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CJ Abrams Returns to Starting Lineup After Injury Scare
Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (side) is back at the 6 and will hit cleanup for the Nats on Wednesday against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies and right-hander Aaron Nola, according to MLB.com. Abrams was scratched from Tuesday's game in D.C. with tightness in his left side, but he has been cleared to return just a day later. It's excellent news for the Nationals and Abrams' fantasy managers. The 25-year-old former sixth overall pick by the San Diego Padres in 2019 is having a career year in 2026 so far, batting .286/.366/.530 with an .895 OPS, 17 home runs, 57 RBI, 51 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases in 287 at-bats as a five-category contributor at a premier position. Get him back into all starting lineups immediately, even though he doesn't have a great history against the veteran Nola. In 23 career at-bats versus Nola, Abrams is hitting .217 with a .598 OPS, one home run, and two RBI. Abrams will bring a six-game hitting streak into Wednesday's game. He's gone 7-for-24 (.292) during the streak with three homers, two doubles, four RBI, five runs scored, and a stolen base.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Dalton Rushing Returns on Wednesday, Worth a Waiver-Wire Pickup?
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing (head) is back behind the plate to catch right-hander Shohei Ohtani and will bat eighth on Wednesday on the road against the hosting Minnesota Twins and right-hander Joe Ryan, per MLB.com. The Dodgers pulled Rushing from Monday's game early in Minnesota after he was hit in the catcher's mask by a foul tip, and he was held out of Tuesday's contest against the Twins as a precaution. Rushing cleared the league's protocol, though, and is now back in action with Will Smith (neck) still on the 10-day injured list. The 25-year-old former second-round pick in the 2022 MLB draft out of the University of Louisville has generated some short-term waiver-wire appeal in fantasy leagues with Smith's injury taking longer than expected to heal. Rushing is hitting .252/.340/.481 with an .821 OPS, eight homers, 22 RBI, and 21 runs scored in 135 at-bats in his first full season in the big leagues, although he's gone 4-for-30 (.133) with three doubles, one RBI, two runs, four walks, and 10 K's in his last 10 games played.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Kyle Tucker's Absence Continues into Wednesday
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Kyle Tucker (back) will miss a second straight game on Wednesday against the hosting Minnesota Twins at Target Field with a back issue, according to MLB.com. Manager Dave Roberts said after Tuesday's contest that the struggling Tucker is likely to miss the rest of the series in Minnesota, so it's no surprise that he's starting on the bench for the finale on Wednesday. Alex Call is taking over in right field again and will bat sixth against Twins right-hander Joe Ryan. The Dodgers have a scheduled day off on Thursday, so Tucker's next chance to return to the starting lineup will be for Friday's series opener in San Diego against the division-rival Padres. The 29-year-old left-handed slugger has been a bust in the first year of his four-year, $240 million deal he signed with the Dodgers in January of this year. The four-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner enters Wednesday's action with a .234/.333/.374 slash line, .707 OPS, six homers, 40 RBI, 44 runs, six stolen bases, and a 20.4% strikeout rate in 318 plate appearances. Tucker's buy-low window remains firmly open.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jeremy Pena Back From Hamstring Injury to Face Blue Jays
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (hamstring) is back at shortstop and is batting third for Wednesday's tilt on the road against the Toronto Blue Jays and right-hander Trey Yesavage, according to MLB.com. Pena was pulled from the series opener on Monday in Canada with a cramp in his right hamstring and was held out of Tuesday's contest as a precaution. Now that he's back in there on Wednesday, fantasy managers will want to return him to their starting lineups in traditional formats. The 28-year-old Dominican has battled injuries in 2026, but when on the field, he's been money, slashing .284/.346/.451 with a .797 OPS, six home runs, 18 RBI, 29 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in 43 games across 179 plate appearances. Pena has been even better at the plate so far in June, going 21-for-70 (.300) with three long balls, five doubles, 10 RBI, 14 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 20 games for the Astros. He has never faced Yesavage in his MLB career.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Kyle Schwarber Missing a Second Straight Game With Back Injury
