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Nolan Jones is Acquired by White Sox
Cleveland Guardians outfielder Nolan Jones was acquired by the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. In exchange, the Guardians will receive $250,000 in international bonus pool money. This season, Jones has slashed .275/.385/.460 with eight home runs, 31 RBI, and three stolen bases in 52 games at Triple-A Columbus. Jones is a former second-round pick of Cleveland from the 2016 draft. Jones blasted 20 homers during the 2023 season with the Colorado Rockies. Since then, Jones hasn't been able to have the same type of success at the big league level. He'll report to Triple-A Charlotte and will hopefully earn his way to the big league roster at some point.
Source: Chicago White Sox
Source: Chicago White Sox
Justin Wrobleski Pulled with Hamstring Injury
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Justin Wrobleski (hamstring) was forced to make an early exit from Thursday's outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Wrobleski took a line drive off his leg during the fifth inning of this game. After a visit from manager Dave Roberts, Wrobleski would exit the game. The southpaw has been diagnosed with a right hamstring contusion. Before leaving, Wrobleski allowed four earned runs on six hits with one strikeout over 4.2 innings of work. It's unclear at the moment if Wrobleski will be ready in time for his next start. Fantasy managers should check back for another update on his status shortly.
Source: Kirsten Watson
Source: Kirsten Watson
Shohei Ohtani Exits with Knee Inflammation
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee) was forced to make an early exit from Thursday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Ohtani exited the game in the top of the seventh inning due to left knee inflammation. Before leaving the game, Ohtani was 2-for-2 at the plate with a home run, one RBI, and two walks. Santiago Espinal took over the designated hitter spot for Ohtani for the rest of this game. Ohtani did have left knee surgery in 2019, so it's unclear if that has anything to do with this. The Dodgers should give an update on his status soon. For now, fantasy managers should consider Ohtani as day-to-day until further notice.
Source: Kirsten Watson
Source: Kirsten Watson
Jordan Lawlar to Return to D-Backs on Friday
Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman/outfielder Jordan Lawlar (wrist) will come off the 60-day injured list to rejoin the major-league roster for Friday's series opener against the Cincinnati Reds, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports. Lawlar will be returning to the Snakes this weekend for the first time since hitting the IL back in early April with a right-wrist fracture. During his minor-league rehab assignment, the 23-year-old former top prospect went 6-for-28 with two RBI and five runs scored in eight games. The former sixth overall pick in 2021 out of Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas has yet to impress in the big leagues in just 48 games played since debuting in 2023, hitting .191 (22-for-115) with just one home run, seven RBI, four steals, and a 33.6% strikeout rate. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues will probably want to take a wait-and-see approach with Lawlar, but he should play regularly in Arizona's outfield once he returns. Lawlar is widely available in Yahoo leagues, as he's rostered in just 6% of leagues.
Source: Arizona Sports - John Gambadoro
Source: Arizona Sports - John Gambadoro
Hagen Smith Trending Towards Making MLB Debut on Saturday?
According to Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com, the Chicago White Sox could promote top pitching prospect Hagen Smith on Saturday to make his MLB debut against the two-time reigning World Series Champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers. According to Levine, the team is considering turning to the former fifth overall pick to take the mound as there is an open spot in the rotation. While the team has yet to confirm this report, it appears the young southpaw is trending towards making his MLB debut this weekend. Smith has spent the entire campaign at Triple-A Charlotte and has endured some early growing pains. However, after struggling to the tune of a 4.54 ERA with a 1.46 WHIP over his first 32 2/3 innings, he has quickly found his footing. In his last four starts (19 innings), the southpaw has posted a stellar 2.37 ERA with a 32:7 K:BB. Smith was already considered a top pitching prospect to stash, but now holds near must-stash upside in all 12-team leagues given his nearing debut and elite strikeout potential.
