RADIO
Ryne Nelson Becoming a Starter to Target Off the Waiver Wire
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Ryne Nelson (2-3) allowed one run on six hits and three walks while striking out three across eight innings against the Rockies in his previous start. He owns a 2.36 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and a 6.6 K:9 across 34 1/3 innings in his last five outings. Overall, he owns a 4.65 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 49 strikeouts through 60 frames this season. Nelson will likely see regression, as his BB% is up from 6.6% to 7.5% this season, while his SIERA is currently sitting at 4.54. The Diamondbacks right-hander has pitched well enough to become a starter to target off the waiver wire. Nelson will look to continue his recent success in his next scheduled start against the Mariners at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. Fantasy managers might want to see how Nelson fares against the Mariners before adding him everywhere. However, managers needing a pitching boost can add Nelson, as he's rostered in 60% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Corbin Burnes Faces Live Hitters on Friday
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Corbin Burnes (elbow) faced live hitters for the first time this year on Friday. Burnes was able to throw a 20-pitch session without any issues. D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo said that Burnes will have another live session on Tuesday. If everything continues to go well, Burnes could potentially go on a minor league rehab assignment after Tuesday's session. The right-hander continues to work his way back from elbow surgery. There's a chance that Burnes is back on the big league mound before the end of June. With that being said, Burnes is looking like an interesting stash candidate with his return to the mound looming.
Source: Nick Piecoro
Source: Nick Piecoro
Corbin Burnes Recovery Progressing, High-End Starter Worth Stashing
Diamondbacks right-hander Corbin Burnes continues to progress in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, and a return around the All-Star break is beginning to look realistic. The 31-year-old has not pitched since June 1, 2025, but remains one of the premier starting pitchers in baseball when healthy. Burnes was dominant before the injury in his first season with Arizona, posting a 2.66 ERA with 63 strikeouts across 64 ⅓ innings in 11 starts. The three-time All-Star is expected to begin live throwing soon, which is another encouraging step in his recovery process. Fantasy managers searching for second-half upside should strongly consider stashing Burnes now before his roster percentage begins to climb closer to his return.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Corbin Burnes Nearing Return to Game Action?
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Corbin Burnes (elbow) said he has two more bullpen sessions before he can potentially face live hitters next Friday, per Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. Piecoro also reports that Burns thinks it could be a "couple of weeks or so before he starts getting into games," and that Burnes is still targeting a "mid-July-ish" return to the big leagues. Burnes is working his way back from Tommy John Surgery, which ended his 2025 campaign last June. The 31-year-old appears to be progressing toward a relatively speedy return, although he still has several tasks to complete. Before getting injured last season, Burnes recorded a 3-2 record with a 2.66 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 63 strikeouts across 64 1/3 innings (11 starts). While he may not immediately return to peak performance in 2026, he should provide roster-worthy production across all fantasy formats upon his return.