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder/designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (back) is sitting out of Wednesday's game against the division-rival Washington Nationals for the second straight game due to a back issue, according to MLB.com. First baseman Bryce Harper will serve as the DH and bat third, with Alec Bohm starting at first base and batting cleanup, and Edmundo Sosa manning third and batting eighth against Nationals right-hander Miles Mikolas. Schwarber, MLB's leader in home runs with 29, was scratched from Tuesday's lineup with lower-back tightness, and he'll miss a second straight game. As of right now, the elite left-handed power hitter is being considered day-to-day, but that could change quickly if Schwarbs is unable to return to Philly's lineup by this weekend. His next chance to return will be for Thursday's series finale in D.C. against the Nats. The 33-year-old veteran has been on a heater of late, going 7-for-23 (.304) with five home runs, 10 RBI, and nine runs scored in his last six games. Fantasy managers should check back on Schwarber's condition on Thursday.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Caleb Durbin Suffers Dislocated Pinkie on Wednesday
Boston Red Sox infielder Caleb Durbin (finger) was pulled from Wednesday's game early against the Colorado Rockies after suffering a left fifth finger subluxation, according to Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. Durbin injured his finger while sliding into first base in the third inning. He was replaced at third base by Anthony Siegler, with Andruw Monastario going to second base, and Marcelo Mayer (foot) entering the game to play shortstop. Before leaving early, Durbin went 0-for-2 at the plate at Coors Field. Until we know more about Durbin's condition, we'll call him day-to-day, but this certainly has the potential to sideline him for an unknown period of time going forward. The 26-year-old former 14th-round pick by the Atlanta Braves in 2021 out of Washington University in St. Louis came into Wednesday's tilt hitting just .220 (50-for-227) with five home runs and seven stolen bases, but he has emerged lately as a waiver-wire pickup after hitting .317 (20-for-63) with four home runs, five doubles, eight RBI, 10 runs, and three steals in 18 games in June.
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Jack Flaherty on Track to Return on Sunday Against Astros
Nothing is official yet, but Detroit Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty (ankle) is on track to be activated from the 15-day injured list to start against the Houston Astros on Sunday, according to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News. The Tigers might roll with six starting pitchers for at least one turn through the rotation. The Tigers saw enough after Flaherty allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings while striking out seven in his minor-league rehab start on Tuesday at Double-A Erie. He threw 83 pitches in that outing, so he shouldn't be facing any workload restrictions in his likely return to Detroit's rotation this weekend against Houston. The 30-year-old's scheduled matchup on Sunday isn't a bad one, but fantasy managers in deeper leagues aren't in any hurry to throw Flaherty back into their starting lineups after he went 1-8 with a 5.35 ERA ( 4.09 FIP) and 1.57 WHIP with 78 strikeouts and 34 walks in 65 2/3 innings across his first 15 starts in 2026. But if Flaherty can get his walk rate down going into the second half of the year, he could be a positive regression candidate to target on the waiver wire. Flaherty is currently rostered in 42% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Detroit News - Chris McCosky
Source: The Detroit News - Chris McCosky
Nick Lodolo "Showed Up Pretty Good" on Wednesday
Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo (wrist) "showed up pretty good" on Wednesday morning after being pulled from his start on Tuesday against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers early after he was hit on the left wrist by a 107 mph comebacker, according to NBC 5 Cincinnati's Charlie Clifford. X-rays came back negative on Lodolo's wrist, and manager Terry Francona said the southpaw had minimal swelling, making it seem likely that he'll be ready to take his next turn in the Reds' starting rotation, which is lined up for a rematch against the first-place Brewers on Monday on the road. The former seventh overall pick in 2019 out of Texas Christian University tossed four shutout innings on Tuesday before departing and walked one and fanned six for a no-decision. He has been highly inconsistent in his first nine starts in 2026 in his fifth year in the big leagues, going 2-2 with a 5.59 ERA (5.38 FIP) and 1.52 WHIP with only 38 strikeouts and 18 walks in 46 2/3 innings pitched. Lodolo won't be a recommended fantasy streamer if he takes his next scheduled turn on the hill in Milwaukee.
