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Points League Hitters: Waiver Wire Pickups for Fantasy Baseball - Week 19

Maikel Garcia - Fantasy Baseball Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

Nicklaus Gaut's fantasy baseball H2H points league waiver wire hitters to pick up for Week 19of the 2023 MLB season, identifying free agents hitters to add.

Welcome to Week 19 and our fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups for hitters. These fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups are for the week of July 31- August 6, looking at players below ~50% rostered on ESPN, Yahoo!, or Fantrax.

We'll be doing this points league roundup every week here at RotoBaller because we know points players get neglected and we're here to help. Player values can vary wildly from platform to platform, so we'll make sure to highlight where players are the best and worst fits, with waiver wire targets being evaluated in terms of the different scoring systems on ESPN, Yahoo!, CBS, Fantrax, and NFBC.

Position eligibility is taken from Fantrax and players are grouped by their most valuable fantasy position, using a hierarchy of C > 2B > OF > 3B > 1B > SS. Stats and rankings for charts are calculated using games through Saturday, July 29.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy baseball lineup tools and resources:

 

Know Your Scoring System

Platform AB Hits TB 1B 2B 3B HR R RBI BB SO SB CS HBP
ESPN 0 0 1 1 2 3 4 1 1 1 -1 1 0 0
Yahoo! 0 0 2.6 2.6 5.2 7.8 10.4 1.9 1.9 2.6 0 4.2 0 2.6
CBS 0 0 1 1 2 3 4 1 1 1 -0.5 2 -1 1
Fantrax 0 0 1 1 2 3 4 1 1 1 0 2 0 0
NFBC -1 4 0 0 0 0 6 2 2 0 0 5 0 0

You'll likely find a suitable mirror to your own system if you look above. While every point counts, as long as they aren't seismic changes, you can get away with some "close enough" calls. IE. You're probably fine if everything is the same except for HBP (or something similar).

 

Week 19 Leaderboards

Here are our waiver wire leaderboards headed into Week 19, with players ordered by their Yahoo Roster%:

 

And here are the stats driving the above ranks:

 

First Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Spencer Torkelson, DET, 1B (Yahoo: 37%, ESPN: 17%) - Torkelson has run a mundane (but still useable) 121 APR in Week 18 but the former number-one overall pick has clearly turned a corner, now up to a 78 APR for the year and a 64 APR over the past two weeks. And better things might still be coming with an on-contact x-Slash that carries a lot more zip than his current reality.

Regular Slash (on contact): .316/.311/.561, .365 wOBA
Expected Slash (on contact): .351/.348/.629, .412 xwOBA

Alex Kirilloff, MIN, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 38%, ESPN: 10%) - Kirilloff's power remains frustratingly inconsistent, posting just a 336 APR in Week 18 after a six-game stretch where he went deep four times. But he's proven the talent is there (when healthy) and the more he plays, the more the consistency should come. With a series coming up against a Cardinals rotation that might be filled with all-new faces post-deadline, I'd be happy to roll with Kirilloff and bet on a Week 19 come-up. Oh no, we jinxed it. Kirilloff just hit the IL.

Carlos Santana, 1B, MIL (Yahoo: 31%, ESPN: 14%) - For those new to our little points party, I'll make the introductions: Meet Carlos Santana - his roto usefulness has been limited for a while but he's still a points deity who continues to crush standard settings, now up to a 77 APR for the season, with a 17 APR so far in Week 18...He also remains available in a majority of leagues. With seven games on board for Week 19, including a classic revenge series against the Pittsburgh team that just jettisoned him to Milwaukee, Santana remains a widely available plug for any holes on your roster.

Next Choices

LaMonte Wade Jr., SF, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 31%, ESPN: 14%) - Wade Jr. may have hit himself out of a straight platoon but that doesn't mean the left-hander doesn't still struggle vs LHP, slashing just .240/.328/.340 with a .299 wOBA (.292 xwOBA) against them versus .284/.420/.450, with a 386 wOBA (.399 xwOBA) vs RHP. Considering the Giants have faced left-handed starters in five of their last six games and 11 of their last 19, Wade's recent slump shouldn't come as a big surprise. He'll get more favorable matchups in Week 19, however, with five of San Francisco's six games coming vs RHP.

