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Justin Verlander Throws Successful Sim Game on Wednesday
Detroit Tigers veteran right-hander Justin Verlander (hip) threw 66 pitches in his live batting practice session on Wednesday and hit 95.3 mph on the radar gun in his fourth inning of work. Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports that it seemed like an improvement over his previous session. Verlander was placed on the 60-day injured list with a hip injury after making his first start in his return to Detroit at the end of March. The 43-year-old future Hall of Famer has been slow to recover, but he's making strides lately and could be cleared for a minor-league rehab assignment soon. It's unclear when the former MVP, three-time Cy Young winner, and nine-time All-Star will be ready to come off the IL, though, and when he does, there may not be an opening in the Tigers' starting rotation if both Tarik Skubal (elbow) and Ty Madden (forearm) are back by then. There are much better upside pitching stashes than Verlander at this point near the end of his amazing career. Verlander is only rostered in 4% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Is Thomas White Still a Top Stash Target in Standard Leagues?
Miami Marlins top pitching prospect Thomas White (shoulder) was placed on the 7-day injured list last week. While this significantly decreased his short-term upside, White remains a top pitching prospect to stash, as he still holds a clear path to the majors. Before hitting the minor league injured list, the Marlins demoted Braxton Garrett to Triple-A and placed Robby Snelling on the 60-day injured list, opening up a clear path for their top prospect. While this injury delayed his eventual MLB debut, per reports, the team believes it is not a serious issue and should not keep him on the shelf for long. Fantasy managers should continue to keep a close eye on his status, as a quick return from the injured list could put him immediately at the top of most stash boards. His elite strikeout potential could make him a high-impact option for fantasy as soon as he earns the call.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Is Spencer Jones a Worthy Stash Option Following Demotion?
New York Yankees outfield prospect Spencer Jones was quickly sent back to Triple-A following his brief MLB debut. Jones appeared in 10 games for the Bronx bombers and went 4-for-24 with a 12:3 K:BB and no extra-base hits. Jones was called on as a bench replacement and was unable to carve out a significant role in the Yankees' outfield. However, in hopes of giving him every day at-bats, the Yankees sent their outfield prospect back to the top club in the system. Through 34 games at Triple-A, Jones has posted a .262/.377/.615 slash line with a dominant .992 OPS. During this stint, the slugger has launched 12 home runs, swiped seven bags, but has struck out a rather high 46 times. While his high whiff tendencies do hurt his profile, his raw power is among the best in the minor leagues. Fantasy managers in deeper five-outfielder leagues should continue to monitor his status with Triple-A, as he could be in the mix for a longer stint during his next promotion. For now, given his lack of a clear path, he holds low-end stash upside in Week 9.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Ralphy Velazquez Firmly on the Stash Radar Amid Recent Triple-A Promotion
Cleveland Guardians first base prospect Ralphy Velazquez is now firmly on the stash radar amid his promotion to Triple-A Columbus. The first baseman was enjoying a stellar start to the campaign at Double-A and was rewarded with an early promotion to the top club, putting him just one step away from the big leagues. With Double-A Velazquez appeared in 36 games, posting a .317/.414/.566 slash line with a dominant .980 OPS. During this stint, Velazquez went deep seven times and held a strong 31:22 K:BB. Since moving up to the top club, the infielder has yet to slow down, going 6-for-17 over his first five games with a 2:3 K:BB. While first base is not a direct position of need on the MLB roster, Velazquez could eventually shift to the DH spot if he maintains this pace. He is quickly climbing the stash rankings and could emerge as a must-stash option if he maintains this current trajectory.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Walker Jenkins Back on the Stash Radar Following Positive Injury Update?
