RADIO
Emilio Pagan Impresses in Rehab Outing, Joining Reds Next?
Cincinnati Reds right-handed reliever Emilio Pagan (hamstring) looks to be on the verge of returning from the 15-day injured list after working a scoreless inning with one hit allowed while throwing eight strikes on his nine pitches with Triple-A Louisville on Sunday, according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. It was Pagan's second rehab appearance for Louisville after he tossed six pitches in a perfect inning on Friday. The 35-year-old veteran has been sidelined since suffering a left-hamstring strain while pitching against the division-rival Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on May 5. He could rejoin the Reds' bullpen for their next series this week against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers, and given the way Cincy's bullpen has struggled with Pagan out, fantasy managers should not be surprised if manager Terry Francona reinserts Pagan as the primary ninth-inning arm right away, especially with both Tony Santillan (oblique) and Graham Ashcraft (elbow) also on the IL. Before injuring his hamstring, Pagan, who has 71 career saves, had a rough 6.43 ERA and 1.43 WHIP, but with six saves in his 15 appearances. Fantasy managers desperate for saves should be looking to add Pagan, who is rostered in only 65% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Mark Sheldon
Source: MLB.com - Mark Sheldon
Hunter Greene Looks Ready for 2026 Debut With Reds
In what is expected to be his final minor-league rehab start, Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene (elbow) looked great on Sunday with Triple-A Louisville, tossing 6 1/3 shutout innings with one hit allowed, no walks, and four strikeouts to pick up the win against Triple-A St. Paul. Greene threw 54 of his 82 pitches for strikeouts and retired his final 16 batters in a row after allowing a double to open the top of the second inning. In his three rehab starts -- two with Louisville and one in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League -- the hard-throwing right-hander threw 14 1/3 scoreless innings. Manager Terry Francona and Greene both expected Sunday to be his final rehab game before coming off the 60-day injured list to rejoin Cincy's starting rotation for the first time in 2026. The 26-year-old former second overall pick had arthroscopic surgery on March 11 to remove bone chips in his right elbow, which dated back to last October. Greene will most likely debut this weekend against the Baltimore Orioles, and he should be scooped up immediately if he remains available on any waiver wires for his ace upside in fantasy. Right now, he's rostered in 72% of Yahoo leagues. UPDATE: Greene told reporters on Monday that he'll make his season debut later this week with the Reds.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Alejandro Kirk a Priority Catcher Add Despite Slow Return?
Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk has not found his swing since returning from a fractured left thumb on June 12. He is 8-for-40 (.200) with one home run, five RBI, and three runs in 11 games since his activation. Kirk is now batting .183/.231/.317 with two homers and seven RBI over 60 at-bats this season. Toronto has continued to use him regularly behind the plate, so his playing time has not disappeared with the slow start. His batted-ball numbers are not helping his case, though. Kirk owns an 85.2 mph average exit velocity, 34% hard-hit rate, and 4% barrel rate. He was far more productive in 2025, when he hit .282/.348/.421 with 15 homers and 76 RBI across 506 plate appearances. That is the version fantasy managers are betting on. His Yahoo roster rate sits at 25%, making Kirk a sensible add in 12-team and two-catcher leagues. Shallow one-catcher managers can wait until his bat shows more life.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Blaze Jordan Worth Trusting in 12-Team Leagues?
St. Louis Cardinals infielder Blaze Jordan has held his own since arriving from Triple-A Memphis on June 12. The 23-year-old is batting .250/.264/.417 with one home run, three doubles, a triple, and 12 RBI through 14 games. Before getting the call, he hit .313/.373/.548 with 11 homers and 35 RBI over 57 games for Triple-A Memphis. St. Louis optioned Nolan Gorman in the corresponding move, and Jordan has received regular work at third base. Jordan has not taken over the league, but his early contact numbers are encouraging. He has struck out in only 9.4% of his plate appearances while posting a 45.7% hard-hit rate and 8.7% barrel rate. There are reasons to stay measured, as half of his batted balls have been on the ground, and his .234 xBA and .379 xSLG trail his actual results. With a Yahoo roster rate of just 8%, Jordan is worth adding in 12-team formats while his playing time remains steady.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Will Smith Not Expected to Return for Start of Next Homestand
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (neck) isn't doing any baseball activities at this time and is unlikely to be activated from the 10-day injured list when the Dodgers' next homestand starts on Thursday, July 2, against the division-rival San Diego Padres, according to MLB.com. Initially, the Dodgers thought that Smith would be able to avoid a trip to the IL, but instead he's been on the shelf since June 11 with inflammation in his neck. The 31-year-old veteran backstop even received a cortisone injection in his neck, which doesn't appear to have helped much. At this point, it's unlikely that we'll see the three-time All-Star back in L.A.'s starting lineup before the mid-July All-Star break. Before getting hurt, the former 32nd overall pick in 2016 out of the University of Louisville was slashing .249/.338/.382 with a .720 OPS, six homers, 23 RBI, and 23 runs scored, numbers that aren't up to Smith's high standards. Rushing has been a short-term fill-in for fantasy managers in two-catcher leagues, but he's hit .220 (13-for-59) with two homers, five doubles, six RBI, eight runs, seven walks, and 19 strikeouts in 18 games played in June.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Yankees Place David Bednar on Paternity List
The New York Yankees announced on Monday that they placed right-handed reliever David Bednar on the paternity list and recalled right-handed reliever Jake Bird from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in a corresponding move. Bednar will now be away from the Yankees for up to three days and will most likely miss their three-game series against the visiting Detroit Tigers that starts on Monday. With Bednar away from the team for few days this week, right-hander Fernando Cruz will likely be first up for saves for the Yankees if the situation arises in the ninth inning for manager Aaron Boone. The 31-year-old Bednar has gone 2-3 with a 3.09 ERA (2.67 FIP), 1.23 WHIP, 16 saves, 40 strikeouts, and 12 walks in his 35 innings out of New York's bullpen in 2026 in his first full year in the Bronx. The two-time All-Star is currently tied for seventh in the majors with his 16 saves in 33 appearances in his eighth year in the majors.
