RADIO
Kade Anderson Won't Get Promoted Until the Stretch Run?
The Seattle Mariners have floated the idea of creating a "super 'pen" for the stretch run late in the season, perhaps featuring promotions for pitching prospects Kade Anderson and Ryan Sloan, according to Adam Jude of The Seattle Times. Anderson, the former third overall pick in 2025 out of Louisiana State University and the team's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has dominated this year at Double-A Arkansas, going 8-0 with a stingy 1.22 ERA, 0.70 WHIP, and 99:10 K:BB in 66 2/3 innings across his 13 starts. It was reported in mid-June that the 21-year-old southpaw wasn't in Seattle's immediate plans for a big-league call-up, and this report by Jude corroborates that we probably won't see Anderson make his MLB debut until much later in 2026. He's currently rostered in 12% of Yahoo leagues, but fantasy managers in mixed redraft leagues won't have much incentive to hold him now, especially since he might not even pitch in a starting role if he joins the M's for the stretch run. But in dynasty/keeper leagues, Anderson is a must-stash for his clear high-end upside for 2027 and beyond.
Source: The Seattle Times - Adam Jude
Source: The Seattle Times - Adam Jude
Christian Scott Activated and Starting Against Phillies
The New York Mets announced on Saturday that they reinstated right-hander Christian Scott (hip) from the 15-day injured list and optioned rookie left-hander Zach Thornton to Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move. Scott is returning to the Mets' starting rotation after a brief stint due to right hip impingement. The 27-year-old former fifth-rounder in 2021 out of the University of Florida isn't returning to the most fantasy-friendly matchup, but he should certainly be in play as a waiver-wire pickup for starting-pitching-needy fantasy managers. In his return from Tommy John surgery this year, Scott has looked solid in his first nine starts for the Mets, going 2-0 with a 3.10 ERA (3.84 FIP) and 1.35 WHIP with 47 strikeouts and 19 walks in 40 2/3 innings pitched in his second season in the big leagues. The Phillies as a team rank just 22nd in the majors with a .703 OPS, but they have been heating up and won't be an easy matchup for Scott in his return. He's only rostered in 17% of Yahoo leagues, so he's widely available as a pitching reinforcement heading into the last portion of the first half of the season.
Source: New York Mets
Source: New York Mets
Jack Flaherty to Officially Return on Sunday Against Astros
Detroit Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty (ankle) will officially come off the 15-day injured list to start on Sunday in the series finale against the Houston Astros at Comerica Park, manager A.J. Hinch told Jared Ramsey of the Detroit Free Press. Flaherty has been sidelined since June 13 with an injury to a tendon in his ankle. The 30-year-old veteran has had a frustrating season to this point, leading the league with eight losses while posting a 5.35 ERA (4.09 FIP) and 1.57 WHIP with 78 strikeouts and 34 walks in 65 2/3 innings pitched over his 15 starts in his second year in Detroit. Flaherty sits in just the fourth percentile in hard-hit rate this year, but he's in the 73rd percentile in strikeout rate and didn't allow more than three earned runs in any of his last five starts before going on the IL with his ankle injury. His xERA (4.64) and xwOBA (.334) suggest he's had some bad luck in the first half as well, so Flaherty shouldn't just be blindly avoided in fantasy leagues because of his eight losses and ERA over 5.00.
Source: Detroit Free Press - Jared Ramsey
Source: Detroit Free Press - Jared Ramsey
Trent Grisham Expected to Return During Upcoming Homestand
New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham (hamstring) is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list sometime during the team's upcoming homestand, manager Aaron Boone told Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. Grisham will likely play in at least one minor-league rehab game before rejoining the major-league roster. The Yankees return to the Bronx to start a series at home versus the Detroit Tigers on Monday, and the homestand runs through Sunday, July 5, against the Minnesota Twins. The 29-year-old left-handed-hitting center fielder has been on the shelf since June 13 with a strained right hamstring. When Grisham returns to the Yanks, rookie left-handed slugger Spencer Jones could be headed back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Grisham hasn't been quite as good this year as when he went off for a career-high 34 homers and 74 RBI in 2025, but he can still provide some pop as outfield depth in deep-mixed fantasy baseball leagues. He'll be returning to a .232/.341/.406 slash line with a .747 OPS, eight homers, 35 RBI, 40 runs scored, and six stolen bases in his 66 games this season.
