MLB News

Lucas Erceg • RP • Royals

Lucas Erceg Emerging as a Must-Add Off the Waiver Wire for Saves?

Kansas City Royals reliever Lucas Erceg has converted both save opportunities while posting a 1.13 WHIP and one strikeout across 2 2/3 scoreless innings in 2026. The Royals placed closer Carlos Estevez (foot) on the 15-day injured list with a foot contusion. Estevez had velocity concerns heading into the year and was lit up for six earned runs in only one appearance this season. With Estevez on the injured list, Erceg has locked down Kansas City's closer role and becomes a must-add off the waiver wire for fantasy managers searching for saves. The 30-year-old was terrific last season, owning a 2.64 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 48:18 K :BB with two saves and 23 holds over 61 1/3 innings for the Royals last season. Erceg is rostered in 51% of Yahoo Fantasy leagues and is currently third on RotoBaller's Week 2 waiver wire rankings.

11 hours ago

Colt Emerson • SS • Mariners

Colt Emerson Leaves Early After Fouling Ball Off Foot

Seattle Mariners top shortstop prospect Colt Emerson (foot) exited Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader at Triple-A Tacoma after fouling a ball off his right foot. He stayed in the game initially, but was replaced in the next half inning. Emerson will go under further evaluation to determine the extent of the injury and is considered day-to-day for now. The 20-year-old signed an eight-year, $95 million extension with the Mariners on Tuesday and is expected to be promoted to the big leagues soon. However, if he misses any significant time, the injury could delay his call-up to the show. Despite Emerson signing a long extension, J.P. Crawford will remain Seattle's starting shortstop for the time being. Fantasy managers should continue to stash Emerson due to his high upside and above-average power.

11 hours ago

Sal Frelick • RF • Brewers

Sal Frelick Exits Saturday's Game Early with Left Side Tightness

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick (side) exited Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals with left side tightness. He went 1-for-2 with a strikeout before exiting the fourth inning. The 25-year-old went 2-for-5 with a walk, a strikeout, and a run in both games of Saturday's doubleheader. He is considered day-to-day for now and will undergo further testing to determine the severity of his injury. Frelick is off to a slow start, slashing just .192/.344/.346 with a home run and two RBI across eight games. Brandon Lockridge replaced Frelick on Saturday and would see an increase in playing time with Frelick sidelined. Lockridge is a speculative add in deep leagues after hitting .400 (6-for-15) with a double over five games in 2026.

11 hours ago

Mookie Betts • SS • Dodgers

Mookie Betts Considered Day-to-Day, Heading for an MRI on Saturday

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (back) will undergo an MRI on his back on Saturday and is considered day-to-day for now. Betts exited Saturday's game early against the Washington Nationals in the first inning with lower back pain and will undergo further evaluation to determine the severity of the injury. The 33-year-old walked and scored a run before leaving Saturday's contest. "Betts felt his back tighten up while running the bases in the first inning," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. Roberts described Betts' injury as "more moderate than serious," but does not expect Betts to play the next couple of days. He is off to somewhat of a slow start this season, slashing .179/.281/.429 with two home runs, seven RBI, and seven runs over eight games. Miguel Rojas should see an increase in at-bats with Betts out and is worth using as a streamer in deep leagues for fantasy managers searching for an injury replacement.

12 hours ago

Juan Soto • RF • Mets

Juan Soto Day-to-Day With Minor Groin Strain, No Decision on IL Yet

New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (groin) had an MRI on Saturday, which revealed a minor groin strain. Soto is considered day-to-day, and no decision has been made yet on whether he will be placed on the injured list. "We're going to see how I wake up the next couple of days and take it from there," said Soto. The 27-year-old exited Friday's game against the San Francisco Giants early in the first inning with calf tightness. He was off to a hot start this season, slashing .355/.412/.516 with a home run, five RBI, and three runs over eight games. According to Mets manager Carlos Mendoza, Soto will be further evaluated on Tuesday when the Mets return to Citi Field; an IL decision is still on the table. Tyrone Taylor, Carson Benge, and Brett Baty should see an uptick in at-bats with Soto sidelined.

