Joc Pederson has Three Home Runs in his Last Two Games
Texas Rangers designated hitter Joc Pederson is starting to heat up at the plate. The 34-year-old left-handed slugger went 3-for-4 at the plate out of the leadoff spot on Wednesday night with two home runs and three RBI in the team's 4-3 loss to the visiting Houston Astros at Globe Life Park. Both of his home runs were of the solo variety, and Pederson has now gone deep three times in the last two games. In his last eight contests, he's gone 10-for-23 (.435) with three homers and six RBI to boost his season-long line to .250/.361/.430 with a .791 OPS, six home runs, 16 RBI, and 20 runs scored in 51 games across 156 plate appearances. Pederson has disappointed so far in his tenure with the Rangers, as he played in only 96 games in 2025 and hit nine home runs with 26 RBI in 306 plate appearances, but if he gets on a heater, he'll be worth a look off the waiver wire for his power production. Right now, Pederson is only rostered in 1% of Yahoo leagues, so he's widely available.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Shohei Ohtani Homers, Throws Six Hitless Innings Against Rockies
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani showed why he is baseball's unicorn in Wednesday's 4-1 victory over the division-rival Colorado Rockies, delivering as both a hitter and starting pitcher. At the plate, Ohtani went 1-for-4 and led off the game in the bottom of the first inning with a solo shot to put the Dodgers in the lead. On the mound, he continued his Cy Young-caliber season, tossing six hitless innings (one earned run allowed) while walking four and striking out seven to pick up his fifth win of the season. The 31-year-old four-time MVP didn't have his best control on the mound (he also hit a batter) and threw 56 of his 99 pitches for strikes. Ohtani got the job done nonetheless, and he's now sporting a ridiculous 0.82 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, and 61:17 K:BB in his 55 innings pitched across nine starts. He only allowed three runs in 25 innings in May. After a brief slump at the plate to begin the year, Ohtani has now gone 18-for-47 (.383) with three home runs and 14 RBI in his last 13 games. You can't keep the Japanese sensation down for long. Ohtani is a freak of nature and a must-start anytime he's in the lineup or toeing the rubber.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Teoscar Hernandez Heading to Injured List With Hamstring Strain
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that outfielder Teoscar Hernandez (hamstring) will head to the 10-day injured list after straining his left hamstring in Wednesday's victory over the division-rival Colorado Rockies, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. It's the second consecutive night that the Dodgers lost a position player to the IL, as Enrique Hernandez went back on the IL after straining his oblique on Tuesday. It's a frustrating development for Teoscar, who has bounced back in May with an .892 OPS. He missed time last year with a strained left groin and said in spring training that it was a factor in him posting a .672 OPS the rest of the way, one of the worst stretches of his Dodgers tenure. Hyeseong Kim took over for Hernandez in left field on Wednesday, his first time playing the position in the majors. Roberts said that Alex Call could get more time in left field to build off his strong start in 2026. Outfield prospect James Tibbs III is one of many options the Dodgers have to replace Hernandez on the active roster before Friday. Hernandez should be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues while he recovers.
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
A Treylon Burks Dynasty Resurgence Looking Highly Unlikely
Washington Commanders wide receiver Treylon Burks has been one of the most disappointing first-round picks in recent history, in both the NFL and dynasty leagues, particularly because he was taken with the 18th overall pick the Titans acquired in the 2022 deal that sent three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown to the Eagles. Through his first four years in the league, Burks has caught 63 passes for 829 yards and two touchdowns. Even in latching on with one of the weakest receiver rooms in the league in 2025, Burks failed to make an impact across his first eight games with the Commanders, averaging 1.3 receptions per game. Washington is expected to have Terry McLaurin back at full health to begin the 2026 season, and after using a third-round pick on slot receiver Antonio Williams and spending up in free agency to land tight end Chig Okonkwo and pass-catching running back Rachaad White, Burks' spot on the roster looks precarious at best. He will still need to overtake Luke McCaffrey and 2025 fourth-round pick Jaylin Lane for a chance at a meaningful snap share, and as RotoBaller's dynasty WR139, his time as a player who needs to be held has long passed.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Trevor Megill Earns Save on Wednesday, Can He Fully Reclaim Ninth-Inning Job?
Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Trevor Megill secured his team's 2-1 win on Wednesday, allowing just an infield hit to Masyn Winn. Winn stole second and advanced to third base on a sacrifice fly, but Megill struck out pinch-hitter Yohel Pozo to end the game. Megill earned his sixth save of the year and has not allowed a run in his last four outings. On the season, he has a 4.74 ERA but only a 1.75 FIP. He should be due for some positive ERA regression, according to his advanced metrics, and could step back in as the primary closer for the Brewers, especially with Abner Uribe drawing criticism for his on-field celebrations. Both pitchers will remain critically important to the Brew Crew, but Megill may have a slight advantage in save chances going forward. If he's on the waiver wire and you need saves, he's a nice addition in most formats.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Cedric Coward Aims to Improve Ball-Handling Ability
Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward Cedric Coward is focused on improving his ball-handling ability. "The biggest thing is my handle and showing that I'm a primary ball handler," Coward told Mark Medina of R.org in an interview. "I have it. But we had a lot of point guards last year. So I wasn't able to show quite as much. But at the end of the day, that is something that I've been working on." The 22-year-old averaged 13.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists during his first year in the Association, earning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team. As Coward develops his playmaking abilities, his assist numbers should naturally rise, increasing his fantasy value.
Source: Mark Medina
Source: Mark Medina
Cole Kmet a Low-Cost Dynasty Depth Piece
Bears tight end Cole Kmet has become the forgotten man in Chicago's uptrending offense, but he's still capable of providing usable dynasty depth, and he profiles as a rare tight end handcuff. Overshadowed in 2025 by a trio of wide receivers and rookie tight end Colston Loveland, Kmet managed two top 12 fantasy finishes, and he led the team in tight end snaps. In his first year as head coach, Ben Johnson deployed heavy personnel usage at a top 10 rate, a trend dating back to his time as offensive coordinator in Detroit, and with veteran receiver DJ Moore and his 84.8% snap share out the door, there's room for that usage to increase in 2026. Prior to the Bears spending first-round capital on Loveland in the 2025 NFL Draft, Kmet had finished as the TE22 or better in four straight seasons, including back-to-back TE7 finishes in 2022 and 2023. Should an injury ahead of him force him back into a primary role, Kmet has proven more than capable of exceeding his current ranking of RotoBaller's dynasty TE50, and he is an under-the-radar trade target tied to a high-powered offense for two more seasons before reaching free agency at the age of 29.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kyle Hurt Earns Save Wednesday, Emerging as Deep-League Pickup?
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kyle Hurt picked up his first save of the season on Wednesday night against the Rockies. The 27-year-old righty came on in the ninth inning after Tanner Scott worked through the top of the order in the eighth. With a 4-1 lead, Hurt quickly retired the Rockies in order, getting back-to-back groundouts and then fanning Willi Castro to end the game. Hurt is 1-0 with an impressive 1.06 ERA and 2.36 FIP in his 17 innings this season, while racking up 20 strikeouts. He could be used more as a co-closer with the lefty Scott over the next several weeks while the Dodgers continue to wait for Edwin Diaz (elbow) to return from his long layoff. Hurt is a solid speculative add in deep leagues in case he gets more work, but in standard-sized leagues, he's hard to trust since the Dodgers will continue to rotate options at the end of games.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jonas Valanciunas Attracting Interest From Europe
Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas appears to have his sights set on Europe if the Nuggets don't exercise a $10 million option on his contract for next season. "I received attention," Valanciunas said during a podcast appearance in his native Lithuania. "Yes, there were talks with one team, another team, and the Lithuanian club. There are discussions, and we are deciding. But the final word belongs to Denver. First of all, it depends on whether they trade me, keep me, or not. That's their decision. Right now, I think the bigger question for them is what they will do with the roster overall: who stays and who goes. As I understand it, only Nikola [Jokic] is untouchable, and everyone else can be moved." Valanciunas noted that his future will be clear in the first week of July, or maybe even earlier. As a backup in Denver this season, Valanciunas averaged 8.7 points and 5.1 rebounds in 13.4 minutes per game.
Source: BasketNews
Source: BasketNews
Enyel De Los Santos Sharp in Five-Out Save, Back on the Closer Radar?
