Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.'s (knee) MRI exam on Friday showed a Grade 1 MCL sprain in his right knee, according to Royals sideline reporter Tricia Whitaker. Witt is sitting out on Friday versus the St. Louis Cardinals after being pulled from Thursday's game early against the Cardinals with a knee issue. The Royals have a scheduled day off on Saturday, but they are hoping that the All-Star infielder will be ready to return for the series finale at Kauffman Stadium on Sunday. Manager Matt Quatraro said that Witt's MRI results are a "best-case scenario," and the team is optimistic he'll be back for the series finale in KC on Sunday. Fantasy managers can breathe easy knowing that the 26-year-old two-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner shouldn't need a trip to the injured list. Going into Friday's action, the former second overall pick in 2019 continues to contribute across the board for his fantasy managers, hitting .294/.368/.465 with an .833 OPS, 10 home runs, 32 RBI, a league-best 28 stolen bases, and 40 runs scored in 76 games played across 337 plate appearances in his fifth year in the league.

From RotoBaller

Miami Marlins middle infielder Xavier Edwards (thumb) is out of the starting lineup on Friday against the San Francisco Giants because he has been dealing with soreness in his thumb, according to Kevin Barral of Fish on First. Edwards is day-to-day and is expected to return to the lineup for Game 2 of the series against the Giants on Saturday. With Edwards out at LoanDepot Park on Friday, Javier Sanoja will start at the keystone for the Fish and bat ninth against Giants right-hander Landen Roupp. This will be the second straight game that Edwards has started on the bench after also sitting out on Wednesday. The 26-year-old switch-hitter and former first-rounder in 2018 by the San Diego Padres is hitting a strong .291/.375/.425 with an .801 OPS, six homers, 26 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and 43 runs scored in 275 at-bats this year, but his thumb injury could help explain why he's gone just 10-for-52 (.192) with six RBI, two runs, three steals, eight walks, and 13 K's in 15 games so far in June. Despite the recent cold spell and injury, fantasy managers should be looking to get Edwards back in their starting lineups if he returns on Saturday.

From RotoBaller

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (back) left Friday's game early at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs after appearing to tweak his back in the sixth inning, according to Sportsnet. Before departing early, Guerrero went 0-for-3 at the plate to lower his season average to .276 with a .731 OPS. He was replaced at first base by Charles McAdoo. We don't have an update on the severity of Vladdy's back/side injury just yet, but knowing that a back injury recently caused him to miss some time, this is absolutely an injury that could land the All-Star slugger on the injured list. The 27-year-old Canadian entered Friday's game in Chicago with a strong .279 batting average (72-for-258) and .367 on-base percentage in 71 games in 2026, but he's only homered four times in 303 plate appearances. His underlying metrics don't exactly give fantasy managers a ton of confidence that more power is coming, as he ranks in the 53rd percentile in expected slugging, the 23rd percentile in xISO, and the 64th percentile in hard-hit rate. Stay tuned for an update on his back injury.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Royals infielder/outfielder Maikel Garcia (hand) is out of the team's starting lineup again on Friday against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals, per MLB.com. Garcia's injury (just soreness) to his right hand doesn't seem serious, but this is the third straight game that he will be missing after he left early on Tuesday against the Washington Nationals. For now, he's being considered day-to-day with something that he has battled over the last month. If he cannot return to action at some point this weekend (the Royals have an off day on Sunday), it wouldn't be a surprise to see him land on the injured list next week. Nick Loftin is starting at third base again on Friday and is batting sixth versus Cardinals right-hander Michael McGreevy. The 26-year-old Garcia is primarily valuable in all fantasy leagues for his speed and multi-position eligibility (second base, third base, shortstop, and the outfield). He enters Friday's action with a .266/.326/.378 slash line, .705 OPS, only three home runs, 30 RBI, 32 runs scored, and five stolen bases in his 259 at-bats.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (knee) will sit out of Friday's contest against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals after injuring his knee on Thursday, according to MLB.com. Tyler Tolbert will make the start at shortstop for the Royals and will bat ninth against Cardinals right-hander Michael McGreevy. The Royals have a scheduled day off on Saturday, so Sunday will be the next time that Witt will have a chance to return. Fantasy managers will want to check back then to see if the star shortstop is available to return. The 26-year-old two-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner continues to contribute across all categories for fantasy managers in 2026, slashing .294/.368/.465 with an .833 OPS, 10 home runs, 32 RBI, a league-high 28 stolen bases, and 40 runs scored in a league-high 76 games played and 337 plate appearances. Whenever Witt returns to KC's lineup, he'll be a must-start in fantasy. Taylor should be ignored in all DFS formats against McGreevy.

