Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (thumb) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting fifth for the Royals on Tuesday against the visiting Texas Rangers and right-hander Nathan Eovaldi at Kauffman Stadium, per MLB.com. Perez will return to the starting nine after missing the last two games with a minor thumb injury. The 15-year Venezuelan veteran has been a stalwart for the Royals in his long tenure with the team, but the veteran catcher has shown clear signs of decline so far in 2026 with a weak .204/.254/.345 slash line, career-worst .599 OPS, nine home runs, 26 RBI, 22 runs scored, 12 walks, and 49 strikeouts in 256 plate appearances over his 61 games played. Additionally, he's hitting .190 with a .428 career OPS and just one RBI in 21 at-bats versus Eovaldi. Fantasy managers may want to keep Perez on their benches, even though he's back from injury. In 16 games since May 18, Perez has gone 12-for-59 (.203) with two homers, a double, six RBI, five runs, five walks, and eight K's.

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Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder Jac Caglianone (shoulder) is starting in right field and will bat sixth for the Royals in Tuesday's tilt against the visiting Texas Rangers and right-hander Nathan Eovaldi, according to MLB.com. Caglianone was pulled from Saturday's game early against the division-rival Minnesota Twins with soreness in his right shoulder, and he missed Sunday's series finale as a result. But after a scheduled day off on Monday, the 23-year-old left-handed slugger is back in action as he looks to get going at the plate in his first full year in the majors. The former sixth overall pick in 2024 out of the University of Florida is striking out at a 29.8% clip and is slashing a very modest .250/.326/.403 with a .729 OPS, six home runs, 15 RBI, 21 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 60 games and 218 plate appearances. Cags has gone 14-for-54 (.259) with a homer, double, five RBI, three runs scored, and two steals in his last 16 games, dating back to May 20. He has never faced Eovaldi in his young MLB career.

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Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (knee) is back in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the visiting Texas Rangers and right-hander Nathan Eovaldi, starting at shortstop and batting second, according to MLB.com. Witt was pulled from Sunday's game prematurely with soreness in his right knee, but after an off day on Monday, the star shortstop is back in the starting nine and should be returned to all starting fantasy lineups. The 25-year-old former first-rounder in 2019 will return to a .280/.354/.456 slash line, .810 OPS, nine home runs, 27 RBI, 23 stolen bases, and 33 runs scored across his 261 at-bats in his fifth year in the big leagues. Witt hasn't been as productive recently, hitting .233 (14-for-60) with two home runs, four doubles, four RBI, 10 runs scored, and eight stolen bases in 15 games since May 23, but the five-category contributor is a must-start when he's active. He's batting .333 with a 1.000 OPS and three RBI in 12 career at-bats versus Eovaldi.

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Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (back) is starting in center field for the Braves and will hit out of the two-hole for Tuesday's contest in Chicago against the White Sox and left-hander Brandon Eistert, per MLB.com. Harris was sidelined for the last two games with tightness in his back, but he'll return for the series opener on the South side on Tuesday, and fantasy managers should return him to their starting lineups in traditional leagues. The 25-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder is in the midst of one of his best years in the big leagues, slashing .306/.340/.523 with an .863 OPS, 13 home runs, 40 RBI, 30 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 62 games across 235 plate appearances for the first-place Bravos. He's been even better in his last 17 games since May 19, too, going 24-for-69 (.348) with five home runs, four doubles, 16 RBI, 12 runs scored, and a stolen base in that span. Harris has never faced Eistert in his big-league career. Against lefties this year, Harris has gone 24-for-81 (.296) with four of his 13 long balls.

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Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (wrist) will start on the bench again for Tuesday's game against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies at the Rogers Centre, according to MLB.com. Nathan Lukes is starting in center field and will bat second for the team against Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler. The Blue Jays have said that they are optimistic that Varsho won't need a trip to the injured list, but this will be his fourth straight missed game due to inflammation in his left wrist. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Wednesday to see if he's cleared to rejoin the starting nine in Toronto. The 29-year-old former second-round pick in 2017 out of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has been a very modest fantasy asset offensively this year, slashing .256/.331/.408 with a .738 OPS, five home runs, 17 RBI, 26 runs scored, and four stolen bases in his 211 at-bats. He's been ice-cold at the plate lately, too, going 7-for-41 (.171) with two doubles, a triple, an RBI, four runs scored, seven walks, and nine strikeouts in 15 ballgames since May 22.