Houston Astros relief pitcher Enyel De Los Santos closed out his team's one-run win over the Rangers on Wednesday in dominant fashion. De Los Santos came into the game with one out in the eighth inning and retired all five batters he faced, including strikeouts to end both the eighth and ninth innings. De Los Santos has 21 strikeouts in his 22 2/3 innings with a 3.57 ERA, 2.32 FIP, and 1.01 WHIP to go with his four saves on the year. It was his first save since April 22, but he could get more chances in the next few games before Josh Hader (biceps) joins the bullpen. Hader is nearing the end of his rehab and could be back as early as next week, but if you need short-term bullpen help, De Los Santos was impressive enough to be a short-term pickup until Hader returns.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Quinn Ewers a Dynasty Hold with Limited Upside
Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers was a seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and with the writing on the wall as early as last season that the team would be moving on from veteran starter Tua Tagovailoa, Ewers was given the final three starts of his rookie season. While he handled himself adequately, he did little to prove he was the future of the franchise, averaging 190 passing yards across those three performances while throwing three touchdowns and just as many interceptions. Following an overhaul of the coaching staff and front office, the Dolphins signed former Packers backup Malik Willis to a three-year, $67.5 million contract. With Ewers likely to serve as the primary backup, he's still worth rostering in deep superflex leagues, especially with Willis largely unproven as a starter. That said, Ewers ranks in the bottom half of backups across the league, and even if given the chance as an injury fill-in, a poor supporting cast and his own limited skill set will cap his ceiling and keep him comfortably outside of must-start territory, reflected by his current ranking as RotoBaller's dynasty QB47.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Celtics Reportedly Not Interested in Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is not expected to join the Boston Celtics for next season, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reports. "I know some people are linking him to Boston, but I have not heard that Giannis, Boston, and Milwaukee are serious about it. That's out there, but I haven't heard it," Windhorst said Wednesday on ESPN Cleveland. While Antetokounmpo's move to Boston appears unlikely, it's widely believed he has played his final game for the Bucks and will move on this offseason. With the 2026 draft just weeks away, a deal may be close.
Source: Brian Windhorst
Source: Brian Windhorst
Tanner Scott Deployed in Eighth Inning, Remains in Closer Committee?
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Tanner Scott has four saves on the season and has been getting most of the save opportunities for his team lately. However, on Wednesday night, he came on in the eighth inning with his team holding a 3-1 lead. He faced the No. 9 hitter and then the top of the Rockies' batting order, giving up just one hit and picking up two strikeouts. He was replaced for the final frame by Kyle Hurt, who retired the side in order to earn his first save of the season. Scott still seems to be the preferred option, but manager Dave Roberts will deploy the 31-year-old lefty whenever the opposing team is bringing its top lefties to the plate. He may not get all the save situations, but his 1.19 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings indicate he can be effective whenever he enters the game. He isn't an elite fantasy option if you're just looking for saves, but he continues to be a critical contributor in the Dodgers' bullpen.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Can Calvin Austin III Build Dynasty Value in New York?
Before signing a one-year deal with the New York Giants this offseason, wide receiver Calvin Austin III was able to provide the occasional spark across his three full-time seasons with the Steelers. His big-play ability contributed to four top-15 weekly fantasy finishes over the past two seasons, but his all-or-nothing nature made him a much more usable piece in best-ball formats than in lineup leagues. In signing with the Giants, he at least has a chance to produce more consistently if he can claim primary slot responsibilities in a top-heavy receiver room. Once healthy, the Giants' passing offense will run through 2024 first-round pick Malik Nabers, but with Wan'Dale Robinson's team-leading 140 targets from 2025 up for grabs, Austin has a chance to see a significant volume uptick. That said, new head coach John Harbaugh ran the league's run-heaviest offense over his final seasons in Baltimore, and his preference for a larger body in the slot was part of the reason he brought tight end Isaiah Likely with him to the Giants. Austin still profiles as a better-in-best-ball asset, but with enough moving pieces in New York to create usage ambiguity, he's at least worth a late-round dart throw in startup drafts as RotoBaller's dynasty WR133.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
LeBron James Reportedly Waiting for Lakers Approach
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James is waiting for the team to approach him with its offseason plans, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reports. "The LeBron side, from what I am told, would like the Lakers to come and say, 'LeBron, here's our plan for you,' or 'here's what we were offering,' and if they're offering less than the max, here's why. Because we're going to use this cap space to sign these players, and this is where you slide in," Windhorst said on Wednesday's episode of The Hoop Collective podcast. James will be an unrestricted free agent this summer after earning $52.7 million in 2025-26. If he agrees to take a pay cut, the Lakers would have a chance to build a better roster around him. Recently, James suggested he isn't in a rush to make a decision on his future.
