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Royals to Mix and Match in Ninth With Lucas Erceg Struggling
Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that he will match up the ninth inning based on availability and situations moving forward in the short term, but he still views right-handed reliever Lucas Erceg as a ninth-inning option in the long term, according to Royals broadcaster Joel Goldberg. Erceg has been the team's primary option for saves since veteran Carlos Estevez (shoulder) went down due to injury after his first appearance of the year in late March, but the 31-year-old blew his sixth save of the season on Tuesday and has a rough 6.45 ERA, 1.97 WHIP, and 20:15 K:BB along with his 11 saves in 22 1/3 innings pitched so far in 2026. The Royals called upon Alex Lange to close out the win over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday, and he, Daniel Lynch, and Matt Strahm could start seeing more chances in the ninth inning with Erceg struggling for consistency. Once Estevez returns from the injured list, whenever that may be, he could be the favorite for saves in KC the rest of the way, making him a stash candidate now for fantasy managers in need of saves options.
Source: Joel Goldberg
Source: Joel Goldberg
Giancarlo Stanton Won't Return During Next Road Trip
New York Yankees outfielder/designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (calf) will take live batting practice again on Saturday and then continue to ramp up his running program, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. However, Stanton will not be activated from the 10-day injured list during the team's next road trip, according to manager Aaron Boone. The Yankees kick off their next road trip on Monday, June 8, in Cleveland, and it runs until Sunday, June 14, in Toronto. The right-handed power hitter continues to progress slowly from a strained calf and hasn't played for the Yankees since April 24. There's still plenty of power in Stanton's lumber, but durability issues continue to make him hard to keep rostered in shallow mixed leagues. Stanton is now rostered in less than 30% of Yahoo leagues. With Aaron Judge (ribs) potentially joining Stanton on the IL, the Yankees could be dangerously thin in the outfield going forward.
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Justin Steele Still a Stash Target?
Chicago Cubs left-hander Justin Steele (elbow) will be sidelined until after the All-Star break in mid-July after suffering a setback during his rehab from UCL surgery in late April. However, the 30-year-old southpaw might still be worth stashing for pitching depth in the second half of the 2026 season in deeper leagues. Steele, a fifth-rounder in 2014 out of a high school in Mississippi, only made four starts for the Cubbies last year before needing surgery on his left elbow. From 2022 to 2024, though, Steele combined for a 25-17 record, 3.10 ERA (3.14 FIP), a 1.19 WHIP, and a 437:123 K:BB in 78 starts across 427 innings pitched. There will surely be limitations on his workload when he returns to Chicago's starting rotation in the second half, but his body of work in recent seasons shows that he can be an asset for fantasy managers when he's healthy. Right now, Steele is rostered in just under 10% of Yahoo leagues, and that number should slowly rise as he nears his 2026 debut this summer.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Deyvison De Los Santos Nearing Return to Majors Following HR Surge in Minors?
Miami Marlins corner infielder Deyvison De Los Santos is seeing the ball well with the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp right now and could be on the verge of returning to the big leagues early in June. The 22-year-old Dominican is currently hitting .266 (45-for-169) with six home runs, 30 RBI, 22 runs scored, and eight stolen bases in his 43 games with Jacksonville. He got a cup of coffee with the big-league club back in early April and went 2-for-7 at the plate with a double and three strikeouts in just three games played before being shipped back to the farm. De Los Santos isn't among the Marlins' top-30 prospects at MLB Pipeline, but his impressive raw power and high exit velocities on the farm make him an intriguing dynasty/keeper stash with another MLB call-up likely to come sooner rather than later in 2026. In the last 28 days at Triple-A, De Los Santos is hitting .293 (24-for-82) with two homers and 15 RBI. He can be had in nearly all Yahoo leagues, as he's currently rostered in just 1% of formats.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Kerry Carpenter Can Provide Power Now That he's Back From Injury
Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter returned from the injured list on Sunday after missing roughly three weeks with an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder, and now that he's back, he deserves attention off the waiver wire from fantasy managers who are searching for more power. Carpenter might only be hitting .239 (27-for-113) on the season, but he has hit seven home runs in just 129 plate appearances, and he has gone 5-for-11 with a homer, double, three RBI, and a run scored in his first three games since being reinstated from the IL on Sunday. The 28-year-old former 19th-round pick in 2019 out of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University can be a streaky hitter, but when he's locked in at the plate, he can carry fantasy baseball teams. Carpenter has an .825 career OPS and clubbed a career-high 26 home runs while driving in 62 runs in 130 regular-season games in 2025 for the Tigers. He's available in just over 60% of Yahoo leagues right now. Don't miss out on him before he heats up further.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Carlos Cortes Still Worth Rostering Despite Recent Cold Stretch?
