MLB News

Nolan Arenado • 3B • Diamondbacks

Nolan Arenado Hits Two Homers, Drives in Five on Monday

Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Nolan Arenado turned back the clock on Monday night in the team's 9-7 loss to the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. Arenado went 2-for-4 with two home runs, five RBI, and a strikeout. The home runs were his first of the year in Arizona, which was nice to see after he entered Monday's action slashing .180/.192/.200 with no homers, three RBI, four runs scored, one walk, and 13 strikeouts in 14 games played. Before this contest, Arenado had just one extra-base hit. It was Arenado's 25th career two-home run game, and his first since the 2022 season. It was also the 11th time in Arenado's career in which he's had five RBI. Despite the strong game, the 34-year-old eight-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger winner has been in offensive decline the last several seasons, and he'll need to do more of this going forward to pique the interest of fantasy managers in mixed leagues that need corner-infield help.

7 hours ago

Brandon Lowe • 2B • Pirates

Brandon Lowe Stays Hot in Monday's Blowout Win Over Nationals

Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe stayed red-hot at the plate in Monday's 16-5 blowout victory over the visiting Washington Nationals at PNC Park. Lowe finished the game 3-for-5 at the plate with another home run, five RBI, and two runs scored out of the two-hole in the lineup. He had a three-run homer, his third in the last two days, and drove in five runs for the second consecutive game. It's safe to say that Lowe is locked in at the plate right now in his first year in the Steel City. After Monday's strong performance, the 31-year-old veteran infielder is hitting .278 (15-for-54) with six home runs and 14 RBI in 14 games played. This isn't unheard of from Lowe, as the two-time All-Star has two 30-homer seasons in his eight years in the big leagues (all with the Tampa Bay Rays). Lowe has been hit or miss in fantasy because of his inability to stay healthy consistently, but his power at the keystone is well-documented and is still going strong in Year 9. Stick with him in fantasy lineups while he's hot.

7 hours ago

Kyle Schwarber • DH • Phillies

Kyle Schwarber Goes Deep Twice on Monday in Win Over Cubs

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder/designated hitter Kyle Schwarber had the 37th mult-homer game of his career on Monday night in the team's 13-7 win over the Chicago Cubs. Schwarber finished the night 2-for-3 with two home runs, four runs scored, three RBI, and a walk. The 33-year-old veteran three-time All-Star came into Monday's game hitting .212, but he now has six home runs on the year, 12 RBI, and 12 runs scored in 55 at-bats over 16 games played. Schwarber not only has elite power from the left side of the plate, but he gets on base consistently while taking plenty of walks near the top of Philly's batting order on a daily basis. He has hit safely in eight of his 11 games so far in April. Schwarber is a beast in Philly and has at least 46 home runs in three of the last four seasons with the Phillies. He should be in starting fantasy lineups every day.

8 hours ago

Cole Henry • RP • Nationals

Nationals Place Cole Henry on 15-Day Injured List With Rotator-Cuff Strain

The Washington Nationals announced on Monday that they placed right-handed reliever Cole Henry (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list with a right rotator-cuff strain. Manager Blake Butera said that Henry's MRI exam didn't show anything "too serious," but it's unclear when the 26-year-old will throw again. The 26-year-old has gotten off to a tough start in 2026 in his second MLB season, allowing seven runs (five earned) on eight hits (one homer) while walking four and striking out eight in seven innings out of the bullpen. There is opportunity in Washington's bullpen this year, but Henry is not only not healthy, but he hasn't been pitching well enough to be trusted in high-leverage situations. Henry might never be a very reliable late-inning pitcher for fantasy purposes with shaky control and fly-ball tendencies.

8 hours ago

Richard Fitts • SP • Cardinals

Richard Fitts Goes on Minor-League Injured List

The St. Louis Cardinals announced on Monday that right-hander Richard Fitts (lat) was placed on the seven-day injured list at Triple-A Memphis with a right-lat strain. Fitts was acquired by the Cardinals in the offseason from the Boston Red Sox, but he has yet to appear at the big-league level in 2026. The 26-year-old was looking good early on at Memphis before his lat injury, going 2-0 with a 1.76 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with 11 strikeouts and six walks in 15 1/3 innings over three starts. It's a tough break for Fitts as he seeks to get back to the big leagues, and it's uncertain how long he'll be out. The former sixth-round pick of the New York Yankees in 2021 out of Auburn has a 3.97 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 49 strikeouts, and 23 walks in 15 outings (14 starts) in his first two major-league seasons with the Red Sox. Fitts currently isn't rostered in any Yahoo fantasy baseball leagues.

8 hours ago

Christian Encarnacion-Strand • 1B • Orioles

Orioles Acquire Christian Encarnacion-Strand From Reds

The Baltimore Orioles announced on Monday that they acquired infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for cash considerations and optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles will take a shot on the former fourth-rounder in 2021 out of Oklahoma State, with first baseman/designated hitter Ryan Mountcastle (foot) going on the 60-day injured list with a broken foot. The 26-year-old Encarnacion-Strand didn't even make Cincy's Opening Day roster and was recently designated for assignment by the Reds. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues can continue to ignore him, but he might be worth a flier in AL-only leagues now with hopes that a change of scenery can get him going. Encarnacion had 13 homers in 63 games in his rookie year in Cincy in 2023, but he combined for eight homers in the next two seasons before falling out of favor in the organization. He went 8-for-36 (.222) with five runs scored, two home runs, and eight RBI

8 hours ago

Cade Povich • SP • Orioles

Cade Povich Sent to Triple-A

The Baltimore Orioles announced on Monday that they optioned left-hander Cade Povich to Triple-A Norfolk. For now, right-hander Dean Kremer will take Povich's starting rotation spot in the big leagues. Kremer got off to a good start in his first start of 2026 on Monday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, walking none and striking out nine in five innings. With Zach Eflin (elbow) done for the entire season after having Tommy John surgery, Kremer could stick around as a starter for the O's if he continues to hold his own as he did on Monday night. Fantasy managers in DFS may want to consider him as a matchup-based cheap streamer in his next scheduled outing against the Cleveland Guardians. Povich, 26, should be back in Baltimore sooner than later, but for now, he's out of the team's starting rotation despite going 1-0 with a 2.19 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and 7:3 K:BB in 12 1/3 innings over two outings (one start).

8 hours ago

Dean Kremer • SP • Orioles

Dean Kremer Strikes Out Nine in Return to Big Leagues

The Baltimore Orioles recalled right-hander Dean Kremer from Triple-A Norfolk to start Monday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, and he was a mixed bag in his first start of the 2026 campaign. In the 9-7 win over the D-backs, Kremer allowed four runs (two earned) on six hits (three homers) while walking none and striking out nine in five innings of work. He did not factor into the decision and threw 55 of his 80 pitches for strikes. It was the fourth time in the 30-year-old's career that he struck out at least nine hitters in a game. He most likely earned another turn in Baltimore's starting rotation after the club optioned Cade Povich to Norfolk in the corresponding move to bring Kremer back to the big leagues. Right-hander Zach Eflin (elbow) is out for the rest of the regular season after having Tommy John surgery. Home runs have been an issue, and nights like Monday night have been rare for him in the strikeout department, which limits Kremer's overall fantasy upside.

8 hours ago

Jackson Holliday • 2B • Orioles

Jackson Holliday Not Expected to Come Off Injured List This Week

Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said that he doesn't expect second baseman Jackson Holliday (hand) to come off the 10-day injured list this week, according to Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner. Holliday was doing infield drills at Camden Yards on Monday. The 22-year-old youngster has yet to debut in 2026 after having surgery for a broken hamate bone in his right hand in spring training. The son of former big-leaguer Matt Holliday just isn't ready yet, and he's been hitting .167 with 12 strikeouts and three walks in 11 minor-league rehab games with Triple-A Norfolk. Fantasy managers need to continue to stash Holliday, but they'll have to be a bit more patient. The good news is that he can be activated off the IL at any time, so we could see him back in the big leagues by some point next week. Jeremiah Jackson has been Baltimore's primary second baseman with Holliday sidelined. The former first overall pick had 17 home runs and 17 stolen bases in 149 games in his first full season in the majors in 2025, so he clearly has 20-20 potential if he can put his hand injury in the rearview mirror quickly.

8 hours ago

Dillon Dingler • C • Tigers

Dillon Dingler Flashing High-End Upside Early in 2026

Across his first 53 plate appearances of 2026, Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler is hitting .250/.353/.477 with three home runs, 11 RBI, and eight runs scored. The 27-year-old emerged as the starting catcher in Detroit with a breakout season in 2025, hitting .278 with 13 home runs across 469 plate appearances. Dingler's underlying metrics are even stronger in a small sample size this season, as he's posted a 16.7% barrel rate and 52.8% hard-hit rate. Dingler has also cut his strikeout rate from 23.5% to 18.9%. If Dingler's current batting average on balls in play of .258 regresses closer to the .345 mark he posted in 2025, he could be on the verge of emerging as a high-end starting fantasy catcher. In leagues where he's not already rostered, Dingler profiles as a priority waiver wire target for fantasy managers.

9 hours ago

Mitch Keller • SP • Pirates

Mitch Keller a Prime Waiver-Wire Target Amidst Strong Start to 2026?