12 hours ago

Luis Gil • SP • Yankees

Luis Gil is Set to Return to Rotation on April 10

New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Gil is set to make his season debut on Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays. Gil will get the ball for the first time this season on April 10. He opened the season in the minors to get his arm stretched out. The 27-year-old has great strikeout potential, but continues to struggle with his command. The 27-year-old has enough upside to warrant streaming in deeper mixed leagues, but he's not a must-have player right now. Fantasy managers in need of pitching help might want to consider stashing him.

14 hours ago

Logan Henderson • SP • Brewers

Logan Henderson is Starting Second Game of Doubleheader

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Logan Henderson will draw the start during the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Kansas City Royals. Henderson was called up as the 27th player for this twin-billing. The 24-year-old posted promising numbers during his time with the Brewers last season. He registered a 1.78 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and a 33/8 K/BB ratio across five starts. Henderson recorded five strikeouts over three innings of work during his first appearance with Triple-A Nashville this season. He's not expected to pitch deep into this game with Brandon Sproat following him out of the bullpen. Henderson has good long-term upside, but isn't an ideal streaming option for Saturday's slate.

14 hours ago

Tyler Fitzgerald • 2B • Blue Jays

Tyler Fitzgerald Traded to Blue Jays

San Francisco Giants infielder Tyler Fitzgerald has been traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for cash considerations. Fitzgerald was recently designed for assignment by the Giants, but quickly found a new home in Toronto. The 28-year-old provides solid depth given his defensive versatility. Fitzgerald posted a breakout campaign in 2024 with a .280/.334/.497 slash line with 15 home runs and 17 stolen bases. He struggled to find any consistency with the bat last season, but is worthy of slashing in this low-risk move. He figures to play in Triple-A Buffalo until he's needed on the big league roster.

15 hours ago

Brendan Donovan • 2B • Mariners

Brendan Donovan is Held Out on Saturday

Seattle Mariners infielder Brendan Donovan (leg) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Angels. Donovan is being held out of this game after exiting Friday's contest due to leg discomfort. The Mariners haven't given a clear timetable on Donovan's return, but hopefully it'll be a short absence. While he's out, Luke Raley will take over in the leadoff spot, while Leo Rivas covers third base against right-hander Jack Kochanowicz on Saturday. Fantasy managers should check back ahead of first pitch on Sunday for another update on Donovan.

15 hours ago

Byron Buxton • CF • Twins

Byron Buxton Absent from Saturday's Lineup

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (forearm) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. This doesn't come as a shock after Buxton exited early during Friday's game after getting hit by a pitch on the forearm. The X-rays came back negative, but the Twins are going to play it safe with Buxton. Twins' manager Derek Shelton believes that Buxton will be back in the starting lineup within the next few days. On Saturday, James Outman will patrol center field and bat ninth versus left-hander Steven Matz. Fantasy managers will need to check back on Sunday for another update on Buxton.

15 hours ago

Garrett Mitchell • CF • Brewers

Garrett Mitchell Drives in Five in Win Over Royals

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Garrett Mitchell was the team's offense in a 5-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday, going 2-for-4 with a home run, five RBI, and two strikeouts. Mitchell had a two-run double in the first inning and a three-run homer in the third inning to drive in all of the team's runs. The former UCLA star is off to a fine start in 2026, going 6-for-18 (.333) with a home run, 10 RBI, and three stolen bases. The 27-year-old has always had tantalizing power/speed upside after Milwaukee took him with the 20th overall pick in 2020, but he has never been able to reach his true potential due to injuries. Mitchell made his MLB debut in 2022 but has never played in more than 69 games in his four seasons. If he can stay healthy in 2026, fantasy managers would be sitting pretty. In 146 regular-season games, Mitchell has hit .336/.431/.766 with 13 homers, 45 RBI, and 26 stolen bases in 461 plate appearances.

