RADIO
Vinnie Pasquantino Sitting Out After Aggravating Back Injury
Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (back) is not in the team's starting lineup for Game 3 of their series against the hosting Athletics on Wednesday after aggravating a back injury on Tuesday night, according to MLB.com. Catcher Salvador Perez will get off his feet and play first base while batting cleanup for the Royals against A's right-hander Luis Severino, with Carter Jensen doing the catching for right-hander Michael Wacha and batting third for KC. Pasquantino admitted that he's been bothered by a back injury for a while in the first month of the 2026 season, which helps explain why he's been quiet offensively after hitting over 30 home runs and driving in over 100 runs in 2025. The 28-year-old lefty slugger has hit just .167 (17-for-102) with three home runs, 14 RBI, and 11 runs scored. It's an injury that fantasy managers will want to monitor, as it could end up sending the Pasquatch to the injured list. With Pasquantino out, Jac Caglianone is serving as the Royals' DH on Wednesday.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Tyler Soderstrom Out Wednesday After Getting Hurt on Tuesday
Athletics first baseman/outfielder Tyler Soderstrom (head, shoulder) is not in the team's starting lineup on Wednesday against the visiting Kansas City Royals at Sutter Health Park, per MLB.com. Carlos Cortes is making the start in left field and will bat third for the A's against Royals veteran right-hander Michael Wacha. Soderstrom injured his head and shoulder while diving for a ball in left field in Tuesday's game versus KC and was removed early. The good news is that Soderstrom hasn't shown any concussion symptoms, so it sounds like he's just a little sore and banged up. The A's aren't going to take any chances with their young left-handed slugger. Fantasy managers will want to check back to see if Soderstrom is back in action for the series finale on Thursday against the Royals. Cortes has been money for the A's in just his second season, hitting .387 (24-for-62) with four home runs, 13 RBI, and eight runs scored in 23 games.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Luis Robert Jr. Out Again on Wednesday, Could Land on Injured List
New York Mets outfielder Luis Robert Jr.'s back pain hasn't improved much, which is why he's undergoing an MRI exam on Wednesday, manager Carlos Mendoza told Jorge Castillo of ESPN. There's a chance that Robert will need a trip to the injured list. The 28-year-old Cuban slugger will miss a third straight game on Wednesday against the division-rival Washington Nationals. With Juan Soto still serving as the designated hitter, MJ Melendez is making another start in left field on Wednesday and will bat third for the Mets against Nationals right-hander Cade Cavalli. Given Robert's lengthy history of injuries, fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if he lands on the IL this week. If that comes to pass, both Melendez and Tyrone Taylor, who is starting in center field on Wednesday, will benefit from more playing time. Robert remains an intriguing power/speed threat in fantasy, but he's now injured after a slow start at the plate. He's gone 19-for-85 (.224) with only two homers and eight RBI in his first 24 games with the Mets.
Source: ESPN.com - Jorge Castillo
Source: ESPN.com - Jorge Castillo
Willi Castro Returns to Rockies Lineup Against Reds
Colorado Rockies infielder Willi Castro (knee) is back in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cincinnati Reds, starting at second base and batting fifth against left-hander Brandon Williamson, according to MLB.com. It's the first time that Castro will be part of the team's starting nine since last Thursday, when he was removed from the game against the San Diego Padres with right-knee soreness. The 29-year-old has mostly been a regular for the Rockies between second and third base when he's been healthy, although he's contributed little for fantasy managers in deeper leagues. The Puerto Rican switch-hitter has gone 17-for-69 (.246) with a homer, nine RBI, 10 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 22 games played. He could eventually lose out on playing time to both Edouard Julien and Tyler Freeman in Denver. Castro is rostered in just 11% of Yahoo leagues, and he's never faced Williamson in his career.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Phillies-Giants Postponed on Wednesday Due to Rain
The game on Wednesday between the Philadelphia Phillies and San Francisco Giants has been postponed due to rain and will be made up as part of a split doubleheader on Thursday, according to Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Fantasy managers will want to get any players from these two teams out of their starting lineup for Wednesday's slate of action. Veteran right-hander Logan Webb was slated to start Wednesday's contest at Citizens Bank Park for the Giants, with left-hander Cristopher Sanchez scheduled to toe the rubber for the struggling Phillies. Both pitchers should take the mound on Thursday, instead, in one of the two games of the doubleheader.
