RADIO
Will Riley O'Brien Lose Save Opportunities Amid Struggles?
Cardinals right-hander Riley O'Brien endured another rough outing on Tuesday, allowing three runs on three hits and a walk while taking the loss against the Rangers. The appearance continued a concerning trend for O'Brien, who now owns a 7.04 ERA over his last 15 games. Despite the recent struggles, he remains the Cardinals' leader with 14 saves and has handled the majority of the club's ninth-inning opportunities this season. His season ERA has climbed to 4.10, and the margin for error is beginning to shrink as the bullpen picture becomes less certain. It is not time for fantasy managers to abandon O'Brien, but his recent performance warrants close monitoring. Another few shaky outings could put his role as the primary closer in jeopardy.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Scott Barlow Unable to Close Out Ninth Inning, Will He Fall Out of Closer Committee?
Athletics right-hander Scott Barlow had a shaky outing Tuesday against the Cubs, throwing 17 pitches while recording just two outs and allowing a hit and a walk before being lifted. While the damage was limited, it does little to strengthen Barlow's case for more save opportunities. The 33-year-old has been effective overall in his first season with the Athletics, posting a 3.00 ERA and 1.04 WHIP, but the club has not shown a willingness to hand him the ninth inning outright. Barlow is now 2-for-3 in save chances, and pitchers such as Jack Perkins and Mark Leiter Jr. continue to factor into the late-inning picture. Fantasy managers searching for saves may want to look elsewhere until the Athletics establish a clearer bullpen hierarchy.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Spencer Jones Rolling Again at Triple-A, Nearing Return to the Majors?
New York Yankees outfield prospect Spencer Jones is hitting the ball well again for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, collecting three multi-hit efforts in his last four contests, going 7-for-16 (.438) over that stretch with one home run, two steals, and a 4:4 BB:K. The Yankees' sixth-ranked prospect returned to minor league action on May 26 after a brief debut with the big league club, where he collected just four hits in 24 at-bats (.167) and struck out 12 times (44.4 percent). The strikeouts have always been the concern, with a career 35.2 percent strikeout rate at Triple-A, but that has been somewhat offset by a career 10.6 percent walk rate there and 32 home runs in 107 games for the RailRiders. The 6-foot-7 power hitter also has some sneaky speed, swiping 29 bags a season ago and nine so far this season in 40 games at Triple-A. The Yankees are expecting both Jasson Dominguez (shoulder) and Giancarlo Stanton (calf) back in the not-too-distant future, which will not help Jones' chances of returning to the big leagues soon, but if he can improve the strikeout rate, the power and speed will be an asset the next time he gets the call. With multi-category potential, the 25-year-old is a worthy stash option in deeper leagues, just know that he may be a batting average liability, too.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Yoendrys Gomez Entering Priority Waiver-Wire Territory?
Minnesota Twins right-hander Yoendrys Gomez picked up his fourth save of the season Tuesday, recording the final four outs in a 6-4 victory over the White Sox while striking out two. The 26-year-old has steadily improved after a difficult April, posting a 0.87 ERA during May while earning a larger role in the Minnesota bullpen. Gomez now owns a 3.90 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and leads the Twins in saves. Minnesota continues to utilize multiple relievers in save situations, but Gomez has made a strong case for additional ninth-inning opportunities. Fantasy managers searching for saves should view him as a priority waiver wire target while his role continues to grow.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Luis Lara a High-End Stash Option with Multi-Category Potential
Milwaukee Brewers outfield prospect Luis Lara is just 1-for-9 in his last three games, but that hasn't stopped him from getting on base, as the Brewers' fifth-ranked prospect recorded four walks during that time, compared to just one strikeout -- a phenomenal trait he's been displaying all season at Triple-A Nashville. For the season, the switch-hitter has walked more times than he's struck out, with a 39:32 BB:K, which has buoyed a fantastic .447 on-base percentage. All in all, the 5-foot-7 Venezuelan is hitting .338 with a .947 OPS (.500 SLG), seven home runs, and 18 stolen bases. After hitting just two home runs and slugging .343 last season at Double-A, the newfound power production is a welcome development. With the toolset to impact multiple fantasy-relevant categories, the 21-year-old has become a high-end stash candidate in most leagues as he inches closer to a major league debut.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Rico Garcia Remains High-End, Short-Term Saves Source?