15 hours ago

Mookie Betts • SS • Dodgers

Mookie Betts Leaves Early With Back Injury

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (back) left Saturday's game early against the Washington Nationals in the first inning with right lower-back pain, according to the team. Betts walked and scored in the first inning before being replaced on defense in the bottom of the first inning in D.C. It's unclear how serious of an injury this is for Betts, so until we have further details, fantasy managers should consider him to be day-to-day. Expect the Dodgers to send Betts in for tests on his back. Veteran Miguel Rojas took over for Betts on Saturday at shortstop and would likely see most of the starts at the position for the Blue going forward if it's an injury that keeps Betts out for an extended period of time. The 33-year-old eight-time All-Star and former MVP was off to a slow start offensively going into Saturday's game, hitting .179 (5-for-28) with two home runs and seven RBI in the first seven games of the 2026 season. Hopefully, this is nothing serious for Betts, but even if it's minor, fantasy managers should probably expect him to sit out Sunday's series finale against the Nats.

15 hours ago

Konnor Griffin • SS • Pirates

Konnor Griffin Hitting Sixth in Second MLB Game

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop prospect Konnor Griffin is starting at the 6 and will hit sixth in his second major-league game on Saturday against the visiting Baltimore Orioles and right-hander Shane Baz, according to MLB.com. In his MLB debut in Pittsburgh's 5-4 win over Baltimore on Friday, Griffin was batting out of the seventh spot in the lineup, and he went 1-for-3 with a double, RBI, run scored, walk, and a strikeout. The 19-year-old phenom will be bumped up one spot in the batting order in his second career game, and he could quickly be moved to the top third of the order if he plays well in the early going in 2026. The former ninth overall pick in 2024 didn't look like a first-year pro in 2025 in three minor-league stops, hitting a combined .333/.415/.527 with a .941 OPS, 21 home runs, 94 RBI, 117 runs scored, and 65 stolen bases in 122 games played. Griffin can do it all for fantasy managers and needs to be rostered in all formats now that he's in the big leagues to stay.

18 hours ago

Nick Kurtz • 1B • Athletics

Nick Kurtz Back in Leadoff Spot on Saturday

Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz is back in the leadoff spot on Saturday against the visiting Houston Astros and right-hander Tatsuya Imai, according to MLB.com. It's the fifth time in the team's first seven games that Kurtz has hit leadoff. It's a curious lineup positioning for the left-handed slugger, who is an elite source of power for fantasy managers in his first full major-league season. It will also be interesting to see how long manager Mark Kotsay sticks with Kurtz in the top spot in the batting order if he continues to struggle at the plate early on in 2026. Through his first six games, Kurtz has gone 1-for-21 (.048) with no homers, no RBI, three runs scored, five walks, and 13 strikeouts in 26 plate appearances. Fantasy managers shouldn't be too concerned about Kurtz's slow start just yet. The former Wake Forest star was the American League Rookie of the Year in 2025, when he slashed an impressive .290/.383/.619 with a 1.002 OPS, 36 home runs, and 86 RBI in just 117 games played for the A's.

18 hours ago

Jackson Merrill • CF • Padres

Jackson Merrill Not in the Lineup on Saturday

San Diego Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Boston Red Sox. Switch-hitter Bryce Johnson will start in his place, batting ninth and playing center field. It's been an ugly start to the year for Merrill, who is slashing just .185/241/333 with one home run, a 20.7% strikeout rate, and 68 wRC+ through seven games. Merrill had a quiet season by his standards last year, but now, he'd be thrilled to return to his 2025 form. The Padres will hope that Saturday's day off gives Merrill a chance to rest and reset. After all, it's a long season, and Merrill still has plenty of time to bounce back after a slow start. He ranks #18 among outfielders in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings for 2026.

19 hours ago

Teoscar Hernández • RF • Dodgers

Teoscar Hernandez Gets His First Day Off Saturday

Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Teoscar Hernandez is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Washington Nationals. Alex Call will start in his place, batting ninth and playing left field. Hernandez had started the Dodgers' previous seven games, so this is his first day off this season. The veteran outfielder has continued to find success putting the ball in play, slashing .320/.320/.360 with two RBI so far. With that being said, he's still searching for his first home run of the year, and he owns a dismal 0% walk rate and 36% strikeout rate (albeit over a small sample size). As a result, he has produced 94 wRC+, which is his first below-league-average mark since his rookie campaign in 2016. It's a long season, and Hernandez will have plenty of opportunities to tap into some more power after he takes Saturday to rest.

19 hours ago

Jackson Chourio • CF • Brewers

Jackson Chourio Has Started Running and Throwing

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio (hand) has been running and throwing as part of his rehab program, and he has also been standing in and watching pitches on the Trajekt machine, manager Pat Murphy told Todd Rosiak of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Additionally, Murphy noted that Chourio will be re-evaluated on Friday, when he undergoes his next scan. The young outfielder has been sidelined since Opening Day, when he was scratched hours before first pitch and placed on the 10-day injured list. He's a key piece of the Brewers' short-term and long-term plans for success, and he's looking to build off an impressive 2025 campaign in which he slashed .270/.308/.463 with 21 home runs, 21 steals, and 111 wRC+. The Brewers have opted to play Brandon Lockridge in left field during Chourio's absence, allowing them to keep Christian Yelich in the designated hitter spot.

19 hours ago

Kutter Crawford • SP • Red Sox

Kutter Crawford Scheduled to Face Hitters Early Next Week

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Kutter Crawford (wrist) will face live hitters in a simulated game at Fenway Park next week, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. Following the sim game, Crawford will be sent to one of the Red Sox' minor league affiliates to begin his rehab assignment. The veteran right-hander missed all of last season with a knee injury, and he's now working his way back from offseason wrist surgery. He last pitched in 2024, making 33 starts with a 3.85 xERA, 8.58 K/9, and 2.50 BB/9. Crawford is still at least a couple of weeks away from returning to the majors, but it will be interesting to see his role when he does return. The Red Sox have a filled-out rotation at the moment. Garrett Crochet, Ranger Suarez, and Sonny Gray are locks to stay in the rotation. Connelly Early has pitched well enough to remain a starter, and it's unclear if Boston would be willing to bump Brayan Bello out of the rotation this early in the year.

20 hours ago

Triston Casas • 1B • Red Sox

Triston Casas to Start Swinging Progression on Monday

Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas (knee, ribs) will start a hitting progression again on Monday, manager Alex Cora told Ari Alexander of WHDH. Casas had been swinging a bat at the end of March, but he suffered a setback this past week and had to temporarily pause his rehab. The setback was actually a new rib injury, and was fortunately not related to the left patellar tendon rupture he suffered last May. The new injury will nevertheless delay his return to the majors, but the fact that he's going to restart his hitting progression in the next few days is a good sign. Casas is looking to bounce back after posting a subpar .182/.277/.303 slash line with a 24.1% strikeout rate and 56 wRC+ through 29 games early last season. Willson Contreras remains the Red Sox' everyday first baseman for now, with Andruw Monasterio presumably available to play the position in an emergency.

20 hours ago

Justin Verlander • SP • Tigers

Justin Verlander Placed on the 15-Day Injured List

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (hip) has been placed on the 15-day injured list with left-hip inflammation. The move is retroactive to April 1, meaning Verlander will be eligible to return as soon as April 16. The 22-year MLB veteran has made just one start this season, allowing five runs, two walks, and one strikeout through 3.1 innings of work. Despite being 43 years old, injuries haven't become an overly common theme for Verlander yet, as he made 29 starts last year. Tigers fans will hope that he returns after the minimum 15 days to offer Detroit an effective No. 4 starter. Keider Montero has been recalled from Triple-A and will presumably make at least a couple of starts in Verlander's absence.

20 hours ago

MLB News

LEGEND