Kansas City Royals right-hander Lucas Erceg was tagged with his sixth blown save of the season on Tuesday night, allowing two hits, a walk, and an earned run in the ninth inning of his team's 4-3 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. While the 31-year-old has recorded 11 saves in 2026, he's recorded a 6.45 ERA and 1.97 WHIP across 22 1/3 innings. Control has been a major problem for Erceg, as he's walked 14.4% of the batters he's faced. Erceg has also allowed nine earned runs and blown three saves across his last four appearances, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him removed from the ninth-inning role in Kansas City entirely. Even if Erceg continues to earn the occasional save for the Royals, the damage he's done in the ratio categories may not make it worth it for fantasy managers. Particularly in shallower leagues, managers should feel comfortable moving on.

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Detroit Tigers veteran right-hander Justin Verlander (hip), who is currently on the 60-day injured list, looked good in his minor-league rehab start on Tuesday with Triple-A Toledo and is likely to take the starting-rotation spot of Ty Madden next week. In five innings of work on Tuesday with the Mud Hens, Verlander spun five shutout innings with four hits allowed, no walks, and three strikeouts to pick up the win. The 43-year-old future Hall of Famer got up to 64 pitches in the outing, which is expected to be the only rehab appearance that he needs before being reinstated from the IL at some point next week. He's been out with inflammation in his left hip since early April, but it appears the Tigers will give the living legend a spot in their rotation upon his return. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues can probably hold off on picking him up, as he's currently rostered in just 4% of Yahoo leagues, and the former MVP and nine-time All-Star allowed five earned runs with two walks and one strikeout in 3 2/3 frames in his only start in 2026 before injuring his hip.

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Cincinnati Reds closer Emilio Pagan (hamstring) has been on the 15-day injured list since suffering a Grade 2 hamstring strain in early May. Pagan underwent a second MRI on Friday that showed healing, but the veteran right-hander remains without a firm return timeline. Pagan struggled across 14 innings before getting hurt, recording a 6.43 ERA and 1.43 WHIP with 11 strikeouts, six saves, and three blown saves. However, Cincinnati has been unable to successfully fill the ninth-inning role in Pagan's absence and is currently operating with a closer committee. Pagan logged a 30% strikeout rate and 32 saves in 2025, so he seems likely to get another chance to re-establish himself at the back end of the Reds bullpen once healthy. In deeper leagues, fantasy managers in need of saves may want to look at stashing Pagan off the waiver wire ahead of his eventual return.

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New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe had the start of his 2026 season delayed by rehab from offseason shoulder injury. The 25-year-old also appeared to have lost his starting role in New York to Jose Caballero, who performed well in Volpe's absence to start the year. However, Volpe has seemingly reclaimed a prominent role for the Yankees, getting the nod as the starting shortstop in six out of the team's last seven games. Across 56 plate appearances on the year, Volpe is hitting .234/.357/.362 with one home run, eight RBI, nine runs scored, and five stolen bases. Volpe's 2.9% barrel rate and 32.4% hard-hit rate are unquestionably worrisome. However, his 16.1% walk rate represents a notable shift in plate approach. If Volpe continues to get on base at a solid clip, he should be a significant asset on the basepaths for fantasy managers. Now that Volpe is back to a near-everyday role in New York, he could be worth targeting on the waiver wire.

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Across 188 plate appearances so far in 2026, Texas Rangers utility man Ezequiel Duran is hitting .294/.348/.465 with four home runs, 32 RBI, 25 runs scored, and five stolen bases. The 27-year-old has drawn a walk in a career-best 8% of his plate appearances, and he's raised his hard-hit rate from 30.9% in 2025 to 40.6% in 2026. With Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (back) currently on the injured list, Duran has seen everyday playing time at short in recent weeks. While Seager should eventually return to the Rangers lineup, Duran can play basically anywhere on the field other than center field and catcher, which should allow him to maintain consistent playing time. Duran may not offer fantasy managers standout production in any one category. Still, his multi-position eligibility and lack of major weaknesses at the plate make him a useful player to target on the waiver wire.

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New York Mets pitching prospect Jack Wenninger began the season with a 1.51 ERA after allowing just six earned runs through his first eight starts at Triple-A Syracuse, but after allowing four runs in his latest outing, he's now yielded eight runs over his last two starts. Because of the great start to the season, the right-hander's ERA still looks good at 2.80, but a FIP of 4.57 suggests perhaps the results haven't matched the expectations, and a 10.8 percent K-BB% with a 1.33 WHIP has slowed the momentum around a potential major league debut. The Mets are currently working with a four-man rotation and mixing in openers, with Jonah Tong not receiving a start yet since his call-up two weeks ago, being used as long relief instead, so Wenninger could still be in the mix for a promotion, but the shine has rubbed off his stash status, and he should only be considered a stash option in the deepest of leagues.

