RADIO
Walbert Urena a Must-Add Off the Waiver Wire in Midst of Breakout Season
Los Angeles Angels rookie right-hander Walbert Urena has come out of nowhere to become one of the Angels' most reliable starters in 2026 in his first year in the big leagues. Through his first 14 appearances (12 starts) this year, Urena has gone 5-5 with a 2.41 ERA (3.95 FIP) and 1.31 WHIP with 64 strikeouts and 35 walks in 67 1/3 innings pitched. The 22-year-old Dominican hurler has been a bit fortunate given his 12% walk rate, but the good news is that he didn't allow a free pass for the first time all year in his last outing on June 20 against the division-rival Athletics, in which he tossed five shutout innings with six strikeouts for his fifth win of the year. Urena also induced 17 swings and misses while throwing 58 of his 90 pitches for strikes. At the very least, Urena has earned himself a longer leash in terms of sticking around in the Angels' starting rotation for the rest of the season. Command is a concern, but fantasy managers need to consider adding him off the waiver wire if you're desperate for pitching help. Urena is rostered in 43% of Yahoo leagues. He'll face the A's again in his next outing, but at least it will be at Angel Stadium.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Jack Brannigan to Make MLB Debut, a Top Add Head of Call-Up?
Pittsburgh Pirates infield prospect Jack Brannigan has a locker room in the team's major-league clubhouse and is expected to be recalled from Double-A Altoona on Thursday, according to Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Brannigan will get his first major-league call-up after hitting .231/.347/.517 with an .864 OPS, 11 home runs, 21 RBI, 25 runs scored, and two stolen bases in the rookie-level Florida Complex League and with Single-A Bradenton, High-A Greensboro, and Altoona. Per MLB Pipeline, the 25-year-old 6-foot, 201-pounder is the team's No. 22 prospect. Injuries have been an issue in Brannigan's minor-league career, but when he's healthy, he has an interesting mix of speed and raw power, and he's also athletic on the infield at third base and shortstop. Brannigan will need to cut down on his strikeouts at the big-league level if he wants to find an everyday role. For now, he's an intriguing prospect to watch in dynasty/keeper leagues, but he's expected to come off the bench for the Bucs.
Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - Kevin Gorman
Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - Kevin Gorman
Spencer Horwitz Heading to Injured List With Hamstring Injury
The Pittsburgh Pirates will place first baseman Spencer Horwitz (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list on Thursday with a left-hamstring injury that he suffered in Wednesday's game against the Seattle Mariners, according to Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. With time running out before the mid-July All-Star break, Horwitz might not be back in the team's starting lineup until the start of the second half. In his second year with the Bucs in 2026, the left-handed-hitting first baseman has hit .280/.386/.455 with an .842 OPS, 10 home runs, 33 RBI, 36 runs scored, and a stolen base across 74 games and 295 plate appearances. He's only 13 home runs shy of setting a new career high in his fourth year in the big leagues. The 28-year-old former 24th-round selection by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2019 out of Radford University went 19-for-73 (.260) with three homers, three doubles, seven RBI, and 12 runs scored in 19 games in June before landing on the IL. In Horwitz's absence, Ryan O'Hearn will likely see most of the starts in the Steel City at first base.
Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - Kevin Gorman
Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - Kevin Gorman
Jacob Wilson Dealing With Left-Shoulder Injury
Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson's left shoulder was bothering him on Wednesday night after an awkward play in the fifth inning against the San Francisco Giants when he tried to avoid a tag at home plate, which led to him being lifted for a pinch-runner in the ninth inning, according to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. It's unclear how severe Wilson's injury is, so he'll be considered day-to-day going into Thursday's series finale in San Francisco. Fantasy managers should expect Wilson to be held out of Thursday's lineup. Before leaving the 2-1 loss at Oracle Park on Wednesday night, Wilson went 1-for-3 at the plate with a strikeout. Max Muncy shifted from third base to shortstop to close out the game. The 24-year-old former sixth overall pick out of Grand Canyon University in 2023 is a contact-oriented hitter who is tough to strike out, but he lacks high-end power and speed to make him all that attractive at the 6 in fantasy. Wilson is slashing .277/.310/.386 with a .696 OPS, four homers, 26 RBI, 23 runs, and only two steals in his 202 at-bats in 2026.