Minnesota Twins top outfield prospect Walker Jenkins has been on the 7-day injured list due to a shoulder injury, but has begun to make steady progress in his recovery. Last week, reports suggested that the former fifth overall selection from the 2023 MLB Draft was nearing a return to baseball activities. As a result, he could return to game action before the end of June, keeping the door open for a major league promotion sometime in the second half. Before his injury, Jenkins was in the midst of his first "full" stint at Triple-A St. Paul, where he appeared in 25 games and held a .256/.396/.389 line with a .785 OPS. During this stretch, Jenkins tallied six doubles, two home runs, and swiped five bags. With Minnesota locking many proven options in the outfield, Jenkins may only need another short stint of action at Triple-A before earning his ticket to the big leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
George Lombard Jr. Seeing Stash Value Surge Amid Improvements at Triple-A
New York Yankees top prospect George Lombard Jr. has begun to put his slow start at Triple-A behind him and is emerging as a viable stash option in a last-minute league. Lombard opened the campaign with Double-A Somerset but needed only another 20 games at this level to earn the call to the top club in the Yankees system. However, the team's No. 1-ranked prospect endured some growing pains early on in his Triple-A career, posting a modest .177/.351/.127 line with a .429 OPS. During this 15-game skid, Lombard did not tally a single extra-base hit. However, since then, Lombard has turned the corner rather quickly, posting a .306/.350/.417 line with four doubles over his last eight contests. Even though Jose Caballero is back in action on the MLB roster, Lombard could compete for an MLB debut in the second half as the Yankees also lack much offense at the hot corner. For now, the former 26th overall pick holds viable stash upside in deeper 12+ team leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Kerry Carpenter Facing Live Pitching, Rehab Assignment Could Come Soon
Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter (shoulder) is taking live at-bats in a simulated game against right-hander Justin Verlander (hip) on Wednesday, according to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News. It's a good sign that Carpenter is close to being ready to go on a minor-league rehab assignment. It was the first time that Carpenter had seen live pitching since he was placed on the 10-day injured list in early May with an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder. If the 29-year-old starts a rehab assignment on the farm soon and avoids any setbacks with his shoulder, he could return to the big-league roster by early June. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder was hitting only .216 (22-for-102) at the time of his injury with six home runs and 17 RBI in his first 37 games of 2026, but he proved last year that he's capable of plenty of power production for fantasy managers, clubbing a career-best 26 homers and driving in 62 in 130 regular-season games. Carpenter is a stash candidate for those looking for a boost in power going forward, and he's rostered in only 39% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Detroit News - Chris McCosky
Source: The Detroit News - Chris McCosky
Jacob Gonzalez Emerging as Top Stash Target with Five-Category Upside
Chicago White Sox infield prospect Jacob Gonzalez has enjoyed a dominant start to the Triple-A regular season and is emerging as a top stash target among infield prospects. Gonzalez currently sits as the No. 24-ranked prospect in the system on MLB.com but has performed at a borderline elite level despite his lower prospect pedigree. Through 49 games in Charlotte this season, Gonzalez has posted a .294/.406/.594 slash line with a 1.000 OPS. During this stint, Gonzalez has tallied nine doubles, 15 home runs, seven stolen bases, and a 47:33 K:BB. This is a stark improvement compared to the .204/.310/.293 line he led his first 43 games at Triple-A during the 2025 campaign. While there is no clear opening for Gonzalez on the MLB roster at the moment, he is emerging as a top stash candidate given his five-category potential.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Eury Perez Pulled Early on Wednesday With Hamstring Issue
Miami Marlins right-hander Eury Perez (hamstring) was pulled from his start early on Wednesday against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre with a right-hamstring spasm, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. Perez was pitching extremely well before exiting, throwing four scoreless innings with three hits allowed, no walks, and a season-high nine strikeouts. He hit 101 mph with his fastball and was having his best start of the year. Perez appeared to injure himself while stretching before going out for the fifth inning, and he looked to be in quite a bit of pain. Fantasy managers should consider him to be day-to-day until we know more, but we wouldn't be surprised if it turns into an injured-list situation. If Perez avoids a serious injury, he's scheduled to toe the rubber next against the division-rival Washington Nationals next Tuesday. The 23-year-old Dominican has electric stuff, but walks have been an issue, as he entered Wednesday's start with a career-high 11.2% walk rate. He also had a 3-6 record with a 4.91 ERA (5.00 FIP), 1.29 WHIP, and 63:28 K:BB in 58 2/3 frames over 11 starts.
Source: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
Source: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
Luis Robert Jr. Still Worth Stashing in Deeper Leagues?