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The Colorado Rockies are promoting top outfield prospect Cole Carrigg to the major leagues ahead of Tuesday's contest against the Chicago Cubs. Currently, the outfielder sits as the team's No. 6 overall-ranked prospect on MLB.com. Carrigg joined the Rockies in the third round of the 2023 MLB Draft and has enjoyed a dominant start to the regular season at the Triple-A level. With Albuquerque, Carrigg has posted a dominant .338/.414/.529 line with a stellar.943 OPS. Across this 57-game stint, the outfielder has hit six home runs and swiped an impressive 30 bags. During the 2025 campaign, Carrigg stole 46 bags while going deep 15 times across 123 games at Double-A. With Tyler Freeman now joining Brenton Boyle, Jordan Beck, and Mickey Moniak on the injured list, Carrigg could be given ample at-bats in this lineup. His elite raw speed makes him a worthwhile waiver wire target in 12-team standard leagues.

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Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (shoulder) is starting in center field and batting leadoff for the Twins on Tuesday against the division-rival Detroit Tigers and right-hander Troy Melton, according to MLB.com. It will be Buxton's first game since he was pulled from Friday's game early against the Kansas City Royals due to a right-shoulder contusion after he crashed into the outfield wall. The 32-year-old veteran should be returned to starting lineups in all traditional leagues. The two-time All-Star has carried over the momentum from last year, when he clubbed a career-high 35 home runs while driving in 83 and stealing 24 bases in 126 games. So far in 2026, Buxton is hitting .257 (58-for-226) with 18 home runs, 28 RBI, 41 runs scored, and five stolen bases across 55 games played. Since May 13, he's hitting .262 (16-for-61) with five homers, three doubles, seven RBI, 10 runs, and a steal in 16 contests. He has yet to face Melton in his career.

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Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson (thumb) is starting in left field and will hit in the three-hole for the Rays on Tuesday at Tropicana Field against the division-rival Boston Red Sox and left-hander Payton Tolle, according to MLB.com. Simpson returns to action after missing the last three games due to soreness in his left thumb. The 25-year-old former second-round pick in 2022 out of Georgia Institute of Technology is still searching for his first major-league home run after debuting in Tampa last season, but what he lacks in power, he makes up for in speed and contact abilities. Simpson will return to a .276/.312/.328 slash line with a .639 OPS, a league-leading four triples, 12 RBI, 14 stolen bases, and 30 runs scored in his 250 plate appearances and 61 games played in 2026. In DFS, Simpson is an easy fade against a left-hander, as he's hitting just .230 (17-for-74) against southpaws on the season. He has gone hitless in just three career at-bats against Tolle.

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Arizona Diamondbacks infielder/outfielder Jordan Lawlar (wrist) remains an intriguing waiver-wire option for managers in deeper leagues with injured-list flexibility. Before being sidelined, Lawlar hit .333 with one home run, two RBI, three runs scored, one stolen base, a .400 on-base percentage, and a .556 slugging percentage across 18 at-bats (six games). Lawlar saw his fantasy value increase during spring training when the former top prospect posted a .333/.448/.604 line with four round-trippers, which earned him a starting role to begin the 2026 campaign. The sample is small, but Lawlar's power-speed profile and early production make him worth monitoring before he returns. Last week, Lawlar's rehab assignment was moved to Triple-A Reno, suggesting the 23-year-old is nearing a return to action. With a 6% Yahoo rostership rate, Lawlar is a speculative stash for fantasy managers in deeper leagues looking to get ahead on a potential impact bat who possesses a five-category skill set.

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Milwaukee Brewers outfield prospect Luis Lara has agreed to a seven-year, $31 million contract extension that includes three club options and can max out at $79 million. The 21-year-old has dominated Triple-A this season, and the long-term commitment gives fantasy managers another reason to keep him on the radar. Lara has enjoyed a dominant season with Triple-A Nashville, carrying an elite .343/.453/.505 line with seven home runs and 18 stolen bases. While Lara is still a stash candidate, his impressive start to the season has put him on the verge of a promotion, much sooner than anticipated. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should continue to view him as a top prospect to stash among hitters, while dynasty managers should treat the extension as another sign that Milwaukee views him as a major part of its long-term outfield picture.