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Lochlahn March
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Lochlahn March
Salvador Perez Heating Up, but Will it Continue?
Kansas City Royals catcher/designated hitter Salvador Perez could be turning things around after a slow start to the season. The veteran backstop is 6-for-15 (.400) over his last three games, including a pair of home runs, four RBI, and four runs scored. The nine-time All-Star is hitting just .196 through 28 games, even after the recent hot streak, and with just a 3.4 percent walk rate, his on-base percentage sits at a paltry .229. With a .254 wOBA and 52 wRC+ on the season, the 35-year-old has been a disappointment for fantasy, and with a noticeable dip in bat speed, from 64th percentile in 2025 to 39th percentile in 2026, there may be cause for concern, but he's coming off a 30-home run campaign while producing similar contact, strikeout, and barrel rates, so fantasy managers should exercise patience with the five-time Silver Slugger award winner.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Geraldo Perdomo Returns to Arizona's Lineup Against Brewers
Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (ankle) is back at the 6 and is batting leadoff for the Snakes in Wednesday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers and right-hander Brandon Sproat at American Family Field, according to MLB.com. Perdomo missed the team's last two games after suffering a left-ankle sprain in Saturday's contest in Mexico City against the San Diego Padres. The 26-year-old switch-hitting Dominican should be returned to fantasy lineups in traditional leagues against Sproat, who has struggled early on in his first year with the Brew Crew. Perdomo hasn't really stood out offensively yet in 2026, slashing .250/.350/.393 with a .743 OPS, one home run, three doubles, three triples, six RBI, six stolen bases, and 11 runs scored in 25 games across 102 plate appearances. He's been much better of late, though, going 13-for-30 (.433) with a double, three triples, two RBI, two steals, and four runs scored in his previous eight games, dating back to April 14.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Daniel Palencia Could Return on Friday
Chicago Cubs right-handed closer Daniel Palencia (lat) has made enough progress that the Cubs are considering activating him from the 15-day injured list on Friday for the start of a three-game series at Wrigley Field against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks, according to Patrick Mooney of The Athletic. With Chicago's pitching staff decimated by injuries early in 2026, the Cubs could have Palencia return to their major-league bullpen without going on a minor-league rehab assignment. When active, the hard-throwing right-hander should immediately return to closing duties in Chicago, especially with Caleb Thielbar (hamstring) and Hunter Harvey (triceps) on the IL. The 26-year-old Venezuelan high-leverage reliever had a career-best 22 saves in 52 2/3 regular-season innings last year in his third year with the Cubs, and he had tossed five scoreless innings with a save and five strikeouts in five relief appearances for Chicago this year before injuring his lat. Pick Palencia up immediately if he's available in your league with his return on the horizon. Palencia is rostered in 81% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Patrick Mooney
Source: The Athletic - Patrick Mooney
Tanner McDougal Exits Triple-A Start with Forearm Tightness
Chicago White Sox pitching prospect Tanner McDougal exited his start for Triple-A Charlotte after one inning on Wednesday after experiencing right forearm tightness. The right-hander will undergo further testing to determine the extent of the injury. Chicago's sixth-ranked prospect had been pitching well for the Knights, posting a 3.13 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and a 27.4 percent strikeout rate (26 strikeouts) in 23 innings pitched before Wednesday's start. The 6-foot-5 hurler's control could use some improvement, with a 13.7 percent walk rate at Triple-A (career 12.5 percent), but there was a good chance he'd make his MLB debut this season, so hopefully it is not a long-term injury.
Source: James Fegan
Source: James Fegan
Alex Bregman Returns to Starting Lineup, Dansby Swanson Sitting Out
Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman (toe) is back in the starting lineup for Wednesday's series finale against the hosting San Diego Padres and right-hander Matt Waldron, playing third base and batting third, according to MLB.com. Meanwhile, shortstop Dansby Swanson (glute) will sit this one out after leaving Tuesday's win early with glute cramps. Bregman fouled a ball off his toe in Sunday's series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and he was held out of the starting lineup on Tuesday, although he did later enter the game as a pinch-hitter. Nico Hoerner will start at shortstop on Wednesday and bat leadoff, with Matt Shaw getting the start at second base. With an off day scheduled on Thursday, it seems likely that Swanson will return for Friday's series opener in Chicago against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Bregman went 2-for-2 at the plate on Tuesday night after entering the game as a pinch-hitter, and he should be returned to all starting lineups in traditional fantasy formats against the knuckleballer Waldron.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Orioles-Astros Game Postponed Due to Inclement Weather on Wednesday
The Baltimore Orioles announced that their game on Wednesday night against the Houston Astros has been postponed due to inclement weather in Baltimore. The game will be made up as part of a traditional doubleheader on Thursday, April 30. Fantasy managers will want to remove any players from these two teams that they might have had in their original starting lineups for Wednesday's action. Right-hander Chris Bassitt was scheduled to make the start at Camden Yards for the Orioles, with right-hander Peter Lambert on the schedule as the Astros' starter. Expect both pitchers to be pushed back to one of the games of Thursday's doubleheader.