New York Mets outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (back) was transferred to the 60-day injured list on Wednesday, delaying his return to major league action until the end of June, at the earliest. Robert was traded to the Mets this past offseason and has continued to fall off at the plate. He has not yet returned to his 38-homer form (2023); in fact, he has posted an OPS below .700 in each of the three seasons since then. Across 24 games before landing on the IL this year, he had slugged just two home runs. The only bright spot from Robert's first month with the Mets was his K/BB ratio, as he drew walks at a 13.3% clip and struck out just 17.3% of the time. That's a step in the right direction for Robert, but it seemed to come with a drop-off in power, which is far from ideal. With that being said, he's an intriguing stash in deep fantasy leagues, as the Mets hope he can return to All-Star form once he has shaken his injury. As it stands, Robert is the #45 outfielder in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings, and he's available to be added in 64% of leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Spencer Arrighetti a Must-Add Starter in Fantasy Baseball
Houston Astros starting pitcher Spencer Arrighetti is off to a terrific start this season, posting a 1.32 ERA and 2.3% HR/FB rate across seven appearances. So far, he's 6-1 with 8.78 K/9, 5.49 BB/9, and 0.22 HR/9. The walk rate is less ideal, and we don't love that his FIP is more than two full points higher than his ERA, but the results speak for themselves. Arrighetti has been a valuable starter in fantasy baseball this season, and he hasn't allowed an earned run in his last two starts (12.1 innings). As long as he keeps it up, he'll remain a priority target on the waiver wire for the rest of the season. Currently, Arrighetti ranks as the #86 starter in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings, and he's still available in approximately to be added in 42% of leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Gavin Sheets a Priority Waiver-Wire Addition Amid Hitting Streak?
San Diego Padres first baseman Gavin Sheets has recorded a base hit in five consecutive games, offering consistency and upside in fantasy baseball. Over his last 13 games, Sheets is 15-for-39 (.385) with four home runs, 10 walks, and nine strikeouts. This level of productivity has turned him into a priority waiver wire addition, especially for fantasy managers in search of someone to occupy a first base or outfield spot. In total this year, Sheets is slashing .255/.335/.503 with a career-high 139 wRC+. He also has nine home runs, putting him on pace to slug 20+ homers for the first time in his career. Despite being a key bright spot for a 31-win Padres team, Sheets is rostered in just 29% of fantasy baseball leagues. That means he's available in 71% of leagues, making him a priority target for plenty of fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Matthew Boyd a High-Strikeout Starter to Stash?
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Matthew Boyd (knee) has been on the injured list since early May due to a left meniscus injury, but he is still worth stashing in fantasy baseball. Boyd posted a subpar 6.00 ERA before the injury, but it came over a small sample size, and we know that he wasn't fully healthy. We're far more encouraged by what he did well: striking out batters. The southpaw had 11.63 K/9, 2.25 BB/9, and 0.75 HR/9 through his first five starts this year. He also had a 2.59 xFIP, suggesting that his ERA was skewed by bad luck and he's due for some favorable regression over a larger sample size. Once Boyd gets back from the IL, we'd expect him to lower his ERA while continuing to post an impressive K/BB ratio. The 35-year-old is expected to make two rehab starts soon, so he's likely targeting a mid-June return to the major league rotation. That's not too far away, so managers should consider stashing Boyd in anticipation of his activation. At the moment, he's available in 52% of fantasy baseball leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
J.T. Ginn a Waiver Wire Target Despite Recent Blemish?
Athletics starting pitcher J.T. Ginn has been effective on the mound this season, emerging as a waiver wire option for fantasy baseball managers. Through 12 games (nine starts) this year, Ginn owns a 3.19 ERA with 8.05 K/9, 3.86 BB/9, and a 47.5% ground ball rate. His fastball is also up to a career-high average of 94.5 mph. For the most part, he's flashed solid control, but he did have a rough outing a few days ago. Against the Padres on May 23, he allowed zero hits over 2.1 innings, but he walked six batters and surrendered two earned runs. Outside of that outing, walks haven't been a glaring issue for Ginn this year, so we expect him to bounce back in his next outing. His ERA, his solid K/BB ratio, and his ability to pitch deeper into outings make him an intriguing name to consider adding on the waiver wire. As it stands, he's still available in 77% of fantasy baseball leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brandon Marsh Out With Sprained Finger on Wednesday
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Brandon Marsh (finger) sprained his right middle finger in Tuesday night's win over the hosting San Diego Padres at Petco Park and is sitting out of the series finale on Wednesday, according to MLB.com. Adolis Garcia will make the start in right field and is batting seventh for the Phils versus Padres right-hander Walker Buehler. As of now, Marsh's finger injury isn't believed to be serious, and he's considered day-to-day. With an off day coming on Thursday, he could be right back in the starting nine for a showdown on Friday night in Los Angeles against the first-place Dodgers. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder still isn't going to provide fantasy managers with a ton of power (he has five homers in 181 at-bats), but he's currently batting a career-high .326 (59-for-181) with 24 RBI, 28 runs scored, and four stolen bases in a stacked Phillies batting order. Garcia is barely hitting over the Mendoza Line in 2025 in his first year with the Phils, but he has hit .250 with a 1.000 OPS in eight career at-bats against Buehler with a home run and three RBI.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
