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Hunter Brown to Make Another Rehab Start on Thursday
Houston Astros right-hander Hunter Brown (shoulder) threw a bullpen on Tuesday at Daikin Park and will make his next minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Sugar Land at El Paso on Thursday, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Depending on how Brown fares this week, it could be the 27-year-old's final rehab tune-up before he is reinstated from the 60-day injured list. He has been recovering from a strained right shoulder that has limited him to just two starts in 2026. Brown allowed one run with five strikeouts and no walks in his most recent rehab start with Sugar Land last Friday over just three innings. He will be looking to build his pitch count and get stretched out on Thursday. Brown, a former fifth-rounder in 2019 out of Wayne State University, broke out for the Astros in 2025 and had allowed only one earned run with six walks and 17 punchouts in 10 2/3 innings in his first two starts this season before his shoulder ailment sidelined him. Brown is a fantasy ace when healthy and should not be available in any leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
Source: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
Jacob Wilson Could Start Rehab Assignment This Week
Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (shoulder) could start a minor-league rehab assignment later this week, according to MLB.com's Martin Gallegos. Wilson is getting closer to a return to the A's after they put him on the 10-day injured list in the middle of May with a left-shoulder injury. Barring a setback once the 24-year-old starts playing in games down on the farm, he could return to the big-league roster at some point next week as the club's starting shortstop. The former sixth overall pick in 2023 out of Grand Canyon University doesn't have much power or speed, but he rarely strikes out, makes a lot of contact, and can provide fantasy managers with a high average. Before his shoulder injury, Wilson was slashing .292/.311/.398, and he's hit .299 in his first 192 big-league games since debuting with the A's in 2024. He has only three home runs in 39 games in 2026 and has added 19 RBI, 18 runs scored, and two stolen bases across 168 plate appearances. Wilson is currently rostered in 63% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
Source: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
Luis Severino Dealing With Shoulder Strain, to be Re-Evaluated in 4-6 Weeks
Athletics right-hander Luis Severino (shoulder) is dealing with a strain of his shoulder capsule and subscapularis muscle in his right arm and will be re-evaluated in four to six weeks, according to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. Severino injured his arm last Friday in his start against his former team, the New York Yankees, and subsequently landed on the 15-day injured list. The 32-year-old veteran will receive a platelet-rich plasma injection on Thursday and will not be back in the A's starting rotation anytime soon. There's a possibility that the two-time All-Star doesn't return to the big leagues until after the All-Star break in mid-July. Before his injury, Severino went 2-6 with a 4.16 ERA (4.46 FIP) and 1.47 WHIP with 65 strikeouts and 31 walks in 62 2/3 frames across his first 12 starts in his second season with the team. The Dominican hurler isn't a must-hold in mixed fantasy leagues at this point in his career with a lengthy absence on tap. Severino is rostered in only 13% of Yahoo leagues right now.
Source: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
Source: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
Alejandro Kirk Could Return Next Week
Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk (thumb) will start a minor-league rehab assignment with Single-A Dunedin on Wednesday and will serve as the designated hitter initially. After having surgery to fix a fractured thumb and missing two months, Kirk is nearing a return and could rejoin the major-league roster as early as next week. Manager John Schneider said Kirk will need around 20 at-bats in the minors before coming back. In the meantime, the Blue Jays must decide whether to keep Tyler Heineman or Brandon Valenzuela as the backup after Kirk returns. Kirk started 118 games behind the dish, and the hope is that he gets "right back into pretty regular playing time," according to Schneider. The 27-year-old Mexican backstop was hitting just .150 (3-for-20) to begin the 2026 regular season, but when healthy, he can be a key offensive cog in the middle of the Blue Jays' batting order while providing some decent pop for fantasy managers. The two-time All-Star hit a career-high 15 homers last year and drove in 76 runs in 130 regular-season games. Kirk is currently rostered in only 23% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
Source: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
Jonah Tong Optioned to Triple-A After Rough Outing on Tuesday
The New York Mets are optioning starting pitcher Jonah Tong to Triple-A Syracuse, per Will Sammon of The Athletic. Tong followed opener Huascar Brazoban on Tuesday night against the Seattle Mariners and struggled, allowing five hits, five runs (four earned), and two walks while striking out four across 3 1/3 innings of work. The 22-year-old has showcased huge strikeout stuff in the minor leagues, recording a 40.5% strikeout rate across 113 2/3 innings in 2025 and a 32.7% strikeout rate across 38 Triple-A innings this season. However, he hasn't been able to put it together at the big-league level in his limited opportunities, recording a 6.28 ERA and 1.67 WHIP across 28 2/3 career MLB innings. Tong remains a pitching prospect worth monitoring, but he's probably safe to drop in most fantasy formats for the time being.