From RotoBaller

Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (back) continues to sit for Friday's series opener at Truist Park against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers, per MLB.com. Mauricio Dubon will make another start in center field and will bat fifth against Brewers flamethrower Jacob Misiorowski. It will be the second straight missed game for Harris, who was pulled from Tuesday's game with tightness in his lower back. Harris remains day-to-day, but if he cannot return to the lineup this weekend against Milwaukee, the Braves might be forced to place him on the injured list. The 25-year-old former third-rounder in 2019 has been a must-start for fantasy managers in all formats in 2026 in his fifth year in the league, as he enters Friday's action with a .306/.340/.514 slash line, .854 OPS, 14 home runs, 41 RBI, 35 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 259 plate appearances and 68 games played. Fantasy managers setting DFS lineups will want to stay away from Dubon on Friday against one of the most dominant starting pitchers in the game.

From RotoBaller

New York Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. (groin) is back at second base and is batting fifth for Friday's series opener in the Bronx against the Cincinnati Reds and right-hander Rhett Lowder, according to MLB.com. Chisholm fouled a ball off his groin in Thursday's series finale against the Chicago White Sox and was removed from the game early, but he thankfully avoided a serious injury and is back in action a day later. Despite his recent slump, fantasy managers in traditional leagues should return the left-handed slugger to their starting lineups in a favorable matchup. He's hitting just .178 (8-for-45) with four home runs, a triple, 10 RBI, six stolen bases, 12 runs scored, 10 walks, and 18 strikeouts in 14 games in June to drop his season slash line to .228/.316/.404 with a .720 OPS. The 28-year-old doesn't get on base at a high clip or help in batting average, but his power/speed upside at second and third base is hard to replace in fantasy. He's one of only a few players in baseball this year with double-digit home runs and 20 stolen bases in the first half.

From RotoBaller

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Ryne Nelson (forearm) will head to the injured list with a partially torn flexor tendon in his right forearm, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports. Nelson is now facing an extended absence, although there is no specific timetable for when he might rejoin Arizona's starting rotation in the second half of 2026. The 28-year-old has been up and down for fantasy managers this year, going 3-5 with a 4.97 ERA (5.39 FIP) and 1.24 WHIP with 62 strikeouts and 22 walks in 83 1/3 frames over his 15 innings pitched, but he was trending up after his most recent start on Monday against the Los Angeles Angels, when he allowed just two earned runs on nine hits (one homer) while walking none and striking out five in seven innings for his third win of the year. With Nelson potentially missing a month or more, right-hander Brandon Pfaadt will likely be the team's top option to replace him in the starting rotation going forward.

From RotoBaller

The Arizona Diamondbacks are calling up right-handed pitching prospect Yilber Diaz from Triple-A Reno on Friday to replace right-hander Ryne Nelson (forearm) on the active MLB roster after he was diagnosed with a partially torn flexor tendon in his forearm, according to Arizona Sports' John Gambadoro. Diaz, the team's No. 22 prospect per MLB Pipeline, will return to the big leagues after posting a 4.31 ERA (4.57 FIP), 1.47 WHIP, and 20:15 K:BB in 31 1/3 innings over eight appearances (four starts) in his first two years in the league in 2024 and 2025. The 25-year-old Venezuelan returns to Arizona after going 3-3 with a 4.50 ERA, 1.66 WHIP, four saves, and a 43:21 K:BB in 32 innings in 26 relief appearances at Reno in 2026. Since he has made a full-time move to a relief role this year, fantasy managers should steer clear of Diaz for now. It's unclear exactly who will take Nelson's rotation spot in the desert, but it will most likely be Brandon Pfaadt.

From RotoBaller

Detroit Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty (ankle) will throw a bullpen session on Saturday, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. Flaherty will be throwing off a mound for the first time this weekend since a strained left peroneal muscle in his ankle landed him on the 15-day injured list last week. Barring a setback as he begins to ramp back up, Flaherty has a chance to return to the Tigers' starting rotation before the All-Star break in mid-July. He's eligible to come off the IL on June 28. The 30-year-old veteran is leading the league in losses (eight) in 2026 for the second straight season in Detroit and has a bloated 5.35 ERA (4.08 FIP) and 1.57 WHIP with 78 strikeouts and 34 walks in 65 2/3 innings across his 15 starts. Flaherty hasn't pitched as poorly as his underlying metrics suggest, but fantasy managers don't have a whole lot of incentive in shallow-mixed leagues to keep him stashed for the time being. He's currently rostered in only 43% of Yahoo leagues.

