RADIO
Sterlin Thompson Hits First Two Homers of his Career Against Cubs
Colorado Rockies rookie outfielder Sterlin Thompson had a day to remember on Wednesday night at Wrigley Field in the team's 8-6 loss to the Chicago Cubs. Thompson, who was serving as the designated hitter and batting eighth in the lineup, went 3-for-4 with the first two home runs (both solo) of his career, a double, and a strikeout to raise his season batting average to .242 and his OPS to .722. It was nice to see from the 24-year-old, who has battled for playing time since being called up by the Rockies. Thompson is now hitting .242/.319/.403 with two homers, nine RBI, seven runs scored, five walks, and 18 strikeouts in 69 plate appearances in his first 24 games in the major leagues. The former 31st overall pick in 2022 out of the University of Florida will likely struggle for regular at-bats now that Jake McCarthy has recovered from an illness, and he will likely head back to Triple-A Albuquerque when Mickey Moniak (ankle) returns from the injured list next week. Thompson isn't rostered in any Yahoo leagues right now.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ryan O'Hearn Sparks Offense, Tallies Career-High Six RBI in Sacramento
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Ryan O'Hearn led the offensive onslaught at hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park in Sacramento on Wednesday night in the team's 12-4 victory over the hosting Athletics. O'Hearn went 3-for-5 at the plate with a two-run home run, a double, and a career-high six RBI to boost his season average to .290 and his OPS to .826. The 32-year-old veteran left-handed slugger took advantage of the hitter-friendly venue and drove in two runs with each of his three hits on the night. The former eighth-round selection by the Kansas City Royals in 2014 out of Sam Houston State University is now hitting a cool .290/.351/.475 with 11 home runs, 41 RBI, 33 runs scored, and one stolen base in his 60 games across 245 plate appearances in 2026 in his first year with the Pirates. In 15 games in June, he's gone 16-for-58 (.276) with three homers, two doubles, 11 RBI, and five runs scored. The key this year is that he has improved against lefties as well, going 17-for-63 (.270) against them with three of his 11 long balls.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Kyle Bradish has Dominant Outing Against M's for Fourth Win
Baltimore Orioles right-hander Kyle Bradish had perhaps his best start of the year on Wednesday night in Seattle in the team's 5-3 win over the Mariners, giving up just one earned run on five hits while walking two and striking out a season-high 12 batters in a season-high 7 2/3 innings for his fourth win of the season. Fantasy managers had to be pleased to see Bradish bounce back on Wednesday after giving up a combined 10 earned runs on 16 hits (four homers) while walking six and striking out eight in eight innings in his previous two starts versus the Toronto Blue Jays and Mariners. The 29-year-old former fourth-round pick in 2018 by the Los Angeles Angels out of New Mexico State University has had trouble with his command in 2026 with a career-worst 11.7% walk rate, and it hasn't helped that his strikeout rate has fallen from a career-best 37.3% last year to 24.2% this season. Still, it was nice to see him walk only two on Wednesday and bounce back with a dominant showing. Bradish will be a must-start his next time out against the last-place Angels.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Julio Rodriguez Dealing With Hamstring Injury
Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson said that outfielder Julio Rodriguez (hamstring) was pulled from Wednesday's game early against the Baltimore Orioles due to a hamstring spasm, according to Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times. Rodriguez tweaked his hamstring making a leaping catch in center field and was seen heading to the trainer's room. Before leaving, he went 1-for-3 at the plate with a run scored and two strikeouts. It looks like the Mariners pulled the 25-year-old All-Star as a precaution, and his injury doesn't appear to be very serious. Fantasy managers still shouldn't expect J-Rod to play in Thursday's series finale at T-Mobile Park against the Orioles, but he should be available this weekend in Seattle for a series against the Boston Red Sox. The three-time All-Star has hit .248/.310/.426 this year with a .736 OPS, 13 home runs, 35 RBI, 39 runs scored, and nine stolen bases in 74 games across 326 plate appearances. After his second 30-30 season in 2025, Rodriguez is a clear must-start in fantasy when he's active.
