to grab him off the waiver wire.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Sonny Gray Leaves Monday's Start Early With Hamstring Tightness
Boston Red Sox right-hander Sonny Gray (hamstring) only made it through 2 2/3 innings on Monday at Fenway Park against the visiting Detroit Tigers due to right-hamstring tightness, according to Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald. In his 2 2/3 innings of work, Gray allowed an earned run on three hits while walking one and striking out two. He threw 27 of his 40 pitches for strikes. For now, fantasy managers should consider Gray questionable to make his next scheduled start this weekend against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles. Coming into his start on Monday, Gray had gone 2-1 with a 4.43 ERA (4.70 FIP) and 1.28 WHIP with 11 strikeouts and four walks in 20 1/3 innings pitched over his first four starts in his first season in Beantown. Fantasy managers looking for a high-upside starting arm might want to grab Payton Tolle off the waiver wire, as he could be the BoSox's first choice to replace Gray in the rotation if he's forced to the 15-day injured list.
Source: Boston Herald - Gabrielle Starr
Source: Boston Herald - Gabrielle Starr
Red Sox Not Concerned About Patrick Sandoval
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that left-hander Patrick Sandoval (biceps) is unlikely to have testing done on a sore left biceps muscle, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. Instead, the Red Sox are hoping that a couple of days of rest will do the trick. The organization doesn't seem to be very concerned about his setback. Sandoval was scheduled to make his third minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, but he was pulled off his rehab assignment due to biceps tightness after his previous outing. The 29-year-old southpaw is working his way back from an internal-brace procedure that he had on his left elbow in June of 2024. He did not pitch at all for the BoSox in 2025 and went 2-8 with a 5.08 ERA (3.87 FIP), 1.51 WHIP, and 81:35 K:BB in 79 2/3 innings pitched over 16 starts in 2024 with the Los Angeles Angels before being shut down with elbow issues. Sandoval won't be ready for his Boston debut until sometime in May, and even when he's ready, there may not be an open spot in the team's starting rotation for him.
Source: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
Source: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
Twins Placing Mick Abel on Injured List With Elbow Inflammation
The Minnesota Twins are placing right-hander Mick Abel (elbow) on the 15-day injured list on Monday with right-elbow inflammation, according to Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. It's a tough break for the 24-year-old former 15th overall pick by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2020 after he struck out 10 over seven innings while allowing zero runs in a win against the Boston Red Sox early last week. Abel will now miss at least the next two weeks after going 1-2 with a 3.98 ERA and 1.57 WHIP with 23 strikeouts and 10 walks in 20 1/3 innings over his first four appearances (three starts) this year in his first full season with the Twins. It didn't start great for Abel in 2026, but he's bounced back and has struck out 16 without allowing a run in 13 innings over his last two starts. He will not be available for his next scheduled start against a floundering New York Mets team, but fantasy managers who have him rostered should be looking to stash him while he recovers from his elbow injury.
Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press - Betsy Helfand
Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press - Betsy Helfand
Robert Garcia Undergoes MRI on Sore Shoulder
Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker confirmed on Sunday that left-handed reliever Robert Garcia (shoulder) underwent an MRI exam on his sore left shoulder, which kept him out last Thursday, according to Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. The Rangers are optimistic that Garcia doesn't have any significant structural damage in his shoulder, but he's still likely to require an anti-inflammatory injection on Monday when the team returns home. Grant writes that in a best-case scenario, Garcia probably won't be available before Wednesday, meaning the Rangers would be without him for a minimum of five days. The Rangers are short-handed in their bullpen early on this year. With Garcia unlikely to be ready to pitch until the middle of this week, Peyton Gray, Patrick Murphy, and Josh Sborz are all options to join Texas' bullpen for more depth. Through his first eight innings of relief for Texas so far in 2026, Garcia has allowed five runs (three earned) on five hits while walking seven and striking out six. In his first year with the Rangers in 2025, Garcia secured the first nine saves of his MLB career.
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant
Is Charlie Condon Nearing his MLB Debut?
