MLB News

Jeremy Peña • SS • Astros

Astros Hope Jeremy Pena Will Resume Rehab Assignment on Friday

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (hamstring, neck) will sit out again at Double-A Corpus Christi on his minor-league rehab assignment on Thursday due to neck soreness, manager Joe Espada told Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. The hope is that Pena will return to the Hooks' starting lineup on Friday. The 28-year-old Dominican collided with a baserunner on Tuesday while playing for Corpus Christi and is dealing with minor neck soreness. He has been out for over a month with a strained right hamstring, but as long as he avoids another injury this weekend in the minors, he could return to Houston's starting lineup by early next week. The Astros could really use Pena back after veteran infielder Carlos Correa (ankle) suffered a season-ending ankle injury. When Pena is cleared to come off the 10-day injured list, he'll be the Astros' starting shortstop, making him valuable in mixed fantasy leagues. He's currently rostered in 80% of Yahoo leagues. Pena was a first-time All-Star in 2025 in his fourth year in the majors, slashing .304/.363/.477 with an .840 OPS, 17 homers, 62 RBI, 20 steals, and 68 runs in 125 games played.

5 hours ago

Byron Buxton • CF • Twins

Byron Buxton Scratched on Thursday With Hip Soreness

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) has been scratched from the starting lineup for Thursday's series finale against the Miami Marlins due to right hip-flexor soreness, according to Twins reporter Audra Martin. Ryan Kreidler will make the start in center field for Minnesota and will hit eighth in the batting order against Marlins left-hander Braxton Garrett, who is making his first start of the year in the big leagues. It's disappointing that the oft-injured Buxton is hurt just a day after hitting two home runs in Wednesday night's loss to Miami, but hopefully, it's just a minor injury. The 32-year-old has been on fire at the plate lately, too, clubbing 12 of his 15 home runs in his last 20 games. For now, we'll consider him to be day-to-day. Fantasy managers will want to check back in on Friday to see if Buxton is back in the starting nine for the series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers. Kreidler has played in only five games for the Twins this year and has gone 3-for-14 (.214), but with two homers and four RBI in 18 plate appearances.

5 hours ago

Foster Griffin • SP • Nationals

Foster Griffin a Trade Candidate for Nationals?

Washington Nationals left-hander Foster Griffin, who signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract in the offseason, has been one of the best offseason moves so far in baseball. FanSided's Robert Murray writes that Griffin could be a trade candidate ahead of the Aug. 3 deadline, or he could be a candidate for a long-term extension, although sources say there haven't been any talks about a potential long-term deal. The 31-year-old southpaw currently has a sharp 2.12 ERA through his first eight starts of the 2026 season for a Nationals team that is currently two games under .500 (20-22). Griffin could be the latest left-hander to cash in on a long-term deal in his first season after coming from Japan. The former first-rounder by the Kansas City Royals in 2014 has allowed more than three earned runs in just one of his starts this year and has given up one earned run on nine hits (one homer) while walking seven and striking out 20 in 20 innings over his last three starts. Despite pitching at hitter-friendly Great American Ballpark on Thursday, Griffin will be an enticing streamer against a Reds team that ranks 25th in baseball in OPS (.684). Griffin is rostered in under 70% of Yahoo leagues right now.

5 hours ago

Cal Raleigh • C • Mariners

Cal Raleigh Heading to Injured List With Oblique Strain

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (oblique) will be placed on the 10-day injured list for the first time in his career on Thursday with a right-oblique strain, according to Adam Jude of The Seattle Times. In a corresponding move, the M's are recalling catcher Jhonny Pereda from the minors. Veteran Mitch Garver will do the majority of the catching in Seattle with Raleigh sidelined. The 29-year-old Raleigh missed three games earlier this month after injuring his side, and he aggravated it on a swing in the eighth inning in Wednesday's contest against the Houston Astros. For a power hitter of his stature, an oblique injury can be quite debilitating, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect Raleigh to return right away. Despite his rough start to the 2026 campaign, though, Raleigh should be held in all fantasy formats. The former third-rounder in 2018 out of Florida State hit a league-best 60 homers and had 125 RBI last year, but he's currently slashing a putrid .161/.243/.317 with a .560 OPS, seven long balls, 18 RBI, 16 runs, and two steals in 41 games (181 plate appearances).

5 hours ago

Francisco Lindor • SS • Mets

Francisco Lindor Healing, But Still No Timetable for his Return

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor's (calf) MRI exam showed that his strained calf is healing, but there remains no timetable for his return, manager Carlos Mendoza told Steve Gelbs of SNY. The skipper said that Lindor will now move into the strength-training portion of his recovery, although he still looks to be quite a ways away from a return from the 10-day injured list. Fantasy managers should expect the 32-year-old Puerto Rican to return sometime in June. In the meantime, with Ronny Mauricio (thumb) on the shelf as well, Bo Bichette has moved to shortstop full-time, and Brett Baty will continue to see most of the starts at third base against right-handed pitchers. Lindor, a five-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger winner, was hitting just .226 (21-for-93) with two homers, five RBI, 14 runs scored, and two stolen bases at the time of his injury, is a must-stash in fantasy leagues despite his extended absence. When fully healthy, Lindor is a top-tier shortstop. He has reached 30 homers in each of the last three seasons and has stolen 30-plus bags in two of those years.

5 hours ago

Francisco Alvarez • C • Mets

Francisco Alvarez has Knee Surgery, Expected to Miss Eight Weeks

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (knee) had surgery on his right knee on Thursday morning to fix his torn meniscus, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. The Mets expect Alvarez to be on the longer end of his recovery timetable now, so a full eight weeks, which should take him into mid-July around the All-Star break. The 24-year-old Venezuelan backstop tore the meniscus in his right knee in Tuesday night's game against the Tigers and will now miss the rest of the first half of the 2026 season. It's yet another key injury to one of the Mets' starters in what is quickly becoming a lost season. With Alvarez out for the foreseeable future, New York will turn to Luis Torrens as their starting catcher, with Hayden Senger backing him up. Fantasy managers should avoid this situation at all costs. Meanwhile, Alvarez is not a must-hold, even in single-catcher formats. He's now rostered in only 20% of Yahoo leagues.

5 hours ago

Jordan Walker • RF • Cardinals

Jordan Walker in Line for Contract Extension?

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker has been a post-hype breakout so far in 2026, hitting .298/.378/.570 with 11 home runs and 30 RBI at 23 years old. He's tied for 13th in the league in fWAR (1.8), and his massive jump in OPS from .584 last year to .947 this year has caught the attention of scouts. The former first-rounder and top-10 prospect could now be forcing the Cardinals' hand to present him with a long-term contract extension, according to Robert Murray of FanSided. Murray thinks Walker could sign a six-year extension, similar to Pete Crow-Armstrong with the Cubs, or he could follow the Austin Riley path and ink a 10-year extension that would lock him up for the majority of his career. The longer the Cardinals wait, the higher the price tag on Walker will be. In addition to his 11 homers and .290 batting average (45-for-155), Walker has contributed 30 RBI, 32 runs scored, and seven stolen bases. He has been one of the best value picks in fantasy baseball so far in 2026, and he doesn't appear to be slowing down.

6 hours ago

Christian Yelich • LF • Brewers

Christian Yelich Being Held Out for Second Straight Game With Back Injury

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder/designated hitter Christian Yelich (back) is absent from the starting lineup for the second straight day in Thursday's series finale against the visiting San Diego Padres, according to MLB.com. Catcher William Contreras will serve as the designated hitter and bat third, while Gary Sanchez is doing the catching for left-hander Kyle Harrison and will hit cleanup against his former team and right-hander Griffin Canning. Yelich returned from the injured list on Tuesday after missing a month with a groin injury, and he complained of some back soreness before Wednesday's game, prompting manager Pat Murphy to hold him out as a precaution. The Brewers will understandably play it safe with Yelich because of his history with back problems -- he had surgery on his back in 2024. Don't rule out another IL stint if he doesn't recover sooner rather than later. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Friday to see if the 34-year-old former MVP is ready to return for the start of a series against the Minnesota Twins. Yelich has hit a strong .291 (16-for-55) in just 16 games in 2026, but he has just one homer.

6 hours ago

Brady Singer • SP • Reds

Brady Singer Listed as Sunday's Probable Starter for Reds

The Cincinnati Reds have listed right-hander Brady Singer (foot) as their probable starter for Sunday's series finale against the hosting Cleveland Guardians, according to MLB.com. Singer has bounced back nicely after getting hit by a comebacker in his latest start on Tuesday against the Washington Nationals, when he allowed three earned runs on three solo home runs (six total hits) while walking one and striking out only two in 3 2/3 innings of work. While he appears to be good to take the mound this weekend, fantasy managers should be avoiding the former University of Florida product everywhere. The 29-year-old has given up 11 earned runs on 19 hits (six homers) while walking four and striking out nine in 13 innings in his last three starts for Cincy. Singer lacks strikeout upside, and although the first-place Guardians rank only 22nd in baseball in OPS (.687), he'll make for too risky a fantasy streamer in that matchup on Sunday. He's only rostered in 15% of Yahoo leagues at the moment.

6 hours ago

Cal Raleigh • C • Mariners

Cal Raleigh Sitting on Thursday With Side Injury

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (side) is unsurprisingly absent from Thursday's lineup against the division-rival Houston Astros after aggravating his side in Wednesday night's game, according to MLB.com. Mitch Garver is doing the catching for Luis Castillo and will hit eighth against Astros right-hander Mike Burrows. Raleigh missed three games earlier this month with a similar injury, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him land on the injured list this time around. For now, fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day. Check back to see if he's feeling good enough to return to the lineup for Friday's series opener back in Seattle against the San Diego Padres. After leading all of baseball with 60 home runs and 125 RBI in 159 regular-season games in 2025, the 29-year-old left-handed-slugging backstop has been a huge disappointment so far this year, batting .161/.243/.317 with a .560 OPS, seven homers, 18 RBI, 16 runs, and two steals in 161 at-bats. Another break could do him some good, but a nagging side/oblique injury also isn't ideal as he tries to round into form.

6 hours ago

Hunter Greene • SP • Reds

Hunter Greene to Throw his First Bullpen on May 26

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene (elbow) will throw his first bullpen session on May 26 and is scheduled to join the team to continue his rehab on Friday, May 29, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. Greene is on the 60-day injured list and has yet to pitch for the Reds in 2026 after having surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow in mid-March during spring training. Although this will be a notable step for the hard-throwing right-hander, he still has a long way to go before he's back in the Reds' starting rotation, and his return from the IL isn't expected to come until the second half of the season. Regardless, Greene is deserving of being stashed in most fantasy leagues while he recovers for his high-end strikeout upside as Cincy's ace when he's healthy. The 26-year-old former second overall pick in 2017 has had an ERA under 3.00 in each of the last two seasons, and he owns a strong 11.2 K/9 mark in his four big-league seasons. He's currently rostered in 62% of Yahoo leagues.

6 hours ago

Juan Soto • LF • Mets

Juan Soto Back in Lineup on Thursday After Injury Scare

New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (ankle) is back in the starting lineup for Thursday's series finale at Citi Field, serving as the designated hitter and batting third against Detroit Tigers right-hander Keider Montero, according to MLB.com. Soto fouled a ball off his ankle early in Wednesday's game against Detroit and was later pulled from the contest, but he's back in there a day later after X-rays came back negative. It's great news for a banged-up and struggling Mets squad. Fantasy managers will be hoping that the 27-year-old Dominican can get on track at the plate going into the weekend. Soto enters Thursday's play with a .263/.357/.444 slash line with an .801 OPS, only four home runs, 11 RBI, 11 runs scored, and a stolen base in 99 at-bats. The four-time All-Star already spent time on the injured list with a calf strain, which hasn't helped him find his groove at the plate in 2026. He has a .502 OPS with one homer in May so far. Soto is hitless in just two career at-bats versus Montero.

6 hours ago

Matt Wallner • RF • Twins

Matt Wallner Optioned to Triple-A

Minnesota Twins outfielder Matt Wallner was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday. The big lefty was expected to be a key part of the lineup this season, but has scuffled to just a .167/.259/.292 slash line with a 39 percent strikeout rate. After hitting 22 homers in 104 games last season with a .334 wOBA, Wallner has the potential to be a power contributor when he's at his best, but his contact rate plummeted too low to keep him in the lineup this season. He could return later in the summer if he gets going at Triple-A, but he can be dropped in most leagues for now. Versatile utilityman Ryan Kreidler was called up to replace him on the bench.

7 hours ago

Matt Wallner • RF • Twins |

Zebby Matthews • SP • Twins

Zebby Matthews Promoted From Triple-A, Worth an Add Ahead of Thursday's Start?

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Zebby Matthews will get the call for the Twins on Thursday afternoon in their series finale against the Marlins. The 25-year-old righty went 5-6 with a 5.56 ERA last year in 16 starts, but his 3.79 FIP and 10.0 K/9 indicate he has the potential for even more fantasy production going forward. In seven starts in Triple-A this year, Matthews had a 4.72 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 34 1/3 innings. He remains an intriguing talent with high strikeout potential, but his results have been very inconsistent in the majors last year and at Triple-A this year. He's a high-risk waiver pickup in standard-sized leagues, but he does have the potential to produce. As part of Thursday's roster moves, the Twins also optioned struggling lefty Matt Wallner, who posted a .167/.259/.292 slash line with a 39 percent strikeout rate. The slugger could return later in the summer if he gets going, but he can be dropped in most leagues for now. Mathews holds intriguing streaming potential in deeper 12+ team leagues given his strikeout potential.

7 hours ago

Casey Mize • SP • Tigers

Casey Mize Could Return and Start on Saturday

Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize (groin) is eligible to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list on Friday, and he could return to the team's starting rotation to make the start on Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays, according to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News. Mize will be a riskier fantasy option this weekend if he makes his first start since late April due to a right-adductor strain. He threw a batting practice session this week, but it appears that he is going to return to the big-league roster without making a minor-league rehab assignment. The 29-year-old former first overall pick out of Auburn in the 2018 MLB draft was looking great before getting hurt, going 2-2 with a 2.90 ERA (2.85 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with 35 strikeouts and 11 walks in 31 innings across his first six starts, and he was a first-time All-Star for Detroit last season. Mize doesn't have the kind of high-end upside that other arms have because of his lack of strikeouts, but he will have a decent matchup on Saturday if he faces the Blue Jays, who rank 24th in baseball with a .684 OPS.

7 hours ago

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.

8 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.

8 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.

8 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.

8 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.

17 hours ago

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