RADIO
Hurston Waldrep Activated and Optioned to Triple-A
The Atlanta Braves announced on Friday that they reinstated right-hander Hurston Waldrep (elbow) from the 60-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett. Waldrep isn't ready to rejoin the major-league roster after rehabbing from elbow surgery in the offseason. The 24-year-old former first-rounder in 2023 out of the University of Florida allowed four runs in 3 2/3 innings in his third minor-league rehab start with Double-A Columbus. Waldrep should be an option for the Braves' starting rotation sooner rather than later in 2026 after he went 6-1 with a 2.88 ERA (3.21 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with 55 strikeouts and 22 walks in 56 1/3 innings pitched across 10 appearances (nine starts) last year before being shut down with his elbow injury. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should be considering whether to stash Waldrep right now as a potential difference-maker in the second half of the season. Right now, he's rostered in only 5% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Atlanta Braves
Source: Atlanta Braves
Adolis Garcia Placed on 60-Day Injured List With Lat Tear
The Philadelphia Phillies announced on Friday that they placed outfielder Adolis Garcia (lat) on the 60-day injured list with a torn right lat, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. Garcia tore his lat trying to throw George Springer out at home plate on Wednesday against the Toronto Blue Jays, and now he'll miss extended time. At the very least, Garcia will be out for two months while on the 60-day IL, and if he undergoes surgery, it wouldn't be surprising if we don't see him again in 2026. Gabriel Rincones and the newly acquired Derek Hill will report to Philly's big-league roster with Garcia injured. In addition to his injury, the 33-year-old Garcia has been a major disappointment in 2026 in his first year with the Phillies, hitting just .195 (45-for-231) with seven home runs, 21 RBI, 21 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 67 games across 259 plate appearances. In most single-year leagues, the two-time All-Star can be dropped to the waiver wire.
Source: MLB.com - Todd Zolecki
Source: MLB.com - Todd Zolecki
Elly De La Cruz 90 Percent Healed From Hamstring Injury
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) is 90% healed from his hamstring injury, manager Terry Francona told Charlie Clifford of NBC 5 Cincinnati. Francona plans to meet with everyone on Sunday to make a decision on how to proceed. The Reds have yet to decide if De La Cruz will need a minor-league rehab start before being reinstated from the 10-day injured list. The 24-year-old Dominican could be back with the Reds' major-league roster early next week if the coaching staff doesn't feel like he needs to go on a rehab assignment. Before injuring his hamstring, the two-time All-Star was slashing .280/.346/.509 with an .855 OPS, 12 home runs, 37 RBI, 40 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases in 232 at-bats in 2026. With De La Cruz sidelined for all of June to this point, the Reds have moved second baseman Matt McLain over to the 6. There is no way that De La Cruz, a switch-hitting, five-contributor, should be available on the waiver wire in any leagues.
Source: NBC 5 Cincinnati - Charlie Clifford
Source: NBC 5 Cincinnati - Charlie Clifford
Garrett Crochet Not Expected to Return Until After All-Star Break
Boston Red Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet (lat, shoulder) clarified on Friday that his comments earlier this week were about his shoulder taking longer than expected, not his lat, according to Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald. Crochet's lat is asymptomatic. However, because of his shoulder, he doesn't think he'll be back before the All-Star break in mid-July. A low-grade lat strain that Crochet suffered in early June definitely didn't help his cause, but it's the left shoulder that is keeping the talented southpaw from returning to close out the first half of his second season in Boston. The 26-year-old deserves to be stashed in all fantasy formats while he recovers, as he's one of the best left-handers in the game when he's at full health. Crochet finished second in the American League Cy Young voting in 2025 in his first year with the BoSox, but he's currently 3-3 with a 6.30 ERA (4.30 FIP) and 1.47 WHIP with 37 strikeouts and 11 walks in his six starts in 2026. He led the league in innings (205 1/3) and strikeouts (255) last year.
Source: Boston Herald - Gabrielle Starr
Source: Boston Herald - Gabrielle Starr
Alejandro Kirk Reinstated From the Injured List on Friday
The Toronto Blue Jays announced on Friday that they reinstated catcher Alejandro Kirk (thumb) from the 60-day injured list and designated catcher Tyler Heineman for assignment in a corresponding move. Kirk should be back behind the dish to catch right-hander Trey Yesavage on Friday night at the Rogers Centre in the series opener against the division-rival New York Yankees and left-hander Ryan Weathers. The 27-year-old Mexican native only played in five games to begin the 2026 season before fracturing his thumb, going 3-for-20 with a homer and two RBI in his 22 plate appearances. The two-time All-Star doesn't have a ton of pop behind the plate, but he did produce a career-high 15 home runs while driving in 76 in 130 regular-season games in 2025. Fantasy managers looking for an upgrade at the position could take a chance on Kirk, who is rostered in just 25% of Yahoo leagues. Kirk will be Toronto's primary catcher now that he has recovered from his thumb fracture. He went 3-for-18 at the plate with a homer during six minor-league rehab games.
