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Matthew Boyd to be Activated and Start on Thursday
Chicago Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd (knee, shoulder) will be activated from the 15-day injured list and start Thursday's series finale against the hosting New York Mets in Queens, according to Meghan Montemurro of The Chicago Tribune. It's good timing for the Cubbies' banged-up rotation, as they just sent another starter, right-hander Edward Cabrera (hamstring), to the IL on Wednesday. The 35-year-old Boyd will return to the big-league rotation for the first time since early May. The veteran southpaw underwent surgery on his meniscus before dealing with left-shoulder soreness as he ramped up his throwing program. Now that he's back, he'll provide fantasy managers with a scrappy streaming option with limited upside because of his lack of high-end strikeout potential. Boyd only threw 59 pitches in his final minor-league rehab start, so he will most likely be on a pitch count on Thursday in a great matchup against the last-place Mets. In his first five starts in 2026, Boyd has a 6.00 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 31 punchouts in 24 innings pitched for Chicago. Boyd is currently rostered in 57% of Yahoo leagues as he nears his return.
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Meghan Montemurro
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Meghan Montemurro
Thursday Looking More Likely for Corey Seager's Return
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (concussion) remains on the seven-day concussion injured list and isn't expected to be activated on Wednesday, according to Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. Grant thinks it's more likely that Seager is reinstated on Thursday to play in the series opener in Toronto against the Blue Jays. Seager landed on the IL with mild concussion symptoms after colliding with Kansas City Royals catcher Carter Jensen on June 11, but he took part in a pre-game workout on Tuesday and appears ready to return this week. With Seager set to return, Ezequiel Duran will most likely move to second base and continue to play regularly for the Rangers. It's been an injury-plagued 2026 season for the 32-year-old Seager, who is also hitting a very disappointing .186/.284/.373 with a .657 OPS, nine home runs, 24 RBI, 25 runs scored, and one stolen base in his 177 at-bats. The five-time All-Star is still rostered in nearly 90% of Yahoo leagues for his power/speed track record, but durability concerns are becoming a bigger issue.
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant
Martin Perez Emerging as a Priority Waiver-Wire Target Amidst Resurgent Season?
Atlanta Braves left-hander Martin Perez has been one of the key parts of his team's success so far in 2026. Across 68 innings (15 games), the veteran has recorded a 6-3 record with a 2.78 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 56 strikeouts. Atlanta deployed Perez out of the bullpen at earlier points in the year, but he's now made six consecutive starts and appears to have locked down a role in the team's rotation. Perez's underlying metrics suggest regression is likely, as he owns a middling 12.2% K-BB rate and has benefitted from an 81.1% strand rate, which is significantly higher than his career mark of 71.3%. Still, Perez is a savvy veteran who has outperformed underwhelming peripherals for a significant portion of his 15-season MLB career. As long as he's part of the Braves rotation, Perez profiles as a worthwhile starting pitcher streamer who should be a quality source of wins. Particularly in deeper leagues, Perez should be a priority target for fantasy managers on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Robert Suarez Dealing With Forearm Tightness, Could be Available Wednesday
Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said after Tuesday night's loss to the San Diego Padres that right-handed reliever Robert Suarez (forearm) was unavailable out of the bullpen while dealing with some right-forearm tightness, according to Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. However, Suarez could be available for the series finale at Petco Park on Wednesday against his former team. With the game locked up in a tie late on Tuesday night, the Braves avoided Suarez and instead asked right-handed closer Raisel Iglesias to pitch two innings. The last time the 35-year-old pitched for Atlanta was last Friday, when he threw 28 pitches in 1 1/3 scoreless innings in a win over the Milwaukee Brewers. It sounds like Suarez should be fine going forward. The Venezuelan hurler only has four saves in his first year with the Braves, but otherwise, he's been lights-out as a high-leverage setup man in front of Iglesias, recording a microscopic 0.56 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, and 26 strikeouts in his 32 innings out of the bullpen. Suarez is rostered in 57% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Chad Bishop
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Chad Bishop
Francisco Lindor Will Be Active for Second Game of Doubleheader on Wednesday
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (calf) will be activated ahead of the second game of his team's doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday, per Will Sammon of The Athletic. Lindor has been sidelined since late April due to a left calf strain. The 32-year-old got off to a rough start to the 2026 season before the injury, hitting .226/.314/.355 with two home runs, five RBI, 14 runs scored, and two stolen bases across 105 plate appearances. However, he has an extended track record of being one of the best shortstops in baseball, recording three consecutive seasons with at least 31 home runs, 107 runs scored, 86 RBI, and 29 stolen bases between 2023 and 2025. Fantasy managers may not want to expect Lindor to display his usual aggression on the basepaths immediately following his return from the injured list. Still, Lindor profiles as a must-start shortstop across all fantasy formats once activated.
