RADIO
Taj Bradley Worth a Priority Add Once Again?
Minnesota Twins right-hander Taj Bradley has put together a solid season on the whole, with a 3.86 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 102:38 K:BB ratio through 88 2/3 innings pitched. On July 1, he was great against the Astros, where he threw five innings, allowed four hits, one earned run, three walks, and had 11 strikeouts. He had a tough stretch in June, in which over five starts he posted a 5.53 ERA; however, outside of that, he has showcased strong strikeout upside (26.9 percent). With Bradley, it really boils down to control; his 10 percent walk rate and lack of control lead to hard contact, as evidenced by his 46.8 percent hard-hit rate. His next outing is on Tuesday against the Cleveland Guardians, where he will be a solid streamer with Jose Ramirez (hand) out of the lineup. Bradley should be rostered in most 12-plus-team formats, but in shallower leagues he is a bit riskier. Due to Bradley's highs and lows, he is a better pitcher to roster in weekly formats, so you're not getting burned by the bad outings.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Zebby Matthews Leaves Early on Saturday With Foot Laceration
The Minnesota Twins said that right-hander Zebby Matthews (foot) left his start early on Saturday on the road against the New York Yankees with a laceration of his right foot, according to Brendan Kuty of The Athletic. Before leaving, Matthews struggled on the mound in the Bronx, allowing four earned runs on three hits (two homers) while walking four and striking out five in 4 2/3 innings of work. Right now, Matthews will be considered day-to-day, but he'll definitely be up in the air to make his final start of the first half of the season next weekend in an excellent matchup against the Los Angeles Angels. The 26-year-old 6-foot-5, 225-pound hurler came into Saturday's start on the Fourth of July with a 4-5 record, 4.15 ERA (4.76 FIP) and 1.14 WHIP with 46 strikeouts and 12 walks in 56 1/3 innings across his nine starts in just his third year in the majors. Matthews allowed two or fewer runs in four of his five June starts, so Saturday was a disappointment against a tough team. If he can make his next start next weekend, Matthews will be a prime streaming option in fantasy.
Source: The Athletic - Brendan Kuty
Source: The Athletic - Brendan Kuty
Taj Bradley on a Roll, Strikes Out Season-High 11 Versus Astros
Minnesota Twins right-hander Taj Bradley kept the good times rolling on Wednesday night at Daikin Park against the hosting Houston Astros in the team's 8-3 victory, allowing just one earned run on four hits while walking three and striking out a season-high 11 batters in five innings for his seventh win of the 2026 season. The 25-year-old former fifth-round pick by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018 is now 7-3 on the year in his first full season with the Twins and has recorded a 3.86 ERA (3.92 FIP) and 1.29 WHIP with 102 strikeouts and 38 walks across his 88 2/3 innings and 16 starts. After giving up at least four earned runs in four straight starts from May 29 to June 14, Bradley has straightened things out in his last three starts against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, and Astros, allowing just five earned runs on 10 hits while walking eight and striking out 22 in 17 innings. Bradley is set to face the Cleveland Guardians next week in his final start before the All-Star break, and he should be a nice streaming option against a team that ranks 28th in OPS (.677).
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Connor Prielipp Reminds Fantasy Managers of his Strikeout Upside
Minnesota Twins rookie left-hander Connor Prielipp came into his start on Sunday against the Colorado Rockies with an ERA over 5.00 through his first 11 major-league starts over 55 2/3 innings pitched. After a strong start to his big-league career, Prielipp had cooled off a bit, but he reminded fantasy managers on Sunday that he still has plenty of swing-and-miss upside. The 25-year-old southpaw allowed two earned runs on six hits while walking none and striking out a season-high 10 batters in six innings for a no-decision on Sunday in the Twins' 3-2 win over the Rockies at Target Field. Priliepp generated an impressive 20 swings and misses in the outing and didn't allow a walk for the first time since his MLB debut on April 22. He is now 2-5 on the year with a 4.96 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, and 65:23 K:BB in 61 2/3 innings pitched across 12 starts. In his previous four starts in June, Prielipp allowed 16 runs (13 earned) on 26 hits (two homers) while walking eight and striking out 20 in 22 1/3 innings pitched, so Sunday's start was a nice step in turning things around going into July. He has a tough upcoming matchup against the New York Yankees, but fantasy managers in deeper leagues in search of more strikeouts should have Prielipp on their radar. He's rostered in just 9% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Mick Abel Set to Undergo Arthroscopic Elbow Surgery
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Mick Abel (elbow) will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow, per Twins beat writer Aaron Gleeman. Gleeman reports that Minnesota will determine a timeline for Abel's return following the operation. Abel initially hit the 15-day injured list with elbow inflammation in mid-April. The 24-year-old made two rehab appearances in June and appeared to be on the doorstep of a return to the big leagues, but he was apparently still dealing with swelling in the elbow and will now face an extended absence. Across 20 1/3 innings before getting hurt, Abel recorded a 1-2 record with a 3.98 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, and 23 strikeouts. Without Abel, Twins right-handers Mike Paredes and Zebby Matthews could have an extended runway to prove themselves in the team's starting rotation.
