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Mets Expect Francisco Lindor to Play in Games "This Month"
President of baseball operations David Stearns said on Friday that he expects shortstop Francisco Lindor (calf) to play in games for the New York Mets "this month," according to Chelsea Janes of SNY. Lindor played two simulated innings on Friday and faced a minor-league pitcher. Manager Carlos Mendoza said that Lindor will repeat that multiple times next week, which could lessen the need for a minor-league rehab assignment. However, it probably won't eliminate the need for a rehab assignment entirely. The 32-year-old five-time All-Star has been out since straining his left calf on April 22, but he could be ready to rejoin the big-league roster in time for the Mets' next homestand, which begins on June 22. Lindor's return will allow New York to shift Bo Bichette back to third base, which will make regular playing time harder to come by for Brett Baty. Lindor got off to a rough start at the plate in his 93 at-bats before injuring his calf, hitting .226 with two homers, five RBI, 14 runs, and two stolen bases, but he belongs on fantasy rosters in all leagues with his expected return to come before the calendar flips to July.
Source: SNY - Chelsea Janes
Source: SNY - Chelsea Janes
Tigers Activate Kenley Jansen From the Injured List on Friday
The Detroit Tigers activated right-handed reliever Kenley Jansen (pelvis) from the 15-day injured list on Friday, the team announced. Jansen spent the minimum time on the IL with pelvic inflammation that sidelined him in late May. The veteran reliever only made one minor-league rehab appearance with Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday and gave up three runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning. The 38-year-old four-time All-Star has a longer leash than most closers because he has 483 saves in his 17-year MLB career. Jansen should return to primary save duties in Detroit now that he's healthy, but things could change quickly in Detroit if he continues to struggle late in games. He has already blown four saves and currently sports a 1-3 record, 4.80 ERA (5.84 FIP), and 1.20 WHIP with seven saves, 19 strikeouts, and nine walks in his 15 innings this year. Jansen is rostered in 68% of Yahoo leagues, so he could be available to be scooped up if you are searching for saves. If Jansen continues to stumble, both Will Vest and Kyle Finnegan are next up for save opportunities.
Source: Tigers PR
Source: Tigers PR
Cardinals Send Nolan Gorman to Triple-A
The St. Louis Cardinals optioned infielder Nolan Gorman to Triple-A Memphis on Friday, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The Cardinals are changing things up in the infield. Gorman could probably use a reset offensively after slashing just .194/.279/.318 with a .598 OPS, seven home runs, 26 RBI, and 19 runs scored through 62 games and 229 plate appearances so far in 2026 in his fifth year in the big leagues. In addition to hardly producing at all for the Red Birds, Gorman is striking out at a 32.3% clip and has just three hits in his last 50 at-bats with 27 strikeouts and five walks over a span of 17 games. Gorman will head down to the farm to work on his approach at the plate, but it might already be too late for him to reclaim a starting role in St. Louis for the rest of the season. In Yahoo leagues, Gorman is rostered in just 3% of formats.
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold
Shohei Ohtani Held Out of Friday's Lineup
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (knee) is not in the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the hosting Chicago White Sox, according to MLB.com. Santiago Espinal is serving as the DH and will bat eighth against White Sox left-hander Anthony Kay. The Dodgers pulled Ohtani from Thursday's win over the Pittsburgh Pirates as a precaution due to inflammation in his left knee, but manager Dave Roberts said he was confident that the two-way superstar would be back in the lineup on the South Side of Chicago. Ohtani is considered day-to-day, and his injury isn't serious, so the four-time MVP could be right back in the starting nine for Game 2 of the series in Chicago on Saturday. After a slow start offensively, the 31-year-old left-handed slugger has been more productive with the weather warming up, and he's hitting .305/.421/.543 overall with a .964 OPS, 13 home runs, 40 RBI, 48 runs scored, and six stolen bases in his 243 at-bats in 2026. Check back on Saturday to see if Ohtani is back in action for the Dodgers.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Phillies Promote Gabriel Rincones Jr., Poised for a Large Role?