From RotoBaller

Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres (oblique) received a cortisone shot and will start his rehab in a day or two, according to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News. Torres landed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday for the second time this year with a strained oblique and is likely to be out for at least another month, meaning he won't return for fantasy managers until after the All-Star break in mid-July. The 29-year-old Venezuelan doesn't provide much power or speed offensively, but he is a great source of on-base percentage and batting average as a high-contact hitter with great plate discipline. Since returning from his first stint on the IL on June 2, Torres was on a hot streak, going 14-for-41 (.341) with two homers, four doubles, seven RBI, and eight runs scored in 11 games in June. Fantasy managers can only hope he'll pick up where he left off whenever he returns from his second trip to the IL in the second half of 2026. In the meantime, expect Hao-Yu Lee and Zach McKinstry to split playing time at the keystone in Motown. Torres is currently being stashed in just under half of Yahoo leagues while he rehabs his balky oblique muscle.

From RotoBaller

The Detroit Tigers have scratched veteran right-hander Justin Verlander (hip, hamstring) from his scheduled start on Sunday against the division-rival Chicago White Sox with a left-hamstring injury after he threw a bullpen session on Wednesday in Houston, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. The Tigers expect Verlander's recovery to be "a matter of weeks." It's a tough blow for the future Hall of Famer and three-time Cy Young winner, as Verlander was on track to come off the 60-day injured list to start on Sunday after spending almost three months on the shelf with inflammation in his left hip. Now the 43-year-old is dealing with a hamstring ailment that will keep him on the IL for another couple of weeks. Right-hander Keider Montero is expected to replace Verlander in the series finale against Chicago on Sunday. Verlander has had an amazing run in his 21 years in the big leagues, but he's struggled to stay healthy towards the end and doesn't have much juice left.

From RotoBaller

Washington Nationals right-hander Cade Cavalli (illness) has been scratched from his start on Friday in the series opener against the Kansas City Royals due to an illness, according to Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic. In Cavalli's place, the Nats will use left-hander PJ Poulin as an opener. We do not know as of right now whether Cavalli will be able to make his next start this weekend against the Royals or if he'll be skipped entirely in Washington's starting rotation. The 27-year-old former 22nd overall pick in 2020 out of the University of Oklahoma has emerged as a waiver-wire target in his third year in the big leagues in 2026, going 4-4 with a 3.98 ERA (3.41 FIP) and 1.39 WHIP with 81 strikeouts and 25 walks in 74 2/3 innings pitched across his 15 starts for the Nats. Cavalli has allowed over three earned runs in just two of his 15 starts this year and has boosted his strikeout rate to 24.3% after sporting a well below-average strikeout rate of 18.3% in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Friday, per a team announcement. De La Cruz has been on the 10-day injured list since June 1 due to a hamstring strain, but he appears to be close to a return to the big leagues. Across 257 plate appearances before the injury, De La Cruz hit .280/.346/.509 with 12 home runs, 37 RBI, 40 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases. The 24-year-old's underlying contact metrics were the best of his career, as he had logged a 14.6% barrel rate and a 50.9% hard-hit rate. Although De La Cruz was just 10 for 15 as a base stealer before the injury, speed remains a major part of his fantasy appeal. De La Cruz also struggled mightily in the second half of the 2025 season while attempting to play through a quad injury, so fantasy managers will have to hope that the superstar shortstop is fully recovered this time around. Still, De La Cruz profiles as a must-start shortstop with five-category upside upon his return to the Reds lineup.

