Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Aaron Ashby has a case as the most valuable relief pitcher in baseball so far this season. Across 36 innings (26 games), Ashby has recorded a 9-0 record with a 2.00 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 51 strikeouts. The 28-year-old's WHIP is inflated by his 11.9% walk rate, but he's struck out 33.8% of the batters he's faced. Ashby also owns an impressive 56.8% ground-ball rate and has been taken deep just one time in 2026. Milwaukee appears likely to continue utilizing Ashby in a fireman role and relying on the combination of right-handers Abner Uribe and Trevor Megill in the ninth inning. Still, Ashby's high-leverage usage has allowed him to rack up wins at a prolific rate. Even if Ashby slows down from his current 25-win pace, he should provide fantasy managers with an elite strikeout rate and plenty of assistance in the ERA category. Particularly in deeper leagues, Ashby is a worthy waiver wire target.

In 13 games (10 starts) so far this season, Athletics starting pitcher J.T. Ginn has recorded a 3-3 record with a 2.87 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 52 strikeouts across 59 2/3 innings. The 27-year-old put together a particularly impressive performance his last time out on Saturday, holding the New York Yankees to just four hits and one unearned run across six innings of work. Ginn is averaging a career-high 94.5 miles per hour on his fastball and is holding opposing batters to just a .198 batting average. Ginn has allowed a 10.1% walk rate and is benefiting from an unusually low .234 opponent batting average on balls in play, which could both be reasons to think that regression is coming. Still, the right-hander limits hard contact and owns a 47.5% ground-ball rate. Particularly in deeper leagues, Ginn is worth a look on the waiver wire as a starting pitcher streamer ahead of his next scheduled start on Friday against the Houston Astros.

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson (mouth) was forced to exit early from his team's game against the Detroit Tigers on Monday after being struck in the mouth by his own helmet while sliding headfirst into second base, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Topkin reports that there was a "fair amount of blood." Simpson was one-for-two in the game before being pulled and is now hitting .284/.318/.338 with zero home runs, 12 RBI, 30 runs scored, and 14 stolen bases across 239 plate appearances so far in 2026. It seems unlikely that Simpson will be facing an extended absence, but the exact nature of his injury is currently unclear. Ryan Vilade took over for Simpson in left field on Monday and could be in line for more playing time while Simpson is sidelined.

Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (head/neck) was scratched from his team's lineup for their game on Monday against the Colorado Rockies due to lingering symptoms of whiplash, per Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. Neto's symptoms are a result of a collision at home plate that he was involved in during the Angels' win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday. Across 274 plate appearances so far this season, Neto has hit .231/.339/.427 with 10 home runs, 27 RBI, 42 runs scored, and eight stolen bases. The 26-year-old does not appear to be ticketed for a trip to the injured list, but Los Angeles will want to make sure he's fully clear of any ill effects from the collision before re-inserting him in the lineup. Angels infielder Oswald Peraza took Neto's place at shortstop on Monday, and both he and infielder Nick Madrigal could be in line for more playing time while Neto is sidelined.