MLB News

Willi Castro • LF • Rockies

Willi Castro Returns on Sunday to Play Shortstop

Colorado Rockies infielder Willi Castro (hand) is back in the starting lineup for Sunday's series finale against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers and right-hander Roki Sasaki at Coors Field, according to MLB.com. Castro is starting at shortstop and will hit seventh with regular shortstop Ezequiel Tovar getting the day off. Edouard Julien is at second base and is batting leadoff for Colorado. Castro is returning to the starting nine for the first time since suffering a right-hand contusion when he was hit by a pitch on Wednesday. The 28-year-old switch-hitting Puerto Rican outfielder had mostly been playing at second in his first year with the Rockies to begin the 2026 season, but he might be relegated to more of a bench role soon if he doesn't pick things up offensively. Going into Sunday's clash with L.A., Castro has gone just 12-for-56 (.214) with a homer, eight RBI, eight runs scored, and a stolen base. He has never faced Sasaki in his MLB career.

6 hours ago

Daulton Varsho • CF • Blue Jays

Daulton Varsho Remains Out on Sunday

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (knee) remains out of the starting lineup for Sunday's series finale on the road against the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to MLB.com. Myles Straw will make the start in center field for Toronto and will bat eighth against D-backs right-hander Ryne Nelson. Varsho will miss a second straight game after being pulled from Friday's series opener early at Chase Field due to left-knee discomfort. He's considered day-to-day for now, but fantasy managers will want to check back on Monday for an update on his status before the team's series opener on Monday night in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels. Varsho played only 71 games in the 2025 regular season due to injuries. In 19 games so far in 2026, he has slashed .262/.333/.462 with three home runs, seven RBI, and eight runs scored. Straw, who is more of a defensive asset for the Jays than an offensive one, should see most of the playing time in center for however long Varsho is out.

6 hours ago

Joey Loperfido • LF • Astros

Joey Loperfido Goes on Injured List With Quad Strain

The Houston Astros announced on Sunday that they placed outfielder Joey Loperfido (quadriceps) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to April 18) with a right-quad muscle strain. In a corresponding move, the Astros recalled right-hander Jayden Murray from Triple-A Sugar Land. Loperfido injured his quad during Friday's series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals and was held out of action on Saturday. It's unclear if the 26-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder will be ready to come off the IL in late April when he's eligible to be activated. In the meantime, young outfielder Brice Matthews figures to see more playing time going forward in Houston's outfield. Lopefido, a former seventh-round selection out of Duke in 2021, is still searching for his first long ball of the 2026 season. Through his first 20 games played, he's gone 15-for-58 (.259) with five doubles, six RBI, seven runs scored, a stolen base, six walks, and 19 strikeouts for Houston.

6 hours ago

Casey Schmitt • 3B • Giants

Casey Schmitt Establishing a New Level of Production with Strong Start to 2026

San Francisco Giants infielder Casey Schmitt has been one of the surprise success stories of the early portion of the 2026 season. Entering play on Sunday, Schmitt was hitting .317/.369/.517 with two home runs, seven RBI, seven runs scored, and one stolen base. The 27-year-old's strong production is supported by his underlying metrics, as he's posted above-average barrel (11.4%) and hard-hit (52.3%) rates. Schmitt has also moved into the heart of the Giants' lineup, which should allow him to rack up counting stats more consistently. While Schmitt has played exclusively at first base and designated hitter in 2026, he's capable of playing every infield spot and still offers fantasy managers multi-positional eligibility. As a cheap depth piece with some upside, Schmitt could be worth targeting on the waiver wire.

6 hours ago

Colt Keith • 2B • Tigers

Colt Keith Looks Like a Steady Source of Batting Average Early in 2026

Detroit Tigers infielder Colt Keith has established himself as a key piece of his team's lineup early in 2026, hitting .317/.348/.429 with zero home runs, five RBI, and 10 runs scored across his first 66 plate appearances. Keith hasn't hit for much power in the early going, but his excellent 58.3% hard-hit rate supports his strong batting average. While Keith is looking like a potential breakout candidate early on this season, it's worth noting that he's logged just two plate appearances against left-handed pitching so far this year. Still, even in a platoon role, Keith profiles as a potentially valuable source of batting average for fantasy managers. In leagues where he's not already rostered, Keith could be worth targeting on the waiver wire.

7 hours ago

Landen Roupp • SP • Giants

Landen Roupp Emerging as a Breakout Starting Pitcher

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Landen Roupp is off to an excellent start to the 2026 season, as he's posted a 3-1 record with a 2.38 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and 24 strikeouts across 22 2/3 innings (four starts). The 27-year-old has boosted his strikeout rate from 21.4% in 2025 to 26.7%, and he's also lowered his walk rate to a career-best 7.8%. Roupp has also yet to allow a home run this season, and owns a 50.9% ground ball rate. While Roupp established himself as a solid streaming option for fantasy managers in 2025, he appears to have taken his game to a new level in 2026. Combined with his pitcher-friendly home park in San Francisco, Roupp offers real upside as a waiver-wire target in any league where he's not already rostered.

7 hours ago

Tarik Skubal • SP • Tigers

Tarik Skubal Fans 10 in Win Over Red Sox on Saturday

Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal looked to be in Cy Young form on Saturday night in the team's 4-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Skubal allowed only one earned run on four hits while walking two and striking out 10 batters in six innings to pick up his third win of the 2026 season. The talented left-hander was in top form in Beantown, retiring 12 of the first 13 batters he faced in the game, including striking out the side in two of his first four innings. The 29-year-old former ninth-rounder in 2018 out of Seattle University is showing why he's won back-to-back American League Cy Young awards. Through his first five starts in 2026, Skubal is 3-2 with a 2.08 ERA (2.07 FIP), 0.96 WHIP, and 33:6 K:BB in 30 1/3 innings pitched. He's currently tied for the fourth-most strikeouts in the AL. Skubal was the first pitcher off the board in fantasy drafts, and he'll be a must-start again in his next scheduled outing at home in Detroit against the Milwaukee Brewers.

7 hours ago

Ildemaro Vargas • 2B • Diamondbacks

Ildemaro Vargas Taking Advantage of Expanded Role in Arizona

Arizona Diamondbacks utility man Ildemaro Vargas has played a bench role for the majority of his 10-season MLB career. However, the 34-year-old is off to a red-hot start to the 2026 season, hitting .377/.400/.623 with two home runs, eight RBI, and 11 runs scored across 56 plate appearances. With Diamondbacks first baseman/outfielder Pavin Smith (elbow) recently hitting the 60-day injured list, Vargas has been getting the chance to play every day. Vargas' overall line is currently buoyed by an unsustainably high .409 batting average on balls in play, so regression is inevitable. Still, Vargas traditionally does a good job of making contact, which gives his batting average a high floor. As long as he continues to produce, Vargas should rack up counting stats in a strong Arizona lineup and offers multi-positional eligibility for fantasy managers. In deeper leagues, Vargas could be worth targeting on the waiver wire.

7 hours ago

Raisel Iglesias • RP • Braves

Raisel Iglesias Dealing With Shoulder Issue

Atlanta Braves right-handed closer Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) slept on his shoulder wrong on Friday night, which is why he was unavailable to close out the team's 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday night, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. It remains to be seen if Iglesias will be available for the series finale on Sunday at Citizens Bank Park. With Iglesias unavailable on Saturday, right-hander Robert Suarez entered in the ninth inning and pitched a clean frame with two strikeouts to pick up his first save as a member of the Braves. Iglesias' shoulder injury doesn't sound very serious, which hopefully means he'll avoid an injured list stint and be available to pitch on Sunday. The 36-year-old Cuban veteran came into the 2026 campaign on shaky ground as a fantasy closer after the Braves added Suarez, but so far, he's thrown 7 2/3 shutout innings with four saves, no walks, and 10 strikeouts in seven appearances. If he continues to pitch like that and stays healthy, Iglesias will continue to be a solid option for saves in fantasy.

7 hours ago

Edwin Uceta • RP • Rays

Edwin Uceta Remains Top Injured Stash Candidate Ahead of Week 4

Tampa Bay Rays reliever Edwin Uceta (shoulder) appeared to be on the doorstep of making his 2026 debut, but his rehab hit a setback earlier this week after he experienced renewed soreness in his injured shoulder. Uceta is now reportedly back in Tampa to meet with team doctors. However, if Uceta can avoid being fully shut down, he may still be worth targeting on the waiver wire as a stash candidate. Rays right-hander Bryan Baker has settled in as the team's primary closer, but Baker currently owns a 4.32 ERA and has already blown two saves so far this season. Uceta was arguably Tampa Bay's most valuable high-leverage reliever in 2025, as he posted a 10-3 record with a 3.79 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 103 strikeouts, and 21 holds across 76 innings. He's posted strikeout rates north of 32% in consecutive seasons and could easily assume the ninth-inning role for the Rays if he can get back to full health. Pending further news regarding his most recent injury setback, Uceta could still be worth targeting on the waiver wire as a stash candidate.

7 hours ago

Sam Antonacci • SS • White Sox

Sam Antonacci Still Worth Adding Despite Slow Start to MLB Career?

Chicago White Sox outfielder/second baseman Sam Antonacci was called up for his MLB debut on Wednesday after posting a .979 OPS across his first 67 plate appearances at Triple-A. However, the 23-year-old has struggled out of the gates in the big leagues with just one hit and one run scored across his first 19 plate appearances. Antonacci is also a speed threat who stole 48 bases in 116 minor league games in 2025, but he's yet to record his first major league steal. On the plus side, Antonacci has drawn two walks and struck out just once. His ability to control the strike zone was one of the biggest reasons for his effectiveness in the minors, as he posted a 13.3% walk rate in 2025. If he continues to make contact and draw walks, Antonacci should pull out of his current skid. He's still a worthy waiver-wire gamble for fantasy managers in need of speed.

7 hours ago

Freddie Freeman • 1B • Dodgers

Freddie Freeman Goes on the Paternity List

The Los Angeles Dodgers officially placed first baseman Freddie Freeman (personal) on the paternity list on Sunday, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. In a corresponding move, the Dodgers called up outfielder Ryan Ward from the minors. Freeman could be away from the team for as many as the next three days, so he could return for the tail end of the team's upcoming series on the road against the division-rival San Francisco Giants, which starts on Tuesday. With Freeman unavailable in Sunday's series finale in Denver against the Colorado Rockies, Ward will make the start at first base for the Dodgers and bat seventh against Rockies right-hander Michael Lorenzen. Freeman, 36, has been his typical All-Star self through the first 20 games of 2026, hitting .296 (24-for-81) with three home runs, 14 RBI, and nine runs scored across 89 plate appearances. Fantasy managers will have to remove him from their lineups for a couple of games, but he should return at some point midway through next week.

7 hours ago

Kyle Stowers • LF • Marlins

Kyle Stowers Offically Activated, Making Season Debut on Sunday

The Miami Marlins announced on Sunday that they officially activated outfielder Kyle Stowers (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list and optioned infielder Deyvison De Los Santos to Triple-A Jacksonville in a corresponding move. Stowers is making his 2026 season debut on Sunday in the series finale against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers and right-hander Jacob Misiorowski, playing left field and batting cleanup for the Fish. The 28-year-old All-Star tweaked his hamstring late in spring training and opened the year on the IL, but now he's back and hoping to pick up where he left off in a breakout 2025 season. Stowers, a former second-round pick out of Stanford in 2019, was Miami's lone All-Star representative last year and finished with a .288/.386/.544 slash line, .912 OPS, 25 home runs, 73 RBI, 61 runs, and five steals in 117 games played. Stowers will hit in the heart of the order for the Marlins and needs to be rostered in all fantasy baseball leagues.

8 hours ago

Tony Santillan • RP • Reds

Tony Santillan is Emerging as Top Closer Handcuff

Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Tony Santillan was handed the ball with a one-run lead against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday. Closer Emilio Pagan (hamstring) pitched on Friday, but the team decided to play it safe and hold him out on Saturday night. Instead, Santillan got the ball and looked sharp on the mound. The right-hander tossed a scoreless inning while striking out two batters to earn his first save of the season. Santillan has yet to allow an earned run across 10 innings of work this season. He appears to be the favorite to get saves if the Reds decide to make a switch. Santillan is an interesting stash option given Pagan's struggles to begin the season.

