RADIO
Hurston Waldrep a Top Pitcher to Stash Ahead of Impending Return?
Atlanta Braves right-hander Hurston Waldrep (elbow), who is currently on the 60-day injured list, had his minor-league rehab assignment transferred to Double-A Columbus on Tuesday, according to Grant McAuley of 929 The Game. Waldrep will make a rehab start there on Thursday after already having two two-inning outings in the Florida Complex League as he works his way back from right-elbow surgery. The 24-year-old has at least three more weeks of ramping up before he's considered an option for the big-league starting rotation, so it might not be until after the mid-July All-Star break that we see him back with the Braves. The former first-rounder in 2023 out of the University of Florida deserves some stash consideration in deeper fantasy leagues after he had a 2.88 ERA (3.21 FIP), 1.19 WHIP, and 55:22 K:BB in 56 1/3 innings pitched across 10 outings (nine starts) for Atlanta while going 6-1 last year. Waldrep's underlying metrics show that he was a bit fortunate in 2025, but he should have a starting rotation spot waiting for him in the second half of 2026. He's currently rostered in just 5% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: 929 The Game - Grant McAuley
Source: 929 The Game - Grant McAuley
Reds Recall Prospect Chase Petty, Worth a Pickup in Deep Leagues?
The Cincinnati Reds recalled right-handed pitching prospect Chase Petty from Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday and optioned right-hander Zach McCambley to Louisville in a corresponding move, the team announced. It will be Petty's second stint in the big leagues this year after he allowed seven earned runs on 10 hits (two homers) while walking three and striking out only two in 10 2/3 frames in his two starts with the Reds. The 23-year-old former first-rounder by the Minnesota Twins in 2021 also struggled in his MLB debut in 2025, surrendering 14 runs (13 earned) while walking eight and fanning seven in just six innings over three outings (two starts) in Cincy. The New Jersey native will come up this time around to provide the Reds' bullpen with some depth after an extra-inning game on Tuesday night at Petco Park in which they used six different relievers. Per MLB Pipeline, Petty is ranked as the team's No. 7 prospect, but in a relief role, he will not have much fantasy upside in a short-term role in single-year formats after his latest call-up.
Source: Cincinnati Reds
Source: Cincinnati Reds
Jake Burger Still Worthy of a Waiver-Wire Pickup Despite Recent Slump?
Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger got off to a rough start to June, going hitless in his first 19 plate appearances over five games with a run scored, two walks, and six strikeouts. He closed out May with six hits in 11 at-bats with three doubles and an RBI in three games, though, and he's recorded four hits (one double) and two RBI in eight plate appearances in his last two contests. Overall, the 30-year-old right-handed slugger is batting .238/.293/.414 with a .708 OPS, 10 home runs, 39 RBI, 30 runs scored, and a stolen base in 64 games and 259 plate appearances in his second year with the Rangers. Burger hit a dismal .170 in April, but he bounced back in May to hit .290 (27-for-93) with five home runs, seven RBI, 18 RBI, 18 runs, and a steal in 26 games. He still strikes out 26.3% of the time, which isn't ideal for fantasy managers looking for a boost in average or on-base percentage, but Burger still has enough pop to be worth a look off the waiver wire for corner-infield depth. He's currently rostered in just 22% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Noah Cameron Gaining Waiver-Wire Momentum After Another Quality Start
Kansas City Royals left-hander Noah Cameron has quietly produced quality starts in four of his last five outings and should be gaining traction on the waiver wire in fantasy baseball leagues. In his latest outing on Sunday against the division-rival Minnesota Twins, Cameron won his third game of the year by limiting the Twins to an unearned run on just three hits while walking none and striking out seven in six innings. Through his first six starts in 2026, Cameron had a 5.40 ERA with 22 runs allowed (19 earned), 28 strikeouts, and 11 walks in 31 2/3 innings. But in six starts since then, he has yet to allow more than three earned runs in any of his starts and has posted a strong 2.38 ERA (1.95 FIP) with 35 strikeouts and only six walks across 34 innings pitched. Cameron has punched out at least seven batters in three of his last four starts, as well, and he's allowed only four hits in his last 13 innings pitched over two starts. He has clearly turned things around on the mound and is gaining more traction off the waiver wire. Cameron should definitely be scooped up for his next scheduled start against the Houston Astros. He is rostered in 44% of Yahoo leagues at the moment.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Jacob Young Worth a Look Off the Waiver Wire in Deep Leagues?
