RADIO
Hurston Waldrep Nearing Return to Major Leagues?
MLB.com's Mark Bowman thinks that Atlanta Braves right-hander Hurston Waldrep could be the best candidate for the team's open starting rotation spot after they optioned right-hander J.R. Ritchie to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday. Waldrep has recovered from right-elbow surgery and threw 71 pitches in 4 2/3 innings for Gwinnett on Sunday. The 24-year-old former 24th overall pick in 2023 out of the University of Florida has allowed six earned runs on seven hits with 11 walks and 13 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings pitched in five starts so far in 2026 with Gwinnett, the rookie-level Florida Complex League, and at Double-A Columbus. In his 10 outings (nine starts) for the Braves last year before he was shut down with elbow issues, Waldrep went 6-1 with a 2.88 ERA (3.21 FIP), 1.19 WHIP, and 55:22 K:BB in 56 1/3 frames. If fully healthy, Waldrep could stick in Atlanta's rotation for the rest of the season, and he should start attracting more interest off the waiver wire. He's currently rostered in only 5% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Roman Anthony hasn't Made Any Substantive Progress
Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony (finger, wrist) hasn't made any substantive progress while the Red Sox have been on their road trip, interim manager Chad Tracy told Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. Anthony has occasionally tried to swing a lighter bat, but he hasn't moved to a real bat/hitting progression. It's not what Boston or Anthony's fantasy managers want to hear. The 22-year-old former top prospect has been sidelined since May 7 and was hitting only .229 (25-for-109) with a homer, five RBI, 12 runs, two steals, 20 walks, and 33 strikeouts in 30 games early in the year at the time of his finger/wrist injury. Anthony looked the part after his first MLB call-up in 2025, slashing .292/.396/.463 with eight homers, 18 doubles, 32 RBI, 48 runs, and four steals in his first 71 games played, but he closed out the year on the injured list and wasn't able to help the BoSox in the postseason. He's trying to recover from a partially torn tendon in his right ring finger, and until he ramps up his hitting progression, it will be hard to pinpoint a potential return for Anthony in the second half. Although it's been a disappointing first full year in the big leagues, Anthony deserves to be stashed in all fantasy formats for his power/speed upside.
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Can Jesus Made Reach the Major Leagues in the Second Half?
Milwaukee Brewers shortstop prospect Jesus Made is considered the No. 1-ranked prospect in all of baseball on MLB.com and has put together a strong start to the Double-A regular season. With the Biloxi Shuckers, Made has held a solid .287/.360/.449 line with a .809 OPS. The 19-year-old has not looked overmatched in the upper minor leagues, hitting 12 doubles, seven home runs, swiping 21 bags, and holding a 44:29 K:BB. Last summer, the top-ranked prospect in the game split his time across the lower levels before earning a brief taste of Double-A action late in the campaign. While Made is flashing elite upside, managers in the draft league should not view him as a top stash candidate yet. He will need to not only reach Triple-A but also show enough progress to join the Brewers in the second half. With Cooper Pratt recently earning the call, and Jett Williams ahead of him in the pecking order, the 19-year-old future superstar is best left on the waiver wire in all standard leagues for the time being.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
George Lombard Jr. No Longer on the Stash Radar Following Injury?
New York Yankees shortstop prospect George Lombard Jr. (finger) was recently placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A with sprained fingers in his left hand. Prior to the injury, Lombard was showing strong signs of growth at the top club of the Yankee system and putting himself firmly on the stash radar. However, with him now on the injured list, his stash value has taken a significant hit. When placed on the injured list, Yankee manager Aaron Boone noted that there were "good signs" from the initial testing, but the team has yet to provide a direct timetable for his recovery. Over his last 15 games before hitting the shelf, the team's top-ranked prospect was enjoying a surge at the plate, carrying a .321/.431/.642 line with eight doubles, three home runs, and two stolen bases. Managers in deeper leagues should pay close attention to his recovery. Once he is cleared to begin baseball activities, he will carry high-end stash appeal, as he remains New York's long-term solution at shortstop for the second half.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Is Owen Murphy the Next Braves Pitching Prospect to Debut?
Atlanta Braves pitching prospect Owen Murphy began the regular season at the Double-A level but has recently been moved to Triple-A and is emerging as a potential stash candidate. With Double-A, Murphy did not enjoy the best success, posting a hefty 6.10 ERA with a 27:18 K:BB across 20 2/3 innings of work. However, the Braves believed he was ready to join Gwinnett, and he has done more than hold his own. After going through some gradual growing pains to begin his Triple-A career, Murphy has looked quite comfortable in each of his last two games. During this two-game stretch, Murphy has logged six innings in each start and struck out 16 hitters while allowing just three earned runs. With Atlanta lacking much depth on their MLB roster, Murphy may be the next man called in the coming weeks. He will need to show this success over a longer period, but the No. 5-ranked prospect in the system is now firmly on the stash radar among top pitching prospects.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Yohandy Morales Still a Top Stash Candidate Amid Brief Triple-A Skid?
