RADIO
Will Smith Won't Return on Current Road Trip
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Sunday that catcher Will Smith (neck) will not travel on the team's current road trip, which starts on Monday, June 22, in Minnesota and ends on Wednesday, July 1, in Sacramento against the A's, per MLB.com's Sonja Chen. Smith could return early next homestand, though, which starts on Thursday, July 2, against the division-rival San Diego Padres, and he might need a short minor-league rehab assignment. The 31-year-old veteran recently received a cortisone injection in his neck to help him deal with inflammation that has kept him sidelined for the last two weeks. The three-time All-Star should be stashed in most fantasy baseball formats despite his injury and the fact that he has disappointed with a .249 average (43-for-173), six home runs, 23 RBI, and 23 runs scored in 2026 before landing on the 10-day injured list. His replacement, Dalton Rushing, has hit .254 (34-for-134) with eight long balls, 22 RBI, and 21 runs scored in 45 games in his first full year in the majors.
Source: MLB.com - Sonja Chen
Source: MLB.com - Sonja Chen
Teoscar Hernandez Hoping to Return to Dodgers on June 29
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Sunday that outfielder Teoscar Hernandez's (hamstring) minor-league rehab assignment will be with Triple-A Oklahoma City and that the hope is he will return for a series in Sacramento against the Athletics, starting on Monday, June 29, according to Sonja Chen of MLB.com. Hernandez should be cleared to begin a rehab assignment this week at OKC after taking live batting practice the last few days. The 33-year-old veteran right-handed slugger has been sidelined with a Grade 1 hamstring strain since late, May, but barring a setback on his rehab assignment this week and weekend, he could be ready to go to begin next week. The Dominican outfielder could be eased back into the Dodgers' starting lineup next week, but he's an everyday player for the team when he's fully healthy. Hernandez was hitting a strong .276/.348/.436 with a .785 OPS, seven home runs, 31 RBI, 30 runs, and two steals in 181 at-bats before tweaking his hamstring. The two-time All-Star has at least 25 home runs in each of his last five seasons, dating back to 2021 with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Source: MLB.com - Sonja Chen
Source: MLB.com - Sonja Chen
Is Jackson Holliday Still a Worthy Waiver-Wire Option Despite Cold Start?
Baltimore Orioles infielder Jackson Holliday (groin) remains an intriguing waiver-wire option despite a slow start and some short-term uncertainty. The 22-year-old is batting .200/.286/.388 with four home runs, 12 RBI, 14 runs, and three stolen bases over 85 at-bats since returning from right hamate surgery. His production has dipped further over his last 15 games (.174 AVG), but his combination of power, speed, and regular playing time when healthy preserves his fantasy upside. Last summer, the former top-ranked prospect produced 17 home runs and 17 stolen bases across 149 games, demonstrating the multi-category ceiling that remains. Holliday was removed after experiencing groin tightness on Saturday and sat out the following game, but the Orioles consider him day-to-day, and he does not expect the issue to require an injured-list stint. Managers should continue to monitor his status, but he should not be in danger of missing much time this coming week. Holliday's Yahoo rostership rate sits at 32%, leaving him available in roughly two-thirds of leagues as an upside pickup for managers who can tolerate some immediate uncertainty.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Karson Milbrandt a Must-Stash as he Climbs Minor-League Ladder?
Miami Marlins pitching prospect Karson Milbrandt has impressed at every level and challenge placed before him this season. The 6-foot-2 right-hander continues to progress in the Marlins' minor league system and is seeing his fantasy value soar. At his latest stop at Triple-A Jacksonville, he has yet to record a decision in three starts but has dazzled with a 1.20 ERA and 15 punchouts (over 15 innings). Before that, at Double-A Pensacola, Milbrandt was dominant, posting a 4-1 record and a 1.34 ERA with 70 strikeouts over 47 innings of work. With the Marlins needing depth at the major-league level in their starting rotation with Eury Perez and Janson Junk both on the 15-day injured list, Milbrandt could find his way to Miami shortly. His high upside and prolific strikeout rate make him an appealing stash option for fantasy managers in deeper leagues.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Is Matt McLain Re-Emerging as a High-Upside Waiver Target?
