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Sam Antonacci Gaining Momentum as Emerging Waiver Wire Option
White Sox rookie outfielder Sam Antonacci has put together an excellent start to his first MLB season, slashing .286/.386/.379 and working his way into everyday lineups. He is hitting .348 in June and appears to be continuing his upward trend with three multi-hit games in his last six outings. He has also added eight stolen bases in 48 games and profiles as a contact-first hitter from the left side. Fantasy managers should take advantage of the opportunity to add him as he looks to build on his early success. His playing time has become more stable as he continues to earn trust within the White Sox lineup.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Bryce Eldridge Emerging as Priority Waiver Wire Target Ahead of Breakout Season
Giants 21-year-old Bryce Eldridge has flashed strong production in his second year with the club after appearing in just 10 games last year. He is slashing .288/.363/.450 with a .813 OPS across 25 games this season. Eldridge, a first round pick in the 2023 draft, is the number one ranked prospect in the Giants system and 17th overall in MLB Pipeline rankings. His 55.2 percent hard-hit rate sits well above league average and points to sustained offensive upside. Fantasy managers should treat him as a priority waiver wire target before he forces his way into everyday lineups and gains wider attention.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Nationals Top Prospect Eli Willits Moving to High-A, Is He an Elite Dynasty Asset?
Nationals top prospect Eli Willits has earned a promotion to High-A after an impressive start with Single-A Fredericksburg. The fourth overall ranked prospect in the MLB Pipeline hit .299 with a .497 slugging percentage and a .911 OPS across 46 games. He added 28 stolen bases, flashing an elite speed tool to add to his offensive profile. The promotion is another step in a steady rise through the Nationals organization. Willits remains several levels away from the majors, but his all-around game makes him an intriguing dynasty play moving forward.
Source: Nats.Talk
Source: Nats.Talk
Tarik Skubal Dominates in Rehab Start; Return Appears Imminent
Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal (elbow) took another encouraging step toward his return on Sunday, tossing five scoreless innings in a rehab start with High-A West Michigan. Skubal allowed just two hits and struck out six batters, continuing a strong recovery from the left elbow injury that landed him on the injured list on May 4. The Tigers are hopeful the 29-year-old can rejoin the rotation for this weekend's series against the Guardians. Before the injury, Skubal looked every bit like the ace Detroit expected, posting a 2.70 ERA and 0.95 WHIP across 43 1/3 innings. A two-time All-Star and one of the favorites in the American League Cy Young race entering the season, Skubal remains an elite fantasy option once activated.
Source: milb.com
Source: milb.com
Kodai Senga Struggles During Rehab Start
New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga (back) took the mound for a minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday. Senga tossed five innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits while walking two batters. On a positive note, Senga was able to build up to 91 pitches during this outing. His overall results haven't been great, but it's about getting Senga healthy right now. The expectation is that Senga will need to make at least one more rehab start before being activated. Senga was hit around during his five starts before landing on the shelf. He could be someone worth stashing in deep leagues, but he can remain on the waiver wire in most formats right now.
Source: mlb.com
Source: mlb.com
Konnor Griffin is Looking at Extended Absence
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin (elbow) is unlikely to be back in the lineup anytime soon. Pirates general manager Ben Cherington mentioned on Sunday that Griffin is looking at a "more relaxed timetable" in his recovery. The 20-year-old has been out since the end of May due to a flexor strain in his right elbow. Griffin has been taking grounders, but hasn't been throwing the ball at all. The team will continue to evaluate him, but it sounds like they'll continue to be cautious with their prized shortstop. It seems possible that Griffin could be sidelined for the rest of the month. He'll still need to go on a rehab assignment once he's cleared to hit again. Fantasy managers should continue to hold him and hope he can contribute in the second half of the season.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Kenley Jansen to Begin Rehab Assignment on Tuesday
Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (pelvis) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday. Jansen threw a successful bullpen session on Friday. He appears to be feeling good enough to get back into game action. Jansen has been sidelined since late May due to pelvic inflammation. He could be activated when first eligible on June 12, but we'll see how his first rehab outing goes for him. Jansen has posted a 4.80 ERA, 1.20 WHIP with seven saves across 15 innings this season. The right-hander is worth rostering in most leagues where saves matter. He should return as the primary closer once he's activated off the Injured List.
Source: Evan Woodbery
Source: Evan Woodbery
Casey Mize to Make Rehab Start on Tuesday
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Casey Mize (adductor) is scheduled to make a minor league rehab start at Single-A Lakeland on Tuesday. Mize has been sidelined since late May due to right adductor inflammation. The expectation is that Mize will only need one rehab start before rejoining the Tigers' rotation. There's a chance that Mize is back in the mix by the next weekend series versus the Cleveland Guardians. This season, Mize owns a 2.27 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and a 49:12 K:BB ratio across nine starts. The right-hander has looked strong early in the season and is worth scooping up for fantasy managers seeking pitching help right now.
Source: Evan Woodbery
Source: Evan Woodbery
Bobby Witt Jr. Exits Early with Knee Soreness
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (knee) was forced to make an early exit from Sunday's game against the Minnesota Twins. It's unclear when the injury happened, but Witt was pulled from the game in the seventh inning due to right knee soreness. Before leaving, Witt was 0-for-4 at the plate, so possibly the knee issue was impacting his swing. For now, Witt should be considered day-to-day until the team gives further information. The Royals are off on Monday, so there's a chance that Witt doesn't miss any games. Josh Rojas and Nick Loftin are potential replacements if Witt does miss time.