Jake Burger, CHW, 1B/2B/3B (Yahoo: 23%, ESPN: 6%) - Looks like it's Burger SZN (again) - Jake has an 8 APR so far in Week 18 after going 4-for-15...With 4 HR. Hell, he even picked up 2B-eligibility for funsies. Unfortunately, hitting four dongs for a fire-sale quality team like the White Sox can sometimes result in just the 5 R and 5 RBI that Burgers' round-trippers netted him, continuing to limit his value. Well, that and a 31% K%.

Wilmer Flores, SF, 1B/2B/3B (Yahoo: 41%, ESPN: 24%) - Flores rewarded our toutin' from last week by running a 69 APR so far in Week 18, with a 20 APR over the last two weeks. But keep in mind he also faced a bevy of left-handed pitching last week but is only scheduled against one out of San Francisco's six games in Week 19. Facing LHP, Flores is slashing .327/.368/.551, with a .390 wOBA, compared to just .261/.339/.505, with a .358 wOBA vs RHP.

Desperate Choices

Nolan Jones, COL, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 6%) - The rookie has been earning more playing time (starting six of the last seven) and will get three games at home in Week 18, as well as a series against a St. Louis team whose pitching staff may have been even further gutted by the time the trade deadline passes. The counting stats haven't come in bunches yet but a .357 wOBA and .352 xwOBA shows he's not being overwhelmed, even if a 34% K% will limit his value in leagues with a strikeout penalty.

Dominic Smith, WSH, 1B (Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 2%) - Smith has little to no power but has a points-friendly profile that can be useful in the right matchup sets. Unfortunately, the left-hander is more of a reverse-splits kind of guy and the Nationals are only scheduled to face one LHP out of their six games in Week 19.

On the IL

  • Jose Miranda, MIN, 1B/3B (shoulder impingement - no timetable)
  • Ryan Noda, OAK, 1B/OF (fractured jaw - no timetable)
  • Nick Pratto, KC, 1B/OF (strained groin - no timetable)
  • Yu Chang, BOS, 1B/2B/3B/SS (hamate surgery - rehab assignment)
  • Darin Ruf, MIL, 1B/OF (knee laceration - no timetable)

 

Second Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Geraldo Perdomo, ARI, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 37%, ESPN: 15%) - Perdomo continues to make a mockery of expected stats, with a .283 AVG (.210 xBA), and .359 wOBA (.286 xwOBA), and is now up to an 82 APR for the season after posting a 52 APR over the past two weeks. He doesn't start vs LHP but the Diamondbacks are only scheduled to face one in Week 19, likely giving Perdomo 5-6 starts at the top of the order.

Andruw Monasterio, MIL, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 11%, ESPN: 2%) - Monasterio has started every game for Milwaukee in the second half, slashing .314/.375/.412 over 56 PA, with seven multi-hit games, while posting a 49 APR over the past two weeks and a 60 APR so far in Week 18. And that's not just small-sample shenanigans, as that line isn't far off a .295/.378/.400 over 119 PA for the year. There's no power but Monsterio gets on base a lot, strikes out at a below-average rate (21% K%), and is racking up a lot of PAs by playing every day while eligible at three positions. As we've seen many times before, this is a tried-and-true recipe for a points-friendly profile under most scoring systems, even without any flash or bomb(s)bast. This Roster% is far too low, especially getting to face some suspect pitching from Washington and Pittsburgh in Week 19.

Next Choices

Luis Rengifo, LAA, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 16%, ESPN: 5%) - Luis Rengifo and his points-friendly profile is back, baby! With the continued slew of Angels injuries, Rengifo can be nice little compiler if you're in need, and heads into Sunday with multiple hits in four of his last seven games.

Tony Kemp, OAK, 2B/OF (Yahoo: 7%, ESPN: 4%) - Kemp has been having a points-tastic July but really he's been hot since the middle of June - since June 15 (when he broke an 11-game hitless streak), Kemp is slashing .308/.374/.453, with a .360 wOBA and 136 wRC+. All the normal "Oakland is terrible" caveats need to apply but Kemp and his no-K ways are putting up seriously useful numbers and can be ridden until he starts slowing down.

