April 16, 2026
San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello said on Thursday that catchers
Daniel Susac and
Patrick Bailey might start splitting time and alternating behind the plate, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Bailey got the start in Thursday's series finale against the Cincinnati Reds after Susac started on Wednesday night for the Gigantes. Bailey is the superior defensive catcher in San Fran, but Susac has earned more playing time by starting his MLB career 9-for-16 (.563) at the plate with a double, triple, five RBI, and a run scored in his first eight games played. Bailey, meanwhile, is just 6-for-44 (.136) with an RBI, a stolen base, three runs scored, three walks, and six strikeouts in 14 games played. Susac is the one to target in deep two-catcher leagues, although his fantasy upside will be limited due to what will likely be a 50/50 split with Bailey. The 24-year-old was a former 19th overall pick by the Athletics in 2022 out of the University of Arizona.
--Keith HernandezSource: San Francisco Chronicle - Susan Slusser
April 16, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates head athletic trainer Todd Tomczyk said that right-hander
Jared Jones (elbow) will enter the simulated-game phase of his rehab soon, according to Pirates reporter Alex Stumpf. Generally, pitchers have three to six simulated games/live batting practice sessions before a club will consider sending them on a minor-league rehab assignment. Jones started the year on the 60-day injured list, so he won't be eligible to be activated to make his 2026 season debut until May 25. The 24-year-old reportedly looked "amazing" in his most recent live BP session, but he still has a ways to go before he'll be of use to fantasy baseball managers. The Pirates will most likely ease Jones back into their rotation when he's ready, too, so patience must be exercised in fantasy. The former second-rounder in 2020 showed enough in his MLB debut in 2024 to be worth stashing in mixed leagues, going 6-8 with a 4.14 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with 132 strikeouts and 39 walks in 121 2/3 innings over 22 starts.
--Keith HernandezSource: Alex Stumpf
April 16, 2026
Detroit Tigers veteran right-hander
Justin Verlander (hip) threw a bullpen session on Wednesday, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. However, Verlander's recovery is "going a little slower than I think he anticipated or we anticipated," manager A.J. Hinch said. The Tigers will continue to take the 43-year-old future Hall of Famer's recovery on a day-by-day basis. Verlander is currently on the 15-day injured list with a left-hip injury, and his return to Detroit's starting rotation doesn't appear to be on the horizon. In his lone start this year in his return to the Tigers, Verlander gave up five runs on six hits while walking two and striking out just one in 3 2/3 innings versus the Arizona Diamondbacks on March 30.
Keider Montero has pitched well early on in 2026 and will continue to make starts for the Tigers in Verlander's place. Verlander isn't the dominant arm that we've come to know from the peak of his career, and his ability to stay healthy the rest of the way is a big question mark.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
April 16, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder/designated hitter
George Springer (toe) is hitting off a tee and doing flips in the batting cage, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. "Looked pretty normal, which is good. He's feeling better," manager John Schneider said. Springer still needs to run to test out his fractured toe, but the Blue Jays are targeting a return for Springer when they get back to Toronto for a homestand that begins on Friday, April 24, against the Cleveland Guardians. As of right now, the 36-year-old veteran isn't expected to require a minor-league rehab assignment before being activated from the 10-day injured list. Springer, who had a late-career resurgence in 2025 while helping Toronto get to the World Series, was off to a rough start in his first 54 at-bats this year before injuring his toe. The four-time All-Star will be returning to a weak .185/.290/.370 slash line later this month. Springer has two home runs, six RBI, one steal, four runs scored, eight walks, and 14 strikeouts in his 14 games played.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
April 16, 2026
San Diego Padres manager
Craig Stammen said on Wednesday that right-hander
Nick Pivetta (elbow) is dealing with a flexor strain in his right elbow, according to Annie Heilbrunn of The San Diego Union-Tribune. The Padres think it will be "weeks, maybe months" before Pivetta can return to the team's starting rotation after rest and rehab. The 33-year-old kind of gave us the bad news on Wednesday, when he said he was confident that he'd return at some point in 2026. Pivetta will rest and rehab for now, but there's also a scenario where that doesn't go well, and he eventually needs surgery, which would knock him out for the rest of this season and likely the start of 2027. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Pivetta to return from the 15-day injured list until at least the second half of the season. For now, right-hander
Matt Waldron (lower body) is expected to fill Pivetta's spot in the rotation and make his season debut in Friday's series opener in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels.
