RADIO
Alex Lange Earns Another Save for Royals, Quickly Entering Must-Roster Territory
Kansas City Royals' reliever Alex Lange picked up his fourth save on Tuesday, working one inning, allowing one walk, and recording two strikeouts. The save was Lange's fourth in the past week, as he appears to be the front-runner as the Royals' preferred closer at this time. Lucas Erceg, who has been closing games out for the majority of the year, is struggling immensely with a 6.00 ERA and 1.96 WHIP, and has six blown saves. Lange, on the other hand, is now a perfect 4-for-4 in save chances and has a 1.37 WHIP, 3.90 ERA, and 33 strikeouts in 30 innings pitched. Lange has some experience closing out games, dating back to 2023 with the Tigers, where he converted 26 saves and posted a 3.68 ERA and 1.33 WHIP. Considering Lange has recorded four of the last five saves for the Royals and four in the past week, he is becoming a must-add player in all formats where saves are scarce. Carlos Estevez (shoulder), who was the Royals' projected closer coming into the season, has been rehabbing a shoulder and foot injury and doesn't appear to be progressing as the Royals had hoped, which should further solidify Lange as the Royals' reliever to have for the time being.
Source: Baseball Savant
Source: Baseball Savant
Luis Lara Displays Multi-Category Potential, Remains a High-End Stash
Milwaukee Brewers outfield prospect Luis Lara played in his first game on Tuesday since signing a seven-year, $31 million contract extension and went 1-for-3 with two walks, a run scored, and a stolen base. The Brewers' fifth-ranked prospect has been impressive at Triple-A Nashville this season, slashing .338/.450/.498 and belting seven home runs (last season he hit just two in 136 games) while swiping 19 bags. While the development in the power department has been a welcome sight, the 5-foot-7 Venezuelan is in the midst of a power outage, having not hit a home run in 23 consecutive games now, with his last coming on May 6. Regardless, the team clearly sees him as part of their future after rewarding him with a new contract, and with the way he's hitting, a call-up to the majors could happen by the end of the month. With excellent contact ability and speed, along with some newfound power, the switch-hitter remains a high-end hitter to stash for his multi-category potential.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Spencer Jones Blasts First Career Long Ball, Worth Adding Ahead of Potential Breakout?
New York Yankees left-handed slugger Spencer Jones went 2-for-4 on Tuesday and blasted his first career MLB homerun, and it was a monster shot, traveling 443 feet, at an exit velocity of 112.2 mph with an 83.3 mph bat speed. This is the type of raw power that Jonest has shown in his time through the Minors, with his 35 homeruns in 2025 and 13 so far in 2026. Jones has been called upon due to injuries in the Yankees' outfield with Aaron Judge (rib), Giancarlo Stanton (calf), and Jasson Dominguez (shoulder) on the injured list. It's unclear what the Yankees' plans are once Dominguez and Stanton return; however, Jones has an opportunity to establish himself at the Major League level in the meantime. In his first stint with the Yankees in May, he slashed .167/.259/.167 with zero home runs, two RBI, and a 3/12 BB/K ratio in 27 plate appearances. However, so far in June, since being called up again, he has six hits in 12 at-bats, including a home run, and four strikeouts. Jones' profile is no secret; he is a high-upside power slugger with poor plate discipline skills. If your team needs some power and upside, Jones is your guy. He's a high-risk, high-reward type of player, and if fantasy managers can catch him while he's hot, the breakout is possible.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Braden Montgomery Hits Walk-Off Home Run in Debut, Is He a Must-Add Player?
Chicago White-Sox 2024 first-round pick, MLB's No. 23 prospect, and the organization's No. 2 prospect, Braden Montgomery, had an MLB debut to remember, as he went 2-for-5 with three RBI, two runs scored, and a walk-off homerun to help the White Sox beat the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday, 6-5. Since playing Single-A ball in 2025, Montgomery has had a very successful path through the Minors, hitting .260 or higher at every level. In Triple-A this season, he slashed .314/.422/.548 with 10 homeruns, 52 runs scored, 41 RBI, and five stolen bases with a 15.1 percent walk rate and 24.8 percent strikeout rate. Montgomery was a part of the blockbuster deal with the Red Sox for Garrett Crochet, and with his call-up to the Majors, he should see a lot of playing time in the outfield, and as for fantasy baseball, he has the power and speed combination tto provide a lot of upside, and for the most part, has held his walk to strikeout rate in the Minors in check, making him a solid waiver-wire pickup and a young star on the rise. Fantasy managers will want to find a way to add him to their rosters in most 12-plus team formats.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jac Caglianone Goes Deep Twice in Return From Shoulder Injury
Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder Jac Caglianone showed that his shoulder is completely healthy on Tuesday night in his team's 5-3 victory over the visiting Texas Rangers by going 3-for-3 at the plate with two home runs, three RBI, a stolen base, and a walk to boost his season average to .261 and his OPS to .780. The 23-year-old left-handed slugger was pulled from Saturday's game early against the Minnesota Twins with soreness in his right shoulder, and he was held out of Sunday's series finale. Cags returned on Tuesday after a scheduled day off on Monday, and he appears to be just fine physically. Both of Caglianone's long balls were moonshots off Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi to give him eight home runs and 18 RBI on the season in his first full season in the big leagues with the Royals. The former first-round pick out of the University of Florida is slowly making adjustments at the plate with his contact and strikeout rates, and a breakout could be coming sooner rather than later.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Dylan Cease Strikes Out 11 in First Game Back From the Injured List