Source: The Athletic - Will Sammon
Source: The Athletic - Will Sammon
Curtis Mead Emerging as a Breakout Candidate to Target on the Waiver Wire
Across 164 plate appearances so far this season, Washington Nationals infielder Curtis Mead is hitting .243/.354/.479 with eight home runs, 26 RBI, 26 runs scored, and three stolen bases. The 25-year-old appears to have emerged as Washington's everyday third baseman and has batted either second or third in the Nationals' batting order in every one of his starts since early April. A former top prospect with the Tampa Bay Rays, Mead's career never quite got off the ground in Tampa. However, there have been notable changes in his underlying metrics this season with the Nationals, supporting his emerging production. Mead's walk rate (13.4%) and strikeout rate (17.7%) are both career bests. He's also posting the best barrel (10.8%) and hard-hit (45%) rates of his career to this point. Heading into the summer months, Mead profiles as a breakout candidate to target on the waiver wire for fantasy managers across most league formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Shane Bieber Will Need at Least Two More Rehab Starts
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Shane Bieber (elbow) could make his next minor-league rehab start this Saturday at Triple-A Buffalo, and he will require at least two more rehab outings before rejoining the big-league roster, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet. Bieber didn't exactly have a great rehab outing on Sunday with Single-A Dunedin, allowing five earned runs on six hits while walking none and striking out two in 2 1/3 innings of work. It came after the 31-year-old veteran threw two scoreless innings in his first rehab appearance last Monday in the rookie-level Florida Complex League. He threw 35 of his 49 pitches for strikes on Sunday while averaging 92.1 mph with his fastball. Bieber will be looking to increase his workload this weekend, and he has a few more boxes to check before he's cleared to make his 2026 season debut in the majors. Since he's on the 60-day injured list, he will not be eligible to return until later in June, but he's a worthwhile deep-league stash for pitching depth in the meantime. Bieber is currently rostered in 45% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Sportsnet - Ben Nicholson-Smith
Source: Sportsnet - Ben Nicholson-Smith
Max Scherzer Scheduled to Make Another Rehab Start on Friday
Toronto Blue Jays veteran right-hander Max Scherzer (forearm) is scheduled to make another minor-league rehab start at Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, according to Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith. Scherzer will be looking to build on what was a successful first rehab start on Sunday at Buffalo, when he threw three scoreless innings on 41 total pitches. Depending on how the 41-year-old future Hall of Fame hurler fares this Friday, it could be his last minor-league tune-up before coming off the 15-day injured list to rejoin the big-league squad. Even though the three-time Cy Young winner and eight-time All-Star will return to a starting role with the Jays when he's activated, fantasy managers in mixed leagues should have better options to choose from. Scherzer went 1-3 in his first five starts this year before getting hurt, and he's also dealt with ankle and thumb issues during his rehab. He currently has a 9.64 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, and 10 strikeouts in his 18 2/3 innings pitched and is no longer the dominant pitcher of the past. Scherzer is rostered in just 4% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Sportsnet - Ben Nicholson-Smith
Source: Sportsnet - Ben Nicholson-Smith
Red Sox to Promote Anthony Seigler to Majors, Worth a Deep-League Add?
The Boston Red Sox are promoting third base prospect Anthony Seigler to the big leagues, per Tommy Cassell of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. A former first-round pick out of high school by the New York Yankees back in 2018, Seigler did not make his MLB debut until 2025 as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers. The 26-year-old struggled in a small sample size for Milwaukee, hitting .194/.292/.210 with zero home runs, five RBI, six runs scored, and two stolen bases across 73 plate appearances. However, Seigler has impressed across 127 plate appearances with Triple-A Worcester in 2026, hitting .298/.425/.471 with three homers, 21 RBI, 14 runs scored, and three stolen bases. The Red Sox have gotten miserable production out of third baseman Caleb Durbin, who owns a .539 OPS across 185 plate appearances. If Seigler hits the ground running in Boston, there could be an opportunity for him to work his way into everyday playing time at the hot corner.
Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette - Tommy Cassell
Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette - Tommy Cassell
Dylan Cease to Make a Rehab Start on Thursday
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Dylan Cease (hamstring) was cleared to make a minor-league rehab start at Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday after he threw a bullpen session on Tuesday in Atlanta, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet. Cease also did some change-of-direction running drills. Depending on how things go with Buffalo later this week, Cease could be ready to come off the 15-day injured list to rejoin Toronto's starting rotation next week. If the 30-year-old only needs one rehab start, his next outing could line up next week versus the Philadelphia Phillies. He'll be a bit more risky for that matchup, but Cease has been solid for the Jays and fantasy managers in his first year in Canada, going 3-3 with a 3.05 ERA (2.58 FIP) and 1.21 WHIP with a league-high 92 strikeouts and 26 walks in 62 innings across his first 11 starts. Cease has four quality starts on the season and has had at least seven strikeouts in all five of his starts in May. He shouldn't be floating around on any waiver wires out there.
