RADIO
Ian Seymour a Strikeout-Upside Waiver Addition After 12-K Outing?
Tampa Bay Rays left-handed pitcher Ian Seymour is not just a short-term streamer after what he did to the New York Yankees. The 27-year-old is 6-1 with a 4.11 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 72 strikeouts, and two saves over 61 1/3 innings, and his role has become a lot more interesting after opening the season in the bullpen. Seymour struck out a career-high 12 Yankees on Tuesday, allowing three earned runs over 5 1/3 innings with no walks. The ERA is not pretty enough to make him a safe ratio arm, but the strikeouts are real. Seymour owns a 28.7% strikeout rate, 3.22 xERA, .280 xwOBA allowed, and 36.1% hard-hit rate, which gives the profile more support than the surface ERA shows. Yahoo managers have already pushed him to 51% rostered, but RotoBaller still lists him as an add in 10-team leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Griffin Jax Emerging as a Priority Waiver-Wire Target
After a disappointing beginning to the 2026 season while working out of the bullpen, Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Griffin Jax has found success since being moved into his team's rotation in late April. Across 24 appearances (13 starts) on the year, Jax has recorded a 4-6 record with a 3.60 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 68 strikeouts in 65 innings pitched. Dating back to June 7, Jax owns a 3-2 record with a 2.32 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 36 strikeouts across 31 innings (six starts). In that span, Jax owns a 30.3% strikeout rate with just a 5.0% walk rate, good for an elite 25.3% K-BB rate. In any fantasy league where Jax is not already rostered, he profiles as a priority waiver wire pickup.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Griffin Jax is Approaching Must-Add Territory
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Griffin Jax has been making a smooth transition into the starting rotation. Over his last five outings, Jax owns a 1.73 ERA with 27 strikeouts across 26 innings of work. Jax was tagged for three runs across six innings of work during his most recent outing against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. The right-hander has looked sharp as a starting pitcher and figures to remain in that role going forward. His next outing is scheduled in Houston versus the Astros. Fantasy managers seeking pitching help should check the waiver wire to see if Jax is available.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Griffin Jax Emerging as a Must-Add Arm Amidst June Surge
After opening 2026 in a relief role, Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Griffin Jax was moved to the starting rotation in late April. It took a few outings for Jax to ramp up to a full starter's workload, but he's started to come into his own in recent weeks. Dating back to June 7, Jax has allowed just two earned runs while recording 21 strikeouts and two wins across 20 innings (four starts). For the season overall, the 31-year-old is averaging 96.5 miles per hour on his fastball and has pitched to a 3.33 ERA and 1.31 WHIP across 54 innings. Jax has yet to go more than exactly five innings in a start, which limits his production upside to some degree. Still, his effectiveness since joining the Rays rotation makes him a quality starting pitcher streamer for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Edwin Uceta to Begin Throwing in Late-June
Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Edwin Uceta (shoulder) will resume a throwing program in late June, according to Marc Topkin. Rays manager Kevin Cash confirmed on Friday that Uceta will begin throwing in about 10 days. The right-hander has been shut down since suffering a setback in late May. He has been sidelined all season while recovering from a right shoulder strain. When healthy, Uceta can be a legitimate late-inning option for the Rays. He could very well insert himself into the save conversation once he's able to get on the mound. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to make an impact in Tampa Bay until at some point in July at the earliest.
Source: Marc Topkin
Source: Marc Topkin
Is Ian Seymour Stepping Up as a Potential Stash Candidate?
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher/relief pitcher Ian Seymour seems to be moving towards a transition to a spot in the starting rotation after beginning the year in the bullpen. He has a 4.93 ERA and 4.64 FIP in his 38 1/3 innings this season, but his xERA is only 3.54, indicating he has had some below-average contact luck. He has 41 strikeouts in 38 1/3 innings, and his 25% K% is enough to give him an intriguing upside. The 27-year-old lefty started against the Red Sox last Monday and went four innings, giving up just one run. On Sunday, he came in after an opener and worked 3 1/3 innings against the Angels, allowing two runs on two hits and three walks. He'll need to improve his control and efficiency as he stretches back out, but his strikeout upside makes him worth stashing in deep leagues if the Rays continue to position him to pitch as a starter or a predictable primary reliever going forward.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brody Hopkins Still on the Stash Radar Following Six-Run Showing?
