MLB News

Max Scherzer • SP • Blue Jays

Max Scherzer to Start on Sunday

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Max Scherzer (forearm) is set to start tomorrow's game against the Minnesota Twins. The 41-year-old was forced to leave his last start early because of intensified forearm tendinitis, leaving some doubt as to whether or not he would be cleared to make his next start. However, throughout the week, he felt better each day and responded well to daily treatment. It's unclear if he will be on a pitch count, but it would appear that he is set to receive a rather normal workload, giving the Blue Jays an option to take the mound.

4 hours ago

Lawrence Butler • RF • Athletics

Lawrence Butler Leading Off Again on Saturday

Athletics outfielder Lawrence Butler will start in right field and bat out of the leadoff spot for the second straight game on Saturday at Citi Field against the New York Mets and right-hander Kodai Senga, per MLB.com. The A's are looking for some kind of consistency from the top of the batting order early on in 2026. The 25-year-old Butler hasn't done much at the plate in his first 12 games of the season, going 7-for-37 (.189) with a homer, four RBI, five runs scored, a stolen base, five walks, and 10 strikeouts in 42 plate appearances. If he can get going, though, manager Mark Kotsay could leave him at leadoff going forward, at least against right-handed pitchers. Lawrence has at least 20 homers in each of the last two seasons for the A's and fantasy managers, and he also produced his first 20-20 season in 2025 in his second full season in the majors. If Butler can stay healthy (he dealt with injuries to both of his knees last year), he'll be an intriguing power/speed asset, especially if he hits near the top of the A's batting order. Butler is hitting .667 against Senga in just three career at-bats.

4 hours ago

Griffin Conine • LF • Marlins

Griffin Conine to Undergo Hamstring Surgery Next Week

Miami Marlins outfielder Griffin Conine (hamstring) will undergo a hamstring tendon excision next week. The 28-year-old will have the operation done in Dallas by Dr. Dan Cooper, resulting in him missing extensive time. The announcement came a day after he was placed on the 10-Day Injured List, though he will undoubtedly miss much more than the minimum time here. In fact, the timeline for a return to play would be anywhere between six and eight weeks, resulting in him missing a large portion of the first half of the season. In his absence, the Marlins will likely continue to platoon players in left field, using both Javier Sanoja and Heriberto Hern ndez. However, with Kyle Stowers currently on a rehab assignment, he could very well take over in left field upon his return as well.

4 hours ago

Michael Harris II • CF • Braves

Michael Harris II Goes on Paternity List

The Atlanta Braves announced on Saturday that they have placed outfielder Michael Harris II on the paternity list and selected the contract of infielder Luke Williams to the major-league roster in a corresponding move. Harris will be out of Atlanta's starting lineup on Saturday against the Cleveland Guardians and will be away from the team for up to three days. Fantasy managers must adjust their lineups accordingly for the rest of the weekend. With Harris attending to a personal matter, expect Eli White to take over for him in center field for the next couple of days. In his first 14 games of the 2026 regular season, Harris has hit .235 (12-for-51) with two home runs, a double, seven RBI, five runs scored, and a stolen base in 53 plate appearances. Harris had his first 20-20 season with exactly 20 homers and 20 thefts in 2025 in his fourth MLB season for Atlanta. He'll be looking to repeat that feat in 2026 if he can stay healthy all year.

4 hours ago

Jorge Polanco • 2B • Mets

Jorge Polanco Back in Saturday's Lineup Against A's

New York Mets infielder Jorge Polanco (Achilles) is serving as the team's designated hitter and is batting third for Saturday's matchup at Citi Field against the visiting Athletics and left-hander Jacob Lopez, according to MLB.com. Polanco has been out of the Mets' lineup for each of the last two games while dealing with Achilles bursitis, which isn't considered a serious issue. For now, the veteran Dominican switch-hitter will return to the starting lineup. Polanco is mostly expected to play first base in his first year in Queens, but if he continues to deal with Achilles issues, we could see him at DH more often than not for the foreseeable future. Mark Vientos will make the start at first base and bat fifth for New York on Saturday. Polanco has gotten off to a slow start in his first year with the Mets, going just 8-for-40 (.200) with no homers, one RBI, and two runs scored. He has a hit in his lone career at-bat against Lopez.

