MLB News

Christian Scott • SP • Mets

Christian Scott Still Worth Stashing from the Waiver Wire?

New York Mets starting pitcher Christian Scott had a brutal season debut last Thursday and was optioned back to Triple-A Syracuse last Friday. The 26-year-old righty still has a high ceiling, though, and his potential is high enough to keep him on the radar in deep leagues or leagues that make it easy to stash players in the minors. He issued five walks and hit a batter while lasting just 1 1/3 innings in his start against the Twins, exiting with a 6.75 ERA and 15.13 FIP in his only MLB outing of the year. He was 0-2 in his three minor-league starts with a 5.27 ERA, but he continues to showcase strikeout upside with 17 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings. He has good stuff but his control still needs to be refined. Scott has a high ceiling and could be worth stashing, but the former top prospect is best left for deep leagues until he gets another chance to contribute.

7 days ago

Tanner Scott • RP • Dodgers

Tanner Scott Deployed in Seventh Inning, Remains in Strict Committee for Saves?

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Tanner Scott pitched a strong seventh inning for his team against the Marlins on Monday, needing 17 pitches to navigate the inning with one walk and three punchouts. Scott came into a game the Dodgers were trailing 4-2 at the time and kept the Marlins off the board before L.A. rallied for three runs to win in the ninth. With Edwin D az (elbow) out until the second half of the season, the Dodgers' bullpen will be a very important one for fantasy managers to watch since save opportunities should be available. Scott is part of the closer-by-committee approach that manager Dave Roberts will use, but he could also be used earlier in the game, as he was on Monday, depending on how the game script unfolds. It was actually Jake Eder who pitched the ninth and got the win on Monday. Scott remains one of the Dodgers' options for the end of the game, but don't count on him to be the only source of saves on the team.

7 days ago

Mason Miller • RP • Padres

Mason Miller Allows Three Hits, Two Runs on Monday

San Diego Padres relief pitcher Mason Miller started the season with sheer dominance over his first 13 games, allowing just three hits and picking up 27 strikeouts in 13 1/3 innings. On Monday, though, the 27-year-old closer looked human, giving up two earned runs on three hits with a wild pitch on Monday night against the Cubs. It was a non-save situation since he entered with a four-run lead, so it doesn't count as a blown save. The Padres still secured the 9-7 win, and Miller will still be an elite closer option going forward. This outing just serves as a reminder that he really is human, and keeping a 0.00 ERA for the entire season isn't realistic. He's sure to get the next save chance for the Padres, and this is not a cause for concern at this point for his fantasy managers. It is noteworthy, though, since it's the first time he's been touched at all this year.

7 days ago

Alex Vesia • RP • Dodgers

Alex Vesia Pitches in Sixth Inning on Monday, Cause for Concern?

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Alex Vesia pitched a scoreless inning and struck out the side on Monday night against the Marlins, but fantasy managers should take note that he made his appearance in the sixth inning. Manager Dave Roberts has said he'll go with a closer-by-committee approach while Edwin D az (elbow) is out until the second half, and while Vesia is part of that committee, it doesn't look like he'll be one of the primary closer options. The 30-year-old lefty has given up just two runs in 10 1/3 innings in 12 games this season while racking up 14 strikeouts. If a team has lefties due up at the end of a game, he could get a look in that matchup, but he'll be hard to count on for saves if Roberts follows Monday's pattern. He has been effective enough to be worth holding in deep leagues, but if all you are looking for is saves, he isn't a must-own option in standard leagues at this point.

7 days ago

Munetaka Murakami • 1B • White Sox

Munetaka Murakami Launches 12th Home Run, a Lineup Lock Going Forward?

Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami went 2-for-4 with three RBI and his 12th homer of the season on Monday night in his team's rain-delayed win over the Angels. The White Sox exploded for seven runs in the seventh inning of their 8-7 win, and Murakami delivered one of the big blows, smashing a three-run homer to give his team the lead. The 26-year-old from Japan has quickly established himself as one of the biggest early-season fantasy baseball breakouts, hitting .243 with a .407 wOBA in his 29 games, with 12 homers, 23 RBI, and a 61.9% hard-hit rate. Murakami has the sixth-highest barrel rate per batted ball event and the sixth-highest hard-hit rate in the majors this season, and he hit his homer on Monday night against veteran lefty Drew Pomeranz. Four of his 12 homers have come off southpaws, so he is a great power option to keep in your lineup regardless of matchup going forward.

7 days ago

Anthony Volpe • SS • Yankees

Anthony Volpe Might Not Return This Week

The New York Yankees have not decided if shortstop Anthony Volpe (shoulder) will be with the big-league club this weekend when they play the division-rival Baltimore Orioles in the Bronx, according to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. Volpe is currently continuing his minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A Somerset. A report earlier on Monday suggested that Volpe could be reinstated from the 10-day injured list on either Wednesday or Thursday. Fantasy managers might have to wait a bit longer on the 24-year-old, who is recovering from offseason surgery to fix a torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. Volpe is currently rostered in only 9% of Yahoo leagues, but that number should be on the rise over the coming week with his return on the horizon. When activated, Volpe will be New York's primary starter at the 6, relegating Jose Caballero to more of a utility role in the Big Apple. Volpe, a former first-rounder, has 52 home runs, 192 RBI, and 70 steals in his three MLB seasons, but he's also hitting just .222 in 1,886 plate appearances.

7 days ago

Carlos Rodón • SP • Yankees

Carlos Rodon to Make his Next Rehab Start on Thursday

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said on Monday that left-hander Carlos Rodon (elbow) will make his next minor-league rehab start on Thursday at Double-A Somerset, according to Erik Boland of Newsday. In his first rehab outing with High-A Hudson Valley on Friday, the 33-year-old veteran southpaw threw 4 1/3 scoreless innings with one hit allowed, one walk, and four strikeouts. Rodon has yet to make his 2026 season debut after having surgery last October to remove loose bodies in his left elbow, but he's on the verge of rejoining the Yankees' starting rotation in early April, barring a setback. Look for Rodon to up his pitch count in Thursday's outing on the farm. He might only need one or two more rehab starts before coming off the 15-day injured list. The former third overall pick in 2014 by the White South out of North Carolina State is definitely deserving of being stashed in all fantasy leagues with his season debut getting closer. He's currently rostered in 86% of Yahoo leagues.

7 days ago

Giancarlo Stanton • DH • Yankees

Giancarlo Stanton Heading to Injured List With Calf Strain

New York Yankees outfielder/designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (calf) has been diagnosed with a low-grade calf strain and will land on the 10-day injured list, according to Erik Boland of Newsday. It's an injury that Stanton suffered last Friday night in the team's series opener against the Houston Astros, and he has not played since. The good news is that Stanton's calf injury is more of a minor injury, so he could have a chance at returning from the IL when he's eligible. In the meantime, outfielder Jasson Dominguez should see regular at-bats as the team's DH, at least against right-handed pitching. Randal Grichuk and Amed Rosario are also candidates to see some plate appearances in the short term against lefties at DH. The 36-year-old Stanton is still a solid source of power for fantasy managers, but IL stints are part of the package. Hopefully, his stay on the IL will be short. In his first 90 at-bats of 2026 before his calf injury, Stanton has hit .256 with three long balls, 14 RBI, eight runs scored, and a stolen base. Stanton should be stashed in an IL spot everywhere that he's rostered.

7 days ago

Sam Antonacci • LF • White Sox

Sam Antonacci Starting to Heat Up, Emerging as a Waiver-Wire Target

After getting called up to the big leagues on April 15, Chicago White Sox outfielder Sam Antonacci recorded just one hit over his first 19 plate appearances. However, the 23-year-old has started to heat up of late, as he's six for his last 18 and now owns a slash line of .233/.351/.433 with one home run, four RBI, and three runs scored across 37 plate appearances. While Antonacci does not profile as a power bat, he's struck out just twice in the big leagues. He also should eventually emerge as a high-end speed threat, as he swiped 48 bags across 116 minor league games in 2025. Antonacci's slow start and unorthodox profile at the plate may lead to him being overlooked in most fantasy formats, but he could be a valuable waiver wire pickup for deeper-league managers.

7 days ago

Cade Cavalli • SP • Nationals

Cade Cavalli Emerging as a High-Upside Waiver-Wire Option

Across 24 2/3 innings (six starts) so far this season, Washington Nationals starting pitcher Cade Cavalli has posted a 0-1 record with a 4.01 ERA, 1.66 WHIP, and 28 strikeouts. While the 27-year-old's numbers don't necessarily jump off the page, he's coming off an impressive 10-strikeout performance against a strong Atlanta Braves lineup in his most recent appearance. Cavalli's elevated WHIP is largely due to his elevated 10.3% walk rate. However, he hasn't allowed a walk in either of his last two outings. The former top prospect is averaging 96.6 mph on his fastball and owns a solid 24.1% strikeout rate. Cavalli could be worth targeting on the waiver wire as a solid streaming starting pitcher with upside.

7 days ago

Dalton Rushing • C • Dodgers

Dalton Rushing Worth Stashing Off the Waiver Wire?

