MLB News

Ramón Laureano • RF • Padres

Ramon Laureano to Stick in Leadoff Spot for Padres

San Diego Padres outfielder Ramon Laureano is the team's leadoff man "until further notice," manager Craig Stammen told AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. The skipper cited Laureano's quality of at-bats wherever he's hit in the lineup so far this season, whether it's first or "seventh, eighth, whatever, when I was dumb, putting him lower in the lineup." Laureano's fantasy baseball will be at its highest if he can stay in the leadoff spot for the Friars all season. The 31-year-old veteran Dominican outfielder has earned it, hitting .290/.355/.551 with a .906 OPS, four home runs, 13 RBI, 12 runs scored, and three stolen bases so far in the 2026 campaign in his 69 at-bats. Not only does Laureano bring quality at-bats to the leadoff spot in SD, but he's a gritty player who also has been spectacular with his glove in left field for SD. He's currently riding a six-game hitting streak in which he's gone 9-for-23 (.391) with two homers, two doubles, a triple, seven RBI, and seven runs scored.

5 hours ago

Kyle Teel • C • White Sox

Kyle Teel to Start Rehab Assignment on Monday

Chicago White Sox catcher Kyle Teel (hamstring) will be with the team in Sacramento for their series against the Athletics and will then report to Triple-A Charlotte to start a minor-league rehab assignment on Monday, per MLB.com. Teel's last recovery component will be running at 100% after he was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right-hamstring strain. Barring a setback on his rehab assignment, Teel should be back with the Pale Hose in early May. Teel has yet to make his 2026 debut because of his hamstring injury, but when he does, he should see the majority of playing time behind the dish in Chicago. Until then, Edgar Quero and Reese McGuire will continue to split the catching duties for the White Sox. Teel was a 14th overall pick by the Boston Red Sox in 2023 out of Virginia, and he hit .273/.375/.411 with a .786 OPS, eight homers, 35 RBI, 38 runs, and three stolen bases in 78 games in his rookie campaign in 2025.

5 hours ago

Jackson Holliday • 2B • Orioles

Jackson Holliday to Resume Rehab Assignment This Weekend

Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday's (hand, wrist) father, Matt, said on Foul Territory on Friday that his son is fine after he experienced inflammation on the other side of his right wrist recently. Holliday will resume his minor-league rehab assignment at Double-A Bowie this weekend and then potentially join Triple-A Norfolk next Tuesday/Wednesday before being re-evaluated. The 22-year-old former first overall pick in 2022 had surgery for a broken right hamate bone in his hand back in spring training, which forced him to open the year on the 10-day injured list. He was pulled off his rehab assignment earlier this week due to soreness in the same wrist, but it turns out it's nothing serious. Holliday should rejoin Baltimore's big-league roster for his 2026 season debut sooner rather than later, and he needs to be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues until then as the O's starting second baseman when he's healthy. Jeremiah Jackson, who has been swinging the bat well, should continue to work as the primary second baseman until Holliday returns.

5 hours ago

Trey Yesavage • SP • Blue Jays

Trey Yesavage Could Return to Jays Next Week

Toronto Blue Jays right-handed pitching prospect Trey Yesavage (shoulder) could return from the 15-day injured list next week after throwing 4 1/3 innings during a minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. Yesavage got up to 71 pitches this week in his third rehab start while he continues to recover from a right-shoulder impingement. Although his fastball velocity was slightly down at 93.3 mph on Wednesday and his fastball command was spotty, at times, manager John Schneider said it was everything the team expected out of Yesavage. He could throw 85 to 90 pitches in his next rehab start, which would put him on track to rejoin the big-league club in Anaheim next week. However, with veteran lefty Patrick Corbin pitching well, Toronto could delay Yesavage's return for another week. Yesavage will return to a rotation role, but don't be surprised if the Jays ease the young pitching prospect back into the fold. He should be rostered in all fantasy formats for his high-end strikeout upside.

5 hours ago

José Berríos • SP • Blue Jays

Jose Berrios Hit Hard in First Rehab Game

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Jose Berrios (elbow), who is attempting to pitch through a minor stress fracture in his right elbow, was hit hard in his first minor-league rehab start on Thursday at Single-A Dunedin. Berrios allowed five runs on five hits while walking one and striking out three in 2 2/3 innings. He's a bit more stretched out than other pitchers when they make their first rehab start, and he was able to get up to 47 total pitches in the outing. The results weren't pretty, but Berrios averaged 94.2 mph with his fastball, which was up 1.2 mph from last year. His injury sounds serious, but he's been cleared by doctors to pitch through it, and he hasn't reported any symptoms. Right-handed pitching prospect Trey Yesavage (shoulder) will likely return from the 15-day injured list (possibly next week) before Berrios does. Berrios could return to the big leagues in the coming weeks, depending on whether he needs one, two, or three rehab appearances. When he does return, the 31-year-old Puerto Rican veteran could become a long man out of the bullpen, at least initially.

