Welcome back to another year of the Waiver Wire. It’s early in the season, offering the chance to fill gaps in your draft and recover from the early injuries that have disrupted that “perfect” January roster. Don’t play the nickel-and-dime game. A penny saved isn’t anything earned come September. It’s a long year, and a full year’s worth of stats are ahead of you.
Luisangel Acuna, 2B, CWS (CBS: 18% rostered)
Last year, Luisangel Acuna swiped 16 bases in just 175 at-bats with the Metropolitans. This year, he’s taking on a full-time role in center field for the White Sox. Should we set the over/under at 35 stolen bases for 2026?
Moises Ballesteros, U, CHC (CBS: 46% rostered)
Don’t let the 1-for-6 start be a concern. This kid can and will hit for solid numbers in 2026. Buying in early will help alleviate a serious case of buyer’s remorse when he proves the aforementioned point.
Brett Baty, 2B/3B, NYM (CBS: 42% rostered)
Bret Baty is emerging from a solid rookie season, having hit 18 homers and stolen eight bases in 393 at-bats. He’s started this year strong with 3 RBIs and a stolen base early in the week. With his dual eligibility, a small bid makes sense in deeper leagues.
Joe Boyle, SP, TBR (CBS: 11% rostered)
Ryan Pepiot’s hip injury forced the Rays to rely on Joe Boyle on short notice, and he delivered six solid innings of three-hit, no-walk ball, allowing only two earned runs. He had his fastball working, reaching up to 98.5 mph. A small bid in 15-team Mixed Leagues offers a chance to see how his stuff performs against a mediocre Twins team in his next outing.
Jake Burger, 1B, TEX (CBS: 33% rostered)
Jake Burger has hit as many as 34 homers in a season. He’s off to a fast start with two already. There’s no doubt about his skills. The key is his ability to stay healthy and on the field.
Victor Caratini, C, MIN (CBS: 4% rostered)
For those who prioritized Catchers late this Spring, give Victor Caratini a look. He’s a typical Waiver Wire addition as an injury replacement in two-catcher leagues, but since he will see extra 1B/DH at-bats against tough lefties, the 12 homers he hit last year could potentially reach the mid-teens.
Willi Castro, 2B/3B/OF, COL (CBS: 28% rostered)
There has been a change at the top in Colorado, and they are aiming to be much more aggressive on the base paths in 2026. That shift in philosophy, combined with Castro’s speed and ability to play multiple positions, makes for an interesting option if your specific need is speed. He managed to steal 33 bases in 2023 as a member of the Twins.
Deyvison De La Santos, 1B, MIA (CBS: 5% rostered)
The Marlins have turned to divisive Minor League slugger Deyvison De La Santos to replace Christopher Morel, who was placed on the IL with a strained oblique. He should be on the radar in NL-only formats due to the impressive power potential that saw him hit 40 home runs in the minors in 2024.
Dillon Dingler, C, DET (CBS: 28% rostered)
Dingler’s value was overlooked at the draft table this year because of concerns about the arthroscopic surgery he had in January. He started late but quickly made an impact, already hitting a homer and driving in four RBIs in his first two games. It seems the concerns have eased as he works to build on a strong 13 homer/57 RBI season in 2025.
Zach Eflin, SP, TEX (CBS: 26% rostered)
After posting strong numbers in both 2023 (3.50 ERA) and 2024 (3.59 ERA), Zach Eflin faced a tough 2025. He spent three stints on the IL before ending his year in late July. In two Spring Training starts, he pitched a total of 7 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing only two hits and a walk while striking out ten batters. A healthy Zach Eflin is a solid #4 starter with #3 upside and should be considered a must-add this week in all formats.
TJ Friedl, OF, CIN (CBS: 39% rostered)
A leadoff batter on a roster that features Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz, and the young but highly talented Sal Stewart hitting behind him should attract more interest. With double-digit power and speed potential, along with the added bonus of 80+ runs scored, he has been overlooked in 61% of the leagues playing at CBS.
Lucas Giolito, SP, FA (CBS: 8% rostered)
Lucas Giolito is still seeking a team. If you have space, add him to your reserve roster, and as pitching injuries surface, his potential to deliver a mid-to-high three ERA season should attract interest from MLB teams.
Rhys Hoskins, 1B, CLE (CBS: 9% rostered)
The Guardians need more than just Jose Ramirez, Kyle Manzardo, and rookie Chase DeLauter providing power in their everyday lineup. A small bid, and you’ll find out if Rhys Hoskins is the answer.
Brady House, 3B, WAS (CBS: 19% rostered)
The last time the Nationals had a 20-home run season from the hot corner was in 2019 when Anthony Rendon hit 34 home runs. Brady House will end that drought in 2026.