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller is off to a strong beginning to his 2026 season, posting a 1-0 record with a 1.00 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 11 strikeouts across 18 innings (three starts). The 30-year-old has yet to give up a home run this season, and opposing batters own just a 1.9% barrel rate against Keller. Keller has just one season with a strikeout rate above 21.5% since 2019, which limits his fantasy upside. He's also currently benefitting from an 88.2% strand rate, which is well above his career average of 71.2%. Still, Keller has pitched at least 175 innings in each of the last three seasons and works in one of the more pitcher-friendly parks in baseball in Pittsburgh. In leagues where he remains available, Keller could be a player for fantasy managers to target off the waiver wire while he is running hot.

9 hours ago

Eduardo Rodriguez • SP • Diamondbacks

Eduardo Rodriguez Could Be Poised for a Resurgent Season

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez has fallen on hard times in recent years, posting back-to-back seasons with an ERA north of 5.00 in 2024 and 2025. However, the 33-year-old has been excellent so far in 2026. Across 18 innings (three starts), Rodriguez is 1-0 with a 0.50 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 11 strikeouts. The veteran left-hander's line is made even more impressive by the competition he's shut down, as he's faced the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and New York Mets. Rodriguez has not posted a strikeout rate above 23% since 2021, so his fantasy upside remains somewhat limited. Still, Rodriguez is showing signs of bouncing back to his 2023 form, when he recorded 13 wins with a 3.30 ERA and 1.15 WHIP as a member of the Detroit Tigers. Fantasy managers in need of a capable innings-eater may want to target Rodriguez.

10 hours ago

Mauricio Dubón • 2B • Braves

Mauricio Dubon Off to a Hot Start in Atlanta, Worth Targeting on the Waiver Wire?

Atlanta Braves infielder Mauricio Dubon is off to a red-hot start to the 2026 season, hitting .339/.381/.542 with two home runs, 11 RBI, and 10 runs scored across his first 63 plate appearances. The 31-year-old has spent most of his career to this point in a super-utility role. However, with Braves shortstop Ha-Seong Kim (finger) currently on the injured list, Dubon has largely seen everyday playing time so far this year. Dubon currently owns a .391 batting average on balls in play, which is significantly higher than his career mark of .286. Still, he does currently own a career-best 8.3% barrel rate and could continue to rack up counting stats in a strong Braves' lineup. Even with some regression, Dubon could be a valuable depth piece for deep-league fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire while he is getting regular playing time in Atlanta.

10 hours ago

Alec Bohm • 3B • Phillies

Alec Bohm Fires Scott Boras

Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm has fired agent Scott Boras, per Charlotte Varnes and Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Bohm is currently embroiled in a civil court with his parents, whom Bohm alleges owe him as much as $3 million. Varnes and Gelb also report that Bohm's parents were the ones to lead him to sign with Boras. To replace Boras, Bohm has rehired his initial agent, Nick Chanock. The 29-year-old is off to a rough start in 2026, as he entered play on Monday hitting .148/.233/.222 with one home run, eight RBI, and four runs scored across 60 plate appearances. He will be a free agent at season's end, adding another mental battle to what appears to be a trying time for Bohm off the field. Fantasy managers may want to closely monitor Bohm as he attempts to work his way out of his current slump.

10 hours ago

Tommy Pham • LF • Mets

Mets Call Up Tommy Pham From Minors

The New York Mets recalled veteran outfielder Tommy Pham from Single-A St. Lucie on Monday, according to Will Sammon of The Athletic. The move comes with the Mets searching for some offense during their five-game losing streak. In a corresponding move, infielder Ronny Mauricio was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse. Pham will receive a $2.25 million base salary for reaching the majors. In 12 games for St. Lucie, Pham went 2-for-12 at the plate. He'll now provide the Mets with outfield depth in addition to rookie Carson Benge, Brett Baty, Jared Young, Tyrone Taylor, and Luis Robert Jr. With the Mets missing All-Star outfielder Juan Soto, they have a season-wide .658 OPS. The 38-year-old Pham is in his 13th year in the big leagues, so he certainly has experience, but he'll continue to have minimal fantasy appeal as a part-time corner outfielder, potentially in the short-term. In 120 games with the Pirates in 2025, Pham had a .245/.330/.370 slash line with a .700 OPS, 10 home runs, 52 RBI, 44 runs scored, and five steals in 449 plate appearances.