Source: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
Source: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
Bobby Witt Jr. Out Again on Thursday Against Rays
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (knee) will sit out of the series finale on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field, according to MLB.com. Tyler Tolbert will make yet another start at shortstop for the Royals and will hit ninth against Rays right-hander Casey Legumina. Witt is dealing with a Grade 1 MCL sprain in his right knee and will be missing his sixth straight start. The Royals have been optimistic that Witt doesn't need a stint on the injured list, but if he cannot play this weekend against the division-rival Chicago White Sox, their tune could change. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Friday to see if Witt is active for the series opener on the South Side of Chicago. The 26-year-old former second overall pick in the 2019 MLB draft has been a must-start, five-category contributor for fantasy managers when healthy, slashing .294/.368/.465 with an .833 OPS, 10 homers, 32 RBI, 28 steals, and 40 runs scored in his 299 at-bats this year.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Lars Nootbaar Is a Top Pickup Following His Return
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar is still ramping up after his delayed start to the season, but he's shown enough signs to be a nice pickup if you need outfield depth. He seems fully recovered from the surgery he had on both his heels and has hit .341 over his last 12 games with three doubles, a triple, and a home run, boosting him to a .410 wOBA and a .953 OPS. Nootbaar hasn't stolen a base yet in his 17 games, but his power and run production are back. He has a 55.6% hard-hit rate and 13.3% barrel rate since returning and makes solid contact, especially against righties. The 28-year-old lefty won't be hitting leadoff after the emergence of JJ Wetherholt, but he still has enough thump in his bat to be a solid producer from the middle of the order for a surprisingly productive Cardinals' offense.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Garrett Whitlock a Top Stash Target for Saves?
Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Garrett Whitlock is definitely an important name to watch as we approach what should be a very active trade deadline for Boston. The 30-year-old has been extremely effective in a setup role in front of Aroldis Chapman this season for the struggling Red Sox, allowing just eight earned runs and racking up 29 strikeouts in 24 2/3 innings in his 25 games. Chapman is clearly Boston's best closer, but he could be on the move at the deadline, opening a chance for Whitlock to be the team's closer down the stretch. Whitlock himself could also be traded, and if he lands in a different place as the closer, he could have elite closer value there as well. With so many unknown factors, stashing Whitlock in deep leagues makes sense based on his elite closer upside if he lands in a primary closer role with the Red Sox or a different team. If you're trying to get ahead of the roster shuffle and project potential saves at the end of the season, Whitlock is a great speculative pickup.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Griffin Jax is a Must-Add Starting Pitcher From the Waiver Wire
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Griffin Jax earned his third win of the season on Wednesday and continues to prove himself as a very solid pickup from the waiver wire. Jax went five innings and gave up five hits while racking up seven strikeouts. He has worked exactly five innings in four straight outings, going 2-1 with a 0.90 ERA, 3.05 FIP, and a 1.05 WHIP. Jax has successfully moved from the bullpen to the starting rotation, and he can be a great way to fortify your rotation, even though his innings aren't maxed out yet. His next start is scheduled for Tuesday on the road in Kansas City, and he will likely be a two-start pitcher for that week since he'll turn around and face the Astros the following Sunday.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Elvis Alvarado Blows Wednesday's Save as Struggles Continue, Is it Time to Cut Ties?
Athletics relief pitcher Elvis Alvarado gave up two runs in the ninth inning, blowing a save against the Giants in his team's 2-1 loss. He gave up a home run to Rafael Devers to lead off the inning and then a walk-off homer to Victor Bericoto to end the game. He has allowed five runs in his last four games, allowing six hits over 5 1/3 innings, including four homers. Alvarado had worked his way into the team's closer rotation, but with his recent struggles, Hogan Harris seems like a better option in the short term. The Athletics will continue to shuffle pieces at the end of games, but for now, Alvarado doesn't seem like a strong play in standard-sized leagues.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Rockies Turn to Jimmy Herget for Second Save, the Closer to Roster in Colorado?
Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Jimmy Herget came on to close out his team's comeback win on Wednesday over the Red Sox, and he earned his second save of the year. His first save came all the way back on April 1, but he has been effective lately, with no runs allowed in his last four appearances. In those 4 1/3 innings, he has allowed three hits and two walks but also racked up seven strikeouts. The 32-year-old righty has primarily served as a setup man for Antonio Senzatela, but Senzatela came in earlier on Wednesday to give the Rockies a chance to climb back into the game. While Senzatela is still the primary option to roster in Colorado's bullpen, Herget could be the next man up if Senzatela is traded or whenever he needs a break. He's a deep-league option at this point, and he's someone to monitor closely in standard leagues in case roles shift.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Samuel Basallo Up to 12 Homers After First Multi-Homer Game on Wednesday
Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo recorded the first multi-homer game of his career on Wednesday in the team's 7-6 loss in 10 innings to the hosting Los Angeles Angels. Basallo went 2-for-5 with two home runs, four RBI, and two strikeouts to raise his season batting average to .257 and his OPS to .782. It was nice to see Basallo have a good game after entering Wednesday's contest with a .177 average (11-for-62) with a homer, a double, six RBI, four runs, five walks, and 18 strikeouts in 19 games played in June. The 21-year-old Dominican backstop is now slashing .257/.317/.465 with 12 home runs, 35 RBI, and 29 runs scored in 249 plate appearances in his first full season in the big leagues with Baltimore. Basallo will need to improve against left-handed pitchers to take the next step offensively, but he hits righties enough to be an intriguing young fantasy asset at the position. He has hit .266 (45-for-169) against right-handers this year with 10 of his 12 home runs. Basallo is currently rostered in exactly half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Paul Goldschmidt Continues Resurgent Season, Homers Off Tigers Ace Twice
New York Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt certainly hasn't looked like an aging slugger in the Bronx in 2026. Goldschmidt had an impressive showing in Wednesday night's 4-2 win over the hosting Detroit Tigers, going 2-for-4 at the plate with two solo home runs off two-time Cy Young left-hander Tarik Skubal. It continues a theme of the former MVP victimizing left-handed pitchers. In his career against Skubal, Goldy is now 7-for-13 with four home runs. The 38-year-old former eighth-round pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2009 out of Texas State University is now slashing .297/.355/.568 with 14 home runs, 39 RBI, and 30 runs scored in his 211 plate appearances in 2026 in his second year in New York and 16th total MLB season. With an expected batting average of .259 and an xwOBA of .342 (currently .384), it appears the seven-time All-Star could be hitting above his skis currently, but he should probably be rostered in more than 38% of Yahoo leagues. Fantasy managers need to ride the wave while it lasts.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Tommy Edman a Priority Target on the Waiver Wire Following Return from Injury?
Los Angeles Dodgers utility man Tommy Edman had the start to his 2026 season delayed by recovery from offseason ankle surgery that kept him out until mid-June. Across 24 plate appearances since his return, the 31-year-old is hitting .364 with one RBI. Edman has seen time at second base, third base, and in left field, and his positional versatility should continue to keep him in the Dodgers lineup on a near-everyday basis. The veteran switch-hitter may no longer be the high-end speed threat he once was at his peak, as he's stolen just nine bases across 134 games since joining the Dodgers in 2024. Still, Edman hit 13 home runs with 49 RBI and 49 runs scored across 397 plate appearances for Los Angeles in 2025. As long as he continues to see regular playing time, Edman profiles as a high-floor contributor whose multi-positional versatility should make him an appealing waiver wire target for deep-league fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Addison Barger Still Worth Stashing Despite Slow Recovery?
Toronto Blue Jays third baseman/outfielder Addison Barger (elbow) will fly to Toronto to get checked out by the Blue Jays' medical staff before beginning a rehab assignment, per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. Barger was originally scheduled to begin a rehab assignment on Thursday, but Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that Barger's been experiencing soreness in his injured right elbow. It's been a lost season so far for the 26-year-old, who has logged just 28 MLB plate appearances in 2026 due to elbow and ankle issues. Barger was a key piece of Toronto's lineup against right-handed pitching in 2025, hitting .243/.301/.454 with 21 home runs, 74 RBI, 64 runs scored, and four stolen bases across 502 plate appearances. He could be worth stashing off the waiver wire ahead of his return, but fantasy managers should monitor to make sure he is still cleared to begin a rehab assignment following his meeting with the Blue Jays' medical team.
Source: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
Source: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
Blake Snell Scheduled to Throw 15-Pitch Bullpen on Friday
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Blake Snell (elbow) is scheduled to throw a 15-pitch, fastball-only bullpen on Friday, per David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports. Snell is working his way back from surgery to remove loose bodies in his left elbow, which he underwent on May 19. The 33-year-old also began the year on the injured list due to a shoulder issue, so he's thrown just three innings for the Dodgers in 2026. Snell was an effective pitcher when healthy in 2025, recording a 5-4 record with a 2.35 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 72 strikeouts across 61 1/3 innings (11 starts). However, the veteran left-hander's profile is riddled with injury risk, as he's reached 130 innings in just one season since 2018. While it's a positive sign that Snell appears to be progressing, he's likely still at least a few weeks away from going out on a rehab assignment.
Source: AM 570 LA Sports - David Vassegh
Source: AM 570 LA Sports - David Vassegh
