RADIO
Gavin Williams Dominates Phillies on Friday for Seventh Win
Cleveland Guardians right-hander Gavin Williams was in peak form in Friday night's 1-0 shutout win over the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, tossing eight shutout innings with four hits allowed, no walks, and a season-high 11 strikeouts for his seventh win of the year. Williams' strong performance lowered his season ERA to 3.25, and his sweeper was electric, drawing 10 swings and misses on the night. The 26-year-old former first-rounder in 2021 out of East Carolina has had issues with control in the past, but he has turned it around so far in 2026 and came into Friday's start with a career-best 8.8% walk rate in his 10 starts. Williams has gone at least six innings pitched in each of his last seven starts and has had at least six strikeouts in his last five outings, quickly becoming a fantasy ace this year for managers. He has 84 total strikeouts and 22 walks in his 69 1/3 innings. Williams won't have an easy matchup his next time out against the Washington Nationals, but he has become a must-start in traditional fantasy leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jung Hoo Lee Goes on Injured List With Back Strain
San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee (back) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Friday with a mid-back strain, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Lee was initially removed from Monday's game early with what the team was calling back spasms. He is not ready to play to kick off a series this weekend against the visiting Chicago White Sox, so he'll land on the IL. With Lee out again on Friday, Harrison Bader is sliding over to center field and will hit ninth, with Casey Schmitt in left field, and Drew Gilbert in right field for the Gigantes. Will Brennan will be another candidate to see more playing time in the outfield for however long Lee is out. The 27-year-old left-handed-hitting Japanese outfielder's fantasy stock was way down, even before his back injury. He offers modest production across the board and is currently hitting .268/.311/.385 with a .696 OPS, only three home runs, 17 RBI, and 20 runs scored in his 179 at-bats this year. Lee has slashed a mediocre .266/.321/.390 with a .712 OPS in his two-plus years in the Bay Area, and he's rostered in only 11% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Susan Slusser
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Susan Slusser
Mickey Moniak Heads to Injured List With Ankle Sprain
Colorado Rockies outfielder Mickey Moniak (ankle) is heading to the 10-day injured list on Friday with a right-ankle sprain, which he has been trying to play through since crashing into the outfield wall in Pittsburgh last week, according to Thomas Harding of MLB.com. Outfielder Sterlin Thompson has been called up from Triple-A Albuquerque and is starting in Friday's series opener in Arizona against the division-rival Diamondbacks. Since crashing into the outfield wall, Moniak has gone hitless in 13 at-bats, so the Rockies finally decided to shut him down. With Jordan Beck (hamstring) also on the IL for Colorado, Thompson could see regular playing time in the Rockies' outfield with Moniak now sidelined. The 28-year-old Moniak has been great for fantasy managers who picked him up off the waiver wire this year, hitting .280 (42-for-150) with 12 home runs, 28 RBI, 21 runs scored, and a stolen base in 43 games across 164 plate appearances. He has liked hitting at Coors Field and broke out last year in his first season with the team to the tune of a .270/.306/.518 slash line with 24 long balls, 68 RBI, and nine steals in 135 games played. If you have the room, Moniak is worth stashing while he recovers from his ankle sprain.
Source: MLB.com - Thomas Harding
Source: MLB.com - Thomas Harding
Angels Send Josh Lowe to Triple-A
The Los Angeles Angels announced on Friday that they optioned outfielder Josh Lowe to Triple-A Salt Lake following their loss on Thursday night to the division-rival Athletics. In his first season in Anaheim, Lowe has continued to disappoint, being sent to the minors after slashing .184/.226/.320 with a .546 OPS, five home runs, 14 RBI, eight runs scored, a stolen base, six walks, and 39 strikeouts in 45 games across 134 plate appearances. With Lowe no longer with the big-league club, outfielder Wade Meckler has been called up and is starting in left field and batting sixth for the Halos in Friday's series opener against the division-rival Texas Rangers and right-hander Jacob deGrom. Lowe, a 28-year-old former 13th overall pick in 2016 by the Tampa Bay Rays, was once heralded as a potential high-end power/speed outfielder, but things just haven't panned out for him in the big leagues since he hit 20 homers, drove in 83, and stole 32 bases in 135 games in 135 games in 2023 in his first full season with the Rays. Injuries have not helped his cause. Lowe is now rostered in only 2% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Angels PR
Source: Angels PR
Miguel Vargas Recovers From Hand Injury, Playing on Friday
Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas (hand) is back in the starting lineup for Friday's series opener on the road against the San Francisco Giants and right-hander Trevor McDonald, batting third for the Pale Hose, according to MLB.com. Vargas injured his hand on Tuesday and was held out of the starting lineup on Wednesday against the Seattle Mariners, although he did have a pinch-hitting appearance. Now that he's back in action to kick off the weekend series at Oracle Park, fantasy managers will want to get him back into their starting lineups in traditional formats. Although Vargas is only batting .237 (40-for-169) on the year, he has contributed plenty for those in points leagues, adding 11 home runs, 29 RBI, 35 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in 48 games across 207 plate appearances as the team's starting third baseman. The Cuban infielder is hitless in his last three appearances, but before that, he had a nine-game hitting streak in which he went 12-for-32 (.375) with four long balls, three doubles, 11 RBI, and 10 runs scored.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Brandon Nimmo Back in the Lineup After Another Hamstring Scare