Source: The Seattle Times - Ryan Divish
Source: The Seattle Times - Ryan Divish
Clayton Beeter Can be a Top Closer Addition Off the Waiver Wire
Washington Nationals relief pitcher Clayton Beeter hit a few bumps in the road early in June, but he seems to have regained his footing and remains the top closer option for the Nationals. Beeter gave up two runs in back-to-back appearances to start the month, but he has bounced back with three scoreless innings in his last three games. He hasn't allowed a hit in those outings and has racked up five strikeouts while walking just one. Gus Varland did get the team's most recent save on Tuesday, but Beeter had pitched back-to-back days in non-save situations coming into that contest. After getting two days off, he is positioned well for potential closing opportunities this weekend in Tampa Bay and can be a solid option if you're shopping for saves on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Coby Mayo Can Be a Nice Pick-Up For Power
Baltimore Orioles first baseman/third baseman Coby Mayo continues to flash upside for the Orioles, although he remains a strikeout risk. Mayo is hitting only .194 on the season with a 32.5% K%, but he has been a little more effective lately, hitting .222 over his last 16 games with three doubles, four homers, a .278 ISO, and a .327 wOBA. If you need power from a corner infield spot, Mayo offers home run potential, with his contact metrics trending in the right direction. He will potentially cost you some batting average points and hurt your strikeout totals, but if your roster is built to withstand that hit in exchange for some raw power, it's hard to match Mayo's power potential from the waiver wire. The 24-year-old former top prospect has plenty of room to continue to develop over the rest of the season, and he can provide a power boost in deep leagues right away.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tristan Beck Earns First Save for Giants, Worth a Pick-Up in Deeper Leagues?
San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Tristan Beck earned his first save of the season on Wednesday against the Braves, as the Giants continue to use a committee approach to fill their closer role. Matt Gage started the ninth inning with his team leading 7-2, but he only recorded one out while allowing three runs on four straight hits. Beck came on with a three-run lead and retired Ozzie Albies on a groundout before striking out Austin Riley to end the game. Before Gage, the Giants used Sam Hentges and Ryan Walker in the seventh and eighth innings, but they never went to Caleb Kilian, who has been their primary closer lately. Kilian had pitched in three of the previous four games, and he'll likely remain the primary option in save situations for now. It is worth watching the situation, though, since Beck got the job done on Wednesday and could be worth a pick-up in deep leagues if he earns more high-leverage work.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Alex Vesia Tallies Third Save, Remains Elite Closer Handcuff to Roster
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Alex Vesia worked an adventurous ninth inning on Wednesday against the Rays, but he was able to preserve his team's one-run lead and lock down his third save of the season. The 30-year-old lefty issued three walks (one intentional) and struck out Cedric Mullins on a 3-2 pitch with the bases loaded for the final out of the game. Vesia has a 2.59 ERA and 2.32 FIP in his 33 games this season, earning 11 holds to go with his three saves. He has only allowed a run in one of his last 16 games, and he remains one of the team's top setup options ahead of Tanner Scott, who is closing while Edwin Diaz (elbow) is on the shelf. Scott got saves on both Monday and Tuesday, so Vesia was called on to fill in on Wednesday. Vesia is a great handcuff to pick up to attach to Scott since he's the next man up, even though Wednesday's game was definitely not his cleanest outing.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Cubs Turn to Jacob Webb for Save, is he the Short-Term Name to Roster?
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Jacob Webb entered the ninth inning of a three-run game against the Rockies on Wednesday night and was able to secure his second save of the season. Webb allowed a solo home run to Kyle Karros, and he has given up a run in three of his last four starts, but he still could have some fantasy value if he continues to be one of the primary options to fill in for the injured Danny Palencia (elbow), who is on the 15-day injured list. Webb is expected to share the closer role with lefty Caleb Thielbar, who got two outs in the eighth inning on Wednesday before Webb entered. Webb now has a 3.13 ERA, 3.76 FIP, and 1.29 WHIP in his 32 games, with 37 strikeouts in 31 2/3 innings. It looks like he'll get the first chance to pick up saves for Chicago while Palencia is out, so he's worth a short-term pickup if you need saves for the next few weeks. Thielbar could also get the call if lefties are in the mix, so he's also worth considering as a speculative pickup for saves in deep leagues.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Julio Rodriguez Leaves Early on Wednesday With Undisclosed Injury
Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez (undisclosed) was removed from Wednesday night's game early against the visiting Baltimore Orioles due to an undisclosed injury, according to Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times. J-Rod left the dugout with a trainer and went to the clubhouse. Before leaving the contest, Rodriguez went 1-for-3 at the plate with a double, a run scored, and two strikeouts. Victor Robles moved from right field to center field, with Rob Refsynder entering the game to play right field for the M's. Seattle can ill-afford to lose the 25-year-old Dominican for an extended amount of time with Randy Arozarena (hamstring) going on the injured list on Tuesday and Luke Raley (back) also banged up of late. We should have an update on Rodriguez early on Thursday, so check back then. Even if it's not a serious injury, fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to be in the lineup for the series finale against the O's at T-Mobile Park on Thursday. Rodriguez came into Wednesday's tilt with a .248/.310/.426 slash line, .736 OPS, 13 home runs, 35 RBI, 39 runs scored, and nine stolen bases in 74 games across 326 plate appearances.
