RADIO
Nationals Turn to Gus Varland to Earn Tuesday's Save, Is he the Primary Closer?
Washington Nationals right-hander Gus Varland picked up his sixth save of the season on Tuesday, working around a solo home run to secure a win over the Royals while striking out one batter. Varland now leads the Nationals in saves and has taken a step in the right direction after a rough stretch recently. His 33.5 percent chase rate ranks in the 80th percentile and highlights the quality of his arsenal in high-leverage situations. The 29-year-old owns a 5.20 ERA and 1.66 WHIP, but he has continued to receive opportunities in the ninth inning. If Varland can string together a few more effective outings, he could solidify his grip on the closer role and become a more relevant fantasy option moving forward.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Charlie Condon's Power Surge Continues, Call-Up Imminent?
Colorado Rockies corner infield/outfield prospect Charlie Condon went 2-for-4 with a triple and a home run on Tuesday for Triple-A Albuquerque. The home run came off of Astros pitcher Cristian Javier, who is rehabbing at Triple-A Sugar Land, and it was Condon's sixth home run in his last eight games, giving him 14 on the season. The Rockies' second-ranked prospect's recent run of success has pushed his season-long slash line to .264/.392/.519 with a strong 15.2 percent walk rate and a tolerable 24.4 percent strikeout rate. The former third-overall draft pick's call to the majors shouldn't be long now, though he is not on the team's 40-man roster, so room would have to be made for him whenever he comes up. Look for a call-up by midseason, and with the power he possesses and is currently putting on display, the 23-year-old should be considered one of the top hitters to stash in most leagues for his home run upside.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Mariners Promote Prospect Curtis Washington Jr. to Majors, Worth a Look for Elite Stolen Base Potential?
The Seattle Mariners have officially called up 26-year-old outfielder Curtis Washington Jr., who is in line to make his major league debut after being selected in the 19th round of the 2022 MLB Draft. After spending five seasons in the minors, Washington earned the promotion as injuries to Randy Arozarena and Luke Raley created an opening in the outfield. Known for his elite speed and strong defensive skills, Washington slashed .190/.280/.394 with a .674 OPS at High-A this season. While the offensive numbers do not stand out, his athleticism and versatility give him several ways to contribute. Washington also swiped 32 bases in 95 games across multiple minor league levels last season. The Mariners will welcome the defensive reinforcement as they continue their push in the AL West.
Source: MLB Pipeline
Source: MLB Pipeline
Quinn Priester has Follow-Up Visit With Surgeon on Tuesday
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Quinn Priester (shoulder) had a follow-up visit with thoracic surgeon Dr. Gregory Pearl on Tuesday to re-establish a plan of care, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. Priester has been pulled off his minor-league rehab assignment multiple times due to reduced velocity and continued discomfort as he tries to battle his way back from thoracic outlet symptoms. At this point, it appears that the 26-year-old is trending toward needing season-ending surgery, but nothing is official yet. In his eight rehab starts in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League, at High-A Wisconsin, and at Triple-A Nashville, Priester has surrendered 28 earned runs on 22 hits (one homer) while walking 24 and striking out 18 in 16 innings pitched. Priester was set to be part of Milwaukee's starting rotation again in 2026 after going 13-3 in 2025 with a 3.32 ERA (4.01 FIP), 1.24 WHIP, and 132:50 K:BB in 157 1/3 innings over 29 outings (24 starts) in his first year with the Brew Crew. He's now rostered in only 12% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
Source: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
Edward Cabrera Leaves his Start Early on Tuesday With Hand Cramp
Chicago Cubs right-hander Edward Cabrera (hand) was pulled from his start early on Tuesday against the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley Field with a cramp in his right hand, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN. Cabrera was handed his fourth loss of the year in a 5-2 decision against Colorado, allowing five earned runs on three hits (one homer) while walking two and striking out three in 4 1/3 innings of work. The good news is that Cabrera isn't dealing with blister issues on any of his fingers, an issue that has already caused him to miss time on the injured list this year. For now, we'll consider the 28-year-old Dominican hurler to be day-to-day, but he could be in danger of missing his next scheduled start. In his first year on the North Side of Chicago, Cabrera has been pretty volatile for fantasy managers, as he entered his start on Tuesday against Colorado with a 4.86 ERA (5.08 FIP) and 1.41 WHIP with 58 strikeouts and 23 walks in 63 innings over his 12 starts. After his rough outing on Tuesday that ended prematurely, Cabrera is sporting a 5.21 season ERA.
Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
Daulton Varsho Resumes Hitting on Tuesday
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (wrist) resumed hitting on Tuesday, per Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. Zwelling reports that Varsho will continue to ramp up over the next few days as the Blue Jays "evaluate his next steps." Varsho was placed on the 10-day injured list on June 10 due to wrist inflammation, but it appears he may have avoided a significant injury and could return close to when he is first eligible. Across 236 plate appearances in 2026 before the injury, Varsho hit .256/.331/.408 with five home runs, 17 RBI, 27 runs scored, and five stolen bases. The 29-year-old has drastically cut down his swing-and-miss this season, reducing his strikeout rate from 28.4% in 2025 to 19.1%. However, he's also seen a significant drop-off in power, as his barrel rate has fallen from 15.9% to 6.0%. If Varsho can make a quick return from his current injury and rediscover some of his power, he could emerge as a strong contributor for fantasy managers in the second half of the season.
Source: Sportsnet - Arden Zwelling
Source: Sportsnet - Arden Zwelling
Cole Ragans Remains Shut Down From Throwing, Still Experiencing Symptoms
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans (elbow) remains shut down from throwing amidst ongoing injury symptoms in his left elbow, per Anne Rogers of MLB.com. Rogers reports that Ragans is scheduled to see a new doctor in the coming days as the team seeks a better understanding of the injury. The 28-year-old has been on the 15-day injured list since early May and does not appear to be particularly close to making his return to the Royals rotation. Ragans broke out as a fantasy ace in 2024, pitching to a 3.14 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 223 strikeouts and 11 wins across 186 1/3 innings (32 starts). However, he's struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness since then, recording a 4.73 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with 143 strikeouts across 97 innings (21 starts) over the past two seasons. Ragans is worth stashing in deeper league formats, but fantasy managers in shallower leagues without IL spots may need to consider looking for a replacement on the waiver wire.
Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
Seth Lugo "on Track" to Start on Friday Night
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Seth Lugo (head) is "on track" to make the start in his team's matchup against the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night, per Anne Rogers of MLB.com. Lugo is currently on the 7-day concussion injured list after being struck in the head by a line drive off the bat of Texas Rangers outfielder Brandon Nimmo during his most recent start on June 10. It's a great sign for everyone involved that Lugo appears to have avoided a more significant injury after the scary scene. Across 79 1/3 innings (14 starts) in 2026, Lugo has recorded a 2-4 record with a 3.86 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and 66 strikeouts. The 36-year-old's fantasy upside is limited by his 19.8% strikeout rate, but he remains a savvy innings-eater who carries deep-league and streamer appeal in the right matchups.
Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
Giancarlo Stanton Re-Injures Calf, Return Timeline Uncertain?
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (calf) "re-injured" his calf strain and will have a light week of activity, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. Stanton has been on the injured list with a calf strain since late April and suffered a setback while running the bases last week. Stanton's exact return timeline is uncertain, but he does not appear to be close to beginning a rehab assignment. Stanton was a highly productive slugger when healthy in 2025, hitting .273/.350/.594 with 24 home runs, 66 RBI, and 36 runs scored across 281 plate appearances. However, injuries are a recurring issue for the 36-year-old, who has logged just one season with more than 460 plate appearances since 2018. In Stanton's absence, Yankees first baseman/designated hitter Paul Goldschmidt has stepped into the everyday lineup.
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Heliot Ramos Scheduled to Begin Rehab Assignment on Wednesday
San Francisco Giants outfielder Heliot Ramos (quad) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday, per Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle. Ramos has been on the 10-day injured list with a right quad strain since mid-May, but he appears to be nearing a return to the big leagues. Across 176 plate appearances before the injury, Ramos hit .267/.307/.424 with four home runs, 20 RBI, and 19 runs scored. He logged very strong barrel (13.4%) and hard-hit rates (48.7%), and has topped 20 homers in each of the last two seasons. However, Ramos may struggle to see everyday playing time upon his return to the Giants. Ramos has graded out as one of the worst defensive outfielders in baseball in recent seasons, and the Giants' designated hitter spot is currently clogged by the combination of Rafael Devers and Bryce Eldridge. Ramos maintains power upside, but fantasy managers should closely monitor his playing time once he's activated.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Shayna Rubin
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Shayna Rubin
Max Fried Successfully Completes Bullpen on Tuesday
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that starting pitcher Max Fried's (elbow) bullpen on Tuesday "went well," per Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. Fried has been on the 10-day injured list since mid-May due to a bone bruise in his left elbow. However, he appears to be making steady progress and could be nearing a rehab assignment. The veteran left-hander was off to a strong start to the 2026 season before the injury, recording a 4-3 record with a 3.21 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 50 strikeouts across 61 2/3 innings (10 starts). Fried will likely need multiple rehab appearances before he's activated by the Yankees, so a July return could be the most likely scenario. Upon his return, Fried profiles as a must-start starting pitcher for fantasy managers.