Source: The Arizona Republic - Nick Piecoro
Source: The Arizona Republic - Nick Piecoro
Corbin Burnes a Prime Deep-League Injury Stash Candidate
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Corbin Burnes (elbow) has been on the injured list since June 2025 as he makes his way back from Tommy John surgery. Burnes progressed to throwing bullpens in late April, but has yet to go out on a rehab assignment. According to the most recent reports, Arizona's plan for the 31-year-old is for him to return in mid-July after the All-Star break. Burnes was pitching well before getting injured last season, as he recorded a 3-2 record with a 2.66 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 63 strikeouts across 64 1/3 innings (11 starts). The veteran right-hander was also one of the best pitchers in baseball from 2021 through 2024, posting four consecutive campaigns with at least 180 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.10 or lower. While he may not immediately produce like his peak self post-surgery, Burnes still offers significant upside for fantasy managers. Particularly in deeper leagues, managers may want to consider stashing Burnes early before more news on his progression causes his waiver wire price to rise.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Merrill Kelly Throws Complete Game Against Rockies on Friday
Arizona Diamondbacks veteran right-hander Merrill Kelly threw a complete game to pick up his third win of the season in the team's convincing 9-1 win over the division-rival Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Friday night. Kelly allowed just one earned run on four hits (one homer) while walking none and striking out three in a rare feat at hitter-friendly Coors Field. The 37-year-old didn't get much swing and miss, and he needed an even 100 pitches to finish off the Rockies. The eight-year MLB veteran is now 3-3 on the 2026 season with a 5.91 ERA (5.93 FIP) and 1.54 WHIP with 23 strikeouts and 18 walks in 35 innings pitched across his six starts for the D-backs. After a rough start to the year, Kelly has now allowed only two earned runs on seven hits while walking three and striking out nine in 16 innings over his last two starts against the Rockies and New York Mets, not exactly the two toughest opponents in the league. Kelly's lack of swing-and-miss stuff gives him a low fantasy ceiling near the end of his career, but he could be a nice streamer in his next scheduled outing against the division-rival San Francisco Giants.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ryne Nelson is Gaining Traction After Another Strong Outing
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Ryne Nelson is becoming an intriguing fantasy pickup after posting back-to-back strong outings. On May 8, Nelson tossed 6.2 innings, allowing one earned run while striking out seven batters in a no-decision against the New York Mets. The right-hander continued that success during Wednesday's outing against the Texas Rangers. Nelson threw seven innings, allowing three earned runs while recording a season-high eight punchouts. The 28-year-old has thrown back-to-back quality starts and has a favorable matchup against the San Francisco Giants coming up this week. Fantasy managers in need of a possible streaming option should consider adding Nelson this week.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Should Michael Soroka be Rostered in More Fantasy Leagues?
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka was definitely not on the radar in many fantasy leagues entering his seventh season in the big leagues after posting a 4.52 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 95:29 K:BB in 89 2/3 frames across his 22 appearances (17 starts) in 2025 with the Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs. The stuff wasn't terrible, but the 28-year-old had not reached 90 innings at the big-league level since 2019. So far in his eight starts in 2026 in the desert, Soroka has impressed with a 5-2 record, 3.53 ERA (3.18 FIP), and 1.31 WHIP with 47 strikeouts and 12 walks in 43 1/3 frames. Since allowing a season-high eight earned runs on 10 hits in just three innings versus the Milwaukee Brewers on April 30, Soroka has locked things back in with one earned run allowed, three walks, and 11 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings in two starts against the Pirates and Rangers. His 4.76 expected ERA points to regression, but Soroka can still be a useful matchup-based streamer for fantasy managers. His next outing on the road in Colorado at hitter-friendly Coors Field will be a dicey one. Soroka is currently rostered in 59% of Yahoo leagues, where he also carries relief eligibility.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Eduardo Rodriguez Impressing in 2026, a Must-Roster Player in Fantasy?
Arizona Diamondbacks left-handed pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez is putting together one of the better seasons of his 11-year career so far in 2026, with a 2.25 ERA and 1.21 WHIP through eight starts (48 innings pitched) and 33 strikeouts. In his recent start on Sunday, he went 8 1/3 innings and held the New York Mets to one run. While Rodriguez has had an impressive run, most of his underlying metrics suggest series regression, as evidenced by his 4.70 xFIP, 4.59 xERA, and 5.02 SIERA. Now, that is not to suggest he can't be useful in fantasy; however, it should also suggest that fantasy managers who are viewing him as one of the best fantasy arms in baseball should temper expectations. His 5.9 percent SwStr% and 17.2 percent strikeout rate are very concerning as well, as he clearly doesn't have any of his swing-and-miss stuff going right now, limiting his overall upside in the long run. Up next for Rodriguez is a start at Coors Field over the weekend, making him a risky start in Week 8.
Source: Baseball Savant
Source: Baseball Savant