Source: Brian Windhorst
Source: Brian Windhorst
Kyle Finnegan Emerging as Top Waiver-Wire Option for Saves in Detroit
Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Kyle Finnegan could be set to step into a much larger role going forward, and his fantasy value would skyrocket if he takes over as the full-time closer in Detroit. Current closer Kenley Jansen (groin) got a visit from the trainer before Wednesday's outing but pitched through the issue, getting two quick outs before issuing a walk and leaving the game. The veteran closer will have further evaluation and possibly imaging to determine the severity of the issue and if he'll end up on the injured list. Finnegan had a career-high 38 saves in 2024 with the Nationals before being traded to Detroit at the Trade Deadline last year. The 34-year-old righty has a 1.75 ERA in his 25 2/3 innings in 25 appearances this season with just one save to go with his six holds. If Jansen lands on the injured list, Finnegan would likely be the next option to step up in Detroit's bullpen and could be a great source of saves for as long as Jansen is sidelined. Finnegan is worth an instant addition in deep leagues as a speculative pickup, and the situation is critical to monitor in standard-sized leagues as well, since Finnegan would be a top closer for as long as he has the full-time job.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Is Jauan Jennings' Brief Dynasty Peak Behind Him?
Vikings wide receiver Jauan Jennings finished as a top 30 fantasy receiver in each of his past two seasons with the 49ers, but in signing a one-year deal with Minnesota well after the opening stages of free agency, his path to another WR3 finish is notably more clouded. Jennings' best year came in 2024 when a mid-season injury to Brandon Aiyuk and the precipitous drop-off of former All-Pro Deebo Samuel allowed him to lead the team in targets and end the year with a career-high 975 receiving yards. In Minnesota, he'll be playing alongside one of the league's premier receivers in Justin Jefferson and an upper-echelon WR2 in Jordan Addison, and an argument can also be made that his quarterback play will take a step back, even if Kyler Murray claims the starting job as expected. While in Arizona, Murray has only once supported his number one wide receiver to a top 25 fantasy season, and the top result he's ever gotten from a secondary receiver was A.J. Green's WR40 finish in 2021. With Jennings potentially running as the third receiver in Minnesota, it's likely he'll be a better real-life than fantasy player in 2026, and with the market already cooler on him than he seemed to anticipate, he'll test free agency one more time in 2027, but on the cusp of turning 30. At RotoBaller's dynasty WR65, he can still provide usable depth in the face of bye weeks and injuries, but it's likely his best fantasy days are behind him.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Lane Hutson Struggles in Game 4 Loss
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson finished Wednesday's 4-0 defeat to the Carolina Hurricanes with a minus-three rating. He was limited to one SOG and had one hit in 21:04 of ice time. Hutson has been a scoring machine throughout the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but he has managed only one point in the Conference Finals -- a power-play goal in Game 3. With Montreal now facing elimination in Game 5 on Friday night, the team needs a big performance from its star players, including Hutson. He has been on the score sheet in each of the Canadiens' two prior elimination games this year, posting assists in Game 7s against Tampa Bay and Buffalo. Overall, Hutson has 15 points (three goals, 12 assists) in 18 postseason games.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Logan Stankoven Nets Eighth Postseason Goal
Carolina Hurricanes center Logan Stankoven potted the third goal in Wednesday's dominant 4-0 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals was effectively decided within three minutes late in the first period, when Carolina scored three times. Stankoven capped the goal-scoring flurry with his eighth marker of the postseason. Since Round 2, Stankoven's scoring rate has plummeted, yet he remains among the best goal-scorers in the 2026 playoffs. He's also recorded one assist in 12 games, meshing extremely well with Taylor Hall and Jackson Blake on the second line.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Sebastian Aho Pots Game-Winner on Power Play
Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho scored the game-winning goal in Wednesday's 4-0 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. He opened the scoring on the power play at the 14:59 mark in the first period. With his 11th career postseason power-play goal, Aho established a new franchise record. It was Aho's first goal with the man advantage in this year's playoffs. He has failed to meet his high standards throughout the postseason, settling for six points (four goals, two assists) in 12 games. But the Hurricanes have shared around the offense well and now need just one more win to reach the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Nikolaj Ehlers Tallies Two Helpers in Impressive Road Win