The Philadelphia Phillies are calling up outfield prospect Gabriel Rincones Jr. to the majors on Friday, according to Milb Central. Rincones gets the nod to the majors with Adolis Garcia (lat) going on the 60-day injured list due to a torn lat muscle. The 25-year-old former third-rounder in 2022 out of Florida Atlantic University was hitting just .215/.344/.291 with a .635 OPS, one homer, nine RBI, 14 runs scored, four stolen bases, 16 walks, and 21 strikeouts in 22 games at Single-A Clearwater, High-A Jersey Shore, and Triple-A Lehigh Valley before his call-up. He got a late start to the 2026 season due to a knee injury. Rincones hit .240/.370/.430 with 18 long balls and 21 stolen bases at Lehigh Valley last year, and he's considered the Phillies' No. 6 prospect, per MLB Pipeline. With Garcia out at least two months with a torn lat, Rincones absolutely could see plenty of playing time in Philly's outfield going forward. He is making the start in right field on Friday and is batting seventh in his MLB debut in Milwaukee against the Brewers in a tough matchup against flamethrower Jacob Misiorowski. The 6-foot-3, 225-pounder has enough raw power from the left side of the plate to attract interest from those in deep-mixed leagues.
Source: Milb Central
Source: Milb Central
Jordan Lawlar Activated From Injured List, a Must-Add Ahead of Return?
The Arizona Diamondbacks announced on Friday that they reinstated infielder/outfielder Jordan Lawlar (wrist) from the 60-day injured list and designated catcher Aramis Garcia for assignment in a corresponding move. Lawlar is starting in center field and will bat seventh in his return in Friday's series opener in Cincinnati against the Reds and left-hander Nick Lodolo. The 23-year-old former top prospect has been out since fracturing his wrist back in early April. Before getting hurt, the former sixth overall pick in 2021 went 6-for-18 at the plate with a homer, two RBI, three runs scored, and a stolen base for the Snakes. Lawlar has yet to break through at the MLB level in Arizona since debuting in 2023, slashing .191/.266/.287 with a .533 OPS, one homer, seven RBI, 14 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 48 games and 128 plate appearances. He could very well be a post-hype breakout prospect the rest of 2026 if he can stay healthy, and he's rostered in under 10% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Arizona Diamondbacks
Source: Arizona Diamondbacks
Blaze Jordan Earns Call to Majors, a Priority Add in All Leagues?
The St. Louis Cardinals are promoting infield prospect Blaze Jordan to the MLB roster ahead of Friday's contest against the Minnesota Twins. Jordan is currently ranked as the team's No. 25-ranked prospect on MLB.com, but he has been among the top hitters at the Triple-A level this season. Through 57 contests at Triple-A, the first/third baseman has posted an impressive .313/.373/.548 line with a stellar .921 OPS. During this stretch, Jordan has hit 19 doubles and launched 11 long balls while swiping two bags. This is worth noting as Jordan stumbled during his first stint with Memphis last summer, posting a low .198/.242/.366 line over a 41-game stint. Given that Nolan Gorman has struggled at the plate this season and was sent to Triple-A in a corresponding move, Jordan has a clear path to carve out an everyday role at the hot corner. For now, he is worth picking up all 12+ team leagues ahead of his MLB debut.
