RADIO
Byron Buxton Still Sidelined With Hip Impingement
Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) remains absent from the starting lineup for Wednesday's tilt against the hosting Houston Astros at Daikin Park due to a hip injury, according to MLB.com. Ryan Kreidler is making another start in center field for the Twins and will bat seventh versus Astros right-hander Tatsuya Imai. Buxton is officially day-to-day with a right-hip impingement, and his next chance to rejoin the starting nine will come in Friday's series opener in the Bronx against the New York Yankees after the Twins are off on Thursday. The Twins and fantasy managers are definitely keeping their fingers crossed that the 32-year-old two-time All-Star won't need a stint on the injured list at the very end of the first half of the season. Buxton has a long injury history in his 11 years in the majors, but he's stayed healthy in 2026 and has been marvelous with a .268/.325/.573 slash line, .898 OPS, 25 home runs, 43 RBI, 56 runs, and seven steals in 73 games played after clubbing a career-high 35 homers and driving in 83 with 24 steals in 126 games in 2025. Check back on Buxton's status on Friday.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Vinnie Pasquantino Hopes to Start Rehab Assignment Before All-Star Break
Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (hand) will continue his rehab in Arizona to start the month of July, but he's hoping to start a minor-league rehab assignment before the mid-July All-Star break, according to MLB.com. Pasquantino suffered a fractured hamate bone in his right hand during an at-bat on June 13 and had surgery the following day. The Royals also placed the Pasquatch on the 10-day injured list on June 14. Barring a setback during his rehab assignment, the left-handed slugger should return to the Royals starting lineup after the All-Star break in mid-July. The 28-year-old former 11th-round selection in 2019 out of Old Dominion University broke out with 32 RBI and 113 RBI in 160 games in 2025 in his fourth year in the big leagues, but before his injury in 2026, he was hitting just .224 (57-for-254) with six homers, 32 RBI, and a career-high 17.5% strikeout rate. Despite Pasquantino's slow start this year, he can provide game-changing power from the left side if he's healthy in the second half, and he's rostered in 64% of Yahoo leagues right now.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Kris Bubic Dealing With Setback, Scratched From Rehab Start
Kansas City Royals senior vice president Scott Sharp said that left-hander Kris Bubic (elbow, shoulder) will be scratched from his minor-league rehab start on Wednesday night, according to Sports Radio 810. Bubic will return to Kansas City for further evaluation, and there is no timetable for his return from the 15-day injured list. The 28-year-old southpaw has been on the shelf since being placed on the IL in the middle of May with soreness in his left elbow, and he was pulled off his rehab in mid-June due to discomfort in his left shoulder. Bubic has avoided any structural damage in his elbow or shoulder, but because he hasn't been able to take the next step in his return, the Royals will have another look. At the very least, Bubic won't return to KC's starting rotation until late July in a best-case scenario. The former first-rounder in 2018 out of Stanford University was 3-2 earlier this year before his elbow injury with a 4.11 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 51 strikeouts in 50 1/3 innings pitched over nine starts. Bubic has mixed-league fantasy value when healthy, but his uncertain timetable makes his second-half outlook very cloudy.
Source: Sports Radio 810
Source: Sports Radio 810
Jose Ramirez has Stitches Removed, Could Resume Swinging Soon
Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (hand) is making good progress after having surgery to fix a fractured hamate bone in his left hand, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. Ramirez had the stitches removed from his hand on Tuesday, is feeling good, and could soon resume swinging a bat in his rehab process. The 33-year-old was previously able to resume gripping a bat and has been doing fielding drills while throwing at 140 feet. The seven-time All-Star and six-time Silver Slugger winner broke his left hamate bone against the Detroit Tigers on June 13 and was placed on the 10-day injured list the next day. The Guardians said he'd miss around five to seven weeks of action, with this Tuesday marking the two-week mark since J-Ram had surgery. Assuming Ramirez has no setbacks, he's still another three to five weeks away from returning to the big-league roster. Although his numbers are down compared to his lofty standards, Ramirez must be held in all fantasy formats. He's still logged a .757 OPS with 10 home runs, 18 doubles, 33 RBI, and 24 stolen bases while appearing in each of the team's first 72 games.
