RADIO
Oneil Cruz Heading to Florida to Increase Baseball Activity
Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said that outfielder Oneil Cruz (hand) will head to Florida this week to ramp up his baseball activity, per Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. However, Beazley also reports that Cherington said the team does not expect Cruz to return until after the All-Star Break. Cruz was placed on the 10-day injured list in early June with multiple non-displaced fractures in his left hand. Across 283 plate appearances before getting injured, the 27-year-old hit .264/.350/.472 with 14 home runs, 44 RBI, 45 runs scored, and 21 stolen bases. While it's positive news that Cruz is progressing, he appears to be at least a few weeks away from returning to the Pirates lineup. Once healthy, Cruz's elite power/speed profile makes him a high-end outfield option for fantasy managers.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Colin Beazley
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Colin Beazley
Dustin May Lined Up to Start on Thursday Against Braves
St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Dustin May (back) is scheduled to make his next start on Thursday on the road at Truist Park against the Atlanta Braves, according to MLB.com. May came out of his last start on June 21 against the Kansas City Royals with some back tightness, but apparently the 28-year-old is ready to go for the upcoming week. He allowed six earned runs with a walk and two strikeouts in just two innings before being pulled against KC, but before that, May threw 15 shutout innings with two walks and 15 strikeouts in his previous two outings, including a nine-inning, complete-game shutout versus the San Diego Padres on June 15 in which he struck out a season-high nine batters. Before his injury last week, May fanned exactly nine hitters in three of his previous four starts and was firmly on the radar as a must-add off the waiver wire. He's 5-6 on the year with a 4.30 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 77 punchouts in 83 2/3 innings across his 15 starts in his first year in St. Louis. Although his next matchup against Atlanta isn't great, especially coming off an injury, May is still worth considering in mixed leagues for starting pitching depth as we get set to close out the first half. He's rostered in under half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Yandy Diaz Expects to Play on Tuesday After Spraining his Shoulder
Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz (shoulder) said he will be ready to play on Tuesday after exiting early from his team's win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday with a shoulder injury, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Topkin reports that Diaz said he is "hurting a little bit," but that the shoulder issue is something he's managed previously. The 34-year-old has been excellent so far in 2026, hitting .336/.416/.515 with 12 home runs, 53 RBI, 45 runs scored, and one stolen base across 341 plate appearances. Diaz's 13.3% strikeout rate is the lowest of his career, and he's a career .294 hitter across over 4,000 MLB plate appearances. While it sounds as though Diaz may avoid missed time, fantasy managers should check back to make sure he's in the Rays lineup for the start of their three-game set against the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Casey Schmitt Dealing With Illness
San Francisco Giants infielder/outfielder Casey Schmitt (illness) was scratched from Sunday's series finale against the Atlanta Braves with an illness that has been going around the clubhouse, according to Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle. With Schmitt sitting on Sunday, Jonah Cox joined the starting lineup and made the start in center field. Schmitt is under the weather, but he could be back in the starting nine for the Gigantes if he's feeling better for Monday's series opener on the road against the division-rival Arizona Diamondbacks. The 27-year-old former second-rounder in 2020 out of San Diego State University has had a breakout in 2026, currently slashing .290/.316/.508 with an .825 OPS, with career highs in home runs (16), RBI (42), runs scored (37), and stolen bases (seven) in 74 games played in his fourth year in the majors with San Fran. Schmitt's underlying metrics back up his breakout, too, as he's currently sporting an xBA of .297 and an xwOBA of .358. Check back on Monday to see if Schmitt is back in the Giants' starting lineup.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Shayna Rubin
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Shayna Rubin
Cole Carrigg Emerging as a High-Upside Waiver-Wire Target
Since being promoted to the big leagues on June 9, Colorado Rockies outfielder Cole Carrigg is hitting .245/.369/.491 with three home runs, 11 RBI, 11 runs scored, and one stolen base. With Rockies outfielder Brenton Doyle (oblique) on the injured list, Carrigg has emerged as the team's primary center fielder. The 24-year-old has demonstrated an advanced plate approach, logging a 15.4% walk rate while striking out in just 21.5% of his plate appearances. Carrigg also has some untapped speed upside, as he stole 46 bases across 123 games at Double-A in 2025 and 30 bases in just 57 games at Triple-A this season before getting the call from the Rockies. Carrigg's 7.5% barrel rate and 35% hard-hit rate in a small sample size are underwhelming, but the hitter-friendly environment of Coors Field should help him maximize his batted balls. Given his speed and balanced profile at the plate, Carrigg profiles as a priority waiver wire target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Luke Keaschall a Worthy Deep-League Waiver-Wire Target?