Anthony Kay, SP, CWS (CBS: 9% rostered)
Kay is penciled in as the No. 3 starter on the South Side and has brought back a new pitch from Japan—the two-seamer—that helped contribute to a league-best 57.8% ground ball rate. With a four-seamer touching 95 mph, plus a slider, changeup, and sweeper, there’s a lot to potentially like.
Jake McCarthy, OF, COL (CBS: 11% rostered)
Jake McCarthy produced 23, 26, and 25 stolen bases from 2022 through 2024 on an average of 346 at-bats. Run Rockies, run!
Ryan McMahon, 3B, NYY (CBS: 17% rostered)
Ryan McMahon’s last time falling short of 20 homers was in 2018. His career high is 24 homers in 2019. It’s the perfect environment in New York for the 31-year-old to break his career best.
Garrett Mitchell, OF, MIL (CBS: 10% rostered)
Mitchell has had a great start, going 5-for-9 with three RBI and two stolen bases. He’s also walked three times and struck out just once. Staying healthy has been a challenge for the now 27-year-old, but he’s currently on the field and showing a skill set that’s worth paying attention to, even in small-format leagues.
Nasim Nunez, SS, WAS (CBS: 8% rostered)
Batting second in Washington could be a good spot for the young speedster. He has stolen up to 70 bases across High-A and Double-A. He’s a burner and could be a valuable asset if you want to boost speed stats on your Fantasy team.
Luke Raley, 1B/OF, SEA (CBS: 8% rostered)
His two-run homer Saturday night against the Guardians brought his three-game total to three hits, three homers, and five RBIs. It’s not like we haven’t seen Raley hit for power, as he slugged 22 homers back in 2024. He’s doing his best to push Dominic Canzone into the full-time DH role.
Victor Scott II, OF, STL (CBS: 22% rostered)
If you enjoy the thrill of speed, the two steals in the Cards’ home opener give a good preview of what to expect for the rest of the season. Last year, Scott II stole 34 bases in 398 at-bats. He’ll surpass that number well before September this season.
Jose Soriano, SP, LAA (CBS: 47% rostered)
Soriano (1-0) earned the win Thursday over the Astros, allowing two hits and four walks across six scoreless innings. He struck out seven. The fastball was lively, hitting 97.3 mph, and keeping the ball on the ground 66% of the time is a recipe for great results. 150+ strikeouts from your #5/6 starter gets the job done.
Anthony Volpe, SS, NYY (CBS: 22% rostered)
Will he get Wally Pipped or not? It’s worth a small bid to add him and stash him on your team’s IL to see what happens. Despite last year being disappointing, he still managed to hit 19 home runs and steal 18 bases. Many would envy that level of productivity.
Carson Williams, SS, TBR (CBS: 28% rostered)
Taylor Walls lands on the IL with a right oblique strain, and the Rays are turning to the toolsy Carson Williams in the meantime — or could it be more than that? Back-to-back 20/20 seasons at both Double- and Triple-A highlight his impressive tools. The question that needs answering is whether he’ll hit enough to keep the job. I believe he will.
Masyn Winn, SS, STL (CBS: 28% rostered)
Masyn Winn hit 15 home runs and stole 11 bases, along with scoring 85 runs in an impressive rookie season. His second season was tough because he dealt with a knee injury most of the year. He just turned 24 and has a promising future with the rebuilding Cardinals. Much brighter than the 28% level of recoverability.
Closer Report
Lucas Erceg, KCR (CBS: 23% rostered)
Carlos Estevez did not have a good spring. Last night, during his season debut against the Braves, he was absolutely lit up, allowing six earned runs in just 1/3 inning. Additionally, his fastball velocity has dropped by 4 mph from 2025, raising concerns. Lucas Erceg is the next in line for saves and is coming off a strong 2025 season, finishing with a 2.64 ERA and a couple of saves. He will attract plenty of interest and a significant amount of FAAB this evening.
Chris Martin, TEX (CBS: 9% rostered)
The soon-to-be 40-year-old Martin is sharing a job with Robert Garcia. Opportunities will arise. There will be some leaves, but for just a small fraction of that valuable FAAB, you’ll get the chance to find out.
Jordan Romano, LAA (CBS: 12% rostered, ESPN:
Romano received the call for the ninth and earned the save in the Angels’ opener. He pitched a shutout inning in the second game with a four-run lead. It seems like, at least for now, the Angels have found their closer, with Drew Pomeranz moving into the setup role.
Louie Varland, TOR (CBS: 5% rostered)
Jeff Hoffman allowed a ninth-inning home run to Langeliers in the home opener with a one-run lead. We’ve seen this before, but one has to believe the leash, which was already short, is even shorter after Hoffman’s 2026 debut. Call it a hunch, but do the Jays move Tyler Rogers, who has a long history of success in a setup role, into the ninth or go with the former Twin, Varland? I’m betting on Varland and trying to find lightning in a bottle.
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