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Dylan Cease looked as healthy as ever on Tuesday night in his team's 3-2 win over the visiting Philadelphia Phillies at the Rogers Centre in what was his first start back from a stay on the 15-day injured list due to a strained hamstring. Cease allowed just one earned run on three hits while walking one and striking out 11 in six innings for a no-decision. He tied a career high with 29 swings and misses, and it was the fourth time this year that he struck out double-digit batters. The fantastic first outing back lowered Cease's season ERA to 2.91. The 30-year-old has been outstanding so far in his first season in Toronto, and he has had at least seven strikeouts in each of his last six outings, dating back to May 2. Cease has turned into a must-start fantasy asset north of the border and will get a juicy matchup his next time out against the division-rival Boston Red Sox. In his first start against the BoSox on April 27, Cease took his first loss of the year, allowing four earned runs on seven hits while walking three and striking out a season-low five batters in 5 2/3 innings of work.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Cole Ragans Scheduled to Throw a Bullpen on Wednesday
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen on Wednesday, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. Ragans has been on the 15-day injured list since early May due to a left elbow impingement. He was shut down from his initial attempt to come back in late May after experiencing renewed stiffness in the elbow, which could lead Kansas City to be extra cautious with him this time around. Across 35 1/3 innings (eight starts) before the injury, Ragans recorded a 1-4 record with a 4.84 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and 45 strikeouts. The 28-year-old struggled mightily with command, issuing walks to 15.2% of the batters he faced. Ragans emerged as a fantasy ace in 2024 when he posted a 3.14 ERA with 223 strikeouts across 186 1/3 innings, but he's struggled with injuries and inconsistency since then. Still, the left-hander's ability to miss bats provides him with significant fantasy upside. Barring a setback, Ragans could be on track to return to the Royals rotation in late June or early July.
Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
Mick Abel to Make a Rehab Start on Wednesday
Minnesota Twins right-hander Mick Abel (elbow) is scheduled to throw three innings or 50 pitches in a minor-league rehab start with Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. It will be Abel's first game action since he landed on the 15-day injured list with inflammation in his right elbow back in late April. Because of how long the 24-year-old has been out, he will require multiple rehab starts before the Twins consider activating him and having him rejoin the starting rotation. The former first-round pick by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2020 out of a high school in Oregon has only made four appearances (three starts) for Minnesota this year and has posted a 3.98 ERA (2.76 FIP), 1.57 WHIP, and 23:10 K:BB in 20 1/3 frames. Abel has generated above-average strikeout rates in the minors with high-end velocity, but control has been an issue. His return isn't imminent, but in deeper fantasy leagues, Abel could be worth stashing for his strikeout upside once he gets closer to coming off the IL. He's currently rostered in just 13% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Brandon Woodruff Set to Begin Rehab Assignment in the Arizona Complex League
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) has been sent to the Arizona Complex League on a rehab assignment. The 33-year-old has been on the 15-day injured list since late April after experiencing "dead arm" and a drastic drop in velocity during a start against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Woodruff pitched reasonably well before hitting the shelf, recording a 2-1 record with a 3.60 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 25 strikeouts across 30 innings (six starts). However, Woodruff's average fastball velocity was a career-worst 92.3 miles per hour, and his strikeout rate had dropped from 32.3% in 2025 to 20.7% in 2026. The veteran has an extended track record of injury issues at this point, as he's made just 29 starts since the start of the 2023 season. Milwaukee will likely allow him an extended run of rehab starts to try to build him back up to full strength before bringing him back to the big-league rotation.
Source: Milwaukee Brewers
Source: Milwaukee Brewers
Adley Rutschman Day-to-Day With Hamstring Tightness
Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (hamstring) is day-to-day with tightness in his left hamstring, manager Craig Albernaz told Jake Rill of MLB.com. It explains why Rutschman hasn't played in either of the last two games in Baltimore against the Seattle Mariners. Fellow catcher Samuel Basallo is also dealing with wrist pain, so Sam Huff was forced to do the catching for left-hander Trevor Rogers on Tuesday. Fantasy managers will want to check back to see if the 28-year-old switch-hitting Rutschman is feeling good enough to return to action for Game 3 of the series against Seattle at Camden Yards. The former first overall pick in 2019 out of Oregon State University came into Tuesday's game hitting .267/.343/.489 with an .832 OPS, eight home runs, 36 RBI, and 25 runs scored in his 180 plate appearances so far this year. Rutschman has been even better so far in just six games in June, going 9-for-25 (.360) with a homer, two doubles, a triple, seven RBI, and five runs scored in 27 plate appearances.