Source: Sportsnet - Ben Nicholson-Smith
Source: Sportsnet - Ben Nicholson-Smith
Emilio Pagan Worth Stashing Off the Waiver Wire Ahead of Injury Return?
Cincinnati Reds closer Emilio Pagan (hamstring) has been on the 15-day injured list since suffering a Grade 2 hamstring strain in early May. Pagan underwent a second MRI on Friday that showed healing, but the veteran right-hander remains without a firm return timeline. Pagan struggled across 14 innings before getting hurt, recording a 6.43 ERA and 1.43 WHIP with 11 strikeouts, six saves, and three blown saves. However, Cincinnati has been unable to successfully fill the ninth-inning role in Pagan's absence and is currently operating with a closer committee. Pagan logged a 30% strikeout rate and 32 saves in 2025, so he seems likely to get another chance to re-establish himself at the back end of the Reds bullpen once healthy. In deeper leagues, fantasy managers in need of saves may want to look at stashing Pagan off the waiver wire ahead of his eventual return.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Justin Verlander Looks Good in Rehab Start, Could Return Next Week
Detroit Tigers veteran right-hander Justin Verlander (hip), who is currently on the 60-day injured list, looked good in his minor-league rehab start on Tuesday with Triple-A Toledo and is likely to take the starting-rotation spot of Ty Madden next week. In five innings of work on Tuesday with the Mud Hens, Verlander spun five shutout innings with four hits allowed, no walks, and three strikeouts to pick up the win. The 43-year-old future Hall of Famer got up to 64 pitches in the outing, which is expected to be the only rehab appearance that he needs before being reinstated from the IL at some point next week. He's been out with inflammation in his left hip since early April, but it appears the Tigers will give the living legend a spot in their rotation upon his return. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues can probably hold off on picking him up, as he's currently rostered in just 4% of Yahoo leagues, and the former MVP and nine-time All-Star allowed five earned runs with two walks and one strikeout in 3 2/3 frames in his only start in 2026 before injuring his hip.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Should Managers Cut Ties with Lucas Erceg After Another Blown Save?
Kansas City Royals right-hander Lucas Erceg was tagged with his sixth blown save of the season on Tuesday night, allowing two hits, a walk, and an earned run in the ninth inning of his team's 4-3 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. While the 31-year-old has recorded 11 saves in 2026, he's recorded a 6.45 ERA and 1.97 WHIP across 22 1/3 innings. Control has been a major problem for Erceg, as he's walked 14.4% of the batters he's faced. Erceg has also allowed nine earned runs and blown three saves across his last four appearances, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him removed from the ninth-inning role in Kansas City entirely. Even if Erceg continues to earn the occasional save for the Royals, the damage he's done in the ratio categories may not make it worth it for fantasy managers. Particularly in shallower leagues, managers should feel comfortable moving on.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ezequiel Duran Re-Emerging as a Must-Roster Fantasy Asset
Across 188 plate appearances so far in 2026, Texas Rangers utility man Ezequiel Duran is hitting .294/.348/.465 with four home runs, 32 RBI, 25 runs scored, and five stolen bases. The 27-year-old has drawn a walk in a career-best 8% of his plate appearances, and he's raised his hard-hit rate from 30.9% in 2025 to 40.6% in 2026. With Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (back) currently on the injured list, Duran has seen everyday playing time at short in recent weeks. While Seager should eventually return to the Rangers lineup, Duran can play basically anywhere on the field other than center field and catcher, which should allow him to maintain consistent playing time. Duran may not offer fantasy managers standout production in any one category. Still, his multi-position eligibility and lack of major weaknesses at the plate make him a useful player to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Anthony Volpe Re-Emerging as a Speed Threat on the Waiver Wire
New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe had the start of his 2026 season delayed by rehab from offseason shoulder surgery. The 25-year-old also appeared to have lost his starting role in New York to Jose Caballero, who performed well in Volpe's absence to start the year. However, Volpe has seemingly reclaimed a prominent role for the Yankees, getting the nod as the starting shortstop in six out of the team's last seven games. Across 56 plate appearances on the year, Volpe is hitting .234/.357/.362 with one home run, eight RBI, nine runs scored, and five stolen bases. Volpe's 2.9% barrel rate and 32.4% hard-hit rate are unquestionably worrisome. However, his 16.1% walk rate represents a notable shift in plate approach. If Volpe continues to get on base at a solid clip, he should be a significant asset on the basepaths for fantasy managers. Now that Volpe is back to a near-everyday role in New York, he could be worth targeting on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