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Seattle Mariners rookie infielder Colt Emerson (back) remains out of the starting lineup for Game 2 of the series against the hosting Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards on Tuesday, according to MLB.com. Infielder Cole Young will make another start at the 6 and will bat eighth against Orioles left-hander Trevor Rogers. Emerson will miss a second straight game after he was scratched from Monday's series-opening win in Baltimore due to tightness in his back. The M's placed regular shortstop J.P. Crawford on the injured list on Monday with a hand contusion, so Seattle has become pretty thin up the middle of late. Ryan Bliss was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma and will make his second straight start at the keystone on Tuesday. Emerson, one of the top middle-infield prospects in the game, has hit .242/.319/.548 with an .867 OPS, four home runs, 10 RBI, and nine runs scored in his first 19 big-league games since being called up. Check back on Wednesday to see if he returns to the starting nine for the Mariners.

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Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (neck) continues to sit out of the starting lineup for the team's Tuesday matchup against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park, per MLB.com. Dalton Rushing will catch for left-hander Eric Lauer and will bat eighth against Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes. This will be Smith's third straight missed game due to stiffness in his neck, but manager Dave Roberts said over the weekend that the team expects him to return soon. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Wednesday to see if the veteran backstop is feeling good enough to return. The 31-year-old three-time All-Star has been a bit of a disappointment so far this year for fantasy managers, slashing .249/.338/.382 with a .720 OPS, six home runs, 23 RBI, and 23 runs scored in 52 games across 201 plate appearances. Fantasy managers setting DFS lineups should look to avoid Rushing at the bottom of the batting order against one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball.

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Chicago White Sox pitcher Joe Rock is joining the major-league roster as David Sandlin heads back to Triple-A Charlotte. Rock was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays last month and has been stretching out as a starter in the minors since joining the organization. He has limited MLB experience, with three career relief appearances, so fantasy managers should view this as a speculative move until his role becomes clearer. Rock's fantasy appeal comes from the chance that Chicago could use him for length, especially with the White Sox continuing to shuffle arms. He posted a 5.40 ERA over 13 games with Triple-A Durham before the trade, and only slightly improved with Charlotte, posting a 4.00 ERA over nine frames, so there is a clear risk in the profile. Given his unclear role, Rock is only worth monitoring in deeper formats for the time being.

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The Pittsburgh Pirates have placed catcher/first base prospect Rafael Flores Jr. on their taxi squad on Tuesday, according to Pirates reporter Alex Stumpf. Flores, 25, made his major-league debut in 2025 with the Bucs, but he only appeared in seven games and went 3-for-15 with two doubles, two walks, and seven strikeouts. He could be on the verge of a return to the big leagues despite hitting just .207 (39-for-188) with four home runs, 27 RBI, 21 runs scored, 29 walks, and 62 strikeouts in 53 games and 219 plate appearances for Triple-A Indianapolis this year. Per MLB Pipeline, the 6-foot-3, 232-pounder is the Pirates' eighth-ranked prospect. Flores has some intriguing power potential, especially with eligibility as a catcher, but he also swings and misses quite often, and he really struggled back in spring training at the plate. He's a work in progress behind the dish, but he has the potential to stick at the position long term, despite his size. If he rejoins the Pirates in the near future, he's likely to operate in a bench role.

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Houston Astros outfielder Cam Smith is starting to show signs of life at the plate, giving fantasy managers a reason to keep him on the waiver-wire radar. Smith went 2-for-5 with two doubles and one RBI in Monday's 5-4 extra-inning win over the Los Angeles Angels. He is 6-for-21 over his last five games with two doubles, one triple, four RBI, and an 8:1 K:BB. The season-long production remains modest, but Smith's recent success gives him some appeal. Through 67 games, he has hit six home runs, brought in 25 runs, scored 26, and added 10 doubles. With 75% of Yahoo leagues still leaving him available, Smith is a reasonable pickup for fantasy managers in deeper leagues looking to get ahead on a young bat with developing power (13.2% barrel rate), as he should continue to see a prominent role in this lineup.