Source: New York Yankees
Source: New York Yankees
Josh Bell Heating Up as a Strong Add in 12-Team Leagues?
Minnesota Twins first baseman/designated hitter Josh Bell has quietly put together an excellent June. He is batting .299/.351/.529 with four home runs, six doubles, 19 RBI, and 14 runs across 25 games this month. Bell has appeared in every Minnesota game during that stretch and has regularly hit in the middle of the order. His season line now sits at .243/.300/.395 with nine homers, 51 RBI, and 41 runs over 296 at-bats. Bell is not suddenly becoming an elite power hitter, but he can still help fantasy managers looking for corner-infield production. His 42.3% hard-hit rate and 9.7% barrel rate are both respectable, while his .320 xwOBA sits slightly above his .306 wOBA. The downside is a 22.0% strikeout rate, his highest since 2020, along with an otherwise modest .696 OPS. Still available in 84% of Yahoo leagues, Bell is worth adding in 12-team formats for fantasy managers chasing RBI, moderate power, and steady playing time.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Karson Milbrandt Could Have Immediate Success as a Stash
Miami Marlins right-handed pitching prospect Karson Milbrandt is one of the brightest fantasy prospects to stash on fantasy rosters, making him worth a waiver-wire look. Milbrandt has four starts at the Triple-A level with Jacksonville and has compiled a 2.33 ERA in 19 1/3 innings with 19 strikeouts and a 1.40 WHIP. Between two minor-league levels this season, Milbrandt is 4-1 with a 1.63 ERA in 66 1/3 innings with 89 strikeouts and a 1.12 WHIP. The numbers have come down a bit in Triple-A, but his strikeout rate at Double-A Pensacola was elite. The 22-year-old is the No. 4 prospect in the Marlins system and is looking like an immediate waiver-wire addition in fantasy circles. Given the chance to crack the Marlins' rotation, the talented right-hander could provide immediate fantasy dividends. Don't let Milbrandt sit on the fantasy waiver wire for much longer.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Owen Murphy Could be Worth Long-Term Stash in Deeper Leagues
Between two minor-league levels this season, Atlanta Braves right-handed pitching prospect Owen Murphy has a 4-7 record with a 4.80 ERA and 85 strikeouts in 75 innings pitched. Between Double-A Columbus and Triple-A Gwinnett, Murphy has shown that he has good stuff with more than a strikeout per inning. His 4.80 combined ERA is a bit high, but he has a 3.90 ERA in five June starts. The No. 20 overall pick of the Braves in the 2022 MLB Draft, Murphy has advanced through the minors in the Braves system, and his next step could be an opportunity to pitch for Atlanta at the big-league level. Murphy is a highly-touted prospect and is worth keeping an eye on in the minors, and he could be worth a long-term stash in deeper leagues. He will likely need to show the Braves and fantasy managers more consistency before he earns his shot at the major-league level.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Kade Anderson Dominating at Double-A, Worth a Stash Look
Seattle Mariners left-handed pitching prospect Kade Anderson was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft out of LSU. He is already showing off his dominant left-handed arsenal at Double-A. With the Arkansas Travelers, Anderson's numbers are sparkling, with an 8-0 record in 13 starts and a 1.22 ERA with 99 strikeouts in 66 2/3 innings pitched. He has pretty much done enough to get the call to Triple-A sooner rather than later. His record is flawless, his ERA is barely existent, but most impressive perhaps is his strikeout rate. That is what makes him the most enticing for fantasy purposes. Anderson looks like he could be impressive at the major-league level, but he does still likely need to prove himself at Triple-A before the Mariners call him up. While Anderson could hold his own right now at the big-league level, the Mariners have hinted that they most likely won't call him up until later in the second half of the regular season, and when they do, he could be used in a relief role.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Zac Veen's Steady Numbers Could Make Him Excellent Waiver-Wire Stash
Colorado Rockies outfield prospect Zac Veen has steadily been hitting all year long at Triple-A Albuquerque in the Pacific Coast League. In 270 at-bats, Veen is hitting a whopping .330 with 13 homers and 54 RBI to go with 14 steals. The No. 9 overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, Veen is pushing hard for a promotion to Colorado, but the outfield is stocked at the big-league level with the likes of Jake McCarthy, Cole Carrigg, and Mickey Moniak. Veen, who bats left-handed and throws right-handed, would be an excellent option for the big-league club to add a lefty-swinging outfielder. Now is the time to add Veen to fantasy rosters. His Triple-A numbers, while in a good hitting environment, are too good to ignore, and a chance to play half his games at hitter-friendly Coors Field is too good to pass up. Veen has the prospect pedigree, and now might be the time when the production comes.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Kaelen Culpepper Stash-Worthy Now That he's Healthy?
