Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo recorded the first multi-homer game of his career on Wednesday in the team's 7-6 loss in 10 innings to the hosting Los Angeles Angels. Basallo went 2-for-5 with two home runs, four RBI, and two strikeouts to raise his season batting average to .257 and his OPS to .782. It was nice to see Basallo have a good game after entering Wednesday's contest with a .177 average (11-for-62) with a homer, a double, six RBI, four runs, five walks, and 18 strikeouts in 19 games played in June. The 21-year-old Dominican backstop is now slashing .257/.317/.465 with 12 home runs, 35 RBI, and 29 runs scored in 249 plate appearances in his first full season in the big leagues with Baltimore. Basallo will need to improve against left-handed pitchers to take the next step offensively, but he hits righties enough to be an intriguing young fantasy asset at the position. He has hit .266 (45-for-169) against right-handers this year with 10 of his 12 home runs. Basallo is currently rostered in exactly half of Yahoo leagues.

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New York Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt certainly hasn't looked like an aging slugger in the Bronx in 2026. Goldschmidt had an impressive showing in Wednesday night's 4-2 win over the hosting Detroit Tigers, going 2-for-4 at the plate with two solo home runs off two-time Cy Young left-hander Tarik Skubal. It continues a theme of the former MVP victimizing left-handed pitchers. In his career against Skubal, Goldy is now 7-for-13 with four home runs. The 38-year-old former eighth-round pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2009 out of Texas State University is now slashing .297/.355/.568 with 14 home runs, 39 RBI, and 30 runs scored in his 211 plate appearances in 2026 in his second year in New York and 16th total MLB season. With an expected batting average of .259 and an xwOBA of .342 (currently .384), it appears the seven-time All-Star could be hitting above his skis currently, but he should probably be rostered in more than 38% of Yahoo leagues. Fantasy managers need to ride the wave while it lasts.

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Los Angeles Dodgers utility man Tommy Edman had the start to his 2026 season delayed by recovery from offseason ankle surgery that kept him out until mid-June. Across 24 plate appearances since his return, the 31-year-old is hitting .364 with one RBI. Edman has seen time at second base, third base, and in left field, and his positional versatility should continue to keep him in the Dodgers lineup on a near-everyday basis. The veteran switch-hitter may no longer be the high-end speed threat he once was at his peak, as he's stolen just nine bases across 134 games since joining the Dodgers in 2024. Still, Edman hit 13 home runs with 49 RBI and 49 runs scored across 397 plate appearances for Los Angeles in 2025. As long as he continues to see regular playing time, Edman profiles as a high-floor contributor whose multi-positional versatility should make him an appealing waiver wire target for deep-league fantasy managers.

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Toronto Blue Jays third baseman/outfielder Addison Barger (elbow) will fly to Toronto to get checked out by the Blue Jays' medical staff before beginning a rehab assignment, per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. Barger was originally scheduled to begin a rehab assignment on Thursday, but Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that Barger's been experiencing soreness in his injured right elbow. It's been a lost season so far for the 26-year-old, who has logged just 28 MLB plate appearances in 2026 due to elbow and ankle issues. Barger was a key piece of Toronto's lineup against right-handed pitching in 2025, hitting .243/.301/.454 with 21 home runs, 74 RBI, 64 runs scored, and four stolen bases across 502 plate appearances. He could be worth stashing off the waiver wire ahead of his return, but fantasy managers should monitor to make sure he is still cleared to begin a rehab assignment following his meeting with the Blue Jays' medical team.

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Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Blake Snell (elbow) is scheduled to throw a 15-pitch, fastball-only bullpen on Friday, per David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports. Snell is working his way back from surgery to remove loose bodies in his left elbow, which he underwent on May 19. The 33-year-old also began the year on the injured list due to a shoulder issue, so he's thrown just three innings for the Dodgers in 2026. Snell was an effective pitcher when healthy in 2025, recording a 5-4 record with a 2.35 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 72 strikeouts across 61 1/3 innings (11 starts). However, the veteran left-hander's profile is riddled with injury risk, as he's reached 130 innings in just one season since 2018. While it's a positive sign that Snell appears to be progressing, he's likely still at least a few weeks away from going out on a rehab assignment.