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Minnesota Twins infield prospect Kaelen Culpepper could be ticketed for a major league debut in the very near future after his recent run of success at Triple-A. The Twins' second-ranked prospect's 12-game hit streak came to an end this past Saturday after an 0-for-4 at the plate (though he managed to get on base once after getting hit and he also drove in a run), but during the hit streak, the former first-rounder went 17-for-49 (.347) with five home runs, three steals, and a 9:9 BB:K. It raised his season-long slash line to .265/.371/.491 with 14 home runs, 13 steals, and a strong 12.7 percent walk rate (18.4 percent strikeout rate). The right-handed hitter's success should earn him a promotion to the majors in the coming weeks, and with a solid all-around skillset, the 23-year-old makes for one of the top bats to stash in most fantasy leagues for his potential to be a multi-category contributor.

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The New York Mets announced on Tuesday that they reinstated catcher Francisco Alvarez (knee) from the 10-day injured list and optioned catcher Hayden Senger to Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move. The Mets initially said that Alvarez would be out for six to eight weeks due to surgery to fix a torn meniscus in his right knee, but he is returning after just four weeks. He is catching right-hander Freddy Peralta on Tuesday and will bat ninth against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals and right-hander Dustin May. In four minor-league rehab games with Triple-A Syracuse, Alvarez went 3-for-13 at the plate with two doubles. The 24-year-old Venezuelan backstop might be eased back in by the Mets, but he's the unquestioned primary catcher in Queens when he's healthy. Alvarez will return to a .241/.317/.393 slash line with four home runs, 10 RBI, and 12 runs scored in his 112 at-bats in 2026. Injuries have been an issue for the catcher in the big leagues, but he did hit 25 homers in 2023 in his first full season with the Mets.

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Cleveland Guardians first base prospect Ralphy Velazquez belted a home run at Triple-A Columbus on Sunday, his first since being promoted to the Clippers back on May 18. Though he's hitting just .241 in 14 games at that level, the left-handed slugger has turned it around as of late, going 5-for-15 (.333) with four of those five hits going for extra bases (two doubles, one triple, one home run). The former first-rounder is coming off a 22-home run season in 2025 and was slashing .317/.414/.566 with seven home runs through 36 games this season at Double-A Akron before his promotion. If he can build on the recent momentum, the Guardians' second-ranked prospect should receive a second-half call-up to the big leagues. Until then, the 21-year-old remains a stash consideration in deep leagues for his power potential.

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Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Jacob Melton (ankle) should be nearing a rehab assignment and could be back at Triple-A Durham around mid-June or shortly thereafter. The Rays' fourth-ranked prospect has been out since suffering a Grade 2 left ankle sprain on April 22. After a rough 3-for-24 (.125) start to the year, the former second-round draft pick began to turn things around, going 12-for-41 (.293) with seven doubles, a triple, and an eye-opening 14 steals in 13 games. The left-handed slugger hit well enough at Triple-A in the Houston organization last year to earn himself a 32-game, 78-plate appearance major league debut, and although he went just 11-for-70 (.157), the speed was on full display, having tallied seven steals in his limited action. The 25-year-old's strikeout rate stood at a sky-high 40.2 percent earlier this season at Durham, so it is something he'll need to get under control before making it back to the majors, but the likelihood of a return to action soon and his ability to steal bases should put him back on fantasy managers' radar, though he hasn't reached stash-worthy status yet.

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Milwaukee Brewers infield/outfield prospect Jett Williams continues to scuffle at Triple-A Nashville, going just 7-for-56 (.125) over his last 14 games for the Sounds, which includes just one extra-base hit (a triple) and one steal. It has dampened his prospects for a big league debut in the near future, but if he can turn it around, a call-up around the All-Star break could be well within reach. The Brewers' third-ranked prospect can do a little of everything, coming off a 17-homer campaign a season ago in which he also stole 34 bags while hitting .261 with a strong 13.3 percent walk rate. The former first-rounder is still showcasing many of those skills in 2026, with five home runs, 12 steals, and a 13.4 percent walk rate through 60 games. Combined with the ability to play multiple positions on the infield and center field, his versatility on both offense and defense could be an asset in the majors. The 22-year-old is eligible at 2B, SS, and OF in Yahoo! leagues, so there is plenty of appeal here as a potential stash candidate in deeper leagues, he just needs to pick it up at the plate.

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