Tampa Bay Rays top pitching prospect Brody Hopkins was enjoying a productive stretch at Triple-A while pitching out of the bullpen, but he was recently moved back to the starting rotation. In his return to the rotation, Hopkins unfortunately took a step back in his production as he served up a hefty six earned runs with a 4:6 K:BB across two innings of work. However, before this game, Hopkins logged 10 straight shutout innings (all out of the bullpen) with a stellar 16:3 K:BB. Hopkins began the Triple-A regular season pitching out of the starting rotation, where he held a modest 3.98 ERA with a rough 46:42 K:BB, which encouraged Durham to move him to a long-relief role. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor the production, as it appeared Hopkins' clearer path to the majors was through the bullpen. If the No. 81-ranked prospect in baseball quickly returns to form, he could re-emerge as a deep-league stash target later in June. For now, he is only worth stashing in deep 15-team redraft leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Brody Hopkins Looks to Solidify Status as Deep-League Stash Option
Tampa Bay Rays pitching prospect Brody Hopkins will get his next shot at proving his recent run of success is for real when he takes the mound for Triple-A Durham on Thursday night in Nashville against a formidable lineup made up of hot-hitting Brewers prospects. Over the right-hander's last six appearances, he's pitched to a 1.42 ERA while striking out 32 batters across 25 1/3 innings pitched. The Rays' top pitching prospect had an issue walking batters for most of the season, even during his recent success, but has improved considerably over his last two appearances, recording a 16:3 K:BB in 10 IP. If that is the trend going forward, the 24-year-old's momentum should carry him to a major league debut in the coming weeks. With his strikeout upside and the control problems hopefully a thing of the past, the 6-foot-4 hurler has emerged as a solid stash candidate in deeper leagues, so managers will want to keep an eye on his progress, starting Thursday night.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Garrett Cleavinger Emerging as Deep-League Waiver Target?
Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Garrett Cleavinger earned his second save of the season on Wednesday in his team's 7-5 win over the Red Sox. Cleavinger gave up a home run to Caleb Durbin and issued a walk ot Isiah Kiner-Falefa, but he struck out Andruw Monasterio to end the game. Closer Bryan Baker had worked in each of the previous two games, earning back-to-back saves. Baker has a 1.98 ERA and 18 saves this season, tied for the second-most in the majors. Cleavinger isn't likely to supplant Baker anytime soon, barring injury, but he has been effective in a setup role and could earn an occasional save chance like this one. The 32-year-old lefty is 1-2 with a 4.70 ERA and 4.02 FIP across his 15 1/3 innings this season. Cleavinger can be useful in leagues that value setup stats, but he's best left for deep leagues, while Baker continues to be so effective.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Griffin Jax Remains a Deep-League Waiver-Wire Target After Resurgent Outing
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Griffin Jax put together a strong outing on Sunday against the Miami Marlins, striking out four across five scoreless innings. It was a much-needed bounce back for Jax, who was bludgeoned by the Detroit Tigers for six earned runs over four innings in his first start of June. Outside of the rough day against Detroit, Jax has performed well since being moved from the bullpen to the rotation in late April. The 31-year-old has allowed one earned run or fewer in six out of his eight starts and has gone at least five innings in three out of his last five appearances. Jax may not offer tremendous upside for fantasy managers, but he's steadied himself after a slow start to the year in the bullpen and could be a valuable deep-league streaming option as a starting pitcher.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Steven Matz Moves to the Bullpen
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Steven Matz will transition to the bullpen. The 35-year-old has struggled recently, allowing 11 runs over his last two starts while recording just 13 outs. As a result, the Rays will look to utilize him in shorter relief appearances as he works to regain his form. The left-hander has posted a 5.48 ERA across 46.0 innings over 10 starts this season. At this point, he is not expected to work in high-leverage situations or receive save opportunities. The Rays have yet to announce who will fill the vacant spot in the rotation.
