RADIO
Antonio Senzatela Still Worth Rostering After Struggles in June?
Colorado Rockies veteran right-hander Antonio Senzatela has looked like a different pitcher this year after being moved to a relief role. In his first 16 outings out of the bullpen in 2026 through May, Senzatela had a 1.36 ERA (3.23 FIP) with 26 strikeouts, nine walks, a 4-0 record, three saves, and two holds. The 31-year-old Venezuelan hurler is being hit hard by regression so far in June, though, giving up five runs (four earned) on nine hits (one homer) while walking two and striking out six in 5 1/3 innings pitched in four appearances. He's gone 2-0 in those outings, but he's blown three saves, including on Wednesday night against the Chicago Cubs at Coors Field in an eventual 3-2 victory. All three of his blown saves on the season have come in his last four appearances. Overall, Senzatela is still 6-0 with a 2.11 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, three saves, and 32 strikeouts in 38 1/3 innings pitched, but his 3.39 FIP shows that more regression is likely in store. The Venezuelan hurler has just a 7.5 K/9, which isn't ideal for a late-inning arm. A likely trade candidate this summer, Senzatela isn't a must-roster reliever despite his shiny surface stats.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jose A. Ferrer a Top Closer Handcuff?
With Seattle Mariners closer Andres Munoz not living up to his lofty expectations so far in 2026, left-handed reliever Jose A. Ferrer is gaining some steam as one of the top handcuff relievers in baseball. The 26-year-old Dominican southpaw did blow a save chance on Tuesday at Camden Yards against the Baltimore Orioles, allowing two earned runs on three hits (one homer) while striking out one, but he also backed into his first win of the season. Despite his hiccup earlier this week, Ferrer has been solid in late-inning, high-leverage situations for Seattle in 2026 and is 1-1 with a 2.10 ERA (3.24 FIP), 1.33 WHIP, three saves, 26 strikeouts, and only seven walks in his 30 innings out of the bullpen. He has allowed a run in only five of his 33 outings for the M's in his fourth year in the majors (first in Seattle), and if Munoz continues to struggle, don't be surprised if Ferrer is given more save opportunities by manager Dan Wilson. Ferrer's 19.7% strikeout rate isn't ideal, but he's also walking just 5.3% of the batters he faces. Fantasy managers looking for a closer handcuff should look no further than Ferrer, who is rostered in only 7% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Walbert Urena a Potential Breakout Pitcher?
Los Angeles Angels right-hander Walbert Urena picked up the fourth win of his first season in the big leagues on Tuesday night over the visiting Houston Astros, tossing five scoreless innings while allowing three hits, walking five, and striking out seven. The 22-year-old Dominican hurler is now 4-4 in his rookie season for the Halos with a 2.44 ERA (4.01 FIP) and 1.35 WHIP with 55 strikeouts and 33 walks in 55 1/3 innings pitched over his 12 appearances (10 starts). Urena has exceeded expectations so far in his first big-league season, but his lack of control is something that is keeping him from being a true breakout candidate in his first year. He threw only 59 of his 107 pitches for strikes on Tuesday against Houston, and he has at least three walks in each of his last four starts. His five-walk performance this week was his second such outing of 2026. If Urena can start to limit the free passes, he'll become much more attractive off the waiver wire. Right now, Urena is rostered in 31% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Casey Mize Likely to Pitch on Sunday Against Cleveland
Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize (groin) is likely to return from the 15-day injured list to start against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians on Sunday in the series finale, but the Tigers are waiting for him to complete his bullpen session on Thursday before setting that in stone, according to Evan Woodbery of MLive Media Group. Right-hander Jack Flaherty will get the ball for Friday's series opener, with lefty Tarik Skubal (elbow) returning from the IL to pitch on Saturday in Game 2. Mize has been sidelined with inflammation in his right groin since late May, but he looked good during his lone minor-league rehab start, allowing just one run in five innings with five strikeouts for Single-A Lakeland on Tuesday. The 29-year-old former first overall pick in 2018 out of Auburn University has never been a big strikeout artist, but he has a career-best 26.5% strikeout rate in 2026 and has posted a strong 2.27 ERA (2.41 FIP) and 0.96 WHIP with 49 strikeouts and 12 walks in his nine starts for Detroit before landing on the IL. Don't dismiss Mize as a matchup-based streamer in fantasy leagues. He's rostered in just over half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLive Media Group - Evan Woodbery
Source: MLive Media Group - Evan Woodbery
Tarik Skubal to Start on Saturday Against Guardians
Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal (elbow) will return from the 15-day injured list and start on Saturday against the Cleveland Guardians, manager A.J. Hinch told Jason Beck of MLB.com. Right-hander Jack Flaherty will go in the series opener on Friday, with Casey Mize (groin) returning from the IL to pitch in the series finale on Sunday. Skubal had surgery on his left elbow in early May to remove loose bodies from his arm, but he has made a rapid recovery and will return this weekend for the Tigers and fantasy managers. In his lone minor-league rehab start for High-A West Michigan on Sunday, the back-to-back American League Cy Young winner threw five scoreless innings and struck out six while tossing 54 pitches. Skubal will probably be a bit limited length-wise on Saturday in his first start back in the Tigers' rotation, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect too much. The 29-year-old southpaw and two-time All-Star went 3-2 with a 2.70 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 45 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings across his seven starts this year before landing on the IL.
