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Jung Hoo Lee is Returning on Friday
San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee (back) was activated off the 10-day Injured List on Friday. Lee will start in right field and bat sixth against right-hander Michael Lorenzen on Friday. Lee has been out since May 22 due to a back strain. Before the injury, Lee was slashing .268/.311/.385 with three home runs, 17 RBI, and 10 walks. He doesn't offer a ton of power upside with the bat, but he's a decent contact hitter. Lee does enough at the plate consistently to warrant a look in deep leagues for fantasy managers struggling to find production.
Source: mlb.com
Source: mlb.com
Roman Anthony is Shut Down from Swinging
Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony appears to have suffered a setback during his rehab process. Anthony reportedly felt discomfort while hitting off a tee on Thursday. As a result, Anthony has been shut down from swinging the bat for now. This is the second time that Anthony has suffered a setback while rehabbing his finger injury. The hope was that Anthony would be able to return by early June. This setback might push that timetable back further, but fantasy managers will have to wait and see what the team decides to do. There should be another update on Anthony in the coming days.
Source: Chris Cotillo
Source: Chris Cotillo
Jimmy Crooks Ticketed for Major Role on MLB Roster?
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Jimmy Crooks was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Friday. He'll join the big league roster after slashing .262/.412/.567 with 13 home runs across 39 games in the minors this season. Manager Oliver Marmol has made it clear that Crooks was not brought up to sit on the bench. He should get the lion's share of the playing time, with Ivan Herrera serving as the personal catcher for Michael McGreevy and Andre Pallante. Crooks is not in the starting lineup on Friday, but figures to get into the lineup this weekend. Fantasy managers in need of catching help should consider adding Crooks. It's difficult to find catchers who can contribute consistently at the plate, and Crooks has shown the potential of being a reliable bat.
Source: Jeff Jones
Source: Jeff Jones
Eury Perez is Placed on 15-Day Injured List
Miami Marlins starting pitcher Eury Perez (hamstring) was placed on the 15-day Injured List on Friday. This comes after Perez was forced to make an early exit from Wednesday's start against the Toronto Blue Jays. He underwent additional testing, which revealed a right hamstring strain. The team hasn't revealed how long they expect Perez to be out, but hamstring issues often linger. Fantasy managers should expect to be without Perez for at least a few weeks. In a corresponding move, right-hander Josh Ekness has been recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville. It's unclear what the team plans to do with the vacant rotation spot, but that decision should be made soon.
Source: Barry Jackson
Source: Barry Jackson
Aaron Nola Goes on Paternity Leave List
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola was placed on the paternity leave list on Friday. The right-hander will be away from the team for a few days while he welcomes a new member to his family. Nola is currently scheduled to take the ball against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday. Nola should be back in time for that game, so fantasy managers shouldn't need to worry about him missing a start. The right-hander has posted ugly numbers anyway, with a 5.16 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, and 56:18 K:BB ratio across 11 starts this season. In a corresponding move, reliever Nolan Hoffman has been recalled to take over the spot on the active roster. Fantasy managers should check back ahead of Tuesday's game for another update on Nola.
Source: Philadelphia Phillies
Source: Philadelphia Phillies
Abner Uribe Gets One-Game Suspension
Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Abner Uribe has been suspended one game by the MLB for his inappropriate celebration during Wednesday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. Uribe did a crotch-chopping celebration toward the Cardinals' dugout following an inning-ending strikeout. He is appealing the suspension and is available to pitch until the appeal is heard and a final decision is made. The right-hander holds a 4.19 ERA and a 21:8 K:BB ratio with five saves across 19.1 innings of work this season. Uribe is a key piece to the Brewers' bullpen, so hopefully he won't get himself into more trouble with these types of stunts.
Source: Jeff Passan
Source: Jeff Passan
Cardinals Promote No. 7-Ranked Prospect Jimmy Crooks to Majors, Worth an Add in Deeper Leagues?
According to the team, the St. Louis Cardinals have promoted No. 7-ranked prospect Jimmy Crooks to the major league roster. Crooks made his MLB debut in the back half of the 2025 campaign, but he appeared in only 15 games during this short stint. However, Crooks has played at a high level with the Triple-A club this season and could earn a much larger role in his second stint. Last summer with the Cardinals, Crooks posted a low .133/.152/.244 line with one long ball. This season, Crooks has been among the top-performing catchers in the minor leagues as he has carried an impressive .262/.412/.567 slash line with a .979 OPS and 13 home runs. While the Cardinals have two proven backstops on the roster in Pedro Pages and Ivan Herrera, if Crooks can continue this power surge, he could eventually carve out a role. For now, he is worth a pick-up in deeper two-catcher leagues.
Source: St. Louis Cardinals
Source: St. Louis Cardinals
Gage Wood a Top Stash Ahead of Potential MLB Debut in 2026?
