MLB News

George Lombard Jr. • SS • Yankees

George Lombard Jr. Flashing Elite Upside in Minor Leagues, Emerging as Deep-League Stash?

New York Yankees shortstop prospect George Lombard Jr. is looking quite comfortable at the Double-A level and is making a strong case to make his MBL debut later this season. The team's No. 1-ranked prospect, according to MLB.com (and No. 32 overall), has held a .476/.522/.952 line over his first five games with Double-A this season. Lombard has gone deep twice, stolen a base, and carried a 2:2 K:BB. In 2025, Lombard spent 108 games with Double-A Somerset but struggled to find consistent production, as he carried a much lower .215/.337/.358 line. If Lombard can continue this trajectory, the Yankees may opt to move him to Triple-A much sooner than expected. On the MLB roster, the Yankees have had minimal offensive production from their shortstops as Jose Caballero has held a .135 AVG while Ryan McMahon carries an even lower .069 AVG. While Anthony Volpe (shoulder) could return soon, Lombard's current production makes him an intriguing option later in the season. For now, Lombard remains a top name to monitor as an early promotion to Triple-A can push him into high-end stash territory.

5 hours ago

Thomas White • SP • Marlins

Thomas White Showcasing High-End Strikeout Upside in Rehab Assignment

Miami Marlins left-handed pitching prospect Thomas White (oblique) has made two rehab appearances with Low-A Jupiter while working his way back from an oblique injury he suffered during camp. In his first outing, the team's top pitching prospect struck out four hitters over 2 1/3 innings. On Thursday, he made his second appearance, striking out six hitters over 3 2/3 innings of one-run ball. However, his command was shaky in this short start, as he walked five batters. Given that he has not faced any setbacks, White should be in the mix to return to Triple-A Jacksonville in the near future, which will put him one step closer to the major leagues. In 2025, White spent most of his time at High-A and Double-A, logging 80 1/3 innings to the tune of a 2.13 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and a 128:41 K:BB. He then earned a short taste of Triple-A shortly after. Even though fellow Triple-A teammate Robby Snelling is likely to earn the call before White, he possesses far more strikeout upside and could become a major impact player for fantasy once he earns the call.

5 hours ago

River Ryan • SP • Dodgers

River Ryan Seeing Value Increase as Stash Option

Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed pitcher River Ryan is emerging as a sneaky stash candidate for fantasy baseball. Ryan fell short of the Opening Day rotation, but could be in the mix to return to the majors much sooner than expected. He made his MLB debut back in 2024 and was quite sharp, logging 20 1/3 innings ot the tune of a 1.33 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. However, he underwent Tommy John surgery in August of 2024, which has kept him on the shelf ever since. While he was a full participant in spring training, the Dodgers opted to keep him in the minor leagues to continue to increase his workload. He has made one start with Triple-A Oklahoma City this season and struck out six hitters over four frames. While their starting rotation appears to be full at the moment, both Emmet Sheehan and Roki Sasaki have struggled in the early going. If Ryan continues to impress in the minor leagues, he could see occasional spot starts and push either Sheehan or Sasaki back into a bullpen role.

5 hours ago

Kaelen Culpepper • 3B • Twins

Kaelen Culpepper an Emerging Name in Minnesota System, Gaining Value as Stash Candidate

Minnesota Twins infield prospect Kaelen Culpepper has enjoyed an impressive start to his time at the Triple-A level and is quickly climbing up the stash rankings. Through his first 11 contests at the top level of the Minnesota system, Culpepper has posted a .283/.365/.500 slash line with one double, three home runs, and a stolen base. Last summer, the former 21st overall selection split time between High-A and Double-A and is now quickly approaching the major leagues. At High-A, Culpepper posted a .293/.385/.479 line with nine long balls. At Double-A, he continued to produce, carrying a .285/.367/.460 line with 11 long balls over a 59-game stint. Currently, Minnesota's starting shortstop Brooks Lee carries a modest .194 AVG with a .436 OPS over his first 11 games, which could provide Culpepper an MLB role much sooner than expected. He is a solid stash option in deeper 12+ team formats.

5 hours ago

Julio Rodríguez • CF • Mariners

Julio Rodriguez Slow Start to the Season - Should Fantasy Managers be Concerned?