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Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Jesus Made collected four hits in two games this past Saturday, including a double and a triple, upping his season-long slash line at Double-A to .280/.355/.460 with six home runs and 19 steals. With a low 15.0 percent strikeout rate and a 10.7 percent walk rate, it's a formidable stat sheet for a 19-year-old, one of only a few prospects under the age of 20 at that level. MLB's No. 1 prospect didn't get a chance to add to his totals on Sunday or Tuesday with both games for Biloxi getting rained out, but he should be able to keep rolling on Wednesday in his pursuit of a promotion to Triple-A. The 6-foot-1 Dominican is oozing with fantasy-friendly tools, so fantasy managers should continue to keep him on the stash radar as a late-season call-up is certainly within the realm of possibility.

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Arizona Diamondbacks infielder/outfielder Jordan Lawlar (wrist) has been rehabbing with the team's Complex League affiliate, but is poised to move his rehab to Triple-A Reno by the end of the week, according to manager Torey Lovullo. The former top prospect is 2-for-8 with a double, a 2:2 BB:K, and a steal through three rehab games. Lawlar cracked the team's Opening Day roster as an outfielder and had collected at least one hit in five of six games, including his first major league home run, before suffering a fractured wrist as the result of getting hit by a pitch. The 23-year-old has always had the promise of a multi-category producer for fantasy, but has consistently run into issues staying healthy. The former first-rounder hit .313 with 11 home runs and 20 steals in only 63 games for Reno last season, and with the potential to hit for power and the ability to steal bases, Lawlar should be one of the top IL stashes with his return to the majors likely to come by mid-June.

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Milwaukee Brewers infield/outfield prospect Jett Williams is in the midst of a really tough stretch at Triple-A Nashville, going 3-for-35 (.086) over his last nine games with zero extra-base hits. The Brewers' third-ranked prospect was hitting .256 on May 21, but has seen his average dip to .227 amid the slump. The former first-rounder still owns a strong 14.2 percent walk rate on the season that has kept a .348 on-base percentage afloat, and he's tallied 12 steals in 55 games, but this current skid will likely push out his major league debut a bit further. With the ability to play second base, third base, shortstop, and center field, the 22-year-old has multiple paths to the majors (eligible at 2B, SS, OF on Yahoo!), and he has the potential to be a multi-category contributor, but fantasy managers will likely have to wait until his bat heats up again in order to benefit from his skillset. The right-handed hitter's debut may come closer to the All-Star break, and for now, is off the "must-stash" radar.

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Pirates right-hander Bubba Chandler turned in another disappointing outing on Tuesday, allowing three earned runs on five hits, two walks, and a home run against the Astros. The rookie's season ERA now sits at 4.89 to go along with a 1.51 WHIP, and he has reached the six-inning mark just once this season. Command remains a major concern for Chandler, whose 14.7 percent walk rate ranks in the sixth percentile among qualified pitchers. The talent is still evident, and his arsenal continues to generate intrigue, but the results have not followed consistently at the major league level. Until Chandler begins limiting free passes and working deeper into games, fantasy managers may be better served looking elsewhere for rotation help.

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Cardinals right-hander Riley O'Brien endured another rough outing on Tuesday, allowing three runs on three hits and a walk while taking the loss against the Rangers. The appearance continued a concerning trend for O'Brien, who now owns a 7.04 ERA over his last 15 games. Despite the recent struggles, he remains the Cardinals' leader with 14 saves and has handled the majority of the club's ninth-inning opportunities this season. His season ERA has climbed to 4.10, and the margin for error is beginning to shrink as the bullpen picture becomes less certain. It is not time for fantasy managers to abandon O'Brien, but his recent performance warrants close monitoring. Another few shaky outings could put his role as the primary closer in jeopardy.

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Milwaukee Brewers outfield prospect Luis Lara is just 1-for-9 in his last three games, but that hasn't stopped him from getting on base, as the Brewers' fifth-ranked prospect recorded four walks during that time, compared to just one strikeout, a phenomenal trait he's been displaying all season at Triple-A Nashville. For the season, the switch-hitter has walked more times than he's struck out, with a 39:32 BB:K, which has buoyed a fantastic .447 on-base percentage. All in all, the 5-foot-7 Venezuelan is hitting .338 with a .947 OPS (.500 SLG), seven home runs, and 18 stolen bases. After hitting just two home runs and slugging .343 last season at Double-A, the newfound power production is a welcome development, and with the toolset to impact multiple fantasy-relevant categories, the 21-year-old has become a high-end stash candidate in most leagues as he inches closer to a major league debut.

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Minnesota Twins right-hander Yoendrys Gomez picked up his fourth save of the season Tuesday, recording the final four outs in a 6-4 victory over the White Sox while striking out two. The 26-year-old has steadily improved after a difficult April, posting a 0.87 ERA during May while earning a larger role in the Minnesota bullpen. Gomez now owns a 3.90 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and leads the Twins in saves. Minnesota continues to utilize multiple relievers in save situations, but Gomez has made a strong case for additional ninth-inning opportunities. Fantasy managers searching for saves should view him as a priority waiver wire target while his role continues to grow.