Baltimore Orioles right-hander Rico Garcia continued his dominant campaign Tuesday, tossing a perfect inning to secure his fourth save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Red Sox. Garcia needed just 14 pitches to retire all three batters he faced, recording two strikeouts along the way. The veteran reliever has quietly become one of Baltimore's most reliable arms, allowing just two earned runs all season. Through 26 1/3 innings, he owns a 0.68 ERA, 0.61 WHIP, and 30 strikeouts. With Ryan Helsley on the injured list, Garcia appears to have a firm grip on ninth-inning duties for the time being. His combination of swing-and-miss stuff and elite run prevention makes him a strong fantasy option, and a priority waiver wire target for managers searching for saves in the short term.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Drake Baldwin Could Return During Braves Next Homestand
Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said that catcher Drake Baldwin (oblique) could return during the team's next homestand, per Mark Bowman of MLB.com. The homestand referenced by Weiss runs from June 16 to June 21. Baldwin has been on the 15-day injured list due to a Grade 1 oblique strain, but it appears as though he's progressing and should return about four weeks after suffering the injury. Before getting hurt, Baldwin was hitting .303/.389/.543 with 13 home runs, 38 RBI, 39 runs scored, and one stolen base across 216 plate appearances. The 25-year-old's underlying metrics supported his hot start, as he posted an 18.6% barrel rate and a 53.8% hard-hit rate. Baldwin has a case as the best offensive catcher in baseball and profiles as a must-start player at the position upon his return to the Braves lineup.
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Matthew Boyd Slated for Rehab Start on Saturday, Close to Big-League Return
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Matthew Boyd (knee) is scheduled to make a second rehab appearance with Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, per Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network. McGregor reports that "assuming everything goes well," Boyd will return to the Cubs following his Saturday start. The veteran left-hander has been on the injured list since early May due to a left miniscus injury. Boyd got off to a rough start to his 2026 season before hitting the IL, recording a 6.00 ERA across 24 innings (five starts). However, Boyd's 25% K-BB rate and 2.33 FIP suggest that he was pitching better than his top-line numbers would indicate. The 35-year-old was arguably Chicago's best starting pitcher in 2025, recording a 14-8 record with a 3.21 ERA and 1.09 ERA across 179 2/3 innings (31 starts). Upon his return, Boyd profiles as a quality innings eater for deeper-league fantasy managers.
Source: Marquee Sports Network - Taylor McGregor
Source: Marquee Sports Network - Taylor McGregor
Edward Cabrera Scheduled to Return to Cubs Rotation on Saturday
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Edward Cabrera (finger) will return from the 15-day injured list on Saturday against the San Francisco Giants, per Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network. Cabrera was placed on the IL due to a blister on his right middle finger on May 21. Across 54 innings (10 starts) before the injury, Cabrera posted a 3-2 record with a 4.00 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and 47 strikeouts. The 28-year-old's average fastball velocity was down from 97 miles per hour to 95.9 mph, and his strikeout rate had dipped to a career-worst 20.7%. If Cabrera's blister issue is fully resolved, it could help him rediscover his 2025 form, when he logged a 3.53 ERA and a 25.8% strikeout rate across 26 starts with the Miami Marlins.
Source: Marquee Sports Network - Taylor McGregor
Source: Marquee Sports Network - Taylor McGregor
J.T. Realmuto Expected to Return to Phillies Lineup on Wednesday
Philadelphia Phillies manager Don Mattingly said that catcher J.T. Realmuto (wrist) is expected to return to the team's lineup on Wednesday, per Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Realmuto was removed early from Philadelphia's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday after taking a 97-mile-per-hour fastball off his left wrist. The Phillies had an off day on Monday, and Realmuto was held out of the team's game on Tuesday against the San Diego Padres, but he appears to have avoided a serious injury. Across 142 plate appearances so far in 2026, Realmuto is hitting .220/.296/.299 with two home runs, nine RBI, 11 runs scored, and one stolen base. His barrel rate has fallen to a career-worst 2.9%, making him a low-end starting option for fantasy managers in two-catcher leagues at best.
