RADIO
Diamondbacks Promote Yilber Diaz, a Worthy Pickup in Standard Leagues?
The Arizona Diamondbacks are calling up right-handed pitching prospect Yilber Diaz from Triple-A Reno on Friday to replace right-hander Ryne Nelson (forearm) on the active MLB roster after he was diagnosed with a partially torn flexor tendon in his forearm, according to Arizona Sports' John Gambadoro. Diaz, the team's No. 22 prospect per MLB Pipeline, will return to the big leagues after posting a 4.31 ERA (4.57 FIP), 1.47 WHIP, and 20:15 K:BB in 31 1/3 innings over eight appearances (four starts) in his first two years in the league in 2024 and 2025. The 25-year-old Venezuelan returns to Arizona after going 3-3 with a 4.50 ERA, 1.66 WHIP, four saves, and a 43:21 K:BB in 32 innings in 26 relief appearances at Reno in 2026. Since he has made a full-time move to a relief role this year, fantasy managers should steer clear of Diaz for now. It's unclear exactly who will take Nelson's rotation spot in the desert, but it will most likely be Brandon Pfaadt.
Source: Arizona Sports - John Gambadoro
Source: Arizona Sports - John Gambadoro
Ryne Nelson Going on the Shelf With Partially Torn Flexor Tendon
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Ryne Nelson (forearm) will head to the injured list with a partially torn flexor tendon in his right forearm, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports. Nelson is now facing an extended absence, although there is no specific timetable for when he might rejoin Arizona's starting rotation in the second half of 2026. The 28-year-old has been up and down for fantasy managers this year, going 3-5 with a 4.97 ERA (5.39 FIP) and 1.24 WHIP with 62 strikeouts and 22 walks in 83 1/3 frames over his 15 innings pitched, but he was trending up after his most recent start on Monday against the Los Angeles Angels, when he allowed just two earned runs on nine hits (one homer) while walking none and striking out five in seven innings for his third win of the year. With Nelson potentially missing a month or more, right-hander Brandon Pfaadt will likely be the team's top option to replace him in the starting rotation going forward.
Source: Arizona Sports - John Gambadoro
Source: Arizona Sports - John Gambadoro
Jack Flaherty to Throw a Bullpen on Saturday
Detroit Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty (ankle) will throw a bullpen session on Saturday, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. Flaherty will be throwing off a mound for the first time this weekend since a strained left peroneal muscle in his ankle landed him on the 15-day injured list last week. Barring a setback as he begins to ramp back up, Flaherty has a chance to return to the Tigers' starting rotation before the All-Star break in mid-July. He's eligible to come off the IL on June 28. The 30-year-old veteran is leading the league in losses (eight) in 2026 for the second straight season in Detroit and has a bloated 5.35 ERA (4.08 FIP) and 1.57 WHIP with 78 strikeouts and 34 walks in 65 2/3 innings across his 15 starts. Flaherty hasn't pitched as poorly as his underlying metrics suggest, but fantasy managers don't have a whole lot of incentive in shallow-mixed leagues to keep him stashed for the time being. He's currently rostered in only 43% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Gleyber Torres Receives a Cortisone Shot, Starting Rehab Soon
Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres (oblique) received a cortisone shot and will start his rehab in a day or two, according to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News. Torres landed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday for the second time this year with a strained oblique and is likely to be out for at least another month, meaning he won't return for fantasy managers until after the All-Star break in mid-July. The 29-year-old Venezuelan doesn't provide much power or speed offensively, but he is a great source of on-base percentage and batting average as a high-contact hitter with great plate discipline. Since returning from his first stint on the IL on June 2, Torres was on a hot streak, going 14-for-41 (.341) with two homers, four doubles, seven RBI, and eight runs scored in 11 games in June. Fantasy managers can only hope he'll pick up where he left off whenever he returns from his second trip to the IL in the second half of 2026. In the meantime, expect Hao-Yu Lee and Zach McKinstry to split playing time at the keystone in Motown. Torres is currently being stashed in just under half of Yahoo leagues while he rehabs his balky oblique muscle.
Source: The Detroit News - Chris McCosky
Source: The Detroit News - Chris McCosky
Tigers Scratch Justin Verlander From his Start on Sunday
The Detroit Tigers have scratched veteran right-hander Justin Verlander (hip, hamstring) from his scheduled start on Sunday against the division-rival Chicago White Sox with a left-hamstring injury after he threw a bullpen session on Wednesday in Houston, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. The Tigers expect Verlander's recovery to be "a matter of weeks." It's a tough blow for the future Hall of Famer and three-time Cy Young winner, as Verlander was on track to come off the 60-day injured list to start on Sunday after spending almost three months on the shelf with inflammation in his left hip. Now the 43-year-old is dealing with a hamstring ailment that will keep him on the IL for another couple of weeks. Right-hander Keider Montero is expected to replace Verlander in the series finale against Chicago on Sunday. Verlander has had an amazing run in his 21 years in the big leagues, but he's struggled to stay healthy towards the end and doesn't have much juice left.
