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Samuel Basallo Emerging as a Must-Add Waiver-Wire Target
After a relatively slow start to the season in which he posted a .754 OPS through the end of April, Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo caught fire in May. Across 77 plate appearances last month, the 21-year-old hit .338/.376/.597 with four home runs, 16 RBI, and 13 runs scored. Basallo's 12.1% barrel rate and 48.4% hard-hit rate are solid for any position, but profile as elite for his position. Additionally, Baltimore's ability to rotate him between catcher and designated hitter with Adley Rutschman should help keep Basallo fresh throughout the year and in the lineup on an everyday basis. Basallo struggled in a small sample size of 118 plate appearances after making his MLB debut as a 20-year-old in 2025, logging a .559 OPS. However, the top prospect looks to be realizing his immense potential in 2026 and is an absolute must-add in any fantasy league where he is currently unrostered.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Francisco Lindor Expected to Return in "About a Couple Weeks"
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (calf) is expected to return to the big leagues in "about a couple weeks," per Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The superstar shortstop has been on the 15-day injured list due to a calf strain since late April. Lindor was off to a slow start before suffering the injury, hitting .226/.314/.355 with two home runs, five RBI, 14 runs scored, and two stolen bases across 105 plate appearances. Still, the 32-year-old entered 2026 coming off three consecutive seasons with at least 31 home runs, 86 RBI, 107 runs scored, and 29 stolen bases. When healthy, Lindor profiles as an elite fantasy shortstop and a true five-category producer. While Heyman's timeline still leaves some room for interpretation, it appears Lindor may be on track to return to the Mets before the end of June.
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman
Edward Cabrera Officially Activated from Injured List Ahead of Start on Friday
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Edward Cabrera (finger) has been activated from the 15-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start on Friday against the San Francisco Giants. The 28-year-old last pitched on May 20 before being placed on the IL due to a blister issue. Before the injury, Cabrera recorded a 3-2 record with a 4.00 ERA, 1.35 ERA, and 47 strikeouts across 54 innings (10 starts). The right-hander's average fastball velocity had dipped from 97 miles per hour in 2025 to 95.9 mph, and his strikeout rate had fallen from 25.8% to 20.7%. It's possible that blister issues had been plaguing Cabrera before he hit the shelf, which could explain his downturn in production. Now that he's back, fantasy managers should monitor closely for an uptick in his velocity and strikeout rate.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jorge Polanco Won't Rejoin the Mets This Weekend
There had been thought that New York Mets infielder Jorge Polanco (Achilles, wrist) might come off the 10-day injured list to rejoin the Mets for their series opener in San Diego against the Padres on Friday night, but he will remain on his minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Syracuse instead, according to Mike Puma of The New York Post. Polanco probably won't come off the IL to join the Mets now until next Tuesday against the St. Louis Cardinals for the start of a homestand in Queens. It's been a long absence for Polanco, who has been sidelined since mid-April with bursitis in his left Achilles and a right-wrist contusion, but he should play regularly as the team's designated hitter when he returns. The 32-year-old Dominican switch-hitter got off to a rough start in 2026 in his first season with the Mets, going 10-for-56 (.179) with a homer, two RBI, and three runs scored in 14 games before going down with multiple injuries. Polanco's Achilles bursitis is something that he could have to manage for the rest of the season. He is eligible at second and third base in most fantasy leagues and can provide some pop as infield depth. Polanco is currently rostered in just 23% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: New York Post - Mike Puma
Source: New York Post - Mike Puma
DJ Herz Set to Begin Rehab Assignment, Worth Stashing Ahead of Return?