Source: Toronto Blue Jays
Source: Toronto Blue Jays
Blue Jays Place Daulton Varsho on the Injured List With Wrist Inflammation
The Toronto Blue Jays placed outfielder Daulton Varsho (wrist) on the 10-day injured list on Friday with left-wrist inflammation and recalled infielder/outfielder Davis Schneider from the minors in a corresponding move, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. Varsho has battled wrist inflammation for roughly a week. The Blue Jays initially thought he'd avoid the IL. It has been a disappointing year offensively for the 29-year-old Varsho, who will head to the shelf with a .256/.331/.408 slash line, .738 OPS, five home runs, 17 RBI, five stolen bases, and 27 runs scored in 64 games across 236 plate appearances. With Varsho on the sidelines for a bit longer, expect Toronto to mix and match in center field with Myles Straw and Nathan Lukes. Lukes is the more attractive option in deeper fantasy leagues for a short-term playing-time boost North of the border. Lukes, 31, is currently hitting .311 (33-for-106), but with only one homer, 12 RBI, and 13 runs scored for the Jays.
Source: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
Source: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
Xander Bogaerts Returns From Paternity List
The San Diego Padres announced on Friday that they reinstated infielder Xander Bogaerts from the paternity list and designated outfielder Bryce Johnson for assignment in a corresponding move. Bogaerts was placed on the paternity list on Tuesday and missed the final two games of the series at Petco Park against the Cincinnati Reds. The 33-year-old veteran shortstop should return to San Diego's starting lineup for Friday's series opener in Baltimore against the Orioles and right-hander Shane Baz. Bogaerts will return to a .231/.303/.356 slash line, .658 OPS, eight home runs, 27 RBI, 27 runs scored, and nine stolen bases in his 225 at-bats this year. Although he has three hits in his last two games, Bogaerts went hitless in his previous five games to start the month of June. The three-time All-Star is in just the 33rd percentile in hard-hit rate and the 47th percentile in xwOBA on the year. He has really struggled in the last two weeks, batting .152 (5-for-33) with a homer, double, three RBI, five runs, four walks, and nine strikeouts in 10 games played.
Source: San Diego Padres
Source: San Diego Padres
Jac Caglianone Emerging as a Must-Add Power Bat to Target on the Waiver Wire
Since the calendar flipped from May to June, Kansas City Royals outfielder/first baseman Jac Caglianone has been on an absolute tear at the plate. Across 36 plate appearances this month, the 23-year-old is hitting .533/.611/.900 with three home runs, eight RBI, eight runs scored, and two stolen bases. Swing-and-miss remains a concern in Caglianone's profile, as he's struck out in 29% of his plate appearances on the season. However, his underlying contact quality metrics are strong enough that it may not matter. Caglianone owns a 15.6% barrel rate and a 57.4% hard-hit rate and is now hitting .279 with eight home runs, 19 RBI, 26 runs scored, and three stolen bases across 231 plate appearances in 2026. The lefty-swinger has also held his own against same-handed pitching, recording a .295/.328/.492 slash line across 64 plate appearances against southpaws. In any league where he remains available, Caglianone profiles as a must-add outfielder ahead of what could be a superstar breakout.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Rockies Promote Sean Sullivan, Worth an Add Ahead of Debut?
Colorado Rockies pitching prospect Sean Sullivan is set to make his MLB debut on Friday night as his team's starter against the Athletics, per Kevin Henry of The Denver Gazette. The 23-year-old has largely struggled with Triple-A Albuquerque so far this season, recording a 5-3 record with a 5.60 ERA, 1.55 ERA, and 50 strikeouts across 54 2/3 innings (11 starts). However, he's been victimized by an abnormally high 14.7% HR/fly ball rate while pitching in the extremely hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. Sullivan was much more productive across 97 1/3 innings (18 starts) with Double-A Hartford in 2025, logging a 3.14 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with a 24.2% strikeout rate. Sullivan will pitch in a hitter-friendly environment in Colorado, which lowers his fantasy appeal. Still, the young left-hander could be worth adding off the waiver wire in deeper league formats.
Source: The Denver Gazette - Kevin Henry
Source: The Denver Gazette - Kevin Henry
Christian Moore Emerging as Worthy Stash Candidate?
Los Angeles Angels second baseman Christian Moore has yet to appear in a big-league game in 2026. However, the 23-year-old has impressed across 226 plate appearances with Triple-A Salt Lake, hitting .309/.451/.514 with five home runs, 39 RBI, 48 runs scored, and nine stolen bases. Moore struggled across 184 plate appearances after making his MLB debut in 2025, hitting .198 with a 33.7% strikeout rate. He's made major improvements to his plate approach this season in the minors, lowering his strikeout rate to 22.1% while logging an elite 20.4% walk rate. The Angels have gotten capable production from second baseman Oswald Peraza so far this season, but Peraza's ability to play multiple spots on the infield could open a spot in Los Angeles for Moore. Given his five-category potential, Moore could be worth stashing off the waiver wire ahead of a potential promotion.