From RotoBaller

The Kansas City Royals announced on Friday that they reinstated veteran right-hander Seth Lugo (head) from the seven-day concussion injured list and optioned right-hander Mason Black to Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move. Lugo will return from the IL to face the Washington Nationals on Friday after he was struck in the forehead by a line drive in a scary scene at Kauffman Stadium against the Texas Rangers in his last start on June 10. The 36-year-old veteran will return to a 2-4 record with a 3.86 ERA (3.56 FIP) and 1.35 WHIP with 66 strikeouts and 25 walks in 79 1/3 innings pitched over his 14 starts in his 11th year in the majors. Despite being a soft-tosser with a below-average 19.8% strikeout rate, Lugo has kept hitters off balance enough to make him a deep-league streaming option. We would not recommend him in his first start off the IL, though, against a Nationals ballclub that ranks fifth in the league in OPS (.744). Lugo has little room for error with a lack of strikeout upside, and he'll likely have a limited pitch count in this one after not making a minor-league rehab start.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Roki Sasaki had a rough outing in his most recent start against the Chicago White Sox on June 12, allowing seven earned runs across 4 1/3 innings. Sasaki's overall numbers for the year are unimpressive, as he's recorded a 3-4 record with a 4.76 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 64 strikeouts across 62 1/3 innings (12 starts). However, the talented 24-year-old appeared to be turning a corner before this most recent hiccup. Across his last four starts leading into the Chicago game, Sasaki had allowed just four earned runs while striking out 29 across 24 1/3 innings. The hard-throwing right-hander also looks to have solved some of his control issues after a rough April that saw him walk 22 batters across 22 2/3 innings. Sasaki's inconsistency to this point in his MLB career brings some risk to his profile. Still, he clearly has talent in his arm and could offer major strikeout upside for fantasy managers if he can put it all together. Sasaki remains a worthy waiver wire gamble ahead of a potential breakout season.

From RotoBaller

Across 94 plate appearances since making his MLB debut in mid-May, Seattle Mariners infielder Colt Emerson is hitting .235/.309/.529 with six home runs, 16 RBI, 13 runs scored, and one stolen base. The 20-year-old has struggled with swing-and-miss, posting a 29.8% strikeout rate that may put a ceiling on his batting average. However, he's shown off his power stroke in recent weeks and has already hit four home runs in June. Emerson has also established himself as the everyday shortstop in Seattle, with veteran Mariners infielder J.P. Crawford being moved from shortstop to third base upon his return from a hand injury earlier this month. Emerson's underlying contact metrics (5.3% barrel rate, 29.8% hard-hit rate) do not support his power output so far, which should be a bit of a red flag for fantasy managers. Still, Emerson is considered to be one of the top prospects in all of baseball and hit seven home runs across 169 plate appearances at Triple-A this season before his promotion. Given his prospect pedigree and his role in Seattle, Emerson profiles as a priority waiver wire target.

From RotoBaller

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Mick Abel (elbow) has been sidelined since mid-April due to elbow inflammation. However, the 24-year-old has traveled with the team to Arizona for their weekend series and appears poised to come off the injured list and rejoin the Twins rotation on Sunday. Across 20 1/3 innings (four games) before the injury, Abel recorded a 1-2 record with a 3.98 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, and 23 strikeouts. After allowing nine earned runs in his first two outings of the year, Abel recorded 13 scoreless innings with 16 strikeouts across his last two starts before he was placed on the injured list. The former top prospect also pitched very well in his most recent rehab appearances, allowing just one earned run while striking out 10 across eight innings (two starts) with Triple-A St. Paul. Abel offers significant strikeout upside for fantasy managers upon his return and profiles as a priority stash candidate on the waiver wire.

From RotoBaller

Once considered a top prospect during his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers, current St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Dustin May has battled injuries and inconsistency throughout his career to this point. However, the 28-year-old looks like he may be putting it all together in 2026. Across 81 2/3 innings (14 starts) on the year, May has recorded a 5-6 record with a 3.75 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 75 strikeouts. He's been particularly dominant of late, recording 15 strikeouts across 15 scoreless innings over two starts against the New York Mets and San Diego Padres. May's average fastball velocity is back up to 97 miles per hour after it dipped to 95.5 mph in 2025. He generates a ton of ground balls (46.2% ground ball rate) and limits home runs (0.55 HR/9). Particularly given his pitcher-friendly home environment in St. Louis, May profiles as a must-add starting pitcher on the waiver wire ahead of what could be a breakout season.

From RotoBaller

Minnesota Twins infielder Royce Lewis has had a rough year overall in 2026, hitting .199/.283/.356 with six home runs, 20 RBI, 17 runs scored, and four stolen bases. The oft-injured slugger missed time in April due to an LCL sprain in his left knee and has seen his strikeout rate rise from 19.9% in 2025 to 28.9%. However, Lewis has started to heat up in recent weeks. Across 47 plate appearances in June, the 27-year-old is hitting .286/.340/.548 with three home runs, seven RBI, six runs scored, and one stolen base. Lewis' underlying contact metrics remain strong, as he's posted a 12% barrel rate on the season. If he can maintain his current health, Lewis profiles as a high-upside waiver wire target for fantasy managers.

From RotoBaller