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Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Spencer Horwitz (hamstring) was forced to exit early from his team's game against the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday due to left hamstring discomfort. Horwitz was 0-1 with a walk in two trips to the plate before being removed from the game. The 28-year-old has been one of Pittsburgh's key pieces on offense so far this season, hitting .280/.386/.455 with 10 home runs, 33 RBI, 36 runs scored, and one stolen base across 295 plate appearances. Horwitz has emerged as the primary leadoff hitter in Pittsburgh and has the same number of walks (40) as strikeouts on the year. Pirates utility man Tyler Callihan took over at first base after Horwitz exited the game. If Horwitz hits the injured list, Callihan, outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez, and designated hitter Marcell Ozuna could all be in line for more playing time in Pittsburgh.

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Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson had a monster day on Wednesday in the team's two wins over the hosting New York Mets in Queens during their doubleheader. In the first game of the twin bill, a 10-3 win by the Cubs, Swanson went off, going 2-for-4 with two home runs, seven RBI, and two strikeouts out of the nine-hole in the batting order to boost his season average to .194 and his OPS to .670. In the nightcap in Game 2, Swanson kept rolling, going 3-for-5 with a triple, four more RBI, a run scored, a stolen base, and a strikeout to get his average just over the Mendoza Line at .202. The 32-year-old veteran's first home run in Game 1 was a three-run shot off starter Nolan McLean in the sixth inning, and his second homer was a grand slam in the eighth frame. Swanson got off to a miserable start at the plate for the Cubbies in 2026, but he now has four of his 11 homers on the year during his last six games, and he's riding a modest six-game hitting streak into Thursday's series finale against the last-place Mets. Fantasy managers are hoping that he can keep this up for a while longer.

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Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Edward Cabrera (hamstring) has been diagnosed with a "moderate" left hamstring strain and does not have a timeline for his return, per Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network. Cabrera was removed early from his start on Tuesday against the New York Mets and immediately placed on the 15-day injured list due to the injury. It's been a rough first season in Chicago for the 28-year-old, who has recorded a 5-4 record with a 5.10 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 65 strikeouts across 72 1/3 innings (14 starts). While it's unclear how long Cabrera will be out, he may be looking at an extended absence based on how quickly he was placed on the injured list. Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd (knee, shoulder) is scheduled to come off the injured list on Thursday and will likely take Cabrera's place in the team's rotation.

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Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Mick Abel (elbow) will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow, per Twins beat writer Aaron Gleeman. Gleeman reports that Minnesota will determine a timeline for Abel's return following the operation. Abel initially hit the 15-day injured list with elbow inflammation in mid-April. The 24-year-old made two rehab appearances in June and appeared to be on the doorstep of a return to the big leagues, but he was apparently still dealing with swelling in the elbow and will now face an extended absence. Across 20 1/3 innings before getting hurt, Abel recorded a 1-2 record with a 3.98 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, and 23 strikeouts. Without Abel, Twins right-handers Mike Paredes and Zebby Matthews could have an extended runway to prove themselves in the team's starting rotation.

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Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Braxton Ashcraft had his third straight strong start on Wednesday night in an 11-1 blowout win at PNC Park against the Seattle Mariners. Ashcraft allowed just one earned run on five hits while walking none and striking out 10 in six innings of work for his seventh victory of the 2026 season. The strong start lowered his season ERA to 3.07. The lone run that the 26-year-old former second-rounder in 2018 gave up came in the first inning, but he settled down after that to shut the M's down. It was Ashcraft's third straight start with two runs allowed or fewer, and he has now held opponents to two runs or fewer while going at least six innings in six of his last 10 starts. In addition to his 3.07 ERA on the year, Ashcraft has posted a 1.09 WHIP with 107 strikeouts and only 22 walks in 96 2/3 innings pitched across 16 starts in his second year in the big leagues. His strong second year with Pittsburgh has boosted his fantasy appeal, and he's now rostered in almost 90% of Yahoo leagues. Ashcraft will be put to the test in his next scheduled outing on the road against the Philadelphia Phillies. In his first meeting at home against Philly on May 15, Ashcraft allowed four earned runs with no walks and five strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings for a no-decision.

