Alejandro Kirk, C, TOR (CBS: 15% rostered): Alejandro Kirk was off to a solid start with three homers in his first 40 at-bats and then incurred a hip flexor at the end of April that sent him to the IL. He is heading off to Triple-A Trenton with a rehab stint in his immediate future. For those looking at a second catcher, it’s worth giving your Free Agent pool a quick spy to see if Kirk found his way there during his injury.

Keston Hiura, 1B/2B, MIL (CBS: 35% rostered): The hamstring strain suffered by Dan Volgelbach has forced the Brewers’ hand and they’ve called up Keston Hiura to fill his spot on the roster. We know the results from his first trip to Nashville and they were not pretty. Let’s hope for better results in his return from his second visit; although the 25% strikeout rate in 51 plate appearance in his second stint in Nashville would argue that nothing really has changed.

LaMonte Wade, 1B/OF, SFG (CBS: 2% rostered): Brandon Belt is off to the 10-day IL, this time dealing with knee inflammation and the possibility of surgery. As the five homers and two thefts in 88 at-bats will attest, Wade has performed very well in limited opportunities with the Giants this year and this opportunity has the potential to be anything but limited.

Wilmer Flores, 1B/2B/3B, SFG (CBS: 11% rostered): Flores has been a steady producer for the Giants, slugging seven homers and driving in 25 runs. He is currently filling in for Evan Longoria at the hot corner and with Longoria probably a month away from returning from his sprained left shoulder injury, Flores will have plenty of opportunities to build on those numbers.

Abraham Toro-Hernandez, 3B, HOU (CBS: 28% rostered): There is still no timetable for the return of Alex Bregman from his quad strain, but Toro-Hernandez has stepped up and given the Astros a solid option in the interim. In eight games since Bregman hit the IL, Toro-Hernandez has gone 10-for-30 with two homers and 10 RBI. It’s time to find a home for Toro-Hernandez in your CI slot.

Daz Cameron, OF DET (CBS: 8% rostered): He’s still striking out at an alarming rate, but at the same time in his first 39 at-bats, Cameron has hit three balls out of the park with an equal number of stolen bases. In deeper Leagues, he shouldn’t be ignored.

Taylor Ward, OF, LAA (CBS: 20% rostered): With Mike Trout and now Justin Upton confined to the 10-day IL until likely after the All-Star break, Ward will get no shortage of opportunities in the Angels outfield. Don’t let the fact that he’s currently mired in a 2-for-27 slump sway you. This will come to pass.

Zach Thompson, SP, MIA (CBS: 12% rostered): Last week we mentioned Thompson and with that great six-inning 11 strikeout performance against the Nats yesterday, it’s time for a reminder. Next up for Thompson is a rematch against the Braves, the team he blanked on his way to his first victory of the year.

Anthony Kay, SP, TOR (CBS: 2% rostered): Pressed into service with Steven Matz on the Covid-19 IL, Kay tossed five scoreless innings with eight strikeouts against the Orioles in gaining his first win of the season. Next on the agenda for Kay is a solid matchup and great streaming opportunity against Justus Sheffield and the Mariners.

Jose Alvarado, RP, PHI (CBS: 28% rostered): You have to go back eight appearances, to June 5, to find the last time Alvarado allowed an earned run. Phillies Manager Joe Girardi announced a change in the bullpen hierarchy on Friday with Alvarado taking over in the ninth and he promptly blew the save on a throwing error. Hector Neris is inserted to close out Saturday’s game and walks Luis Guillorme to tie the game before a sacrifice fly by Michael Conforto ends it. Jose Alvarado will get the next opportunity in Philly to close out a game.

Amir Garrett, RP, CIN (CBS: 21% rostered): First Lucas Sims hits the IL with a forearm strain on Thursday, followed by Tejay Antone on Saturday with the exact same injury. This leaves us with Amir Garrett manning the fort, or at least attempting to, with former Oriole closer Brad Brach in the setup role. Garrett did earn the save Saturday night, his fifth of the season, and should get the bulk of the save opportunities and another chance to establish himself as the go-to guy for saves in Cincinnati.

Seth Lugo, RP, NYM (CBS: 12% rostered): The Mets activated Lugo at the end of May, and in eleven June appearances, he has now amassed a win, a save, and four holds while allowing only three earned runs over 11 1/3 IP. Toss in the 17 strikeouts and Lugo has quickly established himself as a late-inning force for the Mets and your Fantasy squad.

Collin McHugh, SP/RP, TBR (CBS: 5% rostered): In six appearances since the calendar rolled over into June, McHugh has tossed 12 1/3 innings allowing only 7 hits, one walk, no runs and has chipped in with a pair of wins and 21 strikeouts. These numbers are attention-worthy in AL-only and deep mixed formats.

Liked it? Take a second to support timlmcleod on Patreon!