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Joe Musgrove has Been Playing Catch
San Diego Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove (elbow) was hopeful for an early-season return after missing all of 2025 following Tommy John surgery in October of 2024, but he experienced a setback after making one spring training start. Musgrove began playing catch in late May, according to MLB.com. He's currently on the 60-day injured list and isn't expected to return at this point until after the All-Star break in mid-July. It's good news that the 33-year-old veteran is throwing a baseball again, but he still has plenty of boxes to check and must next get back on the mound. The Padres could definitely use Musgrove's presence in their starting rotation with Nick Pivetta (forearm) out until late in the year, but the Padres aren't going to rush him back. When/if Musgrove is available for the Friars in the second half, he'll most likely be eased back into action, limiting his fantasy upside. At best, Musgrove will probably be a matchup-based streamer in deep-mixed leagues whenever he returns. Right now, he's rostered in 16% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Austin Wells Undergoes MRI Exam on Monday
New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells (head), who was placed on the 10-day injured list on Saturday with cervical headaches, had an MRI exam on June 8, although manager Aaron Boone didn't have an update on his status before Monday's series opener in Cleveland against the Guardians, according to MLB.com. It's good news that the 26-year-old backstop isn't dealing with a concussion, but there's no timetable for when he might come off the IL. Until he's able to return, the Yankees will roll with J.C. Escarra and Ali Sanchez behind the plate. Wells has never hit for average in his four seasons in the big leagues, but he did have a career-best 21 home runs and 71 RBI in 126 regular-season games played in 2025 in his third year in the majors. Wells is having a rough season in 2026 to this point, batting an ugly .166 (24-for-145) with just four home runs, seven RBI, 15 runs scored, and a career-high 26.6% strikeout rate in 47 games across 169 plate appearances. He's rostered in under 10% of Yahoo leagues because of his struggles.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ryan Helsley Throws Live Bullpen Session on Monday
Baltimore Orioles right-handed reliever Ryan Helsley (elbow) threw a live bullpen session on the field at Camden Yards on Monday, according to Matt Weywrich of The Baltimore Sun. It is potentially his last step before going on a minor-league rehab assignment. The 31-year-old is finally getting close to a return to the back end of Baltimore's bullpen after being sidelined since May 1 with inflammation in his right elbow. If Helsley can avoid a setback on his rehab assignment, he could come off the 15-day injured list early next week. The two-time All-Star was looking ready to bounce back after struggling with the New York Mets in 2025 following a midseason trade, allowing three earned runs with seven walks, 15 strikeouts, and seven saves in his first 12 appearances out of the bullpen with the O's before his elbow injury. The O's might ease Helsley back into save situations, but in the long run, he's their best clear option for saves in 2026. Until he returns, Rico Garcia has been manager Craig Albernaz's favorite option in save situations.
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Matt Weyrich
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Matt Weyrich
Henry Bolte Earning More Playing Time, Emerging as a Top Waiver-Wire Target
Since earning a promotion to the big leagues in mid-May, Athletics outfielder Henry Bolte has hit .309/.392/.368 with zero home runs, five RBI, five runs scored, and four stolen bases across 79 plate appearances. The 22-year-old may now be moving into an everyday role for the A's, as Athletics outfielder Lawrence Butler owns a .501 OPS this season and has begun to cede playing time to Bolte. While Bolte's power has been lacking in the big leagues so far, he hit 12 home runs across 177 plate appearances at Triple-A before being called up by the Athletics. He's also made consistently solid contact despite the lack of home runs, as he's posted a 53.2% hard hit rate. Swing-and-miss is a bit of a concern for Bolte, as he's struck out in 27.8% of his plate appearances. His batting average has been buoyed by a .447 batting average on balls in play, which fantasy managers should expect to regress. Still, Bolte's demonstrated speed and power upside make him an intriguing waiver wire target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Aaron Ashby Carries Deep-League Waiver-Wire Appeal
Milwaukee Brewers left-handed reliever Aaron Ashby is off to a dominant start to the 2026 season, as he's recorded a 9-0 record with a 2.35 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 53 strikeouts across 38 1/3 innings (28 games). With Ashby's ability to work more than one inning, Milwaukee has opted to keep him in a fireman role rather than move him to the ninth inning. While the lack of saves limits Ashby's fantasy upside, his role with the Brewers still allows him to provide value for fantasy managers. Given his frequent appearances in high-leverage situations, Ashby should continue to find himself in position to rack up wins. He's also struck out 32.5% of the batters he's faced so far this season. In deeper league formats, Ashby may have more value as a waiver wire target than a below-average starting pitcher.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Reid Detmers a Priority Waiver-Wire Target Amidst Current Hot Streak