Texas Rangers outfielder Brandon Nimmo (hamstring) is starting in right field and batting third for Friday's series opener in Anaheim against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels and right-hander Grayson Rodriguez, according to MLB.com. Nimmo is ready to play following Thursday off day after he was pulled early yet again from Wednesday's contest in Denver against the Colorado Rockies. The 33-year-old veteran has been bothered by a nagging hamstring injury a few times this year, but it hasn't forced him to the injured list, surprisingly. The former first-rounder of the New York Mets in 2011 will return to a .273/.353/.421 slash line with a .773 OPS, five home runs, 16 RBI, 21 runs scored, and a stolen base in 47 games in his first year in Texas. When healthy, Nimmo is a multi-category contributor who bats near the top of the Rangers' batting order. He should be returned to starting fantasy lineups against Rodriguez, whom he has never faced in his career.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Shane Bieber Scheduled to Start a Rehab Assignment on Monday
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Shane Bieber (elbow) is scheduled to start a minor-league rehab assignment on Monday and throw two innings for the Florida Complex League Blue Jays, according to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. Bieber will build up his volume from there and will shoot for three innings his next time out. The 30-year-old veteran has been throwing for a while now as he works his way back from an elbow injury, and he has finally been cleared to resume pitching in games. It's good news for Bieber, but fantasy managers who have been stashing him all year in deeper leagues are going to need to remain patient, and in a best-case scenario, he probably won't be an option for Toronto's starting rotation in mid-June. The former Cy Young winner and two-time All-Star got a late start in 2025 after recovering from Tommy John surgery and then went 4-2 with a 3.57 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 37:7 K:BB in seven regular-season starts before allowing nine runs (eight earned) with six walks and 18 K's in 18 2/3 innings in the postseason. Bieber is an injury risk at this point in his career, but he could still be useful as a matchup-based fantasy streamer. He's currently rostered in 44% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Sportsnet.ca - Arden Zwelling
Source: Sportsnet.ca - Arden Zwelling
Jackson Merrill has Sore Ribs, Expected to Avoid Injured List
San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill (ribs) is dealing with some sore ribs, but he is expected to be ready to play in the next few days, according to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Merrill most likely will not be in the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the visiting Athletics at Petco Park, but he could return before Sunday's series opener. The 23-year-old tweaked his ribs while trying to rob a Shohei Ohtani home run in a loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, and it was originally reported as a potential back injury. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now and check back later this weekend to see if he can return to the starting nine. Bryce Johnson could make a start on Friday in center field for the Friars against left-hander Jeffrey Springs. Merrill, along with plenty of other Padres hitters, has been a disappointment offensively so far in 2026. He entered Friday's games hitting just .203/.273/.322 with a career-low .595 OPS, four homers, 19 RBI, nine steals, and 23 runs scored across 47 games. UPDATE: Merrill is out of Friday's lineup.
Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Kevin Acee
Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Kevin Acee
Garrett Crochet to Throw a Live BP/Sim Game Next Week
Boston Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said on Friday that left-hander Garrett Crochet (shoulder) will throw a side session this weekend ahead of a live batting practice/simulated game early next week, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. Crochet is currently on the 15-day injured list with left-shoulder inflammation, and although he is making progress, his return to Boston's starting rotation isn't imminent. The talented southpaw has been out since April 25. Whether Crochet requires a minor-league rehab assignment will likely be dependent on how his throwing sessions this weekend and early next week go. Fantasy managers are going to need to be patient, as he is unlikely to be back in the big leagues until early June. The 26-year-old two-time All-Star was second in the American League Cy Young voting last year, but he has disappointed so far in 2026 with a 3-3 record, 6.30 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, and 37 strikeouts in 30 innings pitched across six starts. Crochet is rightfully rostered in 99% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
Source: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
Robby Snelling Undergoes Internal-Brace Procedure on his Left Elbow
The Miami Marlins announced that left-handed pitching prospect Robby Snelling (elbow) had a left-elbow UCL repair with an internal brace on Friday, which was performed by Dr. Keith Meister. The timeline for Snelling's return to play is 10 to 12 months. Initial reports suggested that Snelling would undergo Tommy John surgery. Although Snelling will still miss the rest of the 2026 season and most likely half of next year, the internal-brace procedure should allow him to return on the early side of that timeline in 2027. The 22-year-old is considered Miami's No. 2 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, but he'll have to wait until late next season to potentially make his return to the major-league starting rotation. The former first-rounder in 2022 by the San Diego Padres made his big-league debut on May 8 against the Washington Nationals and allowed three earned runs in five innings with four walks and two strikeouts before landing on the injured list. Snelling development will be on pause, but he's still a stash candidate in deep dynasty/keeper formats.