Source: Bruce Levine
Source: Bruce Levine
Samuel Basallo Back in Baltimore's Lineup Versus Mariners
Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo (wrist) is doing the catching for right-hander Kyle Bradish in Thursday's series finale at Camden Yards and will bat fifth against Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo, per MLB.com. Basallo has been dealing with a bony growth on his left wrist and was held out of the starting lineup for each of the last three games. It's something that he could deal with going forward, but for now, the left-handed slugger will return to the O's lineup for the series finale against Seattle. The Dominican backstop will return to a .263/.327/.475 line with an .801 OPS, nine home runs, 27 RBI, and 25 runs scored in his 179 at-bats in his first full year in the majors. Basallo has been much better against right-handers this year, going 36-for-133 (.271) against them with eight of his nine home runs on the year. The young catcher has struggled so far in June, though, with just two hits in 22 plate appearances over eight games.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Adley Rutschman Returns From Hamstring Injury on Thursday
Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (hamstring) is back in the team's starting lineup for Thursday's series finale against the visiting Seattle Mariners and right-hander Bryan Woo, serving as the designated hitter and batting third in the order, per MLB.com. Rutschman will return to the O's lineup after missing the last three games with tightness in his left hamstring. The 28-year-old switch-hitter has been swinging the bat much better of late, going 13-for-42 (.310) with a homer, four doubles, a triple, 10 RBI, and seven runs scored in his last 11 games since May 27. Overall, the former first overall pick out of Oregon State is slashing .267/.343/.489 with a career-best .832 OPS, eight home runs, 36 RBI, and 25 runs scored in 48 games across 204 plate appearances in his fifth year in the big leagues. Fantasy managers will want to get the two-time All-Star back into their starting lineups now that he's been cleared of his hamstring injury. In three career at-bats against Woo, Rutschman has a home run and two RBI.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Colt Emerson Returns to M's Lineup Following Bout With Back Spasms
Seattle Mariners rookie infielder Colt Emerson (back) is starting at shortstop and will bat ninth for Seattle in Thursday's series finale against the hosting Baltimore Orioles and right-hander Kyle Bradish at Camden Yards, according to MLB.com. Emerson didn't play in any of the last three games due to a bout with back spasms, but he's feeling good enough to play on Thursday. The 20-year-old infield prospect is one of the most intriguing young power/speed threats in baseball, although he won't carry a ton of DFS appeal at the bottom of the Mariners' batting order in his return. In his first 19 games in the big leagues, Emerson has gone 15-for-62 (.242) with four home runs, five doubles, a triple, 10 RBI, and nine runs scored across 69 plate appearances. He will play regularly for the M's at the 6 with J.P. Crawford (hand) on the injured list currently. Emerson has only five walks and 21 strikeouts early on, so he'll need to make more contact to capitalize on his potential.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Quinn Priester Returned From his Rehab Assignment
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Quinn Priester (shoulder), who had been pitching in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League, has been returned from his minor-league rehab assignment and remains on the 60-day injured list, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. Priester hasn't really had any luck trying to battle through symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome, and this could be the final straw before the Brewers have him undergo season-ending surgery. The 25-year-old's velocity has been way down, and he's had trouble commanding the baseball while pitching in the minor leagues. In eight rehab starts in the ACL and for High-A Wisconsin and Triple-A Nashville, Priester has allowed 28 earned runs on 22 hits (one homer) while walking 24 and striking out only 18 in 16 innings pitched. It's unclear what the next step is for Priester, but it's beginning to look more and more unlikely that he'll be able to help Milwaukee out in 2026. He's rostered in just 13% of Yahoo leagues and can probably be cut in more formats.
Source: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
Source: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
Is Yohandy Morales Hitting His Way to Must-Stash Status?
Washington Nationals corner infield prospect Yohandy Morales continues to produce at Triple-A Rochester, drawing a walk, stealing a base, and scoring a run in his latest contest despite going 0-for-3 at the plate. For the season, the Nats' 28th-ranked prospect is slashing a robust .336/.414/.584 with 14 home runs and three steals. The former second-round draft pick is set to blow past his home run total from last season (15), and has seen almost a six percent drop in strikeout rate year-over-year while maintaining a solid 10.7 percent walk rate. The 6-foot-3 slugger owns a 92.3 percent average exit velocity (EV) this season (90th percentile) and a max EV of 113.1 mph (93rd percentile), along with a 12.4 percent barrel rate and 52.9 percent hard-hit rate, so he's got some fantasy-friendly power potential. However, despite having the ability to play either corner infield spot or designated hitter, there isn't a current path to playing time on the MLB roster, so it may take an injury to get him to the majors. Regardless, managers in deep leagues looking for a sneaky source of home runs and counting stats should consider stashing the 24-year-old ahead of an eventual call-up.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Lazaro Montes Enjoying Power Surge, is a 2026 Debut in Play?