Seattle Mariners superstar outfielder Julio Rodriguez is off to a slow start to the season, slashing .143/.250/.143 with zero home runs, zero stolen bases, four runs scored, and two RBI. The Mariners' offense as a whole has been struggling; they rank last in MLB in batting average (.184) and runs per game (3.1), and fourth-worst in strikeout rate (27.6 percent). Rodriguez is notorious for being a second-half player; every year he has been in the Majors (since 2022), his second-half numbers have been better than his first half. Last year, for example, he slashed .252/.313/.417 in the first half and .290/.341/.560 in the second half. In 2024, the same story, .267/.318/.372 in the first half and .285/.336/.482 in the second half. Rodriguez is a superstar in this league and has shown it time and time again, so fantasy managers, although they have every right to be frustrated thus far, should not be throwing in the towel or looking to sell low on him after a slow start to the season.

5 hours ago

Jett Williams • SS • Brewers

Jett Williams Remains Strong Stash Option Despite Slow Start at Triple-A

Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Jett Williams remains a worthy stash candidate in deeper formats despite falling short of the Opening Day roster and getting off to a slow start at Triple-A. Williams was traded to the Brewers in the offseason and was given a legitimate opportunity to break camp as a starting infielder. However, the Brewers opted to give Joey Ortiz the starting shortstop job while Luis Rengifo and David Hamilton share the hot corner. Instead, Williams was optioned to the Triple-A level, where he has spent the opening weeks. Through 10 games in Nashville, the former first-round selection has held a modest .184/.326/.184 line with seven hits (all singles) and four stolen bases. While Williams was highly effective at Double-A last season, he struggled with Triple-A Syracuse as well, holding a .718 OPS. If Williams can take the next step against the top pitching in the minor leagues, he should be in the mix to carve out a role on the MLB roster, given that Ortiz has held a .528 OPS while Hamilton holds a .746 OPS.

5 hours ago

Joshua Báez • RF • Cardinals

Joshua Baez Remains Priority Stash Target Among Outfield Prospects

St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect Joshua Baez remains a top stash option in the early part of the fantasy baseball season. Baez nearly made the Opening Day roster out of spring training after he launched three home runs over a 10-game stint with a .333/.417/1.179 slash line. However, even with Lars Nootbaar (heel) on the shelf, the Cardinals opted to keep Baez in the minor leagues to continue his development. He was sent to Triple-A to make his Memphis debut to begin the new season. Through his first nine games at the top level, Baez has held a .222/.317/.306 line with three doubles and three stolen bases. While he has yet to go deep in the young season, Baez flashed high-end power and speed upside in 2025. Over 117 shared between High-A and Double-A last summer, Baez hit 20 home runs and stole 54 bases while holding a .287 AVG. Given that St. Louis lacks much depth in their current outfield, Baez remains a top stash option in all 12+ team leagues.

5 hours ago

Randy Vásquez • SP • Padres

Randy Vasquez Sharp Again in No-Decision on Thursday, Emerging as Must-Start Pitcher?

San Diego Padres right-hander Randy Vasquez continues to be lights out to start the 2026 MLB season, as he pitched another gem against the Rockies on Thursday night, going 5 2/3 innings, allowing one earned run, seven hits, while striking out eight Rockies in his no-decision effort. On the season, he has now completed three starts (1-0) and pitched to the tune of a 1.02 ERA and 1.08 WHIP, with 19 strikeouts, and only four walks in 17 2/3 innings pitched (three games started). While there are some signs of regression under the hood (3.59 xERA), Vasquez is showing great improvement over his previous seasons and is becoming a must-add in all formats as he continues this hot stretch. Additionally, his next outing is against the Seattle Mariners, who rank last in MLB in batting average (.184), runs per game (3.1), and strikeout rate (27.6 percent), the fourth-worst in the league, making him a strong stream and add for next week.

5 hours ago

Didier Fuentes • SP • Braves

Braves Pitcher Didier Fuentes Back Up With the Braves Soon?

Harrison Smajovits, reporter for the Atlanta Braves, reported on Thursday that the expectation is that Didier Fuentes will be back with the Atlanta Braves next week, per a source. The Braves' pitching rotation has been solid on the season with a 2.03 team ERA, but has dealt with its fair share of injuries, with Spencer Strider (oblique) starting the regular season on the injured list, and Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow) undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow. Fuentes was highly regarded coming into the regular season after breaking out in Spring Training, where he had a 0.66 ERA, 0.22 WHIP, and a 41.9 percent strikeout rate in 13 2/3 innings pitched. He started the season with the Braves and threw in one relief outing against the Kansas City Royals on March 29, where he allowed one earned run in four innings pitched with four strikeouts. The Braves then optioned him to Triple-A to stretch him out into a starter's workload. Fuentes has the strikeout upside to be a potential sleeper off the waiver wire if called up, and would become a must-add in all 12-team formats if called up and plugged into the starting rotation, simply based on what he has shown so far this season through Spring and his first relief appearance for the Braves earlier this year.

