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Hunter Brown Begins Throwing Program
Houston Astros right-hander Hunter Brown (shoulder), who is on the 15-day injured list with a right-shoulder sprain, began his throwing program on Tuesday in Houston by playing catch from around 75 feet, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Brown last made a start for the Astros on March 31 against the Boston Red Sox. It's a notable step in his recovery from his shoulder injury, but he still has a ways to go before he'll be ready to rejoin Houston's starting rotation. General manager Dana Brown said that Brown is expected to be back with the big-league club until around the end of May. The 27-year-old former fifth-round pick in 2019 out of Wayne State University will need at least several minor-league rehab starts to build his arm up next month. Before injuring his shoulder, Brown had carried over his brilliance from 2025, posting a 0.84 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with 17 strikeouts in 10 2/3 innings over his two starts. Brown needs to be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy baseball leagues while he rehabs.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Michael Harris II Back From his Quad Injury on Friday
Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (quadriceps) is starting in center field and is batting fifth for the Braves in Friday's series opener at Truist Park against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies and rookie right-hander Andrew Painter, per MLB.com. Harris was removed from Thursday's series finale against the Washington Nationals early as a precaution due to left-quad tightness, but he's back in the starting nine a day later and is looking to stay hot at the plate this weekend. The 25-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder got off to a slow start initially in 2026, but the former third-rounder has hit an incredible .447/.488/.895 with five home runs in his last 11 games to raise his season slash line to .318/.356/.565 with a .920 OPS in 90 plate appearances. Harris is up to six home runs and has also contributed 16 RBI, 11 runs, and two steals in 24 total games. Get him back into your starting fantasy lineups on Friday. Harris is 2-for-2 with a solo home run in his two career at-bats against Painter.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Roman Anthony Still Out on Friday With Back Injury
Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony (back) will miss a third straight game on Friday in the series opener against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards, according to MLB.com. Anthony experienced some upper-back tightness on a swing against the New York Yankees on Tuesday and has missed the last two games. The Red Sox are labeling the young left-handed-hitting outfielder as day-to-day for now, but that could change if Anthony is unable to play at all in the three-game series against Baltimore this weekend. Jarren Duran is starting in left field for Boston and will bat leadoff for the club on Friday versus O's right-hander Brandon Young. Injuries cut the 21-year-old Anthony's season short last year, but he still managed to hit an impressive .292/.396/.463 with an .859 OPS, eight homers, 32 RBI, 48 runs, and four steals in his first 71 big-league games. Anthony has gotten off to a slow start in 2026 (.225/.361/.325 with a .686 OPS in 22 games played), but he's still one of the top young outfielders in the game with tons of long-term upside.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jeff Hoffman Out as Blue Jays Closer
Toronto Blue Jays right-handed reliever Jeff Hoffman is out as the team's closer, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. The Blue Jays will go with a closer-by-committee approach for now while Hoffman works on things in lower-leverage spots. This announcement shouldn't come as a big surprise after manager John Schneider refused to commit to using Hoffman earlier this week, the next time a save situation arose. He was unavailable on Wednesday in the series finale against the Los Angeles Angels due to a heavy recent workload, and for now, he'll be demoted from the closer's role in Toronto. The 33-year-old has continued to struggle after famously blowing Game 7 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Hoffman was an All-Star with the Phillies in 2024 and had a career-high 33 saves in 2025 in his first year with Toronto, but that also came with a bloated 4.37 ERA in 68 innings pitched. He has allowed 11 earned runs (nine earned) while walking six and striking out 24 in 10 2/3 innings in his 12 outings in 2026. Hoffman has been bitten by some bad luck, but it doesn't change the fact that he's been demoted. Louis Varland figures to get the next shot to close out games for the Jays, and he's currently rostered in 32% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
Source: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
Enyel De Los Santos the Priority Closer to Roster in Houston?