Jake Burger, CHW, 1B/2B/3B (Yahoo: 23%, ESPN: 6%) - Looks like it's Burger SZN (again) - Jake has an 8 APR so far in Week 18 after going 4-for-15...With 4 HR. Hell, he even picked up 2B-eligibility for funnsies. Unfortunately, hitting four dongs for a fire-sale quality team like the White Sox can sometimes result in just the 5 R and 5 RBI that Burgers' round-trippers netted him, continuing to limit his value. Well, that and a 31% K%.

Wilmer Flores, SF, 1B/2B/3B (Yahoo: 41%, ESPN: 24%) - Flores rewarded our toutin' from last week by running a 69 APR so far in Week 18, with a 20 APR over the last two weeks. But keep in mind he also faced a bevy of left-handed pitching last week but is only scheduled against one out of San Francisco's six games in Week 19. Facing LHP, Flores is slashing .327/.368/.551, with a .390 wOBA, compared to just .261/.339/.505, with a .358 wOBA vs RHP.

Willi Castro, MIN, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 16%, ESPN: 2%) - He's much less useful in leagues (like ESPN) where stolen bases are only worth 1-point but Castro has run himself to a 59 APR over the past two weeks by really turning up the gas on the paths in July - after only stealing 5 bases in 81 PA in June, Castro has 11 SB in 74 PA so far this month, with 26 SB on the season.

Desperate Choices

Luis Garcia, WSH, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 17%, ESPN: 12%) - We say a different version of the same things about Garcia almost every week but that's only because they remain nearly true from week to week: Garcia's piles of PAs and low-K ways will keep an around a top-100 hitter in any given week, albeit without much more ceiling. You know what you're getting; if it's useful will depend on your individual team needs.

Jon Berti, MIA, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 20%, ESPN: 3%) - With a low K% and "hot, nasty, badass speed"*, Jon Berti is always worth rostering during periods when you know he'll be playing every day. IE. Someone got hurt. Berti has a 45 APR over the past two weeks but will likely see at least a small dip in playing time with the return of Avisail Garcia from the IL.

*- Eleanor Roosevelt

On the IL

  • Ji-Hwan Bae, PIT, 2B/OF (sprained ankle - no timetable)
  • Nick Gordon, MIN, 2B/SS/OF (fractured shin - no timetable)
  • Yu Chang, BOS, 1B/2B/3B/SS (hamate surgery - rehab assignment)

 

Third Base Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Maikel Garcia, KC, 3B/SS (Yahoo: 28%, ESPN: 5%) - Garcia is now locked in at leadoff and third base for the Royals and continues to thrive with above-average per-PA scoring rates that are now amplified by how many PAs he's collecting from the top of the order. With Kansas City scheduled to face four LHP in Week 19, Garcia could be in for another big week, with a .345 wOBA and .353 xwOBA vs LHP, compared to a .295 wOBA and .319 xwOBA vs RHP.

Andruw Monasterio, MIL, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 11%, ESPN: 2%) - Monasterio has started every game for Milwaukee in the second half, slashing .314/.375/.412 over 56 PA, with seven multi-hit games, while posting a 49 APR over the past two weeks and a 60 APR so far in Week 18. And that's not just small-sample shenanigans, as that line isn't far off a .295/.378/.400 over 119 PA for the year. There's no power but Monsterio gets on base a lot, strikes out at a below-average rate (21% K%), and is racking up a lot of PAs by playing every day while eligible at three positions. As we've seen many times before, this is a tried-and-true recipe for a points-friendly profile under most scoring systems, even without any flash or bomb(s)bast. This Roster% is far too low, especially getting to face some suspect pitching from Washington and Pittsburgh in Week 19.

Next Choices

Luis Rengifo, LAA, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 16%, ESPN: 5%) - Luis Rengifo and his points-friendly profile is back, baby! With the continued slew of Angel's injuries, Rengifo can be a nice little compiler if you're in need, and he heads into Sunday with multiple hits in four of his last seven games.

Jake Burger, CHW, 1B/2B/3B (Yahoo: 23%, ESPN: 6%) - Looks like it's Burger SZN (again) - Jake has an 8 APR so far in Week 18 after going 4-for-15...With 4 HR. Hell, he even picked up 2B-eligibility for funsies. Unfortunately, hitting four dongs for a fire-sale quality team like the White Sox can sometimes result in just the 5 R and 5 RBI that Burgers' round-trippers netted him, continuing to limit his value. Well, that and a 31% K%.