10 hours ago

Seranthony Domínguez • RP • White Sox

Seranthony Dominguez to Remain Closer Despite Shaky Start?

Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Seranthony Dominguez could be on a short leash after another tough outing on Thursday. Dominguez took the blown save after allowing three runs on two hits over 0.1 innings of work. He cleaned up his act on Saturday with a scoreless inning, but walked two batters over his inning of work. The right-hander has blown two saves and has a horrendous 7.50 ERA and a 1.83 WHIP over his six innings of work. He'll likely remain in the closer role for now, with the White Sox not having much competition for saves in their bullpen right now.

11 hours ago

Christian Scott • SP • Mets

Christian Scott Emerging as Sneaky Stash After Dominant Run at Triple-A

New York Mets starting pitcher Christian Scott could be on the verge of a promotion after a hot start at Triple-A. Over his last two starts, Scott has a 1.74 ERA, 0.58 WHIP, and a 12/2 K/BB ratio across 10.1 innings of work. The 26-year-old got a taste for the big leagues last season when he registered a 4.56 ERA with a 39/12 K/BB ratio across six starts with the Mets. Given the Mets' struggles, it wouldn't be shocking to see them shake things up soon. Scott has shown that he's ready for the big league level, and the Mets need to do something after a tough 7-13 start to the season. Fantasy managers seeking pitching help might want to consider stashing Scott if they have room for him on their roster.

11 hours ago

Jakob Junis • RP • Rangers

Jakob Junis Remains the Favorite for Saves in Texas

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Jakob Junis has done a nice job in the closer role early in the season. Before Thursday's outing, Junis had converted three straight saves. He came into the seventh inning of Thursday's contest against the Athletics. He was blasted for three runs on two hits over 1.1 innings of work. That bad outing will raise his ERA to 2.89 with a 0.75 WHIP across 9.1 innings of work this season. Despite one bad inning, Junis figures to remain the favorite for saves in Texas going forward. He has converted each of his three attempts and could be a sneaky add for fantasy managers looking for help right now.

11 hours ago

Jeff Hoffman • RP • Blue Jays

Jeff Hoffman Takes Second Loss, Still has Manager's Confidence?

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Jeff Hoffman saw his struggles continue during Saturday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Hoffman came into a 2-2 tie in the eighth inning, but things quickly got away from him. Hoffman took the loss after serving up a grand slam to Corbin Carroll. His final line was three hits allowed, four earned runs, one walk, and two strikeouts over an inning of work. Hoffman now sees his ERA rise to 7.71 ERA after an horrendous outing. Despite the struggles, Jays manager John Schneider stated that Hoffman will remain the closer. This will be a situation to monitor if Hoffman continues to struggle going forward.

11 hours ago

J.T. Realmuto • C • Phillies

JT Realmuto Exits Early with Back Injury

Philadelphia Phillies catcher JT Realmuto (back) was forced to make an early exit from Saturday's game against the Atlanta Braves. Phillies' manager Rob Thompson said that Realmuto's back tightened up on him during a play at the plate. Before exiting, Realmuto went hitless in two plate appearances. The team will evaluate Realmuto on Sunday morning and decide what to do going forward. For the time being, Realmuto should be considered day-to-day until another update is available. It wouldn't be shocking to see Rafael Marchan behind the plate during Sunday's game.

11 hours ago

Dillon Dingler • C • Tigers

Dillon Dingler Swinging a Hot Bat Recently, Becoming a Must-Add Catcher?

Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler has been hot recently, collecting a hit in five of his last nine games with two home runs and seven RBI during that stretch. Overall, Dingler is slashing .259/.348/.517 with four home runs, 14 RBI, and nine runs over 18 games. The 27-year-old has seen increases across the board in xBA (.328) and xSLG (.694), and his HardHit% (59.1%). His K% (18.2%) has decreased by about five points from 2025 (23.5%). For fantasy managers needing catcher help, Dingler is emerging as an add candidate in leagues with 12 teams or more. He is currently rostered in 37% of Yahoo Fantasy leagues and is 57th overall in the latest RotoBaller waiver rankings for Week 3.

21 hours ago

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