Philadelphia Phillies right-handed pitching prospect Gage Wood is currently in Double-A and has been in pro baseball for less than a year. However, the 22-year-old has already emerged as an intriguing prospect to stash in fantasy baseball, as there's a chance he could be on the fast track to making his MLB debut this season. Across 10 starts between Single-A and Double-A this year, Wood owns a 3.17 FIP and 2.48 xERA with 13.50 K/9, 3.51 BB/9, and 0.81 HR/9. In addition to his impressive control, he has shown an ability to induce weak contact with a 54.4% ground ball rate. Wood possesses an impressive four-pitch mix that includes a four-seam fastball, slider, curveball, and changeup. His four-seamer sits in the mid-to-high 90s with a 38% whiff rate and .189 xBA. The slider has a 36.2% whiff rate, and the curveball and changeup both have 50% whiff rates. All four have the potential to be plus offerings, giving Wood the inside path to being MLB-ready sooner rather than later. He's worth stashing in deeper fantasy leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Ben Brown is Worth Adding During Breakout Campaign
Chicago Cubs pitcher Ben Brown is in the midst of a breakout campaign and is quickly becoming a top waiver wire option. The right-hander is coming off his best start of the season against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday. Brown tossed six innings, allowing one earned run while striking out seven batters. Overall, Brown owns a 2.01 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and a 47:14 K:BB ratio across 16 appearances (four starts) with the Cubs this season. Brown started the season in a multi-inning role in the bullpen, but was moved into the starting rotation due to injuries. The Cubs are currently without a handful of starting pitchers, so they need Brown to stay in the rotation for now. Fantasy managers seeking pitching help should consider adding Brown while he's in this hot stretch. There's a chance he heads back to the bullpen eventually, but he's worth an add right now.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Jacob Latz is Top Option for Saves in Arlington
Texas Rangers relief pitcher Jacob Latz appears to be running away with the closer job in Arlington. Latz earned his sixth save of the season when he recorded four outs to slam the door against the Houston Astros on Tuesday. He did allow a home run in that game, but he remains arguably the best bullpen arm in Texas right now. Latz owns a 2.16 ERA, 0.60 WHIP, and a 23:5 K:BB ratio across 25.0 innings of work this season. It seems like the Rangers are going to continue leaning on Latz as the closer until he gives them a reason to otherwise. Fantasy managers seeking bullpen help or a source of saves should snag Latz before it's too late.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Connelly Early is Becoming a Must-Add Pitcher
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Connelly Early is quickly becoming a must-add fantasy option. The southpaw has been solid on the mound over his last handful of starts. Most recently, Early tossed seven scoreless innings, allowing four hits, and striking out seven batters in the win over the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday. The 24-year-old has allowed three earned runs or fewer in four of his last five starts. He also struck out five or more batters in each of his last four starts. Everything seems to be going right for Early at the moment. He's looking like a solid fantasy option at the moment while he's pitching this well.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Graham Ashcraft is Placed on 60-Day Injured List
Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Graham Ashcraft (elbow) was placed on the 60-day Injured List on Friday. Ouch, this is a tough break for the Reds with Ashcraft being one of the team's best relievers this season. The expectation is that he'll be sidelined until around August due to a UCL sprain in his right forearm. This season, Ashcraft owns a 3.33 ERA and 32:16 K:BB ratio across 27 innings of work this season. He only notched one save, but was one of the better late-inning options for the Reds. The absence of Ashcraft will put more pressure on Tony Santillan, Pierce Johnson, and Brock Burke.
Source: Charlie Goldsmith
Source: Charlie Goldsmith
Coleman Crow to Start on Friday
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Coleman Crow is scheduled to take the mound against the Houston Astros on Friday. Crow joined the team on Tuesday, with Logan Henderson (back) landing on the 15-day Injured List. The expectation is that Crow is going to take the vacant spot in the rotation until Henderson is ready to return. Crow has pitched well during his previous two outings against the Miami Marlins and Minnesota Twins. He owns a 2.61 ERA with a 7/1 K/BB ratio during those two starts. The 25-year-old is an intriguing deep league streaming option for Friday's slate.
Source: Adam McCalvy
Source: Adam McCalvy
Carson Williams Optioned to Triple-A
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Carson Williams was optioned to Triple-A Durham on Friday. Williams will head back to the minors after struggling during his short stint with the big league club. Across 33 plate appearances, Williams slashed .100/.156/.133 with three RBI and two walks. Brandon Williamson (back) was activated off the Injured List, so Williams will head to the minors to get everyday at-bats. It shouldn't be too long before Williams is back with the big league club. He can be sent to the waiver wire in redraft formats, but remains a dynasty stash.
Source: Tampa Bay Rays
Source: Tampa Bay Rays
James Tibbs III a Must-Stash Prospect with Opening on MLB Roster?
Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect James Tibbs III has been viewed as an intriguing fantasy baseball prospect for a while now, but up until recently, there hadn't been much room for him on the major league roster. That's no longer the case, as outfielder Teoscar Hernandez (hamstring) is headed to the 10-day injured list. While the Dodgers have recalled Ryan Ward to take Hernandez's spot on the 26-man roster for now, Tibbs could force the front office's hand and earn a promotion. Through 51 games this season, he is slashing .310/.413/.616 with 14 home runs, three steals, a 14.6% walk rate, a 25.8% strikeout rate, and 156 wRC+. He's up to 32 extra-base hits on the year, and his blend of contact and power should continue if (and when) he reaches the major league roster. Tibbs has jumped to #12 among outfield prospects in RotoBaller's latest redraft rankings, and he's currently available on the waiver wire in 97% of leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