Source: Kansas City Royals
Source: Kansas City Royals
Justin Verlander Set for Second Rehab Start at Triple-A on Wednesday
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (hip) is set to make his second rehab start with Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday, per Evan Woodbery of MLive Media Group. The 43-year-old made just one start in 2026 before being placed on the injured list with a hip injury. Verlander was shelled in his lone outing, allowing five earned runs across 3 2/3 innings of work against the Arizona Diamondbacks. However, the veteran right-hander had a decent year in 2025 for the San Francisco Giants, recording a 4-11 record with a 3.85 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 137 strikeouts across 152 innings (29 starts). Verlander also pitched well in his first rehab outing at Triple-A, striking out three across five scoreless innings on June 2. Upon his return, Verlander could be a worthy streaming option for deeper-league managers in certain matchups.
Source: MLive Media Group - Evan Woodbery
Source: MLive Media Group - Evan Woodbery
Max Fried Nearing Return to Mound Work?
New York Yankees starting pitcher Max Fried (elbow) is expected to throw from 120 feet this week and will also undergo another round of imaging to determine if he can start working off the mound, per Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. Fried is working his way back from a bone bruise in his pitching elbow that led to him being placed on the 15-day injured list in mid-May. Across 61 2/3 innings (10 starts) before the injury, the veteran left-hander had recorded a 4-3 record with a 3.21 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 50 strikeouts. Fried's 12.9% K-BB rate was his worst since his rookie season in 2017, but opponents had hit just .196 with one home run against him. The 32-year-old appears to be making progress, but he likely remains at least a month or so away from returning to the big leagues. Fantasy managers should be looking for ways to stash Fried, unless he suffers a setback.
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Max Scherzer Set to Return to Blue Jays Rotation on Wednesday?
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Max Scherzer (forearm) said that he will "be able to go Wednesday," per Hazel Mae of MLB Network. The veteran has been on the 15-day injured list since late April, but he threw 73 pitches across a 3 2/3-inning rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Friday. Scherzer struggled across 18 2/3 innings (five starts) before getting injured, recording a 1-3 record with a 9.64 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, and 10 strikeouts. The 41-year-old logged a 5.19 ERA across 85 innings with Toronto in 2025, so it's fair to wonder how much he has left in the tank at this point in his career. Still, the Blue Jays' rotation has been ravaged by injury in 2026. Scherzer should have a runway of at least a few starts to prove he can still be effective and could be worth targeting on the waiver wire in deeper fantasy leagues. If he returns on Wednesday, his first start back will come at home against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Source: MLB Network - Hazel Mae
Source: MLB Network - Hazel Mae
Will Smith Out of Dodgers Lineup for Second Straight Game on Sunday
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (neck) remains out of his team's starting lineup for its Sunday matchup against the Los Angeles Angels. Smith was scratched from the Dodgers' lineup on Saturday due to neck stiffness. The 31-year-old is in the midst of a slight down year at the plate so far, hitting .249/.338/.382 with six home runs, 23 RBI, and 23 runs scored across 201 plate appearances. However, Smith owns a career-best 13.4% barrel rate, and his .275 xBA and .494 xSLG both suggest that he's been a bit unlucky in his results. There's been no indication from the Dodgers that the team expects an extended absence from Smith, but this current neck injury is still worth monitoring for fantasy managers. Dalton Rushing is catching and batting sixth in Smith's place on Sunday and would likely see the majority of the playing time behind the plate for the Dodgers if Smith were to hit the injured list.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ildemaro Vargas Remains Out of Diamondbacks Lineup on Sunday
Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Ildemaro Vargas (thigh) remains out of the starting lineup for his team's Sunday matchup against the Washington Nationals. The 34-year-old has not made a start since colliding with Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy on Thursday. Vargas has emerged as a key piece early on in 2026 for Arizona, hitting .282/.313/.441 with seven home runs, 37 RBI, 30 runs scored, and one stolen base while logging near-everyday playing time at first base. However, Vargas has cooled off considerably after a red-hot start to the year. The veteran hit just .227 with one home run in May after finishing April with a .378 average and six long balls. In Vargas' absence on Sunday, recently promoted Diamondbacks prospect LuJames Groover will make his third straight start at third base and bat eighth.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Top Pitching Prospect Hagen Smith on Verge of a Call-Up Amid Rotation Changes?
Chicago White Sox pitching prospect Hagen Smith could be on the verge of a promotion to the big leagues in the midst of the team's rotation changes, according to speculation from Noah Phalen of Southside Showdown. Chicago has adjusted its rotation for the upcoming week and has yet to announce starting pitchers beyond Tuesday's matchup against the Atlanta Braves. The fifth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, Smith has pitched to a 4.19 ERA and 1.35 WHIP with 63 strikeouts across 43 innings (12 starts) at Triple-A so far this season. Command is a major issue for the 22-year-old, as he owns a 16% walk rate in 2026 after posting a 17.6% walk rate across 75 2/3 innings at Double-A in 2025. However, Smith has also recorded an elite 33.7% strikeout rate this season and offers plenty of swing-and-miss upside for fantasy managers. Fantasy managers in need of strikeouts may want to consider targeting Smith on the waiver wire ahead of a possible promotion.
Source: Southside Showdown - Noah Phalen
Source: Southside Showdown - Noah Phalen