Houston Astros reliever Enyel De Los Santos continues to be the priority arm out of the Houston bullpen to roster in fantasy leagues. The right-hander has been mostly reliable so far this season, allowing runs in just two of his nine appearances, and despite giving up three earned runs in an outing on April 21, the team went right back to him a day later on April 22, with the Dominican locking down the victory and notching a save. For the season, he's recorded three saves and owns a 3.86 ERA (2.07 xERA), a 1.18 WHIP, and an 8:3 K:BB in 9 1/3 innings pitched. Fellow reliever Bryan King may get an opportunity here and there, but De Los Santos appears to have the edge, and with Josh Hader (biceps) recently transferred to the 60-day injured list, he's not expected back until late May at the earliest, making the closer job De Los Santos' to lose. The 30-year-old is rostered in just 13 percent of Yahoo! leagues for managers looking for saves on the wire.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jeremiah Jackson's Power, Positional Versatility Provide Waiver-Wire Appeal
Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jeremiah Jackson has filled in admirably this season for the injured Jackson Holliday (hand). The former second-round draft pick has hit safely in 11 of his last 13 games, currently riding a four-game hit streak, and for the season has produced a .295-5-19-9-1 stat line with a .362 wOBA and 131 wRC+. The aforementioned Holliday has begun a rehab assignment, but recently encountered a setback for the second time, and will likely not be back until sometime in May, leaving the door open for Jackson to continue to get playing time for the O's. The 26-year-old doesn't walk much (2.6 percent), so he's less desirable in OBP leagues, but in other standard mixed leagues, the right-handed hitter is worthy of consideration for his power and RBI potential. He's available in almost 40 percent of Yahoo! leagues and is eligible at 2B, 3B, and OF, adding to his fantasy appeal.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Louis Varland a Top Handcuff to Roster for Saves
Toronto Blue Jays reliever Louis Varland could be in line to earn more save opportunities going forward, and along with his performance so far this season, the right-hander is emerging as a worthwhile waiver wire stash. The 6-foot-1 hurler has yet to allow an earned run through 12 appearances, and with a 0.85 WHIP and elite 34.8 percent K-BB% (19:3 K:BB) in 13 innings pitched, he looks like a viable end-of-game option. Current closer Jeff Hoffman's performance thus far is even more reason to stash Varland away, as Hoffman has struggled mightily this season, with three blown saves, a 7.59 ERA, and a 2.06 WHIP despite an elite 42.1 percent strikeout rate. Varland's 98 mph average fastball velocity gives him the look of a prototypical closer as well, and although his only save this year was the first of his career, the 28-year-old should be in consideration for a fantasy roster spot, as even without saves, he could help improve fantasy managers' category stats. He's still available in nearly 70 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Bryan Baker Running Away with Closer Job in Tampa Bay?
Tampa Bay Rays reliever Bryan Baker appears to be the preferred bullpen option for saves right now. The 6-foot-6 hurler was charged with a blown save his last time out, but he had come on to face the meat of the Pirates' order in the eighth in an attempt to preserve a win, so it shows the confidence the team has in him. Before that, the right-hander had converted four save chances, and for the season, he owns a 4.32 ERA (2.70 xERA), 1.20 WHIP, and a 9:3 K:BB in 8 1/3 innings pitched. Griffin Jax (8.00 ERA, 1.89 WHIP) lost the closer role in the early going and has yielded runs in two of his last three appearances, so the struggles continue for him, and Garrett Cleavinger (calf) is on the injured list with a calf issue. Edwin Uceta (shoulder) has encountered setbacks in his recovery from a shoulder injury and won't be back any time soon, so Baker's job looks to be secure for the time being. The 31-year-old is still available in 70 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Mickey Moniak an Elite Power Option Worthy of High FAAB Bid
Colorado Rockies outfielder Mickey Moniak is a hot bat worth scooping off the waiver wire. The former first-overall draft pick is in the midst of an eight-game hit streak that has pushed his season-long slash line to .324/.347/.750 with a .326 wOBA and 182 wRC+. The left-handed hitter has belted eight home runs so far this year, tied for fourth-most in the majors, and is coming off a 24-home run campaign in 2025. The drawback for fantasy is that he rarely sees opportunities against left-handed pitchers, logging just 11 plate appearances against them in 2026 compared to 61 plate appearances against right-handers. Still, with the power he's been displaying, especially at Coors Field, the 27-year-old is a must-add in most leagues, particularly those that allow daily lineup changes. The 6-foot-1 slugger is still available in over 60 percent of Yahoo! leagues for the taking and is worthy of the use of a high-priority waiver claim or FAAB bid.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
George Springer Could be Back in a Few Days
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM on Friday that outfielder/designated hitter George Springer (toe) could return from the 10-day injured list in a "day or two." Springer won't rejoin Toronto's starting lineup for the series opener on Friday against the Cleveland Guardians, but he could be back before the series finale on Sunday. The 36-year-old veteran has been sidelined since fracturing his toe on April 11, but he's made good progress since then and is expected to return to the big-league roster without requiring a minor-league rehab assignment. Fantasy managers can't realistically expect Springer to be as good as he was in 2025 in a resurgent season in which he hit .309/.399/.560 with a .959 OPS, 32 home runs, 84 RBI, and 18 stolen bases in 140 regular-season games, but he should still be rostered in all fantasy leagues for his power/speed contributions in a hitter-friendly home environment at Rogers Centre. Before fracturing his toe, Springer was struggling offensively, going 10-for-54 (.185) with two homers, six RBI, four runs, and a stolen base in 14 games played.