Source: MLB.com - Jake Rill
Source: MLB.com - Jake Rill
Trevor Megill Battling Side/Oblique Tightness
Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Trevor Megill (side/oblique) is dealing with side/oblique tightness, per Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Megill was unavailable for Milwaukee's game on Monday, but Rosiak reports that he should be available to pitch on Tuesday against the Athletics. Across 23 innings (24 games) this season, the 32-year-old has pitched to a 4.70 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with 29 strikeouts and eight saves. Milwaukee has utilized both Megill and right-hander Abner Uribe in the closer role in 2026, but Megill has appeared in the ninth inning or later in six straight appearances and looked to be the team's preferred option for saves before the injury. It seems as though Megill has avoided a major injury, but his health status is still worth monitoring for fantasy managers until he's fully in the clear.
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Todd Rosiak
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Todd Rosiak
No Structural Damage Present in Jorge Polanco's Achilles Tendon
An MRI on New York Mets infielder Jorge Polanco's (Achilles, ankle) injured left leg showed no structural damage to his Achilles tendon, per Andrew Tredinnick of NorthJersey.com. Tredinnick reports that the Mets are planning to "adjust Polanco's pregame work" but that he will "not be shut down." Polanco has been on the injured list since mid-April due to a lingering Achilles issue. His current rehab assignment was disrupted after he suffered an ankle injury on Saturday, but it appears as though he's avoided a major setback and should be able to resume his rehab within the next few days. Polanco got off to a rough start to the 2026 season before being placed on the IL, hitting .179/.246/.286 with one home run, two RBI, and three runs scored across 61 plate appearances. Still, the 32-year-old was a useful fantasy piece as recently as last season, when he hit .265 with 26 home runs across 524 plate appearances with the Seattle Mariners. Polanco's profile comes with major injury risk, but he could be worth targeting on the waiver wire once he's cleared to return to the Mets.
Source: NorthJersey.com - Andrew Tredinnick
Source: NorthJersey.com - Andrew Tredinnick
Jameson Taillon Out Until After the All-Star Break
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that the team will be without right-hander Jameson Taillon (hamstring), whose hamstring strain is being described as "moderate," until after the All-Star break in mid-July, per Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times. The Cubs officially placed the 34-year-old veteran on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday with a strained left hamstring that he suffered in his start on Sunday night against the San Francisco Giants at Wrigley Field. With Taillon facing an extended absence, there's no reason at this point to hang on in most mixed leagues. The soft-tossing right-hander is currently 2-5 on the year with a 5.19 ERA (6.31 FIP) and 1.30 WHIP with 59 strikeouts, 23 walks, and a league-leading 20 home runs allowed in 67 2/3 innings across his 13 starts for the Cubbies in his 10th year in the big leagues. Left-hander Javier Assad is expected to replace Taillon in Chicago's injury-plagued starting rotation. The good news is that left-hander Matthew Boyd (knee) is expected to come off the IL to rejoin the rotation this weekend.
Source: Chicago Sun-Times - Vinnie Duber
Source: Chicago Sun-Times - Vinnie Duber
Kodai Senga Scratched From Rehab Start Due to Nerve Irritation in his Arm
New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga (back, arm) was scratched from his rehab start with Double-A Binghamton on Tuesday due to ulnar nerve irritation in his arm, per Will Sammon of The Athletic. Senga was working his way back from lumbar spine inflammation, which landed him on the 15-day injured list. While the 33-year-old looked to be nearing his return from the back issue, it appears he now has an entirely new injury situation on his hands. Senga got off to a terrible start to the 2026 season before the back injury, recording a 0-4 record with a 9.00 ERA and 1.95 WHIP across 20 innings (five starts). Injuries have been a persistent concern for Senga, as he's made just 28 starts since the start of the 2024 season. Until he proves he can be both healthy and productive with any consistency, Senga can be left on the waiver wire in most fantasy leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Will Sammon
Source: The Athletic - Will Sammon
Ronald Acuna Jr. Dealing With Hamstring Tightness
Updating a previous report, Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (hamstring) was removed from Tuesday's game early against the Chicago White Sox with tightness in his left hamstring, according to Barrett Sallee of 680 The Fan. Acuna tweaked his left hamstring in the fourth inning while trying to beat out a grounder to third base and hobbled off the field with a trainer. Considering Acuna already missed time and landed on the injured list with a left-hamstring injury this year, we think there's a high likelihood that he'll end up back on the IL. Fantasy managers need to prepare for that possibility. Eli White replaced Acuna in right field after he went 0-for-2 with a strikeout, and he will likely be in line for starts in Atlanta's outfield if Acuna misses more time going forward. Acuna, a five-time All-Star and former MVP, has elite five-category upside, but he's also no stranger to injuries, and 2026 is shaping up as another injury-plagued season. He entered Tuesday's game in Chicago with a .254/.373/.425 slash line, .798 OPS, seven homers, 22 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and 31 runs scored across his 52 games played. UPDATE: Manager Walt Weiss said after Tuesday's game that Acuna is day-to-day.
Source: 680 The Fan - Barrett Sallee
Source: 680 The Fan - Barrett Sallee