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Nick Lodolo to Make his Next Start on Monday in Milwaukee
Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo (wrist) is scheduled to make his next start on Monday in Milwaukee against the division-rival Brewers, according to MLB.com. Lodolo was pulled from his last start early on Tuesday against the Brewers after he took a line drive off his left wrist. The 28-year-old southpaw avoided a serious injury, though, and is set for a rematch against the Brew Crew after tossing four scoreless innings with six strikeouts against them on Tuesday before leaving early. The former seventh overall pick out of Texas Christian University in 2019 has teased plenty of strikeout upside in the past, but injuries have gotten in the way. Lodolo has been pretty inconsistent so far in 2026, and his strikeout rate sits at a career-low 18% through his first nine starts (46 2/3 frames). He'll take a bloated 5.59 ERA (5.37 FIP) and 1.52 WHIP into his 10th start of the year in Milwaukee to begin next week, and fantasy managers will probably want to avoid him in that spot. Before his injury-shortened start earlier this week, Lodolo allowed a season-high seven earned runs in 4 2/3 innings to the last-place New York Mets on June 17.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
George Springer Heading for Paternity Leave
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer is heading for paternity leave this weekend, multiple sources told Gregor Chisholm of The Toronto Star. Springer could be placed on the paternity list as soon as Saturday, so fantasy managers will have to adjust their lineups this weekend as the Blue Jays continue their series in Toronto against the visiting Texas Rangers. The 36-year-old veteran could miss up to three days, so he shouldn't be expected to return to the team until early next week for the series against the New York Mets. The four-time All-Star turned back the clock in 2025 in helping the Jays reach the World Series, slashing .309/.399/.560 with a .959 OPS, 32 homers, 84 RBI, 18 steals, and 106 runs scored in 140 regular-season games. Springer has been unable to tap into that form so far in 2026, hitting .216/.307/.366 with a career-low .673 OPS, eight homers, 21 RBI, 27 runs, and six steals in 60 games. He's gone 17-for-76 (.224) with three homers, three doubles, seven RBI, 11 runs, three steals, 13 walks, and 17 K's in 20 games in June. Maybe a short break for the birth of his child will get him going to close out the first half of 2026.
Source: The Toronto Star - Gregor Chisholm
Source: The Toronto Star - Gregor Chisholm
Michael Soroka to Start Throwing Bullpens Soon
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka (glute) will start a Tuesday and Friday bullpen routine soon, according to MLB.com. Soroka was placed on the 15-day injured list on June 20 with left-glute discomfort, and he isn't expected to return to the D-backs' starting rotation until late July or August. The 28-year-old Canadian was having a resurgent 2026 season in his first year in the desert before his glute injury, going 8-3 for the Snakes with a 3.07 ERA (2.93 FIP) and 1.08 WHIP with 79 strikeouts and 17 walks in 82 innings pitched across his 15 starts. The sell-high window is probably closed now that Soroka is on the IL, and it's fair to wonder if he can keep it up in the second half when he returns. The former 28th overall pick by the Atlanta Braves in 2015 has reached the 100-inning mark just once in his MLB career, and that was back in 2019 in his second year in the majors with the Braves. His 3.91 xERA and .309 xwOBA hint at regression in the second half, and his strikeout rate sits in the 57th percentile.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Blake Snell Throws Successful Bullpen Session
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that left-hander Blake Snell (elbow) threw his scheduled 15-pitch bullpen session on Friday, and it went well, according to David Vassegh of 570 L.A. Sports. It was Snell's first time throwing off a mound since he had surgery on his left elbow to remove loose bodies on May 19. The Dodgers are slow-playing the 33-year-old southpaw, who has only made one start in 2026 due to injuries, and he's expected to need at least four more bullpens before he's cleared to face live hitters. It's unclear exactly when the two-time Cy Young winner might rejoin the Dodgers' starting rotation, but it might not be until late July or early August. Snell is being stashed in most fantasy leagues despite making just 12 regular-season starts with the Dodgers since the beginning of the 2025 season, primarily because of his career 30% strikeout rate. In his 11 regular-season starts last year, Snell was strong, posting a 2.35 ERA (2.69 FIP) and 1.25 WHIP with 72 strikeouts and 26 walks in 61 1/3 innings pitched. He's currently rostered in 76% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: 570 LA Sports - David Vassegh
Source: 570 LA Sports - David Vassegh
Gregory Soto Remains a Priority Closer Target on the Waiver Wire
Across 33 1/3 innings (34 games) in 2026, Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Gregory Soto has recorded a 4-1 record with a 3.24 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 39 strikeouts, and 11 saves. The 31-year-old has run into some difficulties in June after a dominant start to the season, allowing six earned runs across 5 2/3 innings (seven appearances) this month. Still, Soto has notched four saves in June and looks to be secure in the ninth-inning role in Pittsburgh. Soto's underlying numbers for the year remain impressive, as he's averaging 97.1 miles per hour on his fastball and has struck out 29.3% of the batters he's faced this season. He also does an excellent job of limiting home runs (0.54 HR/9), which should help him avoid blow-up innings. Even with his shaky performance of late, Soto remains a priority waiver wire target for fantasy managers in any league where he's not already rostered.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jung Hoo Lee a Priority Waiver Wire Target Amidst Hot Streak
Across 297 plate appearances in 2026, San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee is hitting .327/.360/.471 with five home runs, 30 RBI, 41 runs scored, and five stolen bases. The 27-year-old does an excellent job of limiting swing-and-miss, as he's struck out in just 9.1% of his trips to the plate this season. Lee's .345 batting average on balls in play this season is well above his career mark of .304, so he may be in line for some batting average regression in the second half of the year. Still, Lee's ability to consistently make contact keeps his floor in the category high. Lee has also started to reach a bit more power in June, posting a .560 slugging percentage with 11 RBI across 89 plate appearances this month. Fantasy managers should not expect anything more than modest production in the power and speed departments from Lee, but he can be relied upon as a batting average and runs asset. In leagues where Lee is available on the waiver wire, he is a worthy target for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Alex Lange Allows Five Runs in Non-Save Situation, Should Managers Be Concerned?
