MLB News

Gus Varland • RP • Nationals

Gus Varland Looking to Rebound After Rough Stretch in Washington

Washington Nationals right-hander Gus Varland has struggled in recent outings, posting a 7.11 ERA across his last seven appearances. His season ERA has climbed to 4.80 during his first year in Washington, and his role in the back end of the bullpen may begin to shrink. Varland is still 4-for-6 in save opportunities and has added four holds this season, showing the confidence the Nationals coaching staff initially placed in him during high-leverage situations. The 28-year-old is now on his fourth MLB organization after not appearing in a major league game during 2025. Varland will need to limit damage more consistently if he hopes to maintain a steady role in the struggling Nationals bullpen.

9 hours ago

Jake Burger • 1B • Rangers

Jake Burger Off to Slow Start, Power Still Worth Monitoring

Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger has struggled through the early portion of the 2026 season, slashing .208/.242/.362 with a .604 OPS across 38 games. The power remains present for Burger, as he has already launched six home runs, but his 27.4 K% has continued to hurt his overall offensive production. Burger has not appeared in a game since Friday and could be receiving additional time away from the lineup to reset at the plate. The 30-year-old is now in his second season with Texas and has yet to fully recapture the form he showed in 2023, when he posted a .827 OPS with 34 home runs.

10 hours ago

Cam Smith • RF • Astros

Cam Smith Looking to Rebound Amid Astros Outfield Competition

Houston Astros outfielder Cam Smith has cooled off after a strong start to the season, slashing .151/.237/.226 across his last 15 games. Smith now owns a .642 OPS with four home runs through 40 games in 2026. The 23-year-old has flashed the offensive tools needed to succeed at the major league level, but consistency has remained an issue during his second MLB season. Smith could also face increased competition for playing time, with Joey Loperfido, Jake Meyers, and Taylor Trammell all targeting returns later this month. The former first-round pick still carries intriguing upside, but he will need to rediscover his early-season rhythm moving forward.

10 hours ago

JJ Bleday • CF • Reds

JJ Bleday Breaking Out With Reds, Emerging as High-End Power Source

Cincinnati Reds outfielder JJ Bleday has enjoyed an early breakout in his first season with the Reds. Bleday, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft by the Miami Marlins, has bounced around the majors after struggling to find the consistent success many expected early in his career. He appears to have found his stride in Cincinnati, slashing .262/.392/.643 with a 1.035 OPS and four home runs through 13 games. Bleday was called up from Triple-A Louisville on April 25 and has made the most of his opportunity, flashing impressive power in early action with the Reds. The 28-year-old is quickly gaining attention as a strong fantasy source for power production.

10 hours ago

Caleb Kilian • RP • Giants

Caleb Kilian Emerging as Favorite for Giants Saves Opportunities?

San Francisco Giants right-hander Caleb Kilian could be in line for increased save opportunities after the club optioned struggling reliever Ryan Walker to Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday. Walker opened the season with inconsistent results and was unable to secure the closer role for San Francisco. Kilian has emerged as one of the Giants' most dependable bullpen arms, posting a 1.50 ERA and 1.17 WHIP across 17 appearances. He also earned the first save of his MLB career earlier this season. The Giants have recorded just seven saves through 40 games, leaving the ninth inning unsettled as Kilian's consistency makes him a strong speculative add for fantasy managers searching for saves.

10 hours ago

Kyle Finnegan • RP • Tigers

Is Kyle Finnegan the Top Closer Handcuff Available on the Waiver Wire?

Detroit Tigers right-hander Kyle Finnegan has gotten results so far in 2026, pitching to a 1.53 ERA and 1.47 WHIP with 13 strikeouts and one save across 17 2/3 innings (18 games). Finnegan is currently blocked off from save opportunities in Detroit by veteran Tigers closer Kenley Jansen, who remains the team's preferred option in the ninth inning. However, Jansen has pitched to a 5.40 ERA with three blown saves across 11 appearances so far this season. Should Detroit choose to alter its late-inning mix, Finnegan could step in as the new closer. The 34-year-old has 113 career saves across 365 MLB appearances. While Finnegan's 0.0% K-BB rate does not exactly scream typical closer dominance, he's proven the ability to close games in the past. For fantasy managers in need of saves, Finnegan could be worth stashing off the waiver wire.

13 hours ago

Carlos Cortes • RF • Athletics

Carlos Cortes Earning More Playing Time, Emerging as a Priority Waiver-Wire Target

Athletics outfielder Carlos Cortes is off to an excellent start to the 2026 season, hitting .355/.408/.570 with four home runs, 15 RBI, 11 runs scored, and one stolen base across his first 103 plate appearances of the season. Entering play on Sunday, Cortes owned an 11.1% barrel rate and had walked (eight) nearly as many times as he had struck out (nine). The 28-year-old is a bit of a late bloomer, but he posted similarly strong numbers (.866 OPS) across 99 plate appearances after making his MLB debut in 2025. The lefty-swinging Cortes appears to have worked his way into an everyday role in the corner outfield for the Athletics, at least against right-handed starting pitching. Particularly given his hitter-friendly home park in Sacramento, Cortes profiles as a viable hitting streamer for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.

14 hours ago

Jorge Soler • RF • Angels

Jorge Soler Remains an Impact Power Bat Worth Targeting on the Waiver Wire

Across 157 plate appearances so far in 2026, Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jorge Soler is hitting .226/.325/.451 with eight home runs, 28 RBI, and 19 runs scored. With a 31.2% strikeout rate, Soler is unlikely to help fantasy managers in the batting average category. However, the 34-year-old remains a legitimate power bat even as he enters his mid-30s. Soler currently owns a 12.9% barrel rate, marking his eighth consecutive season with a barrel rate north of 12%. He's also managed to stay healthy this season after groin and back injuries limited him to just 315 plate appearances in 2025. As long as Soler can stay on the field in 2026, he should see every day playing time in the middle of the Angels lineup and could threaten 30 home runs. For fantasy managers searching for power on the waiver wire, Soler could be worth targeting.

14 hours ago

Randy Vásquez • SP • Padres

Randy Vasquez Emerging as a Must-Add Waiver-Wire Target

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Randy Vasquez turned in another strong performance in his team's 4-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday, throwing six innings of one-run ball with six strikeouts while picking up the win. The 27-year-old has been excellent so far this season for San Diego, recording a 4-1 record with a 3.05 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 42 strikeouts across 44 1/3 innings. Vasquez's strikeout rate currently sits at a career-best 23.2%, and his walk rate is down from 9.1% in 2025 to 7.2%. Vasquez's 80.6% strand rate may not be fully sustainable, but his strong 0.81 HR/9 helps him avoid blow-up innings and keeps his ERA down. Vasquez's average fastball velocity is also up to 94.8 miles per hour, a significant increase from his mark of 93.5 miles per hour in 2025. Particularly in deeper leagues, Vasquez should be scooped up off the waiver wire by fantasy managers.

14 hours ago

Spencer Torkelson • 1B • Tigers

Spencer Torkelson Remains a Viable Power Bat to Target on the Waiver Wire

Across his first 152 plate appearances of 2026, Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson is hitting .209/.329/.411 with six home runs, 15 RBI, and 13 runs scored. The 26-year-old's season has taken a strange shape, as five of his six home runs came in a five-day period between April 22 and April 26. Outside of that brief power surge, Torkelson has largely struggled. While his 14.5% walk rate is excellent, Torkelson's 30.9% strikeout rate puts a firm ceiling on his batting average upside. Still, his 15.9% barrel rate suggests that Torkelson remains a potent power threat. As the weather starts to heat up in Detroit, Torkelson should start to hit the ball out of the ballpark with more consistency. In deeper leagues where he may have been dropped, Torkelson profiles as a power bat worth targeting off the waiver wire.

14 hours ago

Kerry Carpenter • RF • Tigers

Kerry Carpenter Placed on 10-Day Injured List with Left AC Joint Sprain

Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter (shoulder) has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a left AC joint sprain. Infielder Gage Workman was recalled to take Carpenter's spot on Detroit's active roster. Carpenter exited early from the Tigers' loss to the Kansas City Royals on Saturday after colliding with the outfield wall and could now be facing an extended absence. Across his first 117 plate appearances of 2026 before getting injured, the 28-year-old was hitting .216/.299/.451 with six home runs, 17 RBI, and 11 runs scored. While Carpenter may be able to return to the Tigers relatively quickly, his performance post-shoulder ailment will be something for fantasy managers to monitor. In Carpenter's absence, Tigers outfielders Wenceel Perez and Jahmai Jones could both see an increase in playing time in right field and at designated hitter.

