RADIO
Reds Promote Prospect Julian Garcia to Major Following Impressive Showing at Triple-A, Will he Carve out a Role?
Ken Rosenthal, senior writer at The Athletic, reported on Sunday that the Cincinnati Reds are calling up right-handed pitcher Julian Garcia, per a source. Garcia, 31, was a 10th-round pick in 2016. He will be making his major-league debut. At Triple-A this season, Garcia owns an impressive 3.03 ERA and 13.6 K/9 in 35 2/3 innings pitched with a 1.07 WHIP. Garcia has done most of his work out of the bullpen, as he's started two games and appeared in 21 games. Although the Reds' bullpen is nothing to write home about, Garcia is unlikely to be deployed immediately in high-leverage, late-inning situations, making him fantasy irrelevant in leagues that do not prioritize holds. Garcia has the elite stuff, evidenced by his 37.7 percent strikeout rate, 33.3 percent chase rate, and 37.7 percent whiff rate, and he certainly has the stuff to move into that role, but it's unlikely it comes right out of the gate. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues desperate for saves or good ratios will want to keep an eye on how he does in his first few outings and see how he's deployed before he should be picked up off the waiver wire.
Source: Ken Rosenthal
Source: Ken Rosenthal
Jordan Montgomery Tosses Scoreless Frame in Rehab Game, Worth Stashing Ahead of Looming Return?
Texas Rangers left-handed pitcher Jordan Montgomery (elbow) tossed one shutout inning on Sunday, allowing one hit, no earned runs, no walks, and struck out one in Double-A with the Frisco RoughRiders. He fired 10 of his 13 pitches for strikes. This was Montgomery's first time pitching at any professional level since undergoing UCL surgery last March. Montgomery is expected to gradually increase his pitch count over multiple rehab starts, but this is his first time pitching since September of 2024. During his last season with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2024, he struggled mightily, posting a 6.23 ERA and 1.65 WHIP with 83 strikeouts in 117 innings. That being said, Montgomery was fairly consistent from 2021 to 2023, with an ERA in the mid-threes and a WHIP in the low ones. Montgomery has always thrived on good control, evidenced by his 6.8 percent career walk rate, but his fastball velocity is nothing to write home about (91.9 mph in 2024). Montgomery is still a ways away from becoming fantasy relevant at the MLB level, but definitely someone worth keeping an eye on in deeper formats or points leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Konnor Griffin Trending Toward Rehab Assignment as Pirates Eye Early July Return
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin (forearm) is expected to begin rehab games within the next week, according to general manager Ben Cherington, assuming his progression continues without setbacks. Griffin has been sidelined since May 31 with a right forearm strain and has been working through his throwing program while rehabbing in Florida. The 20-year-old was beginning to heat up before the injury, hitting .317 over a 15-game stretch, which raised his season line to a .270 AVG and a .729 OPS. Expectations are sky-high for the first-round pick in the 2024 draft, as he is expected to return around early July.
Source: Colin Beazley
Source: Colin Beazley
Munetaka Murakami Progressing in Hamstring Recovery, Trending Toward Return
Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami (hamstring) continues to progress in his recovery from a right hamstring strain with increased baseball activity. Manager Will Venable said the 26-year-old is currently evaluated at around 80 percent, and he added that the club is seeing strong progress in his rehab. Murakami has been an elite power threat in his first season after coming over from Japan, slugging .560 with a .938 OPS and 20 home runs in 57 games before the injury. His presence has been central to the White Sox offense, and his current return timeline is set for late June to early July as he continues to ramp up.
Source: Scott Merkin
Source: Scott Merkin
Elly De La Cruz Set for Tuesday Return Against Brewers
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) is on track for a return on Tuesday against the Milwaukee Brewers after being sidelined since June 1 with a right hamstring strain. The young phenom is fresh off a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville and has progressed nicely, beating his expected return timeline. The 24-year-old continues to improve in his fourth year in the league, with expectations remaining sky-high given the talent he possesses. De La Cruz is slashing .280/.346/.509 with an .855 OPS and 12 home runs in 58 games, while also adding 10 stolen bases with his blazing speed. He has seen a major jump in his average launch angle, which has helped fuel the highest slugging percentage of his career. The Reds will hope De La Cruz can pick up right where he left off as he continues to trend upward on all fronts.
