Jun 17, 2026, 5:17 PM ET

New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez (mouth) is starting in right field and will bat fifth for Wednesday's game against the visiting Chicago White Sox and left-hander Anthony Kay, according to MLB.com. Dominguez had a tooth pulled on Tuesday and sat out, but the switch-hitting Dominican will be back in there a day later in the Bronx. The Martian returned from the injured list over the weekend after recovering from a sprained shoulder, and he is in line to play every day for the Yankees with all of Aaron Judge (ribs), Trent Grisham (hamstring), and Giancarlo Stanton (calf) all on the IL. After not beginning the year on the Opening Day roster, Dominguez has only appeared in 11 games for the Yankees in 2026, going 8-for-38 (.211) with two home runs, five RBI, and five runs scored in 41 plate appearances. He has yet to deliver on his prospect hype since debuting in pinstripes in 2023, but his power/speed upside and everyday opportunity in the short term make him attractive in deeper fantasy leagues. He's currently rostered in 13% of Yahoo leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jun 17, 2026, 5:07 PM ET

The Cleveland Guardians recalled outfield prospect Kahlil Watson from Triple-A Columbus on Wednesday and placed rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter (rib) on the 10-day injured list with a right side rib fracture in a corresponding move, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. Watson, the team's 12th-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline, could absolutely be worth a pickup in deeper fantasy leagues for his power/speed upside, with DeLauter, third baseman Jose Ramirez (hand), and outfielder Angel Martinez (foot) all going on the IL this week. The 23-year-old first-round pick by the Miami Marlins in 2021 gets his first call to the big leagues after hitting .255/.370/.491 with an .861 OPS, 12 home runs, 12 doubles, a triple, 35 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and 44 runs scored across 56 games and 254 plate appearances at Columbus. Watson has played all three outfield spots in the minors, giving Cleveland plenty of options to get his bat in the lineup. Making contact could be a problem in his first taste of the big leagues, but fantasy managers in need of outfield help shouldn't ignore his power/speed upside if he plays regularly.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins

Jun 17, 2026, 4:57 PM ET

Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said that outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (hamstring) is a "long way" from returning from the 10-day injured list, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. Because Acuna's hamstring is in the same spot as his previous injury this year, the Braves will be more cautious than they were when Acuna missed almost three weeks with a previous hamstring strain. The 28-year-old former MVP and five-time All-Star landed on the IL for the second time this year last week with another left-hamstring strain, and he's looking at another couple weeks on the sidelines, at the very least. Fantasy managers shouldn't necessarily expect Acuna to be back before the All-Star break in the middle of July. So far, the talented Venezuelan outfielder has been a bust in 2026 in fantasy with a .251/.373/.421 slash line, .793 OPS, seven home runs, 22 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and 31 runs scored across 53 games played. However, despite his lengthy history of lower-body injuries, Acuna's five-category upside means he could still carry fantasy squads in the second half if he can stay out of the trainer's room.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman

Jun 17, 2026, 4:13 PM ET

Miami Marlins catcher Agustin Ramirez is rostered in 35% of Yahoo leagues for a reason. The 24-year-old Dominican right-handed hitter has only appeared in 31 games (129 plate appearances) for the Marlins this year, hitting .230/.318/.345 with a .663 OPS, two home runs, 14 RBI, 14 runs scored, and three stolen bases. He teased his five-category upside in 136 games in his rookie season in 2025 by hitting .231/.287/.413 with a .701 OPS, 21 home runs, 67 RBI, 16 stolen bases, and 72 runs scored in 136 games across 585 plate appearances. In 29 games at Triple-A Jacksonville in 2026, Ramirez has slashed .237/.302/.412 with a .714 OPS, five home runs, five doubles, 13 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and 19 runs scored in 126 plate appearances for the Jumbo Shrimp. Liam Hicks and Joe Mack have been handling the catching duties in South Beach since Ramirez was sent down in early May. If Ramirez can clean up his defense behind the dish, he could be back in the big leagues sooner rather than later. And when he's back, he definitely can offer five-category upside for fantasy managers at the catching position.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Milb.com

Jun 17, 2026, 3:58 PM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays announced on Wednesday that they placed veteran right-hander Max Scherzer (back) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to June 14) with back spasms and recalled right-hander Chad Patrick from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. Scherzer was scheduled to pitch on Wednesday evening at Fenway Park against the division-rival Boston Red Sox, but right-hander Braydon Fisher will now get the nod. The 41-year-old three-time Cy Young winner just came off the IL last week due to a right-forearm injury, so it's obviously a frustrating development for the future Hall of Famer. Scherzer has only made six starts in 2026 with Toronto and has gone 1-4 with an ugly 10.23 ERA (8.78 FIP) and a 1.73 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and 11 walks in 22 innings pitched. At this point in his career, he just has not been able to stay off the injury report with a long list of different ailments. He most likely will not be back from the IL before the mid-July All-Star break, and at this point, Scherzer returning in the second half as a starter won't be a lock.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Toronto Blue Jays