13 hours ago

Ryan Mountcastle • 1B • Orioles

Orioles Place Ryan Mountcastle on 60-Day Injured List With Foot Fracture

The Baltimore Orioles announced on Monday that they placed first baseman Ryan Mountcastle (foot) on the 60-day injured list with a left-foot fracture. In a corresponding move, the team selected the contract of infielder/outfielder Weston Wilson from Triple-A Norfolk. Mountcastle fractured the fourth metacarpal in his left foot in Saturday's game against the San Francisco Giants, and he now cannot return to the big leagues until late June. Fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if we don't see Mountcastle again in Baltimore until the second half of the season in mid-July. The 29-year-old isn't a must-hold in mixed leagues at this point. He was slated to see more playing time going forward with catcher Adley Rutschman (ankle) on the 10-day injured list, but now Mountcastle is out for an extended period of time. The former first-rounder in 2015 played in just 89 games last year due to injury, and he won't be guaranteed regular playing time later this year once he does return. Mountcastle had gone 4-for-14 at the plate (.286) with no homers or RBI in his first eight games in 2026.

13 hours ago

Brent Rooker • RF • Athletics

Still No Timetable for Brent Rooker's Return

Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker (oblique) is not doing baseball activities at this time, and there's still no timetable for his return, according to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. The A's placed Rooker on the 10-day injured list on Friday with a right-oblique strain that he suffered in Thursday's win over the New York Yankees. The 31-year-old almost certainly won't be ready to come back when he's eligible to be activated from the IL on April 20, since he hasn't even resumed baseball activities. Oblique injuries can take a month-plus to recover from, especially in the case of a violent swinger like Rooker. Carlos Cortes is receiving another start as the team's designated hitter in Monday's game at home against the division-rival Texas Rangers and right-hander Nathan Eovaldi. Rooker was hitting just .146 (6-for-41) at the time of his injury late last week, but he also had a couple of home runs and eight RBI, and the former first-rounder has had 30-plus homers in each of the last three seasons. Fantasy managers should not be cutting him.

13 hours ago

Angel Martínez • CF • Guardians

Angel Martinez Worth a Look in Deeper Leagues

Cleveland Guardians outfielder Angel Martinez got off to a miserable start at the plate, going 3-for-21 (.143) over his first nine games, however, he shook off the rust and went a sizzling 10-for-17 (.588) over the next four contests, with two doubles, a home run, six RBI, four runs scored, and three stolen bases. The Dominican hit 11 home runs for the Guardians in 2025, so there is a little pop in his bat, and an 88.3 percent contact rate is easily the best of his career so far since debuting in 2024. The switch-hitter has done nearly all of his damage from the left side of the plate, with a 234 wRC+ there compared to an 18 wRC+ from the right side, so make sure to check the handedness of the pitcher if considering for DFS. The 24-year-old could be a speculative waiver add in deeper leagues in hopes he'll continue the hot hitting, and there's pretty much nowhere to go but up from the right side of the plate. The youngster is available in over 70 percent of Yahoo! leagues and is eligible at both 2B and OF.

16 hours ago

Daulton Varsho • CF • Blue Jays

Daulton Varsho Collecting Extra-Base Hits During Four-Game Hit Streak

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho has begun to pick it up at the plate, collecting at least one hit in eight of the last 10 games he's started, and is currently riding a four-game hit streak during which time he's belted four extra-base hits, including two doubles and two home runs. The recent hot stretch has raised the left-handed hitter's season-long slash line to .250/.328/.442 with a .340 wOBA and 119 wRC+. The 29-year-old's low 12.1 percent strikeout rate is by far the best of his career, and an above-average 10.3 percent walk rate that is the best since his rookie season of 2020 shows a maturing approach. The 5-foot-8 slugger's .295 xBA even suggests he's been hitting better than what the results show. He's still available in over 60 percent of leagues for managers hoping he can go on a run similar to last season, when almost 60 percent of his hits went for extra bases.

17 hours ago

Jose Fernandez • SS • Diamondbacks

Jose Fernandez Riding Five-Game Hit Streak, but is He Rosterable?

Arizona Diamondbacks infield prospect Jose Fernandez broke onto the MLB scene on March 31, belting a pair of home runs and collecting four RBI in his major league debut. Fantasy managers who claimed him on waivers were disappointed with the subsequent 1-for-12 (.083) stretch over the next five games, but the Venezuelan appears to be getting comfortable at the plate again as of late. The D-backs' 27th-ranked prospect is now riding a five-game hit streak, during which time he's tallied three multi-hit efforts and gone 8-for-20 (.400). The 6-foot-3 slugger has a .333/.333/.528 slash line with two home runs, seven RBI, seven runs scored, and one stolen base with a .382 wOBA and 141 wRC+ through 11 games so far. Keep in mind that the 22-year-old played one game at Triple-A before getting the call to the majors, so there could be some growing pains, perhaps being foreshadowed by his 9:0 K:BB, but he's holding his own right now, and so long as he continues to hit in the middle of the order, the right-handed hitter is worthy of consideration on fantasy rosters. The youngster is widely available and is eligible at both 1B and SS in Yahoo! leagues, adding to his appeal.

17 hours ago

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