RADIO
Matt Strahm Emerging as Must-Stash Closer Handcuff in Royals Bullpen
Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Matt Strahm could be on the verge of taking over at the end of the game for the Royals, so he's worth considering in leagues where you have to be very aggressive looking for saves. Strahm could take over from Lucas Erceg, who has blown his last two save opportunities, including on Monday, when he issued three walks to the Orioles. Erceg doesn't typically strike many batters out, so his control has to be excellent for him to be successful, and it hasn't been in his last two outings. Strahm worked a perfect eighth inning with three strikeouts to earn his sixth hold of the year before giving the ball to Erceg in the ninth. In his eight games this season, Strahm has allowed three runs with nine strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings. The 34-year-old lefty has never had more than six saves in a season, but he is an experienced high-leverage reliever who could help the team as a bridge option until Carlos Estevez (foot) is ready to return from the injured list.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Joel Kuhnel Earns Fourth Save, Emerging as Athletics Primary Closer?
Athletics relief pitcher Joel Kuhnel gave up a run and two hits in the ninth inning against the Mariners on Monday, but he was still able to secure the 6-4 win for his team. He entered with a three-run lead and gave up an RBI double to Leo Rivas before getting J.P. Crawford to foul out and Cal Raleigh to fly out to end the game. Kuhnel has converted each of his four save chances and also earned a hold. The run he allowed on Monday was his first given up this season, and his 1.29 ERA and 0.57 WHIP are still very strong. He doesn't typically get a ton of strikeouts, but the 31-year-old righty has been very solid to start the season for the A's and has stepped up as the team's primary closer at this point early in the season.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Justin Wrobleski Carrying Sneaky Value on the Waiver Wire
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Justin Wrobleski earned his third win of the season by allowing just one run in seven innings against the Rockies at Coors Field on Monday night. The 25-year-old lefty lowered his ERA to 1.88 with a 3.01 FIP and 0.88 WHIP. Wrobleski gave up eight hits in that outing and struck out only three, but he continues to be effective despite a 9.8% K%. While he isn't going to be an elite source of strikeouts, he can still have definite fantasy value while limiting damage so well and getting the backing of the Dodgers power-packed lineup. Wrobleski will make another start to finish out the week at home against the Cubs, and he's a nice addition if he's available in a league where you need quality innings and potential wins.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jeff Hoffman Bounces Back to Earn Third Save, Strikes Out the Side
Toronto Blue Jays reliever Jeff Hoffman gave up multiple runs in each of his last two appearances, but he was much more effective on Monday, closing out the Angels in a 5-2 win. Hoffman gave up a leadoff single to Jo Adell, but then fanned Josh Lowe, Logan O'Hoppe, and Adam Frazier in succession to end the game. Hoffman has allowed 10 runs (eight earned) in his 11 games this season and has a 6.97 ERA and 1.94 WHIP, despite a 2.94 FIP. He has three saves and three blown saves after Monday's performance, but since the Blue Jays are sticking with him at closer, he remains a strong fantasy option, especially if he is able to build on Monday's successful outing.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Lucas Erceg Blows Second Straight Save, No Longer Must-Start Closer?
Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Lucas Erceg came into a 1-0 game in the ninth inning on Monday night, but he wasn't able to close out the Orioles, who eventually won 7-5 in extra innings. Erceg walked three batters and gave up an RBI single to Samuel Basallo that tied the game. After earning five saves in his first five chances, Erceg has blown back-to-back opportunities and has a very tenuous hold on the closer role. If the Royals were to go with another option, Matt Strahm and Daniel Lynch IV could get chances while they wait for the return of regular closer Carlos Estevez, who could begin a rehab assignment soon. Erceg still has potential if he gets a few more chances, but he's no longer an option you have to hold if other closers are available.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Max Muncy With Another Two-Homer Game, Becoming Must-Add Off Waiver Wire
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy's power game hasn't gone away early in the 2026 campaign, and fantasy managers should be plucking him off the waiver wire due to his hot start. Muncy had another two-homer performance while going 4-for-4 with four runs scored and a walk in the team's 12-3 blowout win over the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Monday night in the series finale. Catcher Dalton Rushing also went deep twice for the Blue in this contest. Muncy has eight home runs on the year, but somehow he only has nine RBI to show for it. The 35-year-old left-handed slugger still swings and misses plenty, and he won't be an asset for your fantasy team's batting average, but he deserves to be rostered in more than the 51% that he's currently rostered in Yahoo leagues due to his power bat and on-base skills in an elite Dodgers lineup. RBI opportunities will continue to be plentiful for Muncy as long as he stays healthy.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Rhett Lowder a Top Breakout Candidate on the Waiver Wire?
