MLB News

Jakob Junis • RP • Rangers

Jakob Junis Remains the Favorite for Saves in Texas

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Jakob Junis has done a nice job in the closer role early in the season. Before Thursday's outing, Junis had converted three straight saves. He came into the seventh inning of Thursday's contest against the Athletics. He was blasted for three runs on two hits over 1.1 innings of work. That bad outing will raise his ERA to 2.89 with a 0.75 WHIP across 9.1 innings of work this season. Despite one bad inning, Junis figures to remain the favorite for saves in Texas going forward. He has converted each of his three attempts and could be a sneaky add for fantasy managers looking for help right now.

Apr 19

Jeff Hoffman • RP • Blue Jays

Jeff Hoffman Takes Second Loss, Still has Manager's Confidence?

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Jeff Hoffman saw his struggles continue during Saturday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Hoffman came into a 2-2 tie in the eighth inning, but things quickly got away from him. Hoffman took the loss after serving up a grand slam to Corbin Carroll. His final line was three hits allowed, four earned runs, one walk, and two strikeouts over an inning of work. Hoffman now sees his ERA rise to 7.71 ERA after an horrendous outing. Despite the struggles, Jays manager John Schneider stated that Hoffman will remain the closer. This will be a situation to monitor if Hoffman continues to struggle going forward.

Apr 19

J.T. Realmuto • C • Phillies

JT Realmuto Exits Early with Back Injury

Philadelphia Phillies catcher JT Realmuto (back) was forced to make an early exit from Saturday's game against the Atlanta Braves. Phillies' manager Rob Thompson said that Realmuto's back tightened up on him during a play at the plate. Before exiting, Realmuto went hitless in two plate appearances. The team will evaluate Realmuto on Sunday morning and decide what to do going forward. For the time being, Realmuto should be considered day-to-day until another update is available. It wouldn't be shocking to see Rafael Marchan behind the plate during Sunday's game.

Apr 19

Dillon Dingler • C • Tigers

Dillon Dingler Swinging a Hot Bat Recently, Becoming a Must-Add Catcher?

Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler has been hot recently, collecting a hit in five of his last nine games with two home runs and seven RBI during that stretch. Overall, Dingler is slashing .259/.348/.517 with four home runs, 14 RBI, and nine runs over 18 games. The 27-year-old has seen increases across the board in xBA (.328) and xSLG (.694), and his HardHit% (59.1%). His K% (18.2%) has decreased by about five points from 2025 (23.5%). For fantasy managers needing catcher help, Dingler is emerging as an add candidate in leagues with 12 teams or more. He is currently rostered in 37% of Yahoo Fantasy leagues and is 57th overall in the latest RotoBaller waiver rankings for Week 3.

Apr 18

Luke Raley • RF • Mariners

Luke Raley Stays Hot, Emerging as a Hitter to Target On the Waiver Wire?

Seattle Mariners first baseman/outfielder Luke Raley went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk, and two additional runs scored in Saturday's 7-3 win over the Texas Rangers. His home run traveled 381 feet with an exit velocity of 112.7 mph. Raley is heating up and has homered twice over his last four games while logging multi-hit efforts in three of his last six contests. Overall, the 31-year-old is slashing .318/.375/.636 with five home runs, 13 RBI, 11 runs, and a 1.011 OPS over 20 games in 2026. Raley is known as a streaky hitter but is emerging as a hitter to add off the waiver wire while he's swinging a hot bat. He is currently rostered in 22% of Yahoo Fantasy leagues, but is more of a streamer and an option in deep leagues. Raley is currently ranked 83rd in the latest waiver wire rankings for RotoBaller.

Apr 18

Alex Vesia • RP • Dodgers

Alex Vesia Entering Elite Closer Handcuff Territory

Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia is becoming an elite handcuff for fantasy managers with Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz. Vesia owns two saves, a 0.60 WHIP, and 10 strikeouts over 8 1/3 innings in 2026. The 30-year-old would be the top option to close for the Dodgers if Diaz were to miss any time. Vesia struck out the side and earned his second save of the season on Tuesday, with Diaz unavailable after throwing a bullpen session earlier in the afternoon. He is mainly used in high-leverage situations and is quickly emerging as an elite handcuff in fantasy baseball. Vesia provides elite ratios, solds, and is rostered in only 24% of Yahoo Fantasy leagues. The veteran right-hander should be added in leagues with 12 teams or more and is currently 16th in the latest RotoBaller waiver wire rankings for Week 3.

Apr 18

Dennis Santana • RP • Pirates

Dennis Santana Reclaiming Ninth-Inning Role in Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Dennis Santana has picked up two saves over his last five innings pitched while posting a 1.80 ERA. Santana owns a (2-1) record with two saves while posting a 0.82 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, and 7:5 K:BB across 11 innings in 2026. The 30-year-old entered the ninth inning in Friday's win over the Tampa Bay Rays, but it ended up being a non-save situation. However, the good news is that Santana has appeared in the ninth inning or later in his last six appearances. He is coming off a career year in 2025, when he posted a 2.18 ERA and 0.87 WHIP and recorded 16 saves. Santana was the favorite to start the year as Pittsburgh's primary closer, but the Pirates opted to use Gregory Soto in save situations to start the year. With the recent trend of Santana handling ninth-inning duties and Soto being used primarily as a setup man, Santana is quickly reclaiming his role as the main Pirates closer.

Apr 18

Joey Cantillo • SP • Guardians

Joey Cantillo Becoming a Priority Add in Fantasy Leagues

Cleveland Guardians left-hander Joey Cantillo (1-0) is off to a great start to the 2026 season, posting a 2.61 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and a 24:9 K:BB across 20 2/3 innings. He is becoming a key part of Cleveland's rotation and owns an elite 29.6 K% and a 11.4% swinging strike rate through four starts. Cantillo had been pitching well last season after joining the rotation in July, posting a 2.96 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 72:28 K:BB over 67 innings over his last 13 starts. The 26-year-old has allowed two earned runs or less in each of his four starts and will look to continue his impressive stretch in his next start Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Fantasy managers looking for a streamer on Sunday and a boost to their pitching staff should consider adding Cantillo. He is currently rostered in 52% of Yahoo Fantasy leagues and is becoming a priority add for fantasy managers in need of starting pitching.

Apr 18

Brad Keller • RP • Phillies

Brad Keller Could be Next Option for Saves in Philadelphia

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Brad Keller could be asked to take on a larger role in the bullpen over the next few weeks. On Saturday, closer Jhoan Duran (oblique) was placed on the 15-day Injured List. The organization is hopeful it'll be a minimal stay for Duran, but the Phillies will still be without him for the next two weeks. The expectation is that either Keller or Jose Alvarado will take over in the closer role while Duran is down. Given Alvarado's struggles, Keller seems like the favorite to get saves right now. Fantasy managers looking for a source for saves might want to consider adding Keller if he does end up taking over the closer role.

Apr 18

Caleb Thielbar • RP • Cubs

Caleb Thielbar Earns Save on Saturday, New No. 1 Closer for Cubs?

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Caleb Thielbar was handed the ball in the ninth inning during Saturday's game against the New York Mets. The Cubs are seeking a new closer while Daniel Palencia (oblique) is on the Injured List. Thielbar got the first crack at the closer role and did a nice job on Saturday. The veteran southpaw tossed a clean inning with two strikeouts to earn his first save of the season. Thielbar only has six career saves, but could end up getting a majority of the save chances while Palenica is out. Ben Brown is also an option, but the Cubs likely want to keep him in his multiple-inning role. Thielbar could be worth a look in the short-term for fantasy managers looking for a source of saves.

