RADIO
Alex Vesia Pitches in Sixth Inning on Monday, Cause for Concern?
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Alex Vesia pitched a scoreless inning and struck out the side on Monday night against the Marlins, but fantasy managers should take note that he made his appearance in the sixth inning. Manager Dave Roberts has said he'll go with a closer-by-committee approach while Edwin Díaz (elbow) is out until the second half, and while Vesia is part of that committee, it doesn't look like he'll be one of the primary closer options. The 30-year-old lefty has given up just two runs in 10 1/3 innings in 12 games this season while racking up 14 strikeouts. If a team has lefties due up at the end of a game, he could get a look in that matchup, but he'll be hard to count on for saves if Roberts follows Monday's pattern. He has been effective enough to be worth holding in deep leagues, but if all you are looking for is saves, he isn't a must-own option in standard leagues at this point.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Munetaka Murakami Launches 12th Home Run, a Lineup Lock Going Forward?
Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami went 2-for-4 with three RBI and his 12th homer of the season on Monday night in his team's rain-delayed win over the Angels. The White Sox exploded for seven runs in the seventh inning of their 8-7 win, and Murakami delivered one of the big blows, smashing a three-run homer to give his team the lead. The 26-year-old from Japan has quickly established himself as one of the biggest early-season fantasy baseball breakouts, hitting .243 with a .407 wOBA in his 29 games, with 12 homers, 23 RBI, and a 61.9% hard-hit rate. Murakami has the sixth-highest barrel rate per batted ball event and the sixth-highest hard-hit rate in the majors this season, and he hit his homer on Monday night against veteran lefty Drew Pomeranz. Four of his 12 homers have come off southpaws, so he is a great power option to keep in your lineup regardless of matchup going forward.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Anthony Volpe Might Not Return This Week
The New York Yankees have not decided if shortstop Anthony Volpe (shoulder) will be with the big-league club this weekend when they play the division-rival Baltimore Orioles in the Bronx, according to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. Volpe is currently continuing his minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A Somerset. A report earlier on Monday suggested that Volpe could be reinstated from the 10-day injured list on either Wednesday or Thursday. Fantasy managers might have to wait a bit longer on the 24-year-old, who is recovering from offseason surgery to fix a torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. Volpe is currently rostered in only 9% of Yahoo leagues, but that number should be on the rise over the coming week with his return on the horizon. When activated, Volpe will be New York's primary starter at the 6, relegating Jose Caballero to more of a utility role in the Big Apple. Volpe, a former first-rounder, has 52 home runs, 192 RBI, and 70 steals in his three MLB seasons, but he's also hitting just .222 in 1,886 plate appearances.
Source: The Athletic - Chris Kirschner
Source: The Athletic - Chris Kirschner
Carlos Rodon to Make his Next Rehab Start on Thursday
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said on Monday that left-hander Carlos Rodon (elbow) will make his next minor-league rehab start on Thursday at Double-A Somerset, according to Erik Boland of Newsday. In his first rehab outing with High-A Hudson Valley on Friday, the 33-year-old veteran southpaw threw 4 1/3 scoreless innings with one hit allowed, one walk, and four strikeouts. Rodon has yet to make his 2026 season debut after having surgery last October to remove loose bodies in his left elbow, but he's on the verge of rejoining the Yankees' starting rotation in early April, barring a setback. Look for Rodon to up his pitch count in Thursday's outing on the farm. He might only need one or two more rehab starts before coming off the 15-day injured list. The former third overall pick in 2014 by the White South out of North Carolina State is definitely deserving of being stashed in all fantasy leagues with his season debut getting closer. He's currently rostered in 86% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Newsday - Erik Boland
Source: Newsday - Erik Boland
Giancarlo Stanton Heading to Injured List With Calf Strain
New York Yankees outfielder/designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (calf) has been diagnosed with a low-grade calf strain and will land on the 10-day injured list, according to Erik Boland of Newsday. It's an injury that Stanton suffered last Friday night in the team's series opener against the Houston Astros, and he has not played since. The good news is that Stanton's calf injury is more of a minor injury, so he could have a chance at returning from the IL when he's eligible. In the meantime, outfielder Jasson Dominguez should see regular at-bats as the team's DH, at least against right-handed pitching. Randal Grichuk and Amed Rosario are also candidates to see some plate appearances in the short term against lefties at DH. The 36-year-old Stanton is still a solid source of power for fantasy managers, but IL stints are part of the package. Hopefully, his stay on the IL will be short. In his first 90 at-bats of 2026 before his calf injury, Stanton has hit .256 with three long balls, 14 RBI, eight runs scored, and a stolen base. Stanton should be stashed in an IL spot everywhere that he's rostered.