Kansas City Royals right-hander Alex Lange had a rough outing on Friday, allowing five earned runs while recording just one out in the seventh inning of his team's 22-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox. Lange has emerged as the primary closer in Kansas City, recording six saves in June. Entering play on Friday, the 30-year-old had allowed just two earned runs while notching 13 strikeouts across 10 innings pitched this month. The Royals were trailing 16-1 when Lange entered the game on Friday, which may help explain why he wasn't as locked in as he's been in recent appearances. Several of Kansas City's other high-leverage options, such as Lucas Erceg and John Schreiber, also allowed multiple earned runs on Friday in the blowout loss. Fantasy managers should take note of Lange's miserable showing, but should not necessarily panic given the circumstances.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Antonio Senzatela Blows Fourth Save for Rockies, Falling Out of Closer Committee?
Colorado Rockies right-hander Antonio Senzatela logged his fourth blown save of 2026 on Friday, allowing three hits and an earned run in the ninth inning of his team's 9-8 loss to the Minnesota Twins. Senzatela's overall numbers for the season remain strong, as he's pitched to an 8-0 record with a 2.28 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 36 strikeouts, and three saves across 43 1/3 innings (24 games). However, the 31-year-old has hit a rough patch in June, posting a 5.23 ERA and a 1.74 WHIP across 10 1/3 innings this month. While Senzatela has notched four wins in June, he has not recorded a save since mid-May. The Rockies seem to prefer to deploy Senzatela in a fireman role rather than as a typical closer, which should continue to put him in a position to rack up wins but may bar him from future save opportunities. Senzatela also profiles as a prime trade candidate later this summer, and he's unlikely to close games for a contending team.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Has Ryan Helsley Reclaimed Must-Start Fantasy Value?
Baltimore Orioles closer Ryan Helsley picked up his eighth save of the season on Friday, throwing a scoreless ninth inning with a strikeout in his team's 3-1 victory over the Washington Nationals. The hard-throwing right-hander stumbled in his first two outings after returning from the elbow inflammation that sidelined him for nearly two months, allowing four earned runs across 1 2/3 innings. However, Helsley appears to have righted the ship with back-to-back scoreless outings. The 31-year-old has had some trouble with control this season, issuing a 14.3% walk rate. Still, his stuff looks as electric as ever, as he's averaged 98.8 miles per hour on his fastball and has struck out 31.7% of the batters he's faced this season. Helsley looks to be secure in the closer role in Baltimore, which gives him must-start value in most fantasy formats.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Caleb Ferguson Earns Save, Worth a Look as Potential Part-Time Saves Source?
Cincinnati Reds left-hander Caleb Ferguson picked up his first save of the season on Friday, allowing a hit and recording a strikeout while pitching a scoreless ninth inning in his team's 6-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Ferguson did not make his season debut until late May due to an oblique issue. He's pitched well since returning, recording a 1.32 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 13 strikeouts across 13 2/3 innings (13 games). The 32-year-old has notched seven career saves across eight seasons in the big leagues and profiles more as a lefty specialist than a closer. However, the Reds are scrambling to fill their ninth-inning role with Emilio Pagan (hamstring), Graham Ashcraft (elbow), and Tony Santillan (oblique) all currently on the injured list. Pagan is nearing a rehab assignment and could return to the Reds around the All-Star break. Still, until then, Ferguson could be worth adding in deeper leagues as a potential source of saves.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Dustin May's Next Start Being Skipped Due to Back Tightness
The St. Louis Cardinals are skipping right-hander Dustin May's (back) next start on Saturday against the Miami Marlins after he dealt with some lower-back tightness in Kansas City following his complete game the start prior on June 15 against the San Diego Padres, according to Jeff Jones of the Belleville News. Right-hander Andre Pallante will now take the hill on Saturday, with righty Kyle Leahy going in the series finale on Sunday. May will start the third game of the series next week against the Atlanta Braves. May struggled his last time out against the Royals, lasting just two innings while allowing six earned runs on six hits with one walk and two strikeouts. The 28-year-old's complete-game effort against the Padres appears to have taken a toll on him physically in the short term. Not only will May not start this weekend, but his next start will come against the first-place Braves. The former third-rounder by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016 has been up and down in 2026 in his first year in St. Louis with a 4.30 ERA (3.32 FIP), 1.19 WHIP, and a still mediocre 22.5% strikeout rate in 83 2/3 innings pitched.
Source: Belleville News - Jeff Jones
Source: Belleville News - Jeff Jones