Athletics outfielder Carlos Cortes is hitting .316 (75-for-237) in his first 91 major-league games since debuting with the A's in 2025. In 49 games so far in 2026 in his first full year in the Show, he has hit .322/.406/.503 with a .910 OPS, five home runs, nine doubles, a triple, 17 RBI, 15 runs scored, and a stolen base across 165 plate appearances. It has helped that the A's have shielded him from left-handed pitchers, but in his 10 at-bats against southpaws, he has five hits (two doubles). The 28-year-old left-handed hitter has proven that he can hit for average so far in the big leagues, even if he doesn't have a ton of power. Cortes has slowed down a bit in recent games, going 3-for-20 with a double, two runs, three walks, and two strikeouts in his last seven contests. Under the hood, Cortes ranks in just the 51st percentile in hard-hit rate, but his expected batting average of .310 is the fourth-highest among qualified hitters, suggesting that he should be rostered in more than 12% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Rikuu Nishida Worth a Waiver-Wire Pickup After Recent Call-Up?
Chicago White Sox rookie second baseman/outfielder Rikuu Nishida, who is ranked by MLB Pipeline as the team's No. 26 prospect, was recently called up from the minors by the Pale Hose, and he had hits in his first two big-league games. The 25-year-old Japanese native was an 11th-round selection by Chicago in the 2023 MLB draft out of the University of Oregon. With Jarred Kelenic being designated for assignment recently, it looks like Nishida will get the opportunity to serve on the strong side of a platoon in Chicago's outfield for the time being against right-handed pitching. Through his first nine games in the big leagues, Nishida has gone 5-for-24 (.208) with two RBI, three runs scored, no walks, and five strikeouts. He only stands at a mere 5-foot-6, 150 pounds, and has zero power. However, Nishida is extremely disciplined at the plate and rarely chases out of the zone. If you're looking for a boost in on-base percentage with some plus speed, Nishida might be worth a look off the waiver wire in much deeper fantasy leagues. Nishida is rostered in just 1% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Aaron Judge Missing Third Straight Game on Thursday
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (ribs, shoulder) is missing a third straight game on Thursday in the series finale in the Bronx against the Cleveland Guardians, per MLB.com. Max Schuemann will make the start in right field for the Yankees and will bat ninth against Guardians right-hander Slade Cecconi. Judge is considered day-to-day for now, but he was scheduled to be sent for more testing on what the Yankees are calling a bone bruise in his ribs that is causing soreness in his right shoulder. Until we know more, there's a chance the superstar outfielder will need a stint on the 10-day injured list, so fantasy managers need to plan accordingly. The 34-year-old three-time MVP's recent struggles -- .163 average with one homer, seven walks, and 15 strikeouts in his last 13 games -- could be attributed to his health issue. With Giancarlo Stanton (calf) and Jasson Dominguez (shoulder) still on the IL, the Yankees are dangerously thin in their outfield. If Judge goes on the IL, left-handed-hitting outfield prospect Spencer Jones could return to the majors.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Casey Mize Throws a Bullpen, Injured List Stint Could be Short
Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize (groin) threw a bullpen session on Tuesday after just being placed on the 15-day injured list last Friday with inflammation in his right groin, according to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News. It's unclear what is next for Mize, but it's looking like he might be ready to return to the Tigers' starting rotation when he's eligible to come off the IL on June 12. That would only happen if the team feels that he doesn't need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment. Mize doesn't have a ton of strikeout upside, although he does have a career-best 26.5% strikeout rate so far in 2026 in his nine starts for Detroit. After being named an All-Star for the first time in 2025, Mize has gone 2-3 this year with a career-best 2.27 ERA (2.41 FIP) and 0.96 WHIP with 49 strikeouts and only 12 walks in 47 2/3 innings pitched. He has a smaller margin for error than other starting pitchers, but he has become more attractive as a matchup-based streamer so far in 2026. Mize is currently rostered in just over half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Detroit News - Chris McCosky
Source: The Detroit News - Chris McCosky
JJ Wetherholt Dealing With Lower-Half Soreness
St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that rookie infielder JJ Wetherholt has been dealing with some lower-half soreness, but he is expected to return to the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The Cardinals held Wetherholt out of the lineup in their win over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday, and he'll have another day of rest during the team's scheduled off day on Thursday. The Cardinals expect Wetherholt to be ready to roll for the weekend after two days of rest. In his first year in the big leagues, the 23-year-old former seventh overall pick in 2024 out of West Virginia University has hit .249/.357/.400 with a .757 OPS, nine home runs, 25 RBI, seven stolen bases, and 40 runs scored across his 225 at-bats. Wetherholt hasn't homered since May 19, but he's hit .286 (14-for-49) with two doubles, an RBI, five runs scored, and two steals in his last 12 games since May 20. Expect him to be back atop the Cardinals' batting order on Friday.
