RADIO
Shohei Ohtani Returns From Paternity List
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (personal) is back from the paternity leave list on Saturday. Ohtani was away from the team on Friday, so he could witness the birth of his second child. He'll return on Saturday, batting in the leadoff spot and serving as the designated hitter versus left-hander Trevor Rogers. Over the last week, Ohtani is 2-for-14 with two home runs, two RBI, and five walks. Overall this season, Ohtani is slashing .296/.418/.545 with 15 home runs, 42 RBI, and six steals in 68 games. Fantasy managers can get Ohtani back in their lineups on Saturday.
Source: mlb.com
Source: mlb.com
Bryan Reynolds Back in the Lineup on Saturday
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds (groin) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Colorado Rockies. Reynolds was scratched before Friday's game due to left groin discomfort. He would come off the bench and deliver an RBI single in his lone plate appearance. A day later, Reynolds appears to be feeling good enough to get back into the starting lineup. He'll bat third and cover left field versus right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano on Saturday. Fantasy managers should double-check their lineups and make sure Reynolds is in their lineup ahead of first pitch.
Source: mlb.com
Source: mlb.com
Elmer Rodriguez to Start on Sunday, Worth Adding Ahead of Return?
New York Yankees starting pitcher Elmer Rodriguez was recalled to make the start against the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday. The Yankees want to give their starters some extra rest, so they'll recall Rodriguez to make the start on Sunday. The right-hander has already made three starts for the Yankees this season. He owns a 4.15 ERA, 1.85 WHIP, and a 6:9 K:BB ratio across 13 innings in Pinstripes. Rodriguez has posted quality numbers during his 10 starts in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season. The Reds offense isn't exactly striking fear into any pitchers right now. Fantasy managers should consider scooping up Rodriguez for a spot start on Sunday.
Source: Erik Boland
Source: Erik Boland
Trea Turner Returns From Calf Injury on Saturday
Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner (calf) is back at shortstop and hitting in his customary leadoff spot for Saturday's game at Citizens Bank Park against the division-rival New York Mets and right-hander Freddy Peralta, according to MLB.com. Turner was hit by a pitch on the right calf in the bottom of the first inning on Thursday and eventually made an early exit from the game, but after a day off on Friday, he's back in action on Saturday as he looks to start turning his disappointing 2026 season around. The 32-year-old three-time All-Star and two-time batting champion enters action on Saturday with a .223/.276/.334 slash line with a .610 OPS, seven home runs, 21 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and 43 runs scored in 73 games across 319 plate appearances. He has yet to homer in 15 games in June and has gone 13-for-58 (.224) during the month with three doubles, two RBI, four stolen bases, nine runs scored, three walks, and 16 strikeouts in 63 plate appearances. It might be tough for Turner to start his turnaround on Saturday against Peralta, whom he has hit just .063 against with a .368 OPS, one homer, and three RBI against in 16 career at-bats.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jared Jones' Waiver-Wire Value Dropping After Rocky Early Season Stretch
Pirates right-hander Jared Jones has struggled since returning from an injury that sidelined him for the entire 2025 season, making his 2026 debut less than a month ago. The 24-year-old has allowed 12 runs across four starts and is pitching to a 6.23 ERA with a 1.62 WHIP over 17 ⅓ innings. The former second-round pick posted a 4.14 ERA during his rookie season in 2024 and showed flashes of frontline starter potential. His 98th percentile fastball continues to anchor an elite pitch mix, but Jones has struggled to miss bats at his expected rate and limit damage. The results have not matched expectations, but the underlying tools and velocity suggest a turnaround remains within reach.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Liam Hicks Scratched From Lineup With Back Tightness
Marlins catcher Liam Hicks has been scratched from Saturday's matchup against the Giants due to lower back tightness. The setback comes at an unfortunate time for the 27-year-old, who has been one of Miami's hottest hitters recently, riding a 10-game hit streak and slugging .517 over his last seven games. Hicks is slashing .278/.359/.472 with a .831 OPS across 73 games in his second season with the Marlins. The injury is not expected to be a major concern, but his absence will leave a noticeable hole in the lineup. If available, Hicks profiles as a high-end waiver wire option as he continues to establish himself as a valuable offensive piece for Miami.