Across 309 plate appearances in 2026, Minnesota Twins second baseman Luke Keaschall is hitting .247/.330/.321 with two home runs, 24 RBI, 29 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases. The 23-year-old's underlying power metrics are highly underwhelming, as he's logged a 3.1% barrel rate and a 28.8% hard-hit rate. However, Keaschall's strong plate approach is underscored by his 9.7% walk rate and 15.5% strikeout rate. He also remains a capable source of speed for fantasy managers, as he's recorded 25 stolen bases in 31 attempts across 128 MLB games. Fantasy managers should be aware that Keaschall will hurt them in the power categories. Still, for deeper league rosters in need of speed and some batting average upside, Keaschall could be worth targeting on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Griffin Jax Emerging as a Must-Add Arm Amidst June Surge
After opening 2026 in a relief role, Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Griffin Jax was moved to the starting rotation in late April. It took a few outings for Jax to ramp up to a full starter's workload, but he's started to come into his own in recent weeks. Dating back to June 7, Jax has allowed just two earned runs while recording 21 strikeouts and two wins across 20 innings (four starts). For the season overall, the 31-year-old is averaging 96.5 miles per hour on his fastball and has pitched to a 3.33 ERA and 1.31 WHIP across 54 innings. Jax has yet to go more than exactly five innings in a start, which limits his production upside to some degree. Still, his effectiveness since joining the Rays rotation makes him a quality starting pitcher streamer for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Yoendrys Gomez Emerging as a Must-Add Source of Saves
Since being acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in early May, Minnesota Twins right-hander Yoendrys Gomez has emerged as a key piece of his team's bullpen. Across 20 2/3 innings (23 games) with Minnesota, Gomez has recorded a 1.31 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 22 strikeouts, and six saves. The 26-year-old is not the exclusive closer for the Twins, as he's been used in the eighth inning in each of his last two appearances. Still, Gomez has not been used before the eighth inning since late May, and he's logged four saves in June. He profiles as Minnesota's preferred ninth-inning option going forward and should be a waiver wire target for deep league fantasy managers in need of saves.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Paul Goldschmidt Remains a Must-Add Waiver-Wire Target
New York Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt has had a resurgent 2026 season thus far, hitting .291/.353/.552 with 14 home runs, 40 RBI, 31 runs scored, and one stolen base across 224 plate appearances. The 38-year-old was expected to fill a bench role with the Yankees entering the year, but injuries to Yankees sluggers Giancarlo Stanton (calf) and Aaron Judge (ribs) have opened up everyday playing time for Goldschmidt. The future Hall of Famer's barrel rate has bounced back from 7.9% in 2025 to 11.9% in 2026. He's also gotten stronger as the season's progressed, hitting .326 with eight home runs across eight home runs in June. Once Stanton returns, Goldschmidt could see his playing time decrease. However, Stanton's recovery timeline remains uncertain, and Goldschmidt has given the Yankees little reason to go in another direction. In any fantasy league where he's not already rostered, Goldschmidt profiles as a must-add waiver wire target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kerry Carpenter a Priority Power Waiver Target Amidst Current Hot Streak
Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter enters play on Sunday riding a two-game homer streak and has now hit six home runs in just 71 plate appearances in June. The 28-year-old missed three weeks in May with a shoulder injury after colliding with an outfield wall, but he's begun to heat up since returning. Across 190 plate appearances overall this season, Carpenter is hitting .226/.300/.488 with 12 home runs, 35 RBI, and 20 runs scored. Carpenter's 31.1% strikeout rate limits his batting average upside. His playing time is also limited to a strict big-time platoon role, as he's logged just 16 plate appearances against left-handed pitching in 2026. Still, Carpenter owns a career barrel rate of 12.3% and hit 26 home runs across just 466 plate appearances in 2025. For fantasy managers in need of power, Carpenter is a logical waiver wire target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Luke Raley Sitting With Elbow Discomfort
Seattle Mariners first baseman/outfielder Luke Raley (elbow) is out of the lineup for Sunday's series finale against the hosting Cleveland Guardians due to some elbow discomfort, according to Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times. Raley tweaked his elbow on a swing on Saturday night, and it's something he has dealt with before. Outfielder Dominic Canzone is also getting Sunday off to rest his hamstring. Victor Robles will draw into the starting lineup in right field for the M's and will bat ninth against Guardians right-hander Gavin Williams. Raley played all nine innings in Saturday's 4-3 loss in Cleveland, going 0-for-3 with a walk in his four plate appearances. It doesn't sound like Raley's injury is very serious, so he could be right back in action for Monday's series opener at home against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels. Raley rarely faces left-handed pitchers, but he's hitting .243 (46-for-189) with 14 homers, 35 RBI, and 24 runs scored in 209 plate appearances versus right-handed hurlers this year, making him useful for his power from the left side in deeper leagues. He's rostered in 15% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Seattle Times - Ryan Divish
Source: The Seattle Times - Ryan Divish
Wyatt Langford Placed on Injured List With Hamstring Strain
The Texas Rangers announced on Sunday that they placed outfielder Wyatt Langford (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list with a strained left hamstring and activated outfielder Evan Carter (oblique) from the 10-day IL in a corresponding move. The oft-injured Langford is back on the IL for the second time in 2026 after already missing around six weeks with a strained forearm. The 24-year-old former fourth overall pick out of the University of Florida in 2023 carries plenty of power/speed intrigue, but his inability to stay healthy has really become a nuisance for his fantasy managers. In his 162 at-bats this year, Langford has hit a strong .278/.324/.500 with an .824 OPS, eight home runs, 20 RBI, 23 runs scored, and six stolen bases, making him stash-worthy in nearly all fantasy leagues while he recovers. Given his injury history, nobody should be expecting Langford to return before the mid-July All-Star break. Alejandro Osuna is starting in left field for Texas in their series finale on Sunday against the Toronto Blue Jays, and he should be in for an uptick in playing time against righties with Langford back on the shelf. UPDATE: Manager Skip Schumaker said that Langford will stay on the IL through the All-Star break, per MLB.com's Kennedi Landry.