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Phillies Place Brad Keller on Injured List With Forearm Tendinitis
The Philadelphia Phillies announced before Tuesday's game against the division-rival Miami Marlins that they placed right-handed reliever Brad Keller (forearm) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to June 14) with right-forearm tendinitis and recalled right-hander Max Lazar from Triple-A Lehigh Valley in a corresponding move. Keller had one of his worst outings of the year for the Phillies in Saturday's 9-8 win over the Milwaukee Brewers, allowing three earned runs on three hits while walking two and striking out one in just one inning of work. The 30-year-old veteran has gone 2-1 on the year with a 4.15 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 31 strikeouts, 12 walks, three saves, and 13 holds in 30 1/3 innings out of the bullpen in his first year with the team. Keller will be forced to sit out the next couple of weeks, but he could be back as a valuable late-inning setup man for Philly before the All-Star break in mid-July. Keller only has eight saves in his eight-plus MLB seasons, but six of them have come in the last two years with the Phillies and Chicago Cubs.
Source: Philadelphia Phillies
Source: Philadelphia Phillies
Justin Verlander to Return on Sunday, Worth Rostering in Fantasy?
Detroit Tigers veteran right-hander Justin Verlander (hip) will come off the 60-day injured list to start on Sunday against the division-rival Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park, according to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News. It will be Verlander's second start of the 2026 season after he gave up five earned runs on six hits (one homer) while walking two and striking out one in 3 2/3 innings on March 30 against the Arizona Diamondbacks before being placed on the IL. The 43-year-old future Hall of Famer was deemed ready to rejoin Detroit's starting rotation after throwing a 66-pitch, four-inning simulated game on Monday. The three-time Cy Young winner and former MVP had a decent 3.38 ERA and 1.08 ERA in 10 2/3 innings pitched during his minor-league rehab assignment at Triple-A Toledo. Verlander will probably be limited in his first start back this weekend in what is a bad matchup against the suddenly potent White Sox's lineup. Despite the news that Verlander is set to return from the IL this weekend, he's still rostered in less than 5% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Detroit News - Chris McCosky
Source: The Detroit News - Chris McCosky
Kemp Alderman Returns From IL, Re-Emerging as Top Outfielder to Stash
Miami Marlins outfield prospect Kemp Alderman (wrist) has returned from the seven-day injured list and is back in action with the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, the team announced on Tuesday. Alderman, 23, landed on the IL back on May 24 after fracturing his left wrist when he collided with a baserunner at first base. The former second-round pick in 2023 out of the University of Mississippi was hitting an impressive .303/.376/.526 with a .903 OPS, nine home runs, 23 RBI, 29 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 40 games and 170 plate appearances with Jacksonville before missing time with his wrist injury. Now that Alderman is back in action on the arm, fantasy managers in deeper leagues may want to consider adding the right-handed-hitting outfielder. Per MLB Pipeline, Alderman is Miami's No. 9 prospect. The 6-foot-3, 235-pounder is a power over hit prospect who will need to cut down on his chase rate at the plate if he wants to succeed immediately at the major-league level whenever he's called up. If he continues to swing the bat well, a second-half call-up to the Fish is entirely possible.
Source: Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
Source: Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
Shane Bieber Closing in on Season Debut, Worth Stashing Now
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Shane Bieber (elbow) will make another rehab start on Wednesday with Triple-A Buffalo and is aiming to throw around 75 pitches, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. It may be Bieber's last rehab start before he's reinstated from the 60-day injured list to make his 2026 season debut with Toronto. This is your cue to run to the waiver wire and grab the 31-year-old if you could use some veteran rotation depth. Bieber is currently rostered in just under half of Yahoo leagues, and while he is no longer the dominant arm that he was with the Cleveland Guardians earlier in his career, he proved last year with the Jays that he can be useful as a fantasy streamer in the right matchups. In his four rehab starts, the former American League Cy Young winner has posted a 6.00 ERA and 1.75 WHIP with 12 strikeouts and only one walk in 12 innings pitched in the Florida Complex League and at Single-A Dunedin and Buffalo.
Source: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
Source: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