Apr 18

Jhoan Duran • RP • Phillies

Jhoan Duran Hopeful for Minimal Stay on Injured List

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jhoan Duran (oblique) was placed on the 15-day Injured List, retroactive to April 15, on Saturday. The Phillies are hopeful that Duran will be back in 15 days. It's a "very mild" oblique strain, so the team believes he'll only need the minimum of 15 days on the shelf. It's unclear who is going to be the primary closer while Duran is out. It could be a closer-by-committee situation, which is never fun for fantasy managers. At the moment, Brad Keller and Jose Alvarado are the favorites to get the ball in the ninth while Duran is down. Fantasy managers will hopefully only be without Duran for the next two weeks, but the team should continue to update his status as Duran progresses.

Apr 18

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. • LF • Diamondbacks

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is Making Season Debut on Saturday

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (knee) has been reinstated from the Injured List on Saturday. Gurriel is set to make his season debut after missing the beginning of the season while recovering from ACL surgery he underwent last September. The assumption was that Gurriel would be eased back into things and serve as the designated hitter. That isn't the case as Gurriel is in left field and batting cleanup against right-hander Max Scherzer on Saturday. The 32-year-old is coming off major knee surgery, so fantasy managers should dampen their expectations. Gurriel should still be able to offer decent value in deeper mixed leagues.

Apr 18

Willi Castro • 2B • Rockies

Willi Castro to Miss Third Straight Game

Colorado Rockies infielder Willi Castro (hand) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. This marks the third game in a row that Castro has missed due to a lingering hand issue. Castro was hit by a pitch on Wednesday and hasn't suited up for a game since then. It doesn't sound like this issue is going to force Castro to land on the Injured List. For now, Castro should be considered day-to-day until the Rockies give another update on his status. Edouard Julien will serve as the leadoff hitter and cover second base against right-hander Emmet Sheehan on Saturday.

Apr 18

Daulton Varsho • CF • Blue Jays

Daulton Varsho is Absent on Saturday

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (knee) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. This doesn't come as a surprise after Varsho was forced to make an early exit from Friday's contest due to left knee discomfort. The Jays are considering Varsho as day-to-day and will give him a rest day on Saturday. His absence means that Myles Straw draws the start in center field and will bat eighth versus right-hander Zac Gallen. Straw doesn't offer enough upside with the bat to warrant looking at in fantasy leagues.

Apr 18

Jhoan Duran • RP • Phillies

Jhoan Duran Placed on 15-Day Injured List With Oblique Strain

The Philadelphia Phillies placed right-handed closer Jhoan Duran (oblique) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to April 15) with a left-oblique strain on Saturday, according to Jeff Skversky of FOX 29 Philly. Fantasy managers should expect Duran to be out longer than the 15 days with his oblique injury, but he needs to remain stashed in all fantasy leagues while he recovers. The hard-throwing 28-year-old Dominican was off to a fine start in 2026, too, in his first full season with the Phillies. Through seven relief appearances, Duran held a 1.35 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, five saves, eight strikeouts, and no walks in 6 2/3 innings pitched. It's unclear how the Phils will approach the ninth inning in the absence of Duran moving forward, but all of Jose Alvarado, Brad Keller, and Orion Kerkering could be involved in some sort of closer-by-committee situation. Alvarado, 30, has the most closing experience in his nine-plus MLB seasons, for what it's worth. The left-hander has recorded 52 saves in 374 1/3 innings pitched, and he's been in Philly since the start of the 2021 campaign.

Apr 18

Kyle Stowers • LF • Marlins

Kyle Stowers Will be Activated on Sunday

Miami Marlins outfielder Kyle Stowers (hamstring) will be activated from the 10-day injured list on Sunday, according to manager Clayton McCullough. The 28-year-old has missed the entire 2026 season due to a right hamstring injury that he sustained during Spring Training. After battling back in March, he reaggravated the injury while rounding the bases in a split-squad game against the Astros. After that, the team announced that he would get some opportunities to play first base upon his return. During his five-game minor-league rehab assignment, he only started there once, so it's unclear if and when he will get that opportunity this season. All that being said, fantasy managers should be excited to have the power-hitting Stowers back in their lineup, as he looks to build off a successful 2025 season where he hit 25 home runs.