5 hours ago

Spencer Strider • SP • Braves

Spencer Strider Goes 3 1/3 Scoreless Innings in Thursday's Rehab Start

Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider (oblique) made his first minor-league rehab start on Thursday with High-A Rome and gave up just one hit while walking two and striking out three in 3 1/3 shutout innings. Strider looked good, retiring the first eight batters he faced while getting up to 50 total pitches. He began the 2026 regular season on the 15-day injured list with an oblique strain that he suffered in spring training in mid-March, but he's getting closer to making his season debut in the big leagues. Strider is expected to need at least two more rehab outings before the Braves feel comfortable throwing him back into their starting rotation. Barring a setback, the 27-year-old could be back in the big leagues in early May. Until then, veteran left-hander Martin Perez could make a few more starts for Atlanta. Strider won a league-high 20 games and also led the league with 281 strikeouts in 186 2/3 innings in 2023, but he pitched in just two games in 2024 before having right-elbow surgery, and he didn't look the same in 23 starts last year. Still, Strider is worth stashing in hopes that he can rediscover his pre-surgery form in 2026.

5 hours ago

Martín Pérez • SP • Braves

Martin Perez Called Up to Start on Friday for Braves

The Atlanta Braves selected the contract of veteran left-hander Martin Perez to the major-league roster on Friday, and he will make the start in the series opener against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Perez recently elected free agency after he cleared waivers, but the veteran southpaw re-signed with the Braves and will now make his third start of the 2026 season. The 35-year-old Venezuelan hurler has only six strikeouts in his 14 1/3 innings pitched for the Braves in his three appearances (two starts), but he's allowed only five earned runs on nine hits while walking four. We wouldn't recommend the soft-tossing veteran lefty as a fantasy streamer for Friday night's difficult matchup on the road against the Phils, but Perez could make a couple more starts for Atlanta until Spencer Strider (oblique) is ready to make his season debut later this month or in early May.

6 hours ago

Spencer Jones • CF • Yankees

Spencer Jones Continues to Swing Hot Bat at Triple-A

New York Yankees outfield prospect Spencer Jones has continued to produce at Triple-A and remains in contention to earn a call to the major leagues. Jones has gone 8-for-25 over his last seven games while carrying a .320/.379/.520 slash line. During this stretch, Jones has tallied two doubles, one home run, and added 10 RBI. However, his strikeout rate remains a major weakness, as it has sat at a high 31.0% during this stretch. Overall, through 16 games with Triple-A this season, the former 25th overall selection has posted a .254/.357/.492 line with five doubles and three long balls. Over his first taste of Triple-A action last summer, Jones went deep 19 times over a short 67-game stint. While his strikeout rate remains a major weakness, his raw power is borderline elite. Fantasy managers should monitor his progression as he could enter stash territory if he continues this pace.

6 hours ago

Eli Willits • SS • Nationals

Eli Willits Showcasing Power Upside in Lower Levels

Washington Nationals top infield prospect Eli Willits has begun to tap into his power upside at Low-A Fredericksburg. The former No. 1 overall selection from last summer's draft has tallied a round-tripper in each of his last two games. These marked his first two long balls of the campaign and snapped a 10-game power drought to open the season. Since going 4-for-27 to open the regular season, Willits has begun to find his footing. Over his last five contests, Willits has gone 5-for-22 while swiping two bags and adding three extra-base hits. After joining the Nationals last summer, he was sent to Low-A for a short 15-game stint where he posted an elite .300/.397/.360 line. If Willits can return to this form, he should earn a promotion to High-A later this summer.

6 hours ago

Luis Pena • SS • Brewers

Luis Pena Flashing Elite Upside at High-A

Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Luis Pena is enjoying an outstanding start with High-A Wisconsin. After going hitless in his season debut on April 4, Pena has logged at least one hit in each of his last seven games. During this stretch, Pena has gone 12-for-25, tallying one double and one triple. He has swiped four bags and only struck out five times (with four walks). The No. 2-ranked prospect in the system per MLB.com spent most of the 2025 season with Low-A Carolina before moving up to High-A in the second half. However, during his first taste of High-A, Pena struggled, posting a low .168/.220/.297 line over a 25-game stint. Seeing the 19-year-old quickly adjust to this level is very promising for his long-term outlook. Managers should expect Pena to remain at High-A for most of the season and potentially move up to Double-A after the All-Star break.