Wilmer Flores, SF, 1B/2B/3B (Yahoo: 41%, ESPN: 24%) - Flores rewarded our toutin' from last week by running a 69 APR so far in Week 18, with a 20 APR over the last two weeks. But keep in mind he also faced a bevy of left-handed pitching last week but is only scheduled against one out of San Francisco's six games in Week 19. Facing LHP, Flores is slashing .327/.368/.551, with a .390 wOBA, compared to just .261/.339/.505, with a .358 wOBA vs RHP.

Desperate Choices

Jon Berti, MIA, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 20%, ESPN: 3%) - With a low K% and "hot, nasty, badass speed"*, Jon Berti is always worth rostering during periods when you know he'll be playing everyday. IE. Someone got hurt. Berti has a 45 APR over the past two weeks but will likely see at least a small dip in playing time with the return of Avisail Garcia from the IL.

*- Eleanor Roosevelt

Brett Baty, NYM, 3B (Yahoo: 11%, ESPN: 5%) - Baty continues to struggle but facing LHP in five-of-eight games certainly hasn't helped. In between selling off their parts like a black market organs dealer, the Mets are scheduled to face RHP in all six of their Week 19 games.

On the IL

  • Ke'Bryan Hayes, PIT, 3B (lower back - rehab assignment)
  • Royce Lewis, MIN, 3B/SS (strained oblique - expected to miss 6 weeks)
  • Anthony Rendon, LAA, 3B (shin contusion - no timetable)
  • Jose Miranda, MIN, 1B/3B (shoulder impingement - no timetable)
  • Brian Anderson, MIL, 3B/OF (strained lower back - no timetable)
  • Josh Donaldson, NYY, 3B (strained calf - questionable for season)
  • Yu Chang, BOS, 1B/2B/3B/SS (hamate surgery - rehab assignment)
  • Evan Longoria, ARI, 3B (strained lower back - no timetable)
  • Kevin Smith, OAK, 3B/SS (strained back - no timetable)

 

Shortstop Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Maikel Garcia, KC, 3B/SS (Yahoo: 28%, ESPN: 5%) - Garcia is now locked in at leadoff and third base for the Royals and continues to thrive with above-average per-PA scoring rates that are now amplified by how many PAs he's collecting from the top of the order. With Kansas City scheduled to face four LHP in Week 19, Garcia could be in for another big week, with a .345 wOBA and .353 xwOBA vs LHP, compared to a .295 wOBA and .319 xwOBA vs RHP.

Geraldo Perdomo, ARI, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 37%, ESPN: 15%) - Perdomo continues to make a mockery of expected stats, with a .283 AVG (.210 xBA), and .359 wOBA (.286 xwOBA), and is now up to an 82 APR for the season after posting a 52 APR over the past two weeks. He doesn't start vs LHP but the Diamondbacks are only scheduled to face one in Week 19, likely giving Perdomo 5-6 starts at the top of the order.

J.P. Crawford, SEA, SS (Yahoo: 13%, ESPN: 11%) - Sigh; I suppose I should just be happy that his Roster% has at least climbed to double-digits. Crawford has a 78 APR for the season and is top 50 on ESPN due to his minuscule 14% K%. Continuing to pile up PAs and runs from batting leadoff nearly every single game, Crawford will likely remain a top-75ish scorer for the rest of the season. And maybe, just may-yyybe reach a 20% Roster%. One can only dream.

Andruw Monasterio, MIL, 2B/3B/SS (Yahoo: 11%, ESPN: 2%) - Monasterio has started every game for Milwaukee in the second half, slashing .314/.375/.412 over 56 PA, with seven multi-hit games, while posting a 49 APR over the past two weeks and a 60 APR so far in Week 18. And that's not just small-sample shenanigans, as that line isn't far off a .295/.378/.400 over 119 PA for the year. There's no power but Monsterio gets on base a lot, strikes out at a below-average rate (21% K%), and is racking up a lot of PAs by playing every day while eligible at three positions. As we've seen many times before, this is a tried-and-true recipe for a points-friendly profile under most scoring systems, even without any flash or bomb(s)bast. This Roster% is far too low, especially getting to face some suspect pitching from Washington and Pittsburgh in Week 19.

Next Choices

Ezequiel Tovar, COL, SS (Yahoo: 37%, ESPN: 10%) - Like the rest of the Colorado crew, Tovar gets a series at Coors and one on the road against a Cardinals team that will likely be even further depleted following the trade deadline. Smoke 'em if ya need him.