Apr 18

Jeremiah Jackson • 2B • Orioles

Jeremiah Jackson Has Been Great This Season

Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jeremiah Jackson has had a surprisingly hot start to the season. Taking over for the injured Jackson Holliday, the 26-year-old second baseman has given the Orioles a much-needed spark more than once. This past week alone, he has hit four home runs and recorded 11 RBI in just five games played. While this should be considered a huge success, it's hard to trust that this will sustain itself long-term. He has yet to record a walk this year and has posted a 44.0% chase rate, bringing attention to his tendency to lack patience at the plate. Additionally, his 31.1% hard-hit rate suggests that there might not be much power in his future unless changes are made at the plate. For now, he should be added to the deepest of leagues for minimal cost, as fantasy managers would be wise to be ready to drop him once Holliday returns to the lineup.

Apr 18

Jonathan Aranda • 1B • Rays

Jonathan Aranda has Cooled Off This Week

After a hot start to the season, Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda has cooled off significantly throughout most of April. The 27-year-old has just two hits over his last 30 plate appearances (.091), and only eight total base hits this month. His current .214 BA is more than 100 points lower than his 2025 batting average, though this does come with a .246 xBA. While it is too early in the season to panic, this is something to monitor. Calling Tropicana Field home in 2026 should be considered a downgrade for most hitters, as it is widely considered to be a pitcher's ballpark. That, alongside these early-season struggles, may cause fantasy managers to want to make a change. For now, he can remain on the bench with the hope that he can turn things around and get back to his powerful and productive ways from just one year ago.

Apr 18

Kodai Senga • SP • Mets

Kodai Senga to Remain in Mets Rotation for Now

New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga will remain in the team's starting rotation for now, manager Carlos Mendoza told Laura Albanese of Newsday. The Mets will continue to look at film to figure something out. "We've got to help him," Mendoza said. The 33-year-old Japanese hurler is off to a dreadful start in 2026, going 0-3 with an 8.83 ERA (5.35 FIP) and 1.90 WHIP with 22 strikeouts and 10 walks in 17 1/3 innings over his first four starts for the Mets. Senga got off to a decent start with four earned runs allowed in his first two starts of the year against the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants, but he's surrendered 13 earned runs on 14 hits (four homers) while walking five and striking out six in 5 2/3 innings in his last two outings against the Athletics and Chicago Cubs. He might be one more bad outing away from being sent to the bullpen in New York. If Senga is demoted from the rotation, either veteran left-hander Sean Manaea or pitching prospect Jonah Tong could be the top options to replace him.

Apr 18

Carson Benge • LF • Mets

Carson Benge Leading Off for Second Straight Day

New York Mets rookie outfielder Carson Benge will serve as the team's leadoff hitter for the second straight day on Saturday for Game 2 of the series in Chicago against the Cubs and right-hander Jameson Taillon at Wrigley Field, according to MLB.com. Benge went 1-for-4 in the team's ninth straight loss to the Cubs on Friday. The Mets are trying anything to get their bats going without star outfielder Juan Soto (calf). They currently rank 28th in MLB with a .632 team OPS as they head into Saturday's game at the friendly confines of Wrigley Field. Benge's DFS value will increase for the second straight game in the leadoff spot, but since hitting a home run in his major-league debut on Opening Day, he's been pretty ice-cold at the plate. The former 19th overall pick in 2024 out of Oklahoma State is hitting just 158 (9-for-57) with three RBI, five stolen bases, five runs scored, six walks, and 16 strikeouts in his first 17 big-league games.

Apr 18

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