Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Emilio Pagan was called upon to protect a two-run lead against the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday. The right-hander didn't need to do much work as he notched in eighth save of the season on seven pitches. Pagan has a 2.51 ERA, 0.49 WHIP, and 14/2 K/BB ratio with eight saves in nine attempts this season. He deserves to be rostered in all fantasy formats where saves matter. Alexis Diaz figures to be in the mix for saves, but pitched the eighth inning on Monday. It looks like the Reds are going to keep riding with Pagan until he gives them a reason otherwise.

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that right-hander Tyler Wells (elbow) will throw a bullpen session on Friday. It will be the first time that Wells has thrown off a mound since he had UCL surgery and an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow in June of 2024. It will be a big step for the 30-year-old hurler, but his return to a big-league mound in 2025 is a ways off and most likely won't come until the second half of the season. Fantasy managers in mixed single-year leagues can continue to leave him to the waiver wire. It's also unclear if Wells will have a rotation spot waiting for him in Baltimore when he is activated from the injured list. He made only three starts last year before being shut down but had a career-best 3.64 ERA and 0.99 WHIP with a career-high 117 strikeouts and 34 walks in 118 2/3 innings over 25 outings (20 starts) in 2023. At best, he'll be a deep-mixed streamer later this season.

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Nick Martinez looked good on the mound during Monday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. The right-hander gave up a run early, but settled down nicely after that. Martinez tossed six innings, allowing one earned run on five hits while striking out three batters in the win. Martinez hasn't been great on the mound this season, but has allowed two earned runs or less in each of his last two starts. He'll take a 4.68 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and 26/11 K/BB ratio into his next start against the Washington Nationals. Martinez is worth a look in deep leagues or NL-only formats ahead of that start.

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that right-hander Kyle Bradish (elbow) threw another bullpen session on Monday. Bradish has been throwing bullpens for around two weeks, so he could be cleared to take the next step soon and face live hitters in his recovery from Tommy John surgery last June. Still, the 28-year-old has a long ways to go in his rehab and isn't expected to be a starting-rotation option for Baltimore until after the All-Star break in mid-July. When he returns, he'll be a shaky fantasy streamer and could struggle with his command initially while most likely being on an innings restriction. The former fourth-rounder of the Los Angeles Angels in 2018 out of New Mexico State had a 2.81 ERA and 1.05 WHIP with 221 strikeouts and 59 walks in 38 starts since the start of the 2023 season, but we'll be tempering our expectations in the second half in 2025.

Chicago White Sox infielder Nick Maton cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Charlotte on Monday, according to MLB.com's Scott Merkin. Maton will remain with the White Sox despite recently being designated for assignment and losing his spot on the 40-man roster. The 28-year-old will continue to serve as infield depth in the minors for the Pale Hose. He appeared in 23 games for Chicago to open the 2025 season and went 9-for-52 (.173) with two home runs, two doubles, four RBI, five runs scored, nine walks and 18 strikeouts. The former seventh-round selection by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2017 out of Lincoln Land Community College is well off the fantasy radar and has a .202/.302/.354 career slash line with a .655 OPS, 17 home runs and 67 RBI in 207 games played.