Cincinnati Reds infielder Matt McLain is rebuilding his fantasy value after a difficult start to the season. Over 245 at-bats, the 26-year-old is batting .204/.309/.355 with eight home runs, 25 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and a .664 OPS. He has looked more productive across his last 15 games, hitting .239/.364/.500 with three homers, nine runs, four RBI, and four steals. The batting average and strikeout rate still carry risk, but McLain has already demonstrated a much higher ceiling. He hit .290 with 16 home runs and 14 stolen bases over 89 games as a rookie in 2023. Under the hood, his current 9.9% barrel rate suggests there could be more room for untapped power upside. McLain's 43% Yahoo roster rate leaves him available in a majority of leagues, making him a strong pickup for managers seeking middle-infield power and speed as he begins to find his footing at the plate.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Josh Jung Entering Must-Add Territory Amid Breakout Season?
Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung is making a strong case to be rostered in more fantasy leagues during the best sustained stretch of his major-league career. Across 72 games, the 28-year-old is batting .309/.368/.457 with eight home runs, 31 RBI, 36 runs, one stolen base, and an .825 OPS. More importantly, Jung has cut his strikeout rate to a career-best 16.0%, giving his batting-average production a more stable foundation. Jung has stayed hot by collecting eight hits and scoring four runs over his last four games. His modest 5.6% barrel rate suggests fantasy managers should not expect an immediate home-run explosion, but his hard contact, everyday role, and improved approach should continue to produce a useful average, runs, and RBI. Jung is already up to 53% rostered on Yahoo, yet he's still available in nearly half of leagues as a priority pickup for managers needing help at third base.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Keaton Wagler Confident He'll be Selected in Top Five
Illinois guard Keaton Wagler recently dropped out of a workout with the Brooklyn Nets. Wagler met with the organization, but decided not to work out for the organization because he believes he'll be drafted before they come up in the draft. The rookie guard is confident that he'll be selected in the top 5 during Tuesday's NBA Draft. The speculation is that the Los Angeles Clippers will take Wagler with the fifth overall pick. There are also rumors that the Chicago Bulls could be interested in taking Wagler, but they've also been tied to Caleb Wilson at No. 4. This past season, Wagler finished with 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists during his lone season with Illinois. We'll see on Tuesday night if his stock is really as high as Wagler believes it is.
Source: Brian Lewis
Source: Brian Lewis
Kings Host Workouts for Darius Acuff Jr., Kingston Flemings
The Sacramento Kings have reportedly hosted a workout for both point guards Darius Acuff Jr. and Kingston Flemings. The two rookies reportedly worked out for the organization roughly two weeks ago. They were individual workouts, and both players met with the organization. The Kings currently hold the seventh overall selection in Tuesday's NBA Draft. The Kings are seeking a cornerstone guard to run the offense, which could potentially be Acuff, assuming he falls to them. Flemings isn't a bad pick either, but is projected lower than Acuff in most mock drafts. The expectation is that the Kings are going to select one of the two guards during Tuesday's draft.
Source: Jake Gadon
Source: Jake Gadon
Darryn Peterson Meets With Jazz
The Utah Jazz reportedly met with Kansas guard Darryn Peterson over the weekend, according to Jake Fischer. It sounds like everything went well, but Peterson declined to answer whether it was in-person or not. The assumption is that the Jazz plan on taking Peterson with the second overall selection during Tuesday's NBA Draft. This past season, Peterson averaged 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists across 29.1 minutes in 24 contests this past season. The expectation is that the Washington Wizards will select BYU forward AJ Dybantsa with the first overall pick. They could potentially draft Peterson, which could likely mean the Jazz would select Dybantsa. At the moment, the consensus is that Peterson will go second overall to the Jazz.
Source: Jake Fischer
Source: Jake Fischer
Dusty May Hired as Mavericks Head Coach
The Dallas Mavericks are hiring Dusty May as the team's next head coach, according to Shams Charania. May has been widely successful as a college coach the last few seasons. He took Florida Atlantic University to the Final Four in 2023. He went to Michigan in 2024 and rebuilt its program. He won a National Title with Michigan this past season, including Coach of the Year honors. May is one of the rare occasions that a college coach moves straight into the NBA. Given his past success, May appears ready to make the next step to the professional level. He'll have a decent core with Cooper Flagg as the cornerstone, and Kyrie Irving is expected to be fully healthy this upcoming season.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Kyoji Horiguchi Suffers Third-Round TKO Loss
Former title challenger Kyoji Horiguchi suffered a third-round TKO loss to Manel Kape in the main event of UFC Vegas 119 on Saturday. Horiguchi was winning the first two rounds, but Kape turned things around in the third round by wobbling Horiguchi with the counter right. Horiguchi tried to survive, but Kape kept landing punches at will, and not long after, connected with one that finished Horiguchi. In 12:42, Horiguchi landed two takedowns and 27 significant strikes. With the loss, Horiguchi dropped to 9-2 in the UFC.