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Athletics infielder/outfielder Zack Gelof (hand) is absent from the team's starting lineup on Wednesday against the hosting San Francisco Giants after suffering a laceration and contusion on his right hand after being stepped on during Tuesday's contest, per MLB.com. Max Muncy is making the start for the A's at third base and will hit eighth against Giants right-hander Tyler Mahle (hamstring), who is making his first start back from the injured list. The good news for Gelof is that his hand injury shouldn't be anything that requires him to spend time on the injured list. The 26-year-old is finally realizing his potential so far in 209 at-bats for the A's in 2026 after he was a second-round selection in 2021 out of the University of Virginia. Gelof is slashing .282/.336/.498 this year with an .834 OPS, 11 home runs, 29 RBI, 40 runs, and eight stolen bases across 62 games and 228 plate appearances. He's become a priority waiver-wire target with a strong month of June, going 23-for-70 (.329) with five homers, six doubles, 10 RBI, 19 runs, and two steals in 19 games played. Gelof is now rostered in 67% of Yahoo leagues. Check back to see if he's ready to return for Thursday's series finale against the Giants.

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San Francisco Giants infielder Luis Arraez (foot) is being held out of Wednesday's contest at Oracle Park against the visiting Athletics due to a foot injury that he suffered on Tuesday night, according to MLB.com. Casey Schmitt is starting at second base and will bat third for the Gigantes against A's rookie left-hander Gage Jump. Arraez fouled a ball off his right foot in the first inning of Tuesday's game in San Fran and eventually left the game in the fifth frame. The 29-year-old avoided a serious injury, though, and was feeling better on Wednesday, so there's a good chance he'll be back in action for Thursday's series finale against the A's. Arraez has fit in nicely in the Bay Area at the keystone in his first year with the Giants in 2026, coming into Wednesday's tilt with a .321/.358/.445 slash line, .803 OPS, three home runs, 30 RBI, 40 runs scored, and six stolen bases in 75 games across 332 plate appearances. The three-time All-Star and three-time batting champion is still one of the best sources of batting average and can also provide runs as a table-setter, but his lack of power and speed limits his overall fantasy upside.

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St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (thumb) is back at shortstop and will hit sixth on Wednesday against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks and left-hander Mitch Bratt at Busch Stadium, according to MLB.com. Winn was originally slated to miss a second straight game on Wednesday due to thumb soreness, but he was a late addition to the lineup. The 24-year-old's season-long numbers aren't anything special at all -- he's hitting .245/.321/.339 with three home runs, 31 RBI, 32 runs, and six stolen bases in 257 at-bats -- but he comes into Wednesday's tilt riding a seven-game hitting streak. During that streak, he has gone 11-for-28 (.393) with a homer, two doubles, five RBI, and six runs scored in 30 plate appearances. Winn has never faced Bratt in his major-league career. Against left-handers in 2026, Winn has gone 19-for-63 (.302) with none of his three home runs in 75 plate appearances.

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New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (back) will remain sidelined for Game 2 of a doubleheader in Queens on Wednesday against the Chicago Cubs, per MLB.com. Brett Baty is making the start in right field and will bat ninth against Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga. Soto was forced to leave Tuesday's game against Chicago due to tightness on the left side of his back. The 27-year-old is being considered day-to-day for now, but manager Carlos Mendoza said that it's possible that the All-Star could have to make another trip to the injured list. The good news for the Mets is that they're getting star shortstop Francisco Lindor (calf) back from the IL for Game 2 of their doubleheader. Soto's next chance to return to the starting lineup will come in Thursday's series finale against the Cubbies. When healthy in 2026, the four-time Dominican All-Star has been his usual reliable self in fantasy, slashing .299/.395/.570 with a .965 OPS, 17 round-trippers, 38 RBI, 36 runs scored, and six stolen bases in his 221 at-bats. Check back on Thursday for an update on Soto's condition.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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