Source: NBC 5 Cincinnati - Charlie Clifford
Source: NBC 5 Cincinnati - Charlie Clifford
Hunter Greene in Line to Make Season Debut Next Week
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene (elbow) will make a third minor-league rehab start on Sunday at Triple-A Louisville, and if all goes well, then he will rejoin the Reds' starting rotation for his 2026 season debut, according to Charlie Clifford of NBC 5 Cincinnati. Greene is set to go around 80 to 85 pitches on Sunday, according to manager Terry Francona. Following surgery back in March to remove bone chips from his right elbow, the hard-throwing Greene is nearing his return to the big leagues, making him a priority waiver-wire target in any leagues where he's still available. He looked good in his first two rehab starts, reaching the upper-90s with his heater while throwing eight scoreless innings with nine strikeouts and two walks. The 26-year-old former second overall pick in 2017 has ace potential when healthy with a career 30% strikeout rate in 495 2/3 big-league innings. Greene has a 3.65 ERA (3.83 FIP) and 1.14 WHIP in his four years with the Reds, and he's posted an ERA under 3.00 in each of his last two seasons. He's currently rostered in 69% of Yahoo leagues. Pick him up now.
Source: NBC 5 Cincinnati - Charlie Clifford
Source: NBC 5 Cincinnati - Charlie Clifford
Ryan McMahon Lands on Injured List With Illness
The New York Yankees placed third baseman Ryan McMahon (illness) on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with a throat infection, according to MLB.com. McMahon is also recovering from an ear infection and will miss at least the next 10 days after having not played since Sunday. The good news is that the 31-year-old left-handed-hitting infielder is expected to be ready to return to the big-league roster when he's eligible on July 3. In the meantime, expect the Yankees to mix and match at the hot corner with the speedy Jose Caballero, veteran Amed Rosario, and Oswaldo Cabrera, who was called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday. McMahon, who is currently rostered in just 2% of Yahoo leagues, has really fallen off offensively in his first full year in the Bronx in 2026, slashing .210/.269/.360 with a .629 OPS, eight home runs, 23 RBI, 19 runs, three stolen bases, and a 30.7% strikeout rate in his 202 plate appearances.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ernie Clement Out Again on Wednesday With Hip Injury
Toronto Blue Jays utility infielder Ernie Clement (hip) is out of the team's starting lineup for the second straight day on Wednesday against the visiting Houston Astros at the Rogers Centre, according to MLB.com. Luis Urias, who homered on Tuesday in his debut with Toronto, will make another start at the keystone and will hit ninth in the batting order against Astros right-hander Mike Burrows. Clement also missed two games over the weekend with soreness in his left hip, so it's something to watch moving forward. For now, fantasy managers should consider the versatile infielder to be day-to-day and check back to see if he's available to play in Thursday's series opener at home against the Texas Rangers. The 30-year-old former fourth-round pick by the Cleveland Guardians in 2017 out of the University of Virginia has minimal power or speed, but he makes a lot of contact, is hitting a strong .293 (86-for-294), and is eligible in Yahoo leagues at second base, first base, third base, and shortstop. Clement has hit .269 (18-for-67) with two homers, a double, a triple, six RBI, and 10 runs scored in his 17 games in June.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Adolis Garcia Undergoes Successful Lat Surgery
The Philadelphia Phillies said on Wednesday that outfielder Adolis Garcia (lat) underwent successful surgery to fix his torn right lat in Chicago, according to Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Garcia is facing a recovery time of six to eight months, so he will miss the rest of the 2026 season. The 33-year-old Cuban right-handed slugger should have ample time to be ready for the start of the 2027 campaign, but the damage has been done to his fantasy profile. Before suffering a season-ending torn lat, Garcia was struggling in Philly to the tune of a .195/.270/.329 slash line, .599 OPS, seven home runs, 21 RBI, 21 runs scored, three stolen bases, 21 walks, and 84 strikeouts in 67 games across 259 plate appearances. The two-time All-Star has not been the same since he hit a career-best 39 home runs and drove in 107 runs in 2023 with the Texas Rangers on his way to leading them to their first World Series title. There probably isn't going to be a ton of interest in a fading power hitter coming off a serious injury when he hits the open market this winter.