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing remains blocked off from everyday playing time by the presence of star Dodgers backstop Will Smith. However, Rushing may be on the verge of forcing the Dodgers to manufacture more playing time for him. Across 44 plate appearances this season, the 25-year-old is hitting .385/.455/.974 with seven home runs, 16 RBI, and 11 runs scored. After posting a strong 14% barrel rate across 155 plate appearances in 2025, Rushing has elevated even further to a 17.9% barrel rate in 2026. With Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman locked in at designated hitter and first base for Los Angeles, Rushing does not have an obvious pathway to cracking his team's starting lineup. Still, the Dodgers can only ignore Rushing's ridiculous production for so long. Fantasy managers may want to consider stashing Rushing now, before an injury or lineup change causes his value to skyrocket.

7 days ago

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. • LF • Diamondbacks

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Remains a Worthy Waiver-Wire Target Despite Initial Struggles

After missing the first few weeks of the 2026 season while recovering from the torn ACL that ended his 2025 campaign, Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. returned to the big leagues on April 18. The 32-year-old has struggled in his first 26 plate appearances of the year, hitting .125/.192/.167 with zero home runs, three RBI, and one run scored. However, Gurriel Jr. recorded at least 18 home runs and 85 RBI in each of his first three seasons with Arizona from 2023 through 2025. He's also a career .273 hitter who cut his strikeout rate to a career-low 13.9% last season. Once Gurriel Jr. settles in and gets some more plate appearances under his belt, he remains a solid bet to provide balanced, four-category production for fantasy managers. In leagues where he remains on the waiver wire, Gurriel Jr. could be a worthy target.

7 days ago

Dennis Santana • RP • Pirates

Dennis Santana Blows Second Save, Falling Out of Closer Committee?

Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Dennis Santana had a rough outing in his team's 4-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday. With Pittsburgh leading 2-0 entering the ninth inning, Santana allowed four hits, two walks, and four earned runs while recording just two outs for his second blown save of the season. The 30-year-old's overall stat line for the season remains solid, as he's pitched to a 3.29 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with 10 strikeouts and two saves across 13 2/3 innings. However, Santana has not recorded a save since April 15 and could be falling out of favor in a Pirates pen that has relied on multiple relievers in the ninth inning this season. With just a 17.2% strikeout rate and a 13.8% walk rate, Santana has not demonstrated typical closer dominance in his underlying numbers. If Pittsburgh does go in a different direction, left-hander Gregory Soto could emerge.

7 days ago

Bryan Baker • RP • Rays

Bryan Baker Notches Seventh Save, Reaching Must-Start Territory

Tampa Bay Rays reliever Bryan Baker picked up his seventh save of the season in his team's 3-2 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Monday. Baker pitched a scoreless ninth inning, allowing two hits and recording two strikeouts. Across 11 1/3 innings so far in 2026, Baker has pitched to a 3.18 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with 13 strikeouts. He's recorded saves in seven of his last nine outings and has emerged as the clear go-to ninth-inning option for the Rays. With Tampa Bay right-hander Edwin Uceta (shoulder) recently being transferred to the 60-day injured list with a shoulder injury, Baker should have an extended runway as the Rays' closer, provided he continues to produce. At this point, Baker has reached must-start closer territory across most fantasy formats.

7 days ago

Gerrit Cole • SP • Yankees

Gerrit Cole to Make Rehab Start on Wednesday at Double-A

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that right-hander Gerrit Cole (elbow) will make his next minor-league rehab start on Wednesday with Double-A Somerset, according to Erik Boland of Newsday. This will be Cole's third rehab start. In one start each with Somerset and High-A Hudson Valley, Cole has allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits (two homers) while walking one and striking out seven in 8 2/3 innings pitched. The 35-year-old is expected to make at least two more rehab starts on the farm before the Yankees consider reinstating him for his 2026 season debut. The Cy Young winner and six-time All-Star deserves to be stashed everywhere because of his track record as a fantasy ace, but patience may be required since he has only made 17 starts for New York since the start of the 2024 season. Cole missed all of 2025 after having Tommy John surgery. Despite his lengthy absence, Cole is rostered in 84% of Yahoo leagues, and that number should rise in the coming weeks as he gets closer to rejoining the team.

7 days ago

Mick Abel • SP • Twins

Mick Abel Playing Catch, Unlikely to Return When Eligible

Minnesota Twins right-hander Mick Abel (elbow) has started playing catch, and "all signs have been encouraging," manager Derek Shelton told Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic. Abel is unlikely to be ready to come off the 15-day injured list when he's first eligible, but the Twins still think his injury is "relatively minor." Fantasy managers probably won't have Abel back from the IL when he's eligible to be reinstated this Saturday, but it might not be that long of a wait after that. He initially went on the IL with right-elbow inflammation, which has allowed left-handed rookie Connor Prielipp to get his first couple of starts in the big leagues for the Twins. The 24-year-old former 15th overall pick in 2020 by the Philadelphia Phillies is still rostered in 20% of Yahoo leagues despite his elbow injury. Abel allowed nine earned runs on 22 hits while walking 10 and striking out 23 in 20 1/3 innings over his first four appearances (three starts) in 2026 for the Twins. Abel should absolutely have a starting rotation spot waiting for him in Minnesota when he returns from the IL.