Across 74 innings (13 starts) in 2026, Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Reid Detmers owns a 2-5 record with a 4.26 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 88 strikeouts. The left-hander has a rough outing in mid-May against the Athletics, allowing eight earned runs in 5 2/3 innings of work. However, Detmers has been red-hot since then, allowing just four earned runs while striking out 27 across 19 innings (three starts). With a 2.92 xERA and a 2.92 FIP, Detmers' underlying metrics reflect that his ERA is inflated by a couple of blow-up starts. He also owns an excellent 28.5% strikeout rate and has done a solid job of limiting both walks (7.8% walk rate) and home runs (0.73 HR/9). In any fantasy league where he's not already rostered, Detmers profiles as a high-upside starting pitcher option who should be a priority waiver wire target for managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cade Cavalli a Top Waiver-Wire Target Ahead of Potential Breakout Season
Across 69 2/3 innings (14 starts) so far in 2026, Washington Nationals starting pitcher Cade Cavalli has recorded a 3-4 record with a 3.88 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, and 76 strikeouts. The 27-year-old ran into some trouble in his most recent outing against the Arizona Diamondbacks, allowing four earned runs across five innings of work. However, Cavalli was riding a heater heading into the Arizona start, allowing just eight earned runs while recording 30 strikeouts across his previous 24 1/3 innings (four starts). While Cavalli's elevated WHIP is an issue for fantasy managers, his 8% walk rate is manageable. Cavalli's WHIP is more of a function of opposing batters hitting .355 on balls in play against him, which is likely to regress over a larger sample size. The hard-throwing right-hander's 3.36 FIP and 16.3% K-BB rate both point to the possibility of a breakout season for Cavalli in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Griffin Jax Remains a Deep-League Waiver-Wire Target After Resurgent Outing
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Griffin Jax put together a strong outing on Sunday against the Miami Marlins, striking out four across five scoreless innings. It was a much-needed bounce back for Jax, who was bludgeoned by the Detroit Tigers for six earned runs over four innings in his first start of June. Outside of the rough day against Detroit, Jax has performed well since being moved from the bullpen to the rotation in late April. The 31-year-old has allowed one earned run or fewer in six out of his eight starts and has gone at least five innings in three out of his last five appearances. Jax may not offer tremendous upside for fantasy managers, but he's steadied himself after a slow start to the year in the bullpen and could be a valuable deep-league streaming option as a starting pitcher.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Roman Anthony Not Yet Swinging a Bat
Boston Red Sox manager Chad Tracy said that outfielder Roman Anthony (finger) has yet to return to swinging a bat, per Christopher Smith of MassLive. Anthony has been out since early May and has suffered multiple setbacks while rehabbing from a finger injury. The 22-year-old hit .229/.354/.321 with one home run, five RBI, 12 runs scored, and two stolen bases across 130 plate appearances before getting injured. While Anthony has now missed more than a month of action, it appears he is still not particularly close to making a return. Anthony remains a high-upside fantasy outfielder when healthy, but managers in leagues without IL spots may have to make a decision on how long to hold him if he continues to show little progress in his rehab.
Source: MassLive - Christopher Smith
Source: MassLive - Christopher Smith
Addison Barger Ramping Up his Hitting, "Making Progress"
Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Addison Barger (elbow) continues to ramp up his hitting at Single-A Dunedin and "is making progress," manager John Schneider told Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. It's been an injury-plagued year so far in 2026 for Barger, who is on the 10-day injured list for the second time this year with inflammation in his right elbow. The 26-year-old left-handed hitter has played in only nine games for the Jays and has just one hit in 28 plate appearances with five walks and seven strikeouts. Barger isn't known for his plate discipline, but he did have 21 home runs and 74 RBI in 135 regular-season games for Toronto last year in his first full year in the majors. When he returns to the major-league roster, Barger should play regularly for the Jays against right-handed pitchers, giving fantasy managers in deeper leagues an option for depth at third base and the outfield. Barger is rostered in 21% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Sportsnet - Shi Davidi
Source: Sportsnet - Shi Davidi
Alejandro Kirk Could be Back on Friday
Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk (thumb) will serve as the designated hitter for a minor-league rehab game at Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday and catch on Wednesday and Thursday, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. Manager John Schneider said that Kirk returning from the 60-day injured list on Friday is possible as the best-case scenario. The 27-year-old backstop is finally nearing a return after having surgery on his left thumb, which has kept him out since April 4. In two games on his rehab assignment so far, the Mexican catcher has gone 2-for-9 with a solo home run. When he's back in Toronto, he'll be the Jays' primary catcher, and he'll be worth adding off the waiver wire for fantasy managers in need of a fresh body at the position. Kirk was hitting just .150 (3-for-20) with a home run in five games before his injury, but the two-time All-Star can add some pop to Toronto's lineup after hitting a career-best 15 long balls in 130 regular-season games in 2025 in his sixth year in the big leagues. Kirk is rostered in only 24% of Yahoo leagues right now.