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Rhett Lowder picked up his third win of the season in his team's 6-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday. The 24-year-old allowed five hits, two walks, and just one earned run while striking out three across six innings of work. Lowder is off to a solid start to the 2026 season, as he's posted a 3-1 record with a 3.10 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 18 strikeouts across his first 29 innings pitched (five starts). While the young right-hander's 15.3% strikeout rate is certainly less than ideal, he's done a good job limiting hard contact and has allowed just one home run on the year. Lowder did not pitch in the majors at all in 2025 due to injury issues, but he showcased a similar profile in a small sample size in 2024. Across six starts (30 2/3 innings), Lowder logged a 1.17 ERA with a 17.2% strikeout rate and zero homers allowed. Particularly in deeper leagues, Lowder could be a breakout candidate for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Drake Baldwin Emerging as Elite Catcher After Another Two-Hit Effort
Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin continued his hot start to the 2026 season in his team's 9-4 win over the Washington Nationals on Monday, going 2-for-4 with a walk, two RBI, and two runs scored. The 25-year-old is now hitting .313/.377/.500 with five home runs, 21 RBI, and 23 runs scored across his first 106 plate appearances of the year. Entering play on Monday, Baldwin's 16.2% barrel rate was nearly higher than his 17% strikeout rate. Atlanta also regularly deploys Baldwin at designated hitter on days where he needs a break from his duties behind the plate, which should lead to him logging significantly more plate appearances than other catchers around the league. Given his spot in the heart of an excellent Braves lineup and his own standout production, Baldwin currently profiles as an elite fantasy catcher.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Bryce Elder Punches Out Six in Third Victory, Entering Must-Start Status?
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Bryce Elder picked up his third win of 2026 on Monday by going 6 2/3 innings in his team's 9-4 victory over the Washington Nationals. Elder allowed three hits, three earned runs, and two walks while striking out six. The 26-year-old is off to a very strong start to the season, as he's posted a 3-1 record with a 1.50 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and 29 strikeouts across 30 innings (five starts). Elder struggled to a 5.30 ERA across 156 innings with Atlanta in 2025, so some regression could be coming over a larger sample size. Still, the lefty has improved his strikeout rate by a considerable margin and has a good chance to pick up wins every time he takes the mound while pitching for the Braves. Elder profiles as a waiver wire target in leagues where he's not already rostered.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jake Bauers Emerging as a Power Bat to Target on the Waiver Wire
Milwaukee Brewers first baseman/outfielder Jake Bauers has shown off his power early in the 2026 season, hitting .224/.297/.463 with five home runs, 13 RBI, 13 runs scored, and three stolen bases across his first 74 plate appearances. Bauers is currently posting a double-digit barrel rate for the fourth consecutive season and owns a career best 51.9% hard-hit rate. The 30-year-old is also making considerably more contact so far this season, as he's cut his strikeout rate from 27.1% in 2025 to 20.3% in 2026. With Brewers first baseman Andrew Vaughn (hand) and designated hitter Christian Yelich (groin) both currently on the injured list, the lefty-swinging Bauers is getting a chance to hit in a prime spot in the Milwaukee lineup against all right-handed starting pitchers. For fantasy managers in need of power, Bauers could be worth targeting on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Carries Waiver-Wire Appeal After Return From Injury
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (knee) had his start to the 2026 season delayed by recovery from the ACL tear that ended his 2025 campaign. However, the 32-year-old made his return to the Arizona lineup on Saturday after logging a 1.083 OPS across nine plate appearances in his rehab stint at Double-A. Now that he's back, Gurriel Jr. profiles as the Diamondbacks' everyday left fielder and should be a fixture in the heart of the team's lineup. Before getting injured last season, Gurriel Jr. hit .248/.295/.418 with 19 home runs, 80 RBI, 52 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases across 546 plate appearances. While Gurriel Jr. may struggle to reach double-digit stolen bases in his return from major knee surgery, he's driven in at least 75 runs in all three of his seasons with the Diamondbacks and owns a career batting average of .274. Particularly in deeper leagues, Gurriel Jr. could be a useful compiler for managers to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Francisco Alvarez a Priority Waiver-Wire Target Amidst Hot Start to 2026