Seattle Mariners outfield prospect Lazaro Montes has been a big-time power bat in the minors for the last few seasons, belting 21 home runs in 2024 and another 32 a season ago, but at his current pace, the 6-foot-5 slugger could even outdo last season's total. The left-handed hitter is in the midst of a home run barrage at Double-A Arkansas, blasting six long balls in his last eight games alone, while batting .394 (13-for-33) over that stretch, which has also seen an improved strikeout rate of 17.9 percent over that span (27.8 percent for the season). The native of Cuba's recent run of production has pushed his batting average to .240 with a strong 12.7 percent walk rate and an outstanding .904 OPS. The strikeouts will likely remain part of his profile (career 27.1 percent in the minors), which could limit his batting average, but he's helped offset that with a strong walk rate (career 14.8 percent), and the power is legit. Montes could be ticketed for Triple-A soon, and if the 21-year-old can continue to develop his hit tool, a late-season debut in the majors is a possibility.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Is Tony Santillan Still the Top Source for Saves in Cincinnati?
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Tony Santillan has put together arguably his worst MLB season so far in 2026, recording a 5.88 ERA and 1.58 WHIP with 25 strikeouts across 26 innings. However, with Reds closer Emilio Pagan (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list due to a Grade 2 hamstring strain, Santillan has two saves on the year and may be Cincinnati's preferred option in the ninth inning. There are major red flags in Santillan's profile that fantasy managers should be aware of before buying in. The 29-year-old's average fastball velocity is down from 96.2 miles per hour in 2025 to 94.6 mph in 2026, and his K-BB rate has dipped from 15.3% to 10.3%. He's also allowed nine home runs (3.12 HR/9) on the year and pitches in one of the most homer-friendly home parks in all of baseball in Cincinnati's Great American Ball Park. Fantasy managers in desperate need of saves may still have use for Santillan, but his profile is riddled with risk.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brody Hopkins Looks to Solidify Status as Deep-League Stash Option
Tampa Bay Rays pitching prospect Brody Hopkins will get his next shot at proving his recent run of success is for real when he takes the mound for Triple-A Durham on Thursday night in Nashville against a formidable lineup made up of hot-hitting Brewers prospects. Over the right-hander's last six appearances, he's pitched to a 1.42 ERA while striking out 32 batters across 25 1/3 innings pitched. The Rays' top pitching prospect had an issue walking batters for most of the season, even during his recent success, but has improved considerably over his last two appearances, recording a 16:3 K:BB in 10 IP. If that is the trend going forward, the 24-year-old's momentum should carry him to a major league debut in the coming weeks. With his strikeout upside and the control problems hopefully a thing of the past, the 6-foot-4 hurler has emerged as a solid stash candidate in deeper leagues, so managers will want to keep an eye on his progress, starting Thursday night.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Gabriel Moreno a Priority Waiver-Wire Add Amidst Current Hot Streak
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno has once again dealt with injuries this season, landing on the 10-day injured list in mid-April due to an oblique strain. However, the 26-year-old has been productive when healthy, hitting .266/.345/.434 with five home runs, 22 RBI, 22 runs scored, and three stolen bases across 165 plate appearances. Moreno's 11.2% barrel rate and 46.6% hard-hit rate are both career-bests, and he's maintained above-average contact ability with an 18.2% strikeout rate. The ability to stay healthy will likely always be a concern for Moreno, who has yet to log more than 380 plate appearances in any of his MLB seasons. Still, he's undoubtedly a viable starter in two-catcher fantasy formats. In leagues where he remains on the waiver wire, Moreno should be a priority target for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Quinn Mathews Finding His Footing at Triple-A, Worth Stashing Ahead of Debut?
St. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect Quinn Mathews has started to turn it on over his last two starts with Triple-A Memphis, allowing just four hits and two walks while striking out 15 across 12 scoreless innings. The 25-year-old's overall line for the season is less appealing, as he's pitched to a 4.01 ERA with a 15.8% walk rate across 51 2/3 innings (12 starts). Still, Mathews is considered to be one of the top pitching prospects in the Cardinals' system and could be proving that he's figured something out with his recent performance. With St. Louis in the thick of the National League playoff picture and searching for high-end starting pitching at the big-league level, it could be only a matter of time before Mathews is called up for his MLB debut. In deeper leagues, fantasy managers may want to consider stashing Mathews off the waiver wire.
Source: MLB Pipeline
Source: MLB Pipeline