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Cade Cavalli Scratched From Friday's Start Due to Illness
Washington Nationals right-hander Cade Cavalli (illness) has been scratched from his start on Friday in the series opener against the Kansas City Royals due to an illness, according to Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic. In Cavalli's place, the Nats will use left-hander PJ Poulin as an opener. We do not know as of right now whether Cavalli will be able to make his next start this weekend against the Royals or if he'll be skipped entirely in Washington's starting rotation. The 27-year-old former 22nd overall pick in 2020 out of the University of Oklahoma has emerged as a waiver-wire target in his third year in the big leagues in 2026, going 4-4 with a 3.98 ERA (3.41 FIP) and 1.39 WHIP with 81 strikeouts and 25 walks in 74 2/3 innings pitched across his 15 starts for the Nats. Cavalli has allowed over three earned runs in just two of his 15 starts this year and has boosted his strikeout rate to 24.3% after sporting a well below-average strikeout rate of 18.3% in 2025.
Source: The Athletic - Spencer Nusbaum
Source: The Athletic - Spencer Nusbaum
Elly De La Cruz Set to Begin Rehab Assignment at Triple-A
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Friday, per a team announcement. De La Cruz has been on the 10-day injured list since June 1 due to a hamstring strain, but he appears to be close to a return to the big leagues. Across 257 plate appearances before the injury, De La Cruz hit .280/.346/.509 with 12 home runs, 37 RBI, 40 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases. The 24-year-old's underlying contact metrics were the best of his career, as he had logged a 14.6% barrel rate and a 50.9% hard-hit rate. Although De La Cruz was just 10 for 15 as a base stealer before the injury, speed remains a major part of his fantasy appeal. De La Cruz also struggled mightily in the second half of the 2025 season while attempting to play through a quad injury, so fantasy managers will have to hope that the superstar shortstop is fully recovered this time around. Still, De La Cruz profiles as a must-start shortstop with five-category upside upon his return to the Reds lineup.
Source: Cincinnati Reds
Source: Cincinnati Reds
Is Roki Sasaki Still a Breakout Candidate to Target on the Waiver Wire?
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Roki Sasaki had a rough outing in his most recent start against the Chicago White Sox on June 12, allowing seven earned runs across 4 1/3 innings. Sasaki's overall numbers for the year are unimpressive, as he's recorded a 3-4 record with a 4.76 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 64 strikeouts across 62 1/3 innings (12 starts). However, the talented 24-year-old appeared to be turning a corner before this most recent hiccup. Across his last four starts leading into the Chicago game, Sasaki had allowed just four earned runs while striking out 29 across 24 1/3 innings. The hard-throwing right-hander also looks to have solved some of his control issues after a rough April that saw him walk 22 batters across 22 2/3 innings. Sasaki's inconsistency to this point in his MLB career brings some risk to his profile. Still, he clearly has talent in his arm and could offer major strikeout upside for fantasy managers if he can put it all together. Sasaki remains a worthy waiver wire gamble ahead of a potential breakout season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Seth Lugo Reinstated and Starting on Friday Against Nationals
The Kansas City Royals announced on Friday that they reinstated veteran right-hander Seth Lugo (head) from the seven-day concussion injured list and optioned right-hander Mason Black to Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move. Lugo will return from the IL to face the Washington Nationals on Friday after he was struck in the forehead by a line drive in a scary scene at Kauffman Stadium against the Texas Rangers in his last start on June 10. The 36-year-old veteran will return to a 2-4 record with a 3.86 ERA (3.56 FIP) and 1.35 WHIP with 66 strikeouts and 25 walks in 79 1/3 innings pitched over his 14 starts in his 11th year in the majors. Despite being a soft-tosser with a below-average 19.8% strikeout rate, Lugo has kept hitters off balance enough to make him a deep-league streaming option. We would not recommend him in his first start off the IL, though, against a Nationals ballclub that ranks fifth in the league in OPS (.744). Lugo has little room for error with a lack of strikeout upside, and he'll likely have a limited pitch count in this one after not making a minor-league rehab start.
Source: Kansas City Royals
Source: Kansas City Royals
Should Colt Emerson be Considered a Priority Waiver-Wire Target?
