RADIO
Ben Brown Emerging as a Waiver-Wire Target Following Return to the Cubs Rotation
After opening the season in a bulk relief role, Chicago Cubs right-hander Ben Brown was moved into the starting rotation on May 8. The 26-year-old has impressed since the role shift, allowing just one hit while striking out 10 over eight innings of work (two starts). Brown's year-long numbers are excellent as well, as he's pitched to a 1.60 ERA and 0.86 WHIP with 34 strikeouts across 33 2/3 innings (14 games). Brown's 0.27 HR/9 is a significant improvement from the 1.52 HR/9 he posted in 2025, so he could be in line for some ERA regression as the weather heats up in Chicago and the ball starts to fly at Wrigley Field. Still, the hard-throwing right-hander owns a career MLB strikeout rate of 26.6% and appears to be finding his groove as a big-league pitcher. Now that he's back in the Cubs rotation, Brown offers some upside as a waiver-wire target for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Zack Gelof a Post-Hype Sleeper to Target on the Waiver Wire
Since being recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on April 10, Athletics infielder Zack Gelof has re-emerged as an everyday piece of his team's lineup. Across 85 plate appearances, the 26-year-old is hitting .260/.313/.506 with five home runs, 13 RBI, 15 runs scored, and two stolen bases. Gelof has always offered high-end power upside, and he's posted a strong 10.2% barrel rate so far in 2026. The main difference for Gelof this season has been his ability to make consistent contact, as his 23.5% strikeout rate is significantly improved from his career mark of 32.5%. Given his history of swing-and-miss issues and his 19.2-degree average launch angle, fantasy managers may not want to count on Gelof continuing to provide value in the batting average category. Still, Gelof profiles as a power/speed asset with upside who should be a priority waiver wire target in most league formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tanner Scott is a Must-Roster Closer Across All Formats
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Tanner Scott opened 2026 in a setup role, but early-season elbow surgery for Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz (elbow) has reopened the path to the ninth inning for Scott. The veteran left-hander has recorded four saves since Diaz was placed on the injured list, including three in his last five appearances. Scott's overall numbers for the season are strong as well, as he's pitched to a 1.47 ERA and 0.60 WHIP with 18 strikeouts across 18 1/3 innings. Scott's 24.6% K-BB rate is excellent, and he's allowed just 11 out of the 65 batters he's faced so far this season to reach base. With Diaz expected to be sidelined until the late summer at the earliest, Scott is a must-roster closer across all fantasy formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Connelly Early Re-Emerging as a Prime Waiver-Wire Target
Across 47 2/3 innings (nine starts) so far this season, Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Connelly Early has recorded a 3-2 record with a 3.21 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 45 strikeouts. The 24-year-old has been particularly effective in his last two times out, allowing just two earned runs and one walk while striking out 14 across 12 innings of work against the Tampa Bay Rays and Atlanta Braves. Early hasn't been quite as dominant as he was upon making his MLB debut in 2025, when he posted a 36.7% strikeout rate in a small sample size of 19 1/3 innings (four starts). Still, the young lefty appears to be settling in and finding his groove after working through some command issues early in the year. Early profiles as a worthy high-upside waiver-wire target for fantasy managers ahead of his next scheduled start in Kansas City against the Royals on Wednesday.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Elmer Rodriguez Recalled by Yankees
New York Yankees starting pitcher Elmer Rodriguez has been recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, per a team announcement. Rodriguez will take Yankees lefty Max Fried's (elbow) spot in the starting rotation, with Fried being placed on the 15-day injured list due to a bone bruise in his elbow. Rodriguez has struggled in his two MLB starts so far this season, posting an 18.2% walk rate and a 2.08 WHIP across 8 2/3 innings. However, the 22-year-old is considered the top pitching prospect in the Yankees' system and has been lights out at Triple-A in 2026, posting a 1.38 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP with 26 strikeouts across 26 innings (five starts). Rodriguez's return to the Yankees' rotation could be short-lived with Gerrit Cole (elbow) nearing his return to the big-league mound. Still, Rodriguez could be worth a short-term add off the waiver wire in deeper leagues ahead of a potential two-start week against the Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays.
