RADIO
Keaton Winn Earns First Save, Worth a Look in Deeper Leagues?
San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Keaton Winn got the call to close out his team's 1-0 win over the Brewers on Wednesday night. Winn came in with one out in the eighth inning and two runners on base. He got pinch-hitter Gary Sanchez to ground into a double play, and he returned for the ninth inning and worked around a leadoff double by Christian Yelich to secure the one-run win. The 28-year-old righty has 11 holds in his 26 games this season and earned his first save in Wednesday's win. He has a solid 2.30 ERA and 2.77 FIP, and he has been one of the Giants' best options out of the bullpen. Manager Tony Vitello has used a closer committee all year long, so Winn isn't likely to lock up the full-time job alone. However, he seems to be trending into a bigger role and makes sense as a waiver wire option in deep leagues if you are searching for saves and solid relief innings.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Riley O'Brien Bounces Back, Still Fully in Command of Closer Job?
St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Riley O'Brien took the loss on Tuesday after giving up three runs in the ninth inning, but the team went right back to the 31-year-old righty on Wednesday in a save situation. O'Brien entered to start the ninth inning with a 5-3 lead and walked the leadoff batter, but he escaped with no damage done, getting Josh Jung to fly out to end the game. O'Brien has 15 saves in his 27 games with a 3.95 ERA and 2.66 FIP. While things have been a little bumpy lately, he still seems to be clearly the go-to option for the Cardinals at the end of the game and can continue to be used as a strong closer option, even though he's not quite as dominant as the truly elite relievers.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Josh Hader Perfect in First Save, Immediately Holding Elite Fantasy Upside
Houston Astros relief pitcher Josh Hader made his long-awaited season debut on Wednesday after dealing with shoulder and biceps issues through the first two months of the season. Hader stepped right back into his closer role for Houston and worked a hitless ninth inning for a save against the Pirates. He did walk a batter and also picked up a strikeout to preserve the 11-9 victory. Hader had a 4.15 ERA in his nine rehab appearances with 11 strikeouts in 8 2/3 innings. His stuff looked sharp on Wednesday, and he'll take back over as the primary closer, leaving Bryan King, Enyel De Los Santos, and Bryan Abreu without much fantasy value in standard leagues. For as long as he's healthy, Hader has plenty of upside and can be counted on as an elite closer now that he's back.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Alex Lange Earns First Save, Is he the New Closer to Roster in Kansas City?
Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Alex Lange picked up his first save of the season on Wednesday in his 25th appearance. He gave up a hit and a walk but didn't allow any runs, making a 5-2 lead stand up against the Reds. Lange had 26 saves in 2023 with the Tigers, but he has a 4.33 ERA and 3.77 FIP in his 27 innings in 25 games this year. With Lucas Erceg struggling and Carlos Estevez (shoulder) sidelined, the Royals' bullpen does offer some interesting save opportunities. Lange could be a part of the committee while Estevez continues to work his way back, and he's trending up after allowing only one run in his last 10 games. He's still a speculative addition at this point, but in deep leagues, he's definitely worth watching on the waiver wire if you need saves.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jorge Soler Leaves Early Wednesday With Hip Irritation
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jorge Soler (hip) left Wednesday's game early against the visiting Colorado Rockies in Anaheim with left-hip irritation, according to the team. Before departing early in the fifth inning, Soler went 0-for-2 at the plate with a walk and two strikeouts to drop his season average to .220 and his OPS to .702. He was replaced in right field and in the leadoff spot by Jo Adell. In a blowout, it's possible that the Angels removed Soler early for precautionary reasons, but we should know more about the severity of his hip injury by Thursday. With an off day coming on Thursday, the Cuban slugger could be back in the Angels' starting lineup for the start of another Freeway Series on Friday on the road against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Soler came into Wednesday's tilt with Colorado with a .217 average (13-for-60) with just one homer, five RBI, two walks, and 16 strikeouts in his last 15 games, dating back to May 17. He still has notable power, but 30.8% strikeout rate and low on-base percentage are major drawbacks.