Source: Miami Marlins
Source: Miami Marlins
J.P. Crawford Back From Nagging Triceps Injury on Friday
Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford (triceps) is back at shortstop and will hit leadoff for the M's in Friday's series opener in Kansas City against the Royals and left-hander Noah Cameron, according to MLB.com. Crawford has missed a couple of games this week with a sore triceps muscle after he was initially hit by a pitch on Sunday in the series finale against the San Diego Padres, but he's back in action to kick off the weekend in KC. Rookie infielder Colt Emerson will shift back to third base and will hit ninth in the batting order against the Royals. The 31-year-old Crawford could be in danger of losing playing time on Seattle's infield this year if he continues to struggle at the plate. He enters Friday's game with a weak .210/.358/.364 slash line, .722 OPS, six home runs, 16 RBI, 23 runs scored, and one stolen base in 143 at-bats. With below-average power and speed at a premium position in fantasy, Crawford isn't much to look at. He is currently rostered in only 11% of Yahoo leagues. Crawford has gone 2-for-3 in his three career at-bats against Cameron, but he's gone 7-for-41 (.171) with one of his six homers this year against lefty pitchers.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Trent Grisham Returns From Knee Injury on Friday Against Rays
New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham (knee) is back in center field and in the leadoff spot for Friday's series opener against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays and right-hander Nick Martinez in the Bronx, per MLB.com. Grisham did not play on Thursday against the Toronto Blue Jays in the series finale after tweaking his knee on Thursday. Imaging on Grisham's knee came back negative, though, and he'll be back in there for the start of a big series in New York against the first-place Rays. The 29-year-old left-handed slugger can still provide fantasy managers with plenty of pop, but he has come back down to Earth in 2026 and is currently hitting just .174/.305/.348 with six long balls, 27 RBI, 27 runs scored, and three steals in 187 plate appearances. Grisham has been a big disappointment after clubbing a career-high 34 home runs and driving in 74 in 143 regular-season games in 2025. He has faced Martinez just three times in his career and has one hit against him.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Yandy Diaz Back in Lineup for Rays in Series Opener Against Yanks
Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz (hands) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting cleanup for the Rays in Friday's series opener against the division-rival New York Yankees and right-hander Gerrit Cole, who is making his first major-league start since 2024, according to MLB.com. Jonathan Aranda is starting at first base for Tampa and will hit third in the batting order. Diaz got the day off on Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles after being hit in both of his hands on Tuesday, but he's now back in action after the team had a day off on Thursday. Fantasy managers will want to plug Diaz back in their lineups in all formats now that he's back. He has gone 11-for-24 (.458) with three home runs, three doubles, 10 RBI, and seven runs scored during his six-game hitting streak, and he's also batting .318 with an .875 OPS, two home runs, and six RBI in 44 career at-bats against Cole in his career. The 34-year-old Cuban first baseman continues to be a hitting machine, as he enters Friday's action with a .316 average (55-for-174) and a .394 on-base percentage in 45 games.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ronald Acuna Jr. Returns on Friday After Injuring his Thumb
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (thumb) departed Thursday's series finale against the Miami Marlins with a left-thumb bone bruise, but he's back in right field and is batting leadoff for Atlanta in Friday's series opener against the division-rival Washington Nationals and left-handed opener Richard Lovelady, according to MLB.com. Thankfully, X-rays came back negative on Acuna, who recently returned from a stint on the injured list due to a hamstring strain. It's great news for the Braves and fantasy managers, and he should be returned to all starting lineups in traditional fantasy formats. Acuna's surface stats don't look great so far in 2026, but in five games since returning from the IL, he's riding a five-game hitting streak and has gone 7-for-17 (.412) with a double, two RBI, seven runs scored, and a stolen base across 20 plate appearances. Overall, the former MVP and five-time All-Star is slashing only .261/.370/.384 with two homers, 11 RBI, seven steals, and 22 runs scored. Acuna is a five-category contributor and could just be starting to heat up.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jose Caballero Reinstated and Starting on Friday
The New York Yankees officially announced that they reinstated infielder/outfielder Jose Caballero (finger) from the 10-day injured list on Friday. Caballero is starting at shortstop and will hit seventh in his return on Friday versus the visiting Tampa Bay Rays and right-hander Nick Martinez at Yankee Stadium in the series opener. With Caballero back after missing only 11 days due to a right middle-finger fracture, he'll take back over at the 6 and will send Anthony Volpe to the bench. Fantasy managers who need speed and versatility for their fantasy lineups should consider adding Caballero off the waiver wire if he is available. The 29-year-old native of Panama will return to a .259/.320/.400 slash line with a .720 OPS, four home runs, 13 RBI, 13 stolen bases, and 18 runs scored on the year. Caballero offers elite speed and is also eligible at second, third, shortstop, and the outfield. He's rostered in 72% of Yahoo leagues. He has gone hitless in just four career at-bats against Martinez.
Source: New York Yankees
Source: New York Yankees