Across 94 plate appearances since making his MLB debut in mid-May, Seattle Mariners infielder Colt Emerson is hitting .235/.309/.529 with six home runs, 16 RBI, 13 runs scored, and one stolen base. The 20-year-old has struggled with swing-and-miss, posting a 29.8% strikeout rate that may put a ceiling on his batting average. However, he's shown off his power stroke in recent weeks and has already hit four home runs in June. Emerson has also established himself as the everyday shortstop in Seattle, with veteran Mariners infielder J.P. Crawford being moved from shortstop to third base upon his return from a hand injury earlier this month. Emerson's underlying contact metrics (5.3% barrel rate, 29.8% hard-hit rate) do not support his power output so far, which should be a bit of a red flag for fantasy managers. Still, Emerson is considered to be one of the top prospects in all of baseball and hit seven home runs across 169 plate appearances at Triple-A this season before his promotion. Given his prospect pedigree and his role in Seattle, Emerson profiles as a priority waiver wire target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dustin May a Must-Add Arm Ahead of Potential Breakout
Once considered a top prospect during his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers, current St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Dustin May has battled injuries and inconsistency throughout his career to this point. However, the 28-year-old looks like he may be putting it all together in 2026. Across 81 2/3 innings (14 starts) on the year, May has recorded a 5-6 record with a 3.75 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 75 strikeouts. He's been particularly dominant of late, recording 15 strikeouts across 15 scoreless innings over two starts against the New York Mets and San Diego Padres. May's average fastball velocity is back up to 97 miles per hour after it dipped to 95.5 mph in 2025. He generates a ton of ground balls (46.2% ground ball rate) and limits home runs (0.55 HR/9). Particularly given his pitcher-friendly home environment in St. Louis, May profiles as a must-add starting pitcher on the waiver wire ahead of what could be a breakout season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mick Abel a Must-Add Starting Pitcher Ahead of Looming Injury Return
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Mick Abel (elbow) has been sidelined since mid-April due to elbow inflammation. However, the 24-year-old has traveled with the team to Arizona for their weekend series and appears poised to come off the injured list and rejoin the Twins rotation on Sunday. Across 20 1/3 innings (four games) before the injury, Abel recorded a 1-2 record with a 3.98 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, and 23 strikeouts. After allowing nine earned runs in his first two outings of the year, Abel recorded 13 scoreless innings with 16 strikeouts across his last two starts before he was placed on the injured list. The former top prospect also pitched very well in his most recent rehab appearances, allowing just one earned run while striking out 10 across eight innings (two starts) with Triple-A St. Paul. Abel offers significant strikeout upside for fantasy managers upon his return and profiles as a priority stash candidate on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tanner Scott Remains a Must-Add Closer on the Waiver Wire
Across 31 innings (33 games) in 2026, Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Tanner Scott has recorded a 2.32 ERA, 0.71 WHIP, 38 strikeouts, and nine saves. The 31-year-old began the season in a setup role, but he has emerged as the team's preferred option in the ninth inning with Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz (elbow) currently working his way back from elbow surgery. While Diaz is expected to return this season, he's unlikely to be back in the big leagues until after the All-Star break. Scott has been more than capable as a stand-in, averaging 96.7 miles per hour on his fastball and logging a dominant 30.7% K-BB rate. Until Diaz returns, Scott profiles as a must-start closer for fantasy managers. In any league where he remains available on the waiver wire, Scott profiles as a priority target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Royce Lewis Heating Up in June, Re-Emerging as a Waiver-Wire Target
Minnesota Twins infielder Royce Lewis has had a rough year overall in 2026, hitting .199/.283/.356 with six home runs, 20 RBI, 17 runs scored, and four stolen bases. The oft-injured slugger missed time in April due to an LCL sprain in his left knee and has seen his strikeout rate rise from 19.9% in 2025 to 28.9%. However, Lewis has started to heat up in recent weeks. Across 47 plate appearances in June, the 27-year-old is hitting .286/.340/.548 with three home runs, seven RBI, six runs scored, and one stolen base. Lewis' underlying contact metrics remain strong, as he's posted a 12% barrel rate on the season. If he can maintain his current health, Lewis profiles as a high-upside waiver wire target for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cubs Promote Outfield Prospect Justin Dean to Major Leagues
The Chicago Cubs are calling up outfield prospect Justin Dean from Triple-A Iowa on Friday, according to Milb Central. Dean will make his debut with the Cubs after hitting just .238 (43-for-181) with three home runs, 25 RBI, 14 stolen bases, and 38 runs scored in 56 games across 223 plate appearances at Iowa. The 29-year-old former 17th-round selection by the Atlanta Braves in 2018 out of Lenoir-Rhyne University made his big-league debut last year with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he played in just 18 games and was mostly a defensive replacement late in games, going hitless in two plate appearances with one stolen base and one strikeout. Dean has experience playing all three outfield spots in the minor leagues, but beyond that, he doesn't really have much fantasy upside at almost 30 years old as bench depth for the Cubbies in the short term. In his eight minor-league seasons, Dean has hit .251/.357/.367 with a .723 OPS, 42 homers, 264 RBI, and 253 stolen bases in 745 games played. Fantasy managers should avoid Dean off the waiver wire.
Source: Milb Central
Source: Milb Central
