MLB News

Graham Ashcraft • RP • Reds

Graham Ashcraft is Priority Handcuff Closer Stash

Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Graham Ashcraft is likely to be in the mix for the saves going forward. The Reds need a new ninth-inning option after Emilio Pagan (hamstring) went down with an injury. Ashcraft got the first crack at the closer role, but was unable to shut down the Chicago Cubs during Wednesday's game. He pitched in a setup role on Saturday, with Pierce Johnson getting the ball in the final frame. The assumption is that the Reds will stick with a committee approach in the ninth inning while Pagan is out. Ashcraft could be an interesting stash option with him almost certainly getting more chances at the closer role.

14 hours ago

Spencer Miles • SP • Blue Jays

Spencer Miles is Named Opener for Sunday

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Spencer Miles will operate as the opener for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Angels. The plan is for Miles to pitch an inning or two before handing the ball over to Eric Lauer. The southpaw should pitch the bulk of the innings, but is likely being used this way due to his lackluster results lately. Miles has been mostly solid this season with a 3.50 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and a 16:5 K/BB ratio across 18 innings this season. Neither pitcher is an ideal streaming option given the situation. Lauer owns a 6.15 ERA in his last six starts, so he'll be avoidable on Sunday.

Yesterday

Luis Castillo • SP • Mariners |

Bryce Miller • SP • Mariners

Mariners Intend to Piggyback Luis Castillo, Bryce Miller

Seattle Mariners starting pitchers Luis Castillo and Bryce Miller will piggyback each other after a full turn through the rotation. Miller is set to return from the Injured List on Wednesday after missing the start of the season due to an oblique issue. The Mariners plan to use a six-man rotation for one full turn through, but will shake it up after that. The Mariners don't want to disrespect Castillo, who has been a starter throughout his big league career. However, Castillo has been horrible with a 6.29 ERA through seven starts this season. The hope is that putting Castillo and Miller together will end up offering better results for both pitchers. Between the two, Miller is the more desirable fantasy option, but he won't be an ideal streaming choice if he doesn't pitch deep into games.

Yesterday

Pierce Johnson • RP • Reds

Pierce Johnson Earns Save, Climbing the Closer Depth Chart?

Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Pierce Johnson was called upon to hold a two-run lead against the Houston Astros on Saturday. The Reds are without closer Emilio Pagan (hamstring), so they'll need to find a new ninth-inning option. Johnson has put himself in the mix after tossing a clean inning to earn his first save of the season on Saturday. He needed only 12 pitches to retire the side in order during Saturday's 3-1 victory. He owns a 3.38 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and a 15/5 K:BB ratio across 16 innings this season. Johnson could be the favorite for saves in Cincinnati with Tony Santillan and Graham Ashcraft in the mix as well.

Yesterday

Payton Tolle • SP • Red Sox

Payton Tolle is Named Sunday's Starter

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Payton Tolle will take the mound for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Tolle was supposed to start on Saturday, but the contest was rained out. Brayan Bello was slated to start on Sunday, but he'll have his start pushed back. The Red Sox have a scheduled off day on Monday, so they'll evaluate the starting rotation after that. It's possible that Bello has his next start pushed back further than Tuesday. Fantasy managers who have Tolle rostered should make sure he's in their lineups ahead of first pitch on Sunday.

Yesterday

Kerry Carpenter • RF • Tigers

Kerry Carpenter Exits Early with Shoulder Injury

Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter (shoulder) was forced to make an early exit from Saturday's game against the Kansas City Royals. Carpenter injured his left shoulder when he slammed into the wall attempting to make a play in the first inning. He remained in the game but was ultimately taken out in the third inning due to left shoulder soreness. Before exiting, Carpenter was 1-for-1 during his lone plate appearance on Saturday. Wenceel Perez replaced him in the ballgame and figures to see more starts if Carpenter is forced to miss time. Fantasy managers should consider Carpenter as day-to-day until more information is revealed.

Yesterday

Garrett Mitchell • CF • Brewers

Garrett Mitchell is Returning to the Lineup on Saturday

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Garrett Mitchell (illness) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the New York Yankees. Mitchell was scratched ahead of Wednesday's contest due to an illness. He was held out of the starting lineup on Friday, but came in the game after Brandon Lockridge (knee) exited the contest. Mitchell is now ready to return to the starting lineup for Saturday's contest. He'll cover center field and bat seventh versus right-hander Cam Schlittler. Mitchell has struggled against right-handed pitching this season and isn't anything more than a deep league option right now.

Yesterday

Bryce Harper • 1B • Phillies

Bryce Harper Exits Game with Migraine

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (head) was pulled out during the first inning of Saturday's game against the Colorado Rockies. Harper was taken out of the game before taking his first at-bat due to a migraine. Felix Reyes took over as the pinch-hitter and will cover first base for the rest of Saturday's game. This shouldn't be something that forces Harper to miss additional time. Fantasy managers should check back on Sunday just in case Harper isn't ready to play yet.

Yesterday

Logan Webb • SP • Giants

Logan Webb Placed on 15-Day Injured List With Knee Bursitis

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb (knee) was placed on the 15-day injured list on Saturday, retroactive to May 6. Webb was expected to make his next start on Monday, but the team will ultimately opt to place him on the shelf. Webb is dealing with right knee bursitis, so giving him a two-week break seems like a good idea to let him rest and recover. In a corresponding move, right-hander Trevor McDonald has been recalled to take over the vacant spot in the starting rotation. It has been a down year for Webb, but this is still a tough blow for fantasy managers. The hope is that he'll be able to return when first eligible in two weeks.

Yesterday

Andrew Benintendi • LF • White Sox

Andrew Benintendi is Scratched with Neck Stiffness

Chicago White Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi (neck) has been scratched from the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Seattle Mariners. Benintendi is dealing with neck stiffness, so the team will pull him out of the lineup. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now. Randal Grichuk will take over the designated hitter spot and bat eighth versus right-hander Luis Castillo on Saturday. Normally, Benintendi's status isn't relevant, but he is hitting over .300 during May. He could be someone to keep an eye on in deep leagues.

Yesterday

Bryce Miller • SP • Mariners

Bryce Miller is Set to Return on Wednesday

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryce Miller (oblique) is set to return from the 15-day Injured List on Wednesday. Miller has been sidelined since the beginning of the season due to a left oblique strain. After making four rehab starts, Miller is ready to return to the big league mound. Miller is scheduled to take the ball against the Houston Astros on Wednesday. He should be worth a look as a waiver wire addition for fantasy managers seeking pitching help. The Mariners will go with a six-man rotation for now, so no one will be booted yet.

Yesterday

Jeff Hoffman • RP • Blue Jays

Jeff Hoffman Could Return to Closer Role

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Jeff Hoffman was pulled out of the closer role after struggling to begin the season. Hoffman has handled it well and has been putting together quality outings lately. Recently, Jays' manager John Schneider spoke about the possibility of Hoffman returning to the closer role in the future. He mentioned that the team will continue to go with a committee, which should include Hoffman if he continues to pitch well. It doesn't sound like Hoffman is going to fully regain the closer role, but he should get chances to close out games. If that happens, Hoffman could be someone worth scooping up on the waiver wire, assuming he begins pitching in the ninth inning again.

Yesterday

Aidan Miller • 3B • Phillies

Aidan Miller Suffers a Potential Setback

Philadelphia Phillies prospect Aidan Miller has suffered a setback in his recovery from a lower-back injury that has sidelined him for months. He had recently resumed fielding ground balls and performing rotational exercises, but he has now been shut down from all baseball activities. It remains unclear whether the team is simply being extra cautious with its top prospect or if there is an underlying issue preventing him from taking another step forward. The 21-year-old shortstop first began experiencing back issues late in the 2025 season, causing him to miss time in the Arizona Fall League. Once the team reported to Spring Training, he began experiencing the same back problems and was subsequently shut down. He has been slowly building back up, though the team has never been able to clearly define or diagnose the issue with much detail. It remains to be seen whether he will make his Major League debut at all this season, and his value as a prospect to stash is slowly diminishing in value.

Yesterday

Patrick Bailey • C • Guardians

Patrick Bailey Traded to the Guardians

The Cleveland Guardians have traded for 26-year-old catcher Patrick Bailey in exchange for left-handed pitching prospect Matt Wilkinson and the 29th pick in the 2026 draft. The former Giant backstop saw his playing time put in jeopardy when the San Francisco Giants called up prospect Jesus Rodriguez, who has since started behind the plate in three of his first four games. Now in Cleveland, Bailey could very well become the team's new starting catcher, as the club optioned the struggling Bo Naylor to Triple-A Columbus as a corresponding move. At the very least, he would be in a timeshare for playing time with new teammate Austin Hedges, who isn't much of a threat offensively. While Bailey does not have the strongest track record as a hitter, his elite defense should provide him with plenty of opportunities to play.

Yesterday

Addison Barger • RF • Blue Jays

Addison Barger Activated From the Injured List

The Toronto Blue Jays have reinstated outfielder Addison Barger (ankles) from the 10-day injured list on Saturday. The 26-year-old has been absent from the team for over a month due to a sprained ankle, but he will return to the club on Saturday. He recently completed a brief rehab assignment during which he hit two home runs in three games. With his ankle feeling better, the team determined that he was ready to rejoin the club. He will bat second in the Blue Jays' lineup and should provide the team with a boost at the plate. Barger is looking to build on his slow start to the season, which saw him record just one hit in his first 23 plate appearances. The corresponding move saw 24-year-old outfielder Yohendrick Pinango optioned to Triple-A Buffalo.