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New York Yankees outfield prospect Spencer Jones is hitting the ball well again for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, collecting three multi-hit efforts in his last four contests, going 7-for-16 (.438) over that stretch with one home run, two steals, and a 4:4 BB:K. The Yankees' sixth-ranked prospect returned to minor league action on May 26 after a brief debut with the big league club, where he collected just four hits in 24 at-bats (.167) and struck out 12 times (44.4 percent). The strikeouts have always been the concern, with a career 35.2 percent strikeout rate at Triple-A, but that has been somewhat offset by a career 10.6 percent walk rate there and 32 home runs in 107 games for the RailRiders. The 6-foot-7 power hitter also has some sneaky speed, swiping 29 bags a season ago and nine so far this season in 40 games at Triple-A. The Yankees are expecting both Jasson Dominguez (shoulder) and Giancarlo Stanton (calf) back in the not-too-distant future, which will not help Jones' chances of returning to the big leagues soon, but if he can improve the strikeout rate, the power and speed will be an asset the next time he gets the call. With multi-category potential, the 25-year-old is a worthy stash option in deeper leagues, just know that he may be a batting average liability, too.

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Athletics right-hander Scott Barlow had a shaky outing Tuesday against the Cubs, throwing 17 pitches while recording just two outs and allowing a hit and a walk before being lifted. While the damage was limited, it does little to strengthen Barlow's case for more save opportunities. The 33-year-old has been effective overall in his first season with the Athletics, posting a 3.00 ERA and 1.04 WHIP, but the club has not shown a willingness to hand him the ninth inning outright. Barlow is now 2-for-3 in save chances, and pitchers such as Jack Perkins and Mark Leiter Jr. continue to factor into the late-inning picture. Fantasy managers searching for saves may want to look elsewhere until the Athletics establish a clearer bullpen hierarchy.

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Baltimore Orioles right-hander Rico Garcia continued his dominant campaign Tuesday, tossing a perfect inning to secure his fourth save of the season in a 4-2 win over the Red Sox. Garcia needed just 14 pitches to retire all three batters he faced, recording two strikeouts along the way. The veteran reliever has quietly become one of Baltimore's most reliable arms, allowing just two earned runs all season. Through 26 1/3 innings, he owns a 0.68 ERA, 0.61 WHIP, and 30 strikeouts. With Ryan Helsley on the injured list, Garcia appears to have a firm grip on ninth-inning duties for the time being. His combination of swing-and-miss stuff and elite run prevention makes him a strong fantasy option, and a priority waiver wire target for managers searching for saves in the short term.

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Brewers' SP Kyle Harrison recorded 12 strikeouts in 5.2 innings with the win in a 8-3 win over the Giants on Tuesday, Jun. 2.

Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said that catcher Drake Baldwin (oblique) could return during the team's next homestand, per Mark Bowman of MLB.com. The homestand referenced by Weiss runs from June 16 to June 21. Baldwin has been on the 15-day injured list due to a Grade 1 oblique strain, but it appears as though he's progressing and should return about four weeks after suffering the injury. Before getting hurt, Baldwin was hitting .303/.389/.543 with 13 home runs, 38 RBI, 39 runs scored, and one stolen base across 216 plate appearances. The 25-year-old's underlying metrics supported his hot start, as he posted an 18.6% barrel rate and a 53.8% hard-hit rate. Baldwin has a case as the best offensive catcher in baseball and profiles as a must-start player at the position upon his return to the Braves lineup.

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Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Matthew Boyd (knee) is scheduled to make a second rehab appearance with Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, per Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network. McGregor reports that "assuming everything goes well," Boyd will return to the Cubs following his Saturday start. The veteran left-hander has been on the injured list since early May due to a left miniscus injury. Boyd got off to a rough start to his 2026 season before hitting the IL, recording a 6.00 ERA across 24 innings (five starts). However, Boyd's 25% K-BB rate and 2.33 FIP suggest that he was pitching better than his top-line numbers would indicate. The 35-year-old was arguably Chicago's best starting pitcher in 2025, recording a 14-8 record with a 3.21 ERA and 1.09 ERA across 179 2/3 innings (31 starts). Upon his return, Boyd profiles as a quality innings eater for deeper-league fantasy managers.

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Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola was reinstated from the paternity list before his start on Tuesday against the San Diego Padres. The 32-year-old pitched well in his return to the mound, allowing just four hits and two earned runs while striking out eight across five innings of work. It's been a rough season overall for Nola, who owns a 3-4 record with a 5.55 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, and 64 strikeouts across 61 2/3 innings (12 starts). However, Nola has still posted a strong 17.4% K-BB rate. The underlying indicators point to poor luck for the veteran right-hander, as he's recorded a 4.20 FIP and 3.45 xFIP. Fantasy managers should proceed with caution given Nola's struggles over the past two seasons, but he could be a decent buy-low target in deeper leagues.

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