Washington Nationals outfielder Jacob Young came into the 2026 season with just five home runs in his first three years in the league. He's only hitting .237 (49-for-207) in his first 66 contests this season, but he's already up to eight home runs in his 223 plate appearances. The 26-year-old former seventh-round pick in 2021 out of the University of Florida stole 33 bases in 2024 in his first full season in the majors, too, so he has some speed to spare, even if he has only swiped five bags in 2026. Fantasy managers in search of outfield depth in deeper leagues should consider adding Young while he's hot early in June. In eight games so far this month, Young has gone 6-for-22 (.273) with a homer, two triples, two RBI, four runs scored, and a stolen base in 22 plate appearances. With plenty of wheels and a boost in power this year, Young has become more attractive in deep formats. He's currently rostered in just 2% of Yahoo leagues, so he's widely available.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Brenton Doyle Hasn't Resumed Baseball Activities
Colorado Rockies outfielder Brenton Doyle (oblique) can do daily activities without feeling pain in his left oblique, but he hasn't graduated to baseball activities, according to MLB.com. Doyle has been on the 10-day injured list since May 21 with a left-oblique contusion, and there remains no timetable for his return. But if the 28-year-old can resume baseball activities sooner rather than later, he could be in line for a potential late-June return. The former fourth-rounder in 2019 out of Shepherd University broke out with 23 home runs, 72 RBI, and 30 stolen bases in 149 games played for the Rockies in his second year in the big leagues in 2024, but he hasn't looked the same since. Doyle hit .233 (117-for-502) last year with only 15 home runs and 18 stolen bases, and he's barely hit over the Mendoza Line with just one homer and nine steals across his first 43 games in 2026 for Colorado. Regular playing time won't be guaranteed to Doyle when he recovers from his oblique injury, which is why he's now rostered in only 32% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Mickey Moniak Yet to Do Change-of Direction Running
Colorado Rockies outfielder Mickey Moniak (ankle) continues to hit, throw, and do some running in baseball cleats. He is making progress, but he hasn't been scheduled to do any change-of-direction tests yet, according to MLB.com. Moniak has been on the 10-day since May 22 with tendinitis in his right ankle. Depending on when he's cleared to ramp up his running program, the left-handed slugger could return to the Rockies' lineup by mid-June. The 28-year-old former first overall pick by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2016 out of La Costa Canyon High School in California has taken off in the last two years in Colorado and is currently hitting .280 (42-for-150) with 12 home runs, 28 RBI, 21 runs scored, and one stolen base in 43 games in 2026, but has he already peaked in his seventh year in the majors? Moniak is sporting just a .324 xwOBA and an expected batting average of .228. He has really hit his stride offensively since landing in Denver, but fantasy managers may want to expect plenty of regression once he returns from the IL.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Paul Goldschmidt a High-Upside Power Bat to Roster with Increased Playing Time
New York Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt opened the 2026 season in a bench role and saw little playing time early on, logging just 33 plate appearances through the end of April. However, injuries to Yankees sluggers Giancarlo Stanton (calf) and Aaron Judge (rib) have opened up an opportunity for the veteran to emerge as a key piece of his team's lineup. Across 156 plate appearances on the year, Goldschmidt is hitting .281/.359/.525 with eight home runs, 27 RBI, 23 runs scored, and one stolen base. His underlying power metrics have bounced back after a down year in 2025, as his barrel rate is up from 7.9% to 11.9%. Goldschmidt has also batted no lower than third in the Yankees' lineup in eight straight games, logging nine RBI in that span. New York may have a tough time fitting all three of Goldschmidt, Stanton, and Ben Rice in the lineup once Stanton returns. Still, Stanton remains on the shelf for now, and Goldschmidt's production is impossible to ignore. He profiles as a priority waiver wire target for fantasy managers for as long as he's in an everyday role.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Gavin Sheets Remains a Power Bat to Target on the Waiver Wire Despite Recent Skid
Across 213 plate appearances in 2026, San Diego Padres first baseman/outfielder Gavin Sheets is hitting .223/.315/.441 with 10 home runs, 26 RBI, 26 runs scored, and three stolen bases. The lefty-swinger is limited to a big-side platoon role, as he's hit .143 in 38 plate appearances against left-handed pitching. Still, Sheets' 9.5% barrel rate and 45.3% hard-hit rate both support solid power output. He also owns a 10.8% walk rate, which helps lift his production floor and keeps his playing time stable. Sheets typically hits in the heart of the Padres' lineup on days that he starts. If some of San Diego's struggling hitters around Sheets start to heat up over the summer months, Sheets will be in a good position to rack up counting stats. His upside is limited by his lack of ability to hit lefties, but Sheets still profiles as a solid deep-league power bat to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Troy Melton Emerging as a Breakout Candidate on the Waiver Wire
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Troy Melton picked up his third win of the season on Tuesday night, allowing four earned runs but striking out five across five innings of work in his team's 10-4 win over the Minnesota Twins. The 25-year-old has been effective in 2026 since returning from the elbow injury that delayed his start to the season until late May. Across 25 2/3 innings (four starts), Melton has recorded a 3-0 record with a 2.81 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 14 strikeouts. The right-hander's average velocity is down from 97.1 miles per hour in 2025 to 95.9 mph, and he's struck out just 13.7% of the batters he's faced, both of which are worrying signs. Still, Melton owns a 2.78 ERA across 71 1/3 career MLB innings, and he showcased more strikeout upside in the minors, logging a 32.4% strikeout rate across 75 2/3 minor league innings in 2025. He's worth targeting on the waiver wire ahead of a potential breakout season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Matthew Liberatore a Viable Deep-League Streamer?