Source: Angels PR
Source: Angels PR
Chris Bassitt Exits with Back Tightness
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Chris Bassitt (back) was removed early during Wednesday's outing against the Boston Red Sox. Bassitt was pulled after three innings of work due to lower-back tightness. Before exiting, Bassitt allowed three earned runs on six hits and walked two batters. He was replaced on the mound by Andrew Suarez in the fourth inning. The O's should provide an update on Bassitt's status following Wednesday's game. For now, Bassitt is scheduled to take the mound against the Seattle Mariners on Monday. Fantasy managers will need to check back for another update on his status.
Source: Jacob Calvin Meyer
Source: Jacob Calvin Meyer
Aaron Judge to Undergo Additional Imaging
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (ribs) will undergo additional imaging on his ribcage. Yankees manager Aaron Boone confirmed the team will do extra testing for more specific spots in his right ribcage. Judge has been dealing with shoulder soreness that was determined to be from a bone bruise in his ribs. He has missed the last two games and could very well be headed for a stint on the Injured List. The Yankees want to do more testing and see what they're dealing with before deciding on the next steps for Judge. For now, the superstar slugger should be considered day-to-day. Fantasy managers should get more clarity on the situation at some point on Thursday.
Source: Bryan Hoch
Source: Bryan Hoch
Logan Henderson Receives Injection for Back Injury
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Logan Henderson (back) received an injection in his back on Tuesday. The right-hander landed on the Injured List earlier this week due to a lower-back strain. The injection should hopefully help, but Henderson is expected to be sidelined 3-5 weeks. This is a tough blow to the Brewers' rotation, given how well Henderson has been pitching this season. Across five starts, Henderson owns a 2.74 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and a 30:6 K:BB ratio this season. This timetable should put Henderson's return around late June or early July. There's no clear favorite to take over Henderson's spot in the rotation right now. Fantasy managers should hold onto Henderson through this injury.
Source: Adam McCalvy
Source: Adam McCalvy
Max Fried to Ramp Up Throwing Program
New York Yankees starting pitcher Max Fried (elbow) has been cleared to ramp up his throwing program. Fried has been throwing off flat-ground at 75 feet. He'll look to extend that to 90 feet and beyond over the next week. The southpaw is also expected to undergo imaging at some point next week. If everything looks good, Fried could progress to throwing bullpen sessions in the near future. The 32-year-old is making progress, but isn't close to rejoining the Yankees rotation. Given his current progress, Fried is likely going to be sidelined until around the All-Star break. He has been sidelined since the middle of May due to a bone bruise on his left elbow. Fantasy managers will hopefully be able to get something out of Fried during the second half of the season.
Source: Gary Phillips
Source: Gary Phillips
Shohei Ohtani Won't Play on Thursday
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani won't be in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed on Wednesday that he'll allow Ohtani to empty the tank on Wednesday while serving as the designated hitter and starting pitcher. Ohtani will take a full day off on Thursday before likely returning to the lineup for Friday's series opener versus the Los Angeles Angels. The 31-year-old has been remarkable on the mound lately and is hitting nearly .400 at the plate over his last 10 games. The two-way star has earned a day off to rest and recover.
Source: Bill Plunkett
Source: Bill Plunkett
Luis Lara Scratched From Triple-A Lineup, is he Nearing an MLB Promotion?
Milwaukee Brewers outfield prospect Luis Lara was scratched from the lineup with Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday, leading to speculation that he might be on his way up to the Brewers for his first major-league call-up. The 21-year-old Venezuelan, who is considered the team's No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline, came into Wednesday's tilt with the Sounds with a .338/.447/.500 slash line with a .947 OPS, seven home runs, 27 RBI, 18 stolen bases, and 49 runs scored across 56 games and 247 plate appearances in his fifth season in the minors. Lara is still very young and probably has some more maturing to do, but the 5-foot-7, 169-pounder has shown improvement in the power department so far in 2026, to go along with his already elite speed and defensive abilities in the outfield. Once he does reach the majors, Lara has the defensive ability alone to be an everyday center fielder. If his power continues to improve, he has the potential to be a five-category fantasy producer, making him a stash candidate now for managers in dynasty/keeper leagues.