Source: MLB.com - Jason Beck
Source: MLB.com - Jason Beck
Matt Chapman Homers Twice, Going Off So Far in June
San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman is definitely starting to heat up as the summer approaches. In the team's wild 11-10 win at Oracle Park on Wednesday night over the visiting Washington Nationals, Chapman went 4-for-5 at the plate with two home runs, a double, three RBI, and three runs scored to boost his season average to .262 and his OPS to .754. Both of the 33-year-old's homers were of the solo variety as the Giants marched back from an eight-run deficit to win the ballgame. So far in June, Chapman has gone 15-for-32 (.469) with five home runs, two doubles, 18 RBI, and seven runs scored in 10 games played. The former first-rounder by the Athletics in 2014 out of California State University, Fullerton, only has six home runs on the season, but it looks like he might be coming out of his early-season funk, especially in the power department. Under the hood, he still ranks in just the 22nd percentile in xwOBA and the 29th percentile in hard-hit rate.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Is Ryan Ward Worth Picking Up Following Hot Start to MLB Career?
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Ryan Ward could be playing his way into a larger role with a great start to his MLB career. The 28-year-old lefty is 8-for-30 (.267) with a pair of doubles, three home runs, and a 14.3% barrel rate through his first nine games. He's currently in a strict platoon with Alex Call, starting against righties and sitting against lefties, but he has shown enough power potential to be worth a look in deep leagues. In Triple-A before his promotion, he was hitting .254 with six homers and a .370 wOBA. He is getting enough playing time in an excellent lineup to be a deep-league add right away, and he could work his way to standard-sized league relevance if he keeps mashing.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Bryan Hudson Continues to Emerge as Potential Ninth-Inning Option
Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Bryan Hudson issued one walk but no hits in his one shutout inning to earn his third save of the season on Wednesday night against the Braves. Seranthony Dominguez worked a clean eighth inning ahead of Hudson, with both relievers preserving a narrow 2-1 lead. The White Sox will continue to mix and match Dominguez, Grant Taylor, and Hudson, but for now, Hudson is definitely growing into enough of a role to be worth grabbing in deeper leagues. Hudson has a 2.32 ERA in 31 innings with a 21.1% K%.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Gregory Soto Struggles Again, is he in Danger of Being on the Hot Seat?
Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Gregory Soto got the job done on Wednesday to earn his ninth save, but it wasn't a clean and neat outing. He only needed eight pitches, all strikes, to get through the inning, but he gave up two hits, including a two-run blast by Shohei Ohtani. The 31-year-old lefty is 4-1 in his 30 games this season with a 3.38 ERA and 3.10 FIP, and he has racked up 34 strikeouts in 29 1/3 innings. While he has been effective overall, he has given up five runs in his last two appearances, so he'll need to get things turned around if he wants to maintain his role as the team's top closer. If he continues to struggle, Dennis Santana and Evan Sisk could be more in the mix for saves for the Pirates.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Elvis Alvarado Earns First Save, a Name to Watch in A's Committee?
Athletics relief pitcher Elvis Alvarado closed out his team's 4-3 win on Wednesday night after Hogan Harris pitched the eighth inning. Alvarado faced the middle of the Brewers' lineup and struck out Christian Yelich and Brice Turang as part of his 1-2-3 ninth inning. Alvarado has allowed nine runs in his 14 innings this year for a 5.79 ERA, but he also has 18 strikeouts and a 30.5% K%. He only has this one save, but he is stepping into a bigger role. Harris, Mason Barnett, and Mark Leiter Jr. are all still in the mix as well, but Alvarado is worth monitoring with his elite strikeout stuff and the potential to continue to trend into a larger role.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Garrett Cleavinger Emerging as Deep-League Waiver Target?
Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Garrett Cleavinger earned his second save of the season on Wednesday in his team's 7-5 win over the Red Sox. Cleavinger gave up a home run to Caleb Durbin and issued a walk ot Isiah Kiner-Falefa, but he struck out Andruw Monasterio to end the game. Closer Bryan Baker had worked in each of the previous two games, earning back-to-back saves. Baker has a 1.98 ERA and 18 saves this season, tied for the second-most in the majors. Cleavinger isn't likely to supplant Baker anytime soon, barring injury, but he has been effective in a setup role and could earn an occasional save chance like this one. The 32-year-old lefty is 1-2 with a 4.70 ERA and 4.02 FIP across his 15 1/3 innings this season. Cleavinger can be useful in leagues that value setup stats, but he's best left for deep leagues, while Baker continues to be so effective.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Kodai Senga to Resume a Rehab Assignment on Thursday
New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga (arm, back) will resume a minor-league rehab assignment on Thursday for Double-A Binghamton, according to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. Senga was scratched from a rehab start on Tuesday with ulnar nerve irritation in his right arm, but it apparently wasn't a very serious issue. The Japanese native originally went on the injured list due to lumbar spine inflammation in late April. The 33-year-old has only made five starts for the Mets in 2026 in his fourth year in the majors, and he did not look good, going 0-4 with 21 runs allowed (20 earned) on 26 hits (five homers) while walking 13 and striking out 23 in 20 innings pitched. Senga was an All-Star in his first year with the Mets in 2023, going 12-7 with a 2.98 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 202:77 K:BB in his 29 starts, but he only made one start the following year due to injury. He had a solid 3.02 ERA in 22 starts in 2025, but he fell off late in the year and was sent to the minors to work on his mechanics. He has not bounced back since and is now on the waiver wire in most mixed fantasy leagues. It's unclear how many rehab starts he might need before being an option to return to Queens.
Source: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
Source: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
Hunter Brown Fans Seven in Five Innings in Rehab Start
Houston Astros right-hander Hunter Brown (shoulder) looked good on Wednesday night in what could be his final minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits while walking two and striking out seven in five innings against Triple-A Sacramento. Brown threw 45 of his 74 pitches for strikes in the contest and generated 11 swings and misses while averaging 96.4 mph on his fastball. The 27-year-old could very well be making his next start with the Astros after working his way back from a Grade 2 strain in his right shoulder that landed him on the injured list in early April. If Brown is reinstated from the 60-day IL to rejoin Houston's starting rotation, his next outing would come next week versus the Detroit Tigers. The former fifth-rounder in 2019 out of Wayne State University will be a must-start when he returns after proving to be a fantasy ace in his breakout season in 2025. In his two starts this year before injuring his shoulder, he had a 0.84 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with 17 K's in 10 2/3 innings.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Dodgers to Put Will Smith on the Injured list on Thursday
The Los Angeles Dodgers will place catcher Will Smith (neck) on the 10-day injured list on Thursday (backdated to Saturday) and will recall catcher Chuckie Robinson from Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move, according to Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register. Smith will head to the shelf after missing the last four games with soreness in his neck, but he'll be eligible to return from the IL on June 19. In the meantime, Dalton Rushing will receive a short-term fantasy boost as L.A.'s primary catcher. Rushing has actually been more productive than Smith in 2026 in fewer plate appearances, entering Wednesday's game in Pittsburgh with a .286/.364/.552 slash line, a .917 OPS, eight home runs, 21 RBI, and 19 runs scored over his 105 at-bats. Smith hasn't been as productive so far this year, and he's hit just .209 (9-for-43) with two homers, two doubles, four RBI, seven runs scored, eight walks, and eight strikeouts in his last 13 games. Despite the disappointing numbers so far this year, Smith should be held in most fantasy baseball leagues.
Source: The Orange County Register - Bill Plunkett
Source: The Orange County Register - Bill Plunkett
Mick Abel Strikes Out Five in First Rehab Start on Wednesday
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Mick Abel (elbow) put together a strong performance in his first rehab appearance with Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, striking out five across three scoreless innings (47 pitches). The 24-year-old has been on the 15-day injured list since mid-April due to inflammation in his right elbow. Across 20 1/3 innings (four appearances) before the injury, Abel recorded a 1-2 record with a 3.98 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, and 23 strikeouts. While Abel's overall line is not particularly impressive, his last start before the injury was a 10-strikeout, seven-scoreless-inning gem against the Boston Red Sox. The hard-throwing right-hander will likely need at least one more rehab start before he's ready to return to the Twins rotation, but he appears to be close to full health. Abel profiles as a solid waiver wire stash target for fantasy managers in need of strikeout upside ahead of his return.
Source: milb.com
Source: milb.com