Source: Baltimore Orioles
Source: Baltimore Orioles
Mookie Betts Hits Minor Setback in Rehab, Still on Track for May Return
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (oblique) was expected to begin a rehab assignment this weekend, but on Wednesday, he stated that he felt some soreness in his oblique recently while taking batting practice on the field, so the team backed off his rehab a bit. Since then, the veteran has been hitting in the cage and has said he's "turned a corner," with the expectation that he'll try to take batting practice on the field again. It sounds like a minor setback that should still allow the eight-time All-Star to begin a rehab assignment soon and potentially be back with the team sometime in early May if all goes well. The former MVP was 5-for-28 (.179) before going down with the injury, but two of his five hits were home runs, and he was making good contact (90.7 percent) while recording a 3:4 BB:K, so expect the 33-year-old to put up Betts-like numbers when he returns.
Source: Fabian Ardaya
Source: Fabian Ardaya
Yusei Kikuchi Leaves Game on Wednesday with Shoulder Tightness
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi (shoulder) was removed after two innings in Wednesday's game against the White Sox with what is being described as shoulder tightness. The southpaw came out to warm up before the third inning but left with the trainer. The extent of the injury is not yet known, but fantasy managers should have a backup plan in the event he needs to miss time. The 34-year-old has had a rough go of it so far in 2026, coming into Wednesday's game with a 6.21 ERA (3.71 FIP) and a 1.59 WHIP, although he was generating more than a strikeout per inning with 32 punchouts in 29 innings pitched. His next start would line up with the White Sox again next week, which could make whoever replaces him a potential streaming option.
Source: Angels PR
Source: Angels PR
After Brutal Start, Jakob Marsee Showing Signs of Life at the Plate
Miami Marlins outfielder Jakob Marsee has been a fantasy disappointment in the early going of 2026 after a breakout 2025. The left-handed hitter slashed .292/.363/.478 with five home runs and 14 steals in 55 games after his promotion to the big leagues last year, but so far in 2026, he's slashing just .184/.304/.272 through 30 games. On the bright side, the former sixth-round draft pick has continued to get on base thanks to a strong 13.2 percent walk rate, which has in turn allowed him to leverage his baserunning abilities, swiping 10 bags already, which is tied for fourth-most in the majors. There have also been signs he could be breaking out of his slump, going 8-for-27 (.296) over his last seven contests, with three of his six extra-base hits coming during that stretch (two doubles, one home run). Though not known for exit velocities (EV), the 24-year-old had an average EV of 87.0 mph earlier in the year, but it has popped up to 91.6 in this recent seven-game turnaround, so he could be locking in. If he can get going, fantasy managers will once again have a multi-category contributor on their hands, so patience is warranted with Marsee.
Source: Baseball Savant
Source: Baseball Savant
Zac Gallen to Throw a Bullpen on Wednesday
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Zac Gallen (shoulder) played catch on Monday and will throw a regular between-starts bullpen on Wednesday, according to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. Gallen expects to make his next start on Friday on the road atWrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs, but he'll know for sure after throwing a bullpen. The 30-year-old veteran was pulled from his last outing early in Mexico City on Saturday against the San Diego Padres after being hit by a comebacker. Although Gallen has looked good so far in 2026 in his first six starts, fantasy managers may want to avoid him this weekend in his first start back after an injury against a Cubs offense that ranks fourth in the majors with a .777 team OPS in the first month of the season. In his eighth year in the big leagues, Gallen has gone 1-1 in his first 28 2/3 innings with a 3.14 ERA (3.58 FIP) and 1.36 WHIP with 17 strikeouts and seven walks.
Source: MLB.com - Steve Gilbert
Source: MLB.com - Steve Gilbert
