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Ryan Waldschmidt Hit in the Head by a Pitch in the Minors
Preston Salisbury of AZSnakePit.com reports that Arizona Diamondbacks outfield prospect Ryan Waldschmidt (head) was hit square on the side of the helmet by a fastball during Tuesday's game with Triple-A Reno. Waldschmidt stayed in the game initially before being removed, and he was held out of Wednesday's contest as a precaution. It's unclear if Waldschmidt is in the league's concussion protocol or if he's dealing with concussion-like symptoms, but it's an injury to follow up on for fantasy managers already stashing the outfield prospect in dynasty/keeper leagues. In redraft leagues, the D-backs' top-ranked prospect, per MLB Pipeline, is also a stash candidate with his MLB debut expected to come at some point in 2026. Before his head injury this week, the 23-year-old former first-rounder in 2024 out of Kentucky was hitting .285/.400/.480 with an .880 OPS, three homers, 21 RBI, 30 runs scored, and six steals in 33 games for Reno. Waldschmidt is currently rostered in only 4% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: AZSnakePit.com - Preston Salisbury
Source: AZSnakePit.com - Preston Salisbury
Matthew Boyd has Successful Knee Surgery, Could Miss Around a Month
Chicago Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd (knee) had a successful partial left-knee menisectomy on Thursday, according to the team. Jesse Rogers of ESPN reports that there's no official timetable for Boyd yet, but he could return in the range of around a "month or so." The Cubs placed the veteran left-hander on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday after it was announced he needed a full repair of his meniscus. It's unclear as of now who will take Boyd's spot in Chicago's starting rotation, but right-handers Javier Assad and Ben Brown, and lefty Jordan Wicks (elbow) are all options. None of them are particularly intriguing for fantasy purposes outside of deeper leagues for desperate managers in need of starting depth. Boyd is having a rough go of it so far in 2026 in his 12th year in the big leagues. He's 2-1 to begin the season with a 6.00 ERA, although his 2.39 FIP suggests he's been dealt some bad luck. Boyd also has a 1.29 WHIP with 31 strikeouts and only six walks in 24 innings pitched over his five starts. He's currently rostered in 63% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
Mick Abel Receives Cortisone Injection After Feeling Triceps Soreness
Minnesota Twins right-hander Mick Abel (elbow, triceps) felt soreness in his triceps muscle after throwing a simulated game on Saturday and received a cortisone shot, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. Abel is currently on the 15-day injured list due to right-elbow inflammation. The Twins plan to re-evaluate him on Tuesday. It's a setback that will push the 24-year-old's return back. Before his injury, Abel had joined the Twins' starting rotation and had gone 1-2 with a 3.98 ERA (2.79 FIP), 1.57 WHIP, and 23:10 K:BB in 20 1/3 innings pitched over four appearances (three starts). After allowing nine earned runs in his first 7 1/3 innings pitched in his first two outings of 2026, Abel had cleaned things up with 13 scoreless innings over his two most recent starts, with 16 strikeouts to earn some consideration off the waiver wire in fantasy baseball formats. Abel is currently rostered in 19% of Yahoo leagues, but a serious setback could ruin his chances of a potential breakout this year. Check back next week for an update on the former Phillies prospect.
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Pete Fairbanks has "Very Encouraging" Bullpen Session
Miami Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said that right-handed closer Pete Fairbanks (hand) had a "very encouraging" bullpen session on Wednesday and that Fairbanks was surprised at how well the ball came out of his hand, according to Marlins reporter Jeremy Tache. "It's a very, very, very good day for us," McCullough said. It was the first time that Fairbanks threw off a mound since the Marlins placed him on the 15-day injured list with nerve irritation in his right hand on April 28. It's something that caused him to miss three weeks back in 2024, but Fairbanks doesn't think the issue is as serious this time around. Because he should return as the team's primary closer when he's healthy, Fairbanks deserves to be stashed in most fantasy baseball leagues. He's currently rostered in 70% of Yahoo leagues. As of now, the Fish are hoping that Fairbanks can return around when he's eligible to be reinstated from the IL. The 32-year-old veteran has struggled so far in 2026 in his first year in South Beach, allowing 10 earned runs on nine hits while walking four, striking out 13, and picking up five saves in nine innings pitched.
Source: Jeremy Tache
Source: Jeremy Tache
Jorge Soler Deserves to Be Rostered in More Leagues
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jorge Soler is only rostered in 49% of Yahoo leagues right now. Fantasy managers in need of power should definitely give him a look. The 34-year-old power hitter is never going to be an asset in batting average -- he's currently hitting .238 (29-for-122) -- but he's also sporting an .818 OPS with eight long balls, a team-high 28 RBI, and 19 runs scored in his first 34 games for the Halos. Since April 24 (a span of 12 games), Soler has gone 12-for-43 (.279) with three home runs, two doubles, nine RBI, and six runs scored with a 13:6 K:BB. Additionally, he has a strong .373 on-base percentage and .535 slugging percentage during this span. Soler has struggled to stay healthy during his career and tends to be streaky, but right now, he's been pretty consistent, and he deserves to be rostered in more than half of fantasy baseball leagues. If you need power, look no further than Soler.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Reid Detmers Worth a Look Off the Waiver Wire?