Source: Newsday - Erik Boland
Source: Newsday - Erik Boland
Sam Antonacci Starting to Heat Up, Emerging as a Waiver-Wire Target
After getting called up to the big leagues on April 15, Chicago White Sox outfielder Sam Antonacci recorded just one hit over his first 19 plate appearances. However, the 23-year-old has started to heat up of late, as he's six for his last 18 and now owns a slash line of .233/.351/.433 with one home run, four RBI, and three runs scored across 37 plate appearances. While Antonacci does not profile as a power bat, he's struck out just twice in the big leagues. He also should eventually emerge as a high-end speed threat, as he swiped 48 bags across 116 minor league games in 2025. Antonacci's slow start and unorthodox profile at the plate may lead to him being overlooked in most fantasy formats, but he could be a valuable waiver wire pickup for deeper-league managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cade Cavalli Emerging as a High-Upside Waiver-Wire Option
Across 24 2/3 innings (six starts) so far this season, Washington Nationals starting pitcher Cade Cavalli has posted a 0-1 record with a 4.01 ERA, 1.66 WHIP, and 28 strikeouts. While the 27-year-old's numbers don't necessarily jump off the page, he's coming off an impressive 10-strikeout performance against a strong Atlanta Braves lineup in his most recent appearance. Cavalli's elevated WHIP is largely due to his elevated 10.3% walk rate. However, he hasn't allowed a walk in either of his last two outings. The former top prospect is averaging 96.6 mph on his fastball and owns a solid 24.1% strikeout rate. Cavalli could be worth targeting on the waiver wire as a solid streaming starting pitcher with upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dalton Rushing Worth Stashing Off the Waiver Wire?
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing remains blocked off from everyday playing time by the presence of star Dodgers backstop Will Smith. However, Rushing may be on the verge of forcing the Dodgers to manufacture more playing time for him. Across 44 plate appearances this season, the 25-year-old is hitting .385/.455/.974 with seven home runs, 16 RBI, and 11 runs scored. After posting a strong 14% barrel rate across 155 plate appearances in 2025, Rushing has elevated even further to a 17.9% barrel rate in 2026. With Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman locked in at designated hitter and first base for Los Angeles, Rushing does not have an obvious pathway to cracking his team's starting lineup. Still, the Dodgers can only ignore Rushing's ridiculous production for so long. Fantasy managers may want to consider stashing Rushing now, before an injury or lineup change causes his value to skyrocket.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Remains a Worthy Waiver-Wire Target Despite Initial Struggles
After missing the first few weeks of the 2026 season while recovering from the torn ACL that ended his 2025 campaign, Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. returned to the big leagues on April 18. The 32-year-old has struggled in his first 26 plate appearances of the year, hitting .125/.192/.167 with zero home runs, three RBI, and one run scored. However, Gurriel Jr. recorded at least 18 home runs and 85 RBI in each of his first three seasons with Arizona from 2023 through 2025. He's also a career .273 hitter who cut his strikeout rate to a career-low 13.9% last season. Once Gurriel Jr. settles in and gets some more plate appearances under his belt, he remains a solid bet to provide balanced, four-category production for fantasy managers. In leagues where he remains on the waiver wire, Gurriel Jr. could be a worthy target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dennis Santana Blows Second Save, Falling Out of Closer Committee?
Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Dennis Santana had a rough outing in his team's 4-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday. With Pittsburgh leading 2-0 entering the ninth inning, Santana allowed four hits, two walks, and four earned runs while recording just two outs for his second blown save of the season. The 30-year-old's overall stat line for the season remains solid, as he's pitched to a 3.29 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with 10 strikeouts and two saves across 13 2/3 innings. However, Santana has not recorded a save since April 15 and could be falling out of favor in a Pirates pen that has relied on multiple relievers in the ninth inning this season. With just a 17.2% strikeout rate and a 13.8% walk rate, Santana has not demonstrated typical closer dominance in his underlying numbers. If Pittsburgh does go in a different direction, left-hander Gregory Soto could emerge.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Bryan Baker Notches Seventh Save, Reaching Must-Start Territory
Tampa Bay Rays reliever Bryan Baker picked up his seventh save of the season in his team's 3-2 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Monday. Baker pitched a scoreless ninth inning, allowing two hits and recording two strikeouts. Across 11 1/3 innings so far in 2026, Baker has pitched to a 3.18 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with 13 strikeouts. He's recorded saves in seven of his last nine outings and has emerged as the clear go-to ninth-inning option for the Rays. With Tampa Bay right-hander Edwin Uceta (shoulder) recently being transferred to the 60-day injured list with a shoulder injury, Baker should have an extended runway as the Rays' closer, provided he continues to produce. At this point, Baker has reached must-start closer territory across most fantasy formats.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Gerrit Cole to Make Rehab Start on Wednesday at Double-A
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that right-hander Gerrit Cole (elbow) will make his next minor-league rehab start on Wednesday with Double-A Somerset, according to Erik Boland of Newsday. This will be Cole's third rehab start. In one start each with Somerset and High-A Hudson Valley, Cole has allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits (two homers) while walking one and striking out seven in 8 2/3 innings pitched. The 35-year-old is expected to make at least two more rehab starts on the farm before the Yankees consider reinstating him for his 2026 season debut. The Cy Young winner and six-time All-Star deserves to be stashed everywhere because of his track record as a fantasy ace, but patience may be required since he has only made 17 starts for New York since the start of the 2024 season. Cole missed all of 2025 after having Tommy John surgery. Despite his lengthy absence, Cole is rostered in 84% of Yahoo leagues, and that number should rise in the coming weeks as he gets closer to rejoining the team.
Source: Newsday - Erik Boland
Source: Newsday - Erik Boland
Mick Abel Playing Catch, Unlikely to Return When Eligible
Minnesota Twins right-hander Mick Abel (elbow) has started playing catch, and "all signs have been encouraging," manager Derek Shelton told Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic. Abel is unlikely to be ready to come off the 15-day injured list when he's first eligible, but the Twins still think his injury is "relatively minor." Fantasy managers probably won't have Abel back from the IL when he's eligible to be reinstated this Saturday, but it might not be that long of a wait after that. He initially went on the IL with right-elbow inflammation, which has allowed left-handed rookie Connor Prielipp to get his first couple of starts in the big leagues for the Twins. The 24-year-old former 15th overall pick in 2020 by the Philadelphia Phillies is still rostered in 20% of Yahoo leagues despite his elbow injury. Abel allowed nine earned runs on 22 hits while walking 10 and striking out 23 in 20 1/3 innings over his first four appearances (three starts) in 2026 for the Twins. Abel should absolutely have a starting rotation spot waiting for him in Minnesota when he returns from the IL.
Source: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
Source: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
Guardians Calling Up Former First Overall Pick Travis Bazzana
The Cleveland Guardians are calling up former No. 1 overall pick Travis Bazzana from Triple-A Columbus, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. The 23-year-old Australian hit .287/.422/.511 with two home runs, 11 doubles, two triples, 10 RBI, eight stolen bases, and 18 runs scored in 24 games for Columbus to earn his first big-league call-up. Passan writes that Bazzana will take over at second base for a Guardians team that is a half-game out of first place in the American League Central division early in the year. Bazzana's arrival in the big leagues this week is bad news for the playing time of both Juan Brito and Daniel Schneeman, who had been platooning at the keystone for the Guards. Bazzana is currently rostered in only 9% of Yahoo fantasy leagues, but that number will surely rise now that he's set for regular playing time in the big leagues. The former Oregon State star projects as a plus hitter at a shallow second base position in fantasy who should have average power and plenty of on-base skills because of his disciplined approach as a hitter. Bazzana also has quick hands, a short, compact swing at the plate, and plus speed on the base paths.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Shohei Ohtani Might Not Serve as DH on Tuesday When he Pitches
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is scheduled to toe the rubber on Tuesday for Game 2 of the series at Dodger Stadium against the visiting Miami Marlins, but manager Dave Roberts told Katie Woo of The Athletic that there's a possibility that Ohtani won't serve as the designated hitter. Ohtani will be pitching on traditional rest (not on a six-day schedule like the Dodgers have tried), and Tuesday's game also starts at 12:10 pm. It would be the second time this year that Ohtani hasn't hit on the same day that he pitches. The 31-year-old Japanese sensation and four-time MVP is a must-start as a hitter and batter every time he's active, but fantasy managers may not have him available as a hitter on Tuesday. The five-time All-Star has actually looked better as a pitcher than a hitter so far in 2026, going 2-0 on the hill with a stingy 0.38 ERA and 0.75 WHIP with 25 strikeouts and six walks in 24 innings over his four starts. Although Miami has 12th in team OPS (.718) this year, Ohtani is a must-start in fantasy as a pitcher for Tuesday's matchup in L.A.
Source: The Athletic - Katie Woo
Source: The Athletic - Katie Woo