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Max Scherzer to Make a Rehab Start on Friday
Toronto Blue Jays veteran right-hander Max Scherzer (back) said he's traveling with the team out west and will make a minor-league rehab start on Friday with High-A Vancouver, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. Scherzer will rejoin the team in Seattle on Saturday, throw a side session on Sunday, and determine his next steps from there. The Blue Jays have already said that the 41-year-old future Hall of Famer will require multiple rehab starts, so Scherzer won't be an option to rejoin Toronto's starting rotation next week, and he most likely won't be a realistic option to come off the 15-day injured list until after the All-Star break in mid-July. The three-time Cy Young winner has once again had an injury-plagued season with the Jays. He's been out since mid-June due to back spasms on the left side of his back, and before that, he had a lengthy stay on the IL with forearm tendinitis. Scherzer has only been able to make six starts in 2026 and has gone 1-4 with a rough 10.23 ERA, 1.73 WHIP, 14 strikeouts, and 11 walks in 22 innings. Fantasy managers should continue to ignore the fading star.
Source: Sportsnet - Shi Davidi
Source: Sportsnet - Shi Davidi
George Springer Lands on Paternity List
The Toronto Blue Jays announced on Wednesday that they placed outfielder/designated hitter George Springer on the paternity list and recalled outfielder Jonatan Clase from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. With Springer now away from the team for the birth of his child, Sean Keys will serve as the DH for Wednesday's series finale against the New York Mets and right-hander Freddy Peralta at the Rogers Centre. Springer will be away from the team for up to three days, so he could miss most of the upcoming series against the Seattle Mariners that starts on Friday, July 3. The 36-year-old veteran and four-time All-Star hasn't been able to replicate his resurgent 2025 campaign, when he hit .309/.399/.560 with 32 home runs, 84 RBI, and 18 stolen bases in 140 regular-season games. Through 63 contests and 279 plate appearances in 2026, the 13-year veteran is slashing just .221/.308/.373 with a .681 OPS, eight home runs, 21 RBI, 29 runs, and six steals. Fantasy managers should not be expecting him to return to his 2025 form in the second half.
Source: Toronto Blue Jays
Source: Toronto Blue Jays
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Returns From Back Injury on Wednesday
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (back) is starting at first base and is batting in the two-hole for Wednesday's series finale against the visiting New York Mets and right-hander Freddy Peralta, per MLB.com. Guerrero was scratched from Tuesday's starting lineup due to back tightness, but he's back in there a day later. The 27-year-old five-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger has been among the biggest fantasy disappointments in 2026, as he comes into Wednesday's game with a .268/.347/.348 slash line, .695 OPS, only four home runs, 34 RBI, 45 runs scored, and six stolen bases in his first 299 at-bats. The buy-low window for fantasy managers is still wide open for Vladdy, who should rebound in the second half based on his .294 expected batting average, .415 expected slugging percentage, and .347xwOBA. Guerrero ranks in the 65th percentile in hard-hit rate, the 35th percentile in hard-hit rate, and the 65th percentile in walk rate. He'll be searching for his first hit against Peralta, whom he has gone hitless against in six career at-bats.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jazz Chisholm Jr. Returns to Yankees Lineup for Series Finale
New York Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. (head) is starting at second base and is batting fifth in Wednesday's series finale in the Bronx against the visiting Detroit Tigers and right-hander Troy Melton, according to MLB.com. Chisholm took an elbow to his head during a collision with outfielder Jasson Dominguez on Monday and was pulled early, and then he sat out of Tuesday's contest. The 28-year-old left-handed slugger was able to clear the concussion protocol, though, and now he's back on the field for the Yankees. Fantasy managers will want to get Chisholm back in their starting lineups right away for his high-end power/speed upside. Chisholm is batting just .222 (63-for-284) with a .305 on-base percentage and a 28.7% strikeout rate in 321 plate appearances on the season, but he's one of the best power/speed options in fantasy with eligibility at second base. He'll be looking to get back on track on Wednesday after going hitless in his last eight plate appearances over four games with five strikeouts.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Brandon Nimmo Likely to Avoid the Injured List