Yesterday

Taj Bradley • SP • Twins

Taj Bradley Hits the Injured List With Pectoral Inflammation

The Minnesota Twins have placed starting pitcher Taj Bradley (pectoral) on the 15-day injured list because of right-pectoral inflammation. The right-handed hurler has had a fantastic start to the 2026 season, posting a 2.82 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, all while striking out 52 batters in just 47 innings pitched. He looked dominant in his last start last weekend, but he has since developed an injury that will require time off. He was set to start on Sunday in Cleveland, but now the team will be searching for answers. It is also unclear if he will be ready to return when first eligible, giving the Twins quite a hole to fill in their rotation long term.

Yesterday

Kyle Bradish • SP • Orioles

Kyle Bradish has Nice Bounce-Back Performance With 10 K's

Baltimore Orioles right-hander Kyle Bradish took his fifth loss of the season on Friday night against the visiting Athletics at Camden Yards, but it was a bounce-back performance nonetheless after he allowed a season-high five earned runs in four innings his last time out on May 2 against the New York Yankees. In the 4-3 loss to the A's on Friday, Bradish gave up three earned runs on five hits while walking one and striking out a season-high 10 batters. He threw 60 of his 96 total pitches for strikes and delivered his second quality start of the season despite taking his league-leading fifth loss. The 29-year-old is now 1-5 on the year with a 4.83 ERA (4.21 FIP), a 1.66 WHIP, 45 strikeouts, and 22 walks in 41 innings pitched for the O's. Fantasy managers will be hoping that this is the start of a turnaround for Bradish, but it won't get easier, as he's set for a rematch against the first-place Yankees next week. The Yankees hold the second-best OPS in baseball at .794, behind only the Dodgers.

Yesterday

Roki Sasaki • SP • Dodgers

Roki Sasaki Pushed Back to Monday Versus Giants

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Roki Sasaki, who was originally scheduled to start on Saturday against the Atlanta Braves, will have his next start pushed back to Monday's series opener against the division-rival San Francisco Giants, according to Jack Harris of The California Post. Lefty Blake Snell (shoulder) will be reinstated from the 15-day injured list to make his season debut on Saturday against Atlanta. If not for Tyler Glasnow (back) landing on the IL on Friday, the 24-year-old Sasaki would be at risk of being bumped from the starting rotation entirely. The Japanese hurler continues to struggle with control and consistency in his second MLB season, going 1-3 with a 5.97 ERA (6.83 FIP), a 1.67 WHIP, and 26:15 K:BB in 28 2/3 innings pitched across his six starts for the Blue in 2026. He will now be on eight days of rest against SF. Despite being unreliable so far in fantasy, Sasaki did go a season-high six innings his last time out against the Cardinals, and he'll be facing a Giants team that is dead-last in OPS (.637).

Yesterday

Casey Mize • SP • Tigers

Casey Mize Throws Bullpen on Friday, Return Not Imminent

Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize (groin) threw a bullpen session on Friday, but he will need to face hitters in a simulated game or go on a minor-league rehab assignment before he rejoins the Tigers' starting rotation, per MLB.com. Mize has been on the 15-day injured list since April 29 due to a mild right-groin strain, and he's not expected to come off the IL until mid-May. The 29-year-old is getting close, but he still has a few boxes left to check. He should have a rotation spot waiting for him in Detroit when he's ready after going 2-2 with a 2.90 ERA (2.87 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with 35 strikeouts and 11 walks in 31 innings over his first six starts of the 2026 campaign. Mize was a first-time All-Star in 2025 in his fifth year in the majors after the Tigers took him first overall in the 2018 draft out of Auburn. The Tigers could really use Mize back sooner rather than later, with ace Tarik Skubal (elbow) out at least a month or two. Mize's lack of strikeout upside caps his fantasy value, but he can still be a useful back-end rotation arm in the right matchups. He's currently rostered in 42% of Yahoo leagues.

Yesterday

Logan Webb • SP • Giants

Logan Webb on Track to Start Against Dodgers on Monday

San Francisco Giants right-hander Logan Webb (knee) is on track to make his next start on Monday versus the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers, according to MLB.com. The Giants announced that Webb dealt with some left-knee soreness during his last start on Tuesday against the San Diego Padres, when he allowed a season-high six earned runs on seven hits while walking none and striking out four in four innings for his fourth loss of the year. Webb threw only 62 pitches in that outing. The 29-year-old two-time All-Star might be on track to make his next start to kick off a new week, but fantasy managers should be considering benching him coming off a knee injury against one of the best offenses in baseball. Webb is currently sporting an ERA over 5.00 with a 3.59 FIP, 1.39 WHIP, 42 strikeouts, and 15 walks in 48 innings over his first eight starts of the 2026 campaign.

Yesterday

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