--Keith HernandezSource: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Annie Heilbrunn
April 16, 2026
Texas Rangers shortstop
Corey Seager is out of the starting lineup for Thursday's series finale against the division-rival Athletics at Sutter Health Park with a lefty on the mound, according to MLB.com.
Ezequiel Duran will make the start at shortstop for the Rangers and will hit ninth against southpaw
Jacob Lopez. Seager has five home runs on the season in his first 18 games, but otherwise, he's gone just 13-for-64 (.203) with 12 runs scored, 12 walks, and 20 strikeouts in 78 plate appearances. The veteran left-handed slugger and former World Series MVP should be back in action for Friday's series opener on the road in Seattle against the division-rival Mariners. Duran will be a low-upside deep sleeper for DFS lineups on Thursday out of the nine-hole for the Rangers. The 26-year-old Dominican has gone 8-for-36 (.222) at the plate so far in 2026 with a homer, four RBI, and two steals in 15 games played. He has never faced Lopez in his career.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
April 16, 2026
Detroit Tigers infielder
Zach McKinstry (hip) is "not moving around well" on Thursday, and "we're going to continue to get him looked at," manager A.J. Hinch told Evan Woodbery of MLive.com. McKinstry is beat up right now, also dealing with an arm/shoulder injury and a scraped chest after he collided with Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder
Jac Caglianone in Wednesday's contest. He is not in Detroit's starting lineup for Thursday's tilt against the Royals, and he could be forced to the 10-day injured list, depending on what his test results show. In addition to his injuries, the 30-year-old is hitting just .209 (9-for-43) with a homer, five RBI, two runs, three walks, and 10 strikeouts in his first 14 games of the 2026 season. McKinstry was a first-time All-Star in 2025, slashing .259/.333/.438 with a .771 OPS, 12 home runs, 49 RBI, 19 stolen bases, and 68 runs scored in 144 games played. With infield prospect
Kevin McGonigle now in Detroit to stay, McKinstry's opportunities at the 6 will be less frequent.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLive.com - Evan Woodbery
April 16, 2026
Houston Astros left-handed closer
Josh Hader (biceps) said he's "feeling strong" after throwing 20 pitches to teammates
Taylor Trammell and
Brice Matthews on Tuesday at Daikin Park, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Hader missed the final two months last year with a left-shoulder capsule strain and was then diagnosed with biceps tendinitis at the start of February. He's been working his way back ever since and landed on the 15-day injured list to begin the 2026 regular season. Hader was sitting at 91-93 mph with his fastball on Tuesday. Barring a setback, he's about a month away from making his season debut for the Astros. With Hader on the shelf, right-handed reliever
Bryan Abreu has not taken advantage of the opportunity to lock down Houston's closing role, which has led to
Enyel De Los Santos picking up some saves in the last couple of days. Even though Hader is getting older and is more of an injury risk now, he was dominant when healthy in 2025 and should still be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
April 16, 2026
Philadelphia Phillies left-hander
Jesus Luzardo had a start to forget on Wednesday night in the team's 11-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs at Citizens Bank Park. Luzardo lost his third game of the year, surrendering nine runs (eight earned) on 12 hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out four in 5 1/3 innings of work. He allowed six earned runs in six innings in his first start of the year on March 29 against the Texas Rangers, and he also gave up five earned runs in 4 2/3 frames in his last start versus the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 10. The 28-year-old southpaw now has an ugly 7.94 ERA (2.89 FIP) and 1.45 WHIP with 30 strikeouts and only five walks in 22 2/3 innings over his four starts in 2026. Luzardo has allowed a league-high 20 earned runs, but with a 2.89 FIP, it looks like he's dealt with some bad luck early on. Fantasy managers might want to consider benching him in a rematch with the Cubs next week at Wrigley Field, but they shouldn't panic just yet with Luzardo.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
April 16, 2026
Chicago Cubs second baseman
Nico Hoerner continued to swing the bat well in Wednesday's 11-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, going 3-for-5 with five RBI and two runs scored as the Cubs' leadoff hitter. Hoerner is one of the hottest hitters in baseball at the moment in the first month of the season, as he's now slashing .324/.410/.507 with a .917 OPS, two home runs, 18 RBI, six stolen bases, 12 runs scored, nine walks, and nine strikeouts in 83 plate appearances over 18 games played. He has five multi-hit games in his last eight games since April 7. Hoener's home run was a two-run shot off left-handed starter
Jesus Luzardo in the fifth inning to put the Cubs up 5-1 at the time. It goes without saying that Hoerner should be started in all fantasy formats right now while he's scorching hot. Hoerner is one of the toughest hitters to strike out in the big leagues, giving him a stable batting-average floor since he makes so much contact.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
