RADIO
Is Ryne Nelson a Useful Pickup For Matchup-Based Innings?
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Ryne Nelson gave fantasy managers a useful outing Thursday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks across seven innings in a no-decision. Nelson has now worked at least seven innings in four of his last five starts, giving him steady volume despite some uneven results. Across 13 starts, he has struck out 55 hitters, while walking 21 with a 4.60 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP over 72 1/3 innings. Nelson's waiver appeal comes more from volume and matchup-based value than overpowering strikeout upside. He has allowed 15 home runs, so there is still some risk in the profile, but the steady innings and low 6.9% walk rate keep him useful in the right spots. Nelson is worth adding for managers looking for solid rotation depth and a boost in WHIP, given his above-average command.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Spencer Steer a Must-Add with Five-Category Potential
Cincinnati Reds first baseman/outfielder Spencer Steer has gone hitless in three straight games, but his overall production still keeps him on the waiver-wire radar. The 28-year-old is hitting .266 with nine home runs, 24 RBI, 38 runs scored, and 12 doubles with a 50:25 K:BB across 218 at-bats. Steer has also chipped in three stolen bases and shown solid upside on the base paths earlier in his career, swiping double-digit bags in two of his previous three seasons. He showcased his overall upside on Tuesday, June 2, against the Kansas City Royals, going 2-for-4 with two home runs, three runs scored, and two RBI. Steer's appeal comes from his ability to help in power and runs while offering useful lineup flexibility. He continues to bat in the heart of the Cincinnati lineup, which will keep him in a prime position to bolster his counting stats. Rostered in 57% of Yahoo leagues, Steer is worth adding wherever he remains available for managers looking for corner-infield or outfield help across the five standard categories.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Zebby Matthews Emerging as Top Waiver Wire Option Among Starting Pitchers
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Zebby Matthews bounced back Friday against the Kansas City Royals, allowing two runs on five hits and four walks across seven innings in a 5-3 win. The outing helped settle things after a rough start against the Pittsburgh Pirates on May 31, when he allowed a season-high seven earned runs over 4 1/3 innings. Through five starts, Matthews owns a 4.15 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 26 strikeouts across 30 1/3 innings. Matthews has allowed three earned runs or fewer in four of his five outings and has worked at least six innings four times. The five home runs allowed keep some risk in the profile, but the workload, and 26:8 K:BB give him enough waiver appeal for fantasy managers needing rotation help. Rostered in 31% of Yahoo leagues, Matthews is worth adding in standard leagues as a solid depth starter who should deliver an elite WHIP.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Orioles Promote No. 4 Prospect Trey Gibson Ahead of Monday's Start, Worth Adding in Deeper Leagues?
The Baltimore Orioles are promoting right-hander Trey Gibson ahead of Monday's start against the Seattle Mariners. Gibson is Baltimore's No. 4 prospect according to MLB.com and has made two MLB starts this season (three appearances), posting a 3.65 ERA, 1.62 WHIP, five strikeouts, and seven walks across 12 1/3 innings. Gibson's prospect status and immediate rotation opportunity make him worth watching, but his early MLB sample carries some risk. His 5:7 K:BB and 6.10 FIP point to command concerns through the small sample, so fantasy managers should keep expectations measured. At Triple-A Norfolk this season, Gibson has posted a 3.55 ERA with 38 punchouts over 38 innings of work. Rostered in less than 1% of Yahoo leagues, Gibson is a speculative add in deeper formats, but he should be treated as a risky option until he shows better command.
Source: MLB Pipeline
Source: MLB Pipeline
Matt Shaw Expected to Return From Injured List on Tuesday
Chicago Cubs infielder/outfielder Matt Shaw (back) is expected to be activated from the injured list on Tuesday, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN. Shaw spent a few days on a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A and is now in line to rejoin a Cubs lineup that has struggled offensively and on the bases lately. Shaw has hit .242 with three home runs, 12 RBI, 10 runs scored, three stolen bases, and a .400 slugging percentage across 95 at-bats this season. The overall production has been modest, but the power-speed mix gives him some fantasy appeal if he works back into regular playing time. During his debut season, Shaw hit 13 home runs and swiped 17 bags over a 126-game stint. Fantasy managers should monitor his role once he returns, as he will likely remain a super-utility option, which limits his value in standard leagues.