Source: MiLB Central
Source: MiLB Central
Hurston Waldrep Activated and Optioned to Triple-A
The Atlanta Braves announced on Friday that they reinstated right-hander Hurston Waldrep (elbow) from the 60-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett. Waldrep isn't ready to rejoin the major-league roster after rehabbing from elbow surgery in the offseason. The 24-year-old former first-rounder in 2023 out of the University of Florida allowed four runs in 3 2/3 innings in his third minor-league rehab start with Double-A Columbus. Waldrep should be an option for the Braves' starting rotation sooner rather than later in 2026 after he went 6-1 with a 2.88 ERA (3.21 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with 55 strikeouts and 22 walks in 56 1/3 innings pitched across 10 appearances (nine starts) last year before being shut down with his elbow injury. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should be considering whether to stash Waldrep right now as a potential difference-maker in the second half of the season. Right now, he's rostered in only 5% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Atlanta Braves
Source: Atlanta Braves
Adolis Garcia Placed on 60-Day Injured List With Lat Tear
The Philadelphia Phillies announced on Friday that they placed outfielder Adolis Garcia (lat) on the 60-day injured list with a torn right lat, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. Garcia tore his lat trying to throw George Springer out at home plate on Wednesday against the Toronto Blue Jays, and now he'll miss extended time. At the very least, Garcia will be out for two months while on the 60-day IL, and if he undergoes surgery, it wouldn't be surprising if we don't see him again in 2026. Gabriel Rincones and the newly acquired Derek Hill will report to Philly's big-league roster with Garcia injured. In addition to his injury, the 33-year-old Garcia has been a major disappointment in 2026 in his first year with the Phillies, hitting just .195 (45-for-231) with seven home runs, 21 RBI, 21 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 67 games across 259 plate appearances. In most single-year leagues, the two-time All-Star can be dropped to the waiver wire.
Source: MLB.com - Todd Zolecki
Source: MLB.com - Todd Zolecki
Elly De La Cruz 90 Percent Healed From Hamstring Injury
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) is 90% healed from his hamstring injury, manager Terry Francona told Charlie Clifford of NBC 5 Cincinnati. Francona plans to meet with everyone on Sunday to make a decision on how to proceed. The Reds have yet to decide if De La Cruz will need a minor-league rehab start before being reinstated from the 10-day injured list. The 24-year-old Dominican could be back with the Reds' major-league roster early next week if the coaching staff doesn't feel like he needs to go on a rehab assignment. Before injuring his hamstring, the two-time All-Star was slashing .280/.346/.509 with an .855 OPS, 12 home runs, 37 RBI, 40 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases in 232 at-bats in 2026. With De La Cruz sidelined for all of June to this point, the Reds have moved second baseman Matt McLain over to the 6. There is no way that De La Cruz, a switch-hitting, five-contributor, should be available on the waiver wire in any leagues.
Source: NBC 5 Cincinnati - Charlie Clifford
Source: NBC 5 Cincinnati - Charlie Clifford
Garrett Crochet Not Expected to Return Until After All-Star Break
Boston Red Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet (lat, shoulder) clarified on Friday that his comments earlier this week were about his shoulder taking longer than expected, not his lat, according to Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald. Crochet's lat is asymptomatic. However, because of his shoulder, he doesn't think he'll be back before the All-Star break in mid-July. A low-grade lat strain that Crochet suffered in early June definitely didn't help his cause, but it's the left shoulder that is keeping the talented southpaw from returning to close out the first half of his second season in Boston. The 26-year-old deserves to be stashed in all fantasy formats while he recovers, as he's one of the best left-handers in the game when he's at full health. Crochet finished second in the American League Cy Young voting in 2025 in his first year with the BoSox, but he's currently 3-3 with a 6.30 ERA (4.30 FIP) and 1.47 WHIP with 37 strikeouts and 11 walks in his six starts in 2026. He led the league in innings (205 1/3) and strikeouts (255) last year.