Washington Nationals first base/third base prospect Yohandy Morales has enjoyed a strong start to the Triple-A regular season, which has pushed him to the top half of most stash rankings. However, since the start of June, the corner infielder has hit a brief skid at the Triple-A level, raising some concern. Since June 1, Morales has held a modest .250/.314/.469 line with a .783 OPS. However, over his first 52 games of the campaign, the infielder was among the top hitters in the entire minor leagues, carrying a sharp .342/.417/.589 slash line with 11 doubles, 12 home runs, and two stolen bases. Fantasy managers should continue to pay close attention to his status at Triple-A, as a hot surge could push him back into the high-end stat territory. For now, Morales is a viable deep-league stash among infielders in formats that have several N/A spots.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Hagen Smith Remains a Viable Stash Candidate While on Injured List?
Chicago White Sox top pitching prospect Hagen Smith appeared to be on the doorstep of the major leagues before suffering a shoulder impingement. Prior to this injury, Smith was showcasing high-end upside at the Triple-A level and was even mentioned as a potential name to watch as the team needed additional pitching depth. However, this injury pushed the former fifth overall pick to the 7-day injured list. However, the team has expressed optimism regarding the injury, and he may not be sidelined for much longer. While Smith had a slow start to the Triple-A regular season, he quickly found his footing. From May 27 through June 7, he posted a sharp 2.37 ERA with a 32:7 K:BB, which was a stark improvement compared to the 4.54 ERA he held over the first 33 2/3 innings. While he will likely not be in the mix to join Chicago until after the All-Star break, managers in deeper leagues should keep a close eye on his status once he embarks on a rehab assignment.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Leo De Vries Enjoying Power Binge, On the Doorstep of Triple-A Promotion?
Athletics infield prospect Leo De Vries has been among the top hitters in the minors over the last week and is now on call-up watch as he nears a promotion to Triple-A Las Vegas. Over his last 10 games with Double-A Midland, the team's No. 1-ranked prospect has gone deep four times while carrying a stellar .250/.375/.625 line with a 9:7 K:BB and two stolen bases. Overall, De Vries has held a .278/.370/.424 line over his first extended look at Double-A action. While he only has nine home runs on the season, seeing the budding superstar begin to tap into his raw power is a very positive sign. While managers should not expect him to be in strong contention to reach the Athletics in the second half, if he can earn the call to Triple-A in the near future, the door will be open. For now, De Vries remains a must-roster high-end dynasty/keeper asset and could find himself on the redraft radar following a promotion to the top club.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Ben Brown Placed on Injured List With Neck Strain
In yet another blow to the Chicago Cubs starting rotation, the team placed right-hander Ben Brown (neck) on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday with a neck strain, according to Meghan Montemurro of The Chicago Tribune. The Cubs also placed right-hander Edward Cabrera (hamstring) on the IL on Wednesday with a strained left-hamstring. Chicago's starting rotation has been plagued by injuries all year, but the good news is that they are getting left-hander Matthew Boyd (knee, shoulder) back for the series finale against the New York Mets on Thursday. It's a tough break for the Cubs and for Brown, who has been a popular waiver-wire pickup in 2026 after his successful transition from the bullpen to a starting role for the Cubs. In his 20 appearances (eight starts) through 68 innings, the 26-year-old has gone 4-2 with a stingy 1.85 ERA (2.50 FIP) and 0.94 WHIP with 65 strikeouts, 19 walks, and even one save in his third year in the big leagues. If you have the room in an IL spot, Brown has pitched well enough to stash in fantasy baseball leagues. He's currently rostered in 71% of Yahoo leagues. UPDATE: Per Bruce Levine of the Marquee Sports Network, Brown has returned to Chicago to have his neck examined by specialists.