St. Paul Saints shortstop Kaelen Culpepper (hip) was recently activated from the seven-day injured list and is ready to continue his hot hitting at the Triple-A level. Culpepper has 249 at-bats this year with St. Paul and has produced 14 homers with 43 RBI while hitting .269 and adding 15 stolen bases. Culpepper is pushing for a promotion, even with the Minnesota Twins featuring a talented infield that includes Brooks Lee, Ryan Kreidler, and Kody Clemens, among others. Culpepper, the No. 21 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, is a five-tool prospect who would make for a dynamic addition to fantasy rosters when he gets the promotion to Minnesota. However, coming off his left-hip strain, he might need some time to get back in the swing of things at Triple-A. Fantasy managers might want to act quickly and add him before he gets the call to beat the rush.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Joshua Baez Looking Like a Waiver-Wire Option
St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect Joshua Baez has the Triple-A numbers to justify a call-up, and when the Cardinals decide to make the call from Triple-A Memphis, he should reward fantasy managers. Savvy fantasy managers may recall Baez's four-homer game, but his overall numbers are outstanding all year at Memphis. He is hitting .265 with 26 homers, 65 RBI, 58 runs, and 13 stolen bases. The second-round pick has shown off his power stroke in Memphis, but a crowded outfield exists in St. Louis with the likes of Jordan Walker, Nathan Church, and Lars Nootbaar. Expect Baez to force the Cardinals' hand soon if he keeps hitting, and fantasy managers may want to beat the rush to add the talented outfielder. The power numbers could translate and thus reward managers who take an early chance on the big-time prospect.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Carlos Estevez to be Re-Evaluated After Potential Setback With Shoulder
Kansas City Royals right-handed reliever Carlos Estevez (shoulder) suffered a shoulder injury while rehabbing his foot on May 6. He threw a bullpen session on June 27, but his right shoulder didn't feel great, so the Royals will re-evaluate him in the coming days, according to MLB.com. Estevez initially went on the 15-day injured list on April 1 with a foot injury, but he was transferred to the 60-day IL on June 15 with a right rotator-cuff strain in his shoulder. It's unclear exactly what is wrong with the 33-year-old Dominican veteran now, but he's unlikely to come off the IL to rejoin the Royals' bullpen before the All-Star break next month, and depending on what the team finds this week, Estevez could be out well into the second half of the season. Right-hander Lucas Erceg was the next man up for saves in KC with Estevez hurt early in April. Erceg has 12 saves, but he has since been booted from the closer's role in favor of Alex Lange, who has converted all seven of his save opportunities in June. It's becoming harder to justify holding Estevez in fantasy baseball leagues as we near the end of the first half. He's currently rostered in 42% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Marcus Semien has Grade 3 Flexor Strain, Out 4-6 Weeks
New York Mets second baseman Marcus Semien (elbow) was diagnosed with a Grade 3 hip-flexor strain, and he will be out four to six weeks at a minimum, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Semien tried to play through the injury until it severely limited his movement. Outfielder Tyrone Taylor had a Grade 1.5 to 2 flexor strain and missed 28 days. The 35-year-old Semien had been showing signs of decline offensively in recent years, but playing through injury in 2026 in his first year in New York had really tanked his numbers. In 80 games (318 plate appearances) in his 14th year in the majors, the three-time All-Star hit .214/.271/.341 with a career-worst .613 OPS, nine home runs, 29 RBI, 30 runs scored, six stolen bases, and a 21.4% strikeout rate, which is his worst mark since 2017 with the Athletics. There's no guarantee Semien will bounce back in the second half for the last-place Mets if he can return fully healthy in the second half. For the foreseeable future, Brett Baty will serve as the team's primary option at the keystone in Queens.
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman
