San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael Wacha spun a seven-inning gem during Monday's victory over the Kansas City Royals. The 31-year-old struck out a career-high 11 hitters, permitting two baserunners and no runs allowed. It was the former NLCS MVP's third scoreless start of the season and he's given up just one home run over his previous five starts. The volatile Wacha has four appearances surrendering one run or less and four others yielding at least three this year. The former all-star looks to stay sharp against the Boston Red Sox, a team he won 11 games with in 2022, for those who take the gamble of streaming him for his next start on Sunday. Wacha has sacrificed a lone run in 19 innings this May.

Free-agent right-hander Michael Wacha agreed to an undisclosed deal with the San Diego Padres on Tuesday, pending a physical, according to sources. The deal is expected to be for multiple years with an opt-out clause. The 31-year-old starting pitcher gives the Friars some much-needed rotation depth alongside Nick Martinez and Seth Lugo, who are entering spring training as the favorites for the fourth and fifth rotation spots behind Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove and Blake Snell. With the addition of Wacha, there's now a good chance the Padres use a six-man rotation to begin the year. Wacha had a solid 3.32 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 104 strikeouts and 31 walks in 23 starts for the Boston Red Sox last season and moves to a good situation with the Padres, but it remains to be seen if he'll remain in the rotation all year.

The San Diego Padres have checked in with free-agent starting pitcher Michael Wacha. The 31-year-old veteran right-hander remains available on the open market with pitchers and catchers reporting to spring camps this week. He played the 2022 season with the Boston Red Sox, going 11-2 with a 3.32 ERA (4.14 FIP), 1.11 WHIP and 20.2 percent strikeout rate in 23 starts over 127 1/3 innings pitched. Wacha should eventually latch on with a team, and he's reportedly seeking two years for around $30 million. The Padres have Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove and Blake Snell locked into the top three rotation spots this year, but they certainly could use some extra options behind the likes of Nick Martinez, Seth Lugo and Adrian Morejon.

Sources indicated in December that the Minnesota Twins have shown interest in free-agent right-hander Michael Wacha. If a spot opens up in the team's starting rotation, Wacha could be the perfect free-agent fit. Sonny Gray, Tyler Mahle and Kenta Maeda are all headed for free agency after 2023, so the Twins could explore trades for all three. The 31-year-old Wacha could be a nice addition on a one- or two-year deal for Minnesota in the short term. A potential move to the American League Central would be attractive, as well as pitching in Minnesota's ballpark. In 2022 for the Boston Red Sox, Wacha went 11-2 with a 3.32 ERA (4.14 FIP), 1.11 WHIP and 20.2 percent strikeout rate in 23 starts covering 127 1/3 innings.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Michael Wacha (shoulder) has been activated from the 15-day injured list on Sunday. He'll make his return after missing a month of action due shoulder inflammation. The 31-year-old will take the mound against the New York Yankees on Sunday. He has been pitching fairly well this season, but the Yankees lineup is not an easy group of hitters to face. That being said, Wacha is going to be a shaky streaming option for Sunday's slate.

Boston Red Sox skipper Alex Cora said there's a good chance that starting pitcher Michael Wacha (shoulder) returns from the 15-day injured list this weekend against the division-rival New York Yankees. With Wacha returning, left-handed veteran Rich Hill, who started on Tuesday against the Atlanta Braves, will be available out of the bullpen this weekend. Wacha threw 79 pitches in his final minor league rehab start for Double-A Portland on Tuesday and struck out five in 4 1/3 innings, so he shouldn't be on a short leash against New York. The 31-year-old right-hander has been great for Boston this year (6-1 with a 2.69 ERA and 1.11 WHIP), but he'll be a shaky fantasy play in his first start back against the first-place Yankees.

Boston Red Sox right-hander Michael Wacha (shoulder) will make one more minor league rehab start on Tuesday, according to skipper Alex Cora. In his last rehab outing on Aug. 4 for Triple-A Worcester, Wacha retired the first 13 hitters he faced and 14 of 15 before leaving after 4 2/3 innings with eight strikeouts and one walk. "The goal is one more rehab start and then join us at the end of the week," Cora said. The 31-year-old has been on the injured list twice this year, but he's gone 6-1 with a 2.69 ERA in 13 starts when he's been healthy. Wacha last pitched for the Red Sox on June 28, but he should be rostered in most fantasy leagues with his return looming.

Boston Red Sox pitcher Michael Wacha (shoulder) struck out eight across 4 2/3 scoreless innings with Triple-A Worcester on Thursday. He didn't allow a hit and threw 63 pitches in his first rehab start. The 31-year-old had been sidelined with right shoulder inflammation since the beginning of July. He owns a 2.69 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and a 50:22 K: BB across 70 1/3 innings in 2022. Wacha is expected to have another rehab in Triple-A Worcester start before returning to Boston. Fantasy managers with an open IL spot should continue to stash Wacha in most league formats.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Michael Wacha (shoulder) threw a simulated game Monday, per Red Sox beat writer Chris Cotillo. The 31-year-old has been on the injured list since the beginning of July with right shoulder inflammation. He is just one of the Red Sox's many ailing starters, but he has been a useful fantasy pitcher so far this season, compiling a 2.69 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 17.6% strikeout rate over 13 starts. Hopefully, he will be able to rejoin the team sooner than later given his progression.