Source: Texas Rangers PR
Source: Texas Rangers PR
Adley Rutschman Reinstated and Starting on Sunday
The Baltimore Orioles announced on Sunday that they reinstated catcher Adley Rutschman (head) from the seven-day concussion injured list and designated catcher Sam Huff for assignment in a corresponding move. Rutschman is right back in the starting lineup for Sunday's series finale against the visiting Washington Nationals and right-hander Zack Littell, doing the catching for right-hander Kyle Bradish and batting third for the O's. Samuel Basallo will move to first base, with Pete Alonso serving as the designated hitter. With Rutschman back, the O's can now mix and match again at catcher, first base, and DH with him and Basallo. The 28-year-old switch-hitting former first overall pick in 2019 out of Oregon State University returns to a .254/.329/.458 slash line with a .787 OPS, eight home runs, 40 RBI, and 26 runs scored in his 54 games played in 2026. The two-time All-Star has struck out at a career-low 14.5% clip, and he could be on the verge of a breakout in the second half with a .275 xBA and .354 xwOBA.
Source: Baltimore Orioles
Source: Baltimore Orioles
Angel Martinez No Longer Wearing a Walking Boot
Cleveland Guardians outfielder Angel Martinez (foot), who is on the 10-day injured list with a non-displaced foot fracture, is no longer wearing a walking boot and has been hitting off a tee and playing catch in between rounds of treatment, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. The Guardians said on June 16 that the 24-year-old is expected to miss four to six weeks with his injury. Martinez said on Saturday that he's feeling "way, way better." His timeline could line up for him to return in mid-to-late July, between the All-Star break (July 13-16) and the trade deadline on Aug. 3. The good news for Cleveland is that they reinstated fellow outfielder Chase DeLauter (ribs) from the IL on Sunday. Martinez will be returning to a .239/.276/.442 slash line with a .719 OPS, 11 home runs, 33 RBI, 28 runs scored, and nine steals in his 226 at-bats. His 11 home runs tied his career high set just last year. Martinez has dropped his strikeout rate slightly from 2025 to 21.8% this year, but his career-low 2.9% walk rate doesn't make him a candidate to help in average or on-base percentage. He's rostered in only 16% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Chase DeLauter Reinstated From Injured List on Sunday
The Cleveland Guardians announced on Sunday that they reinstated rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter (ribs) from the 10-day injured list and optioned outfielder Petey Halpin to Triple-A Columbus in a corresponding move. It's unclear yet if DeLauter will be back in Cleveland's starting lineup for Sunday's series finale against the visiting Seattle Mariners and right-hander Emerson Hancock. DeLauter was given the green light to return to the big-league roster after he took batting practice on the field on Saturday with the team. The 24-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder is returning from a fracture in his right rib cage that kept him sidelined for two weeks. At the very least, he should return to an everyday role between right field and designated hitter against right-handed pitchers for the Guards. The former 16th overall pick in 2022 out of James Madison University got off to a strong start in his first MLB season in 2026 before fading a bit. He's returning to a .263/.337/.408 slash line with a .745 OPS, seven home runs, 34 RBI, 24 runs, and two steals in his 240 at-bats. DeLauter hasn't hit the ball hard consistently, but his plate discipline has been impressive as a first-year player with a 13.3% strikeout rate and 10.4% walk rate. He's rostered in only 37% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: GuardsInsider
Source: GuardsInsider