7 days ago

Travis Bazzana • 2B • Guardians

Guardians Calling Up Former First Overall Pick Travis Bazzana

The Cleveland Guardians are calling up former No. 1 overall pick Travis Bazzana from Triple-A Columbus, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. The 23-year-old Australian hit .287/.422/.511 with two home runs, 11 doubles, two triples, 10 RBI, eight stolen bases, and 18 runs scored in 24 games for Columbus to earn his first big-league call-up. Passan writes that Bazzana will take over at second base for a Guardians team that is a half-game out of first place in the American League Central division early in the year. Bazzana's arrival in the big leagues this week is bad news for the playing time of both Juan Brito and Daniel Schneeman, who had been platooning at the keystone for the Guards. Bazzana is currently rostered in only 9% of Yahoo fantasy leagues, but that number will surely rise now that he's set for regular playing time in the big leagues. The former Oregon State star projects as a plus hitter at a shallow second base position in fantasy who should have average power and plenty of on-base skills because of his disciplined approach as a hitter. Bazzana also has quick hands, a short, compact swing at the plate, and plus speed on the base paths.

7 days ago

Shohei Ohtani • DH • Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani Might Not Serve as DH on Tuesday When he Pitches

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is scheduled to toe the rubber on Tuesday for Game 2 of the series at Dodger Stadium against the visiting Miami Marlins, but manager Dave Roberts told Katie Woo of The Athletic that there's a possibility that Ohtani won't serve as the designated hitter. Ohtani will be pitching on traditional rest (not on a six-day schedule like the Dodgers have tried), and Tuesday's game also starts at 12:10 pm. It would be the second time this year that Ohtani hasn't hit on the same day that he pitches. The 31-year-old Japanese sensation and four-time MVP is a must-start as a hitter and batter every time he's active, but fantasy managers may not have him available as a hitter on Tuesday. The five-time All-Star has actually looked better as a pitcher than a hitter so far in 2026, going 2-0 on the hill with a stingy 0.38 ERA and 0.75 WHIP with 25 strikeouts and six walks in 24 innings over his four starts. Although Miami has 12th in team OPS (.718) this year, Ohtani is a must-start in fantasy as a pitcher for Tuesday's matchup in L.A.

7 days ago

Oneil Cruz • CF • Pirates

Oneil Cruz Sits Out on Monday With Illness

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz (illness) was scratched from the team's starting lineup on Monday against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park, according to the team. With Cruz being under the weather, Jake Mangum made the start in center field for the Bucs and was hitting eighth in the batting order against Cardinals right-hander Dustin May. First baseman Spencer Horwitz was also moved up to the leadoff spot. Fantasy managers should consider Cruz to be day-to-day. Check back on Tuesday to see if he's feeling good enough to return to action for Game 2 of the series in the Steel City. The 27-year-old Dominican has already had his fair share of mishaps on defense in center field as he continues to transition from shortstop to center field in the big leagues, but fantasy managers can't complain about his bat through his first 112 at-bats of the year. Cruz came into Monday's action slashing .259/.320/.518 with an .838 OPS, eight long balls, 24 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and 19 runs scored. He led the league with 38 steals in 2025 and is an elite power speed option in fantasy when he's healthy.

7 days ago

Fernando Tatis Jr. • RF • Padres

Fernando Tatis Jr. Starting at Second Base Again on Monday

San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. is making another start at second base and will bat in the two-hole for Monday's series opener at Petco Park against the visiting Chicago Cubs and left-hander Matthew Boyd, according to MLB.com. This will be Tatis' fourth start at second for the Friars this year, bringing him closer to gaining eligibility at the keystone in fantasy baseball leagues. Not only is this trend making the 27-year-old Dominican more attractive in fantasy, but the three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner has gotten even hotter at the plate of late. Tatis is still searching for his first home run of 2026, but otherwise, fantasy managers can't complain, as he's gone 8-for-29 (.276) with two RBI, three runs scored, and two stolen bases in his last seven games, dating back to April 18. He'll be hoping to turn things around against Boyd in the series opener in SD on Monday. In six career at-bats against Boyd, Tatis is hitting just .167 with one RBI.

7 days ago

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