Source: UFC
Source: UFC
Manel Kape Scores Third-Round TKO Win
Manel Kape extended his win streak by defeating Kyoji Horiguchi via third-round TKO in the main event of UFC Vegas 119 on Saturday. Kape was getting outgrappled in the first two rounds, but in the third round, Kape turned things around. The 32-year-old Kape found an opening with a perfectly timed counter right hand that hurt Horiguchi badly. As Horiguchi fell to the ground, Kape started blasting away with punches, but the ending sequence came when Kape threw a shot under Horiguchi's arm. In 12:42 of action, Kape landed 19 significant strikes. Kape is now, without a doubt, the most deserving flyweight challenger
Source: UFC
Source: UFC
Ion Cutelaba Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
Ion Cutelaba suffered a second-round TKO loss to undefeated Navajo Stirling in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 119 on Saturday. Cutelaba had some success with his takedowns, but he was having trouble on the feet against Stirling. After taking Stirling down in the second round, Cutelaba remained on the mat against the cage while Stirling managed to get up. Stirling then started raining down blows, forcing the referee to stop the fight. In 8:23 of action, Cutelaba landed five takedowns and 19 significant strikes. With the loss, Cutelaba dropped to 20-12-1 as a pro and is now 9-11-1 in the UFC.
Source: UFC
Source: UFC
Is Kyler Murray a Redraft Sleeper Entering 2026?
Entering 2026, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray is in need of a career reboot. The 28-year-old missed 12 games in 2025 with a foot injury, marking the third time in the last four seasons that he's missed at least six games. Murray's production has also been in gradual decline since his peak years in 2020 and 2021, which led him to sign a massive contract extension with the Arizona Cardinals. As he enters his first year with Minnesota, Murray is currently competing for the QB1 role with incumbent Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy. While McCarthy is a former first-round draft pick, he completed just 57.6% of his passes and threw 12 interceptions across 12 starts for the Vikings in 2025. If Murray can win the starting job, he'll be working with one of the league's better play-callers in Kevin O'Connell and throwing to an elite trio of wide receivers in Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings. Murray also brings dual-threat upside for fantasy managers, as he's just a season removed from rushing for 572 yards and five touchdowns across 17 games for the Cardinals in 2024. Murray's profile obviously carries significant risk, but his current redraft ADP of QB17 may not be accurately capturing his upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Navajo Stirling Remains Undefeated
Navajo Stirling remained undefeated by beating Ion Cutelaba via second-round TKO in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 119 on Saturday. After getting taken down by Cutelaba in the second round, Stirling managed to get back on his feet while Cutelaba stayed on the mat, and started landing vicious blows that forced the referee to stop the fight. In 8:23 of action, Stirling landed 52 significant strikes. Stirling is now 10-0 as a pro, 5-0 in the UFC and climbs closer to ranked opponents at light heavyweight.
Source: UFC
Source: UFC
Is Jake Tonges Still Worthy of a Dynasty Roster Spot Amidst Latest Injury News?