Source: Daniel Álvarez-Montes
Source: Daniel Álvarez-Montes
Samuel Basallo's Buy-Low Opportunity Emerges After Recent Struggles
Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo saw his five-game hit streak come to an end on Wednesday and has gone hitless since, marking a recent downturn after a scorching May. Basallo is hitting just .160 in June after batting .338 in May and earning consistent starting opportunities. He has already recorded over 100 more at-bats than his limited sample size in his first year in 2025 and is receiving the playing time needed to break out. The 21-year-old is slashing .254/.316/.450 with a .766 OPS across 64 games this season and has shown flashes of an elite profile despite his recent struggles. Consistency will be key moving forward, but fantasy managers may want to capitalize on this buy-low opportunity before Basallo finds his rhythm again.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Spencer Horwitz's Recent Slide Opens Waiver-Wire Buy-Low Chance
Pirates first baseman Spencer Horwitz has cooled off slightly while navigating his most productive season as a professional. Horwitz is hitting just .160 over his last seven games, but the overall production remains strong for the 28-year-old. He is slashing .277/.387/.450 with a .837 OPS and nine home runs across 70 games this season. Now in his second year with Pittsburgh, Horwitz has lowered his K% from 17.8 percent to 13.3 percent while increasing his walk rate, showing clear growth in his offensive profile. The recent slump should not concern fantasy managers, who may want to take advantage of this buy-low opportunity before Horwitz gets back on track.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Travis Bazzana Heating Up Again, a Waiver-Wire Option to Monitor
Guardians infielder Travis Bazzana has started to find his rhythm after a slower stretch to begin the month, going 2-for-4 on Friday with a double and a run scored. Bazzana hit .311 in May before cooling off as the calendar turned to June, but recent results suggest he may be turning things around. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft has recorded four hits over his last three games, with three going for extra bases. He is now slashing .256/.356/.427 with five home runs, a .783 OPS, and 11 stolen bases. The 23-year-old has shown steady growth during his rookie season, and fantasy managers should continue monitoring his progress as he looks to build momentum moving forward.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Michael Harris II Returns to Braves Lineup on Saturday
Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (back) is starting in center field and is batting fifth on Saturday against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers and left-hander Kyle Harrison, according to MLB.com. Harris will be back in the Braves' starting lineup for the first time since leaving Tuesday's contest early with tightness in his lower back. He missed two games. The 25-year-old former National League Rookie of the Year is having one of his best seasons as a pro in 2026, as he comes into Saturday's tilt with a .306/.340/.514 slash line with an .854 OPS, 14 home runs, 41 RBI, 35 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 68 games across his 259 plate appearances. Harris, a former third-rounder in 2019, is also hitting an even .300 (12-for-40) with a homer, three doubles, five RBI, and seven runs scored in 11 games in June. Although he's hit lefties and righties well this year, fantasy managers setting DFS lineups may want to avoid him on Saturday in his return against a tough lefty in Harrison, whom Harris has never faced in his career.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Cade Cavalli Feeling Better, Will Start on Saturday
The Washington Nationals announced that right-hander Cade Cavalli (illness) is starting on Saturday on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays after being scratched from his scheduled start in Friday's series opener at Tropicana Field due to an illness. Cavalli has gone 4-4 with a 3.98 ERA (3.42 FIP), and 1.39 WHIP with 81 strikeouts and 25 walks in 74 2/3 innings pitched over 15 starts in his third major-league season. He has allowed more than three runs just once since the start of May, but he hasn't gone beyond five innings and has a 5.40 ERA (4.96 FIP) with 13 strikeouts and four walks in 15 innings pitched in his three starts in June. The 27-year-old former 22nd overall pick in the 2020 MLB draft out of the University of Oklahoma has improved his strikeout rate from a weak 18.3% last year to 24.3% in 2026, but he'll have a difficult task at hand on Saturday against the first-place Rays as he looks for his first quality start since May 26. The Rays have the fewest home runs in the majors, but they also strike out the fewest of any team in MLB.
Source: Washington Nationals
Source: Washington Nationals
Daniel Palencia Diagnosed with Flexor Strain
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Daniel Palencia (elbow) was diagnosed with a mild flexor strain on Saturday, providing some clarity regarding the injury that has sidelined him for nearly a week. Manager Craig Counsell said that the 26-year-old recently underwent an MRI, which revealed the strain, though it was determined to be minor. The Cubs' closer will be shut down through the team's upcoming road trip, which begins on Monday and concludes next Sunday. At that point, he will be re-evaluated, and a clearer course of action can be determined. In his absence, the Cubs could turn to a committee approach, with Phil Maton, Caleb Thielbar, and Jacob Webb all potentially emerging as options to handle save opportunities and close out games for Chicago.
Source: Jesse Rogers
Source: Jesse Rogers
Ernie Clement Remains Out of Lineup With Hip Soreness
Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Ernie Clement (hip) will miss his second consecutive game due to left hip soreness. The 30-year-old is, however, available off the bench if needed in Saturday's contest against Chicago. Manager John Schneider also said that, if all goes according to plan, Clement will be back in the lineup on Sunday for the team's series finale. At this point, the injury does not appear to be overly serious and is something that additional rest could resolve. That being said, if he is unable to return soon, a trip to the injured list could become a possibility. In his absence, Davis Schneider will start at second base. Clement is having a career-best season at the plate, batting .294 with seven home runs and stealing two bases. He has been a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season for the Blue Jays.
Source: Arden Zwelling
Source: Arden Zwelling
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Back in the Lineup
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (back) is back in the Blue Jays' lineup on Saturday after exiting Friday's game early. The 27-year-old superstar tweaked his back on a swing in the sixth inning, raising some concern about his availability moving forward. While it is certainly encouraging that he is back in the lineup just one day later, he also missed two games earlier this week due to back tightness. Despite experiencing two instances of the same issue in a short span, Guerrero has once again avoided a trip to the injured list, something he has managed to do throughout his entire career. With just four home runs and a .276 batting average this season, Guerrero has yet to live up to the hefty draft price many fantasy managers paid before the season. Once fully healthy, he has the talent to be one of baseball's best players and will look to bounce back over the remainder of the season.
Source: Toronto Blue Jays
Source: Toronto Blue Jays
Shane Bieber to Make Season Debut on Monday
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Shane Bieber (elbow) has been announced as the starter for Monday's game against the Houston Astros. News of his return came after the 31-year-old threw one final bullpen session on Saturday, erasing any doubt about his readiness to make his 2026 season debut. He previously made five rehab appearances over the past month, with his most recent outing seeing him throw up to 80 pitches. After pitching effectively late in the 2025 season, he experienced forearm fatigue during the offseason. He was later placed on the injured list with right elbow inflammation and has been working his way back ever since. The Blue Jays have not yet indicated whether he will be subject to an innings limit or pitch count. However, any sort of restrictions remain possible given his recent injury history.
Source: Arden Zwelling
Source: Arden Zwelling