Jun 17, 2026, 3:46 PM ET

Toronto Blue Jays veteran right-hander Shane Bieber (elbow) was hit around a little bit in his latest minor-league rehab start on Wednesday with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, allowing five earned runs on seven hits (two homers) while walking four and striking out two in five innings pitched. Bieber threw only 48 of his 80 pitches for strikes, but the good news is that he was sitting at 92 mph with his fastball in what is expected to be his final rehab start before he rejoins the Blue Jays' starting rotation for his 2026 season debut. The 31-year-old former American League Cy Young winner shouldn't be limited from a pitch-count perspective whenever his first start for the Jays comes, but he'll be a pretty risky fantasy streamer after his command was spotty on Wednesday. The former fourth-round pick in 2016 by the Cleveland Guardians out of the University of California, Santa Barbara, only made two starts in 2024 in his final season in Cleveland before needing Tommy John surgery. Bieber made only seven starts in his first year in Toronto last season, but he had a 4-2 record, 3.57 ERA (4.47 FIP), 1.02 WHIP, and 37:7 K:BB in 40 1/3 innings. He might need to shake off a little rust, and he's no longer a fantasy ace, but Bieber should have streaming appeal in mixed leagues based on matchups. He's rostered in just under half of Yahoo leagues right now.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Milb.com

Jun 17, 2026, 3:15 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez (hamstring) is scheduled to take at-bats in a live batting practice session on Thursday, according to Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register. Hernandez could go on a minor-league rehab assignment early next week, according to manager Dave Roberts. As long as the veteran outfielder doesn't suffer a setback on his rehab assignment, he could be back in the Dodgers' lineup late next week/weekend. The 33-year-old Dominican has been out for over two weeks with a strained left hamstring. At the time of his injury, the two-time All-Star was hitting .276/.348/.436 with a .785 OPS, seven home runs, 31 RBI, 30 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 51 games across 204 plate appearances in 2026. Hernandez had picked things up offensively in May, batting .325 (27-for-83) with three home runs, four doubles, 14 RBI, 14 runs, and a stolen base in 24 contests. When healthy, Hernandez is excellent in points leagues for his run production in the heart of the Dodgers' stacked batting order. He's rostered in 86% of Yahoo leagues and should not be floating around on the waiver wire anywhere.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Orange County Register - Bill Plunkett

Jun 17, 2026, 2:58 PM ET

Tampa Bay Rays right-handed pitcher Griffin Jax is becoming a more useful fantasy option as he settles into a starting role. Across 44 innings, the 31-year-old owns a 1-5 record, 3.68 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 41 strikeouts. The overall WHIP is not ideal, but Jax has been better since moving into the rotation, posting a 3.00 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 27 strikeouts over his last seven starts. Over his last two outings, Jax has been even sharper, not allowing an earned run with a 1.00 WHIP (across 10 frames). The former high-leverage reliever also brings high-end whiff potential after recording 99 strikeouts out of the bullpen last season. Workload remains the main caveat, as Tampa Bay has been careful while stretching him out, which may limit his win upside in the short term. The 32% Yahoo roster rate keeps the door open in many leagues, making Jax a viable deeper-format target for managers looking for rotation help with emerging strikeout appeal.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 17, 2026, 2:44 PM ET

Kansas City Royals left-handed pitcher Noah Cameron remains a useful waiver-wire option for fantasy managers searching for pitching depth. Across 70 innings, the 26-year-old has a 3-4 record, 4.11 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 64 strikeouts. The season-long ERA is not especially exciting, but Cameron has been much better over his last seven starts, posting a 3.05 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 36:6 K:BB across 38 1/3 innings. The caveat is his latest outing, when he allowed four earned runs on seven hits, including two home runs, over 4 1/3 innings against the Houston Astros. That start adds some short-term risk, but Cameron's recent stretch keeps him above the standard streamer tier in deeper leagues. His 42% Yahoo roster rate leaves enough room for fantasy managers to act where steadier back-end rotation help is needed.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 17, 2026, 2:34 PM ET

New York Yankees outfielder Spencer Jones is starting to showcase his upside on the MLB level. The club's No. 6 prospect is hitting .239 with two home runs, seven RBI, four runs, one stolen base, and a .731 OPS over 46 major-league at-bats. However, Jones has been more productive since re-joining the Yankees in June, posting a .318/.423/.636 slash line with one double and two home runs. The power upside is the selling point. Jones posted a .949 OPS with 13 home runs, 48 RBI, and nine stolen bases over 156 at-bats at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before getting a longer look with New York. The strikeout risk is substantial, so he is not a safe batting-average play. Still only 8% rostered on Yahoo, Jones is a worthwhile deeper-league pickup for fantasy managers willing to chase impact power before it fully arrives. With Aaron Judge, Trent Grisham, and Giancarlo Stanton on the injured list, Jones should see stable at-bats in this lineup, making him a worthy target for those in five-outfielder leagues, looking for power production.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 17, 2026, 2:25 PM ET