Source: New York Yankees
Source: New York Yankees
Cole Ragans Making Headway in Rehab
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans (elbow) is making progress while rehabbing his injured elbow. Manager Matt Quatraro said that the 28-year-old has been playing catch with increased intensity, velocity, and volume. He also threw a few pitches off the mound, likely testing his arm to see if it could withstand the increased workload. While this should not be confused with a bullpen session, it is a good sign that he is likely ready to advance to that stage of his recovery soon. The hope is that he can progress to a formal bullpen session after playing catch once more. The left-hander has been out of action since May 8 with a left elbow impingement. His return will not be rushed, as he is arguably Kansas City's best pitcher both now and for the future.
Source: Jaylon T. Thompson
Source: Jaylon T. Thompson
Matt Strahm to the Injured List With Knee Inflammation
The Kansas City Royals placed left-handed relief pitcher Matt Strahm (knee) on the Injured List with right knee inflammation on Saturday. The 34-year-old struggled in his last appearance on Friday, requiring the attention of the medical staff while he was on the mound. He was able to push through and record the necessary outs, but a day later, it was determined that he would need at least the next 15 days off to rest. It is unclear how serious the issue is at this time. Strahm has had his ups and downs this season, and heads to the Injured List with a 3.86 ERA and eight holds through 16.1 innings pitched.
Source: Jeff Jones
Source: Jeff Jones
Jose Berrios to Undergo Surgery on his Elbow
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Jose Berrios (elbow) will undergo surgery to repair a stress fracture in his elbow. The 31-year-old has missed the entire 2026 season so far because of this injury, as he was initially attempting to rest it and pitch through the ailment. Instead, the issue failed to improve, and a check-up with Dr. Keith Meister this past week revealed that he had loose bodies throughout the elbow area. As it stands, there could also be significant ligament damage, although the full extent of the injury will not be known until doctors are able to properly evaluate everything during the operation. While the injury has not yet been labeled season-ending, the belief is that a two-month absence would be the best-case scenario. However, if ligament damage is discovered during surgery, his absence could become much more extensive.
Source: Hazel Mae
Source: Hazel Mae
Trevor Story Hits the Injured List With Groin Injury
Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story (groin) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Saturday with a groin injury. The 33-year-old has been battling this ailment for most of the season and will now require time off to let it heal properly. Story has failed to live up to last year's success, hitting just three home runs and stealing four bases over 176 plate appearances. The struggles have also spilled over into the field, as he has already committed six errors. In his absence, the Red Sox will likely use a committee approach, with Nick Sogard, Andruw Monasterio, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa getting a chance to take over. The team has also indicated that they would like to keep Marcelo Mayer at second base, even with Story sidelined. It is unclear at this time if he will need more than the ten-day minimum before returning.
Source: Tim Healey
Source: Tim Healey
Jonah Tong a Candidate to Join Mets Rotation as Injury Replacement?
New York Mets right-hander Clay Holmes (leg) will be out for an extended period of time after fracturing his fibula during his outing on Friday night against the New York Yankees, and MLB.com's Anthony DiComo writes that, along with right-hander Tobias Myers, No. 2 prospect Jonah Tong is a candidate to join the Mets' starting rotation. Tong isn't a perfect solution, as he currently is sporting a 5.68 ERA over nine starts at Triple-A Syracuse, including a seven-run performance in his most recent outing. The 22-year-old Canadian is a very interesting young hurler to consider stashing in fantasy leagues, but he has been erratic on the farm in 2026, also posting a 1.37 WHIP with 55 strikeouts and 24 walks in his 38 innings for Syracuse across nine starts. Tong has walked multiple batters in all nine of his starts, but you can't deny the strikeout upside. If the Mets recall Tong, his first start for the Mets in the big leagues this year would likely come against the division-rival Washington Nationals next week. He's currently rostered in only 5% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
Source: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
Tigers Officially Activate Casey Mize From Injured List
The Detroit Tigers officially activated right-hander Casey Mize (groin) from the 15-day injured list on Saturday, and he will make the start at home at Comerica Park on Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays. Mize will return to Detroit's starting rotation this weekend after landing on the IL due to a right-groin strain that he suffered in his last appearance against the Atlanta Braves on April 28. The 29-year-old is returning to the big-league roster without going on a minor-league rehab assignment, so he'll be a little riskier for fantasy managers against a Blue Jays team that ranks 24th in baseball in OPS (.686), 21st in home runs (40). Toronto also has the fewest strikeouts in the league, but Mize isn't really a big swing-and-miss arm. The former first overall pick in 2018 out of Auburn was having a nice season before his groin injury, posting a 2.90 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with 35 strikeouts in 31 innings across his six starts. He's currently rostered in only 52% of Yahoo leagues and deserves a look off the waiver wire for rotation depth if you're hurting in that area.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Josh Hader Throws Clean Inning in Rehab Outing at Double-A