Source: MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM
Source: MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM
Freddie Freeman to Hit Second, Kyle Tucker Cleanup Moving Forward
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that first baseman Freddie Freeman will hit second and outfielder Kyle Tucker will bat cleanup going forward, according to Katie Woo of The Athletic. Roberts made the change on Thursday to shake things up after the team lost the first two games of the series to the division-rival San Francisco Giants. "It's more of just trying to give Kyle a different look," Roberts said. Woo writes that Tucker's lack of production early on in his Dodgers tenure is a "small concern." The left-handed slugger is slashing .245/.327/.372 over 24 games with the Blue with only three home runs. "I think it's more just me trying to find my swing, and trying to find the consistency in it more than anything," Tucker said. The Dodgers are hoping the move down the order will help Tucker be more consistent at the plate after Roberts noticed his chase and swing rates had gone up recently. If the move to cleanup makes Tucker more consistent, his fantasy managers will be all for it.
Source: The Athletic - Katie Woo
Source: The Athletic - Katie Woo
Kirby Yates Emerging as Top Injury Stash?
Fantasy managers speculating and scrounging for saves early in the 2026 season might want to consider taking a look at Los Angeles Angels right-handed reliever Kirby Yates (knee), even though he's still on the 15-day injured list. Yates' numbers during his minor-league rehab assignment with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga and Triple-A Salt Lake haven't been pretty, but he's nearing a return and could make his 2026 debut with the Angels before the calendar flips to May next week. In his two innings pitched on the farm, Yates has allowed four runs (three earned) while walking one and striking out three. Right-handed reliever Ben Joyce (shoulder) remains on the IL, and right-hander Robert Stephenson (elbow) is done for the year. Righty Jordan Romano has been the Halos' closer in the first month of the season, but Yates, who has 98 career MLB saves in his 11 years in the big leagues, could quickly become an option for saves with the Angels when he rejoins the big-league roster. He's currently rostered in just 13% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Caleb Thielbar's Status Remains in Doubt After Exiting Early with Injury
Chicago Cubs left-handed relief pitcher Caleb Thielbar (leg) exited Thursday's contest early with an apparent left leg injury after blowing a save opportunity. With the team's primary closer, Daniel Palencia (oblique), already on the injured list, the Cubs turned to Thielbar to lock down the ninth inning on Thursday afternoon. After serving up a solo shot to Adolis Garcia, Thielbar appeared to have suffered a leg injury and was taken out of the contest. In his previous appearance on April 21, Thielbar locked down the final frame against the Phillies, suggesting he was set to be the primary ninth-inning option while Palencia was injured. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, as the team may provide an update ahead of Friday's contest. For the time being, Ben Brown could be a name to stash in deeper leagues as he could claim the ninth-inning role in the short term.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Gerrit Cole Stays Sharp in Latest Rehab Outing, Approaching Season Debut?
New York Yankees right-handed pitcher Gerrit Cole (elbow) turned in another solid showing in his second rehab outing and is slowly working his way back to the major leagues. Cole has been on the shelf since the 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery with an internal brace procedure in March of 2025. While he was able to pitch in spring training, the Yankees had him open the 2026 campaign on the 15-day injured list to provide him ample time to get back to full strength. Cole began his rehab assignment with High-A on April 17 and logged 4 1/3 innings of three-run ball with three punchouts. However, in his most recent outing, Cole pitched for Double-A and threw 42 of his 52 pitches for strikes while allowing two runs over 4 2/3 innings. While the Yankees will continue to slowly increase his workload, seeing Cole find the zone effectively is a great sign. He remains a priority stash option in all 12-team leagues and remains on track to debut later in May.
Source: Bryan Hoch
Source: Bryan Hoch
Spencer Strider Showing Increased Velocity in Rehab Outings
Atlanta Braves right-handed pitcher Spencer Strider (oblique) looked like his dominant self in his most recent rehab outing and appears to be quickly approaching his eventual 2026 season debut. In this outing for Triple-A Gwinnett, the right-hander racked up eight strikeouts over 4 1/3 shutout frames. He surrendered just one hit and walked only one batter. However, the most important note is that Strider's four-seamer reached 98.1 mph. During spring training and the early stages of his rehab, Strider struggled to regain his high-end velocity. If Strider can maintain this current velocity, he could be in line for far more success than he enjoyed last season. In 2025, Strider struggled for Atlanta, posting a 4.45 ERA with just 131 punchouts over 125 1/3 innings. While there is risk in his profile given his extensive injury history, if his velocity remains stable, Strider could deliver immense returns for those who have stashed him.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