Carolina Hurricanes winger Nikolaj Ehlers dished out two assists as the team beat the Montreal Canadiens on the road 4-0 in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Wednesday night. This marks Ehlers' second multi-point outing of the series -- he scored twice in Game 2. Ehlers has made a significant impact against Montreal, recovering from a poor start to the postseason. He entered the Eastern Conference Finals with only two goals and two assists in eight games. In his 11-year NHL career, Ehlers has never recorded multiple points in consecutive playoff games -- a feat he could achieve in Friday's Game 5.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Shayne Gostisbehere Records Two Assists in Game 4 Win
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere posted two assists in a 4-0 victory against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Late in the first period, the Hurricanes scored three times in 2:47, with Gostisbehere picking up a power-play assist and an even-strength helper. The 33-year-old has now been on the score sheet in back-to-back games. Carolina will hope it's a sign that Gostisbehere is heating up. While he averaged nearly a point per game in the regular season, Gostisbehere has only five points (one goal, four assists) in 12 playoff outings. Before Games 3 and 4 against Montreal, he had finished nine of 10 contests scoreless.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Frederik Andersen Establishes Hurricanes New Postseason Shutout Record
Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen recorded an 18-save shutout in Wednesday's 4-0 road victory over the Montreal Canadiens. The Danish veteran was rock-solid throughout the contest and now owns the Hurricanes' postseason record with five shutouts. Three of those shutouts have come this year, as Andersen has dropped only one of 12 playoff starts. He holds a 1.44 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage. You need an in-form goalie to win the Stanley Cup, and Carolina certainly has one. The team is just one win away from returning to the Finals for the first time since 2006.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Gerrit Cole Strikes Out 10, in Midseason Form in Just Second Start of 2026
New York Yankees veteran right-hander Gerrit Cole is quickly making up for lost time in 2026 after getting a late start to the season while recovering from right-elbow surgery last March. In just his second start for the Yankees this year on Wednesday night on the road against the Kansas City Royals, Cole threw 6 2/3 shutout innings while allowing four hits, walking none, and striking out a season-high 10 batters. The 35-year-old former American League Cy Young winner built on his impressive season debut on May 22 against the first-place Tampa Bay Rays, in which he threw six shutout innings with two hits allowed, three walks, and two strikeouts. Cole induced 15 whiffs in the contest, and his fastball sat around 97 mph. It's exactly what fantasy managers were hoping for when they stashed the former first overall pick to begin the 2026 season. He might just be getting started, too, as he has yet to exceed 80 pitches in his first two starts. Cole should have a longer leash going forward, and he'll be a must-start in all fantasy leagues for his third start, which is scheduled to come next week against the Cleveland Guardians.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ian Happ Breaks Out of Slump With Five-RBI Performance to Carry Cubs
It's been rough sledding of late for Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ, but he was able to turn things around at the plate on Wednesday in the 10-4 win over the hosting Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Happ went 2-for-6 at the plate with a home run and a season-high five RBI to boost his season average to .215 and his OPS to .782. It was the 31-year-old veteran's third career game with at least five RBI, and it also snapped a nine-game homerless drought. Happ came into Wednesday's contest in Pittsburgh hitting .122 (6-for-49) with a homer, two doubles, three RBI, four runs, nine walks, and 26 strikeouts in his last 14 games since May 9, which included just two multi-hit games. Fantasy managers are hoping that Wednesday's turnaround will be the start of more consistent production from Happ and the Cubs, who snapped a 10-game losing streak in the win over the Bucs. Happ now has a .346 on-base percentage, .436 slugging percentage, 11 homers, 26 RBI, 36 runs scored, and two steals across 52 games in his 10th year in the big leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Dustin May Flirts With No-Hitter, Strikes Out Nine in Loss to Brewers
In a cruel twist of fate on Wednesday against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers on the road, St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Dustin May took a no-hitter into the eighth inning, but he and the Cards ultimately fell by a score of 2-1 on the road. May was outstanding, allowing two runs (one earned) on just two hits while walking none and striking out a season-high nine batters in seven innings pitched. Despite the valiant effort, the 28-year-old took his sixth loss of the season. Garrett Mitchell broke up the no-no in the bottom of the eighth inning to lead off the frame with a double to left-center field, and then he allowed a bunt single to Luis Rengifo. Both runners came around to score, and that's all it took. May has pitched much better over his last 53 2/3 innings, posting a 3.02 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 44:14 K:BB, but he hasn't won in his last six outings. His strong showing on Wednesday lowered his season ERA to 4.57. May is only rostered in 14% of Yahoo leagues, but after his near no-hitter, and with an upcoming matchup against the Texas Rangers, that number should be on the rise.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Yordan Alvarez Continues Homer Barrage With Two More Long Balls on Wednesday
Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez is having a year. The 28-year-old left-handed Cuban slugger went 3-for-4 at the plate on Wednesday night in the team's 4-3 victory over the hosting Texas Rangers with two home runs, a walk, and a strikeout to raise his season batting average to .312 and his OPS to 1.085. It was the second straight night that Alvarez hit two home runs, and he has now hit five home runs in the last three games. He now has 20 homers on the season in 56 games. Alvarez has slashed a modest .250/.366/.560 in May, but it has come with eight round-trippers, which is the second-most of any player in the month. It's safe to say that the back injury that kept Alvarez out of Sunday's game is quickly a thing of the past. The three-time All-Star only played in 48 games in 2025 due to injuries, but he has bounced back rather nicely so far in 2026 as one of the best all-around hitters in the game. Alvarez obviously is a must-start in all fantasy lineups anytime he's active.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Cristopher Sanchez Makes History With Seven More Shutout Innings Against Padres
Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sanchez continued his dominant ways in Wednesday's series finale at Petco Park against the San Diego Padres in the team's 3-0 and made Phillies history by passing Grover Alexander for the longest scoreless-innings streak (44 2/3 innings). Sanchez was electric yet again against the feeble Padres offense, tossing seven shutout innings with six hits allowed, no walks, and nine strikeouts to lower his season ERA to league-best 1.47. The 29-year-old southpaw induced 18 swings and misses on the day and threw 67 of his 100 pitches for strikes. If he keeps going at this pace, Sanchez will most likely be the unanimous National League Cy Young winner in 2026. Along with his league-best 1.47 ERA, Sanchez is also carrying a 1.12 WHIP with 95 strikeouts and 16 walks in his 79 1/3 innings pitched across 12 starts. The Dominican hurler will end an amazing month of May in which he didn't allow a single run while walking just three and striking out 45 in 39 innings pitched over his five starts. Now that is dominance.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Teoscar Hernandez Lifted From Wednesday's Game Early With Hamstring Strain
The Los Angeles Dodgers announced that outfielder Teoscar Hernandez (hamstring) was lifted from Wednesday's contest early against the division-rival Colorado Rockies with a left-hamstring strain. Hernandez grounded out in his only at-bat before being pulled and was seen grabbing at his hamstring while running to first base in the second inning. While we'll wait for an update on the severity of his injury, it's possible that the Dodgers could lose both Enrique Hernandez (oblique) and Teoscar Hernandez (hamstring) to the injured list on back-to-back days. Hyeseong Kim replaced Hernandez in left field on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium, but Alex Call might be the biggest beneficiary of playing time in the Dodgers' outfield if Hernandez is forced to the IL with this injury. For his run production in a stacked Dodgers' lineup, the 33-year-old Dominican will need to be stashed in all fantasy leagues if he's placed on the IL. Hernandez came into Wednesday's tilt against the Rockies slashing .278/.350/.439 with a .789 OPS, seven homers, 31 RBI, 30 runs scored, and two steals across his 180 at-bats for the Blue.
Source: Los Angeles Dodgers
Source: Los Angeles Dodgers
Jose Altuve Healing at "Incredible Pace," May Avoid Rehab Assignment
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada intimated that the team is exploring the possibility of simulating some at-bats in West Palm Beach, Florida, in lieu of a minor-league rehab assignment for second baseman Jose Altuve (oblique), who is healing at an "incredible" pace, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Altuve ran the bases, took ground balls, and is swinging at 75-80% effort as he continues to recover from a Grade 2 left-oblique strain. It's still unclear when the 36-year-old veteran might be ready to come off the 10-day injured list, but it's obviously good news, and Altuve could rejoin the Astros' lineup by mid-June. Until Altuve returns to the big-league roster, Brice Matthews and Braden Shewmake figure to continue splitting time at the keystone in Houston. Altuve, a former MVP and nine-time All-Star, is starting to show signs of decline in 2025 in his 16th year in the league, as he was hitting just .245/.326/.380 with a .706 OPS, four home runs, 12 RBI, 27 runs scored, and a single stolen base in 42 games across 185 plate appearances before his oblique strain.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
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