Source: The Athletic - Will Sammon
Source: The Athletic - Will Sammon
X-Rays Come Back Clean on Luis Arraez's Foot
San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello said that infielder Luis Arraez (foot) is "a little sore," but X-rays on his foot came back clean, according to Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports. The Giants will see how the swelling is in Arraez's foot on Wednesday. Fantasy managers will want to check back later to see if Arraez returns to the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the visiting Athletics, but the Giants will most likely play it safe and give him a day to rest. The 29-year-old fouled a ball off his right foot in his first at-bat in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the A's. He tried to stay in the game, but he eventually was pulled in the fifth inning. Arraez appears to have avoided a serious foot injury and should be considered day-to-day for the rest of the week. The Venezuelan infielder and three-time batting champion has once again been an excellent source of batting average (.321) and runs (40) atop the Giants' batting order, but he will not provide much power (three home runs) or speed (six steals) in 299 at-bats.
Source: NBC Sports Bay Area - Alex Pavlovic
Source: NBC Sports Bay Area - Alex Pavlovic
Cade Cavalli a Priority Starting Pitcher Streamer to Target on the Waiver Wire?
Across 77 1/3 innings (16 starts) in 2026, Washington Nationals starting pitcher Cade Cavalli has recorded a 4-4 record with a 4.07 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, and 82 strikeouts. The 27-year-old's tendency to generate ground balls (50.1% career ground-ball rate), combined with the Nationals' porous defense, has led to opponents hitting .356 on balls in play against him. However, Cavalli limits home runs (0.70 HR/9) and generates swing-and-miss at a solid rate (23.5% strikeout rate). Fantasy managers should be prepared for Cavalli's WHIP to be problematic. Still, Cavalli profiles as a streamer option worth targeting for certain matchups on the waiver wire in deeper leagues. Cavalli's next scheduled start is on Thursday at home against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Juan Soto Sitting Out of Game 1 of Doubleheader on Wednesday
New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (back) is predictably absent from the starting lineup for Game 1 of a doubleheader on Wednesday against the visiting Chicago Cubs at Citi Field, per MLB.com. MJ Melendez will start in left field for the Mets and bat eighth against Cubs right-hander Javier Assad. Soto was pulled from Tuesday's contest against the Cubs with left side back tightness, and he's considered day-to-day for now. Fantasy managers will need to check back later on Wednesday to see if Soto is back in action for Game 2 of the twin bill. If the All-Star outfielder doesn't play in either of the two games on Wednesday, his next chance to return will be for Thursday's series finale in New York against Chicago. The 27-year-old four-time All-Star and six-time Silver Slugger winner missed time earlier this year with a calf injury, but when on the field, he's been the same old Mr. Reliable, slashing .299/.395/.570 with a .965 OPS, 17 homers, 38 RBI, 36 runs scored, and six stolen bases across his 221 at-bats for the Mets. Melendez has a solo home run and is hitting .200 in his five career at-bats against Assad.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Parker Messick Continues Excellent Stretch, Strikes Out 10 Against White Sox
Cleveland Guardians left-hander Parker Messick continued to pitch well in a hard-luck loss on Tuesday night in a 2-1 game on the road against the division-rival Chicago White Sox. In fact, Tuesday was one of Messick's most dominant performances of the year. The 25-year-old southpaw allowed two earned runs on three hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out a career-high 10 hitters in 7 2/3 innings pitched. Messick threw 63 of his 95 pitches for strikes and got 17 swings and misses in the outing. The former second-round pick in 2022 out of Florida State University is having a breakout season in just his second year in the big leagues, and he's now 7-4 with a 2.67 ERA (3.16 FIP), 1.05 WHIP, and 101:29 K:BB in 94 1/3 innings across 16 starts. Messick has allowed more than three earned runs just once in his last nine starts and has a 2.89 ERA (3.25 FIP), 57 strikeouts, and 19 walks in that span in 53 innings. He's allowed two or fewer runs in seven of his last nine starts and is now rostered in over 90% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Is Adrian Morejon the Closer Handcuff to Roster in San Diego?