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Lochlahn March
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Lochlahn March
Bobby Witt Jr. Out for Fifth Straight Game With MCL Sprain
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (knee) is missing his fifth straight game on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field as he recovers from a Grade 1 MCL sprain in his right knee, per MLB.com. Tyler Tolbert is making another start at the 6 for KC and will bat ninth in the batting order on Wednesday against Rays right-hander Griffin Jax. The Royals are optimistic that Witt will not need a stint on the injured list, and the fact that he was able to do pre-game workouts before the first two games of the series in Tampa is a good sign. Witt's next chance to return to the starting nine will be for Thursday's series finale against the Rays. Fantasy managers will want to check back then for an update on the 26-year-old two-time All-Star, who is hitting a strong .294/.368/.465 with an .833 OPS, 10 homers, 32 RBI, 28 stolen bases, and 40 runs scored in his 299 at-bats in 2026. When active, the former second overall pick in 2019 is a must-start in all fantasy formats. Tolbert should continue to be ignored in DFS lineups. UPDATE: Witt told reporters that he's available off the bench on Wednesday.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Dominic Canzone Returns From Hamstring Injury on Wednesday
Seattle Mariners outfielder Dominic Canzone (hamstring) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting sixth on Wednesday against the hosting Pittsburgh Pirates and right-hander Braxton Ashcraft at PNC Park, according to MLB.com. Canzone was held out as a precaution in Tuesday's win over the Pirates due to a right-hamstring injury. The left-handed-hitting outfielder is back now, though, and he should draw consideration as a waiver-wire pickup in fantasy baseball leagues on the strong side of a platoon for the M's at DH. The 28-year-old has already set new career highs in home runs (12) and RBI (33) in 70 games this year while slashing a nice .281/.353/.562 with a .915 OPS, 28 runs scored, and a stolen base in 201 plate appearances. Canzone has really come on strong in June, going 19-for-54 (.352) with five home runs, two doubles, a triple, 10 RBI, and 10 runs scored in 19 games played. Fantasy managers searching for outfield upgrades should consider Canzone, who is only rostered in 20% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Abner Uribe to Serve One-Game Suspension on Wednesday
The Milwaukee Brewers said that right-handed reliever Abner Uribe will serve his one-game suspension on Wednesday night in Cincinnati against the division-rival Reds, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. Major League Baseball handed Uribe a one-game suspension for what they deemed an unsportsmanlike celebration during his relief appearance against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals in late May. He has continued to be available out of Milwaukee's bullpen while appealing the suspension, but he'll now accept the ban after pitching in four of the last five days. He'll be unavailable for the series finale on Wednesday at Great American Ballpark, but he'll be back in the Brewers' bullpen for Friday's series opener at home against the division-rival Chicago Cubs. Right-hander Trevor Megill is the team's primary closer, but Uribe has value in fantasy leagues that count holds. Going into Wednesday's action, the 26-year-old Dominican hurler has a 4-2 record with a 3.38 ERA (3.44 FIP), 1.12 WHIP, five saves, 31 strikeouts, and 11 walks in 29 1/3 relief innings. Uribe is rostered in 56% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
Source: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