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold
Keaton Winn Earns First Save, Worth a Look in Deeper Leagues?
San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Keaton Winn got the call to close out his team's 1-0 win over the Brewers on Wednesday night. Winn came in with one out in the eighth inning and two runners on base. He got pinch-hitter Gary Sanchez to ground into a double play, and he returned for the ninth inning and worked around a leadoff double by Christian Yelich to secure the one-run win. The 28-year-old righty has 11 holds in his 26 games this season and earned his first save in Wednesday's win. He has a solid 2.30 ERA and 2.77 FIP, and he has been one of the Giants' best options out of the bullpen. Manager Tony Vitello has used a closer committee all year long, so Winn isn't likely to lock up the full-time job alone. However, he seems to be trending into a bigger role and makes sense as a waiver wire option in deep leagues if you are searching for saves and solid relief innings.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Riley O'Brien Bounces Back, Still Fully in Command of Closer Job?
St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Riley O'Brien took the loss on Tuesday after giving up three runs in the ninth inning, but the team went right back to the 31-year-old righty on Wednesday in a save situation. O'Brien entered to start the ninth inning with a 5-3 lead and walked the leadoff batter, but he escaped with no damage done, getting Josh Jung to fly out to end the game. O'Brien has 15 saves in his 27 games with a 3.95 ERA and 2.66 FIP. While things have been a little bumpy lately, he still seems to be clearly the go-to option for the Cardinals at the end of the game and can continue to be used as a strong closer option, even though he's not quite as dominant as the truly elite relievers.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Josh Hader Perfect in First Save, Immediately Holding Elite Fantasy Upside
Houston Astros relief pitcher Josh Hader made his long-awaited season debut on Wednesday after dealing with shoulder and biceps issues through the first two months of the season. Hader stepped right back into his closer role for Houston and worked a hitless ninth inning for a save against the Pirates. He did walk a batter and also picked up a strikeout to preserve the 11-9 victory. Hader had a 4.15 ERA in his nine rehab appearances with 11 strikeouts in 8 2/3 innings. His stuff looked sharp on Wednesday, and he'll take back over as the primary closer, leaving Bryan King, Enyel De Los Santos, and Bryan Abreu without much fantasy value in standard leagues. For as long as he's healthy, Hader has plenty of upside and can be counted on as an elite closer now that he's back.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Alex Lange Earns First Save, Is he the New Closer to Roster in Kansas City?
Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Alex Lange picked up his first save of the season on Wednesday in his 25th appearance. He gave up a hit and a walk but didn't allow any runs, making a 5-2 lead stand up against the Reds. Lange had 26 saves in 2023 with the Tigers, but he has a 4.33 ERA and 3.77 FIP in his 27 innings in 25 games this year. With Lucas Erceg struggling and Carlos Estevez (shoulder) sidelined, the Royals' bullpen does offer some interesting save opportunities. Lange could be a part of the committee while Estevez continues to work his way back, and he's trending up after allowing only one run in his last 10 games. He's still a speculative addition at this point, but in deep leagues, he's definitely worth watching on the waiver wire if you need saves.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jorge Soler Leaves Early Wednesday With Hip Irritation
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jorge Soler (hip) left Wednesday's game early against the visiting Colorado Rockies in Anaheim with left-hip irritation, according to the team. Before departing early in the fifth inning, Soler went 0-for-2 at the plate with a walk and two strikeouts to drop his season average to .220 and his OPS to .702. He was replaced in right field and in the leadoff spot by Jo Adell. In a blowout, it's possible that the Angels removed Soler early for precautionary reasons, but we should know more about the severity of his hip injury by Thursday. With an off day coming on Thursday, the Cuban slugger could be back in the Angels' starting lineup for the start of another Freeway Series on Friday on the road against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Soler came into Wednesday's tilt with Colorado with a .217 average (13-for-60) with just one homer, five RBI, two walks, and 16 strikeouts in his last 15 games, dating back to May 17. He still has notable power, but 30.8% strikeout rate and low on-base percentage are major drawbacks.
Source: Angels PR
Source: Angels PR
