We’re up to the eighth week of the 2025 fantasy baseball season. This past week was a wild one, as a notable closer got popped for PEDs, while several notable starters went down with injury. Those transactions, however, leave room for opportunitiy on the waiver wire, so here’s our best Week 8 pitchers to hone in on.

Best Week 8 pitchers to target

• SP Noah Cameron (Royals)
• SP Logan Henderson (Brewers)
• SP Nick Martinez (Reds)
• RP Jordan Romano (Phillies)
• RP Will Vest (Tigers)

Generally speaking, these lists don’t include players owned in over 50% of leagues. However, Jordan Romano, owned in 56% of Yahoo! leagues, is an exception.

Jose Alvarado was suspended by MLB for 80 games, as he tested positive for a weight-loss drug labeled a PED. That will have severe impacts both now and later for the Phillies, as Alvarado becomes ineligible for the 2025 MLB Postseason. But for now, the main impact on the move is Romano moves back into the ninth inning.

Romano did so in style on May 18, striking out the side to finish a 1-0 victory. The ex-Blue Jay’s underlying numbers are good and he’s recovered from a rough start, as Romano struck out 10 over seven scoreless frames in May.

Another reliever worth a grab in mixed leagues is Will Vest. Vest picked up his fifth save on May 18. Since the start of May, no earned runs have been allowed, and two wins and two saves have been on Vest’s ledger.

However, expect Vest to share save opportunities with Tommy Kahnle. Both Kahnle and Vest have emerged as Detroit’s top two save options.

Moving to the starters, I look towards Nick Martinez again this week. Martinez will draw the Pirates on the road on May 20. Pittsburgh, as of May 18, had the fewest runs scored in the Majors.

Next up is Noah Cameron, who had a strong start on May 17, filling in for Seth Lugo, now on the injured list. Cameron struck out three over 6.1 IP, and he didn’t walk anyone against the Cardinals. For those who remember, Cameron walked five — but didn’t allow a run — in his MLB debut against the Rays.

Cameron’s done a good job of filling up the zone (53.8%) over his first two starts but also has the stuff to induce chases. The curveball can be a buckler, the fastball has some funkiness and cut, and the slider and change just add on to the arsenal.

With both Lugo and Cole Ragans on the injured list, Cameron should stick on the MLB roster for now.

Lastly, Logan Henderson. Henderson, honestly, is more tempting compared to Cameron. Now while I do believe Cameron will get more swing-and-miss over time, Henderson’s done that thus far. He notched 16 strikeouts over his first two starts, both of which Henderson won.

As I noted when he was first promoted, Henderson has one of those high-carry fastballs with induced backspin that stays up. It’s been an exceptional pitch to this point, as opposing batters are hitting .188 off it, and plays just two well with his plus sinking changeup.

Given the Brewers have essentially an entire rotation of starters on the IL, Henderson should be on the big league roster if he can stay healthy and maintain the production. He’s scheduled to face a scuffling Orioles team on May 20.

Overview of Week 7

I hope you listened to my advice from Week 7.

Every pitcher listed among our waiver wire targets got at least one win last week. Colin Rea (Cubs) and Ryan Weathers (Marlins) netted wins in the Miami/Chicago series. Nick Martinez cruised against the White Sox, and the same could be said for Jack Leiter against the Rockies.

Lastly, Clarke Schmidt picked up his first win of 2025 on May 12 against the Mariners.

Check out more of our fantasy coverage.