RADIO
Tanner Bibee Succeeding With Greater Sinker Usage
Since allowing seven earned runs (five home runs) in three innings in a loss to the Washington Nationals on May 25, Cleveland Guardians right-hander Tanner Bibee has leaned more on his sinker, and in his six starts since, he's posted a 2.29 ERA with just eight walks and 28 strikeouts in 39 1/3 innings for a 2-2 record. Through his rough outing against the Nats, Bibee's sinker usage was at 15.8%. In his six starts since, he's used it 37.2% of the time as his primary pitch. "The sinker last year, the start of this year," said Bibee, "it was kind of like a surprise pitch. But now it just feels like a real weapon, where I can really lean on it to get quick outs, like I've been getting. Or I still can have guys freeze on it. It opens up a lot of stuff." In his first 13 starts, Bibee's opponents hit .313 against his four-seam fastball, with a 56.1% hard-hit rate, and hit .295 with a 47.8% hard-hit rate against his cutter. In his last six starts, opponents are 1-for-21 against his four-seamer with a 26.7% hard-hit rate and 3-for-28 against his cutter with a 26.1% hard-hit rate. The 27-year-old has slightly tweaked his changeup as well, so that it mimics his cutter more. Fantasy managers have to like what they've seen from Bibee as the second half of the season quickly approaches.
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Jose Ramirez Hitting Off a Tee, to Return Before All-Star Break?
Cleveland Guardians All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez (hand) has started hitting off a tee and will progress to overhand batting practice in the coming days, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. General manager Chris Antonetti said that Ramirez has met each checkpoint so far in his recovery from surgery to fix a fractured hamate bone in his hand, but he still has more boxes to check. The Guardians remain hopeful that J-Ram can return before the All-Star break from July 13-16. The 33-year-old Dominican switch-hitter had the stitches removed from his surgically-repaired left hand earlier this week and is making good progress. Ramirez hasn't lived up to his lofty expectations so far in 2026, but if he's healthy in the second half, he still can carry a fantasy team. Through his first 72 games (314 plate appearances) in 2026 in his 14th year in the league, Ramirez is slashing .239/.339/.418 with a .757 OPS, 10 homers, 33 RBI, 24 steals, and 42 runs scored. J-Ram should be stashed in all fantasy baseball leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Max Fried to Throw Another Live Bullpen Next Week
New York Yankees left-hander Max Fried (elbow) is facing hitters again on Sunday at Yankee Stadium, and manager Aaron Boone told Jorge Castillo of ESPN that the plan is for Fried to throw another live bullpen session on Thursday or Friday of next week before going on a minor-league rehab assignment. The 32-year-old veteran southpaw has been sidelined since the middle of May with a bone bruise in his left elbow, but he's progressing nicely and could be ready to rejoin the Yankees' starting rotation for the start of the second half of the season on July 17, barring a setback on his rehab assignment. The three-time All-Star was 4-3 with a 3.21 ERA (2.72 FIP) and 1.00 WHIP with 50 strikeouts and 19 walks in 61 2/3 innings over 10 starts in his second season in the Bronx this year before landing on the injured list. He led the league with 19 wins in his first year with the Yankees, and he's a must-start in fantasy when he's active. Fried should not be floating around on any waiver wires due to his elbow injury.
Source: ESPN.com - Jorge Castillo
Source: ESPN.com - Jorge Castillo
Josh Bell Worth a Look as Power Source Off the Waiver Wire
Minnesota Twins first baseman Josh Bell has now gone deep four times in his last five games, which will inevitably draw attention to him on the waiver wire in fantasy baseball leagues from managers seeking a power surge. In Minnesota's 11-4 win over the New York Yankees in the Bronx on the Fourth of July on Saturday, Bell went 3-for-5 at the plate with two home runs, a double, three RBI, and a strikeout to boost his season average to .247 and his OPS to .738. The 33-year-old veteran left-handed slugger now has 13 round-trippers on the year while adding 59 RBI, 45 runs scored, and a .247/.304/.434 slash line in 316 at-bats in his 11th year in the majors and first with the Twins. Bell is striking out over 20% of the time this year, but fantasy managers seeking a power boost can't ignore his hot streak of late. And in his last 18 games since June 14, he's gone 21-for-66 (.318) with six homers, five doubles, a triple, 19 RBI, and 13 runs scored across 73 plate appearances. Bell is widely available, as he's rostered in just 18% of Yahoo leagues right now.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Sean Burke a Priority Waiver-Wire Pickup After 11-Strikeout Performance?