Luis Rengifo, LAA, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 16%, ESPN: 5%) - Luis Rengifo and his points-friendly profile is back, baby! With the continued slew of Angels injuries, Rengifo can be nice little compiler if you're in need, and heads into Sunday with multiple hits in four of his last seven games.

Desperate Choices

Luis Garcia, WSH, 2B/SS (Yahoo: 17%, ESPN: 12%) - We say a different version of the same things about Garcia almost every week but that's only because they remain nearly true from week to week: Garcia's piles of PAs and low-K ways will keep an around a top-100 hitter in any given week, albeit without much more ceiling. You know what you're getting; if it's useful will depend on your individual team needs.

Jon Berti, MIA, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 20%, ESPN: 3%) - With a low K% and "hot, nasty, badass speed"*, Jon Berti is always worth rostering during periods when you know he'll be playing everyday. IE. Someone got hurt. Berti has a 45 APR over the past two weeks but will likely see at least a small dip in playing time with the return of Avisail Garcia from the IL.

*- Eleanor Roosevelt

On the IL

  • Royce Lewis, MIN, 3B/SS (strained oblique - expected to miss 6 weeks)
  • Nick Gordon, MIN, 2B/SS/OF (fractured shin - no timetable)
  • Yu Chang, BOS, 1B/2B/3B/SS (hamate surgery - rehab assignment)

 

Outfielder Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Max Kepler, MIN, OF (Yahoo: 6%, ESPN: 4%) - Herr Kepler has been sehr, sehr hot in July, slashing .294/.344/.506 over 93 PA, with 4 HR, 15 R, and 14 RBI. It's a good time to keep riding him with the Twins only scheduled to face one left-hander in Week 19.

Marcell Ozuna, ATL, OF (Yahoo: 31%, ESPN: 14%) - Ozuna has gone quite quiet as of late but has always been capable of hitting homers in bunches. See; 3 HR in his past three games. With two games against lefties in Week 19, he's certainly worth a stream to find out if we're entering another extended hot zone.

Andrew Benintendi, CHW, OF (Yahoo: 41%, ESPN: 18%) - Rinse-repeat on what we say about every week that Benintendi is below our Roster% threshold: the profile is a lot sexier in points than in roto and should be rostered in all leagues using five outfielders and most of the ones using three.

Will Benson, CIN, OF (Yahoo: 25%, ESPN: 6%) - The rookie has seen some whiffing struggles in the second half, with his previous plate-discipline woes coming back in a roar; in 44 PA since the ASB, Benson has a 46% K%. But 3 HR, 6 R, 9 RBI, and 3 SB, along with an 18% BB% have kept his scoring up but that's a fine line to keep trying to ride in most point leagues.

Randal Grichuk, COL, OF (Yahoo: 12%, ESPN: 4%) - What's that bubbling noise you've been hearing? Oh no big deal; just Randal Grichuk seeming like he's entered full-mag-ma mode, having now hit 6 HR in 14 games after going back-to-back on Friday and Saturday. Granted, only two of those came on the road but Grichuk still has three games at Coors in Week 19, as well as a likely date with the ghost of what used to be Adam Wainwright's dead right arm. I'm feeling so liquid-hot right now.

Mike Tauchman, CHC, OF (Yahoo: 4%, ESPN: 2%) - "He's Tauch-Man, he's Tauch-Man; not just Oprah's boyfriend. He's Tau-auuch-man!*. Tauchman doesn't start vs LHP but leads off against righties and has a 54 APR so far in Week 18, with a 16 APR over the past two weeks. The Cubs face two LHP in Week 19 but also have seven games, giving him a likely five games to keep the hotness going.

*If you laughed/got that reference, please tag me @Nt_BurtReynolds so we can congratulate each other on how funny we both are.

Next Choices

T.J. Friedl, CIN, OF (Yahoo: 41%, ESPN: 14%) - Friedl looks to be coming out of his recent funk, with multiple hits in three of seven games, along with one home run. The Reds get seven games in Week 19 but don't expect him to start both of their scheduled matchups vs LHP.

