Troy Melton

Melton missed the start of 2026 with an elbow injury but has been one of the best unowned arms in baseball since returning in mid-May. He doubled his cutter usage to 22%, his slider now touches 91 mph, and his batting average against flipped from .368 in 2025 to .083 this year. FIP and xFIP (3.88) suggest mild regression ahead, but even at his floor he's a legitimate SP2/3 worth rostering in 14+ leagues.

Eight starts since returning from a 60-day IL stint, 5-1, 1.82 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, elite walk rate. The K rate (21.7%) is modest but he works deep into games and limits hard contact. Add in all league sizes immediately — this is the easiest SP pickup of the second half.

Melton returned from a 60-day IL stint with elbow inflammation and has been precise and efficient across four starts. He allowed four earned runs across his first 25+ innings back, and the Tigers line him up with favorable matchups regularly. Skubal's return may eventually create rotation pressure, but Melton is safe in the short run.

Melton was a preseason sleeper who lost the first two months to an elbow issue. Since returning he's been near-flawless — 1.74 ERA and 0.87 WHIP in three starts — and his underlying swing-and-miss profile is real, not just a soft-schedule mirage. At roughly 6% owned in most leagues, he is the single most underpriced available starting pitcher this week. Must-add in 14+ team leagues.

Returned from elbow injury and posted two consecutive quality starts. His 2025 ERA was legitimate and the strikeout upside hasn't fully shown in box scores yet. A Detroit rotation with multiple openings gives him a long runway. Extremely underowned relative to the talent level.

Melton is eligible to return from the 60-day IL this Sunday and has been exceptional in rehab: 1.54 ERA, 0.69 WHIP, 16:2 K:BB in 11.2 innings across four appearances, topping out at 98.1 mph. NBC Sports called him a 'priority stash' and the Tigers clearly have a rotation spot waiting. Add at minimal FAAB cost before he makes his first MLB start — the window to get him cheap closes immediately.