Source: Aaron Gleeman
Source: Aaron Gleeman
Joe Ryan Feeling Better, Will Start Against Dodgers on Wednesday
Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan (illness) is feeling better on Tuesday and will start on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers and right-hander Shohei Ohtani, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. Left-handed rookie Connor Prielipp had been scheduled to toe the rubber on Wednesday, but with Ryan back, he'll be moved back to Friday in a much better matchup at home against the Colorado Rockies. Ryan, 30, was scratched from his scheduled start at Target Field on Tuesday against the Dodgers, but he'll end up only being moved back a day and will still get a very challenging matchup with the first-place ballclub. After making his first All-Star squad in 2025, Ryan has been a must-start in fantasy in 2026, going 5-3 with a career-best 2.99 ERA (2.81 FIP) and 0.99 WHIP with 99 strikeouts and only 18 walks in 87 1/3 innings across his 16 starts. Ryan has only allowed more than three earned runs in an outing in just three of his 16 starts, and he's fanned at least seven in six of his last seven starts.
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Bailey Ober to Throw Another Bullpen on Tuesday
Minnesota Twins right-hander Bailey Ober (elbow) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session on Saturday and is scheduled to throw another bullpen on Tuesday, according to Theodore Tollefson. Ober's bullpen over the weekend was his first time throwing off the mound since he landed on the 15-day injured list on May 31 with a mild flexor strain in his right elbow. He's making progress, but we won't have a better read on when he might be able to rejoin Minnesota's starting rotation until he faces live hitters. It's unclear if Ober will need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before returning. If the 30-year-old veteran only needs one rehab start in the minors, he will have a shot to return to the big leagues before the All-Star break next month. The former 12th-rounder in 2017 out of the College of Charleston has gone 6-3 this year with a 4.59 ERA (4.96 FIP) and 1.21 WHIP with 46 strikeouts and 18 walks in 66 2/3 frames across 12 starts. Ober isn't a hard thrower and has a career-low 16.4% strikeout rate so far in 2026, so his fantasy ceiling remains limited. He's currently rostered in under 20% of Yahoo leagues while he rehabs.
Source: Theodore Tollefson
Source: Theodore Tollefson
Mick Abel Not Dealing With Ligament Damage in his Elbow
Minnesota Twins right-hander Mick Abel (elbow) is dealing with swelling in his elbow but doesn't have any ligament damage, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. Abel was getting close to coming off the 15-day injured list to rejoin the Twins' starting rotation, but he had a setback last Friday, which prompted the team to send him for an MRI exam. It's good news that the 24-year-old isn't dealing with any ligament damage, but it remains to be seen if he will return to the major-league roster before next month's All-Star break. He's been on the shelf since April 20 and has made two minor-league rehab starts for Triple-A St. Paul, allowing just two runs (one earned) on six hits while walking none and striking out 10 in eight innings pitched. The former 15th overall pick by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2020 has only appeared in four games (three starts) for the Twins this year, but when healthy, he should have a spot waiting for him in Minnesota's starting rotation, making him a stash candidate in deeper fantasy leagues when he nears his return again. Abel is currently rostered in just 16% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Joe Ryan Scratched From his Start on Tuesday With Illness
Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan (illness) has been scratched from his start on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers due to an illness, according to Aaron Gleeman. Left-hander Kendry Rojas will make the start on Tuesday in place of Ryan in what will likely be a bullpen game. It's unclear whether Ryan will be pushed back to the team's series finale at Target Field on Wednesday against the Dodgers or if he'll be ready to pitch later this week against the Colorado Rockies. The 30-year-old has been a must-start for fantasy managers in 2026 in his sixth year in the big leagues, as Ryan has gone 5-3 with a career-low 2.99 ERA (2.81 FIP) and 0.99 WHIP with 99 strikeouts and only 18 walks in 87 1/3 innings across 16 starts. He has at least seven strikeouts in five of his last six outings, and he's allowed eight earned runs while walking four and striking out 29 in 23 innings in his four starts in June. Whenever Ryan toes the rubber again, fantasy managers should be putting him back in their starting lineups.