Source: Nashville Sounds
Source: Nashville Sounds
Ketel Marte Out on Wednesday With Back, Hamstring Injuries
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (back, hamstring) is out of Wednesday's starting lineup against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers at Chase Field due to lower-back tightness and a tender hamstring, according to Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic. Manager Torey Lovullo classified it as a day of rest for Marte, who was feeling uncomfortable during Tuesday's loss to L.A. Ildemaro Vargas will start at the keystone for the Snakes and will bat seventh in the order against right-hander Shohei Ohtani. The D-backs will give Marte a breather against one of the best pitchers in the league this year in Ohtani, and he could be back in action as early as Thursday's series finale against the Blue. The 32-year-old switch-hitting Dominican infielder had an 11-game hitting streak from May 16 to May 27, in which he hit over .500 with four homers, six doubles, and 17 RBI, before going 1-for-18 with a homer and four RBI in his last five contests. For now, Marte should be considered day-to-day, and fantasy managers should check back on Thursday to see if he's back on the field. When fully healthy, Marte is a must-start in all traditional fantasy leagues.
Source: The Arizona Republic - Jose M. Romero
Source: The Arizona Republic - Jose M. Romero
Zach Neto Still Out on Wednesday With Neck Issue
Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (neck) is missing another game on Wednesday against the visiting Colorado Rockies, according to MLB.com. Oswald Peraza will make the start at the 6 at Angels Stadium and bat fifth for the Halos versus Rockies right-hander Michael Lorenzen. Neto is dealing with whiplash and is sitting out as a precaution for a third straight game. The Angels don't expect the starting shortstop to land on the 10-day injured list, and he could be back in the starting nine as soon as Friday's series opener to begin another Freeway Series at Chavez Ravine against the Los Angeles Dodgers after a scheduled day off on Thursday. The 25-year-old former 13th overall pick in 2022 out of Campbell University is only hitting .231 (54-for-234) on the year, but he has been a solid counting-stat producer for fantasy managers with 10 long balls, 27 RBI, eight stolen bases, and 42 runs scored across 60 games and 274 plate appearances in his fourth year in the league. Peraza is in the midst of a career year in his first full season in Anaheim, hitting .280 (47-for-168) with a career-high seven homers, 15 RBI, seven steals, and 18 runs in 56 games played.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Corbin Burnes has Teres Major Strain, Unlikely to Return Until September
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Corbin Burnes (elbow) has been diagnosed with a teres major strain and has been pulled back from his throwing progression, manager Torey Lovullo told Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. The skipper said the setback probably pushes Burnes' timeline for a return to around September. The 31-year-old veteran only made 11 starts in his first year in Arizona in 2025 before needing Tommy John surgery to fix a torn UCL in his right elbow. There was hope that the former Cy Young winner and four-time All-Star would return at some point in July this year for the Snakes, but his recent setback now means he won't return until the final month of the regular season. It's a tough blow for the D-backs and for any fantasy managers who were stashing the former fantasy ace in an injured-list spot all year. It's now hard to justify holding onto Burnes in redraft leagues. He's currently rostered in 33% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Arizona Republic - Nick Piecoro
Source: The Arizona Republic - Nick Piecoro
Tyson Hardin on the Verge of Promotion After Elite Showing at Triple-A?
Milwaukee Brewers right-handed pitching prospect Tyson Hardin, who is ranked as the team's No. 17 prospect per MLB Pipeline, could be on the verge of making his first appearance in the big leagues soon after impressing lately following his promotion from Double-A Biloxi to Triple-A Nashville. Hardin was 0-3 with a 7.67 ERA and 1.77 WHIP in his seven starts with Biloxi to begin the 2026 season, but he also struck out 43 batters and walked just 12 in 29 1/3 innings. In his three starts for Nashville, the 24-year-old former 12th-rounder out of Mississippi State University has allowed only three runs (two earned) while walking seven and fanning 18 in 18 2/3 frames. The 6-foot-2, 185-pounder is primarily a fastball/slider pitcher who lacks overpowering velocity, but he makes up for it with a deceiving low arm angle that generates plenty of weak contact. Hardin has the control necessary to stick in Milwaukee's rotation in the second half of the 2026 season if he gets a chance, but right now, he's only worth stashing in dynasty/keeper formats.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
