RADIO
Dodgers Reinstate Teoscar Hernandez From the Injured List
The Los Angeles Dodgers reinstated outfielder Teoscar Hernandez (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list on Monday and optioned outfielder Ryan Ward to Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move, according to Dodgers reporter Kirsten Watson. Nothing is official yet, but Hernandez should be right back in L.A.'s starting lineup for Monday's series opener in Sacramento against the Athletics and rookie left-hander Gage Jump. Hernandez is returning to the two-time defensive World Series champions after a month on the shelf due to a strained left hamstring. During four minor-league rehab games at OKC last week, the right-handed-hitting outfielder went 3-for-14, with all three of his hits clearing the fences. His return could push utility man Tommy Edman to second base more often with the Blue. The 33-year-old Dominican was having a strong season at the plate in 2026 before his hamstring injury, slashing .276/.348/.436 with a .785 OPS, seven home runs, 31 RBI, 30 runs scored, and two stolen bases in his 181 at-bats. Fantasy managers will want to get Hernandez back in their starting lineups to begin the week in all traditional formats.
Source: Kirsten Watson
Source: Kirsten Watson
Kody Clemens a Legitimate Power Pickup in 12-Team Leagues?
Minnesota Twins infielder/outfielder Kody Clemens has earned regular at-bats with a strong power stretch. He is batting .242/.308/.476 with 13 home runs, 34 RBI, 35 runs, and six stolen bases over 252 at-bats. Nine of those homers have come in his last 30 games, when he has hit .248 with 21 RBI and 19 runs. Minnesota has used him at first base, second base, and all three outfield spots while recently batting him third against right-handed pitching. The underlying numbers back up the power. Clemens has a 92.7 mph average exit velocity, 46.9% hard-hit rate, and 12.8% barrel rate, while his .342 xwOBA slightly tops his .339 wOBA. His .242 average is less appealing, and he can still sit against some left-handers. Yahoo fantasy managers have Clemens in only 23% of leagues, making him a solid 12-team addition for power, a little speed, and eligibility at first base, second base, and the outfield.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Nick Pivetta Throws a Light Bullpen Session
San Diego Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta (elbow) started playing catch in late May and threw a light bullpen session on June 27, per MLB.com. He was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 14 after an MRI exam showed a flexor strain in his right elbow, and Pivetta was transferred to the 60-day IL on June 2. The 33-year-old Canadian native is making slow progress and probably won't be a realistic option to return to the Padres' starting rotation until sometime in August. He was the Padres' most consistent starter in 2025 in his first year with the team, going 13-5 with a career-best 2.87 ERA (3.49 FIP) and 0.98 WHIP with a career-high 190 strikeouts and 50 walks in 181 2/3 innings pitched across his 31 starts in SD. Regression was coming for Pivetta, though, and he went 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA (1.22 FIP), 1.12 WHIP, and 24:6 K:BB in just four starts this year before landing on the shelf. Pivetta's strong showing last year has bought him plenty of rope with fantasy managers stashing him in an IL spot, but he'll be a major question mark if/when he returns to the Friars in the second half of 2026. He's currently rostered in 72% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Martin Perez Worth Adding for Matchup-Based Value?
Atlanta Braves left-hander Martin Perez has been useful without offering strikeout upside. He is 6-4 with a 3.00 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 60 strikeouts through 72 innings. Perez has stayed in the rotation since May 19, recording a 3.75 ERA and 1.31 WHIP across seven starts in that span. His June 24 outing against the San Diego Padres was a step backward, as he gave up three runs on four hits and four walks over four innings. Perez is scheduled to face the St. Louis Cardinals at home on Tuesday. There is some risk beneath the surface. His 3.90 FIP sits nearly a full run above his ERA, and a 20.7% strikeout rate leaves little room for a rough WHIP day. Perez is rostered in 32% of Yahoo leagues, so he remains accessible in many formats. He is usable as a 12-team streamer against St. Louis and makes more sense as a hold in 15-team leagues, but he does not warrant a priority claim.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
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
