MLB News

Bryan King • RP • Astros

Bryan King Blows Second Save, in Danger of Losing Closer Job for Astros?

Houston Astros relief pitcher Bryan King let a one-run lead slip away on Wednesday night, and even though his team rallied to beat the Mariners, he may not be the go-to option for saves in Houston for long. He walked in the tying run and issued three free passes while also giving up an infield single. He escaped a bases-loaded jam, and Bryan Abreu worked a scoreless 10th inning to get the win. King's three walks were the first he allowed in six appearances, so hopefully the weaker command was an outlier. Both Abreu and Enyel De Los Santos pitched effectively in this game and would be the team's next options if it moves away from King. Top closer Josh Hader is continuing his rehab and should return in the next few weeks as well, which will likely take away any save chances that are available in the short term. King is a fine short-term hold in deep leagues, but his fantasy window is closing, especially if his control becomes an issue.

4 hours ago

Jack Perkins • RP |

Jack Perkins • SP • Athletics

Jack Perkins Tosses Scoreless Frame, Remains Top Ninth-Inning Option for Athletics

Athletics relief pitcher Jack Perkins spun a scoreless ninth inning in a non-save situation on Wednesday night in his team's 6-2 win over the Cardinals. An insurance run in the bottom of the eighth inning kept it from being a save situation, but the team's bullpen was set up for him to get the save if there was one. He allowed a single and hit a batter, but he struck out Alec Burleson to seal the victory. Perkins is 2-1 in his 11 games with a 3.86 ERA, three saves, and an impressive 1.88 FIP. His 30.6% K% makes him a great closer candidate, and he has a slight edge over Hogan Harris and Joel Kuhnel in the team's committee at this point. The committee and its uncertainty keep him from being an elite option, but he's clearly the team's top reliever for fantasy at this point, and worth a look if you're seeking saves on the waiver wire.

5 hours ago

Paul Sewald • RP • Diamondbacks

Paul Sewald Allows Three Runs in Blown Save, Cause for Concern?

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Paul Sewald took a tough loss on Wednesday night, letting a game get away against the Texas Rangers after his team rallied in the top of the ninth. Arizona scored three times to take a 5-3 lead into the bottom of the ninth, but Sewald ran into trouble after getting the first two outs of the inning. He gave up a game-tying single to Jake Burger as one of the three hits he allowed, and after he was removed, Juan Morillo allowed one of his inherited runners to score on a walk-off single by Danny Jansen. Sewald's loss dropped him to 0-4 on the year with a 4.70 ERA and 4.35 FIP. He had nine saves in nine opportunities before Wednesday's blown save, and the veteran righty should remain the clear closer for the Snakes at this point. Sewald's peripheral numbers aren't elite, but as a volume producer of saves, he still has value as long as he remains the team's top closer. However, this is a situation to keep an eye on, as it could become a pattern that costs him his role.

5 hours ago

Louis Varland • RP • Blue Jays

Louis Varland No Longer the Clear Closer in Toronto?

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Louis Varland came into the eighth inning of his team's 5-3, extra-inning win on Wednesday night. The Jays were trailing the Rays 1-0 at the time, so it wasn't set up for a typical save scenario. He was brought in to face the heart of Tampa Bay's lineup and was able to escape a scoreless inning with two hits and a walk, leaving the bases loaded. Toronto eventually rallied and won, but Varland didn't earn a win, hold, or save. He is still the most likely closer when the team has a lead late, but Wednesday's appearance shows the team will use him in high-leverage spots earlier in the game if the situation calls for it. The strategy could cost him some saves, but he remains the top option in Toronto's bullpen at this point and is worth holding in most standard-sized leagues.

5 hours ago

Byron Buxton • CF • Twins

Byron Buxton Continues Power Surge With Two Home Runs Wednesday

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton had the 19th multi-homer game of his career in Wednesday's 9-5 loss to the visiting Miami Marlins at Target Field, and he's now up to 15 home runs on the year. Buxton finished the contest 2-for-4 at the plate out of the leadoff spot for the Twins with two solo home runs, a walk, and a strikeout to raise his season average to .260 and his OPS to .899. The 32-year-old veteran and two-time All-Star has stayed healthy so far in 2026 and is up to 23 RBI, 33 runs scored, and four stolen bases in his first 40 games. Buxton has also added four stolen bases, but fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting him to reach the 20-steal mark for the second straight year. At this point in his career, Buxton is primarily a power asset at the top of Minnesota's batting order. He has really started to heat up offensively, batting .298 with all 15 of his homers, 22 RBI, and four stolen bases in his last 26 games across 114 at-bats. Continue to ride the hot-hitting veteran in all fantasy formats.

14 hours ago

Connor Prielipp • SP • Twins

Connor Prielipp Being Pushed Back, Twins Managing his Innings

The Minnesota Twins will push back left-handed pitching prospect Connor Prielipp's next start a day or two to help manage his innings, according to Bobby Nightengale of The Minneapolis Star Tribune. Zebby Matthews will be called up from the minors to start Thursday's series finale against the Miami Marlins. The 25-year-old Prielipp has looked good in his first four major-league starts, posting a 3.32 ERA (4.38 FIP) and 1.00 WHIP with 21 strikeouts and seven walks in 19 innings pitched, but since he has not thrown more than 83 2/3 innings in a single season as a professional, the Twins will handle him with kid gloves in 2026. The team's No. 5 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has also had Tommy John surgery twice in his career. Prielipp is currently rostered in only 12% of Yahoo leagues, and his innings cap this year will certainly keep his fantasy ceiling low in his first year in the big leagues with the Twins. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound southpaw's stuff is real with a high-90s heater that gets plenty of swing and miss. Prielipp also generates elite-level spin on his slider and features a changeup that also draws plenty of whiffs.

14 hours ago

Cal Raleigh • C • Mariners

Cal Raleigh Exits With Apparent Side Injury on Wednesday Night

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (side) left the game on Wednesday night against the Houston Astros in the bottom of the ninth inning, according to Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. Mitch Garver replaced Raleigh behind the plate after the left-handed slugger was seen grabbing at his right side in the eighth inning. Before leaving, the struggling catcher went hitless in his four at-bats with two strikeouts to drop his season average to a paltry .161 and his OPS to .560. The 29-year-old All-Star missed three games earlier in May due to soreness in the same side, so this could definitely be something that sends Raleigh to the injured list. We should know more about the severity of his injury on Thursday, so fantasy managers will want to check back for an update then. At the very least, Raleigh probably won't play in Thursday's series finale in Houston, and he might not be available this weekend when the team returns home to face the San Diego Padres for a three-game series. After leading all of baseball with 60 homers and 125 RBI in 2025, Raleigh has been one of the biggest disappointments so far in 2026, with seven homers and 18 RBI in his 41 games played.

14 hours ago

Mickey Moniak • LF • Rockies

Mickey Moniak's Breakout Continues With Five-RBI Night Against Pirates

Colorado Rockies outfielder Mickey Moniak continues to be money for fantasy managers in his second season with the Rockies. The 28-year-old former first overall pick by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2016 continued to rake on Wednesday night in a 10-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park, going 3-for-5 at the plate with a three-run home run, a triple, five RBI, and a strikeout to raise his season average to .315 and his OPS to 1.051. He finished a single shy of the cycle and blasted his 12th home run of the season off right-hander Mitch Keller in the fifth inning. Moniak is proving that last year's breakout in his first year in Colorado wasn't a fluke. He's now slashing .315/.358/.693 with 12 homers, 26 RBI, 12 runs scored, and a stolen base in 137 plate appearances across 35 games in 2026. The crazy part is that he's rostered in under 70% of Yahoo leagues. Run to the waiver wire and pick him up immediately if he's still available in your league.

15 hours ago

Giancarlo Stanton • DH • Yankees

Giancarlo Stanton Not Cleared to Ramp Up Running Program

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that outfielder/designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton's (calf) latest MRI exam has not allowed the team to clear him to start ramping up his running program, according to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. Stanton is on the 10-day injured list with a calf strain and doesn't appear close to rejoining the major-league squad, which isn't exactly a surprise given his reputation as a slow healer. Once the 36-year-old power hitter is cleared to resume running, he might not be far off from starting a minor-league rehab assignment. With Jasson Dominguez (shoulder) also on the IL and not close to a return, rookie outfielder Spencer Jones will continue to get run in the Yankees' lineup against right-handed pitching. Jones, 24, offers elite power upside, but he entered Wednesday with just one hit in his first 11 MLB at-bats with one walk and six strikeouts. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues are beginning to run out of patience with the oft-injured Stanton, as he's now rostered in only 34% of Yahoo leagues.

15 hours ago

Jeremy Peña • SS • Astros

Jeremy Pena Dealing With Sore Neck on Rehab Assignment

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (hamstring, neck) is dealing with a sore neck on Wednesday after colliding with a baserunner during his minor-league rehab game on Tuesday with Double-A Corpus Christi, manager Joe Espada told Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. Pena was scheduled to serve as the designated hitter for Corpus Christi on Wednesday, but he was held out and instead did baseball activities. Espada hopes that Pena will be back in action on Thursday. The 28-year-old continues to recover from a Grade 1 hamstring strain that landed him on the 10-day injured list on April 13, and he's expected to need at least several more rehab games before the Astros consider reinstating him. If Pena doesn't have any more physical issues later this week, he could be back in Houston's big-league lineup by the end of the weekend or early next week. With Carlos Correa (ankle) done for the year, the Astros can't get Pena back any sooner as their regular at shortstop. He's currently rostered in 80% of Yahoo leagues and can offer a little power and speed. Pena came close to his first 20-20 season in 2025, finishing three home runs shy in 125 games played.

15 hours ago

Juan Soto • LF • Mets

X-Rays Come Back Negative on Juan Soto's Ankle

Updating a previous report, X-rays came back negative on New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto's right ankle on Wednesday night, and he is considered day-to-day, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Soto fouled a ball off his ankle in the third inning and was eventually pulled in the seventh frame. Before leaving, the All-Star outfielder was hitless in three at-bats with a strikeout as the designated hitter. He was replaced at DH by MJ Melendez in the team's eventual 10-inning, walk-off victory over the Detroit Tigers. The Mets and fantasy managers can breathe a sigh of relief, but Soto could be held out for a few days as a precaution. The 27-year-old Dominican superstar has already spent time on the injured list in 2026 due to a calf strain, and he has yet to really hit his stride offensively, as he entered Wednesday's action slashing .271/.366/.458 with an .824 OPS, only four home runs, 11 RBI, 11 runs scored, and a stolen base in 96 at-bats.

15 hours ago

Jacob Misiorowski • SP • Brewers

Jacob Misiorowski Pulled Early With Possible Leg Injury

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Jacob Misiorowski (leg) had another fantastic outing on Wednesday at home against the visiting San Diego Padres, but he was removed before the start of the eighth inning when something happened when he started to warm up, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. Head athletic trainer Brad Epstein and manager Pat Murphy visited the Miz before pulling him from the game. For what it's worth, McCalvy noted that Misiorowski and Murphy were both smiling during their conversation, and it appears the move to pull him after seven full innings was purely a precaution. It's worth noting that the hard-throwing 24-year-old was pulled from a start a few weeks ago with a leg cramp, so perhaps that's what he was dealing with again on Wednesday. Misiorowski threw seven shutout innings with four hits allowed, no walks, and 10 K's in a no-decision after reliever Abner Uribe blew the save in the ninth inning. He now has a 2.12 ERA on the year and has back-to-back outings with 10 strikeouts. Misiorowski has some of the most electric stuff of any pitcher in baseball. Hopefully, his leg injury won't keep him from taking his next turn in Milwaukee's starting rotation. UPDATE: Misiorowski was diagnosed with a quadriceps cramp.

15 hours ago

Juan Soto • LF • Mets

Juan Soto Exits Wednesday's Game Early with Ankle Injury

New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (ankle) was removed from Wednesday's contest against the Detroit Tigers due to an apparent ankle injury. Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reported that the superstar outfielder fouled a ball off his ankle in the third inning and looked to be in pain. While he remained in the game for a few frames, the Mets opted to play it safe and eventually replaced him later in the contest. Fantasy managers should continue to pay close attention to his status after Wednesday's contest and ahead of Thursday's game against the Tigers. Soto missed time earlier in April due to a calf injury and could potentially face his second extended absence of the young campaign. However, when on the field, Soto has looked like his typical self, launching four home runs with a stellar .386 xwOBA through 27 games. If he were to miss time, Austin Slater and MJ Melendez would likely see more starts in left field.

16 hours ago

Ronald Acuña Jr. • RF • Braves

Ronald Acuna Jr. Won't Return on Current Homestand

Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said on Wednesday that outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (hamstring) is doing well with his agility and running, but he will not be activated from the 10-day injured list on the team's current homestand, which runs through this Sunday, May 17. The Braves are being cautious with the superstar outfielder after he landed on the IL on May 3 with a Grade 1 left-hamstring strain. It's unclear if the 28-year-old former MVP will go on a minor-league rehab assignment, but either way, it seems likely that he'll be back at some point next week. He did some sprinting up to 90 feet before Wednesday's game against the Chicago Cubs. Acuna wasn't playing at the elite level fantasy managers have become accustomed to before his hamstring injury, but he remains a must-stash, five-category contributor when he's fully healthy. Jose Azocar is making the start in right field for the Braves on Wednesday with a left-hander on the mound, and Mike Yastrzemski will continue to play in right in Atlanta against righties with Acuna out.

19 hours ago

Braxton Garrett • SP • Marlins

Braxton Garrett to Take Open Spot in Marlins Rotation

Kyle Sielaff of Marlins.TV reports that the Miami Marlins are calling left-hander Braxton Garrett from Triple-A Jacksonville to take the vacant spot in the starting rotation that was created when the team placed left-handed pitching prospect Robby Snelling (elbow) on the injured list on Wednesday. Garrett will make his 2026 season debut for the Fish and start against the Minnesota Twins in Thursday's series finale. The 28-year-old southpaw missed the entire 2025 season due to elbow surgery, but he was looking great on the farm with the Jumbo Shrimp before his call-up, posting a 2.30 ERA and 0.80 WHIP with 32 strikeouts and 15 walks in 31 1/3 innings pitched at Jacksonville. It's unclear how long Snelling will be sidelined, but it will most likely be an extended stay on the IL, paving the way for Garrett to potentially stick around in Miami's rotation for a while. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should absolutely consider picking Garrett up off the waiver wire, and he's rostered in just 6% of Yahoo leagues.

19 hours ago

Pete Fairbanks • RP • Marlins

Pete Fairbanks Returns From Injured List

The Miami Marlins announced on Wednesday that they reinstated right-handed reliever Pete Fairbanks (hand) from the 15-day injured list and placed left-handed pitching prospect Robby Snelling (elbow) on the 15-day IL in a corresponding move with a left-elbow UCL sprain. Fairbanks is back after landing on the shelf on April 28 with nerve irritation in his right hand, and he should immediately slot back into the primary closing role for the Marlins, even though he currently has a 10.00 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in nine innings pitched. Fantasy managers in need of saves should check their waiver wire to see if Fairbanks is available. He's currently rostered in 72% of Yahoo leagues. The 32-year-old former ninth-round pick by the Texas Rangers in 2015 out of Missouri has 95 saves in his seven-plus MLB seasons, and he also had five saves this year in 10 appearances out of the bullpen in Miami before getting hurt.

