RADIO
Hunter Brown on the Verge of a Rehab Assignment
Houston Astros right-hander Hunter Brown (shoulder) got up to 96 mph in a 22-pitch live batting practice session on Tuesday, manager Joe Espada told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. As long as Brown feels good on Wednesday, he will start a minor-league rehab assignment this weekend. Everything is progressing on schedule for Brown, who could be ready for activation from the 60-day injured list when he's eligible in mid-June. The 27-year-old former fifth-round selection by Houston in 2019 out of Wayne State has quickly developed into a fantasy baseball ace. He was a first-time All-Star in 2025, going 12-9 with a 2.43 ERA (3.14 FIP) and 1.02 WHIP with a career-high 206 strikeouts and 57 walks in 185 1/3 innings across 31 starts in his third full season in the majors. Brown allowed just one earned run with six walks and 17 K's in 10 2/3 innings in his first two starts in 2026 before injuring his shoulder. He's rostered in 95% of Yahoo leagues and should be stashed everywhere.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Brenton Doyle Considered Day-to-Day With Oblique Contusion
Colorado Rockies center fielder Brenton Doyle (oblique) is considered day-to-day with a left-oblique contusion that he suffered when diving for a ball in Tuesday night's game against the Texas Rangers, according to Manny Randhawa of MLB.com. Fantasy managers will want to check back shortly to see if Doyle is in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the visiting Rangers at Coors Field, but there's a good chance he'll be out of action. The Rockies begin a series in Arizona against the Diamondbacks on Thursday, and Doyle might also be unavailable for that contest. Although the good news is that Doyle's injury isn't a typical oblique strain that often requires an injured-list stint, he could still miss some time. The 28-year-old former fourth-rounder in 2019 out of Shepherd University had 23 home runs, 72 RBI, and 30 steals in a breakout 2024 campaign, but he failed to live up to expectations last year and continues to fall in 2026, hitting just .207 (23-for-111) with just one homer, four RBI, and nine steals in 43 games to this point. Doyle's tumble has cost him regular playing time in Denver.
Source: MLB.com - Manny Randhawa
Source: MLB.com - Manny Randhawa
Zebby Matthews Strikes Out Six in Wednesday's Loss, Worth Trusting Going Forward?
Minnesota Twins right-hander Zebby Matthews took the loss on Tuesday against the visiting Houston Astros at Target Field, but he had another promising performance in his second start this year in the big leagues. The 25-year-old allowed two earned runs on five hits (one homer) while walking none and striking out six in six innings of work. In his two starts for the Twins, the former eighth-round selection out of Western Carolina in 2022 has a 1.38 ERA (2.65 FIP) and 0.77 WHIP with 11 strikeouts and only one walk in 13 innings pitched against the Astros and Miami Marlins. Matthews settled in nicely after allowing a two-run homer to Isaac Paredes in the first inning, and he threw 66 of his 100 pitches for strikes on the evening. He is scheduled for a two-start week next week, with his first matchup coming against the Chicago White Sox, so he should become more popular off the waiver wire going into Week 9 of the fantasy baseball season. Matthews is only rostered in 26% of Yahoo leagues and deserves a look for his solid control and strikeout upside.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Caleb Kilian Stumbles in High-Leverage Spot, Falling Out of Closer Committee?
Although San Francisco Giants right-handed reliever Caleb Kilian picked up a hold on Tuesday night, he was also hit with the loss in the 5-3 defeat at the hands of the division-rival Arizona Diamondbacks. Kilian struggled in a high-leverage spot, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits while striking out one to pick up his second loss of the season. The 28-year-old earned his second save on May 12 in a scoreless appearance with a strikeout against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers, but he also allowed a solo home run in two-thirds of an inning against the Athletics on May 16. So Kilian has now allowed three earend runs in two innings in his last two appearances, and in May, he's surrendered seven runs (five earned) on seven hits (two homers) while walking five and striking out six in 7 1/3 frames with two losses, two saves, and a hold. Lefty Matt Gage blew the save against Arizona on Tuesday night, but Kilian is firmly on the hot seat in San Fran's closer-by-committee approach, with Keaton Winn and Erik Miller trending up for fantasy managers desperate for saves.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Riley O'Brien Blows Fourth Save, Should Fantasy Managers be Concerned?
St. Louis Cardinals right-handed closer Riley O'Brien blew his fourth save of the season on Tuesday in an eventual 9-6 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates in 10 innings, allowing two runs on two hits while walking one and hitting two batters in an inning of work. The 31-year-old flamethrower could not protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning. Despite the rough appearance on Tuesday night, O'Brien is still 3-1 with a 3.13 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with 25 strikeouts across 23 innings. He is still tied for third in the league with 13 saves. O'Brien has blown two saves in May but has also picked up five saves while allowing six earned runs on nine hits in 7 2/3 innings of work. He has not been perfect and has given up multiple runs in four outings this year, but overall, O'Brien has mostly been solid for the Red Birds and shouldn't be in any immediate danger of losing save opportunities in St. Louis.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Taj Bradley to Return From IL to Start on Saturday?