Los Angeles Angels left-hander Reid Detmers is coming off a quality start in his last outing in a win over the New York Mets on May 2 and deserves some attention off the waiver wire from fantasy managers looking for a boost in strikeouts. The 26-year-old southpaw is 1-2 on the season with a 4.28 ERA (2.81 FIP) and 1.15 WHIP with 44 strikeouts and only nine walks in 40 innings pitched over his seven starts. He was cruising through six innings in his last outing against the Mets before allowing two runs and leaving with the bases loaded. Still, he threw 68 of his 95 pitches for strikes and induced 16 swings and misses. Detmers has the swing-and-miss stuff to be successful if he can command the baseball as he has so far in 2026. He has gone into the seventh inning in four of his seven outings as well, providing plenty of length for fantasy managers. You should certainly consider at least streaming him in his next scheduled outing this weekend versus the Toronto Blue Jays, a team with a .690 OPS, which ranks 25th in baseball.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
CJ Abrams has Grand Night, Continues to Hit the Ball Hard
Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams has been punishing baseballs this year, and that continued in the team's 15-2 blowout win over the visiting Minnesota Twins. Abrams went 3-for-5 at the plate with a grand slam, two doubles, five RBI, and two runs scored to boost his season average to .299 and his OPS to .960. The 25-year-old hit the second grand slam of his career in the bottom of the eighth inning. The 25-year-old former sixth overall pick by the San Diego Padres in 2019 now has a .401 on-base percentage in 36 games this year and has added nine home runs, a league-high 33 RBI, seven stolen bases, and 21 runs scored across 152 plate appearances. Abrams has been even better of late, going 12-for-30 (.400) with two home runs, three doubles, 12 RBI, six runs scored, and two stolen bases in eight games since April 28. Keep riding his hot bat while it lasts.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jack Flaherty Punches Out 10, Takes Tough-Luck Loss to Red Sox
Detroit Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty struck out a season-high 10 batters on Wednesday night against the visiting Boston Red Sox, but he was still handed his third loss of the season in the team's 4-0 shutout loss at Comerica Park. Flaherty went five innings, allowing four runs (two earned) on three hits while also walking just one. The 30-year-old veteran is winless on the campaign so far, but his outing on Wednesday evening was an encouraging one after he allowed 10 earned runs in 5 2/3 innings in his previous two starts versus the Cincinnati Reds and Texas Rangers. Flaherty now holds a 5.56 ERA (5.32 FIP) and 1.65 WHIP with 42 strikeouts and a league-high 26 walks in 34 innings pitched across his eight starts to begin the 2026 season. He also leads the league with five hit-by-pitches, so clearly, control has been an issue for Flaherty early on. He'll be in play as a streaming option for fantasy managers his next time out against the struggling New York Mets.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Luis Garcia Jr. Still Out for Series Finale Against Twins
Washington Nationals infielder Luis Garcia Jr. (wrist) remains sidelined for Thursday's series finale against the visiting Minnesota Twins, according to MLB.com. Curtis Mead is making yet another start at first base and will bat third for the Nats against Twins right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson. Garcia said he will avoid a trip to the injured list with what is being called a minor right wrist sprain, but if he's unable to return for this weekend's series against the division-rival Miami Marlins, that could change. This will be his third straight missed game. The 25-year-old left-handed-hitting infielder merely offers infield depth to fantasy managers in deeper leagues. He's currently hitting .234 (25-for-107) with one home run, 16 RBI, 14 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 33 games played. Mead has four long balls in 78 at-bats, but he's also batting just .218 at the plate. The Australian has gone hitless in just two career at-bats against Woods Richardson.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Alejandro Kirk to Start Hitting This Weekend
Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk (thumb) will start hitting this weekend for the first time since having surgery on his fractured left thumb on April 7, according to Brian Murphy of MLB.com. Barring a setback once he begins ramping up his baseball activities, Kirk could be back with the Blue Jays before the end of May. Until Kirk can return from the 10-day injured list, the Jays will continue to go forward with a catching tandem of Tyler Heineman and Brandon Valenzuela. The 27-year-old Kirk only played in five games before his injury, going 3-for-20 (.150) at the plate with a homer, two RBI, and two runs scored. He was an All-Star for the second time in his career in 2025, slashing .282/.348/.421 with a career-high 15 home runs, 76 RBI, 45 runs scored, and a stolen base in 130 regular-season games played. The volume isn't great with Kirk, but when healthy, he offers fantasy managers a solid average with decent counting stats. Kirk is currently rostered in 28% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Brian Murphy
Source: MLB.com - Brian Murphy
Jackson Holliday Set to Resume his Rehab Assignment This Weekend
The Chesapeake BaySox announced on Thursday that Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday (hand) will resume his minor-league rehab assignment at Double-A Chesapeake this weekend. Holliday had surgery for a broken hamate bone in his right hand back in spring training, and he still has yet to make his 2026 season debut due to a few setbacks. He has been pulled off his rehab assignment two separate times due to renewed soreness in his surgically-repaired hand, and he has hit just .176/.250/.235 in 14 games on the farm. Fantasy managers who have been stashing the young left-handed-hitting second baseman are hoping the third rehab assignment is the charm and he's able to return at some point in May. When he's finally ready, Holliday will return to starting duties at the keystone in Baltimore. The 22-year-old former first overall pick is rostered in under 50% of Yahoo leagues at this point. Holliday took a step forward in his first full year in the big leagues in 2025, slashing .242/.314/.375 with a .690 OPS, 17 homers, 55 RBI, and 17 steals in 149 games played.