Houston Astros left-handed closer Josh Hader (biceps) threw a scoreless inning with one hit allowed, no walks, and two strikeouts on Friday with Double-A Corpus Christi in his minor-league rehab outing. Hader has now made four rehab appearances on the farm and has not allowed a run while giving up three hits, walking one, and striking out six in four innings of work. The 32-year-old six-time All-Star has yet to pitch in the majors in 2026 due to left biceps tendinitis, but the veteran southpaw is getting closer to being activated from the 60-day injured list to rejoin Houston's bullpen. Hader won't officially be eligible for reinstatement from the IL until later this month, but barring a setback on his rehab assignment, he should be ready to return when he's eligible. Despite injury issues since last year, Hader should immediately take over as the Astros' primary ninth-inning arm, making him stash-worthy in all fantasy formats where he's currently available. He's currently rostered in 88% of Yahoo leagues. Until Hader returns, Bryan King should continue to get save opportunities in Houston.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Merrill Kelly Throws Complete Game Against Rockies on Friday
Arizona Diamondbacks veteran right-hander Merrill Kelly threw a complete game to pick up his third win of the season in the team's convincing 9-1 win over the division-rival Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Friday night. Kelly allowed just one earned run on four hits (one homer) while walking none and striking out three in a rare feat at hitter-friendly Coors Field. The 37-year-old didn't get much swing and miss, and he needed an even 100 pitches to finish off the Rockies. The eight-year MLB veteran is now 3-3 on the 2026 season with a 5.91 ERA (5.93 FIP) and 1.54 WHIP with 23 strikeouts and 18 walks in 35 innings pitched across his six starts for the D-backs. After a rough start to the year, Kelly has now allowed only two earned runs on seven hits while walking three and striking out nine in 16 innings over his last two starts against the Rockies and New York Mets, not exactly the two toughest opponents in the league. Kelly's lack of swing-and-miss stuff gives him a low fantasy ceiling near the end of his career, but he could be a nice streamer in his next scheduled outing against the division-rival San Francisco Giants.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Blake Snell Likely to Need Elbow Surgery
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell (elbow), who went on the 15-day injured list on Friday with loose bodies in his left elbow, is likely to need surgery to fix the problem, and it's unclear how much time he might miss, according to Maddie Lee of The Los Angeles Times. It comes less than a week after Snell made his 2026 season debut after recovering from left-shoulder fatigue. How invasive Snell's surgery is will be a significant factor in determining his timetable for a return. One person briefed on the matter projected Snell to return in late July or early August. Snell had surgery to remove loose bodies in his left elbow in 2019 and was on the IL for almost two months. In his first start of the year against the Atlanta Braves last year, the two-time Cy Young winner allowed four runs in three innings. With right-hander Tyler Glasnow (back) also on the IL, and as of Friday, manager Dave Roberts didn't have a long-term plan for filling Snell's spot in the starting rotation. The skipper said calling up River Ryan was a "slim possibility." It is once again becoming a lost season for the 33-year-old Snell due to injuries, and it's becoming harder to justify holding him in shallow mixed fantasy leagues.
Source: The Los Angeles Times - Maddie Lee
Source: The Los Angeles Times - Maddie Lee
Abner Uribe Shifts Back to Eighth-Inning Role, Should Managers Be Concerned?
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Abner Uribe was used in the eighth inning of his team's 3-2 win over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night, working around a hit and a walk to post a scoreless inning. Uribe appeared to have seized the closer role in Milwaukee, appearing in the ninth inning in 11 straight outings leading into Friday. However, he recorded his second blown save of the year against the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday and owns a 4.67 ERA across 19 appearances overall in 2026. Fellow Brewers high-leverage option Trevor Megill earned the save against Minnesota and could be re-emerging as real competition for Uribe in the ninth inning. Megill has logged a 5.63 ERA so far in 2026, but he's allowed just two earned runs over his last 11 outings and has extensive closer experience, recording 56 saves for Milwaukee since the start of the 2024 season. Uribe could still see opportunities for saves going forward, but fantasy managers should be concerned that he's fallen out of the primary closer role after Friday.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
