Working the Waiver Wire: May 3

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  • By Larry Vannozzi

    Last Updated on May 3, 2026 11:56 am by Paul Williamson | Published: May 3, 2026

    We’re considering several sources for our waiver claims today. Injuries have opened the door to increased roles for some players. Recoveries and looming returns means it is time to stash other players. Finally, some players are just doing so well that they need to be on your radar.

    Let’s dig in!

    * 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. *

     

    Rico Garcia – RP – Orioles – 18%

    With so many pitching injuries this year, I’m already sick of hearing “next man up.” Yet here we go again because Orioles closer Ryan Helsley surprisingly hit the IL on Friday. It has been a BAD year for closers, that’s for sure.

    It is too soon to know the extent of Helsley’s injury. Regardless, it’s time to pick up Rico Garcia. Garcia has been dynamite this year and now he is in line for saves. GRAB. HIM. NOW.

    Garcia’s ratios are ridiculous. He has a 0.66 ERA, 0.37 WHIP and 23.9% K-BB%!! Naturally, he isn’t this good but he’ll still be good even if some regression hits. He has 15 strikeouts in 13.2 innings across 15 appearances with one save and six holds.

    Andrew Kittredge (fresh back from his own injury) and Yennier Cano may be in the mix for saves, too. Look for them on your waiver wire if Garcia is not available in your league. Cano has been particularly effective this year. He has a 1.69 ERA, 0.56 WHIP and a career high 26.3% K-BB%. What is in the drinking water in the O’s bullpen?

     

    Bryce Miller – SP – Mariners – 29% 

    Bryce Miller hasn’t appeared for the Mariners yet this year due to an oblique injury. However, his rehab is going well so far and he could return to Seattle’s rotation in mid- to late-May.

    I admit that Miller is a big question mark. He missed more than two months in the middle of last summer due to elbow inflammation and he’ll be coming off of this spring’s oblique injury. Will he be effective upon his return? Will he stay healthy the rest of the season? I won’t pretend to guess those answers, but who cares? Stash him now, see if he can be his normal self (a career 1.13 WHIP; plays for winning team) and be ready to move along to a different player if he fails.

     


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    May 3, 2026, 11:56 am