RADIO
Max Rajcic Earns Call to Majors, Is He a Viable Pick Up After Strong Showing at Triple-A?
The St. Louis Cardinals are promoting pitching prospect Max Rajcic to the big leagues ahead of their game on Thursday against the Kansas City Royals, per Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat. Rajcic has been used almost exclusively as a reliever at Triple-A Memphis this season, recording a 4-2 record with a 2.88 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 46 strikeouts, and five saves across 40 2/3 innings (26 games). The 24-year-old opened the season in more of a bulk relief role, but he's gone exactly one inning in all but two appearances since May 16. Rajcic's strikeout stuff has played up out of the pen this season, as he's raised his strikeout rate from 18.4% in 2025 to 28.4%. St. Louis right-hander Riley O'Brien has taken over the team's closer role, but he's scuffled to a 6.00 ERA and 2.17 WHIP in June. If Rajcic continues to produce at the big league level, he could eventually see some save opportunities with the Cardinals.
Source: Bellevile News-Democrat - Jeff Jones
Source: Bellevile News-Democrat - Jeff Jones
Luke Raley Taking Another Day Off With Back Injury
Seattle Mariners outfielder Luke Raley (back) is not ready to rejoin the starting lineup in Thursday's series finale against the visiting Baltimore Orioles, per MLB.com. With Randy Arozarena (hamstring) on the injured list and Julio Rodriguez (hamstring) dealing with hamstring spasms, the M's will roll with an outfield of Miles Mastrobuoni in left field, Victor Robles in center, and Dominic Canzone in right on Thursday against Orioles right-hander Shane Baz. Raley will be missing his third straight game, and if he continues to be unavailable going into the weekend series against the Boston Red Sox, he could be a candidate to join Arozarena on the IL. The 31-year-old left-handed slugger rarely plays against left-handed pitchers, but he is producing plenty of power against righties for fantasy managers, currently hitting .241/.303/.503 with an .806 OPS, 14 home runs, 35 RBI, 24 runs scored, and a stolen base in his 191 at-bats in 2026. Raley is currently rostered in 21% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jesus Made Suffers Quad Injury, MLB Debut in 2026 in Jeopardy?
Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Jesus Made (quad) left Wednesday's game for Double-A Biloxi after a collision that occurred with the left fielder, both of whom were tracking a fly ball. Made stayed in the game for the rest of the inning but did not return to the field in the following inning. MLB's No. 1 prospect suffered what is being described as a left quad contusion, but the fact that he stayed in the game could mean the injury is minor and he may not need a trip to the injured list. The switch-hitter is slashing .276/.349/.427 with six home runs, 21 steals, and a 27:43 BB:K in 59 games for the Shuckers this season. If he were to miss time, it would delay his inevitable promotion to Triple-A and throw cold water on the possibility of a 2026 MLB debut, so managers should continue to monitor his progress. Should he make it to Triple-A, the 19-year-old would quickly become a top player to stash for fantasy with his ability to be a five-category contributor.
Source: MLB Pipeline
Source: MLB Pipeline
Julio Rodriguez Sitting Out With Hamstring Injury
Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez (hamstring) is out of the starting lineup for Thursday's series finale against the Baltimore Orioles at T-Mobile Park after injuring his hamstring on Wednesday night, according to MLB.com. Victor Robles will start in center field for the M's and bat eighth against Orioles right-hander Shane Baz. The Mariners said that Rodriguez was only dealing with hamstring spasms on Wednesday evening, so he should be considered day-to-day for now. Check back on Friday to see if he's available to play in the series opener versus the Boston Red Sox. Seattle's outfield depth is being tested this week with J-Rod hurt, Luke Raley (back) nursing injuries, and Randy Arozarena (hamstring) landing on the injured list earlier this week. Robles, Miles Mastrobuoni, and Dominic Canzone are starting in the outfield on Thursday. When active, Rodriguez continues to be a must-start in all fantasy baseball formats. The 25-year-old Dominican All-Star is slashing .249/.310/.429 with a .739 OPS, 13 homers, 35 RBI, 40 runs scored, and nine stolen bases in his 301 at-bats so far in 2026.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
White Sox Promote Outfield Prospect Junior Perez to Majors, Worth a Pickup?
The Chicago White Sox have recalled outfield prospect Junior Perez from Triple-A Charlotte ahead of the team's series finale on Thursday night against the New York Yankees. Perez is taking the roster spot of White Sox outfielder Everson Pereira (concussion), who was placed on the seven-day concussion injured list. Perez opened 2026 with the Athletics but was acquired by the White Sox in mid-May. Across 241 Triple-A plate appearances split between the two organizations this season, he's hit .217/.292/.401 with seven home runs, 26 RBI, 38 runs scored, and nine stolen bases. Swing-and-miss is a major issue for the 24-year-old, as he owns a 34.9% strikeout rate on the season. However, he owns intriguing power/speed upside after recording 26 home runs and 27 stolen bases across 587 minor league plate appearances in 2025. If Perez can carve out consistent playing time in Chicago, he could be worth a deep-league waiver wire pick-up.