5 hours ago

Masyn Winn • SS • Cardinals

Masyn Winn Believes he Will Return on Saturday

St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (leg) is optimistic that he will play on Saturday despite his early departure in Friday night's contest due to a leg injury. The 24-year-old was hit by a pitch on his left leg and forced to leave the game with a contusion. The young shortstop is off to a slow start to the season, recording just six hits over 39 at-bats. He says that he feels better today, and the hope is that he can suit up for action and improve on what's been a tough 2026 so far at the plate. If he cannot, Thomas Saggese will likely get the nod, as it was he who replaced Winn last night.

5 hours ago

Matt McLain • 2B • Reds

Matt McLain Sitting Out on Saturday

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain will hit the bench for Saturday's game against the visiting Los Angeles Angels at Great American Ballpark, according to MLB.com. Sal Stewart will make the start at the keystone and will hit cleanup for the Reds versus Angels rookie right-hander George Klassen. Spencer Steer is hitting second for Cincy. McLain hit seven home runs in 18 spring training games, but as soon as the games started to count, he's cooled off at the plate. The 26-year-old former first-rounder out of UCLA has gone 12-for-55 (.218) so far with no homers, three RBI, six runs scored, two stolen bases, seven walks, and 15 strikeouts in 64 plate appearances and 14 games played. McLain has plenty of time to turn things around offensively, but fantasy managers might want to keep him benched until he turns it around. Stewart, 22, is one of the brightest young position-player prospects in the big leagues with both power and speed. He's off to a great start, slashing .340/.458/.681 with four homers, nine RBI, eight runs, and three steals in 47 at-bats for the Reds.

5 hours ago

Merrill Kelly • SP • Diamondbacks

Merrill Kelly Could Be Activated Next Week

Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed pitcher Merrill Kelly (back) is set to rejoin the team this weekend before his scheduled bullpen session on Sunday. The 37-year-old has participated in two rehab outings, with his latest being this past Wednesday, where he threw 72 pitches. Now that he is fully healed from having intercostal nerve irritation, his biggest challenge has been to ramp up his arm to withstand the workload of a starter. It appears that the team is ready to get a good look at where he's at and could reinstate him next week. He is someone worth rostering and stashing in all formats, as he finished the 2025 season with a strikeout rate of 22.3% and a walk rate of just 6.4%.

5 hours ago

Juan Soto • RF • Mets

Juan Soto Could Return for Next Homestand

New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said on Friday that the team is optimistic that it will not be a long-term absence for All-Star outfielder Juan Soto (calf), according to Tim Britton of The Athletic. In fact, Soto could come off the 10-day injured list for the start of the next homestand on April 21. Soto has yet to resume a running program, but he has been swinging a bat and playing catch as he recovers from a minor calf strain. The four-time All-Star and six-time Silver Slugger winner was off to a strong start offensively before his calf injury, so fantasy managers certainly would love to see Soto return sooner rather than later. In his first eight games to kick off his second season in Queens, Soto had gone 11-for-31 (.355) with a homer, two doubles, five RBI, and three runs scored in 34 plate appearances. His absence has opened up some more playing time for Brett Baty, Tyrone Taylor, and Mark Vientos.

7 hours ago

Craig Kimbrel • RP • Mets

Mets Calling Up Craig Kimbrel

The New York Mets are calling up veteran right-handed reliever Craig Kimbrel from the minors on Saturday, a source told Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Kimbrel began the year at Single-A St. Lucie after not winning a roster spot with the big-league club out of spring training. The 37-year-old veteran will get the call back to the majors after throwing two scoreless innings with two strikeouts for St. Lucie, but he'll likely operate in more of a middle-relief role in Queens for as long as he sticks around with the Mets. The 16-year veteran has 440 career saves and nine All-Star selections, giving the Mets plenty of experience out of their bullpen. He's no longer the dominant relief arm that he once was, though. In 14 appearances in 2025 with the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros, Kimbrel had a 2.25 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, no saves, and a 17:7 K:BB in just 12 innings pitched.