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Meghan Montemurro
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Meghan Montemurro
Kris Bubic Expected to Begin Rehab Assignment on Wednesday
Kansas City Royals left-hander Kris Bubic (elbow) is expected to start a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday night, the team announced. Bubic will give it another try with a rehab assignment after previously being pulled from his rehab assignment with Omaha on June 9, after he experienced shoulder discomfort. The 28-year-old southpaw initially landed on the 15-day injured list on May 18 with soreness in his left elbow. He has been cleared to make another rehab start after throwing a two-inning simulated live bullpen session over the weekend. The Royals will likely require Bubic to make more than one rehab assignment, so he could be pushing it close to returning before the All-Star break in mid-July. KC could use the rotation reinforcement with fellow left-hander Cole Ragans potentially needing season-ending elbow surgery. Before his elbow injury, Bubic had gone 3-2 with a 4.11 ERA (3.72 FIP) and 1.23 WHIP with 51 strikeouts and 26 walks in 50 1/3 innings across nine starts. He was a first-time All-Star in 2025 and is a pitching stash candidate off the waiver wire for rotation depth in the second half. Bubic is rostered in under half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Kansas City Royals
Source: Kansas City Royals
Mets Moving Kodai Senga to the Bullpen After Another Rough Start
The New York Mets are moving struggling right-hander Kodai Senga to the bullpen, manager Carlos Mendoza told Will Sammon of The Athletic. Senga's struggles have followed him into 2026, as he is currently 0-6 with a 10.08 ERA (7.48 FIP) and 1.92 WHIP with 34 strikeouts and 22 walks in 27 2/3 innings across his seven starts for the Mets after surrendering seven earned runs on three hits (two homers) while walking five and striking out six in just 3 2/3 innings in his sixth loss of the year on Tuesday against the visiting Chicago Cubs. The 33-year-old Japanese native could theoretically earn another chance in the Mets' starting rotation in the second half of the season, but for right now, his fantasy stock will take another big hit in his move to a relief role. Senga could serve in a bulk-relief role out of the bullpen and cover multiple innings since he's stretched out, but fantasy managers in deeper leagues shouldn't want any part of him as he continues to figure out a fix for his struggles. His 16.4% walk rate is the highest it's been in his four years in the big leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Will Sammon
Source: The Athletic - Will Sammon
Matthew Boyd to be Activated and Start on Thursday
Chicago Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd (knee, shoulder) will be activated from the 15-day injured list and start Thursday's series finale against the hosting New York Mets in Queens, according to Meghan Montemurro of The Chicago Tribune. It's good timing for the Cubbies' banged-up rotation, as they just sent another starter, right-hander Edward Cabrera (hamstring), to the IL on Wednesday. The 35-year-old Boyd will return to the big-league rotation for the first time since early May. The veteran southpaw underwent surgery on his meniscus before dealing with left-shoulder soreness as he ramped up his throwing program. Now that he's back, he'll provide fantasy managers with a scrappy streaming option with limited upside because of his lack of high-end strikeout potential. Boyd only threw 59 pitches in his final minor-league rehab start, so he will most likely be on a pitch count on Thursday in a great matchup against the last-place Mets. In his first five starts in 2026, Boyd has a 6.00 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 31 punchouts in 24 innings pitched for Chicago. Boyd is currently rostered in 57% of Yahoo leagues as he nears his return.
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Meghan Montemurro
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Meghan Montemurro
Thursday Looking More Likely for Corey Seager's Return
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (concussion) remains on the seven-day concussion injured list and isn't expected to be activated on Wednesday, according to Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. Grant thinks it's more likely that Seager is reinstated on Thursday to play in the series opener in Toronto against the Blue Jays. Seager landed on the IL with mild concussion symptoms after colliding with Kansas City Royals catcher Carter Jensen on June 11, but he took part in a pre-game workout on Tuesday and appears ready to return this week. With Seager set to return, Ezequiel Duran will most likely move to second base and continue to play regularly for the Rangers. It's been an injury-plagued 2026 season for the 32-year-old Seager, who is also hitting a very disappointing .186/.284/.373 with a .657 OPS, nine home runs, 24 RBI, 25 runs scored, and one stolen base in his 177 at-bats. The five-time All-Star is still rostered in nearly 90% of Yahoo leagues for his power/speed track record, but durability concerns are becoming a bigger issue.
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant
Martin Perez Emerging as a Priority Waiver-Wire Target Amidst Resurgent Season?
Atlanta Braves left-hander Martin Perez has been one of the key parts of his team's success so far in 2026. Across 68 innings (15 games), the veteran has recorded a 6-3 record with a 2.78 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 56 strikeouts. Atlanta deployed Perez out of the bullpen at earlier points in the year, but he's now made six consecutive starts and appears to have locked down a role in the team's rotation. Perez's underlying metrics suggest regression is likely, as he owns a middling 12.2% K-BB rate and has benefitted from an 81.1% strand rate, which is significantly higher than his career mark of 71.3%. Still, Perez is a savvy veteran who has outperformed underwhelming peripherals for a significant portion of his 15-season MLB career. As long as he's part of the Braves rotation, Perez profiles as a worthwhile starting pitcher streamer who should be a quality source of wins. Particularly in deeper leagues, Perez should be a priority target for fantasy managers on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Robert Suarez Dealing With Forearm Tightness, Could be Available Wednesday
Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said after Tuesday night's loss to the San Diego Padres that right-handed reliever Robert Suarez (forearm) was unavailable out of the bullpen while dealing with some right-forearm tightness, according to Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. However, Suarez could be available for the series finale at Petco Park on Wednesday against his former team. With the game locked up in a tie late on Tuesday night, the Braves avoided Suarez and instead asked right-handed closer Raisel Iglesias to pitch two innings. The last time the 35-year-old pitched for Atlanta was last Friday, when he threw 28 pitches in 1 1/3 scoreless innings in a win over the Milwaukee Brewers. It sounds like Suarez should be fine going forward. The Venezuelan hurler only has four saves in his first year with the Braves, but otherwise, he's been lights-out as a high-leverage setup man in front of Iglesias, recording a microscopic 0.56 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, and 26 strikeouts in his 32 innings out of the bullpen. Suarez is rostered in 57% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Chad Bishop
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Chad Bishop