Source: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
Source: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
Oneil Cruz Day-to-Day With Hand Injury
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz (hand) cut his hand while sliding into home plate on Saturday against the Atlanta Braves and was out of the starting lineup for the series finale on Sunday as a result, according to Jeff Hathhorn of 93.7 The Fan. Cruz is considered day-to-day and is unlikely to land on the 10-day injured list. The Pirates had a scheduled day off on Monday, so hopefully, he'll be feeling good enough to return to the starting nine for Tuesday's series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers. When healthy, the Dominican outfielder is a must-start in all fantasy baseball formats because of his ability to contribute across all categories. Cruz currently ranks in the 100th percentile in hard-hit rate, the 79th percentile in xwOBA, and the 100th percentile in maximum exit velocity. He's currently slashing .264/.350/.472 with an .822 OPS, 14 home runs, 44 RBI, 21 stolen bases, and 45 runs scored in 64 games across 283 plate appearances. Cruz leads the league with 98 strikeouts, but he scorches the ball more often than not when he makes contact.
Source: 93.7 The Fan - Jeff Hathhorn
Source: 93.7 The Fan - Jeff Hathhorn
Colt Emerson Dealing With Back Tightness
Seattle Mariners rookie infielder Colt Emerson (back) was scratched from the lineup for Monday's series opener in Baltimore against the Orioles due to back tightness, according to Adam Jude of The Seattle Times. Infielder Cole Young made the start at the 6 for the M's against right-hander Trey Gibson. The Mariners placed regular shortstop J.P. Crawford (hand) on the 10-day injured list on Monday as well, so they're a bit thin at the position right now. The good news is that Emerson's injury isn't considered to be very serious, so he could return to the starting lineup at shortstop for Game 2 of the series at Camden Yards on Tuesday. Fantasy managers need to check back then. The 20-year-old former 22nd overall pick in 2023 is one of the most intriguing young infielders in the game. Through his first 19 major-league ballgames, Emerson has gone 15-for-62 (.242) with four home runs, 10 RBI, and nine runs scored across his 69 plate appearances. He's currently rostered in 27% of Yahoo leagues and has gone 5-for-21 (.238) with two homers, two doubles, three RBI, and three runs in six games so far in June.
Source: The Seattle Times - Adam Jude
Source: The Seattle Times - Adam Jude
Max Muncy Reinstated From Injured List on Monday
The Athletics reinstated infielder Max Muncy (hand) from the 10-day injured list on Monday and optioned infielder Darell Hernaiz to Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move, according to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. Muncy, who has been out of action since late April due to a fractured left hand, went 10-for-27 on his minor-league rehab assignment with three home runs and two doubles in seven games. The 23-year-old should be back in the starting lineup for the A's on Monday, although the team is facing a tough left-handed pitcher in Milwaukee Brewers southpaw Kyle Harrison. With Zack Gelof hitting well and occupying third base in Sacramento for the A's, Muncy could play regularly at the 6 for the A's upon his return, at least until Jacob Wilson (shoulder) returns from his own stint on the IL. The former first-rounder in 2021 was hitting just .239 (22-for-92) at the plate with two home runs, seven RBI, 15 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 26 games at the time of his hand fracture, and he's rostered in only 9% of Yahoo leagues right now.
Source: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
Source: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
Astros Recall Shay Whitcomb to MLB Roster, Worth Adding in Deeper Leagues?
The Houston Astros are recalling infielder Shay Whitcomb from Triple-A Sugar Land on Monday and placing infielder Nick Allen (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list with a hamstring injury in a corresponding move, a source told Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Whitcomb, 27, has yet to play in more than 20 games at the major-league level since debuting with the Astros in 2024. Over his 54 games played in the big leagues, he's hitting just .167/.219/.267 with a .485 OPS, two home runs, 10 RBI, six runs scored, six walks, and 27 strikeouts across 96 plate appearances. Fantasy managers can probably continue to avoid the former fifth-rounder in 2020 out of the University of California, San Diego. He profiles as primarily a super-utility man at the major-league level who most likely will struggle to find consistent playing time yet again.
Source: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
Source: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