Source: Jesse Rogers
Source: Jesse Rogers
Garrett Whitlock Likely to be Activated on Tuesday
Boston Red Sox right-handed reliever Garrett Whitlock (knee) is likely to be activated from the 15-day injured list for the middle game of a three-game series at Tropicana Field against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday, June 9, following a successful minor-league rehab outing for Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, per MLB.com. Whitlock is close to returning from inflammation in his left knee that landed him on the IL on May 28. While he has zero saves on the season and is more of a late-inning setup man, he's still one of the BoSox's most valuable relief pitchers. He struck out a batter and gave up a hit and two walks in a scoreless appearance on Saturday for Worcester. Whitlock's knee injury was never considered very serious, so he will be ready to go on Tuesday to provide more depth in Boston's bullpen. The 29-year-old former 18th-round pick by the New York Yankees out of the University of Alabama at Birmingham has gone 3-1 this year with a 3.20 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 25 strikeouts in his 19 2/3 innings of work. Whitlock is rostered in only 14% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Emilio Pagan Could Throw Off a Mound This Week
Cincinnati Reds right-handed reliever Emilio Pagan (hamstring) will be re-evaluated for a strength deficit on Monday, June 8, and is set to resume throwing off a mound in the immediate aftermath, pending the outcome of those tests, according to MLB.com. Pagan landed on the 15-day injured list on May 6 with a Grade 2 strained left hamstring. Given the length of his absence, he will most likely require a short minor-league rehab assignment once he's cleared to face live hitters. Barring a setback with his hamstring, Pagan could return to the back end of Cincy's bullpen before the calendar flips to July. The Reds' bullpen has struggled in his absence, so manager Terry Francona will likely reinstate Pagan as the primary ninth-inning option when he's activated from the IL. The 35-year-old veteran reliever had a rough 6.43 ERA and 1.43 WHIP with 11 strikeouts and six saves in 14 innings this year before getting injured, and he had a career-high 32 saves in 70 outings in 2025 in his second year with the club.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Kris Bubic to Start a Rehab Assignment on Tuesday
The Kansas City Royals announced on Monday that they expect left-hander Kris Bubic (elbow) to start a minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday with Triple-A Omaha. Bubic is finally ready to return to game action after building up his arm over the last couple of weeks. Since he hasn't pitched in a game since May 14 due to soreness in his left elbow, Bubic will most likely require multiple starts in the minors before he's cleared to come off the 15-day injured list and rejoin KC's starting rotation. Barring a setback, though, the 28-year-old southpaw should return to the big-league roster before the start of July. Before his elbow injury sidelined him, Bubic had gone 3-2 for the Royals with a 4.11 ERA (3.72 FIP) and 1.23 WHIP with 51 strikeouts and 26 walks in 50 1/3 innings across nine starts. He was a first-time All-Star in 2025, going 8-7 with a career-low 2.55 ERA (2.89 FIP), 1.18 WHIP, and 116:39 K:BB in 20 starts covering 116 1/3 innings. Fantasy managers searching for rotation depth may want to consider stashing Bubic sooner rather than later.
Source: Kansas City Royals
Source: Kansas City Royals
Matthew Boyd Expected to Rejoin Rotation This Weekend
Chicago Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd (knee) is expected to come off the 15-day injured list to rejoin the team's starting rotation by this weekend against the San Francisco Giants on the road, according to Matt Carlson of The Associated Press. The Cubs' Opening Day starter and an All-Star last year, Boyd is on the IL for the second time already this season after recovering from surgery to fix a torn meniscus in his left knee, which was suffered in a freak accident while playing with his kids at home on May 4. The 35-year-old southpaw allowed five runs on seven hits while striking out seven in five innings during a minor-league rehab start on Saturday with Triple-A Iowa. He threw 64 of his 83 pitches for strikes and shouldn't be on any sort of a pitch count this weekend when he returns to the Cubbies. "He's healthy. Everything's good," manager Craig Counsell said on Sunday night. Boyd also missed three weeks in April with a biceps strain, and he's gone 2-1 with a 6.00 ERA in five starts in 2026. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to be as good as he was in 2025 (14-8 with a 3.21 ERA in 31 starts), but Boyd can be a serviceable matchup-based streamer for fantasy managers when he's healthy.
Source: The Associated Press - Matt Carlson
Source: The Associated Press - Matt Carlson
Jesus Made in the Mix for 2026 Debut, Worth Stashing in Deeper Leagues
Milwaukee Brewers shortstop prospect Jesus Made is still just 19 years old and is only in Double-A, but that might not stop him from making his MLB debut during the 2026 season. Made is having an impressive season at the plate, slashing .275/.350/.440 with six homers, 40 RBI, a 10.7% walk rate, and a 14.1% strikeout rate in Double-A. He also has 19 steals, putting him on pace to come close to last season's career-high mark of 47 steals. Made is a perfect fit for the Brewers' brand of baseball, which prioritizes contact skills and enough speed to upset other teams. Made's discipline numbers are impressive, and while there isn't a ton of power here, he puts the ball in play and can wreak havoc with his speed. As a result, he could make his MLB debut near the end of the 2026 season, which means there's the potential for him to have a fantasy impact within a few months. Managers in deeper leagues should consider stashing Made now, since he's a prospect with low risk and high upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jameson Taillon Heading to Injured List With Hamstring Strain
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that right-hander Jameson Taillon (hamstring) will go on the 15-day injured list after straining his left hamstring in his outing on Sunday night at Wrigley Field against the visiting San Francisco Giants, according to Marquee Sports Network. Taillon only got through one inning on Sunday before being pulled, allowing an earned run on two hits while walking two and striking out two. It's unclear exactly how long Taillon might be sidelined, but he'll at least miss the next two weeks. The good news for the Cubs' injury-riddled starting rotation is that veteran left-hander Matthew Boyd (knee) is expected to return from his IL stint this coming weekend against the Giants. The 34-year-old Taillon isn't a must-hold in mixed fantasy baseball leagues now that he's injured. After his abbreviated start on Sunday, he is 2-5 on the year with a 5.19 ERA (6.31 FIP) and 1.30 WHIP with only 59 strikeouts and 23 walks in 67 2/3 innings. He's also allowed a league-high 20 home runs in his 13 starts.