Across 66 1/3 innings (13 starts) in 2026, St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore has recorded a 3-3 record with a 4.48 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, and 61 strikeouts. While Liberatore's top-line numbers don't leap off the page, he's been a bit better of late. Over his last four starts (19 1/3 innings), the 26-year-old owns a 31.4% strikeout rate. Liberatore's overall K-BB rate for the season remains an unimpressive 12.1%, and his xERA is 5.19, so his fantasy upside appears limited. Still, the left-hander is locked into a rotation spot in St. Louis and has begun to demonstrate some strikeout upside. In deeper leagues, Liberatore could be a worthy starting pitcher streamer to target on the waiver wire in the right matchups. Liberatore's next scheduled start is on Saturday in Minnesota against the Twins.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Joc Pederson Emerging as a Power Bat to Target on the Waiver Wire
Across 202 plate appearances so far in 2026, Texas Rangers designated hitter Joc Pederson is hitting .237/.343/.444 with eight home runs, 23 RBI, and 25 runs scored. The 34-year-old got off to a slow start to the season but rebounded in May, posting a .919 OPS with six home runs last month. Pederson's playing time is limited to a strict big-side platoon role, as he's logged just 15 plate appearances against left-handed pitching on the year. Still, he's proven he can be an effective deep-league power source for fantasy managers even in a relatively small number of at-bats throughout his career. Pederson had a down year at the plate in 2025, but he hit .275 with 23 home runs across 449 plate appearances with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2024. With a 13.4% walk rate, 9.1% barrel rate, and 47% hard-hit rate, Pederson's underlying metrics back up his solid production in 2026. For fantasy managers in need of power, Pederson profiles as a useful waiver wire target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Agustin Ramirez a Top Stash Candidate with Five-Category Potential?
After getting off to a slow start to the 2026 season, Miami Marlins catcher Agustin Ramirez was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville in early May. The 24-year-old has performed well since being sent down, hitting .255/.324/.426 with four home runs, 12 RBI, 16 runs scored, and nine stolen bases. Ramirez's speed is rare relative to his position and gives him significant fantasy upside. The young backstop also showed he can produce at the big-league level in 2025, hitting .231 with 21 home runs and 16 stolen bases across 585 plate appearances. The biggest issue in Ramirez's profile is his porous defense, which was likely the reason why he was sent down earlier this year. Still, Ramirez carries enough offensive upside that Miami seems likely to find a place for him in the lineup sooner rather than later. Fantasy managers in need of help behind the plate should consider stashing Ramirez off the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
River Ryan Looks to Bounce Back, Remains on Stash Radar for Now
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher River Ryan was humming along at Triple-A Oklahoma City before his last outing, posting a 2.05 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and an elite 29.5 percent K-BB% through his first five starts. In his latest start, though, the former 11th-round draft pick yielded four earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out four. The walks were easily a season high after walking a total of three in the five previous contests, and four strikeouts tied a season low total. Although it took some shine off his stash status, everyone has a dud performance from time to time, and with a good 2.89 ERA still for the year, along with a 1.09 WHIP and a FIP that is actually lower (2.51), the arrow is still pointing up for Ryan. If the right-hander struggles in his next outing, which comes Wednesday night in Charlotte, then it may be time to reconsider stashing him, but for now, the 27-year-old is a worthwhile stash option in deeper leagues as he waits for an opening in the Dodgers' six-man rotation.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Braves Recall Top Prospect JR Ritchie, Worth Adding in Standard Leagues?
The Atlanta Braves recalled right-handed pitching prospect JR Ritchie to the majors on Wednesday, according to Milb Central. It will be the second time that Ritchie has been in the big leagues in 2026 in his rookie season, having posted a 4.56 ERA and 1.44 WHIP with 16 walks and 21 strikeouts in 25 2/3 innings over his first five starts in Atlanta in his first go-around. The team's No. 2 overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has been much better in his eight starts (39 1/3 innings) with Triple-A Gwinnett this year, going 4-2 with a 2.75 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 36:20 K:BB. The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder throws in the high-90s and gets plenty of swing and miss with his fastball, making him an intriguing arm in dynasty/keeper leagues. It appears that Ritchie will be used in more of a relief role this time around in Atlanta, though, so fantasy managers in redraft leagues can hold off on adding him for now. Ritchie is currently rostered in only 4% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Milb Central
Source: Milb Central