Washington Nationals left-hander DJ Herz (elbow) has been sent on a rehab assignment in the Florida Coast League. The 25-year-old is working his way back from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in April 2025. Herz made his MLB debut with Washington in 2024, recording a 4-9 record with a 4.16 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 106 strikeouts across 88 2/3 innings (19 starts). Herz consistently struggled with command during his time in the minors before his debut, but he kept his walk rate to a manageable 9.4% while striking out an impressive 27.7% of the batters he faced in his first taste of the big leagues. Given how long he's been out, Herz will likely require an extensive rehab stint before he's ready to return to Washington. However, his ability to miss bats gives him considerable fantasy upside and could make him worth stashing off the waiver wire ahead of his eventual activation.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Brandon Woodruff Could Pitch in ACL Games as Rehab Continues
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) has been sidelined on the 15-day injured list since experiencing a dramatic drop in velocity and a feeling of "dead arm" during a start on April 30 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Woodruff then had a minor procedure to address a cyst in his shoulder joint. He was on track to start against the St. Louis Cardinals on May 27, but he pulled the plug because he didn't feel right. The 33-year-old two-time All-Star made a significant mechanical change during a 42-pitch live batting practice session on Wednesday, lowering his arm slot to help correct the slow creep of bad habits that have accompanied his comeback from right-shoulder surgery. "Ever since surgery, my release point has been getting higher, and I've been pinching my [shoulder] off," Woodruff said. He has bounced back nicely since his BP session on Wednesday, and he could pitch in some Arizona Complex League games soon as he tries to make it back to Milwaukee's starting rotation before the mid-July All-Star break. Woodruff is confident he'll return and make multiple starts before the All-Star break, and because of his track record before shoulder surgery as a fantasy ace, he's currently rostered in 87% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
Source: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
Noelvi Marte a Priority Waiver-Wire Target After Being Recalled by Reds
After spending nearly two months in the minor leagues, Cincinnati Reds third baseman/outfielder Noelvi Marte was recalled by the big league club on Wednesday. The 24-year-old got off to a miserable start to his 2026 season after breaking camp with Cincinnati, hitting .138/.219/.138 with a 31.9% strikeout rate across 38 plate appearances. However, Marte has absolutely crushed Triple-A pitching since being sent down, slashing .369/.409/.575 with eight home runs, 27 RBI, 31 runs scored, and nine stolen bases across 176 plate appearances. The former top prospect has had MLB success as recently as 2025, when he posted a .748 OPS with 14 home runs and 10 stolen bases across 360 plate appearances. He may also now have a chance to work his way into everyday playing time in Cincinnati, as Reds third baseman/designated hitter Eugenio Suarez has posted a .645 OPS with a 30.3% strikeout rate across 142 plate appearances so far this season. A chance to reset himself in the minors may have been just what Marte needed, and he profiles as a must-roster waiver wire target now that he's back in the big leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mick Abel Looks Good in Live BP Session, Touches 97 MPH
Minnesota Twins right-hander Mick Abel (elbow) threw a two-inning live batting practice session at Target Field on Thursday and touched 97 mph on the radar gun during a 37-pitch effort, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. Abel has been out since landing on the 15-day injured list on April 20 with right-elbow inflammation. He hasn't pitched in a big-league game since April 14, and there isn't a current timetable for when he might rejoin the Twins' starting rotation. Abel could throw another live BP session next week or pitch in a minor-league game. "Free and easy," Abel said. "Just being able to have hitters in the box again, it feels really, really good, and really nice. The body feels great, too, so I can't complain." The 24-year-old would have been back already if not for feeling soreness in his right triceps over a month ago during a bullpen session on May 2, which resulted in him needing a cortisone shot. Before landing on the IL, Abel struck out 16 batters in 13 scoreless innings in his two most recent outings. As he nears a return to the big leagues, Abel will be a starting pitcher worth targeting off the waiver wire in deeper leagues. He's rostered in only 12% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Dylan Cease Lit Up in First Rehab Start at Triple-A
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Dylan Cease (hamstring) had a rough outing in his first minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday, surrendering five earned runs on six hits (two homers) while walking one and striking out six in four innings of work. Cease threw 50 of his 75 pitches for strikes and was able to hit 99 mph on the radar gun. The results for the 30-year-old weren't great, but his arm looked fine, and it could be his only rehab outing before the Jays reinstate him from the 15-day injured list. If Cease returns to Toronto's starting rotation after this, he'll be lined up to face the Philadelphia Phillies next Tuesday. The former sixth-round pick by the Chicago Cubs in 2014 is 98% rostered in Yahoo leagues for a reason. He has looked great so far in 2026 in his first year north of the border, posting a 3.05 ERA (2.59 FIP) and 1.21 WHIP with 92 strikeouts and 26 walks in 62 innings across his first 11 starts. Cease should be thrown back into starting fantasy lineups immediately upon his return, even against a Phillies team that has been heating up lately.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Hunter Brown Goes 4 1/3 Innings in Latest Rehab Start
Houston Astros right-hander Hunter Brown (elbow) took the next step in his recovery by throwing 4 1/3 innings for Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday in a no-decision against Triple-A El Paso. Brown allowed just one earned run on three hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out four. He threw 38 of his 57 pitches for strikes and touched 98.9 mph on the radar gun. Brown is looking good so far on his minor-league rehab assignment, but he's likely to need at least one more start on the farm before the Astros reinstate him from the 60-day injured list around mid-June. The 27-year-old now has a 1.93 ERA, 0.64 WHIP, and 14:1 K:BB in 9 1/3 frames over his three rehab starts with Sugar Land and Double-A Corpus Christi. Brown is a fantasy ace when healthy after breaking out for the Astros in 2025. The former fifth-rounder in 2019 out of Wayne State University was 1-0 with a 0.84 ERA and 1.03 WHIP in his two starts in 2026 before encountering elbow issues. Brown should definitely not be available on any waiver wires in fantasy leagues.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Roki Sasaki Attractive Off the Waiver Wire With Improved Control?