Boston Red Sox right-hander Michael Wacha (shoulder) threw a bullpen session at Tropicana Field on July 13 and was expected to throw another one at Yankee Stadium on July 17. All signs are pointing to Wacha moving back into the starting rotation shortly after the All-Star break. The 31-year-old has been great for Boston when healthy, going 6-1 with a 2.69 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 50 strikeouts and 22 walks in 70 1/3 innings over 13 starts, but he's been on the injured list already twice this year and is also sporting a worrisome 3.97 FIP, so he's been a bit fortunate in the run-prevention category to this point. But the Red Sox will be stoked to get Wacha and Rich Hill (knee) back soon after they just lost Chris Sale (finger) for at least a month.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Michael Wacha (arm) has not bounced back well from his side session and is still battling a "heavy arm." As a result, he will not start on Friday against the division-rival New York Yankees. Boston hasn't listed a replacement for Friday. While Wacha is still hoping to avoid a trip to the injured list, he'll have at least his next start skipped in the rotation. The 31-year-old right-hander has been great in his first season in Beantown, going 6-1 with a 2.69 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP while striking out 50 and walking 22 in 70 1/3 innings over his 13 starts. However, his 3.96 ERA and career-low 17.6% strikeout rate don't bode well for him keeping up this pace all season long.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Michael Wacha turned in an excellent start in Monday's 1-0 win over the Angels. He out-dueled Noah Syndergaard, pitching a complete game shutout with three hits, a walk, and six strikeouts. The 30-year-old hasn't struck many hitters out this season but has been very solid otherwise, compiling a pristine 1.99 ERA with a 5.98 K/9 rate and 2.72 BB/9 rate over nine starts. His next start will be a decent matchup at the Mariners. Wacha is currently rostered in just 37 percent of leagues and is worth a look in deeper points leagues at this time.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Michael Wacha (intercostal) will be activated from the 10-day injured list in time to start Friday's game against the Seattle Mariners. Wacha has been on the shelf for about two weeks due to intercostal irritation. The 30-year-old is off to a nice start to the 2022 season. Over five starts, he's gone 3-0 with a 1.38 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP. He's maintained a K/BB ratio of just 1.7, so that will likely need to change in order for him to continue having success this year.

Boston Red Sox right-hander Michael Wacha (intercostal) threw a simulated inning against catcher Christian Arroyo on Monday and had two strikeouts and induced a ground ball. Wacha got swings and misses on his fastball, changeup and curveball. The 30-year-old is expected to return later this week and could start either Saturday or Sunday at home against the Seattle Mariners. If he's floating around on your league's waiver wire, pick him up now. Wacha was great in his first five starts of the year before getting injured, allowing only four earned runs on 13 hits, although he had 11 walks and 19 strikeouts in 26 innings for a 3.91 FIP. There is probably some regression coming, but he's at least worth a roster spot in most mixed fantasy leagues.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Michael Wacha (side) successfully completed a bullpen session and he is slated to throw a simulated game on Monday. The expectation is that he will be able to return from the 15-day injured list when first eligible on May 21. The 30-year-old is dealing with left intercostal irritation. He was off to a great start to the year prior to landing on the injured list. Over his first five starts, he went 3-0 with a 1.38 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP.

The Boston Red Sox placed Michael Wacha (side) was placed on the 10-day injured list with left intercostal irritation. After dealing with side soreness, he has scratched ahead of his start for Sunday's game against the Chicago White Sox. The 30-year-old has been terrific this season, posting a 3-0 record with a 1.38 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 19 strikeouts across 26 innings. Tanner Houck will draw the start in place of Wacha. Houck owns a 5.14 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, and 21 strikeouts over 21 innings in 2022.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Michael Wacha had a strong outing against the Minnesota Twins on Sunday. He pitched five scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out five. He wound up with a no decision in the game as the Red Sox offense didn't get going until the latter half of the game. The 30-year-old is off to a nice start to his Red Sox career. Through two starts and 9 1/3 innings, he's allowed just three hits, five walks and one run while recording nine strikeouts. His next start will be on Friday against his former team, the Tampa Bay Rays.

Free-agent pitcher Michael Wacha agreed to a one-year deal with the Red Sox on Friday. He was mainly used as a traditional starter for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021. The right-hander will provide the Red Sox with pitching depth and slot into the back-end of Boston's starting rotation. The 30-year-old went (3-5) with a 5.05 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and a 121:31 K: BB across 124 2/3 innings for the Rays in 2021. Wacha will be used as a streamer when the matchup is favorable in most fantasy leagues and is a solid reserve pitcher in deep-league formats in 2022.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Michael Wacha allowed two walks while striking out six over five scoreless innings during Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Houston Astros. He did not factor into the decision. The 30-year-old cruised through five innings and didn't allow a hit in Tuesday's no-decision. He threw 61 pitches, firing 41 for strikes. Wacha has now allowed three earned runs or less each in six of his last seven starts. Overall, the Rays right-hander owns a 5.26 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and a 119:30 K: BB over 119 2/3 innings. Wacha is scheduled to face the Yankees in the final game of the season on Sunday. Despite the tough matchup, fantasy managers can use Wacha as a streamer.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Michael Wacha (3-5) allowed six earned runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out five over six innings during Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. He was hurt by the long ball and surrendered a three-run shot to Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette in the bottom of the first inning. Toronto tacked on three more runs, and Wacha exited after 95 pitches. The 30-year-old owns a 5.56 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 109 strikeouts over 111 2/3 innings in 2021. Wacha will look for better results in a rematch against the Blue Jays early next week. Fantasy managers should avoid using the Rays right-hander as a streamer in a brutal matchup against a loaded Jays offense.