6 hours ago

Hunter Goodman • C • Rockies

Hunter Goodman Leaves Thursday Nights Game With an Injury

Thomas Harding of MLB.com reported Thursday night that Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman left Thursday's game with a right middle finger laceration after being hit by a pitch in the sixth inning. The Rockies' catcher's status will likely be updated ahead of Friday's second contest of the four-game series in San Diego. Before leaving the contest, Goodman was hitless in two plate appearances. Brett Sullivan entered for Goodman after the injury and finished the contest behind the dish. Fantasy managers will want to keep tabs on Goodman's status on Friday to see what his availability may be for the rest of the weekend or if a trip to the injury list is a possibility. Fantasy managers in daily lineups will want to try to prepare for a backup plan at catcher for the weekend. Goodman has had a slow start to the 2026 season, slashing .239/.327/.391 with two home runs, four RBI, five runs, and one stolen base.

6 hours ago

Eric Orze • RP • Twins

Eric Orze Earns First Save on Thursday

Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Eric Orze was tasked with closing the door versus the Detroit Tigers on Thursday. The Twins didn't have many options with Kody Funderburk, Justin Topa, and Cole Sands all pitching in three of the last four days. Twins' manager Derek Shelton decided to lean on Orze, and it worked out great for him on Thursday. Orze tossed a scoreless ninth inning with one strikeout to earn his first save of the season. The 28-year-old holds a strong 1.59 ERA across his first five appearances this season. The Twins have used five different pitchers to record a save this season. Orze will likely be in the mix again, but it's going to be tough for fantasy managers to trust him as a reliable source of saves.

17 hours ago

Drew Rasmussen • SP • Rays

Drew Rasmussen Could Return on Saturday

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen could make his return to the mound on Saturday, according to Marc Topkin. There was hope that Rasmussen could pitch on Friday, but it sounds like the earliest that he'll be back is on Saturday. The right-hander is currently on the paternity leave list, but should be activated in the near future. In the meantime, the Rays will turn to left-hander Steven Matz for the series opener against the New York Yankees on Friday. Fantasy managers should check back for an update, but it sounds like Rasmussen should be ready to go this weekend.

17 hours ago

Mick Abel • SP • Twins

Mick Abel Regains Spring Training Form in Dominant Outing

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Mick Abel was able to bounce back in a big way against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday. The right-hander tossed six shutout innings, allowing four hits, three walks, and struck out six batters in the no-decision. He exited the game with a one-run lead, but the Twins' bullpen quickly blew that. Despite losing his first potential win, this was the best outing of the season for the young right-hander. Abel will carry a 6.08 ERA with a 13:10 K/BB ratio into his next start versus the Boston Red Sox. He's worth a look in at least mixed leagues ahead of that start.

17 hours ago

Hogan Harris • RP • Athletics

Hogan Harris Secures First Save, Adds to Bullpen Committee

Athletics relief pitcher Hogan Harris was called upon to hold a one-run lead versus the New York Yankees on Thursday. A's manager Mark Kotsay decided to play the matchups with a trio of left-handed batters coming up for the Yankees. Harris retired all three batters to record his first save of the season. Harris only has five career saves, but he could be gaining more trust as a late-inning option. The A's have turned to three different pitchers to record saves for them this season. It looks like Harris could be another option for them if the opposing team has a heavy dose of left-handed batters.

17 hours ago

Jeffrey Springs • SP • Athletics

Jeffrey Springs Flirts with No-Hitter, Worth a Waiver Wire Pickup?

Athletics starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs looked untouchable on the mound during Thursday's outing against the New York Yankees. Springs made it through six innings without allowing a hit. Unfortunately for him, Ben Rice smacked a single in the seventh inning to ruin the no-hit bid. Springs would finish his day going seven shutout innings, allowing one hit, and striking out six batters. The southpaw now holds a 1.47 ERA with 15 strikeouts across 18.1 innings of work this season. His next scheduled outing is against the Texas Rangers on Tuesday. Springs has looked strong against some tough lineups to begin the season. The 33-year-old is worth a look as a streaming option ahead of his next matchup.