Minnesota Twins right-hander Taj Bradley (pectoral) is throwing a bullpen session on Wednesday, so he may return from the 15-day injured list to make a start on Saturday in Boston against the Red Sox if everything goes well with his bullpen session, according to Matthew Leach of MLB.com. Bradley threw 65 pitches in a minor-league rehab outing with Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday and could return to Minnesota's starting rotation this weekend. This is a reminder for fantasy managers to check their waiver wires to see if Bradley is available. If he is, he's certainly worth a pickup, especially with a potential matchup this weekend against the last-place Red Sox, who currently rank 27th in baseball with a .675 OPS. The 25-year-old Bradley was pitching very well before suffering from pectoral inflammation, going 4-1 with a 2.87 ERA (3.50 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with 52 strikeouts and 17 walks in 47 innings across his eight starts. He's currently rostered in 75% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Matthew Leach
Source: MLB.com - Matthew Leach
Does Shane Bieber Carry Waiver-Wire Stash Appeal Ahead of Return?
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Shane Bieber (elbow) has yet to pitch in 2026 as he deals with lingering inflammation in his surgically repaired right elbow. However, the veteran right-hander has progressed to facing live hitters and could be nearing a rehab assignment. Bieber has barely pitched over the last two seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery in April 2024. Still, he was effective in a small sample size of 40 1/3 innings (seven starts) for Toronto in 2025, posting a 4-2 record with a 3.57 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 37 strikeouts. While fantasy managers must take Bieber's considerable injury risk into account at this point in his career, the 30-year-old should still be capable of providing quality production when healthy. Managers with an open roster spot may want to consider stashing Bieber off the waiver wire ahead of his potential return, which appears as though it could come in mid-to-late June.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
MRI Comes Back Negative on Masyn Winn's Knee
St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (knee) is considered day-to-day after an MRI exam on his left knee came back negative, according to Amber Winkler of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Despite having an off day on Monday, Winn was not in the starting lineup for the series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday after injuring his knee in the loss to the Kansas City Royals in Sunday's series finale. The good news with his MRI means that Winn could be back in action as early as Game 2 of the series against Pittsburgh on Wednesday. With Winn out on Tuesday, the Cards gave Cesar Prieto the start at the 6. The 24-year-old former second-round pick back in 2020 has slashed .255/.331/.353 with a .684 OPS, only one home run, 17 RBI, 18 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 175 plate appearances this season across 41 games played. Fantasy managers will want to check back a bit later to see if Winn is back in St. Louis' starting lineup against Pirates right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski.
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Amber Winkler
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Amber Winkler
Jake McCarthy Emerging as a Deep-League Waiver-Wire Target
Across 110 plate appearances so far in 2026, Colorado Rockies outfielder Jake McCarthy is hitting .289/.346/.464 with two home runs, 18 RBI, 10 runs scored, and eight stolen bases. With a 4.9% barrel rate and a 19.8% hard-hit rate, McCarthy is highly unlikely to provide fantasy managers with much power. The lefty swinger has also largely been utilized in a platoon role in Colorado, as he's logged just 14 plate appearances this season against same-handed pitching. However, Rockies outfielder Brenton Doyle (side) was forced to exit early from the team's game on Tuesday after an attempt to make a diving catch. Should Doyle require a trip to the injured list, McCarthy could shift into a true everyday role. Between his elite speed and the Rockies' hitter-friendly home environment at Coors Field, McCarthy profiles as a solid source of both batting average and stolen bases for fantasy managers. In deeper leagues, McCarthy could be a worthy under-the-radar outfielder to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Gleyber Torres Worth Stashing Off the Waiver Wire?
Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres (oblique) is currently on the 10-day injured list with an oblique strain and remains without a set date for when he will begin a rehab assignment. While the 29-year-old's lack of a firm return timeline is a concern, Torres has been on the injured list since May 4 and should not be too far away from getting back to the big leagues. Before getting injured, the 29-year-old hit .259/.389/.329 with two home runs, 11 RBI, and 18 runs scored across 144 plate appearances. While Torres is no longer the same power threat he was earlier in his career, he's logged more walks (110) than strikeouts (123) since signing with the Tigers. Torres' ability to consistently get on base should keep his spot at the top of the Detroit lineup secure and allow him to rack up counting stats once healthy. In deeper leagues, fantasy managers may want to consider stashing Torres off the waiver wire ahead of his return.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Emilio Pagan Throwing From his Knees
Cincinnati Reds right-handed reliever Emilio Pagan (hamstring), who is around two weeks removed from a hamstring injury that landed him on the 15-day injured list, has been throwing from his knees to avoid placing stress on his hamstring, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. The timeline for his recovery from the injury was four to eight weeks. Manager Terry Francona said that Pagan is "chomping at the bit" to get back, but he still has plenty of boxes to check before he's ready. Since the 35-year-old veteran went down with his hamstring injury, the Reds' bullpen has struggled, and they've approached the ninth inning with a closer-by-committee situation that includes Tony Santillan, Graham Ashcraft, Tejay Antone, and others. Santillan, who picked up the save on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Phillies, is still the best short-term option for saves in fantasy while Pagan is sidelined. Francona is likely to go back to Pagan in the ninth when he returns, but although he had six saves in his first 15 outings, he also had a 6.43 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 14 innings. Right now, Pagan is still rostered in 65% of Yahoo leagues despite his injury and poor performance early on in 2026.
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Is Cole Young Still Worth Targeting on the Waiver Wire Amidst Current Cold Streak?
Across 196 plate appearances so far this season, Seattle Mariners second baseman Cole Young has hit .240/.316/.349 with three home runs, 26 RBI, 20 runs scored, and two stolen bases. The 22-year-old has taken over as the everyday second baseman in Seattle and is providing stellar defense, which should keep his playing time secure. However, after posting a .777 OPS through the end of April, Young has come crashing back down to earth in May. Across 70 plate appearances so far this month, Young is hitting .159/.243/.222 with a 25.7% strikeout rate. Despite Young's struggles, his .254 xBA and .400 xSLG suggest he's run into some tough luck at the plate. While Young may not stand out in any one fantasy category, he could provide value as an accumulator once he pulls out of his current skid. In deeper leagues, Young could be a worthy buy-low target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Abner Uribe Bounces Back to Earn Fifth Save, Is He Still Milwaukee's Primary Closer?
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Abner Uribe notched his fifth save of the season on Tuesday, pitching a scoreless ninth inning with a strikeout in his team's 5-2 win over the Chicago Cubs. After blowing a save and allowing three earned runs on May 13 against the San Diego Padres, Uribe was temporarily demoted to a setup role in front of fellow Brewers reliever Trevor Megill. However, Megill worked the seventh inning on Tuesday, allowing Uribe to slide back into the ninth-inning role. Uribe hasn't been able to repeat the dominance he showed in 2025 so far this season, as he owns a 4.42 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP with 19 strikeouts across 18 1/3 innings. Still, his usage on Tuesday is a positive sign that the Brewers still view him as their primary closer. Uribe may not see every save opportunity for Milwaukee going forward, but he's worth targeting on the waiver wire in any league where he may have been dropped after his recent struggles.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Grant Taylor Earns Save in Dominant Fashion, Emerging as a Potential Closer Option?
Chicago White Sox right-hander Grant Taylor earned his first save of the season on Tuesday, striking out the side in a scoreless ninth inning during his team's 2-1 win over the Seattle Mariners. The 24-year-old is off to an excellent start in 2026, as he's recorded a 1.78 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 38 strikeouts across 25 1/3 innings (19 games). Veteran righty Seranthony Dominguez has been the primary closer so far in 2026 for Chicago. However, Dominguez currently owns a 4.82 ERA and has given up five home runs across 18 2/3 innings pitched. Taylor has been the more dominant of the two relievers by far, as he's averaging 98.6 miles per hour on his fastball and has struck out 36.2% of the batters he's faced so far this year. Fantasy managers in need of saves may want to consider targeting Taylor on the waiver wire ahead of his potential promotion to the ninth-inning role for the White Sox.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Gleyber Torres Not Ready to Start Rehab Assignment Yet
There was optimism earlier this week that Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres (oblique) would start a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday, but the team has pumped the brakes on that, and manager A.J. Hinch said he's still "day-to-day," according to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News. "We don't have a definitive plan," Hinch said. Torres has been performing light baseball activities as he recovers from a left-oblique strain, but he's just not ready yet to play in games. The 29-year-old Venezuelan infielder will return to starting duties at the keystone in Detroit when he's ready, but it's unclear exactly when that will be. Barring a setback, Torres should be back before June. In 116 at-bats in 2026, he's hitting .259/.389/.328 with a .716 OPS, two homers, 11 RBI, and 18 runs scored. Torres won't give fantasy managers much power, but he's a great source of on-base percentage. Until he's ready to come off the IL, expect Zach McKinstry and Hao-Yu Lee to continue splitting time at second base.
Source: The Detroit News - Chris McCosky
Source: The Detroit News - Chris McCosky