After failing to record a single reception across his first 20 NFL games, San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges finished the 2025 season with 34 catches for 293 yards and five touchdowns on 46 targets across 17 games. The vast majority of Tonges' production came in the six games that superstar 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) missed due to injury. With Kittle entering his age-33 season and coming off a torn Achilles that he suffered in January, Tonges could easily find himself playing a prominent role in the 49ers' passing game once again in 2026. However, the latest reporting on Kittle indicates that he is on track to be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 season. Across the 11 games where both Kittle and Tonges were active in 2025, Tonges played more than eight snaps just twice. Tonges could be worth stashing in deeper dynasty formats, but his production upside in San Francisco is virtually non-existent as long as Kittle can stay on the field.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Christian Scott to Throw Sim Game, Could be Back Next Week
New York Mets right-hander Christian Scott (hip) will throw a simulated game on Monday at Citi Field, according to The Athletic's Tim Britton. Scott, who went on the 15-day injured list early last week due to a right-hip impingement, feels much better after receiving an injection in his hip last week. Britton says that Scott could be ready to rejoin the Mets' starting rotation by next week. The 27-year-old will have a spot in New York's rotation waiting for him after looking good in his return from Tommy John surgery so far in 2026. The former fifth-round selection in 2021 out of the University of Florida went 2-0 with a 3.10 ERA (3.84 FIP) and 1.35 WHIP with 47 strikeouts and 19 walks in 40 2/3 innings pitched in his nine starts before going on the IL with his hip injury. Scott is only rostered in 13% of Yahoo leagues right now, but if he continues to pitch well upon his return, that number will be going up as we head into the All-Star break next month.
Source: The Athletic - Tim Britton
Source: The Athletic - Tim Britton
Christian Rodriguez Gets Back In The Win Column
Christian Rodriguez returned to the win column by beating Hyder Amil via first-round submission on the main card of UFC Vegas 119 on Saturday. In the first round, Rodriguez landed a beautiful head kick that dropped Amil and not long after, sank in a guillotine choke that finished Amil. In 3:43 of action, Rodriguez landed a takedown and 20 significant strikes. With the win, Rodriguez improved to 13-4 as a pro and is now 6-4 in the UFC.
Source: UFC
Source: UFC
Is Aaron Jones Sr. Undervalued by Current Redraft ADP?
After recording over 1,500 scrimmage yards in his first season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, veteran running back Aaron Jones Sr.'s production took a tumble in 2025. Jones Sr. battled hamstring, shoulder, ankle, and hip issues and finished the year with 747 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns on 160 touches across 12 games. While Jones Sr. is back in Minnesota for the 2025 season, the expectation is that he will play a secondary role behind Vikings back Jordan Mason. With Jones Sr. entering his age-32 season, it makes sense for Minnesota to limit his workload. However, Mason has recorded just 28 receptions across 61 career NFL games. At the very least, Jones Sr. profiles as the obvious passing-downs back in Minnesota. If he has a healthier season in 2026, Jones Sr. could re-emerge as a 1B or even 1A back for the Vikings. Jones Sr. should no longer be considered a top-24 fantasy running back, but his current average draft position in redraft formats as the RB40 makes him a sleeper worth targeting.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Hyder Amil Suffers Third Loss In A Row
Hyder Amil suffered a first-round submission loss to Christian Rodriguez on the main card of UFC Vegas 119 on Saturday. Rodriguez landed a head kick to Amil's head that knocked him down. Rodriguez gave Amil no chance to recover and sank in a guillotine choke to put Amil to sleep. In 3:43 of action, Amil landed 23 significant strikes. With the loss, Amil dropped to 3-3 in the UFC.
Source: UFC
Source: UFC
Francisco Lindor Could be Back This Week
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (calf) played all nine innings of his minor-league rehab game with Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday, and he could come off the 10-day injured list this week, according to Tim Britton of The Athletic. The plan right now is for Lindor to play in a simulated game at Citi Field on Monday to give him a feel of back-to-back games. The Mets will likely want him to rest on Tuesday before considering whether to activate him to the major-league roster on Wednesday. The 32-year-old is recovering from a strained left calf, but fantasy managers should get him back later this week, barring a setback in the next couple of days. Lindor, a five-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger, will give the struggling Mets a big boost offensively, although he was hitting just .226 (21-for-93) with two homers, five RBI, 14 runs, and two steals in 24 games at the time of his injury earlier this year. When healthy, Lindor is a must-start in all fantasy formats for his high-end power/speed upside. Bo Bichette will move from shortstop back to third base in Queens when Lindor is ready to return. UPDATE: MLB.com's Anthony DiComo reports that Lindor is scheduled to play in another minor-league rehab game for Syracuse on Tuesday.