LaMonte Wade Jr., SF, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 31%, ESPN: 14%) - Wade Jr. may have hit himself out of a straight platoon but that doesn't mean the left-hander doesn't still struggle vs LHP, slashing just .240/.328/.340 with a .299 wOBA (.292 xwOBA) against them versus .284/.420/.450, with a 386 wOBA (.399 xwOBA) vs RHP. Considering the Giants have faced left-handed starters in five of their last six games and 11 of their last 19, Wade's recent slump shouldn't come as a big surprise. He'll get more favorable matchups in Week 19, however, with five of San Francisco's six games coming vs RHP.

Tony Kemp, OAK, 2B/OF (Yahoo: 7%, ESPN: 4%) - Kemp has been having a points-tastic July but really he's been hot since the middle of June - since June 15 (when he broke an 11-game hitless streak), Kemp is slashing .308/.374/.453, with a .360 wOBA and 136 wRC+. All the normal "Oakland is terrible" caveats need to apply but Kemp and his no-K ways are putting up seriously useful numbers and can be ridden until he starts slowing down.

Sal Frelick, MIL, OF (Yahoo: 40%, ESPN: 15%) - Frelick keeps hitting in his first shot in the bigs, having started seven of his eight games since getting called up and slashing .368/.481/.579 over 27 PA, with 1 HR and 8 runs scored. A .353 BABIP will likely cool down but excellent discipline (11% K%, 22% BB%, 5% SwStr%) should make up for the difference.

Luis Rengifo, LAA, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 16%, ESPN: 5%) - Luis Rengifo and his points-friendly profile is back, baby! With the continued slew of Angels injuries, Rengifo can be nice little compiler if you're in need, and heads into Sunday with multiple hits in four of his last seven games.

Desperate Choices

Jack Suwinski, PIT, OF (Yahoo: 41%, ESPN: 11%) - Suwinski is always worth a dice roll when there aren't a lot of LHP on the menu and the Pirates are only scheduled to face one in Week 19.

Jon Berti, MIA, 2B/3B/SS/OF (Yahoo: 20%, ESPN: 3%) - With a low K% and "hot, nasty, badass speed"*, Jon Berti is always worth rostering during periods when you know he'll be playing everyday. IE. Someone got hurt. Berti has a 45 APR over the past two weeks but will likely see at least a small dip in playing time with the return of Avisail Garcia from the IL.

*- Eleanor Roosevelt

Nolan Jones, COL, 1B/OF (Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 6%) - The rookie has been earning more playing time (starting six of the last seven) and will get three games at home in Week 18, as well as a series against a St. Louis team whose pitching staff may have been even further gutted by the time the trade deadline passes. The counting stats haven't come in bunches yet but a .357 wOBA and .352 xwOBA shows he's not being overwhelmed, even if a 34% K% will limit his value in leagues with a strikeout penalty.

On the IL

  • Charlie Blackmon, COL (fractured hand - no timetable)
  • Mitch Haniger, SF, OF (forearm surgery - expected to miss 10 weeks)
  • Ji-Hwan Bae, PIT, 2B/OF (sprained ankle - no timetable)
  • BrianAnderson, MIL, 3B/OF (strained lower back - no timetable)
  • Jesse Winker, MIL, OF (back spasms - no timetable)
  • Austin Meadows, DET, OF (anxiety - no timetable)
  • Ryan Noda, OAK, 1B/OF (fractured jaw - no timetable)
  • Nick Pratto, KC, 1B/OF (strained groin - no timetable)
  • Jo Adell, LAA, OF (strained oblique - no timetable)
  • Nick Gordon, MIN, 2B/SS/OF (fractured shin - no timetable)
  • Trayce Thompson, LAD, OF (strained oblique - rehab assignment)
  • Victor Robles, WSH, OF (back spasms - no timetable)
  • Aaron Hicks, BAL, OF (strained hamstring - no timetable)
  • A.J. Pollock, SEA, OF (strained hamstring - no timetable)
  • Avisail Garcia, MIA, OF (back tightness - no timetable)

 

Catcher Waiver Wire Pickups

Best Choices

Mitch Garver, TEX, C (Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 1%) - Remember that hot minute when Garver was an up-and-coming fantasy asset behind the plate? Well, Garver might not be that anymore but he's been serviceable in limited action this season and will get a chance to prove he's got more in the tank with Jonah Heim headed to the IL two days ago. Garver has a hit in six of his last seven games (with 1 HR) and is now slashing .263/.364/.474 in July, with 2 HR and a .364 wOBA.