Source: Aaron Gleeman
Source: Aaron Gleeman
Mick Abel Suffers Setback After Throwing Bullpen, Won't Return From Injured List
Minnesota Twins right-hander Mick Abel (elbow) had a setback with his recovery after throwing a 20-pitch bullpen session on Friday and will not return from the 15-day injured list this week, according to Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Abel will undergo an MRI exam when the team returns to Minnesota. We'll have a better idea of when the 24-year-old might be able to return from the IL after his MRI exam, but at the very least, he will most likely be out into late July or early August. The former 15th overall pick in 2020 by the Philadelphia Phillies was emerging as a pitcher to consider adding off the waiver wire with his return to the Twins' starting rotation right around the corner because of his strikeout upside. Abel has only thrown 20 1/3 innings in 2026 to this point because of his elbow injury, posting a 3.98 ERA (2.75 FIP) and 1.57 WHIP with 23 strikeouts and 10 walks in 20 1/3 innings over four appearances (three starts). Fantasy managers in mixed leagues can now hold off on adding Abel, who is rostered in only 20% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune - Bobby Nightengale
Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune - Bobby Nightengale
Mick Abel a Must-Add Starting Pitcher Ahead of Looming Injury Return
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Mick Abel (elbow) has been sidelined since mid-April due to elbow inflammation. However, the 24-year-old has traveled with the team to Arizona for their weekend series and appears poised to come off the injured list and rejoin the Twins rotation on Sunday. Across 20 1/3 innings (four games) before the injury, Abel recorded a 1-2 record with a 3.98 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, and 23 strikeouts. After allowing nine earned runs in his first two outings of the year, Abel recorded 13 scoreless innings with 16 strikeouts across his last two starts before he was placed on the injured list. The former top prospect also pitched very well in his most recent rehab appearances, allowing just one earned run while striking out 10 across eight innings (two starts) with Triple-A St. Paul. Abel offers significant strikeout upside for fantasy managers upon his return and profiles as a priority stash candidate on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Bailey Ober Expects to Throw Off a Mound This Weekend
Minnesota Twins right-hander Bailey Ober (elbow) thinks he will throw off a mound this weekend in Arizona, according to The Athletic's Dan Hayes. It would be the first time that Ober has set foot on a mound since he was placed on the 15-day injured list in early June with a flexor strain in his right elbow. Ober could need a couple of bullpen sessions before being cleared for a short minor-league rehab assignment, so he could have time to rejoin the Twins' starting rotation before the All-Star break in mid-July, barring a setback. The 30-year-old veteran won't be a priority addition off the waiver wire for fantasy managers in mixed leagues, though, after he posted a 4.59 ERA (4.96 FIP) and 1.21 WHIP with 46 strikeouts and 18 walks in 66 2/3 innings pitched across his 12 starts before landing on the shelf. Ober still has above-average command, but with a drop in velocity this year and a career-low 16.4% strikeout rate, his fantasy upside has diminished as a starting option. While on the IL, Ober is rostered in only 18% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Mick Abel Could Return to Twins Rotation on Sunday
Minnesota Twins right-hander Mick Abel (elbow) will join the team on their road trip in Arizona and is scheduled for a light bullpen session, with his next steps to be determined, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. Hayes is putting the puzzle pieces together and speculates that if the Twins are flying Abel from Minnesota to Phoenix, with his next turn scheduled for Sunday, it's likely that he'll come off the 15-day injured list to start Sunday's series finale against the D-Backs. In his two minor-league rehab starts with Triple-A St. Paul, Abel has looked like a pitcher ready to return to the majors, giving up an earned run with 10 strikeouts and no walks in eight innings pitched. He has been sidelined since the middle of April with right-elbow inflammation, but now is the time for fantasy managers to scoop him up if you need rotation help. The 24-year-old former 15th overall pick by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2020 had a 3.98 ERA (2.75 FIP) and 1.57 WHIP with 23 K's and 10 walks in 20 1/3 innings over four outings (three starts) for the Twins before going on the IL. Abel is widely available, as he's rostered in just 18% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Zebby Matthews Worth a Waiver-Wire Look After Bounce-Back Outing
Minnesota Twins right-hander Zebby Matthews had a nice bounce-back performance on Tuesday in his start against the Texas Rangers on the road, allowing two earned runs on eight hits while walking none and striking out four in seven innings to earn his third win of the year. In his previous start on June 11, he surrendered a season-high seven earned runs on nine hits (three homers) while walking one and fanning four in six innings in a loss to the Detroit Tigers on the road. Even though Matthews has allowed seven earned runs in two of his last four outings, the 26-year-old former eighth-round pick in 2022 out of Western Carolina University has recorded quality starts for his fantasy managers in five of his seven outings in 2026. He'll be hard to trust in his next scheduled outing against the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers, but Matthews is a rising young arm who deserves more attention from fantasy managers on the waiver wire. He's currently 3-4 with a 4.78 ERA (4.69 FIP) and 1.18 WHIP with 34 strikeouts and only nine walks in 43 1/3 innings in his third year in Minnesota. Matthews is available in over 80% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Mick Abel a Top Waiver-Wire Stash Candidate After Strong Rehab Outing on Tuesday
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Mick Abel (elbow) has been on the injured list since mid-April due to elbow inflammation. However, the 24-year-old struck out five while allowing one earned run across five innings of work in a rehab start at Triple-A on Tuesday and appears to be on the doorstep of a return to the big leagues. Across 20 1/3 innings (four games) before the injury, Abel recorded a 3.98 ERA and 1.57 WHIP with 23 strikeouts. The hard-throwing right-hander's final start before he hit the injured list was an encouraging one, as he struck out 10 across seven scoreless innings against the Boston Red Sox. Given his prospect pedigree and his strong performance in his rehab outings, Abel profiles as a worthy waiver wire stash for fantasy managers ahead of his return to the Twins rotation.
Source: milb.com
Source: milb.com