Source: The Athletic - Tim Britton
Source: The Athletic - Tim Britton
Pat Bryant Offers Long-Term Appeal for Dynasty Rebuilders
A third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Denver Broncos wide receiver Pat Bryant recorded 31 catches for 378 yards and a touchdown across 15 games (seven starts) as a rookie. The 23-year-old saw his involvement in the Denver passing game grow down the stretch of the season, as he averaged four catches and 45 receiving yards on six targets per game over his final five contests. However, Bryant's place in the Broncos' target pecking order took a hit over the offseason when the team traded for star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle from the Miami Dolphins. Entering 2026, Bryant appears to be battling with Troy Franklin for the WR3 role in Denver behind Waddle and veteran Courtland Sutton. In the immediate, Bryant's production upside is likely limited. Still, with Sutton entering his age-31 season in 2026, Bryant's eventual path to a significant role in Denver remains clear. For rebuilding dynasty managers, Bryant is a worthwhile target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mike Burrows To Start Against Blue Jays on Wednesday
Houston Astros right-hander Mike Burrows is scheduled to make the start in Wednesday's series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Burrows was moved to a relief role over the weekend and threw a scoreless inning out of the bullpen on Friday against the Cleveland Guardians. The 26-year-old will return to start this week against Toronto, but he might be heading right back to the bullpen after that, so fantasy managers in deeper leagues won't necessarily want to jump on board. In his 15 appearances (14 starts) for the Astros in 2026 in his first year with the team, Burrows has struggled to the tune of a 3-8 record, 5.79 ERA (5.64 FIP), and 1.58 WHIP with 66 strikeouts and 30 walks in 79 1/3 innings pitched. He has allowed a league-high 51 earned runs and will be a volatile streaming option for fantasy managers on Wednesday, even in a good matchup against the Blue Jays. Toronto ranks just 23rd in the league in OPS (.703), but they also have the second-fewest strikeouts in the league (562).
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Is Isiah Pacheco a Sneaky Sleeper Running Back in Redraft Formats?
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco enters 2026 in a backup role behind star Lions back Jahmyr Gibbs. It's a new role for Pacheco, who spent most of his first four seasons in the NFL as the RB1 for the Kansas City Chiefs. However, Pacheco has struggled with both injuries and ineffectiveness over the past two seasons, missing 14 games and averaging just 3.8 yards per carry since the start of the 2024 campaign. In Detroit, Pacheco's touches will be limited as long as Gibbs remains healthy. Still, former Lions RB2 David Montgomery recorded 908 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns across 17 games in 2025. If Pacheco can assume a similar role as the thunder to Gibbs' lightning, he could be a productive player for fantasy managers in 2026. Pacheco's handcuff appeal is obvious as well, as he profiles as the clear winner in the Detroit backfield if Gibbs suffers an injury. In redraft leagues, Pacheco could be a late-round sleeper to target in drafts.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Matthew Boyd Looks Great in Rehab Start on Saturday
Chicago Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd (knee, shoulder) looked strong in his minor-league rehab start on Saturday with High-A South Bend, throwing four shutout innings with only two hits allowed, no walks, and seven strikeouts. Boyd threw 40 of his 59 pitches for strikes as he returned to game action following soreness in his left shoulder. The 35-year-old veteran southpaw initially landed on the 15-day injured list on May 6 after having a meniscectomy on his left knee. If Boyd's bullpen session scheduled for Monday goes off without a hitch, he's expected to be reinstated from the IL to make his next start with Chicago, either later this week against the New York Mets or this weekend against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers. A matchup against the Mets would be much more enticing for fantasy managers looking for a streamer. Boyd was a first-time All-Star in 2025 with the Cubs, going 14-8 with a 3.21 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 154:42 K:BB in 31 regular-season starts. However, he had a 6.00 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 31:6 K:BB in five starts this year before injuring his knee. Boyd can be a useful fantasy streamer once he's back, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect a rebound to last year's heights. He's currently rostered in 55% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Rashid Shaheed Carries Dynasty Buy-Low Appeal into 2026