14 hours ago

Lucas Erceg • RP • Royals

Is Lucas Erceg a Worthy Saves Target Despite Concerning Underlying Metrics?

Kansas City Royals right-hander Lucas Erceg has established himself as his team's closer so far this season, recording a 3.31 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and 10 saves across 16 1/3 innings (17 games). Erceg has gotten hot in recent weeks, as he's gone eight straight appearances without allowing an earned run. On the other hand, Erceg's underlying numbers offer some cause for alarm. The 31-year-old currently owns a 17.9% walk rate and is benefitting from a .268 opponent batting average on balls in play that sits well below his career mark of .307. Erceg does not generate whiffs like a typical closer either, as he's recorded 20.9% strikeout rate so far this season and struck out just 19.3% of the batters he faced in 2025. Erceg appears to be secure in the ninth-inning role in Kansas City for now, which makes him roster-worthy across all fantasy formats. Still, fantasy managers should proceed with caution, as Erceg's profile does not point to sustained dominance.

17 hours ago

Seranthony Domínguez • RP • White Sox

Seranthony Dominguez Establishing Himself as a Reliable Source of Saves

Across 14 2/3 innings (18 games) so far this season, Chicago White Sox closer Seranthony Dominguez has recorded a 3.68 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 19 strikeouts, and eight saves. The 31-year-old has been particularly locked in of late, allowing just one earned run while logging 11 strikeouts and five saves over his last nine appearances. Control continues to be an issue for Dominguez, as he currently owns a 14.3% walk rate after posting a 13.8% walk rate in 2025. However, his strikeout rate is also north of 30% for the second straight season, which helps mitigate the damage of his free passes. Dominguez appears to have a firm hold on the ninth-inning role for the White Sox and should be rostered across all fantasy formats.

18 hours ago

Ryan Walker • RP • Giants

Ryan Walker Optioned to Triple-A

San Francisco Giants right-hander Ryan Walker has been optioned to Triple-A Sacramento, according to Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area. Walker opened 2026 as San Francisco's primary closer, but he's struggled mightily so far this season. Across 15 1/3 innings (16 games), Walker has pitched to a 6.46 ERA and 1.89 WHIP with 14 strikeouts. He was just three for six on save chances and had allowed seven earned runs over his last four outings before being sent down. Walker's struggles to open 2026 were a continuation of his down year in 2025, when he pitched to a 4.11 ERA. San Francisco will now give the 30-year-old a chance to work through his struggles in a lower-pressure environment in the minor leagues. Right-hander Caleb Killian saw the most recent save opportunity for San Francisco and could be taking over the team's ninth-inning role.

18 hours ago

Noah Schultz • SP • White Sox

Noah Schultz Still Worth Targeting on the Waiver Wire Following Rough Outing?

Across 25 innings (five starts) so far this season, Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Noah Schultz has recorded a 2-2 record with a 4.68 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and 23 strikeouts. Schultz has struggled mightily with command, as he currently owns a 15.1% walk rate. Still, the 22-year-old's overall line is weighed down by a rough outing his last time out when he allowed seven earned runs across 3 2/3 innings against the Los Angeles Angels. Prior to that start, Schultz had given up just three earned runs in his last 17 innings pitched. The young right-hander is considered to be one of the top young arms in the White Sox system and posted a 40.4% strikeout rate across three starts at Triple-A before being called up by Chicago for his MLB debut in mid-April. In deeper fantasy leagues, Schultz could be worth targeting off the waiver wire ahead of his next scheduled start at home against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday.