Source: Chicago White Sox
Source: Chicago White Sox
Josh Naylor Returns for Series Finale Against Baltimore
Seattle Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor (shin, wrist) is back at first base and is batting third for the M's in their series finale on Thursday against the visiting Baltimore Orioles and right-hander Shane Baz, according to MLB.com. Naylor will return to the starting nine after sitting out the last two games with a bruised shin and wrist soreness. Fantasy managers will want to get him back into their starting lineups in traditional formats against a right-handed pitcher. The Canadian native is hitting .253 (68-for-269) with eight home runs, 32 RBI, 13 stolen bases, and 27 runs scored in his first full season in the big leagues. So far in 12 games in June, Naylor has gone 12-for-48 (.250) with three home runs, three doubles, eight RBI, seven runs scored, and a stolen base in 52 plate appearances. He has only faced Baz three times in his career and has one hit.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Is Dylan Crews a Post-Hype Sleeper to Target on the Waiver Wire?
Across 100 plate appearances since being recalled from Triple-A in mid-May, Washington Nationals outfielder Dylan Crews has struggled to a .189/.230/.337 slash line with four home runs, 14 RBI, 11 runs scored, and two stolen bases. However, the 24-year-old has begun to play a bit better of late, as he's logged a hit in six out of his last seven games. A former top prospect, Crews has had difficulty getting his MLB career off the ground to this point, owning a .622 OPS across 554 big-league plate appearances. He posted solid numbers but was not dominant in his time at Triple-A in 2026, hitting .258 with five home runs, seven stolen bases, and a 24.9% strikeout rate across 177 plate appearances. Still, Crews logged a 13.4% barrel rate and 50.9% hard-hit rate in the minors. Those marks have dropped to 9.1% and 42.9% in the Majors this season, but they still suggest that he's due for better results than what he's gotten so far. Fantasy managers may want to look at Crews on the waiver wire ahead of a possible breakout at the plate.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ryan Waldschmidt Goes Deep in Return to Triple-A, Back on Stash Radar?
Arizona Diamondbacks outfield prospect Ryan Waldschmidt was optioned back to Triple-A on Monday as the team felt that he needed to work on hitting breaking pitches. Then, in his first game back with Reno on Wednesday, the D-backs' top-ranked prospect did just that, sending a German Marquez (forearm) knuckle-curve over the fence for his first home run since April 26. The former first-rounder had a fantastic 2025 and a strong start to 2026 that led to his promotion to the big leagues, however, he scuffled a bit in his first taste of the majors, slashing .259/.314/.357 with zero home runs and a 32.8 percent strikeout rate in 122 plate appearances. The 23-year-old still managed to swipe five bags, though, which kept him somewhat fantasy relevant during his tenure. The right-handed hitter will hopefully get back on track at Triple-A and should be back in the big leagues later this year. Though he did not show the home run power during his 33-game debut, it is there, and together with his speed and what figures to be an improved approach, the University of Kentucky product should be back on the stash radar in deeper leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Martin Perez Offers Matchup-Based Streaming Appeal on the Waiver Wire
Atlanta Braves left-hander Martin Perez has quietly been a key part of his team's success so far in 2026, recording a 5-3 record with a 2.90 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 51 strikeouts across 62 innings (14 games). The 35-year-old has been used as both a reliever and a starter this season, but now he's made five consecutive starts dating back to May 19 and looks to have established himself as a member of the Braves rotation. Perez's 20.8% strikeout rate in 2026 is the highest mark of his 15-year MLB career, so he does not offer much swing-and-miss upside for fantasy managers. Still, the veteran generates a ton of ground balls (46.7% ground ball rate) and limits home runs (0.87 HR/9). He also should have plenty of chances to pick up wins while pitching in Atlanta. Perez's numbers may regress a bit from where they currently sit, but he could still be a viable streaming option for fantasy managers in the right matchups.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ryan Ward a Left-Handed Power Bat to Monitor in Deep Fantasy Leagues?
Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect Ryan Ward, who is ranked as the team's No. 19 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is a left-handed power bat to monitor in deep fantasy baseball leagues in the short term. Since being called up to the majors for the first time, the 28-year-old former eighth-round selection in 2019 out of Bryant University has gone 11-for-43 (.256) with three home runs, four doubles, 11 RBI, and seven runs scored in his 46 plate appearances. The 5-foot-10, 200-pounder got the call to L.A. after hitting .254 (45-for-177) with six home runs, 31 RBI, 28 runs scored, and six stolen bases in 47 games played with Triple-A Oklahoma City this year. At least until Teoscar Hernandez (hamstring) returns from his stay on the injured list, Ward can be an asset in deeper leagues for his power against right-handed arms. All three of his home runs and all 11 of his RBI have come off righties, and he's been afforded just three plate appearances against southpaws. Because he struggles against lefties, though, Ward is unlikely to have an everyday role this year in a crowded Dodgers lineup, especially once Hernandez returns.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Bailey Ober Expects to Throw Off a Mound This Weekend
Minnesota Twins right-hander Bailey Ober (elbow) thinks he will throw off a mound this weekend in Arizona, according to The Athletic's Dan Hayes. It would be the first time that Ober has set foot on a mound since he was placed on the 15-day injured list in early June with a flexor strain in his right elbow. Ober could need a couple of bullpen sessions before being cleared for a short minor-league rehab assignment, so he could have time to rejoin the Twins' starting rotation before the All-Star break in mid-July, barring a setback. The 30-year-old veteran won't be a priority addition off the waiver wire for fantasy managers in mixed leagues, though, after he posted a 4.59 ERA (4.96 FIP) and 1.21 WHIP with 46 strikeouts and 18 walks in 66 2/3 innings pitched across his 12 starts before landing on the shelf. Ober still has above-average command, but with a drop in velocity this year and a career-low 16.4% strikeout rate, his fantasy upside has diminished as a starting option. While on the IL, Ober is rostered in only 18% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Mick Abel Could Return to Twins Rotation on Sunday
Minnesota Twins right-hander Mick Abel (elbow) will join the team on their road trip in Arizona and is scheduled for a light bullpen session, with his next steps to be determined, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. Hayes is putting the puzzle pieces together and speculates that if the Twins are flying Abel from Minnesota to Phoenix, with his next turn scheduled for Sunday, it's likely that he'll come off the 15-day injured list to start Sunday's series finale against the D-Backs. In his two minor-league rehab starts with Triple-A St. Paul, Abel has looked like a pitcher ready to return to the majors, giving up an earned run with 10 strikeouts and no walks in eight innings pitched. He has been sidelined since the middle of April with right-elbow inflammation, but now is the time for fantasy managers to scoop him up if you need rotation help. The 24-year-old former 15th overall pick by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2020 had a 3.98 ERA (2.75 FIP) and 1.57 WHIP with 23 K's and 10 walks in 20 1/3 innings over four outings (three starts) for the Twins before going on the IL. Abel is widely available, as he's rostered in just 18% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Daulton Varsho Could Return on Saturday for Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that there's a chance that outfielder Daulton Varsho (wrist) could be ready to return from the 10-day injured list on Saturday when he's first eligible, but he will "have to do a lot today and tomorrow," according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. If Varsho isn't activated this weekend, he may need to go on a short minor-league rehab assignment, consisting of a game or two. The 29-year-old left-handed-hitting center fielder is recovering from inflammation in his left wrist, but his return appears to be on the horizon. Before landing on the IL, Varsho was hitting a very mediocre .256/.331/.408 with a .738 OPS, five home runs, 17 RBI, 27 runs scored, and five stolen bases for the Blue Jays in 64 games across 236 plate appearances in his fourth season with the organization. Until he returns, the light-hitting Myles Straw should continue to see most of the playing time in center field for Toronto. Varsho is only rostered in 23% of Yahoo leagues at the moment.
Source: Sportsnet - Shi Davidi
Source: Sportsnet - Shi Davidi
Addison Barger May Not Start Rehab Assignment Until Next Week
Toronto Blue Jays third baseman/outfielder Addison Barger (elbow) has yet to begin a minor-league rehab assignment and might not get into games until early next week, according to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. Barger has been slow to recover from inflammation in his right elbow, and it's the second time this year already that he's been on the IL, previously missing time with two sprained ankles. The 26-year-old left-handed hitter has only played in nine games so far this season, going 1-for-22 at the plate with two RBI, two runs scored, five walks, and seven strikeouts. It's easy to write him off because of how much time he has already missed, but fantasy managers shouldn't forget that he was an asset for the Jays in 2025 in his first full season in the majors, slashing .243/.301/.454 with a .756 OPS, 21 home runs, 74 RBI, 61 runs scored, and four steals in 135 regular-season games. Barger was also a key offensive piece in the team's run to the World Series in the postseason, and he should play regularly against right-handers when he returns from the IL. He's still rostered in 20% of Yahoo leagues as he rehabs his elbow.
Source: Sportsnet.ca - Arden Zwelling
Source: Sportsnet.ca - Arden Zwelling
Quinn Priester to Have Season-Ending Surgery
After consulting with Dr. Gregory Pearl, Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Quinn Priester (rib) has decided to have season-ending first-rib-removal surgery, according to Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Priester expects to be out for eight to 10 months before returning to 100% health. Priester will have thoracic outlet compression surgery on Monday after dealing with symptoms since last year. He attempted to pitch through it in 2026, but he was unsuccessful on those attempts and went 0-5 with a 15.75 ERA, 2.87 WHIP, and 18:24 K:BB in 16 innings across eight starts in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League and with High-A Wisconsin and Triple-A Nashville. It will end up being a lost season for Priester, who looked good in his first year in Milwaukee in 2025, when he went 13-3 with a 3.32 ERA (4.01 FIP), 1.24 WHIP, and 132:50 K:BB in 157 1/3 innings across 29 outings (24 starts). The former 18th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2019 is hoping to be fully ready for the start of the 2027 season, but this isn't a condition that is easy to return from.
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Curt Hogg
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Curt Hogg