Bo Naylor, CLE, C (Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 1%) - Cleveland's catcher future has been hitting like it in Week 18, with 2 HR and a 60 APR. But he'll only be a legitimate fantasy option if his playing time uptick continues - Naylor has now started three of Cleveland's last four games after starting just three of their nine games prior.

Next Choices

Danny Jansen, TOR, C (Yahoo: 17%, ESPN: 14%) - Jansen has now started five of the last six games he's been available and has a 108 APR for the past two weeks. His playing time and 22% K% make him particularly valuable in leagues with a strikeout penalty.

Desperate Choices

Yanier Diaz, HOU, C (Yahoo: 18%, ESPN: 5%) - Diaz has performed admirably during his recent increase in playing time and has run a 43 APR so far in Week 18. But with the return of Yordan Alvarez from the IL, that increase is running out quickly, with few DH at-bats likely in his future - Diaz has started just one (at catcher) of the three games since Alvarez returned.

On the IL



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Max Holloway

Set For Main Event
Brandon Lowe

Back From 10-Day Injured List
Dustin Poirier

Set For His Final UFC Fight
Roman Kopylov

Set For Co-Main Event
Paulo Costa

Returns At UFC 318
Luis L. Ortiz

to Remain on Leave for Another Month - Will he Pitch Again?
Daniel Rodriguez

Looks For Third Win In A Row
Kevin Holland

Set For His Fourth Fight This Year
Dan Ige

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
MMA

Patricio Freire Set For His Second UFC Fight
Daniel Zellhuber

Set To Open Up UFC 318 Main Card
Michael Johnson

Looks For Third Consecutive Win
Elijah Arroyo

Signs Rookie Deal
Jaydon Blue

Described as "Borderline Lazy"
T.J. Sanders

Bills Sign T.J. Sanders to Rookie Deal
Christian Wilkins

Raiders Put Christian Wilkins on PUP List
Jabari Small

Lions Add Jabari Small to Backfield
Quinshon Judkins

Remains Unsigned, Won't Report With Rest of Rookies
Mason Taylor

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Jets
Hendon Hooker

Leading Lions QB2 Battle Entering Training Camp
Ozzy Trapilo

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Bears
Tate Ratledge

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Lions
Jack Bech

Signs Rookie Contract with Raiders
Yegor Chinakhov

Requests Trade
Dakota Joshua

Maple Leafs Acquire Dakota Joshua
Lukas Dostal

Signs Five-Year Extension with Ducks
Shemar Stewart

Not Practicing With College Team
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Expected Back Friday
Damian Lillard

Returning to Portland
Paul Skenes

Pirates Could Preserve Paul Skenes in Second Half
Brooks Barnhizer

Grabs 19 Points, Nine Boards in Summer League Win
Jeremiah Fears

Scores 22 Points in Summer League Loss to Thunder
Isaiah Collier

Collects 17 Points In Summer League Win
Caleb Houstan

Joins Hawks
AJ Johnson

Erupts for 25 Points in Summer League Loss
Washington Wizards

Leaky Black Logs Double-Double in Loss to Jazz
Connor Norby

Undergoes Surgery, Expected to Miss 6-8 Weeks
Trey Alexander

Tallies 25 Points in Losing Effort
Johni Broome

Records Second Consecutive Double-Double
Jahmir Young

Has Historic Summer League Outing
Rob Dillingham

Plays Big Role in Wednesday's Win
Tyrese Proctor

Erupts for 35 Points Against Kings
Cody Williams

Leads Jazz to Victory Against Wizards
LeBron James

Mavs Not Interested in "Gutting its Roster" For LeBron James
Josh Hart

Undergoes a Procedure on Right Finger
Jake Burger

Goes on 10-Day Injured List With Quad Strain
Sal Frelick

Dealing With Grade 1 Hamstring Strain, TBD for Start of Second Half
Chris Sale

Plays Catch
Los Angeles Clippers

Bradley Beal Heading to Los Angeles to Join Clippers After Contract Buyout
Rayan Rupert