Although Texas Rangers outfielder Brandon Nimmo (shoulder) is out of the lineup on Wednesday for a third straight game against the Cleveland Guardians with a left AC joint sprain in his shoulder, MLB.com's Henry Palattella reports that he's likely to avoid a trip to the injured list. That's great news for the Rangers, who placed outfielder Wyatt Langford (hamstring) on the IL over the weekend and shortstop Corey Seager (back) on the IL on Wednesday. Nimmo ended Sunday's win over the Toronto Blue Jays with a fantastic catch, but he crashed against the outfield wall and injured his shoulder, causing him to miss the series in Cleveland. Manager Skip Schumaker said on Tuesday that Nimmo was day-to-day and could avoid a stint on the IL. "It was a much better day today, which was good," Schumaker said. "From yesterday to today, it was much better." Nimmo has hit .262/.333/.420 with eight home runs and 29 RBI in 82 games in his first year in Texas, but he had a .759 OPS in 25 games in June, which was over 100 points higher than his .657 OPS in May. Alejandro Osuna is making another start in left field on Wednesday, with utility man Ezequiel Duran in right field.
Source: MLB.com - Henry Palattella
Source: MLB.com - Henry Palattella
Corey Seager Returning to Injured List With Back Injury
After recently returning from a stay on the seven-day concussion injured list last week, Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (back) has been placed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday due to a back injury that kept him out of Tuesday's starting lineup against the Cleveland Guardians, according to Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. In a corresponding move, utility man Josh Smith has returned to the big-league roster. Nicky Lopez is making another start at the 6 for Texas on Wednesday and is hitting ninth in the batting order against Guardians left-hander Joey Cantillo. In what has been a lost season for Seager to this point, it's especially concerning for the Rangers and his fantasy managers that Seager already missed a month with a back injury earlier in the first half. Seager will now be out through the All-Star break and probably won't be ready to return until sometime in August. In the meantime, expect Ezequiel Duran to see most of the work at shortstop in Texas. Seager has hit just .182/.292/.374 with 10 homers, 25 RBI, 28 runs scored, and a career-worst 26.9% strikeout rate in his 219 plate appearances in 2026.
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant
Jake Bennett a Priority Waiver-Wire Addition With Opportunity to Stick in Rotation
Boston Red Sox rookie left-hander Jake Bennett, who is ranked as the team's No. 6 prospect at MLB Pipeline, has pitched well in his first six major-league starts and should have a long leash in Boston's starting rotation going into the second half of the 2026 season, with both Garrett Crochet (shoulder) and Connelly Early (elbow) on the injured list. In his first 33 innings pitched in the majors, Bennett has posted a 3.27 ERA (3.11 FIP) and 1.06 WHIP with 25 strikeouts and seven walks for a 2-3 record. The 25-year-old could end up being a steal after Boston acquired him in a trade with the Washington Nationals over the offseason. The former second-rounder in 2022 out of the University of Oklahoma has been much sharper in his last three starts, giving up just three earned runs with two walks and 17 strikeouts in 17 2/3 innings pitched after he allowed nine earned runs with five walks and eight strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings in his first three big-league starts. With great command of his pitches and an opportunity to stick in Boston's rotation the rest of the year, Bennett is a priority waiver-wire pickup for fantasy managers in need of rotation help. Bennett is currently rostered in under 20% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Jacob Webb a Short-Term Source of Saves in Chicago
With Chicago Cubs closer Daniel Palencia (elbow) on the injured list for the foreseeable future, right-handed reliever Jacob Webb has emerged as a candidate for saves in Chicago's bullpen alongside the likes of Caleb Thielbar, Trent Thornton, Ryan Rolison, and Jordan Wicks. The 32-year-old veteran has blown two of his save chances in June, but since his last blown save on June 20 against the Toronto Blue Jays, he has thrown four scoreless innings with one hit allowed, four walks, six strikeouts, and two wins. Overall, the former 18th-round selection by the Atlanta Braves in the 2014 MLB draft out of Tabor College has gone 3-2 with a 3.47 ERA (3.93 FIP), 1.35 WHIP, two saves, 45 strikeouts, and 14 walks in 36 1/3 innings pitched out of the bullpen in his seventh year in the big leagues. Sporting a career-best 28.5% strikeout rate this year, Webb, along with Thielbar, should be considered a favorite for saves with the Cubs as long as Palencia remains sidelined. Fantasy managers desperate for saves should consider Webb off the waiver wire, and he's rostered in only 3% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Dylan Crews Ready for Post-Hype Prospect Breakout?
Washington Nationals outfielder Dylan Crews came with tons of expectations after the Nats selected him second overall (behind college teammate Paul Skenes) in the 2023 MLB draft out of Louisiana State University, and so far in his first 153 games in the big leagues, he's been a bust. In 604 plate appearances with Washington since debuting in 2024, Crews has slashed just .215/.278/.356 with a .634 OPS, 18 home runs, 52 RBI, 33 stolen bases, and 75 runs scored. In 37 games so far in 2026, the 24-year-old has a weak .225/.267/.366 slash line with a .633 OPS, five homers, 17 RBI, four steals, a 20.7% strikeout rate, and a 2.7% walk rate. However, Crews showed some signs of life to close out the month of June, going 14-for-45 (.311) at the plate with a homer, three doubles, three RBI, nine runs scored, and two stolen bases in 11 games across 48 plate appearances. He's going to need to improve his plate discipline to sustain the hot streak, but fantasy managers looking for upside in the outfield should look Crews' way. He's rostered in only 35% of Yahoo leagues and is widely available.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Shane Drohan an Emerging Waiver Target in Transition to Starting Role?
The Milwaukee Brewers moved left-hander Shane Drohan from the bullpen to their starting rotation at the beginning of June after he posted a 2.63 ERA (2.41 FIP) with 28 strikeouts and eight walks in 27 1/3 innings (one start) to begin the 2026 season. Since moving to the rotation on June 1, Drohan has allowed 10 earned runs (3.65 ERA) on 25 hits (three homers) while walking nine and striking out 24 in five starts across 24 2/3 innings pitched. The 27-year-old former fifth-rounder by the Boston Red Sox in 2020 out of Florida State University has recorded one quality start over that span. He hasn't provided much length, which is understandable as he transitions from a reliever to a starter, but he's also allowed three or fewer earned runs in four of his five starts for the Brew Crew. Drohan went 4 1/3 scoreless innings with three walks and five punchouts in 4 1/3 innings on June 24 against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds, and he's scheduled to face them again at home on Wednesday. Against a Reds team that has the fourth-most strikeouts in baseball, Drohan is an interesting deep-league streamer and waiver-wire consideration.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Mason Montgomery Worth a Look in Evolving Pirates Bullpen?
Pittsburgh Pirates left-handed reliever Mason Montgomery and right-hander Dennis Santana have risen up the closer depth chart in Pittsburgh with lefty Gregory Soto struggling of late. Montgomery was afforded a couple of save opportunities in June, but the problem is he blew both of his save chances and struggled to a 6.52 ERA (3.00 FIP) with seven earned runs allowed on 11 hits (one homer) while walking six and striking out 16 in 9 2/3 innings with a 1-2 record, two blown saves, and a hold. Overall in 2026, the 26-year-old former sixth-round pick by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021 out of Texas Tech University has gone 2-3 with a 4.68 ERA (3.35 FIP), 1.41 WHIP, and 46:16 K:BB in his 32 2/3 innings pitched across 33 outings (four starts) for the Bucs. While Montgomery is a late-inning option for the Pirates in their constantly evolving bullpen, he just hasn't been consistent enough in high-leverage situations for fantasy managers to trust as a source of saves in mixed leagues. Montgomery is rostered in just 1% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