Source: milb.com
Source: milb.com
Drake Baldwin Set to Begin Rehab Assignment on Saturday
Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin (oblique) is set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday. Baldwin has been on the 10-day injured list with an oblique strain since May 19, but he appears to be on the doorstep of a return to the big leagues. The 25-year-old got off to an excellent start to the 2026 season before the injury, hitting .303/.389/.543 with 13 home runs, 38 RBI, 39 runs scored, and one stolen base across 216 plate appearances. Baldwin's underlying metrics support his emergence, as he logged elite barrel (18.6%) and hard-hit (53.8%) rates. Atlanta also showed a willingness to use Baldwin as its designated hitter on days when he needed a break from being behind the plate, which keeps his bat in the lineup every day and allows him to maximize plate appearances for fantasy managers. Upon his return, Baldwin profiles as a must-start fantasy catcher across all league formats.
Source: Milb Central
Source: Milb Central
JJ Bleday a Must-Add Waiver-Wire Target Amidst Breakout Season
Cincinnati Reds outfielder JJ Bleday has emerged as a key piece of his team's lineup in 2026, hitting .270/.363/.568 with 11 home runs, 29 RBI, 23 runs scored, and two stolen bases across 171 plate appearances. The lefty-swinger has absolutely mashed right-handed pitching this season, logging a 1.019 OPS in 124 plate appearances against righties. He's been less effective against southpaws, but his .703 OPS against left-handers has been good enough for him to move from a platoon to an everyday role in recent weeks. Bleday's 12.8% barrel rate and 47% hard-hit rate are both the best marks of his career, and he has the additional benefit of playing his home games in Cincinnati's hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park. Bleday profiles as a must-add outfielder across all fantasy formats ahead of a potential breakout season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ryan Walker Recalled to Major Leagues, Will He Reclaim Closer Job?
San Francisco Giants right-hander Ryan Walker has been recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Friday ahead of the team's weekend set against the Chicago Cubs. Walker opened 2026 as the Giants' primary closer but was sent down in early May after recording a 6.46 ERA and 1.89 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and three blown saves across his first 15 1/3 innings of the season. The 30-year-old performed much better in Triple-A, logging a 1.93 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with seven strikeouts and one save across 8 1/3 innings (nine games). Upon his return, Walker may be the favorite to eventually reclaim the closer role in San Francisco. The Giants have used a committee approach in the ninth inning since demoting Walker, with right-hander Caleb Kilian currently leading the team with four saves. Despite his recent struggles, Walker has logged 30 saves for the Giants since the start of the 2024 season and could be worth targeting on the waiver wire now that he's back in San Francisco.
Source: San Francisco Giants
Source: San Francisco Giants
Carson Benge Deserves More Attention in Fantasy Leagues
It has been a lost season for the New York Mets, primarily due to injuries to their key players, but rookie outfielder Carson Benge has been a bright spot, and he should be rostered in more fantasy baseball leagues amid his recent hot streak. The 23-year-old former 19th overall pick in 2024 out of Oklahoma State University has more than held his own in his first 65 big-league games, slashing .260/.318/.396 with a .713 OPS, seven home runs, nine doubles, a triple, 26 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and 35 runs scored across 255 plate appearances. Benge has been even better so far in nine games in June, going 11-for-37 (.297) with three home runs, a triple, five RBI, seven runs scored, and a stolen base in 38 plate appearances. He even had a five-hit game on June 7 that included a home run and a triple. Although he hasn't had much exposure to lefties, he is hitting .350 (14-for-40) against them with two of his seven home runs on the year. Benge deserves more consideration from fantasy managers, as he's rostered in just under half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Ben Brown in the Midst of a Breakout Season
Chicago Cubs right-hander Ben Brown opened the 2026 campaign in the bullpen for the Cubbies, but he quickly was transitioned to a starting role given all of the team's injuries to their starters. In his first 12 games out of the bullpen in Chicago, Brown had a 2.10 ERA (2.67 FIP) with 24 strikeouts, eight walks, one save, and two holds. Since joining the starting rotation on May 8, the 26-year-old has a 1.44 ERA (1.89 FIP) with 34 strikeouts and eight walks in 31 1/3 innings pitched over six starts. Brown has gone 4-2 as a starter and was just two outs shy of his third straight quality start in his last appearance on June 6 against the San Francisco Giants, when he tossed 5 1/3 shutout innings with just one hit allowed, one walk, and five punchouts. The former 33rd-round pick by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2017 is now 2-2 on the season with a 1.74 ERA (2.24 FIP) and 0.88 WHIP with 58 strikeouts and 16 walks in 57 innings over 18 outings (six starts). Even as Chicago's starting staff gets healthier, Brown has staked his claim to a rotation spot for the rest of the year. He's rostered in only 65% of Yahoo leagues and will get a rematch against the offensively challenged Giants at Oracle Park on Saturday.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