Source: The Athletic - Matt Gelb
Source: The Athletic - Matt Gelb
Aaron Nola Reinstated from Paternity List, Strikes Out Eight on Tuesday
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola was reinstated from the paternity list before his start on Tuesday against the San Diego Padres. The 32-year-old pitched well in his return to the mound, allowing just four hits and two earned runs while striking out eight across five innings of work. It's been a rough season overall for Nola, who owns a 3-4 record with a 5.55 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, and 64 strikeouts across 61 2/3 innings (12 starts). However, Nola has still posted a strong 17.4% K-BB rate. The underlying indicators point to poor luck for the veteran right-hander, as he's recorded a 4.20 FIP and 3.45 xFIP. Fantasy managers should proceed with caution given Nola's struggles over the past two seasons, but he could be a decent buy-low target in deeper leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Garrett Crochet Diagnosed With Low-Grade Lat Strain
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Crochet (lat, shoulder) is dealing with a "very low-grade lat strain," per Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald. Starr reports that Crochet can resume throwing as soon as he is deemed asymptomatic by the team's trainers. Crochet appears to have avoided a serious injury after his rehab from a shoulder injury was shut down due to tightness in his lat. The 26-year-old has had a rough year overall in 2026, missing time due to injury and pitching to a 6.30 ERA across his six healthy starts. Still, Crochet finished second in the American League Cy Young Award vote in 2025 and projects as a high-upside fantasy SP1 once he returns to the mound. Crochet had been scheduled to face live hitters before the lat issue, so he may not be too far away from going out on a minor league rehab assignment. Fantasy managers should monitor closely for continued updates on Crochet's status.
Source: Boston Herald - Gabrielle Starr
Source: Boston Herald - Gabrielle Starr
Josh Naylor Still Absent With Back Spasms
Seattle Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor (back) will miss another game on Tuesday against the visiting New York Mets due to back spasms, according to MLB.com. Naylor was forced to leave the series opener at T-Mobile Park on Monday early due to back spasms and will miss another game. He's considered day-to-day for now, and fantasy managers will want to check to see if he's feeling good enough to return to action on Wednesday in Seattle. Patrick Wisdom will make the start at first base for the M's on Tuesday and hit seventh in the batting order. Naylor has been hot of late at the plate, going 10-for-33 (.303) with a homer, three RBI, and six runs scored in eight games since May 24. Overall in his first full season with the Mariners, Naylor is hitting .254/.317/.357 with a .674 OPS, only six home runs, 25 RBI, 12 stolen bases, and 21 runs scored in 224 at-bats. Naylor's power has been down after clubbing 51 homers in the last two seasons, but fantasy managers aren't complaining about his 12 stolen bases at the first base position.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Zach Neto Still Out With Neck Issue on Tuesday
Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (neck) remains sidelined for Tuesday's tilt against the visiting Colorado Rockies at Angel Stadium, according to MLB.com. Oswald Peraza will make the start at the 6 and bat seventh for the Halos against Rockies right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano. It will be the second straight day that Neto will sit out after the Angels scratched him from the lineup for the series opener on Monday. Neto suffered from whiplash while getting into a collision at home plate back on Saturday. Fantasy managers should consider Neto to be day-to-day at this time and check back to see if he's available to play as the series in Anaheim continues on Wednesday. The 25-year-old former 13th overall pick in 2022 out of Campbell University is on track to return to the 20-homer mark for the third straight season in 2025, but he leads the league with 82 strikeouts in 274 plate appearances while also hitting a disappointing .231 (54-for-234) through 60 games played. Barring an injury that causes him to miss extended time, Neto is on track for a third straight 20-20 season for the Angels.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Angel Martinez Back From Foot Injury on Tuesday
Cleveland Guardians outfielder Angel Martinez (foot) is starting in right field on Tuesday and will hit fifth against the hosting New York Yankees and right-hander Cam Schlittler in the Bronx, according to MLB.com. Martinez returns to the fold after suffering a right-foot strain during Saturday's contest versus the Boston Red Sox. The 24-year-old Dominican outfielder will be looking to bust out of a slump at the end of May that saw him go 5-for-37 (.135) with a double, triple, four RBI, one run scored, no walks, and eight strikeouts in 10 games since May 19. After the recent cold stretch, Martinez is slashing .243/.281/.449 with a .729 OPS, nine home runs, 29 RBI, eight steals, and 24 runs scored in 55 games across 200 plate appearances in his second full season in the majors. Martinez isn't much of an option for average or on-base percentage, but his power/speed profile makes him a nice asset for outfield depth in deeper mixed leagues. He's currently rostered in 33% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