Source: Chesapeake Baysox
Source: Chesapeake Baysox
Royals Hopeful That Cole Ragans Makes his Next Start
Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that he doesn't think left-hander Cole Ragans' elbow/triceps injury is serious and is hopeful that he makes his next start, according to Royals broadcaster Joel Goldberg. Ragans felt his elbow/triceps in the third inning of his outing against the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday, and the Royals wanted to be cautious, which is why they pulled him. The 28-year-old southpaw tossed three shutout innings with one hit allowed, two walks, and four strikeouts before hitting the showers early. The Royals will likely send Ragans for testing, at which point we'll have a better idea of whether he'll have to miss any time. Ragans has been up and down so far in 2026, but it looked like he was about to have a really good performance against Cleveland before his arm injury on Wednesday. He's currently 1-4 on the season with a 4.84 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with 45 punchouts and 23 walks in 35 1/3 frames over his eight starts. Ragans has really been hurt by the long ball, surrendering a league-high 10 long balls.
Source: Joel Goldberg
Source: Joel Goldberg
Ryan Weathers Scratched on Thursday Due to Illness
New York Yankees left-hander Ryan Weathers (illness) has been scratched from his scheduled start in Thursday's series finale against the Texas Rangers at Yankee Stadium due to an illness, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. The team will look to slot Weather back into the starting rotation on Monday in Baltimore against the division-rival Orioles. Veteran right-hander Paul Blackburn will make the spot start for the Yankees in Thursday's series finale against Texas. The 26-year-old Weathers will be a bit riskier as a fantasy starter in his next outing to kick off next week against an Orioles team that ranks 13th in MLB with a .710 OPS. Weathers, a former first-round pick by the San Diego Padres in 2018, has been sharp so far in 2026 in his first year with the Yankees. He's gone 2-2 with a 3.03 ERA (3.60 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with 45 strikeouts and 10 walks in 38 2/3 innings of work across his seven starts. Weathers has allowed more than three earned runs in just one of his outings.
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Jose Caballero Sitting With an Elbow Injury
New York Yankees infielder Jose Caballero (elbow) will take a seat for Thursday's series finale against the visiting Texas Rangers in the Bronx, per MLB.com. Caballero will be given the day off after he was hit by a pitch on his left elbow in Wednesday's game. Max Schuemann is starting at shortstop and will bat eighth for the Yankees against Rangers left-hander MacKenzie Gore. Caballero stayed in Wednesday's game, so he should be ready to return for Friday's series opener on the road against the Milwaukee Brewers. The speedy infielder is still the team's starting shortstop after Anthony Volpe was reinstated from the injured list and optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The 29-year-old native of Panama is a fine fantasy baseball asset in most leagues for his speed. He's slashing .256/.311/.400 with four home runs, 13 RBI, 13 stolen bases, and 17 runs scored for the Yankees in his first 125 at-bats of the year. Schuemann can be ignored for DFS purposes at the bottom of the lineup. He's hitless in four career at-bats versus Gore.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ben Rice Still Absent for Series Finale Against Rangers
New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice (hand) remains absent from the starting nine for Thursday's series finale against the visiting Texas Rangers, according to MLB.com. Paul Goldschmidt will make yet another start at first base and will bat leadoff for the Yanks with Rangers left-hander MacKenzie Gore on the mound. Rice is recovering from a left-hand contusion that has kept him out for a few games, and the Yankees are likely just giving him an extra day to recover with a tough left-handed pitcher on the mound. We'd expect Rice to return for the upcoming series in Milwaukee against the Brewers, potentially as early as Friday's series opener. Whenever the 27-year-old returns to New York's lineup, he'll be a must-start after his scorching start to the 2026 season. Rice is hitting .343 (37-for-108) with 12 home runs, 27 RBI, 30 runs, and two stolen bases in his first 33 games played. Goldschmidt will be a popular DFS pick on Thursday in the leadoff spot against a lefty whom he's hit .333 against with an .864 OPS against in 10 career at-bats.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