New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez is off to a strong start to the 2026 season, hitting .268/.379/.500 with four home runs, five RBI, and eight runs scored across his first 68 plate appearances. The 24-year-old has always logged strong batted-ball metrics, and he's currently posting an excellent 17.4% barrel rate. Perhaps most encouragingly, Alvarez has shown significant improvement in his plate skills early in the year. He's cut his strikeout rate to 17.6%, down from 26.4% in 2025. Health has been an issue for Alvarez in recent seasons, as he has not reached 400 plate appearances since 2023. However, if he can stay on the field, Alvarez could be on the verge of a breakout campaign. In leagues where he is not already rostered, Alvarez profiles as a high-upside catcher to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
George Springer Ramping Up his Baseball Activities
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder/designated hitter George Springer (toe) did some more throwing on Monday and was also scheduled to hit, according to Hazel Mae of Sportsnet. Manager John Schneider said that Springer will do some "dynamic warmup and mobility stuff." Springer began hitting off a tee last Wednesday, which is pretty quick progress after he was placed on the 10-day injured list on April 12 with a fractured left big toe. The Blue Jays aren't planning on sending Springer on a minor-league rehab start, which means he's a candidate to return from the IL for the start of the team's homestand on Friday against the Cleveland Guardians. The 36-year-old four-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger winner had a resurgent season in 2025 for the Jays and helped them make a run to the World Series, but he was hitting just .185 (10-for-54) with two home runs, six RBI, four runs scored, and a stolen base in a small sample size of 14 games played before fracturing his toe. Springer is still useful in fantasy when he's healthy as an everyday player for Toronto, with most of his playing time coming as the DH.
Source: Sportsnet - Hazel Mae
Source: Sportsnet - Hazel Mae
Mookie Betts Starts Swinging a Bat, Still has Boxes to Check in his Rehab
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that shortstop Mookie Betts (oblique) began swinging a bat over the weekend, according to Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register. Betts is making progress, but he must progress to hitting off a tee and flips before he's cleared to take batting practice. The 33-year-old former MVP, eight-time All-Star, and seven-time Silver Slugger winner has been on the 10-day injured list since suffering a right-oblique strain in early April. He went just 5-for-28 (.179) with two home runs, seven RBI, and seven runs scored in eight games to kick off the year before getting injured. Betts isn't getting any younger, but when healthy, he's still a must-start in all fantasy baseball leagues in the best lineup in baseball. Fantasy managers will want to keep him stashed in an IL spot while he continues his rehab. In the meantime, veteran Miguel Rojas will continue to see most of the playing time at the 6 in Hollywood with Betts on the IL.
Source: The Orange County Register - Bill Plunkett
Source: The Orange County Register - Bill Plunkett
Ronald Acuna Jr. Day-to-Day After Being Hit on the Hand on Monday
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (hand) was pulled from Monday's game early against the Washington Nationals after being hit by a pitch on his left hand, the team announced. Thankfully, X-rays on Acuna came back negative, and he's considered day-to-day. Before leaving the eventual 9-4 win in D.C., Acuna was 0-for-1 at the plate with two hit-by-pitches, a run scored, and a strikeout. It doesn't sound like a serious injury for the All-Star right fielder, but fantasy managers will need to check back on Acuna's status on Tuesday to see if he's ready to participate in Game 2 of the series versus Washington. The 28-year-old former MVP, five-time All-Star, and three-time Silver Slugger winner came into Monday's series opener hitting .247/.350/.365 with a .715 OPS, a home run, five RBI, nine runs scored, and four stolen bases in 85 at-bats. His numbers don't jump off the page, but Acuna has five-category upside when he's fully healthy and is a must-start every day in traditional fantasy leagues when he's active.
Source: Atlanta Braves
Source: Atlanta Braves