Source: Marquee Sports Network
Source: Marquee Sports Network
Zac Veen a Priority Power Bat to Target in Fantasy Baseball?
Colorado Rockies outfielder Zac Veen continues to have a productive season at the plate, and he has emerged as an intriguing prospect to stash in fantasy baseball leagues. Through 54 Triple-A games this year, Veen is slashing .317/.417/.525 with eight homers, 35 RBI, 13 steals, a 14.6% walk rate, and a 21.3% strikeout rate. He might be striking out a little more than we'd like to see from a player in Triple-A, but he makes up for it with the power, speed, and walks. The advanced metrics are also quite impressive, as he owns a 105.3 mph EV90 (78th percentile), a 47.9% hard-hit rate (85th percentile), and a 73.59% zone swing rate (83rd percentile). He has also played in 165 Triple-A games over three years, which means that he has certainly served his time and proven himself capable of playing at the next level. A promotion to the majors seems inevitable within the next month or two, and fantasy managers should get ahead of the surge by stashing Veen now.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Will Vest Deployed in Ninth Inning Again, has he Fully Claimed High-Leverage Role?
Detroit Tigers right-handed reliever Will Vest picked up his second win of the season in the team's 5-4 come-from-behind victory over the visiting Seattle Mariners at Comerica Park on Sunday in the series finale. Vest was deployed in the top of the ninth inning with the team trailing 4-3 and pitched a scoreless inning with one hit allowed and a strikeout before the Tigers walked it off in the bottom of the frame. The 31-year-old veteran blew a save on May 26 against the Los Angeles Angels, giving up a season-high five earned runs, but since then, he's settled down, giving up an earned run on five hits while walking one and striking out six with a win, a save, and a hold for the Tigers. The former 12th-round selection out of Stephen F. Austin State University in 2017 has a bloated 6.53 ERA in 21 outings in 2026, but his FIP sits at a more respectable 3.44, and he is going to continue to see high-leverage work in the Tigers' bullpen with veteran Kenley Jansen (pelvis) on the injured list. Vest is rostered in only 5% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
George Lombard Jr. a Must-Stash Prospect in Deeper Leagues?
New York Yankees shortstop prospect George Lombard Jr. continues to deliver stolen bases and impressive contact results, making him a potential stash candidate in deeper fantasy baseball leagues. Between Double-A and Triple-A this year, he's slashing .245/.381/.399 with six homers, 22 RBI, 11 steals, a 17.1% walk rate, and a 22.2% strikeout rate. Although that strikeout rate is a little higher than we'd like to see from someone with just six homers, we're encouraged that his home run total could increase going forward. The quality of contact has been solid, as he owns an average exit velocity of 91.9 mph (87th percentile) in Triple-A. He's also walking more than 93% of his peers, and his plate discipline has been fair with a 22.6% chase rate. All in all, the stolen bases, walks, and potential for more homers puts Lombard on the radar as an intriguing stash in deeper fantasy baseball leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Abimelec Ortiz a Must-Stash Prospect for Home Run Upside
Washington Nationals first base prospect Abimelec Ortiz has emerged as a top waiver wire prospect as he continues to post impressive results in Triple-A. Through 49 games in the minors this year, Ortiz is slashing .263/.361/.514 with 10 home runs, 48 RBI, an 18.3% strikeout rate, and a 10.6% walk rate. The contact quality metrics are fantastic, including his 108.2 mph EV90 (96th percentile), 14.3% barrel rate (91st percentile), 48.6% hard-hit rate (84th percentile), and 24.6% pull-air rate (84th percentile). Meanwhile, his discipline numbers rank near average for Triple-A batters, which isn't too concerning for a power-oriented player like Ortiz. The fact that he's hitting the ball extremely hard while still walking more than 10% and striking out less than 20% is absolutely encouraging. He already has 90 career Triple-A games under his belt, so we'd expect to see him make his MLB debut sooner rather than later. Managers should stash him now, because he'll be an impact fantasy option when he does reach the majors.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
