RADIO
Payton Tolle Worth a Waiver Pickup Despite Tough Upcoming Matchup
Boston Red Sox left-hander Payton Tolle is worth considering off the waiver wire despite allowing a season-high seven hits and three earned runs in five innings in a loss in his last outing against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays. The 23-year-old former second-rounder in 2024 out of TCU is one of the more promising young left-handed arms in baseball, and he has two quality starts in his four outings so far in 2026. Tolle also hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in any of his four starts, although he'll have a difficult challenge his next time out against the first-place Atlanta Braves. In his four starts (22 2/3 innings), Tolle has pitched to a 2.78 ERA (2.80 FIP) and 0.88 WHIP with 27 strikeouts and only six walks. His advanced metrics are solid as well, with an xwOBA in the 97th percentile, a strikeout rate in the 93rd percentile, and a walk rate in the 76th percentile. Tolle struggled to a 6.06 ERA and 1.59 WHIP in his first seven MLB outings (three starts) for Boston last year, but he features a diverse arsenal and a fastball in the upper-90s. The stuff is real, and he's available in more than half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Garrett Crochet Throwing a Bullpen Session on Wednesday
Boston Red Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet (shoulder) said he is throwing a bullpen session on Wednesday, according to Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. It's a big step in his return from left-shoulder inflammation that landed him on the 15-day injured list back on April 29. While Crochet is making progress, he's unlikely to return right when he's eligible to come off the IL, and he could require one or two minor-league rehab starts before he rejoins Boston's starting rotation. It's been a rather disappointing 2026 season to this point for one of the best left-handed pitchers in the game after he finished second in the American League Cy Young voting a year ago. Crochet went 3-3 before landing on the IL with a 6.30 ERA (4.32 FIP) and 1.47 WHIP with 37 strikeouts and 11 walks in 30 innings across his six starts. Despite his underwhelming numbers early on and an IL stint, Crochet should be stashed in all fantasy leagues.
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Garrett Crochet Resumes Throwing Off a Mound
Boston Red Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet (shoulder) is progressing and resumed throwing off a mound on Tuesday after getting out to 120 feet while playing catch on Sunday, according to Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic. Crochet is currently on the 15-day injured list due to inflammation in his left shoulder. He will likely require at least one minor-league rehab start before rejoining Boston's starting rotation, but barring a setback, the two-time All-Star should be back well in advance of the start of June. Crochet finished second in the American League Cy Young voting in 2025 in his first year in Beantown after going 18-5 with a 2.59 ERA (2.89 FIP) and 1.03 WHIP with a league-high 255 strikeouts and 46 walks in a league-high 205 1/3 innings across 32 starts. Crochet is one of the most talented left-handed arms in baseball, even if his 2026 numbers don't reflect that. He went 3-3 with a 6.30 ERA (4.32 FIP) and 1.47 WHIP with 37 K's and 11 walks in six starts before going on the IL. Crochet is a must-stash pitcher in all fantasy baseball leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Jen McCaffrey
Source: The Athletic - Jen McCaffrey
