Working the Waiver Wire: May 8

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  • By Larry Vannozzi

    Last Updated on May 8, 2026 1:35 pm by Anthony Kates | Published: May 8, 2026

    I’ll show today’s fresh pickups in a moment but first let’s look back to last week. Two of the pitchers that I recommended are still available but time to claim them is running out. Word late this week was that Bryce Miller could return from injury next week. If you need an SP who has been successful in the past, get him now. He’s certainly a (re)injury risk and I obviously cannot guarantee that he’ll be effective immediately, but it’s worth a chance to find out.

    Another recommendation who is still available is Ben Joyce. Just like Miller, he’s returning from injury so we’ll have to cross our fingers that:

    A) he is effective

    B) he stays healthy.

    However, there’s a chance that he’ll be in the mix for saves, especially given the sorry state of the Angels bullpen. You, me and everyone else needs saves (well, unless you have Mason Miller!), so grab Joyce and see where he takes us.

    Alright, now let’s see the new players to consider claiming off the wire!

    * Note: Although all listed roster percentages are from Yahoo, at the time of the writing of this article, most of our waiver wire recommendations are widely available across all major platforms. *

    Joey Cantillo – SP – Guardians – 33%

    There are very few options on the wire for a possible two-start pitcher next week. However, one of those options looks pretty good.  Cantillo has two home starts, one against the Angels on Monday and the other versus the Reds next weekend. Although the Angels are hitting much better this year (yay, Mike Trout!), they’re still not a team to avoid when it comes to streaming pitchers. A bonus here is that Cantillo faces the weak Reds away from Great American Ballpark next weekend. So, even if his first start doesn’t go incredibly well, his second start should be golden.

    Cantillo has been pretty good so far this year and he’s fresh off a strong road win against the Royals. In eight starts, he has a 3.43 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 37 strikeouts in 39.1 innings. His strikeout rate is down a little and his walk rate is a bit elevated, so you’re probably not picking up an ace to keep the rest of the season. However, he is pitching decently for a first-place team and has two favorable starts next week. Good luck finding a pitcher on your wire with a better scenario next week!

    Ryan Jeffers – C – Twins – 43% 

    Entering play on Friday, Ryan Jeffers was the fifth-ranked catcher in Yahoo.

    Yes, fifth!

    Jeffers is ranked ahead of Draft Day Darlings such as Carter Jensen and Ivan Herrera as well as regular fantasy studs like Will Smith, Salvador Perez and (gulp) Cal Raleigh. Unless you already have the first, second, third or fourth-ranked catcher, how can you leave Jeffers on your wire?!?!

    I admit that his deeper stats suggest that Jeffers is somewhat overperforming. His batting average and slugging percentage are each about 50 points higher than his expected stats. However, there is still a ton to like in his profile. Jeffers is sporting career-bests in walk rate, strikeout rate, barrel rate and bat speed. He is making good swing decisions, has a good contact rate and he is hitting for power. That’s too good of a combo to be left on your waiver wire!


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    May 8, 2026, 1:35 pm