18 hours ago

Tatsuya Imai • SP • Astros

Tatsuya Imai Scheduled to Rejoin Astros Rotation on Tuesday

Houston Astros starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai (arm) will make his return to his team's starting rotation on Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Imai has been on the 15-day injured list since early April due to right arm fatigue. The 28-year-old got off to a brutal start to his first MLB season before hitting the injured list, allowing seven earned runs and 11 walks across 8 2/3 innings (three starts). Imai wasn't much better in two minor league rehab appearances, allowing six earned runs and eight walks across five innings. Still, Houston signed Imai to a three-year, $54 million contract this past winter and will likely give him every opportunity to prove himself. Fantasy managers should proceed with major caution until Imai shows he can lock in his command.

18 hours ago

Addison Barger • RF • Blue Jays

Addison Barger Scratched From Sunday's Lineup Due to Elbow Soreness

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Addison Barger (elbow) has been scratched from the lineup for his team's game on Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels due to right elbow soreness. Barger was originally slated to lead off and play right field. The 26-year-old was recently activated from the 10-day injured list on Saturday after missing over a month with a sprained ankle. Barger has just one hit in 28 plate appearances so far this season and could now be facing another trip to the injured list. Blue Jays outfielder Myles Straw is replacing Barger in the team's lineup on Sunday and would likely see an increase in playing time if Barger ends up missing extended time.

18 hours ago

Trevor Rogers • SP • Orioles

Trevor Rogers Throws Bullpen, Hopes to Return Soon

Baltimore Orioles left-hander Trevor Rogers (illness) said he threw more of a "simulated bullpen" session on Saturday, according to Jake Rill of MLB.com. Rogers doesn't expect to need a minor-league rehab start and hopes to return to the team's starting rotation in the "near future." The O's should reinstate Rogers from the 15-day injured list to make a start during the team's three-game series against the division-rival New York Yankees that starts on Monday. Although Rogers has been sidelined due to a bad case of the flu and not any injury, fantasy managers should be hesitant to throw him right back out there next week against a Yankees team that ranks third in baseball with a .778 team OPS. In addition to the bad matchup, Rogers will most likely be a bit limited from a pitch-count perspective since he's been on the IL since April 29. The 28-year-old southpaw had three straight quality starts to begin the 2026 season before giving up 13 runs (12 earned) on 19 hits (three homers) while walking five and striking out 13 in 11 1/3 innings in his three most recent starts before falling ill.

21 hours ago

Hunter Greene • SP • Reds

Hunter Greene Throwing Up to 150 Feet

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene (elbow) is throwing up to 150 feet of long toss in his rehab program in Arizona, according to Mike Petraglia of MLB.com. Greene has yet to get back on the mound after having surgery on his right elbow back in spring training in March, but it's good news that he's stretching his throws out as he builds his arm back up. In a best-case scenario, the 26-year-old hard-throwing ace will be ready to rejoin the Reds' starting rotation at some point at the end of May when he's eligible to come off the 60-day injured list. But because he's not throwing off a mound yet, we'd be surprised if he is activated in May. Despite not having pitched yet in 2026 due to injury, Greene should be rostered in most fantasy baseball leagues for his high-end strikeout upside when he's healthy. Right now, he's only rostered in 62% of Yahoo leagues. Greene was a first-time All-Star in 2024, when he had a 2.75 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 169:57 K:BB across 26 starts. He has a strong 11.2 K/9 in his four-year big-league career.

21 hours ago

Miguel Vargas • 3B • White Sox

Miguel Vargas Continues to Hit the Ball Hard in Two-Homer Game

Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas led the charge in the team's 6-1 win over the visiting Seattle Mariners on Saturday, going 2-for-3 at the plate with two home runs, three RBI, a walk, and a strikeout to raise his season average to .228 and his OPS to .840. Vargas' two home runs came against Luis Castillo and Josh Simpson. It was the 26-year-old's first multi-homer game of the season. Although the Cuban infielder is still hitting just .228 (31-for-136) on the year, he's making more consistent contact at the plate than he ever has before. He's up to nine home runs on the season and has added 21 RBI, 28 runs scored, and six stolen bases in his 38 games played in his second full season with the Pale Hose. In 11 games since April 27, Vargas has gone 11-for-38 (.289) with four long balls, eight RBI, eight runs scored, and a stolen base across 47 plate appearances. He's heating up and remains a useful corner-infield power bat in deep-mixed fantasy leagues.

21 hours ago

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