Source: The Seattle Times - Ryan Divish
Source: The Seattle Times - Ryan Divish
Colson Montgomery Continues to Display Power, Homers Twice on Wednesday
Chicago White Sox infielder Colson Montgomery came into Wednesday's game against the New York Yankees in the Bronx hitting just .221 (55-for-249) through his first 68 games of his first full year in the big leagues. Montgomery also entered the day with 17 home runs after hitting 21 in 71 games as a rookie in 2025, and he continued to flex his muscles at the plate by going 2-for-4 with two home runs and four RBI in the 10-5 loss on the road. Both of his round-trippers were of the solo variety for his first career multi-home run game. Montgomery is now hitting .225/.319/.502 with 19 home runs, 13 doubles, 44 RBI, and 35 runs scored in 288 plate appearances. Of his seven hits so far in June, six of them have gone for extra bases. The 24-year-old former 22nd overall pick in 2021 doesn't make all that much contact and hasn't been an asset for his on-base percentage, but he has plenty of power to spare and now ranks ninth in baseball with his 19 home runs.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
A.J. Ewing's Elite Speed Makes him an Appealing Waiver-Wire Target
Across 134 plate appearances since making his MLB debut in mid-May, New York Mets outfielder A.J. Ewing is hitting .250/.333/.362 with two home runs, 11 RBI, 14 runs scored, and seven stolen bases. The 21-year-old has struggled with both swing-and-miss (29.2%) and power (5.3% barrel rate) early in his MLB career, which is a bit of a worrying combination. Still, Ewing has demonstrated an ability to get on base (11.2% walk rate) and profiles as a significant speed threat. Across 124 minor league games in 2025, Ewing stole 70 bases. With his elite speed, Ewing consistently ran high BABIPs in the minors despite his underwhelming contact quality. If he can cut down on the whiffs as he gets more reps against big-league pitching, Ewing could emerge as a solid source of batting average and a tremendous source of speed for fantasy managers over the second half of the 2026 season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Antonio Senzatela Still the Top Source of Saves in Colorado?
Colorado Rockies right-hander Antonio Senzatela has hit a bit of a rough patch in recent outings, allowing five earned runs over his last 4 2/3 innings (four appearances). Still, the 31-year-old has largely been a revelation after being moved to the bullpen full-time in 2026. Across 39 1/3 innings (21 games) in 2026, Senzatela has recorded a 6-0 record with a 2.29 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 32 strikeouts, and three saves. While he doesn't offer much swing-and-miss upside relative to other top closer options, Senzatela is averaging 97.3 miles per hour on his fastball and appears to have taken over as the Rockies' preferred option in the ninth inning. Senzatela is currently in the final guaranteed year of his contract with Colorado (club option for $14 million in 2027), so fantasy managers should be aware that he could easily be moved before this year's trade deadline. For now, the veteran could be worth targeting on the waiver wire for fantasy managers in need of saves.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chase Meidroth Carries Deep-League Appeal on the Waiver Wire
Across 299 plate appearances in 2026, Chicago White Sox infielder Chase Meidroth is hitting .278/.347/.399 with six home runs, 25 RBI, 43 runs scored, and two stolen bases. The 25-year-old's underlying power metrics are marginally improved this season, as he's logged a 5.0% barrel rate after posting a 1.6% barrel rate in 2025. Still, Meidroth is highly unlikely to provide fantasy managers with much power or run production. On the other hand, Meidroth has established himself as a plus defender at second base with a solid hit tool, which should keep him in the White Sox lineup on an everyday basis. He also stole 14 bases in 122 MLB games in 2025, so his speed output could pick up over the course of a larger sample size in 2026. In deeper leagues, fantasy managers in need of stability in the middle infield may want to consider targeting Meidroth on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Phil Maton a Worthy Stash Candidate With Clear Path to Save Opportunities?
Chicago Cubs right-hander Phil Maton has largely struggled so far in 2026, recording a 5.92 ERA and 1.77 WHIP with 27 strikeouts across 24 1/3 innings pitched (28 games). However, he may now have a chance to earn save chances in Chicago following the news that Cubs closer Daniel Palencia (elbow) is hitting the 15-day injured list with elbow inflammation. Maton put together an excellent season in 2025, recording a 2.79 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 81 strikeouts and five saves across 61 1/3 innings split between the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers. He missed roughly three weeks earlier this season with knee tendinitis, which could explain some of his issues in 2026. Maton has been better in recent appearances, allowing just two earned runs over his last 12 outings. In deeper leagues, he could be worth targeting on the waiver wire as a source of saves.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