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed is entering his first full season with the team after being acquired from the New Orleans Saints at the 2025 trade deadline. Shaheed's production fell off a cliff following last year's trade, as he recorded 15 catches for 188 yards and zero touchdowns across nine games with the Seahawks after hauling in 44 receptions for 499 yards and two scores across nine games with the Saints. Nevertheless, Seattle re-signed Shaheed to a three-year, $51 million contract in March. As a result, he'll enter 2026 in the mix for the team's WR2 spot behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba, along with veteran Cooper Kupp and youngster Tory Horton. With a full offseason to integrate himself, Shaheed's role in the Seahawks passing game seems likely to expand. In dynasty formats, managers may have a buy-low window on Shaheed ahead of the 2026 season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Edward Cabrera Scheduled to Start on Tuesday Against Mets
Chicago Cubs right-hander Edward Cabrera (hand) is listed as the team's starter for Tuesday's game at Citi Field against the New York Mets, according to MLB.com. Cabrera was pulled from his last start early on Tuesday against the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley Field with cramping in his right hand, but he evidently had a successful bullpen session over the weekend and was cleared to make his next start in Queens on Tuesday in Game 2 of the series against the Mets. The 28-year-old Dominican hurler has been hard to trust in fantasy in his first year in Chicago, as he's gone 4-4 with a 5.21 ERA (5.15 FIP) and 1.39 WHIP with 61 strikeouts and 25 walks in 67 1/3 innings across his 13 starts. In his three starts in June, Cabrera has unraveled, allowing 15 earned runs on 16 hits (six homers) while walking five and striking out 14 in 13 1/3 innings pitched. The good news is that he's facing the Mets, a team that ranks 29th in baseball in OPS (.669). In his first outing against New York in 2026 on April 17 at Wrigley Field, Cabrera picked up his second win of the year by giving up three earned runs on eight hits while walking two and striking out four in six innings.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Shane Bieber's Season Debut Pushed Back to Tuesday
The Toronto Blue Jays' series finale against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field was rained out on Sunday, which will push right-hander Shane Bieber's (elbow) 2026 season debut back from Monday to Tuesday against the Houston Astros, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Bieber will be in line for a two-start week in his first week back on the big-league roster, with his second start this week scheduled against the Texas Rangers. Even though the 31-year-old veteran hasn't pitched at all in the big leagues yet this year, he'll be a tempting two-start pitcher right away with two good matchups against Houston and Texas. Bieber went five innings in each of his final two minor-league rehab starts, but he also had a 6.88 ERA and 1.88 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and five walks in 17 innings over his five rehab starts as he worked his way back from right-elbow inflammation. There's will still be plenty of risk for fantasy managers considering starting Bieber this week, despite his strong matchups. The former American League Cy Young winner is currently rostered in 58% of Yahoo leagues, and although he shouldn't be considered a fantasy ace anymore, he should have plenty of value the rest of the way in the right matchups if he can stay healthy.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Rico Garcia Emerging as Priority Closer Handcuff to Stash?
Baltimore Orioles right-hander Rico Garcia has been one of the better relievers in baseball so far this season, recording a 1.72 ERA and 0.73 WHIP with 35 strikeouts and four saves across 31 1/3 innings (34 games). With Orioles closer Ryan Helsley on the injured list for the better part of two months due to elbow inflammation, Garcia emerged as one of Baltimore's preferred ninth-inning options. Helsley returned from the IL on Wednesday, which could eliminate Garcia's save opportunities. However, Helsley has struggled mightily in his first two outings since his return, allowing five runs (four earned) and three home runs across 1 2/3 innings. If Helsley continues to falter, Garcia could re-emerge as part of the ninth-inning mix in Baltimore. Particularly in deeper leagues, Garcia profiles as a worthy closer stash candidate on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Does Ezequiel Tovar Still Have Deep-League Waiver Wire Appeal?
Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar has mostly struggled at the plate in 2026, hitting .213/.259/.327 with five home runs, 24 RBI, 23 runs scored, and four stolen bases across 274 plate appearances. The 24-year-old has struck out in 28.5% of his triple to the plate and has also seen his barrel rate drop to a career-worst 7.8%. However, Tovar is an elite defender at shortstop who signed a seven-year contract extension with the Rockies in March 2024, both of which help keep him in the Colorado lineup on an everyday basis. While Tovar has struggled in recent seasons, he's just a couple of years removed from hitting .269 with 26 home runs across 695 plate appearances in 2024. There's also reason to believe he's been a bit unlucky at the plate this season, as his .282 BABIP is significantly below his career mark of .325. In deeper formats, Tovar could be worth targeting on the waiver wire in hopes of a second-half turnaround.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