Scores 24 Points in Summer League Win
Derik Queen

Collects Third Consecutive Double-Double in Summer League Loss
GG Jackson II

Records 13 Points in Summer League Action on Tuesday
Johni Broome

Logs Double-Double Against Wizards
DaRon Holmes II

Records Double-Double in Summer League Loss to Raptors
Kyle Schwarber

Named All-Star Game MVP
Harris English

Takes Stellar 2025 Performance to The Open Championship
Aldrich Potgieter

Seeks Better Result in Northern Ireland
Cameron Young

Likely to Hang Around at The Open Championship
Cameron Smith

Just Trying to Make the Cut at Royal Portrush
Jordan Spieth

Is Jordan Spieth Still a Natural for Links Style Golf?
Patrick Reed

a Viable Option at The Open Championship
PGA

Sungjae Im Wants to Rebound from Last Experience at Royal Portrush
Xander Schauffele

Looks to Defend His Claret Jug at Royal Portrush
Tony Finau

Trying to Turn Tide at Royal Portrush
Daniel Brown

Seeks a Rebound at The Open Championship
Rory McIlroy

Will be the Most Watched Player This Week at Royal Portrush
Daniel Berger

Trending Poorly as The Open Championship Looms
Clayton Kershaw

Retires Both Batters In ASG Appearance
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Hit In Pinky In All-Star Game, X-Rays Negative
MLB

NL All-Stars Win On Tie-Breaker Home Run Swing-Off
Robert MacIntyre

Hoping to Bounce Back at Open Championship
Shane Lowry

Hopes to Repeat at Royal Portrush
Brian Harman

Hopes to Rekindle Some Magic at the 153rd Open
UTA

Michael Carcone Returns to Utah on One-Year Contract
Bowen Byram

Signs Two-Year Deal with Sabres
Morgan Barron

Jets Re-Sign Morgan Barron for Two Years
PGA

Chris Gotterup Punches Ticket to Royal Portrush With Win at Scottish Open
Bryson DeChambeau

Hopes to Reverse Links Golf Struggle at the 153rd Open
Keegan Bradley

Needs to Find The Weekend at Royal Portrush for Ryder Cup Hopes
Justin Thomas

Finishes Tied For 22nd at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Finishes Tied For Eighth at Genesis Scottish Open
Jon Rahm

Finishes in Second at LIV Andalucia
Tallison Teixeira

Suffers First-Round TKO
Derrick Lewis

Scores First-Round TKO
Stephen Thompson

Loses Controversial Split Decision
Gabriel Bonfim

Wins Controversial Split Decision
Calvin Kattar

Gets Outclassed At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Extends His Win Streak
Nate Landwehr

Gets Knocked Out
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere Scores Third-Round Knockout
Austen Lane

Suffers Submission Loss
Vitor Petrino

Scores First-Round Submission In Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Earns His First UFC Win
Chase Elliott

Charges to A Finish of Third At Sonoma
Chase Briscoe

Finishes Second With his First Career Road-Course Top-Five at Sonoma
Christopher Bell

Rollercoaster Day Ends With Top-5 Finish at Sonoma
William Byron

Maintains the Regular-Season Points Lead
Kyle Busch

Earns A Hard-Fought Top-10 Finish At Sonoma
Alex Ovechkin

Not Thinking About Retirement
PIT

Penguins Acquire Arturs Silovs
NHL

Nikolai Kovalenko Returns to Russia
Tyler Reddick

Evades Near Upset to Remain Alive in In-Season Challenge
Ty Gibbs

One of Three Tylers to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinals
Kyle Larson

Curiously Mediocre at Sonoma Before Late-Race Crash
NASCAR

John H. Nemechek Edges Out Teammate to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Alex Bowman

Ty Dillon Bumps Alex Bowman to Advance to In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Shane Van Gisbergen

Can Anyone Beat Shane van Gisbergen at Sonoma?
Tyler Reddick

Better at Sonoma Than Record Shows
Chase Elliott

a Prime DFS Option at Sonoma
Michael McDowell

Struggling a Bit at Sonoma
NASCAR

Christopher Bell Has Never Finished Better Than Ninth at Sonoma
Ryan Blaney

Has Top-10 Upside at Sonoma
NASCAR

Sunday at Sonoma Will Likely Be a Long Race for Bubba Wallace
Kyle Larson

Is A Likely Top-Five Contender for Sonoma
Ryan Preece

Points Position Could Affect Race at Sonoma
Todd Gilliland

Struggling to Find Speed at Sonoma
Ty Gibbs

May be an Underrated Favorite to Compete for the Win at Sonoma
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF