Hawks Plan to Re-Evalute Jock Landale in Two Weeks
Atlanta Hawks center Jock Landale (ankle) will miss the start of the postseason. He is working his way back from a high ankle sprain, and the team announced on Thursday that Landale will be re-evaluated in approximately two weeks. The Hawks begin their first-round series against the New York Knicks on Saturday. After he was acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies in February, Landale suited up for 23 regular-season games with the Hawks. He averaged 9.1 points and 4.1 rebounds in 19.4 minutes. Starting center Onyeka Okongwu looks set for a heavy workload in the playoffs, with Mouhamed Gueye and Tony Bradley sharing the backup role.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Mike Trout Hits Five Homers in Series Versus Yankees
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout has been looking like his former MVP self this week in the Bronx during a four-game series against the New York Yankees. Trout finished Thursday's 11-4 victory by going 1-for-2 with a solo home run, three runs scored, and three walks. The 34-year-old former 11-time All-Star and three-time MVP finished the four-game series against the Yanks with five total home runs, which is the first time any opposing player has hit five home runs in a series against the Yankees. After another big game on Thursday, Trout is now hitting .246 on the year with a 1.010 OPS, seven home runs, 16 RBI, two stolen bases, a league-high 21 runs scored, 18 walks, and 18 strikeouts in 19 games played in his 16th year in the majors. Trout has had trouble staying healthy in recent years, but he's fully healthy now, and he's rewarding his fantasy managers with plenty of production across the board. If the future Hall of Famer can stay on the field all year, he'll end up being an absolute steal in fantasy and a potential league-winner.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jonathan Isaac Considered Questionable for Matchup Versus Hornets
Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac (knee) is listed as questionable on the injury report ahead of Friday's Play-In Tournament game against the Charlotte Hornets. He hasn't seen any action for more than a month due to a left knee sprain. Isaac was also questionable for Wednesday's tilt against Philadelphia before he was ultimately ruled out. During the regular season, Isaac averaged only 10.0 minutes across 52 games, so he isn't a major loss for the Magic.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Moussa Diabate Listed as Questionable for Friday
Charlotte Hornets center Moussa Diabate (hip) is considered questionable for Friday's Play-In Tournament matchup against the Orlando Magic. Charlotte may be without its starting center for the win-or-go-home game, as Diabate has landed on the injury report with a sore left hip. The 24-year-old is coming off an eight-point, 14-rebound effort in Tuesday's win over Miami. If Diabate can't get on the floor on Friday, Ryan Kalkbrenner and Grant Williams are likely to get the bulk of the work at center. Xavier Tillman may also enter the rotation.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Cardinals Pick Up Paris Johnson Jr.'s Fifth-Year Option
The Arizona Cardinals picked up the fifth-year option on left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. (knee) on Thursday, a source told Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. Johnson will now make just over $19 million for the 2027 season, with the former sixth overall pick back in 2023 out of Ohio State most likely to eventually sign a contract extension with the team. The 24-year-old finished last year on Injured Reserve due to a knee injury, but he should be ready in plenty of time for the start of the 2026 campaign this fall. Johnson has started in all 43 games that he's appeared in over his first three seasons with the Cardinals in the desert. He's coming off a career-low 12 games played in 2025, but Johnson could bounce back as one of the better left tackles in the league in 2026 in his fourth year in the league if he's completely past his knee injury. Johnson will be blocking the blind side for veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett to begin next season.
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Source: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
Joel Embiid Expected to Miss Start of Playoffs
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (abdomen) is not expected to play at the start of the team's first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. He underwent a successful appendectomy a week ago and needs more time to recover from the procedure. "The Sixers are preparing for battle without Joel Embiid, at least to start the series," Charania said during an appearance on NBA Today. "He's only a week-ish removed from surgery for that appendicitis. So he's very much in the recovery phase of this. Once you recover, then you have to have a separate rehab part of the process as well." Adem Bona has started at center during Embiid's absence, including in Wednesday's Play-In Tournament win over Orlando. However, backup big man Andre Drummond has been more productive, posting three straight double-doubles.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Arsenii Sergeev to Make NHL Debut Thursday
Calgary Flames goaltender Arsenii Sergeev will be between the sticks on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Kings, Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan reports. With Devin Cooley (illness) unavailable, the Flames brought Sergeev up from the minors, and he will be thrown straight into action. This will be Sergeev's NHL debut after appearing in 28 AHL and 12 ECHL contests this season. He will go up against a Kings team that has averaged 3.50 goals per game this month and is still fighting for a higher playoff seed, so this could be a long night for Sergeev.
Source: Pat Steinberg
Source: Pat Steinberg
Aleksander Barkov Cleared for World Championship
Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (knee) will play for Team Finland in the World Championship, ESPN's Emily Kaplan reports. The Panthers captain missed the entire 2025-26 NHL campaign due to a knee injury, but he was medically cleared to play by team doctors on Wednesday. The World Championship will be played from May 15 to May 31 in Switzerland. Anton Lundell (ribs), who missed Florida's final 14 games, will also suit up for Finland. Lundell's usage will suffer next season with Barkov back in the lineup. Before his knee injury, Barkov was a point-per-game player for five consecutive campaigns. The missed year might affect his productivity in 2026-27.
Source: Emily Kaplan
Source: Emily Kaplan
Giants Want "a Lot" for Dexter Lawrence
The feeling around the NFL is that New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence is underpaid on his current deal, and the Giants want "a lot" for him in any trade, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN. According to sources, Lawrence wants to be traded, which is why he officially requested a trade. He was open to a fresh start, dating back to the start of last year. The 28-year-old former 17th overall pick in 2019 out of Clemson is coming off a down year in 2025 in which he had only half a sack in 17 games, following three straight Pro Bowl appearances from 2022 to 2024. In 2025, Lawrence had a career-high nine sacks in just 12 starts. The G-Men do not want to give Lawrence a new deal coming off his down season, and they aren't just going to give him away in a trade. They have had talks with other teams about a trade, but nothing has materialized yet. This situation could be resolved before the start of the 2026 NFL draft next Thursday night.
Source: ESPN New York - Jordan Raanan
Source: ESPN New York - Jordan Raanan
Pierre-Luc Dubois Dealing With Fractured Hand
Washington Capitals forward Pierre-Luc Dubois fractured his hand in Sunday's win over Pittsburgh, Tarik El-Bashir of Monumental Sports reports. He didn't play on Tuesday against Columbus and is expected to need 1-2 months to heal up. The playoff door was shut for Washington, so Dubois will have the entire summer to rehab from the injury. Dubois battled health issues all season and made only 29 appearances. He tallied five goals and 19 points. His production dropped significantly compared with his first season with the Capitals, when Dubois recorded a career-high 66 points (20 goals, 46 assists) in 82 games.
Source: Tarik El-Bashir
Source: Tarik El-Bashir
Zach Whitecloud Ready to Rock Thursday
Calgary Flames defenseman Zach Whitecloud (face) will be in the lineup on Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings. He took a puck to the face in Tuesday's loss to Colorado, leaving Whitecloud questionable for the season finale. However, he is ready to play with a full shield against the Kings. Since his midseason move from Vegas, Whitecloud has made 30 appearances with the Flames. He has yet to score for the team but does have eight assists. The 29-year-old has been a great addition to the defense, registering 78 blocks and 48 hits. Whitecloud's ice time has jumped to 22:44 per game in Calgary, and it will be interesting to see what he can do next year during his first full season as a Flame.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Chargers, Derwin James Expected to Pick Up Contract Talks After Draft
Los Angeles Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz said that he's been in touch with safety Derwin James and outside linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu's agents about their contract extensions, and those talks are expected to "heat up" after the upcoming NFL draft next week, according to Kris Rhim of ESPN. James is expected to want a new deal before the start of training camp at the end of July, and depending on how contract talks go after the 2026 draft, he could be a holdout for offseason team activities and mandatory minicamp. Tuipulotu could be in the same boat this offseason. James, 29, only played in five games from 2019 to 2020 due to injuries. But since then, the former 17th overall pick in 2018 out of Florida State has played in at least 14 games a year since the start of the 2021 campaign. The five-time Pro Bowler and former All-Pro continues to be a tackling machine at defensive back in IDP fantasy formats. James had 94 tackles (50 solo), two sacks, six tackles for loss, eight QB hits, a career-high three interceptions, seven pass breakups, and a forced fumble in 16 regular-season starts in 2025. Most likely, James and the Chargers will be able to work something out to keep him happy.
Source: ESPN.com - Kris Rhim
Source: ESPN.com - Kris Rhim
Matt Coronato Available Against Kings
Calgary Flames right wing Matt Coronato (undisclosed) will play in Thursday's season finale against the Los Angeles Kings. He was out on Tuesday against Colorado due to an undisclosed injury, but is available for his 80th appearance of the season on Thursday night. Thanks to a late scoring surge, Coronato has posted his second straight 40-point season. He has tallied 44 points (19 goals, 26 assists) in 79 outings. The 23-year-old has finished only three of his last 14 appearances without scoring any points. Facing a Kings team that is tied for the seventh-best defensive record in the league, Coronato and the Flames are in for a difficult night.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Josh Manson Expected to Return for Postseason
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson (upper body) is expected to rejoin the lineup at the start of the postseason, Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now reports. Colorado will wrap up its regular-season schedule on Thursday night against Seattle, and Mason will remain out for a third consecutive game due to an upper-body injury. However, Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar believes the team will be at full strength for Game 1 of the playoffs. Manson had his second 30-point campaign in 2025-26, with five goals and 26 assists in 79 outings. He finishes among the team leaders with a plus-42 rating, 99 blocks, and 174 hits.
Source: Aarif Deen
Source: Aarif Deen
Nathan MacKinnon, Martin Necas Sit Out Regular-Season Finale
Colorado Avalanche forwards Nathan MacKinnon (rest) and Martin Necas (rest) won't suit up on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken, Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now reports. Colorado has decided to rest its two highest scorers for the regular season finale. Gabriel Landeskog might also join them on the sidelines, while Nazem Kadri (finger) has been ruled out for a fifth straight game. Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar expects everyone to be ready for the start of the playoffs. Artturi Lehkonen, Brock Nelson, and Valeri Nichushkin are expected to form the first line on Thursday night. Meanwhile, the likes of Parker Kelly and Nicolas Roy could also take on more responsibilities.
Source: Aarif Deen
Source: Aarif Deen
Jets Cancel Visit With David Bailey
The New York Jets had all the information they already needed on Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey and felt there was no reason for a pre-draft visit, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Bailey was supposed to have a top-30 visit with the Jets, but the team canceled the meeting. The 22-year-old is the leading candidate to be the second overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft by the Jets, although Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese could also be in play. Bailey was an absolute beast last year for the Red Raiders, tallying 32 solo tackles and leading the Big 12 in tackles for loss (19.5) and sacks (14.5) in 14 games played. In his first three collegiate seasons at Stanford, Bailey had 14.5 sacks in 32 games played. Both Bailey and Reese would immediately help a Jets pass rush that ranked second-to-last in 2025 with only 26 total sacks in 17 games.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
K.C. Concepcion Visits With Chargers, 49ers
Texas A&M wide receiver K.C. Concepcion wrapped up his pre-draft visits with meetings with the Los Angeles Chargers and San Francisco 49ers this week, a source told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Concepcion visited with the New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, and Buffalo Bills last week and had the New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, Cleveland Browns, and Carolina Panthers before that. The first-round candidate has been busy of late. The Chargers already have Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and Tre' Harris at the WR position, but the Niners have more of a need at the position behind future Hall of Famer Mike Evans, given how injury-prone Ricky Pearsall has been. Neither Brandon Aiyuk (knee) nor Jauan Jennings (free agent) is expected back in the Bay Area in 2026. Concepcion is a big-play threat at wideout who had 61 catches for 919 yards and an SEC-high nine receiving touchdowns in 2025 in 13 games.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Cardinals a Real Threat to Select Jeremiyah Love at No. 3 Overall
SNY's Connor Hughes writes that there's "significant buzz in league circles" that the Arizona Cardinals will take Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick. The Tennessee Titans and New York Giants sit at No. 4 and No. 5, respectively, and they could be in play for Love, too, if he slips past Arizona. The Cardinals signed RB Tyler Allgeier in free agency, and they also have James Conner (ankle) and Trey Benson (knee) coming off season-ending injuries. "There's a lot of smoke there," Hughes says about Love going to the Cardinals. If Arizona doesn't go with Love, they could opt for whichever pass-rusher the New York Jets pass on at second overall. The Las Vegas Raiders (first overall) are expected to take Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. If Love were to land in the desert, it wouldn't be ideal for his short-term fantasy value, but in the long run, he'd be the overwhelming favorite to eventually emerge as the RB1 for the Cardinals.
Source: SNY - Connor Hughes
Source: SNY - Connor Hughes
Cameron Ward Should Throw at Minicamp
Tennessee Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi said that it's "trending" toward second-year quarterback Cameron Ward (shoulder) throwing in the team's upcoming minicamp, according to Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com. Ward ended his lackluster rookie campaign in 2025 with an AC joint sprain in his right (throwing) shoulder in the Week 18 regular-season finale, but he's expected to be fine by the start of training camp and the 2026 regular-season opener in early September. The 23-year-old former first overall pick last year out of the University of Miami completed 59.8% of his passes in his rookie season while throwing for just 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 17 starts. Ward led the Titans to a 3-14 record while also carrying the ball 39 times for 159 yards and two touchdowns as a rusher. It's a good time to buy low on him in dynasty leagues, as he could see Year 2 improvement under new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll with new receiver Wan'Dale Robinson in town to help the passing attack. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues should consider Ward a low-end QB2 target with upside.
Source: TennesseeTitans.com - Jim Wyatt
Source: TennesseeTitans.com - Jim Wyatt
De'Von Achane Spotted at Dolphins Training Facilities
Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane was not present for the start of the team's voluntary offseason workout program last week, but he was seen at the training facility on Thursday, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. It's believed that Achane showed up "as a sign of good faith" as he and the organization continue to talk about a contract extension. The Dolphins continue to say that Achane is off limits for a trade this offseason, even though they already released receiver Tyreek Hill (knee) and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and traded receiver Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos. The 24-year-old Pro Bowler wants the team to prove that they value him as one of the pillars of their rebuild, and all signs point to something eventually being worked out to keep the Texas A&M product in South Beach for years to come. Achane was a top-10 fantasy RB in 2025 with his first 1,000-yard rushing season and eight rushing touchdowns in 16 games. He added 67 catches for 488 yards and four more touchdowns. There will be volatility with Achane in fantasy in 2026 in an offense that could be very inconsistent again, but the high-end volume that he's expected to see will give him a high floor as an RB1.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Chase Silseth Next Up for Saves in Anaheim?
If Los Angeles Angels manager Kurt Suzuki opts to go with someone else at closer after right-hander Jordan Romano blew two saves in New York against the Yankees this week, The Orange County Register's Jeff Fletcher suggests that right-hander Chase Silseth might be the next man up. Silseth has a 2.84 ERA and 1.58 WHIP with six walks and eight strikeouts in 6 1/3 relief innings for the Halos this year in his nine outings. Right-handers Kirby Yates (knee) and Ben Joyce (shoulder) remain on the injured list and have yet to make their season debuts, so the Angels don't exactly have many great options beyond Romano, who is a two-time All-Star with 117 career saves in seven-plus MLB seasons. While Silseth has fared well early on in 2026, he holds a 5.53 FIP and has never recorded a save in his four-plus MLB campaigns. Silseth also has three holds, and he should only be a consideration for a waiver-wire pickup in deeper fantasy leagues for managers desperate in the saves column. Veteran lefty Drew Pomeranz has five holds this year and 10 career saves in 12-plus years in the big leagues, and he could get a shot as well in save situations if Romano loses the job.
Source: The Orange County Register - Jeff Fletcher
Source: The Orange County Register - Jeff Fletcher
James Tibbs III Shedding Stash Status During Cold Spell
Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect James Tibbs III has cooled considerably since his white-hot start to the season, going just 3-for-33 (.091) with an ugly 41.5 percent strikeout rate over his last nine games. He was never going to stay on the pace he was before that (.514 AVG, 12 extra-base hits, including seven home runs in eight games), but it appears to have gone from one extreme to another. On the plus side, the Dodgers' 10th-ranked prospect has continued to get on base via the walk, collecting seven of them in this recent nine-game skid and recording a strong 13.8 percent walk rate for the season. Hopefully the former 13th-overall draft pick can get going again soon, but for now, the shine has worn off his status as a top offensive stash option in fantasy leagues. The 23-year-old will likely make his MLB debut at some point this season, but with a healthy outfield on the big league club and the left-handed slugger clearly needing some additional seasoning at Triple-A, he does not appear to be on the verge of a call-up.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Pete Crow-Armstrong Struggling to Begin 2026
Across his first 77 plate appearances of 2026, Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong is hitting .236/.276/.306 with one home run, five RBI, 12 runs scored, and four stolen bases. The 24-year-old was the talk of baseball to start the 2025 season, posting an .847 OPS with 25 home runs and 27 stolen bases before the All-Star break. However, Crow-Armstrong faltered down the stretch, posting a .634 OPS with just six homers in the season's second half. So far in 2026, Crow-Armstrong has been closer to his second-half self. He owns a subpar 4% barrel rate and has struck out in 29.9% of his plate appearances while walking at just a 3.9% clip. Crow-Armstrong's athleticism and elite defense should keep him in the Cubs' lineup and allow him to rack up stolen bases and counting stats. Still, the high-end power/speed upside that Crow-Armstrong showcased early in 2025 is starting to look more like a temporary hot streak than an established level of production.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Max Clark with Another Multi-Hit Performance, Toolsy Outfielder is a Must-Stash
Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark has been showing why he was a third-overall draft pick back in 2023, consistently climbing the ranks of the Tigers' farm system and proving he's not overmatched whatsoever at Triple-A thus far in 2025. The Tigers' second-ranked prospect (soon to be top-ranked with the eventual graduation of Kevin McGonigle) has tallied six multi-hit performances over his last 10 games, and is now hitting .356, slugging .525, and owns a .437 on-base percentage thanks to a robust 14.1 percent walk rate. What's more is that the left-handed slugger has just an 8.5 percent strikeout rate and has swiped six bases. He's played just 15 games at Triple-A, but soon there won't be much left to prove, and a debut in the majors is drawing nearer and nearer. With a fantasy-friendly combination of contact, power, and speed, the 21-year-old is a worthy stash candidate in all formats.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Charlie Condon Showing Improved Approach, MLB Debut Around the Corner?
Colorado Rockies corner infielder/outfielder prospect Charlie Condon continues to hit well at Triple-A Albuquerque, going 5-for-12 (.417) over his last three games. The Rockies' second-ranked prospect is slashing an impressive .319/.439/.617 with four home runs and, perhaps more importantly, has lowered his strikeout rate to a better-than-average 19.3 percent for the season. The right-hander is also drawing walks at a 14.0 percent clip and has even stolen a base. The main knock on the former third-overall draft pick was his strikeout rate, which showed improvement in the Arizona Fall League and in Cactus League play, and now it is translating to regular-season action. After a strong start to the year, Rockies first baseman T.J. Rumfield has cooled, going 3-for-24 (.124) with zero extra-base hits over his last seven games, so there isn't much blocking Condon's path, especially given that he can also play third base, outfield, or simply be the designated hitter. With his power and the 6-foot-5 slugger's home field being Coors Field, he remains a top hitter to stash in deep leagues, and could even become viable in shallower formats given his improved approach at the plate.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Zach Neto Showcasing Improved Walk Rate to Start 2026
Across his first 90 plate appearances of the 2026 season, Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto is hitting .240/.367/.493 with five home runs, nine RBI, 17 runs scored, and one stolen base. The 25-year-old has not been especially aggressive on the base paths so far this season, but Neto has a track record as a speed asset with 56 stolen bases over the past two seasons combined. Elsewhere in his profile, Neto looks to be on track to provide strong fantasy production. His 12% barrel rate supports his strong power output, and his 15.6% walk rate at the top of the Angels lineup should allow him to continue racking up runs scored. While Neto's 27.8% strikeout rate limits his batting average upside, he makes enough hard contact to avoid crushing fantasy managers in the category. As long as he stays healthy, Neto appears poised to be a high-end fantasy shortstop in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Trea Turner Showing Signs of Decline Early in 2026?