Source: Boston Herald - Gabrielle Starr
Source: Boston Herald - Gabrielle Starr
Alejandro Kirk Reinstated From the Injured List on Friday
The Toronto Blue Jays announced on Friday that they reinstated catcher Alejandro Kirk (thumb) from the 60-day injured list and designated catcher Tyler Heineman for assignment in a corresponding move. Kirk should be back behind the dish to catch right-hander Trey Yesavage on Friday night at the Rogers Centre in the series opener against the division-rival New York Yankees and left-hander Ryan Weathers. The 27-year-old Mexican native only played in five games to begin the 2026 season before fracturing his thumb, going 3-for-20 with a homer and two RBI in his 22 plate appearances. The two-time All-Star doesn't have a ton of pop behind the plate, but he did produce a career-high 15 home runs while driving in 76 in 130 regular-season games in 2025. Fantasy managers looking for an upgrade at the position could take a chance on Kirk, who is rostered in just 25% of Yahoo leagues. Kirk will be Toronto's primary catcher now that he has recovered from his thumb fracture. He went 3-for-18 at the plate with a homer during six minor-league rehab games.
Source: Toronto Blue Jays
Source: Toronto Blue Jays
Blue Jays Place Daulton Varsho on the Injured List With Wrist Inflammation
The Toronto Blue Jays placed outfielder Daulton Varsho (wrist) on the 10-day injured list on Friday with left-wrist inflammation and recalled infielder/outfielder Davis Schneider from the minors in a corresponding move, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. Varsho has battled wrist inflammation for roughly a week. The Blue Jays initially thought he'd avoid the IL. It has been a disappointing year offensively for the 29-year-old Varsho, who will head to the shelf with a .256/.331/.408 slash line, .738 OPS, five home runs, 17 RBI, five stolen bases, and 27 runs scored in 64 games across 236 plate appearances. With Varsho on the sidelines for a bit longer, expect Toronto to mix and match in center field with Myles Straw and Nathan Lukes. Lukes is the more attractive option in deeper fantasy leagues for a short-term playing-time boost North of the border. Lukes, 31, is currently hitting .311 (33-for-106), but with only one homer, 12 RBI, and 13 runs scored for the Jays.
Source: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
Source: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
Xander Bogaerts Returns From Paternity List
The San Diego Padres announced on Friday that they reinstated infielder Xander Bogaerts from the paternity list and designated outfielder Bryce Johnson for assignment in a corresponding move. Bogaerts was placed on the paternity list on Tuesday and missed the final two games of the series at Petco Park against the Cincinnati Reds. The 33-year-old veteran shortstop should return to San Diego's starting lineup for Friday's series opener in Baltimore against the Orioles and right-hander Shane Baz. Bogaerts will return to a .231/.303/.356 slash line, .658 OPS, eight home runs, 27 RBI, 27 runs scored, and nine stolen bases in his 225 at-bats this year. Although he has three hits in his last two games, Bogaerts went hitless in his previous five games to start the month of June. The three-time All-Star is in just the 33rd percentile in hard-hit rate and the 47th percentile in xwOBA on the year. He has really struggled in the last two weeks, batting .152 (5-for-33) with a homer, double, three RBI, five runs, four walks, and nine strikeouts in 10 games played.
Source: San Diego Padres
Source: San Diego Padres
Jac Caglianone Emerging as a Must-Add Power Bat to Target on the Waiver Wire
Since the calendar flipped from May to June, Kansas City Royals outfielder/first baseman Jac Caglianone has been on an absolute tear at the plate. Across 36 plate appearances this month, the 23-year-old is hitting .533/.611/.900 with three home runs, eight RBI, eight runs scored, and two stolen bases. Swing-and-miss remains a concern in Caglianone's profile, as he's struck out in 29% of his plate appearances on the season. However, his underlying contact quality metrics are strong enough that it may not matter. Caglianone owns a 15.6% barrel rate and a 57.4% hard-hit rate and is now hitting .279 with eight home runs, 19 RBI, 26 runs scored, and three stolen bases across 231 plate appearances in 2026. The lefty-swinger has also held his own against same-handed pitching, recording a .295/.328/.492 slash line across 64 plate appearances against southpaws. In any league where he remains available, Caglianone profiles as a must-add outfielder ahead of what could be a superstar breakout.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