At the end of April, Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Roki Sasaki was sporting an ugly 6.35 ERA (7.16 FIP) with seven home runs allowed, 13 walks, and 22 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings across his five starts. The 24-year-old Japanese hurler turned things around in May, though, and it all started with his improved control of the baseball. In five starts in May, Sasaki allowed 11 runs (10 earned) on 22 hits (three homers) while walking only six and striking out 28 in 28 1/3 innings. He has not walked more than two batters in a game since April 12 and is now 3-3 in his second MLB season with a 4.59 ERA (5.05 FIP), 1.35 WHIP, and 50:19 K:BB in 51 innings across his 10 starts for L.A. Home runs remain an issue, but if Sasaki can continue to build on his control gains from the last month, he'll be a much more attractive starting option for fantasy managers. Sasaki is definitely worth picking up and starting this weekend in the Freeway Series against the lowly Los Angeles Angels. In his last outing against the Halos, Sasaki gave up just one run while walking none and fanning a season-high eight in seven innings to win his second game of the year. Sasaki is rostered in just 56% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Ben Brown Making Seamless Transition to Starting Role
Chicago Cubs right-hander Ben Brown has been excellent as both a reliever and starter so far in 2026 for the Cubbies, but he should be attracting more interest off the waiver wire from fantasy managers now that he's stretched out and pitching well. The 26-year-old is currently 2-2 with a 1.92 ERA (2.23 FIP) and 0.93 WHIP with 53 strikeouts and 15 walks in 51 2/3 innings pitched across 17 appearances (five starts). He even has one save for good measure as a reliever. Since moving to a starting role on the North side in Chicago, Brown has become even more attractive in fantasy, allowing only five earned runs on 15 hits while walking seven and fanning 29 over 26 innings of work. Most recently, he went a season-high seven innings and gave up just one earned run with a walk and six K's for his second win of the season against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals on May 30. Brown has had quality starts in each of his last two times out and continues to gain steam in what is shaping up as a breakout campaign. The best part is that he's available in just over 40% of Yahoo leagues, too. Grab him and start him this weekend against the San Francisco Giants.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Paul Sewald Still the Player to Roster in Arizona for Saves
Arizona Diamondbacks veteran right-handed reliever Paul Sewald isn't flashy by any means, but he's still the best option for saves in the desert, and he has been pretty reliable of late for the Snakes. Sewald picked up his second win of the year in Thursday night's walk-off win over the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers, tossing a scoreless inning while allowing one hit, walking none, and striking out two. The 36-year-old's overall numbers aren't outstanding, but he has blown just one of his 16 save chances on the year and has registered a scoreless outing in 21 of his 26 appearances on the season. Since his first blown save of 2026 on May 15 on the road against the Texas Rangers, Sewald has allowed just one earned run while walking one and striking out seven in eight innings while also winning two games and recording six saves in eight outings. He is currently tied for fourth among all MLB relievers with the Cardinals' Riley O'Brien with 15 saves. At least until left-hander A.J. Puk (elbow) returns from the injured list, Sewald is the man to roster for the D-backs if you're looking for saves. He's currently rostered in only 65% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Travis Bazzana a Must-Add Off Waiver Wire in On-Base-Percentage Leagues?
Cleveland Guardians rookie second baseman Travis Bazzana has absolutely looked like he belongs in the big leagues through his first 33 games with the Guards. While mostly serving as Cleveland's leadoff hitter and thriving atop the batting order, the 23-year-old left-handed-hitting Aussie has hit .273 (33-for-121) with three home runs, 15 RBI, eight stolen bases, and 13 runs scored across his first 139 big-league plate appearances. Bazzana was curiously dropped to the cleanup spot in Thursday's loss to the New York Yankees, but it was likely only because the Yanks had a tough left-hander on the mound. The former first overall pick out of Oregon State University in 2024 should return to the leadoff spot this weekend, where he has looked very comfortable despite his first taste of major-league pitching. Bazzana isn't going to offer a ton of power from the left side at the keystone, but he's an extremely patient hitter who will get on base frequently and take advantage of his plus speed. In OBP leagues, he should be scooped up now. Bazzana is somehow still available in just over half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Hunter Greene Still a Ways From Returning, But he Should be Stashed
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene (elbow) has not pitched yet in 2026 after having surgery in mid-March during spring training to remove bone chips from his right elbow. However, the hard-throwing 26-year-old ace threw a successful bullpen session on May 26 and is slowly ramping back up for a potential return to Cincy's starting rotation at some point in July. Even though Greene still has a lot of boxes to check before he's back in the big leagues, fantasy managers looking to bolster their rotation for the second half should already be considering picking him up off the waiver wire and stashing him in an injured list spot. The former second overall pick in the 2017 draft out of high school in California is one of the hardest-throwing starters in baseball when he's healthy, and he had an ERA under 3.00 in each of his last two seasons with the Reds, going 16-9 with a 2.76 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 301:83 K:BB in 258 innings across 45 starts. Greene has the potential to be a fantasy ace when he's healthy, and he's currently rostered in only 63% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