Across his first 78 plate appearances of 2026, Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner is hitting .260/.308/.397 with two home runs, seven RBI, 13 runs scored, and one stolen base. The 32-year-old has a long track record of strong MLB production, so it's too early in the season for fantasy managers to panic. However, Turner is showing some signs of age-related decline. For one, his strikeout rate has risen from 16.7% to 21.8% while his barrel and hard-hit rates currently sit at just 3.6% and 28.6%. Perhaps most concerningly, Turner has attempted just one stolen base across 18 games played after going 36-for-43 as a base stealer across 141 games in 2025. The veteran shortstop is locked into everyday playing time at the top of the Phillies' order. He should be able to rack up counting stats and has plenty of time to heat up as the season progresses. Still, Turner's fantasy value is trending in the wrong direction in the midst of a relatively slow start to the year.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Robby Snelling Closing in on MLB Debut, Remains an Upside Stash Option
Miami Marlins pitching prospect Robby Snelling was in the mix to make the Marlins' starting rotation before ultimately being reassigned to Triple-A to begin the year, but since then, the left-hander has been making his case for a big league debut. In his latest outing, the former 39th-overall draft pick struck out 12 batters in just five innings of work, now with a remarkable 40.7 strikeout rate through three starts. Granted, a 14.8 percent walk rate is not ideal, but he's been able to limit the damage with a .152 opponent batting average, 80.9 LOB%, and a 2.77 ERA. The Marlins' second-ranked prospect could be nearing a major league debut, especially with right-handers Chris Paddack (four starts, four HR, 5.59 ERA) and Janson Junk (three starts, 11.6 percent K-BB%, 4.32 ERA) underwhelming so far. Snelling remains one of the top prospect pitching stashes in deeper leagues, and with a 34.3 percent K% in 14 starts at Triple-A over the past two seasons, the strikeout potential is high.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Gregory Soto Falls into Eighth-Inning Role Again, Losing Value in Standard Leagues
Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Gregory Soto worked a scoreless eighth inning with two strikeouts in his team's 2-0 win over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday. Pirates reliever Dennis Santana followed Soto in the ninth inning and picked up his second save of the season. While Soto also has a save in 2026, he has four holds and appears to be settling in to a setup role ahead of Santana. The 31-year-old's overall line is excellent, as he's recorded a 0.93 ERA and 0.72 WHIP with 15 strikeouts across 9 2/3 innings, so he could be in line to take over the ninth if Santana gets injured or struggles. Still, Soto's value in standard fantasy leagues is fading as the roles in Pittsburgh's bullpen start to become defined.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Didier Fuentes a High-End Pitching Prospect Worth Stashing
Atlanta Braves pitching prospect Didier Fuentes ran into some trouble in his latest start at Triple-A Gwinnett, yielding four runs in the first inning alone, but settled in and tossed six shutout innings after that. Outside of that one inning of trouble, the Braves' third-ranked prospect has thrown 15 2/3 innings of scoreless ball and has produced a 20:6 K:BB overall. The right-hander has already made one appearance earlier this season with the Braves and made his MLB debut in June last year, days after he turned 20 years old. Veteran Martin Perez appears to be the current placeholder in the fifth spot of the rotation for now, but having been DFA'd once already this season, his hold on the job is tenuous. So long as Fuentes continues to pitch well, the Colombian should be the next name the team turns to. With major league experience already and strikeout upside that is paired with solid control (7.3 percent career walk rate in the minors), Fuentes is a strong stash option in deeper leagues ahead of his eventual return to the big leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
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