17 hours ago

Trey Yesavage • SP • Blue Jays

Trey Yesavage Allows Four Runs in Rehab Start

Toronto Blue Jays right-handed pitching prospect Trey Yesavage (shoulder) allowed four earned runs while walking one and striking out six in 2 2/3 innings on Thursday in his minor-league rehab start for Single-A Dunedin, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. Yesavage threw 34 of his 52 pitches for strikes. All four of the runs he allowed came on a string of singles in the first inning. Most importantly, Yesavage's velocity held firm, and his command was solid. The Blue Jays should announce a plan for the next step in his rehab on Friday. In his first rehab start with Dunedin, the 22-year-old allowed an earned run while walking one and striking out three in 2 2/3 innings. Yesavage slightly increased his workload, so he'll most likely be asked to make another rehab start or two before the Jays clear him to rejoin the big-league rotation. The prized young arm will be a fixture in Toronto's rotation for years to come, but they are going to slow-play him back into the big leagues in 2026 after a quick rise to the majors last year and an extended workload going deep into the postseason. He needs to be stashed in all fantasy leagues for his high-end upside.

22 hours ago

Deyvison De Los Santos • 3B • Marlins

Marlins Calling Up Deyvison De Los Santos

The Miami Marlins are calling up first baseman Deyvison De Los Santos from Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday, a source told Kevin Barral of Fish On First. The move comes with outfielder Griffin Conine (knee) likely to land on the 10-day injured list after injuring his left knee while diving for a ball in the outfield in Thursday's win over the Cincinnati Reds. It will be the second time that the 22-year-old is with the Marlins in 2026, as he went 1-for-2 with a double in a short stint with the Fish earlier in April. He will compete for at-bats in Miami between first base and designated hitter, but he's unlikely to play enough to generate any real interest from fantasy managers in mixed leagues. Raw power is De Los Santos' calling card, but his poor defensive play and issues making contact will need to improve for him to have a chance at more playing time down the road in the big leagues.

22 hours ago

Brandon Sproat • SP • Brewers

Brandon Sproat No Longer in Line to Start This Weekend

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Sproat is no longer listed among the team's probable starters for this weekend's series against the Washington Nationals, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. Right-hander Chad Patrick is scheduled to start on Friday, followed by lefty Kyle Harrison on Saturday, and veteran right-hander Brandon Woodruff on Sunday in the series finale. Sproat was originally scheduled to take the mound for his next start on Saturday. It's unclear exactly why Milwaukee will skip the 25-year-old, but it probably has something to do with his 14.85 ERA through 6 2/3 innings in his first two appearances (one start) with the team this year. In addition to allowing 11 runs, Sproat has walked as many as he's struck out (seven) in his first couple of games after being included in the offseason trade that sent starting pitcher Freddy Peralta to the New York Mets. If Sproat isn't injured, the Brewers might just be taking advantage of Thursday's off day to push him back and give him more time to make some adjustments before his next outing.

22 hours ago

J.T. Ginn • SP • Athletics

J.T. Ginn to Start for A's on Friday

Athletics left-hander J.T. Ginn will make the start in Friday's series opener against the New York Mets, according to MLB.com's Martin Gallegos. Ginn will be the first man up to take over Luis Morales' spot in the team's starting rotation. The 26-year-old former second-rounder by the Mets in 2020 out of Mississippi State has made three relief appearances for the A's so far in 2026 and has allowed four earned runs on six hits (one homer) while walking two and striking out four in seven innings of work. In his three MLB seasons, Ginn has recorded a 4.87 ERA (4.46 FIP), 1.34 WHIP, and 132:42 K:BB in 131 1/3 innings over 34 appearances (22 starts). He's been worse as a starter, posting a 5.04 ERA with a 1.40 WHIP and 105 strikeouts in 105 1/3 innings pitched. Against the Mets to kick off the weekend, fantasy managers should be looking to avoid Ginn as a deep-league or DFS streamer.

22 hours ago

Brent Rooker • RF • Athletics

Brent Rooker to Undergo Imaging on Sore Side on Friday

Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker (side) will undergo further testing on Friday morning after being pulled early from Thursday's 1-0 win in the Bronx over the New York Yankees, according to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. Rooker said he's feeling "alright" with some tightness and soreness in his right side after taking an aggressive swing in the first inning. If it's an oblique injury for the 31-year-old veteran, he will almost certainly require a trip to the 10-day injured list, and he could end up missing several weeks. Rooker entered Thursday's game hitting just .150 (6-for-40) with two home runs, eight RBI, four runs scored, and two stolen bases in his first 11 games of 2026, and he went 0-for-1 in his only plate appearance on Thursday before being pulled. If Rooker lands on the IL, he will be a must-stash player due to his high-end power upside at one of the most hitter-friendly home ballparks in Sacramento. Carlos Cortes figures to be the biggest beneficiary on the A's in terms of playing time if Rooker requires a stint on the IL.

22 hours ago

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