6 hours ago

Gage Jump • SP • Athletics

Gage Jump Enjoying Hot Start with Triple-A

Athletics left-handed pitching prospect Gage Jump is enjoying an impressive start to the Triple-A regular season. Through his first three outings (10 1/3 innings), Jump has struck out 16 hitters while holding a 2.61 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. In his most recent outing on April 15, Jump racked up a season-high eight punchouts over a short 4 1/3 inning stint. While the Athletics have slowly increased Jump's workload in the early going, he will need to continue this trajectory to compete for an eventual MLB promotion. During the 2025 campaign, the former 73rd overall selection spent most of his time with Double-A, where he held his own, posting a 3.64 ERA, 1.20 WIHP, and an 86:29 K:BB over 81 2/3 innings. Given that the Athletics lack much depth in their rotation, Jump should be in the mix to debut later in the second half.

6 hours ago

Elmer Rodríguez • SP • Yankees

Elmer Rodriguez Staying Sharp at Triple-A, Punches Out Six in Latest Outing

New York Yankees right-handed pitching prospect Elmer Rodriguez turned in another strong showing at Triple-A and is quickly making the case to join the MLB roster in the coming weeks. On Thursday, Rodriguez faced the Syracuse Mets and tossed 5 2/3 shutout innings with six punchouts and two walks. He allowed only two hits. Over his first two games of the campaign, Rodriguez logged 10 innings (five innings in each game), while allowing three runs (two earned) with a 7:4 K:BB. Rodriguez was in the mix to break camp with the MLB roster, given their numerous pitching injuries, but was instead optioned to Triple-A. Last summer, Rodriguez spent most of the time with High-A and Double-A, logging 145 innings to the tune of a strong 2.36 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. Given his steady progress at Triple-A, Rodriguez could emerge as a viable stash candidate later in the first half.

6 hours ago

Travis Bazzana • 2B • Guardians

Travis Bazzana Heating Up at Triple-A, Approaching MLB Debut?

Cleveland Guardians infield prospect Travis Bazzana is heating up at Triple-A Columbus and is quickly making the case to reach the major leagues. On Thursday, the former No. 1 overall pick tallied three hits with two of them being doubles. Bazzana is now riding a six-game hitting streak and has carried an impressive .358/.536/.708 slash line during this stretch. Prior to this surge, the former Oregon State standout went 6-for-29 over his first six games of the regular season. During the 2025 season, Bazzana spent most of his time with Double-A, where he carried a .225/.420/.438 line with a solid .858 OPS. Given his steady progression at the top level of the minors, Bazzana is quickly entering the stash territory among hitting prospects.

6 hours ago

Everson Pereira • CF • White Sox

Everson Pereira Extends Power Surge on Thursday

Chicago White Sox outfielder Everson Pereira blasted his third home run of the season on Thursday in the White Sox's 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. He finished the game going 2-for-3 with a walk, an RBI, and a run scored as part of his home run. Pereira has not gotten a ton of playing time thus far this season, with only 25 plate appearances through 19 games, but he has made the most of his opportunities, slashing .304/.360/.739 with five RBI and five runs scored. With a small sample size thus far in 2026, his underlying metrics support the small breakout, as evidenced by his .297 xBA, .444 xwOBA, and 93.4 mph average exit velocity. If Pereira continues to take advantage of his opportunities, he could earn more and more playing time as the season continues. The 25-year-old does not have much of a track record at the big leagues to go off of, so fantasy managers should not be chomping at the bit to pick him up just yet, but perhaps someone to keep their eye on moving forward.

6 hours ago

Seranthony Domínguez • RP • White Sox

Seranthony Dominguez Falling Out of Closer Job?

Chicago White Sox closer Seranthony Dominguez took the loss on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays and got tagged with his second blown save of the season. Dom nguez has now converted three of his five save opportunities. In Thursday's outing, Dom nguez entered the contest with a 3-2 lead, allowing three earned runs on two hits and one walk in 1/3 of an inning pitched. Dom nguez's other blown save came earlier in the season against Milwaukee and was also a blow-up type of outing, where he allowed two earned runs on one walk and two hits. He now has a 7.50 ERA and 1.83 WHIP through seven appearances. All five of his earned runs allowed came in the two blown save opportunities. The White Sox do not have much competition for bullpen arms to dethrone Dom nguez as closer just yet; however, he is running on thin ice and could be in jeopardy of losing the role if he doesn't provide more consistency moving forward. Fantasy managers who drafted Dom nguez as their back-end closer may want to begin to think of potential contingency plans on the off chance the White Sox do decide to try someone else out.

7 hours ago

Vinnie Pasquantino • 1B • Royals

Vinnie Pasquantino Snaps Lengthy Skid with Home Run, Cause for Optimism?

Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino crushed his first home run of the season on Thursday against the Detroit Tigers. It came in his fifth at-bat of the contest off Connor Seabold and had an exit velocity of 108.0 mph and traveled 412 feet. It was his first hit of the game and first home run of the season for Pasquantino, and he finished Thursday's contest going 1-for-5. Pasquantino has struggled at the plate thus far, slashing .155/.244/.239 with nine RBI and five runs scored. The Royals' offense overall has yet to show up this season, but perhaps their nine-run outburst from Thursday will get them going. Fantasy managers who drafted Pasquantino have every right to be disappointed with his performance thus far; however, Pasquantino is a career .261/.327/.447 hitter and is coming off a career high last season with 32 home runs and 113 RBI. There is very likely positive regression coming his way. While the underlying metrics so far this season do not fully support that positive regression, his track record over the past five years certainly does. Fantasy managers should be optimistic about his home run on Thursday and the potential breakout on the horizon.

7 hours ago

Mason Miller • RP • Padres

Mason Miller Strikes Out the Side to Earn Sixth Save

San Diego Padres right-hander Mason Miller struck out the side Thursday night against the Seattle Mariners to earn his league-leading sixth save of the season. Miller has been nothing short of dominant thus far in 2026, converting on all six of his save opportunities, having not allowed a run, and striking out batters at a ridiculous 74.1 percent clip (23 strikeouts in 9 1/3 innings pitched) in 9 innings pitched. In addition, he's also not allowing many baserunners, as evidenced by his 0.21 WHIP. He has walked one batter and allowed one hit in nine appearances. Fantasy managers who roster him are fortunate enough to set and forget with Miller, as he has been cementing himself as the top closer in baseball, if he hasn't already.

7 hours ago

Bryan Baker • RP • Rays

Bryan Baker Tallies Fourth Save, Emerging as Closer to Roster in Tampa Bay?

Tampa Bay Rays' right-hander Bryan Baker picked up his fourth save of the season on Wednesday against the Chicago White Sox, allowing no hits, one walk, and one inning pitched. The four saves for Baker are a career high, and through eight appearances on the season, he owns a solid 3.68 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and seven strikeouts in seven innings pitched. Baker does not have a ton of experience closing out games, with his previous career high being three saves in 2025, but so far this season, he has five save opportunities compared to Griffin Jax's two. Kevin Kelly also has two save chances, and Mason Englert has one. While Baker may not be deployed as the Rays' full-time closer, he appears to be the most likely reliever to pitch the ninth inning for the foreseeable future, making him a strong add off the waiver wire heading into Week 5 for fantasy managers looking to bolster their saves category.

7 hours ago

Chris Sale • SP • Braves

Chris Sale Off to Strong Start in 2026

Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale is off to a strong start in 2026 in his 16th year in the big leagues and his third in Atlanta, going 3-1 with a 3.27 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 22:6 K:BB in 22 innings pitched over his four starts. Sale bounced back nicely in his last appearance on Sunday against the Cleveland Guardians by allowing just one earned run with a walk and six strikeouts in six innings pitched. On April 6 against the Los Angeles Angels, Sale surrendered six earned runs on five hits (two homers) while walking two and striking out seven in only four innings. The 37-year-old nine-time All-Star and former American League Cy Young winner is still a strong fantasy starter, even though he's 37 years old, but durability is a major concern. Sale has made 20 starts in a season just once since 2017. He'll have a difficult upcoming matchup on Saturday against the Phillies, but Sale remains a must-start in fantasy when he's healthy.

16 hours ago

Aaron Judge • RF • Yankees

Aaron Judge Launches Eighth Home Run on Thursday

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge went 1-for-4 with his major-league-leading eighth home run of the season and a strikeout in the team's 11-4 loss to the visiting Los Angeles Angels on Thursday in the Bronx. Judge and Angels star outfielder Mike Trout put on an impressive display of back-and-forth power in the four-game series at Yankee Stadium this week. The 33-year-old three-time MVP hit a pair of home runs in Monday's victory over the Halos and then added his eighth dinger of the year in the series finale. Judge wasn't exactly firing on all cylinders at the start of the 2026 season, but he's beginning to heat up and is now hitting .236 with a .918 OPS through 19 games played. The seven-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger winner also has 14 RBI, three stolen bases, and 16 runs scored for the Yankees. Fantasy managers will be hoping that Judge can continue his elite power display going into this weekend's series against the visiting Kansas City Royals. Judge is always a must-start in fantasy leagues.

16 hours ago

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