Chicago White Sox right-hander Sean Burke is gaining steam as a priority waiver-wire pickup after another strong performance on Saturday in the team's 3-1 win over the division-rival Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. Burke allowed just one earned run on seven hits (a solo home run) while walking none and striking out a season-high 11 batters in six innings for a no-decision. The 26-year-old generated 16 swings and misses on his 95 pitches in the outing. Burke is now 5-4 in 2026 with a 3.56 ERA (3.73 FIP) and 1.22 WHIP with 106 strikeouts and 33 walks in 98 2/3 innings over his 18 appearances (14 starts) for the Pale Hose in his third year in the big leagues. The former third-rounder in 2021 out of the University of Maryland has gone 3-1 with 12 earned runs allowed (3.24 ERA) with 15 walks and 46 strikeouts in 33 1/3 innings in his last six starts. Burke has boosted his strikeout rate from 22.3% last year to 25.8% in 2026, and he also has a career-low 8% walk rate. Fantasy managers who need rotation help should look his way heading into the second half. Burke is rostered in 56% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Yoshinobu Yamamoto Picks Up Fifth Straight Quality Start in Win Over Padres
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto dominated the division-rival San Diego Padres on Saturday night in a 3-0 victory to post his fifth straight quality start. Yoshinobu threw seven shutout innings at Dodger Stadium with only three hits allowed, two walks, and 10 strikeouts for his ninth win of the year. It was the 27-year-old's second scoreless outing of the 2026 season, and he's now 9-5 with a 2.49 ERA (3.25 FIP) and 0.88 WHIP with an even 100 strikeouts and 21 walks in 104 2/3 innings pitched across 16 starts in his third year in the league. The Japanese star hurler hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in each of his last eight starts. In that span, Yamamoto has allowed only nine earned runs (1.48 ERA) while walking 11 and striking out 52 in 54 2/3 innings while going 6-2. He's set to face the division-rival Arizona Diamondbacks next week in his final start before the All-Star break. Yamamoto faced the D-backs in his first start of the year on March 26, allowing two earned runs with no walks and six K's in six innings for his first quality start of the season. He's a must-start every time he toes the rubber with one of the best offenses in the league backing him.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Yordan Alvarez Hits Two Homers on Saturday, Including Game-Winner
Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez bolstered his case as the favorite for the American League MVP award in 2026 with another multi-homer performance in the team's 10-8 win on Saturday against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays at Daikin Park. Alvarez went 3-for-4 at the plate as the designated hitter with six RBI to raise his season batting average to .324 and his OPS to 1.078. The 29-year-old left-handed slugger had a solo shot for his first homer of the day before launching a walk-off, two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to send the Rays home. It was Alvarez's fourth multi-homer game of the season, and the three-time All-Star and former AL Rookie of the Year is now slashing .324/.433/.645 in his 89 games and 388 plate appearances. The Cuban slugger leads the league in a variety of categories, including home runs (29), RBI (67), runs scored (62), hits (104), on-base percentage (.433), slugging percentage (.645), OPS (1.078), and total bases (207). He's by far the favorite for the AL MVP as we near the end of the first half of the season.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Nationals Call Up Pitching Prospect Eddy Yean, Worth a Look in Deep Leagues?
Washington Nationals right-handed pitching prospect Eddy Yean is being called up to the major leagues from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday, according to Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic. In a corresponding move, the Nationals designated outfielder Robert Hassell III for assignment to clear space on the team's 40-man roster. Yean, a 25-year-old Dominican hurler, will make his big-league debut after going 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 45 strikeouts and 19 walks in 40 innings over 39 relief appearances this year at Rochester. Yean is not listed among MLB Pipeline's top-30 Nationals prospects in 2026 and will most likely have a lower-leverage role in the Nats' bullpen for his first stint in the majors just before the All-Star break from July 13-16. Fantasy managers in all formats can probably hold off on Yean for now, as he could be sent right back to Rochester sooner rather than later.
Source: The Athletic - Spencer Nusbaum
Source: The Athletic - Spencer Nusbaum
Brandon Woodruff to Go Back on Injured List With Inflamed Labrum
Milwaukee Brewers veteran right-hander Brandon Woodruff (shoulder), who was pulled from his start on Saturday after just four innings because his velocity dipped against the Arizona Diamondbacks, will go back on the 15-day injured list with an inflamed labrum in his right shoulder, manager Pat Murphy told Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports. Woodruff was on the IL with the same injury earlier this year and missed six weeks. The 33-year-old veteran is likely looking at a potential return to Milwaukee's starting rotation in early April in a best-case scenario. In a worst-case scenario, we won't see Woodruff again in 2026 due to ongoing shoulder issues and a drop in velocity. Remember, he missed the entire 2024 season while recovering from capsule surgery in his right shoulder, and he made only 12 starts last year. Woodruff hasn't been bad in his nine starts in 2026, posting a 2.98 ERA (3.20 FIP), 0.84 WHIP, and 47:10 K:BB in 45 1/3 frames, but durability issues have to have fantasy managers extremely concerned going forward.