April 16, 2026
Chicago Cubs left-hander
Shota Imanaga was on point in Wednesday's 11-2 blowout win over the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Ballpark. Imanaga was dominant, allowing only one earned run on three hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out 11 in six innings to win his first game of the 2026 season. His 11 strikeouts matched a career-high, and he also had a head-turning 26 swinging strikes and threw 67 of his 97 pitches on the night for strikes. The only run that Imanaga allowed was on a solo shot to shortstop
Trea Turner in the first inning. The 32-year-old veteran southpaw settled in from there and didn't allow much of anything else for the rest of his outing in Philly. Imanaga is now 1-1 on the year with a 2.45 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, and 31 strikeouts in his 22 innings pitched over four starts. While it will be difficult for Imanaga to repeat this outing in a rematch with the Phillies next week at Wrigley Field, fantasy managers shouldn't be benching him with his fastball velocity up a few ticks this year.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
April 16, 2026
Cincinnati Reds infielder
Sal Stewart is in the midst of a breakout season early on in 2026 in his first full year in the big leagues. In the team's 8-3 win over the visiting San Francisco Giants on Wednesday, Stewart went 2-for-4 at the plate with two home runs, six RBI, and a strikeout. Stewart hit two three-run home runs early in this game against Giants right-hander
Tyler Mahle, and the Reds never looked back. It was Stewart's first multi-homer game of his career, and most likely the first of many to come. The 22-year-old former first-rounder in 2022 is hitting .323/.434/.726 with a 1.160 OPS, seven home runs, 17 RBI, three stolen bases, 13 runs scored, 13 walks, and 13 strikeouts in 76 plate appearances over his first 18 games in 2026. Stewart's seven home runs lead all rookie hitters, and he also leads the league with his .726 slugging percentage in the early going. His ownership in fantasy baseball has taken off since the start of the regular season, and he's now rostered in 88% of Yahoo leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
April 16, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar
Shohei Ohtani was focused only on pitching in his start on Wednesday against the New York Mets at Dodgers Stadium, and he delivered. Ohtani picked up his second win of the season in an 8-2 win, allowing only one earned run on two hits while walking two and striking out 10 in six innings of work. The 31-year-old Japanese superstar and four-time MVP was mowing hitters down, and he generated a whopping 22 swings and misses on the night. Ohtani mixed all of his pitches well and displayed his elite heater (he hit 100 mph several times) to befuddle the struggling Mets lineup. We all know how good Ohtani is with a bat in his hands, but Wednesday night served as a reminder that he's also pretty elite as a starting pitcher, too. Through his first three starts in 2026 (18 innings), Ohtani has allowed only two runs (one earned) on seven hits) while walking six and striking out 18. He'll be a must-start in fantasy lineups for his next scheduled start on the mound next week in San Francisco against the division-rival Giants.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
April 16, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays infielder
Lenyn Sosa will make the start at second base again on Thursday for the second straight day in the series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers and right-hander
Brandon Sproat at American Family Field, according to MLB.com. Sosa, who was recently acquired in a trade from the Chicago White Sox, made his first start with the team on Wednesday and went 1-for-3 at the plate in the team's 2-1 loss to the Brew Crew. He will hit fifth in the batting order on Thursday. Sosa will get a shot to be the team's primary second baseman against right-handed pitchers. So far in 14 games in 2026, he has gone 9-for-37 (.243) at the plate with no homers, three RBI, and three runs scored in 37 plate appearances. Sosa is a career .246/.273/.387 hitter with a .661 OPS, 37 home runs, 128 RBI, and five stolen bases in 317 games played.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
April 16, 2026
New York Yankees first baseman
Ben Rice, who started on the bench in the last two games with left-handers on the mound for the Los Angeles Angels, is back at first base and is hitting fifth for Thursday's series finale against the Halos and left-hander
Brent Suter at Yankee Stadium, per MLB.com. Manager Aaron Boone said during spring training that Rice would see more starts against left-handed pitchers in 2026, so it was disappointing for fantasy managers to see him on the bench for the first couple of games of the series. The 27-year-old left-handed slugger is hitting a cool .333 (17-for-51) with four home runs, 13 RBI, one stolen base, and 15 runs scored in his first 17 games this year after slashing .255/.337/.499 with an .836 OPS, 26 homers, and 65 RBI in 138 games in 2025 in his first full season in the majors. Rice has work to do against southpaws, as he's hit just .194 (30-for-155) against them with a .673 OPS and eight of his 37 career home runs.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
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