Source: Charlie's Chalkboard
Source: Charlie's Chalkboard
Brandon Woodruff Set for Monday Return Against Reds
Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff is set to rejoin the Brewers rotation on Monday against Cincinnati after recovering from a shoulder injury that sidelined him since May 1. Woodruff completed a successful rehab assignment with High-A Wisconsin and appears ready to return to the mound. The 33-year-old made six starts before the injury, posting a 3.60 ERA and 1.03 WHIP across 30 innings. With a career 3.12 ERA, Woodruff remains one of the most reliable arms in Milwaukee's rotation when healthy. Now in his ninth season with the Brewers, the two-time All-Star will provide a major boost as Milwaukee continues its push in the NL Central.
Source: Todd Rosiak
Source: Todd Rosiak
Dominic Canzone Exits With Hamstring Issue, Early Reports Appear Minor
Mariners outfielder Dominic Canzone (hamstring) exited Sunday's game against the Red Sox in the sixth inning with a reported hamstring injury. The 28-year-old showed clear discomfort while running out an RBI groundout and was removed immediately after the play. Canzone later said he expects to be fine and is not expected to miss significant time, as he traveled with the team to Pittsburg for their upcoming six-game road trip. He has been one of Seattle's most productive hitters this season, slashing .281/.353/.562 with a .915 OPS and 12 home runs. The 12 homers are already a career high, showing Canzone has taken a major step forward. The Mariners will continue monitoring his status, but the injury does not appear serious at this point.
Source: Daniel Kramer
Source: Daniel Kramer
Jared Jones Initial Imaging Comes Back Negative, Further Testing Ahead
Pirates right-hander Jared Jones (elbow) received a positive update after being struck by a line drive on Sunday, with initial imaging coming back negative. Jones is expected to undergo further evaluation on Monday, but the early results are encouraging for the 24-year-old flamethrower. Jones has struggled to find consistency this season after missing all of 2025 due to injury, posting a 5.75 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, and 21 strikeouts across five starts. His high-end potential remains clear, highlighted by a fastball that averages 99 mph. However, there is still no timeline for his return, and fantasy managers should monitor the situation closely.
Source: Pittsburgh Pirates
Source: Pittsburgh Pirates
Is Elvis Alvarado a Must-Add Saves Source Amidst Recent Emergence?
Athletics right-hander Elvis Alvarado got off to a rough start to the 2026 season, posting an 8.38 ERA across 9 2/3 innings before being sent down to Triple-A in mid-April. However, the 27-year-old has been much better since being recalled by the A's in early June, allowing just one earned run while striking out 13 and recording two saves across 8 1/3 innings. Alvarado is averaging 99 miles per hour on his fastball and has struck out 30.6% of the batters he's faced so far this year. The Athletics have also struggled to fill their closer role, as left-hander Hogan Harris leads the team with six saves but also owns a 14.8% walk rate and a 1.54 WHIP. If Alvarado can continue his recent hot stretch, he could emerge as the preferred option in the ninth inning for the A's. Deeper-league fantasy managers in need of saves should consider targeting Alvarado on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jung Hoo Lee's Batting Average Production Making Him a Must-Add Outfielder?
Across 277 plate appearances entering play on Sunday, San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee had hit .331/.361/.462 with four home runs, 26 RBI, 39 runs scored, and four stolen bases. The 27-year-old is one of the hardest players in baseball to strike out (9.4% strikeout rate), which provides him with a solid batting average floor. Lee owns just a 2.5% barrel rate and a 30.4% hard-hit rate, so he's unlikely to provide fantasy managers with much power production. He's also not a significant speed threat, as his career high for stolen bases in a season is 10. Still, Lee is a consistent presence in the Giants' lineup who should provide fantasy managers with an excellent batting average and solid counting stats as long as he stays healthy. For rosters in need of batting average, Lee should be a priority waiver wire target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Colt Keith Emerging as a Priority Waiver-Wire Target?