Source: USA Today Sports - Bob Nightengale
Source: USA Today Sports - Bob Nightengale
Salvador Perez Returns From Elbow Injury on Sunday
Kansas City Royals catcher/first baseman Salvador Perez (elbow) is serving as the team's designated hitter and is batting sixth versus the visiting Philadelphia Phillies and right-hander Aaron Nola in the series finale at Kauffman Stadium, according to MLB.com. A sore elbow has kept Perez out for each of the last two games, but he'll return for the series finale in KC. The 36-year-old Venezuelan backstop is running out of steam offensively in his 15th year in the majors (all with the Royals), as he enters Sunday's contest with a .201/.241/.327 slash line with a career-worst .568 OPS, 10 home runs, 30 RBI, and 29 runs scored across his 81 games (340 plate appearances). Fantasy managers may want to keep Perez on the bench until he shows some signs of life at the plate. In eight career at-bats against Nola, Perez is hitting .250 with an .875 OPS, a home run, and three RBI. Perez has five hits in his last 35 plate appearances with two doubles, two RBI, a run scored, no walks, and 12 strikeouts across nine games played.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
James Tibbs III No Longer on the Stash Radar Amid Triple-A Skid?
Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect James Tibbs III has had a brief stint at Triple-A Oklahoma City and has seen his fantasy value as a stash candidate drop. Over his last 14 contests with the Comets, the outfielder has posted a much lower .208/.365/.375 line with just two long balls. However, over his previous 21 games, the No .10-ranked prospect in the Dodger system carried a much higher .269/.400/.603 line with a stellar 1.003 OPS, two doubles, and an eye-catching eight long balls. Overall, the 23-year-old Florida State product has held his own at Triple-A this season, carrying a .285/.407/.563 slash line with a .970 OPS and 21 long balls. However, with Teoscar Hernandez back in action, Tibbs no longer has an immediate path to join the MLB roster. For now, given his slump and lack of a clear path to at-bats, Tibbs enters Week 14 as a mid-range stash candidate for those in deeper 12+ team leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Hector Rodriguez Not Slowing Down at Triple-A, on the Verge of a Call-Up?
Cincinnati Reds outfield prospect Hector Rodriguez has continued his dominant play at Triple-A Louisville and is solidifying himself as a top-stash candidate among outfield prospects ahead of Week 15 of the fantasy season. Over his last 22 contests with the Bats, Rodriguez has posted a sharp .329/.396/.732 slash line with four doubles, nine home runs, two stolen bases, and a 23:7 K:BB. Prior to this impressive stretch at the dish, the 22-year-old was still very productive at the plate but was nowhere near as effective, holding a .274/.353/.465 line over his first 60 games in the regular season. Currently, the Reds do not have a clear path for Rodriguez as both JJ Bleday and Noelvi Marte occupy the corner outfield spots. However, Bleday is currently in the midst of a 7-for-53 skid, which could open the door for the team's No. 5-ranked prospect. For now, Rodríguez is a top stash target for those in 12+ team, five-outfielder leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Chase DeLauter a Must-Add After Strong Return From Injured List?
Cleveland Guardians right fielder Chase DeLauter (rib cage) has picked up where he left off since coming off the 10-day injured list on June 28. He has started all seven games since returning and gone 10-for-31 (.323) with three runs, five RBI, and one steal. The 24-year-old is now batting .269/.336/.410 with seven home runs, 39 RBI, 27 runs, and three steals through 271 at-bats. The plate skills are more convincing than the power so far. DeLauter has a 13.3% strikeout rate and 10.4% walk rate, while his 40.5% hard-hit rate and 5.9% barrel rate are solid rather than dominant. He is rostered in 51% of Yahoo leagues, and RotoBaller recommends him in 12-team formats. That is the right range. DeLauter should be rostered in leagues of that size, but seven homers and three steals do not support a five-category label.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Max Clark Emerging as No. 1 Outfield Prospect to Stash
Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark has continued to swing a hot bat over the past month and is settling in as a top prospect to stash ahead of Week 15. Over his last 19 games (since June 10), the top-ranked prospect in the Detroit system has posted a strong .293/.363/.415 line with four doubles, two home runs, and five stolen bases. Prior to this recent surge at the dish, the former No. 3 overall pick from the 2023 MLB Draft posted a lower .253/.345/.385 line with a modest .727 OPS. Seeing Clark not only hit for a higher batting average but also begin to gradually tap into his raw power against the top pitching is an excellent sign for his fantasy outlook. If he maintains this pace, the budding star should compete for a debut shortly after the All-Star break. Heading into Week 15, Clark profiles as a top stash option in all standard leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Is Hagen Smith Still a Worthwhile Stash While on the Injured List?
Chicago White Sox top pitching prospect Hagen Smith is currently on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Charlotte due to a left shoulder impingement. However, before suffering this injury, the young southpaw appeared to be on the verge of earning the call to the big leagues and was viewed as a high-end pitching prospect to stash. Before allowing a season-worst seven runs on June 13, the left-hander logged 19 innings (four starts) with a 2.37 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and a 32:7 K:BB. This impressive stretch put him high on the stash radar as the southpaw posted a 4.45 ERA with a 1.46 WHIP over the first 33 2/3 innings of the Triple-A regular season. While his injury has delayed his MLB debut, managers should continue to monitor his status, as he could push for a promotion to the South Side in late July if he returns to the mound in the near future.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