Across 41 innings (37 games) so far this season, San Diego Padres left-hander Adrian Morejon has recorded a 6-1 record with a 3.51 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 49 strikeouts, and one save. Padres closer Mason Miller has been one of the most dominant relievers in baseball this season, so Morejon is blocked off from consistent save opportunities in San Diego as long as Miller remains healthy. Still, Morejon is a fantastic reliever in his own right who is averaging 99.2 miles per hour on his fastball and has logged an elite 25.6% K-BB rate on the year. Should Miller go down, Morejon may be the favorite to take over the ninth inning for the Padres. In deeper fantasy leagues, Morejon may be worth rostering for both his handcuff appeal and his standalone value as a high-end relief pitcher.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Sonny Gray Lowers his ERA Under 3.00 and Strikes Out 11 on Tuesday
Boston Red Sox right-hander Sonny Gray continued his strong first season in Boston in 2026 with his ninth victory of the season on Tuesday night in the 5-2 win over the Colorado Rockies at hitter-friendly Coors Field. Gray was stingy and had his swing-and-miss stuff working in Denver, allowing just one earned run on six hits (a solo homer) while walking three and striking out a season-high 11 batters in seven innings pitched. The 36-year-old veteran hasn't displayed a lot of swing-and-miss stuff this year despite getting solid results, but he generated 16 swings and misses on Tuesday night in the thin air of the Mile High City. Gray now has a 2.95 ERA (3.81 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with 66 strikeouts and 20 walks in 76 1/3 innings pitched in his first 14 starts with the BoSox. He's been a bit fortunate given his lack of swing-and-miss stuff -- his 21.1% strikeout rate is his lowest mark since 2018 with the New York Yankees. Gray is firmly on the sell-high radar in fantasy as we near the end of the first half.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Yennier Cano Emerging as Top High-Leverage Reliever to Stash in Baltimore Bullpen?
Across 26 innings (35 games) in 2026, Baltimore Orioles right-hander Yennier Cano has pitched to a 2.08 ERA and 0.81 WHIP with 25 strikeouts and one save. The 32-year-old has largely been utilized in a setup role this season, which is the role he's been most effective in throughout his career to this point. However, Cano picked up his first save of 2026 on Saturday, which could be an indication that Baltimore may start to rely on him in the ninth inning. Orioles closer Ryan Helsley returned to the big leagues last week after missing nearly two months with an elbow injury, but has struggled upon his return, allowing three home runs and four earned runs across 1 2/3 innings. Cano has recorded 16 saves for the Orioles over the past four seasons, so the team has some level of comfort with deploying him as a closer. In deeper leagues, fantasy managers may want to consider stashing Cano off the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Edmundo Sosa Drives in Five on Tuesday, Set for More Playing Time?
Philadelphia Phillies infielder/outfielder Edmundo Sosa had a big game near the bottom of the team's batting order in Tuesday's 14-9 win over the hosting Washington Nationals, going 2-for-5 at the plate with a home run, a double, a career-high five RBI, two runs scored, and two strikeouts. Sosa wasn't originally in the Phillies' starting lineup for this one, but he was inserted late as the designated hitter after All-Star slugger Kyle Schwarber was scratched due to back tightness. The 30-year-old veteran utility man took advantage with a big game in the Phillies' win. Sosa hasn't played much in June, but when he has played, he's been solid, going 11-for-36 (.306) with two home runs, two doubles, a triple, eight RBI, and six runs scored. In 126 at-bats in 2026 as a bench player for Philly, Sosa is slashing .238/.274/.413 with five long balls, 24 RBI, 17 runs, and two stolen bases. If Schwarber's back injury sends him to the injured list, Sosa could be a lineup regular for the Phillies as they head into the All-Star break next month. Sosa is currently rostered in only 1% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Eury Perez Activated from 15-Day Injured List, Set to Make Start on Wednesday
Miami Marlins starting pitcher Eury Perez (thigh) has been activated from the 15-day injured list and will get the ball on Wednesday against the Texas Rangers. Perez has been sidelined since late May due to a right gracilis strain in his thigh. Across 62 2/3 innings (12 starts) this season, Perez has recorded a 3-6 record with a 4.60 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 72 strikeouts. The 23-year-old's unsatisfactory ERA is largely the result of his inflated walk rate (10.7%) and HR/9 (1.58). However, Perez is averaging 98.3 miles per hour on his fastball and has struck out 27.2% of the batters he's faced in 2026. If the young fireballer can dial in his command and control, he could be in line for a second-half breakout.
Source: Miami Marlins
Source: Miami Marlins
Jesus Luzardo Shows his Upside With 13-Strikeout Performance Against Nats
Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Jesus Luzardo has been hit or miss for fantasy managers in 2026 with the Phillies, but he showed his upside in his outing on Tuesday against the division-rival Washington Nationals on the road in the team's 14-9 victory. Luzardo allowed five earned runs on six hits while walking three and striking out a career-high 13 batters in 6 2/3 innings for a no-decision. Most of the damage the 28-year-old southpaw absorbed on the night came during a four-run fourth inning at Nationals Ballpark. Despite allowing five earned runs, Luzardo generated 19 swings and misses on his 104 pitches. He's now 6-4 on the year with a 4.39 ERA (3.13 FIP) and 1.31 WHIP with 110 strikeouts and 30 walks in 92 1/3 innings across 16 starts. The month of June has been very indicative of Luzardo's inconsistent season, as he allowed three earned runs with 17 strikeouts in his previous two outings, but he gave up another five earned runs with just two K's in six innings to begin the month on June 5 against the Chicago White Sox. Fantasy managers should consider Luzardo a must-start in his upcoming matchup against the division-rival New York Mets, his first meeting with them in 2026.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