7 hours ago

Gabriel Moreno • C • Diamondbacks

Gabriel Moreno Out on Saturday With Back Injury

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (back) will start on the bench on Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies after being pulled from Friday's game early due to lower-back tightness, according to MLB.com. For now, fantasy managers should consider Moreno to be day-to-day. Check back to see if he's available on Sunday for the series finale in Philadelphia. Adrian Del Castillo will do the catching on Saturday for right-hander Brandon Pfaadt and will hit cleanup for the D-backs against Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker. The 26-year-old Moreno hasn't hit a home run yet in 2026, but he's gone 11-for-40 (.275) at the plate with five RBI and six runs scored as Arizona's primary catcher. Del Castillo has only played in three games so far and is 2-for-12 at the plate with a double, three RBI, a run scored, no walks, and six strikeouts. He has one hit in his two career at-bats against Walker.

7 hours ago

Corbin Carroll • RF • Diamondbacks

Corbin Carroll Officially Back in Saturday's Lineup

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll (hip) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting in the two-hole for Saturday's contest against the Philadelphia Phillies and right-hander Taijuan Walker at Citizens Bank Park, per MLB.com. Carroll will return to the field on Saturday after missing two games following a minor hip injury that he suffered on Wednesday. Fantasy managers need to get him back into their lineups immediately. The 25-year-old five-category contributor is off to a fine start to the 2026 season at the plate, going 14-for-42 (.333) with two home runs, 11 RBI, nine runs scored, and a stolen base. Fantasy managers will be hoping that he can pick up right where he left off after missing the team's last two games. Carroll has only faced Walker twice in his career and has one hit with a 1.250 OPS. In his last three games, Carroll has seven hits.

7 hours ago

Max Muncy • 3B • Dodgers

Max Muncy Hits Three Homers, Including Walk-Off Blast

Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy could not be stopped in the team's 8-7 victory on Friday against the visiting Texas Rangers. Muncy went 4-for-5 on the night with three solo home runs, including a walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth inning, and five runs scored. His homer in the ninth helped bail closer Edwin Diaz out after he blew the save in the top of the frame by allowing three runs. The 35-year-old veteran has proven early on in 2026 that he still has plenty of power left in the tank. Through 12 games, Muncy is slashing .286/.375/.571 with a .946 OPS, four home runs, four RBI, 11 runs scored, six walks, and 14 strikeouts in 48 plate appearances. Muncy could see less playing time against left-handed pitchers, but he's still a fantasy asset for his power, run production, and on-base skills in the best lineup in baseball.

7 hours ago

Parker Messick • SP • Guardians

Parker Messick Poised for Breakout Season?

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Parker Messick is off to a strong start to the 2026 season, recording a 1-0 record with a 0.82 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and 11 strikeouts across 11 innings pitched (two starts). Messick's starts have also been against the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs, so he's held two of the better lineups in baseball in check. The 25-year-old won a spot in the Guardians' rotation this spring after showing well in his MLB debut in 2025, where he pitched to a 2.72 ERA with 38 strikeouts across 39 2/3 innings (seven starts). While it's still early, Messick's strikeout rate is up from 23% to 27.5%, and his average fastball velocity has risen from 92.7 mph to 93.5 mph. The left-hander is slated to make his third start of the year against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday, giving fantasy managers in weekly leagues one more look at him before waivers run on Sunday. Based on his performance so far, Messick profiles as a quality waiver wire target with some real upside.

8 hours ago

Paul Sewald • RP • Diamondbacks

Paul Sewald Tallies Fourth Save, Remains Reliever to Roster in Arizona

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Paul Sewald pitched a scoreless ninth inning to pick up his fourth save of 2026 in his team's 5-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday. Across 5 1/3 innings pitched, the 35-year-old has posted a 3.38 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, and seven strikeouts. Sewald no longer profiles as the reliable option he once was at his peak, as he recorded back-to-back seasons with an ERA north of 4.30 in 2024 and 2025. He also allowed an elevated 1.83 HR/9 in 2025 and has already given up two long balls in 2026. Still, the veteran right-hander owns 90 career saves, including 33 as a member of the Diamondbacks. His experience in the ninth inning could give him some runway as the Arizona closer, even if he hits a rough patch. In any league where he's not already rostered, Sewald is worth targeting on the waiver wire.

