RADIO
Is Riley O'Brien Losing His Hold on the Closer Role in St. Louis?
St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Riley O'Brien has emerged as his team's primary closer with a strong start to the 2026 season. Across 19 innings, O'Brien has pitched to a 2.84 ERA and 0.95 WHIP with 23 strikeouts and 11 saves. However, the 31-year-old has run into a bit of a rough patch of late, as he's allowed six earned runs and blown two saves over his last 5 2/3 innings pitched. Even with the recent struggles, O'Brien's ridiculously dominant 29.3% K-BB rate indicates that the downturn is likely a momentary blip. Still, O'Brien does not have a long track record as a closer, which could lead to him being on a shorter leash in the role. Fantasy managers should remain positive on O'Brien's season-long outlook, but his next few appearances are worth monitoring.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brandon Nimmo Leaves Game on Tuesday with Apparent Ankle Injury
Texas Rangers outfielder Brandon Nimmo (ankle) was forced to exit early from his team's matchup on Tuesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks after rolling his ankle in a collision at first base, per Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News. Nimmo originally tried to stay in the game but was eventually pulled. The 33-year-old is off to a strong start to his first season with Texas, hitting .288/.367/.436 with four home runs, 12 RBI, 18 runs scored, and one stolen base across 177 plate appearances. Nimmo has been known to play through injury in the past, as he's logged at least 650 plate appearances in each of the last four seasons. Still, he could now be facing a trip to the injured list. Rangers outfielder Sam Haggerty replaced Nimmo on Tuesday and would likely be in line for more playing time if Nimmo ends up missing games. UPDATE: Nimmo has been diagnosed with a left-ankle sprain. He's considered day-to-day after X-rays on his ankle came back negative.
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Shawn McFarland
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Shawn McFarland
Gregory Soto Earns Fourth Save, Set as Pittsburgh's Primary Closer?
Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Gregory Soto picked up his fourth save of the season on Tuesday in his team's 3-1 win over the Colorado Rockies. Soto allowed two hits and an earned run, but managed to shut the door on the Rockies in the ninth. The 31-year-old is off to an excellent start to the 2026 season, as he's pitched to a 1.69 ERA and 0.71 WHIP with 26 strikeouts across 21 1/2 innings pitched. Soto has also earned saves in three out of his last four appearances and appears to be emerging as the primary closer in Pittsburgh after opening the season in a setup role. In any league where he's not already rostered, Soto profiles as a must-add closer for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Casey Mize Throws Live Batting Practice
Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize (groin) threw a live batting practice session on Monday, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. Mize is on the 15-day injured list due to a right-groin strain, but he might be ready to return shortly after he's eligible to come off the IL on Thursday. He started throwing bullpen sessions over the weekend, and at this right, he could avoid a minor-league rehab assignment before rejoining Detroit's starting rotation. The 29-year-old former first overall pick out of Auburn in the 2018 MLB draft lacks a ton of fantasy upside because of his modest 7.6 career K/9 in 471 innings in the big leagues, but he was pitching well before his injury. In six starts so far in 2026, Mize holds a 2.90 ERA (2.86 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with 35 strikeouts and 11 walks in 31 innings pitched across six starts. Mize is currently rostered in 42% of Yahoo leagues and will definitely be useful as a back-end rotation arm in mixed leagues if he continues to pitch like he has early on.
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Paul Skenes Strikes Out 10 on Tuesday, ERA Drops Under 2.00
Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes made easy work of the visiting Colorado Rockies at PNC Park on Tuesday night for his sixth win of the season. Skenes threw eight shutout innings and only allowed two hits, walking none and striking out 10 to drop his ERA on the season to 1.98. Since his uncharacteristic outlier performance on Opening Day against the New York Mets, when he surrendered five earned runs in just two-thirds of an inning, the two-time All-Star, former National League Rookie of the Year, and last year's NL Cy Young winner has given up a grand total of six earned runs in eight starts. He has thrown 16 shutout innings in his last two starts with 17 strikeouts, no walks, and only four hits allowed. It's safe to say that Skenes has rounded into his dominant self in 2026, and he'll be a no-brainer must-start in all fantasy formats for his next scheduled outing against the struggling Philadelphia Phillies.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jared Jones Goes Four Innings in Third Rehab Start on Tuesday
Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Jared Jones (elbow) looked impressive in his third minor-league rehab start on Tuesday with Double-A Altoona, tossing four scoreless innings with three hits allowed, no walks, and four strikeouts. The 24-year-old former second-round pick in 2020 hasn't shown a dip in velocity during his three rehab starts after having surgery on his right elbow last year, and he threw 36 of his 52 pitches for strikes on Tuesday. Jones is on the 60-day injured list, which means he's not eligible to be reinstated to make his 2026 season debut until later this month. Because of his extended absence, fantasy managers probably shouldn't expect him to rejoin Pittsburgh's starting rotation until early June. He'll have at least a few more starts down on the farm to build up his pitch count. Jones has been overshadowed by pitching phenom Paul Skenes in Pittsburgh, but he was impressive in his 22 starts in his rookie season in 2024 and is one of the better injured pitchers to stash in fantasy leagues. He's currently rostered in 35% of Yahoo leagues as he makes his way back.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Francisco Alvarez Suffers Leg Injury on Tuesday, Leaves in Sixth Inning
New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (leg) left Tuesday's game early against the Detroit Tigers in the sixth inning due to an apparent right-leg injury, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. The last thing the last-place Mets need is another injury to one of their everyday players. Before leaving the contest prematurely, Alvarez went 1-for-2 at the plate with a double, an RBI, and a run scored to boost his average to .241 on the year and his OPS to .710. He was replaced behind the plate at Citi Field by Luis Torrens. It's unclear right now how serious Alvarez's injury is, but the Mets will likely send him for tests after the game. At the very least, he is unlikely to play in Wednesday's contest, and he should be considered day-to-day for now. The 24-year-old Venezuelan backstop came into Tuesday's action hitting a very modest .236/.315/.382 with a .696 OPS, four home runs, nine RBI, and 11 runs scored in 36 games played. If Alvarez requires a stint on the injured list, the Mets would likely call up Hayden Senger from the minors to back up Torrens at catcher. UPDATE: Alvarez is dealing with a right-knee injury.
Source: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
Source: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
Cole Ragans Playing Catch, Still Considered Day-to-Day
Kansas City Royals left-hander Cole Ragans (elbow), who is on the 15-day injured list with a right-elbow impingement, played catch on Sunday and again on Tuesday, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. Manager Matt Quatraro said that both of Ragans' throwing sessions went well, but Tuesday's was better, which is a good sign. He is still considered day-to-day based on how he feels, but the expectation is that Ragans will play catch again on Wednesday. The 28-year-old southpaw isn't expected to have a lengthy stay on the IL, and he should be stashed in all fantasy leagues while he recovers. Ragans, a former first-rounder by the Texas Rangers in 2016, wasn't pitching all that well before his injury -- he went 1-4 with a 4.84 ERA (6.20 FIP) and 1.41 WHIP -- but he also had 45 strikeouts in 35 1/3 innings over his eight starts. He carries intriguing strikeout upside, even though injuries have bothered him since his first All-Star campaign in 2024. Ragans is currently rostered in 93% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
Shohei Ohtani Could Sit as the DH for Two Straight Games
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani will not be in the starting lineup as the designated hitter for Thursday's series finale against the division-rival San Francisco Giants, and the skipper is leaning towards keeping him out of the lineup as a hitter on Wednesday (his pitching start day). Roberts said Ohtani is in need of a reset. "It might be a good thing to take a little bit of a load off his plate offensively," Roberts said. Could two-way duties finally be catching up to Ohtani? The five-time All-Star and four-time MVP has not been himself at the plate through 38 games in 2026, as he enters Tuesday's action slashing .233/.363/.404 with a .767 OPS, six home runs, 16 RBI, 25 runs scored, and five stolen bases through 180 plate appearances. He's been much worse in 10 games in May, going 4-for-36 (.111) with no homers, three RBI, four runs, a steal, four walks, and 10 K's. The left-handed slugger currently sits in the 72nd percentile in hard-hit rate and is in the 85th percentile in xwOBA, so he will most likely turn it around sooner rather than later.
Source: The Athletic - Katie Woo
Source: The Athletic - Katie Woo
Jose Caballero has Fractured Finger
Updating a previous report, the New York Yankees placed infielder/outfielder Jose Caballero (finger) on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday with a right middle-finger fracture. Caballero suffered a fractured finger when he dove back to first base in Sunday's loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, and now he will likely miss at least several weeks. The 29-year-old speedster had been serving as the team's starting shortstop since Opening Day, but now Anthony Volpe is back from the minors to fill that role in the Bronx. The earliest that Caballero can return from the IL will be on May 21. It's unclear as of now if Caballero will return to starting duties at the 6 for the Yanks when his finger is all healed up. Through 41 games before fracturing his finger, Caballero slashed .259/.320/.400 with a .720 OPS, four home runs, 13 RBI, 13 stolen bases, and 18 runs scored across 147 plate appearances. The native of Panama is currently rostered in 77% of Yahoo leagues and is mostly useful in fantasy leagues for his speed on the basepaths.
