Hot Wire: 10 guys to grab off fantasy waivers

Soria, Rondon, Wright among players to add now

June 13th, 2018

Need an impact arm or bat that can give your fantasy team a boost? Whether you're looking for an injury replacement or someone to stash on your bench, the fantasy waiver wire has a plug or long-term fix to pick up today. Check out the following 10 players -- all sitting on waivers in many leagues, and all ready to help your team in Yahoo Sports Fantasy Baseball, the Official Commissioner Game of MLB. All statistics and ownership percentages are as of Wednesday.
, reliever, White Sox (47% owned)
After using a closer-by-committee approach during the season's first two months, Chicago manager Rick Renteria appears to have made Soria his primary closer. Soria has converted the team's last five save opportunities and now has nine saves on the year alongside a 3.24 ERA, a 1.16 WHIP and a 5.8 K/BB ratio. A veteran fireman with over 200 career saves, Soria should be owned in all leagues.
, reliever, Astros (41% owned)
' struggles (4.76 ERA) have opened the door for Rondon, who converted three straight save opportunities last week. Rondon's first season in Houston has been one of the best of his career, with his 1.50 ERA and 1.85 FIP both representing personal bests. Giles converted the team's most recent save chance on Tuesday, but if he doesn't rebound soon he may continue losing opportunities to Rondon.

, starter/reliever, Red Sox (41% owned)
Wright has been stellar since returning from his disabled list stint and 15-game suspension in mid-May, going 2-0 with a 1.21 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP in 29 2/3 innings. The knuckleballer opened the season in the bullpen but has thrown 13 2/3 shutout innings in two starts since replacing the injured (biceps) in the rotation, resembling the 2016 All-Star who went 13-6 with a 3.33 ERA in 24 outings. He also hasn't allowed an earned run in his last 22 2/3 innings -- the longest active scoreless streak in the Major Leagues.

, starter, White Sox (32% owned)
Rodon opened the season on the DL with a shoulder injury but has pitched well since returning, posting a 1.42 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP with a 22-to-5 K/BB ratio in 12 2/3 innings at Triple-A Charlotte before limiting the Red Sox to two runs over five innings during his season debut on June 9. The 25-year-old lefty has increased his strikeout rate every year since debuting in 2015 and owns a career strikeout rate of 9.3 K/9, so if he stays healthy and limits his walks (career 3.8 BB/9 rate), he could be primed for a breakout.
, reliever, Blue Jays (28% owned)
Tepera has emerged as a potential ninth-inning option for Toronto in 's absence, locking down two saves in late May and another last week. Manager John Gibbons hasn't named an official closer, but Tepera appears to be the favorite after going 3-1 with a 2.81 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP and a 3.69 FIP in 32 innings this year.
Mike Leake, starter, Mariners (25% owned)
Leake has been trending up since scuffling in late April and early May, reeling off five straight quality starts to lower his ERA from 6.00 to 4.26. Seattle has won his last seven starts dating back to May 10, with Leake allowing two earned runs or fewer in six of those outings. Improved command has been key to his resurgence, as he's walked just five batters in 48 innings during that stretch after issuing 15 free passes over his first 38 2/3 innings, bringing his walk rate down to his career average of 2.1 BB/9.

, starter/reliever, Mets (24% owned)
Coming off six shutout innings against the Yankees on June 10, Lugo is expected to start against the D-backs at Chase Field on Friday. The 28-year-old has been dominant this season as a long reliever and a spot starter, with his 1.77 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 5.2 K/BB ratio all representing career bests. One reason for Lugo's success has been increased usage of his curveball, which he's throwing 31.2 percent of the time compared to 17.4 percent of the time last year. Lugo had MLB's second-highest average spin rate (3,060 rpms) among pitchers who threw at least 200 curves last year, so throwing them more frequently should help him continue to be effective.
, starter, Angels (22% owned)
Barria has flourished in his first taste of the big leagues, going 5-2 with a 2.61 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP this season over his first eight career starts. The 21-year-old has shown good command as well with a 32-to-9 K/BB ratio in 41 1/3 innings. Barria enjoyed similar success in the Minor Leagues with a 3.47 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP and a 4.2 K/BB ratio, so he may continue to thrive with (elbow) on the disabled list.

Mike Montgomery, starter/reliever, Cubs (17% owned)
With (triceps) likely sidelined until after the All-Star break, Montgomery is stepping up in his stead. The versatile swingman has been excellent in three starts thus far, yielding just two earned runs on 11 hits in 17 2/3 innings while notching a 10-to-2 K/BB ratio. He's had prior success as a starter with a 3.94 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP in 40 career starts, making him a solid replacement option for Darvish.

, first baseman/outfielder, Rays (6% owned)
The 22-year-old rookie has hit the ground running since making his MLB debut on June 7, slashing .273/.360/.545 with four extra-base hits -- including his first career homer on Monday -- in his first six games. Tampa Bay's No. 5 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, Bauers is expected to see regular playing time after tallying 19 extra-base hits and 10 steals with a .784 OPS in 52 games at Triple-A Durham this year.