20 hours ago

Shohei Ohtani • DH • Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani Not Hitting for Dodgers on Wednesday

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani, who is on the mound for Wednesday's contest against the division-rival San Francisco Giants, will take a day off from hitting, according to MLB.com. Teoscar Hernandez is serving as the designated hitter and will bat sixth against Giants left-hander Robbie Ray. Manager Dave Roberts promised earlier this week that Ohtani would be given a day or two to clear his head due to a recent slump, and he could also be rested for Thursday's series finale in L.A. The four-time MVP showed signs of life at the plate in Tuesday's loss to San Fran, going 2-for-4 at the plate with his first home run since April 26. The Japanese superstar hasn't played up to his expectations as a hitter so far in 2026, but fantasy managers shouldn't be too worried just yet. Ohtani is currently hitting .240 (36-for-150) with seven home runs, 17 RBI, 27 runs scored, and five stolen bases in his first 39 games. He's had reverse splits against lefties, going 13-for-44 (.295) against southpaws with three of his seven homers on the year.

20 hours ago

Brandon Nimmo • RF • Rangers

Brandon Nimmo Back in Lineup After Rolling his Ankle

Texas Rangers outfielder Brandon Nimmo (ankle) is starting in right field and will bat in the two-hole for Wednesday's contest against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks and right-hander Ryne Nelson, per MLB.com. Nimmo sprained his left ankle and was pulled from Tuesday's win over Arizona early, but he avoided any structural damage and was cleared to return a day later after testing his ankle while running the bases before the game. The 33-year-old veteran has been solid to begin his tenure in Texas, as he enters Wednesday's action with a .288/.367/.436 slash line, an .803 OPS, four home runs, 12 RBI, 18 runs scored, and a stolen base in his 156 at-bats with the Rangers. He went 3-for-4 with a triple and a run scored in Wednesday's contest before leaving early, and he has hit .281 (9-for-32) without a home run in nine games in May. Fantasy managers will want to get him back into their lineups in traditional leagues. In seven career at-bats against Nelson, he's hitting .571 with a 1.700 OPS, so Nimmo could be a great DFS option as well.

20 hours ago

Christian Yelich • LF • Brewers

Christian Yelich Out With Back Tightness on Wednesday Night

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder/designated hitter Christian Yelich (back) is not in the team's starting lineup for Game 2 of their series at home against the San Diego Padres due to back soreness, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. "His back was a little sore. He wants to play, but I'm not going to get into this, especially when it deals with his back, because he's had this. Just going to let it calm down, and not going to listen to him on this one. I'm going to take every precaution I can," manager Pat Murphy said. Yelich missed around a month with a left-groin strain before returning to go 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Tuesday's win over SD. The former MVP has a history with back issues and had a microdiscectomy procedure in 2024, so Milwaukee isn't going to take any chances. Don't be surprised if he also sits out Thursday's series finale. Jake Bauers is serving as the DH on Wednesday and will hit cleanup for the Brew Crew against Padres ace right-hander Michael King. Yelich has hit a nice .291 (16-for-55) on the year, but with only one home run, 10 RBI, 10 runs, and three steals due to nearly a month missed while on the injured list.

20 hours ago

Trea Turner • SS • Phillies

Trea Turner "Under the Weather," Out on Wednesday

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner (illness) is "under the weather" and is out of the starting lineup for Wednesday's contest at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox, interim manager Don Mattingly told Phillies reporter Paul Casella. Turner could be available to pinch hit or pinch run off the bench, if needed, which means there is a good chance he will be back in action for Thursday's series finale. Edmundo Sosa will make the start at short in his place and will hit ninth against Red Sox right-hander Sonny Gray on Wednesday. The day off might be a good thing for Turner, who has gone just 8-for-44 (.182) with two RBI and four runs scored in his last 10 games to drop his season slash line down to .234/.283/.345 with a .628 OPS. The 32-year-old three-time All-Star has only four home runs, 13 RBI, 24 runs scored, and four steals in his first 171 plate appearances. Sosa should be avoided in the nine-hole in DFS. He's hitless in just three career at-bats against Gray, too.

20 hours ago

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