Source: Yankees PR Department
Source: Yankees PR Department
Luis Robert Jr. "Not Progressing" the Way the Mets Would Like
New York Mets outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (back), who is on the 10-day injured list with a lumbar spine disc herniation, continues to experience symptoms and "is not progressing the way we would like," manager Carlos Mendoza told Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. It doesn't sound like Robert will be back anytime soon, which potentially gives outfield prospect A.J. Ewing a long runway to establish himself in center field in Queens. Given the nature of Robert's injury and his lengthy injury history, we would not be surprised if this ends up being something that wrecks the rest of his first year with the Mets. The 28-year-old Cuban outfielder was struggling offensively before his injury, too, hitting .224 (19-for-85) with two homers, eight RBI, 10 runs, and two steals in 24 games played. Fantasy managers are starting to run out of patience with Robert, who, aside from his 38-homer, 20-steal season in 2023 with the Chicago White Sox, has failed to live up to lofty expectations. It's going to be an extended absence for Robert, who is now rostered in 60% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
Source: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
Roman Anthony hasn't Resumed Baseball Activities
The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey reports that Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony (wrist) is progressing, but he has not resumed baseball activities. His next test will be to see if he has full grip strength to grip a bat. Anthony isn't anywhere close to coming off the 10-day injured list after suffering a sprained right wrist. Boston will most likely take it very slow with the 21-year-old former top prospect, so there's a chance he won't be ready by the end of May. Masataka Yoshida has benefited from Anthony's injury and continues to see consistent playing time for the BoSox. He's hitting .279 (19-for-68), but it has come with just five RBI and no home runs in 25 games played. Fantasy managers have to be worried that Anthony's 2026 campaign is quickly turning into a lost season, and he's also quickly developing a reputation for being injury-prone after his rookie campaign was also cut short due to injury in 2025. Despite the concerns, the former second-rounder needs to be stashed in all fantasy formats for his high-end power/speed upside.
Source: The Athletic - Jen McCaffrey
Source: The Athletic - Jen McCaffrey
Garrett Crochet Resumes Throwing Off a Mound
Boston Red Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet (shoulder) is progressing and resumed throwing off a mound on Tuesday after getting out to 120 feet while playing catch on Sunday, according to Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic. Crochet is currently on the 15-day injured list due to inflammation in his left shoulder. He will likely require at least one minor-league rehab start before rejoining Boston's starting rotation, but barring a setback, the two-time All-Star should be back well in advance of the start of June. Crochet finished second in the American League Cy Young voting in 2025 in his first year in Beantown after going 18-5 with a 2.59 ERA (2.89 FIP) and 1.03 WHIP with a league-high 255 strikeouts and 46 walks in a league-high 205 1/3 innings across 32 starts. Crochet is one of the most talented left-handed arms in baseball, even if his 2026 numbers don't reflect that. He went 3-3 with a 6.30 ERA (4.32 FIP) and 1.47 WHIP with 37 K's and 11 walks in six starts before going on the IL. Crochet is a must-stash pitcher in all fantasy baseball leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Jen McCaffrey
Source: The Athletic - Jen McCaffrey
Spencer Schwellenbach Should Resume Throwing Soon
Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow) said he received a positive report from his latest checkup with a doctor last week and should be able to start throwing soon, according to Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Schwellenbach is on the 60-day injured list after having surgery to remove bone spurs from his right elbow, and he will not be able to make his 2026 season debut until after the All-Star break in mid-July. Still, he's rostered in 30% of Yahoo leagues. The Braves are expected to bring the 25-year-old along slowly once he starts building his arm back up. In his first two years in the big leagues, Schwellenbach has shown plenty of upside, going 15-11 with a 3.23 ERA (3.27 FIP), a 1.01 WHIP, a 25.2% strikeout rate, and a 4.4% walk rate in 234 1/3 innings pitched across 38 starts for the Braves. Expectations should be tempered for when Schwellenbach returns in the second half, but he'll become more popular off the waiver wire once he gets closer to rejoining Atlanta's starting rotation.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Chad Bishop
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Chad Bishop
Ronald Acuna Jr. Unlikely to Return on Wednesday
Atlanta Braves right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (hamstring) is progressing well from his hamstring strain, but he still has boxes to check before being activated from the 10-day injured list, according to Grant McAuley of 929 The Game. It doesn't sound like Acuna will come off the IL when he's first eligible on Wednesday. The Braves put Acuna on the IL on May 3 with a Grade 1 hamstring strain. He has been doing agility and baseball activities, though, and it doesn't sound like he'll need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before he returns to the big-league lineup. The 28-year-old former MVP and five-time All-Star should remain rostered in all fantasy leagues until he's ready to be activated. Although he has hit a mediocre .252/.362/.378 with a .740 OPS in 127 at-bats in 2026, Acuna is a five-category contributor and a potential league-winner when he's right. The left-handed-hitting Mike Yasrzemski should continue to play regularly against right-handed pitchers until Acuna returns to Atlanta.
Source: 929 The Game - Grant McAuley
Source: 929 The Game - Grant McAuley