Across 214 plate appearances this season entering play on Sunday, Detroit Tigers infielder Colt Keith had hit .261/.308/.382 with four home runs, 16 RBI, 27 runs scored, and three stolen bases. While Keith's season-long numbers do not jump off the page, he's slugged .553 and hit all four of his home runs across 41 plate appearances in June. Keith's 8.3% barrel rate and 42% hard-hit rate do not suggest high-end power upside, but his .429 xSLG still indicates that he's been unlucky in the power department in 2026. As the weather heats up in Detroit, Keith could bring some improved power production for fantasy managers. The 24-year-old may be worth targeting as a streaming option on the waiver wire in weeks where Detroit faces a run of right-handed pitching.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jack Leiter Placed on 15-Day Injured List with Ankle Impingement
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jack Leiter (ankle) has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to a posterior impingement in his right ankle. The 26-year-old has been pitching through ankle issues since late April. However, his performance has taken a turn for the worse in recent weeks, as he's allowed 15 earned runs across his last 13 2/3 innings pitched (three starts). Leiter's overall line for the year is unimpressive, as he's recorded a 3-7 record with a 5.29 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, and 83 strikeouts across 80 innings (15 starts). Still, working around discomfort in his ankle may be a contributing factor in Leiter's struggles. If he's able to make a full recovery, Leiter carries some strikeout upside for fantasy managers upon his return. Rangers right-hander Cal Quantrill could be the favorite to assume Leiter's role in the starting rotation while Leiter is sidelined.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Liam Hicks Placed on 10-Day Injured List with a Low Back Strain
Miami Marlins catcher Liam Hicks (back) has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a low back strain. Hicks was scratched from the Marlins lineup on Saturday with low back tightness, but it appears that imaging may have discovered a more serious issue. The 27-year-old has been a revelation so far this season for Miami, hitting .278/.359/.472 with 13 home runs, 53 RBI, 40 runs scored, and one stolen base across 288 plate appearances. He's drawn a walk in 10.1% of his plate appearances while logging just a 9.7% strikeout rate. Hicks has lined up at first base and/or designated hitter more often than he's been behind the plate in recent weeks, with Joe Mack handling the regular catching duties for Miami. Still, Miami selected the contract of catcher Brian Navarreto from Triple-A Jacksonville as the corresponding move to Hicks going on the injured list rather than calling up high-upside catcher Agustin Ramirez, whose defense behind the plate remains a question mark.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Bobby Witt Jr. Progressing, Remains Out on Sunday
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (knee) remains out of his team's lineup for their game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday. However, Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that Witt Jr. is "feeling better" and will be reevaluated on Monday, per Anne Rogers on MLB.com. Witt Jr. was diagnosed with a Grade 1 MCL sprain in his right knee on Friday, but it appears he has a chance to avoid a stint on the injured list. The 26-year-old has been an elite fantasy shortstop once again this season, hitting .294/.368/.465 with 10 home runs, 32 RBI, 40 runs scored, and 28 stolen bases. While Witt Jr.'s presence in the Royals lineup is obviously preferable for fantasy managers, it's possible that playing through a knee injury may slow him down on the bases. Still, Witt Jr. is a must-start shortstop as long as he's active.
Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
Curtis Mead Still an Option Worth Rostering in Deeper Leagues?
Washington Nationals infielder Curtis Mead has seen increased playing time in the nation's capital in the first half of the 2026 season, giving him some deep-league fantasy value for his power stroke from the right side of the plate. The 25-year-old Australian has hit .232/.343/.465 with a career-best .807 OPS, a career-high 11 home runs, 34 RBI, 33 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 61 games across 216 plate appearances so far this year in his first year with the Nationals. Before this season, Mead had never played in more than 90 games in the big leagues in his three years in the league after debuting in 2023 with the Tampa Bay Rays. While he has some appeal in deeper leagues for his power, Mead has gone just 11-for-53 (.208) with three home runs, one double, nine RBI, seven runs scored, five walks, and 12 strikeouts in 16 games in June. Mead sits in the 58th percentile in hard-hit rate, the 70th percentile in barrel rate, and the 89th percentile in xwOBA while sporting a .261 expected batting average and .367 xwOBA. The power is real, and with eligibility at second, third, and first base, Mead can help fantasy managers in deeper leagues in need of more pop. He's rostered in 20% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