Source: Marc Topkin
Source: Marc Topkin
Is Brody Hopkins a Stash Candidate After Latest Outing?
Tampa Bay Rays pitching prospect Brody Hopkins' season-long stats for Triple-A Durham don't look so good on the surface (3.56 ERA, 5.00 FIP, 1.54 WHIP), but progress can be seen in his five May outings, where he pitched to a 1.77 ERA (3.89 FIP) and 1.38 WHIP while opponents hit just .143 against him. The main issue has been the walks, which have persisted even throughout May, as the right-hander carries a Triple-A-worst 20.2 percent walk rate (minimum 30 innings pitched), which has almost canceled out a solid 25.8 percent strikeout rate, giving him a paltry 5.6 K-BB% for the year, while he's also delivered the second-most wild pitches (eight) among Triple-A hurlers. A 35.8 percent whiff rate (88th percentile) shows what kind of swing-and-miss stuff the Rays' top pitching prospect has, and if he can get the command under control, there is plenty of strikeout upside there. The 24-year-old walked just one while striking out nine in his latest appearance, and if he can continue that trend, the Rays might find a role for him on the big league club later this season, and with his stuff, Hopkins could end up being a stash target for fantasy.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Griffin Jax a Priority Waiver Wire Target Amidst Success as a Starter?
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Griffin Jax got off to a rough start to the 2026 season, allowing eight runs across his first two innings (four games) of the year. However, Jax has been significantly better since Tampa Bay shifted him from the bullpen to the starting rotation in late April. Across 21 innings (six starts) since the role shift, Jax has recorded a 1.71 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with 17 strikeouts. The 31-year-old also worked five innings in two consecutive starts before being limited to two innings after getting hit in the back by a comebacker in his most recent outing. Now that Jax should be built up close to a regular starter's workload, the right-hander carries significant waiver wire appeal across most fantasy league formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Griffin Jax Cleared to Make His Start on Monday
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Griffin Jax (back) is in line to make his next scheduled start on Monday against the Detroit Tigers, per Evan Woodbery of MLive Media Group. Jax was forced to exit early from his start against the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday after being hit in the back with a 107.2 mph comebacker. In 17 appearances (six starts) for Tampa Bay so far in 2026, Jax is 1-3 with a 3.60 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 27 strikeouts across 30 innings. The 31-year-old was moved from the bullpen to the rotation in late April and has been effective since, allowing four earned runs over 21 innings. He had reached five innings pitched in each of his last two starts leading into Tuesday, and should be stretched out to close to a normal starter's workload going forward. In leagues where he's not already rostered, Jax could be worth a look on the waiver wire.
Source: MLive Media Group - Evan Woodbery
Source: MLive Media Group - Evan Woodbery
Bryan Baker: Must-Add Closer Off the Waiver Wire
With roughly a third of the 2026 season in the books, Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Bryan Baker has emerged as his team's preferred option in the ninth inning. Across 24 appearances (22 1/3 innings) so far this year, Baker has pitched to a 2.42 ERA and 0.99 WHIP with 26 strikeouts and 14 saves. The 31-year-old has been deployed in the ninth inning in five consecutive outings and has not entered a game before the eighth inning in 2026. Baker is also averaging a career-best 97.1 miles per hour on his fastball and owns a stellar 29.1% strikeout rate. The veteran reliever has had some issues with command (10.1% walk rate), and his 0.40 HR/9 is considerably better than the 1.70 HR/9 he posted in 2025. If his home run rate regresses a bit and he continues issuing free passes, Baker's ERA could rise over the course of the year. Still, he has a stranglehold on the closer role in Tampa Bay for the time being, making him a must-add off the waiver wire across all fantasy formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