Washington Nationals right-handed pitcher Cade Cavalli is building a stronger waiver-wire case behind his improving strikeout production and command. Across 74 2/3 innings, the 27-year-old owns a 4-4 record, 3.98 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and 81 strikeouts. The season-long WHIP remains a concern, but Cavalli has been steadier over his last seven starts, posting a 3.83 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 41 strikeouts over 40 innings. Cavalli's walk rate keeps him from being a completely safe ratio play, and he has not worked beyond five innings in any of his last three outings. However, over these last seven starts, Cavalli has walked just eight hitters (1.8 BB/9), compared to the much higher 4.4 BB/9 he posted over his first 34 2/3 innings, suggesting he is taking major strides forward. With his Yahoo roster rate at 33%, Cavalli remains widely available to managers looking for a pitcher trending in the right direction and possesses solid strikeout upside.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 17, 2026, 2:18 PM ET

Los Angeles Angels right-handed pitcher Kirby Yates remains a speculative waiver-wire option for fantasy managers chasing saves, but the role is not completely stable. Over 13 1/3 innings, the 39-year-old has one save, a 4.05 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 17 strikeouts. The season-long ratios are not ideal, but Yates has settled down recently with three straight scoreless appearances, allowing no hits and one walk while striking out four over three innings. The main issue is role clarity. Ryan Zeferjahn and Sam Bachman remain part of the late-inning picture, and Zeferjahn recently earned his second save of the season on June 12. Still, Yates has the most closing experience in the group and remains firmly in the mix if Los Angeles continues rotating ninth-inning chances. At 28% rostered on Yahoo, he is a reasonable short-term pickup for fantasy managers who need saves and can tolerate some bullpen uncertainty.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 17, 2026, 2:10 PM ET

Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed pitcher Ryne Nelson is back on the waiver radar for fantasy managers looking for rotation depth. Through 83 1/3 innings, the 28-year-old owns a 3-5 record, 4.97 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 62 strikeouts. Those season-long ratios are not especially exciting, but Nelson has been better since the start of May, posting a 3.75 ERA and 1.11 WHIP over 57 2/3 innings. Nelson also rebounded from a rough outing against the Miami Marlins by holding the Los Angeles Angels to two earned runs over seven innings in his latest start. The strikeout ceiling is modest, so he is not the same type of waiver target as a high-upside bat-misser. Still rostered in just 51% of Yahoo leagues, Nelson remains available enough to help fantasy managers in deeper formats who need innings, matchup flexibility, and steadier back-end rotation production.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 17, 2026, 1:50 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that catcher Will Smith (neck) is "unlikely" to come off the 10-day injured list when he's eligible on Friday, according to Jack Harris of The California Post. Smith went through a full day of work on Tuesday, but his neck is still bothering him. Roberts said the team is trying to get him to a place where he won't regress before rejoining the major-league roster. In the meantime, the Dodgers will continue to roll with Dalton Rushing as their primary backstop. The 25-year-old left-handed hitter has been solid behind Smith this year, slashing .262/.353/.508 with an .861 OPS, eight home runs, 21 RBI, and 21 runs scored in his 122 at-bats. In comparison, Smith is batting .249/.338/.382 this season with a .720 OPS, six long balls, 23 RBI, and 23 runs scored in his 173 at-bats in his eighth year in the big leagues. The three-time All-Star should remain rostered in most fantasy baseball leagues as the Dodgers' starter when healthy. Smith is rostered in 84% of Yahoo leagues while he's on the IL.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The California Post - Jack Harris

Jun 17, 2026, 1:44 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani's left-knee inflammation is not behind him, and manager Dave Roberts told 570 LA Sports' David Vassegh that it will be managed moving forward. Ohtani was held out of a game last week with knee inflammation, but he started the last four games at designated hitter for the Dodgers. The four-time All-Star is making his scheduled start on the mound on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays, but he won't be in the lineup as the DH. It appears to be a day-to-day situation for the Japanese All-Star, with his next chance to return to the batting order coming on Friday against the visiting Baltimore Orioles after a scheduled off day on Thursday. The 31-year-old veteran left-handed slugger hasn't looked compromised at the plate at all lately, going 18-for-49 (.367) with five home runs, three doubles, a triple, 11 RBI, and 14 runs scored in 13 games in June. Ohtani has also gone deep five times in his last nine games. We think he'll be alright, and he's obviously a must-start as both a hitter and pitcher when he's active in fantasy.--Keith Hernandez
Source: 570 LA Sports - David Vassegh