8 hours ago

Edwin Uceta • RP • Rays

Edwin Uceta Profiles as a Top Stash Option Ahead of Week 3

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Edwin Uceta (shoulder) has yet to take the MLB mound in 2026 as he works his way back from a shoulder injury. However, the 28-year-old has pitched two scoreless innings across his first two rehab appearances and is expected to have his rehab assignment transferred from Double-A to Triple-A next week. If all continues to go well for Uceta, he could make his return from the injured list in short order. Across 76 innings (70 games) for Tampa Bay in 2025, Uceta recorded a 10-3 record with a 3.79 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 103 strikeouts. Fellow Rays reliever Bryan Baker has pitched well in his ninth-inning opportunities so far, and Uceta is not a lock to immediately take over the closer role. Still, Uceta has struck out at least 32% of the batters he's faced in each of the last two seasons and profiles as the most dynamic option in the Tampa Bay bullpen. For fantasy managers in need of saves, Uceta could be worth stashing off the waiver wire as he nears his return to the big leagues.

8 hours ago

Jakob Junis • RP • Rangers

Is Jakob Junis the Closer to Roster in Texas?

Across seven innings pitched in 2026, Texas Rangers relief pitcher Jakob Junis has recorded a 0.00 ERA and 0.43 WHIP while going 2-for-2 in save chances. The 33-year-old has recorded just four strikeouts, but he's also allowed just three hits and has yet to walk a batter. With an average fastball velocity of 92.4 mph and four career saves across 854 MLB innings, Junis does not have the profile of a typical closer. However, he was quietly effective across 66 2/3 innings for the Cleveland Guardians in 2025, recording a 2.97 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with 55 strikeouts. Perhaps most importantly, the Rangers do not have an established closer in their bullpen. While Cole Winn, Robert Garcia, and Jacob Latz could also get chances in the ninth inning, Junis has a chance to hold the role if he continues to be effective. For fantasy managers in deeper leagues, Junis could be worth targeting on the waiver wire.

9 hours ago

Colt Keith • 2B • Tigers

Colt Keith Emerging as a Viable Source of Batting Average

Across his first 47 plate appearances of 2026, Detroit Tigers infielder Colt Keith is hitting .364/.404/.500 with zero home runs, three RBI, and eight runs scored. While Keith has yet to homer, six of his 16 hits have gone for extra bases, and he's posted a ridiculous 61.8% hard-hit rate. Keith's batting average has been inflated by his unsustainable .471 batting average on balls in play. His current strikeout rate of 21.3% is right in line with the 21.8% mark he posted in 2025 while hitting .256. Still, if Keith can continue to consistently make hard contact, he could emerge as a viable source of batting average for fantasy managers. The 24-year-old has also earned a spot in the top third of the Tigers' order against right-handed pitching, which should help him rack up counting stats. In leagues where he is not currently rostered, Keith is a name to target on the waiver wire.

9 hours ago

Bryan Baker • RP • Rays

Bryan Baker Earns Second Save, Emerging as Top Closer in Tampa Bay?

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Bryan Baker picked up his second save of the season in his team's 5-3 win over the New York Yankees on Friday, recording a scoreless ninth inning with a strikeout. Baker has now earned saves in each of his last two appearances and could be emerging as the Rays' preferred ninth-inning option. While Baker has just six total saves across 212 2/3 career MLB innings, he posted an excellent 24.1% K-BB rate in 2025 and has yet to walk a batter over his five innings of work in 2026. Tampa Bay will be getting back hard-throwing right-hander Edwin Uceta (shoulder) from a shoulder injury at some point in the near future, which could give Baker some competition for the closer role. Still, Baker is worth targeting on the waiver wire for fantasy managers in need of saves.

9 hours ago

Gavin Sheets • LF • Padres

Gavin Sheets Goes Yard Twice, Including Walk-Off Round-Tripper

San Diego Padres outfielder/first baseman Gavin Sheets sent the Friar faithful home happy on Friday night in a 5-2 win over the visiting Colorado Rockies at Petco Park for the team's second straight walk-off win. On a night where the Padres unveiled their new CityConnect jerseys, Sheets went 2-for-4 with two home runs, four RBI, and two strikeouts. His three-run shot in the bottom of the ninth inning walked the Rockies off again and earned him an ice shower from his teammates. Sheets' first long ball came off starter Tomoyuki Sugano to get the Friars on the board, and his second blast won the game off reliever Juan Mejia. The home runs were Sheets' first two of the year after he hit a career-high 19 round-trippers and drove in 71 in a career year in 145 games in his first season in SD. Sheets can be streaky, so fantasy managers will want to ride the wave as the team's four-game series against Colorado continues on Saturday night.

16 hours ago

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