Colorado Rockies first base prospect Charlie Condon is not slowing down at Triple-A and continues to make a strong case to join the MLB roster in the near future. While he was given an opportunity to win a starting job out of camp, the Rockies opted to send him to Triple-A to further his development. However, throughout his first taste of the top level of the Rockies system, Condon has looked very impressive and has proven he is more than ready to face MLB pitching. Through his first 15 games with Albuquerque, the former Georgia standout has posted a .322/.452/.559 line with two doubles, four home runs, two stolen bases, and a strong 13:12 K:BB. Additionally, following a hot start to the season, current starting first baseman, TJ Rumfield, has gone just 2-for-24 over his last six games. As a result, Condon should be viewed as a priority stash option in all leagues in Week 4.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Max Clark Continues to Climb Stash Rankings
Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark continues to perform at an elite level at Triple-A and is quickly approaching his MLB debut. Through his first 19 games at the top level of the minor leagues, Clark has posted a .351/.416/.519 slash line with eight doubles, one triple, one home run, six stolen bases, and a 10:10 K:BB. Last summer, Clark spent most of his time with High-A before joining Double-A in the second half. Across both levels (111 games), the former third overall selection looked just as sharp, carrying a .271/.403/.432 line with an .835 OPS, 14 home runs, and 19 stolen bases. While the Detroit outfield is crowded at the moment, following the promotion of Wenceel Perez, Clark's current trajectory could push the team's hand. For now, he is a top stash option in 12+ team, five-outfielder leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Robby Snelling Holds Priority Stash Value After Dominant Nine-Strikeout Effort
Miami Marlins left-handed pitching prospect Robby Snelling continues to impress at Triple-A and is knocking on the MLB door. This weekend, Snelling turned in another dominant showing at Triple-A Jacksonville, tossing six shutout frames with two hits and one walk while striking out nine batters. In his previous outing, Snelling looked just as sharp, striking out a season-best 12 hitters over five shutout frames. Overall, through his first four outings of the young season, the southpaw has struck out 31 hitters while holding a 1.89 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP over 19 innings. Last summer, Snelling looked just as comfortable in his first stint at Triple-A, holding a 1.27 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP across 63 2/3 innings. Given his impressive production at the top level of the minor leagues, Snelling holds elite stash value in all standard leagues ahead of Week 4.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Colt Emerson Enters Week 4 as High-End Hitting Prospect to Stash
Seattle Mariners infield prospect Colt Emerson carries high-end stash upside among hitting prospects as he is on the verge of making his MLB debut. Earlier this season, Emerson inked a massive eight-year contract and was later added to the 40-man roster, but has yet to earn the call. Through his first 18 games of the Triple-A regular season, the former 22nd overall selection has posted a solid .258/.361/.452 line with a .813 OPS. During this stretch, Emerson has launched two home runs and added six doubles with six stolen bases. Last summer, Emerson spent most of his time with High-A and Double-A, where he carried .280/.380/.444 line over a 124-game stint. When he does earn the call, Emerson could see time at second base, third base, or shortstop, which could shift Brendan Donovan to left field or limit Cole Young's and J.P. Crawford's at-bats.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Didier Fuentes Nearing Return to MLB Following Scratch From Triple-A Start
Atlanta Braves right-handed starting pitcher Didier Fuentes is on the verge of a return to the major leagues. On Sunday, the young right-hander saw his Triple-A start scratched as the Braves are entering a stretch of 10 games in 10 straight days. While a promotion has yet to be confirmed, managers should pay close attention to his status over the coming days, as a return could be imminent. Fuentes broke camp with the MLB roster but was deployed in a long relief role before being optioned back to Triple-A to further increase his workload. With Triple-A, Fuentes has looked quite comfortable as of late, logging 16 2/3 innings (three starts), while allowing just four runs and posting a 20:6 K:BB. Last summer, Fuentes made his MLB debut but looked quite overmatched, allowing 20 runs over 13 innings. For now, Fuentes is a viable stash option in all 12-team leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
