April 13, 2026
Boston Red Sox pitching prospect
Payton Tolle remains a must-stash candidate in Week 3 of the fantasy baseball season. Tolle is coming off another strong showing at Triple-A Worcester, where he logged five shutout innings with just three hits and one walk while striking out six hitters. In his previous outing, Tolle was just as sharp, logging six innings of two-run ball (one earned run) with seven punchouts and four hits. While the southpaw fell short of the Opening Day rotation, he could be on the verge of returning to Boston. Last week, the Red Sox placed right-handed starter
Johan Oviedo (elbow) on the 15-day injured list, which opens a spot on the roster for Tolle. While the rotation is filled at the moment, Tolle is the next candidate waiting in the wings. Given that he struck out 133 hitters over 91 2/3 innings last summer, he should be viewed as the top pitcher to stash in all formats.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
April 13, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays left-hander
Steven Matz (3-0) has been excellent in his first three starts to the 2026 season with a 3.94 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 17 strikeouts in 16 innings pitched. Additionally, in Week 4, Matz gets a juicy matchup on Thursday against the Chicago White Sox, who rank in the bottom three in strikeouts per game with 10, indicating Matz, who is currently having a career year in the strikeout department with a 27 percent strikeout rate, should have a solid opportunity on Thursday. Matz is no secret to MLB, as he has played 12 seasons and, in his career, owns a 4.19 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. More importantly, there have not been any crazy adjustments or pitch changes in his arsenal that have suggested he's made any changes, so there should be some regression heading his way, but in the meantime, fantasy managers should ride the hot streak with a great matchup in Week 4.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: Baseball Savant
April 13, 2026
Houston Astros right-hander
Spencer Arrighetti should be getting called up to the big league club any day now, as
Hunter Brown (shoulder) and
Cristian Javier (shoulder) both have landed on the 15-day IL, and
Tatsuya Imai is dealing with right arm fatigue and is considered day to day. The Houston rotation is beginning to look thin, with
Mike Burrows and
Lance McCullers Jr.currently representing the only starters without an injury designation. Arrighetti was on most fantasy analysts' radars in 2025, as he broke out in the back half of the 2024 season with a 3.18 ERA in 65 innings pitched, but he dealt with an unfortunate injury in 2025, and started the 2026 season in Triple-A in 2026 after a tough Spring Training, where he owned a 6.25 ERA in eight innings pitched. However, in three starts at Triple-A, he's looked fantastic; he has a 1.26 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, and a 12.56 K/9. With the injuries to the Astros rotation and Arrighetti's clear path to a spot in the rotation, fantasy managers may want to look to add him now before the call-up becomes official.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: FanGraphs
April 13, 2026
New York Yankees offseason acquisition
Ryan Weathers (0-1) has gotten off to a good start in the 2026 season. Through three starts (16 innings pitched), he owns a 2.81 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, and 18 strikeouts. Weathers, who was a former seventh overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, has been moved around to multiple different teams throughout his career thus far, but since 2024 with the Marlins, has been a reliable back-end starter when healthy, with a 3.63 ERA in 2024, a 3.99 ERA in 2025, and a 2.81 ERA thus far this season. Weather's improved control of the years (7.4 percent walk rate in 2026) and ability to miss bats at a decent rate, which is evident by his 26.5 percent strikeout rate and 25.6 percent whiff rate, make him a reliable option in most formats, with some risk to be taken on in the WHIP department (career 1.38 WHIP). However, he should be a decent source in ERA and strikeouts, and should rack up wins in the meantime, as he is backed up by one of the better offenses in MLB, making him a strong add off the waiver if available.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: Baseball Savant
April 13, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman
Max Muncy has gotten off to a decent start to the season, slashing .245/.339/.490 with four home runs, 11 runs, and four RBI. However, three of those four home runs, five of the 11 runs, and three of the four RBI came in his outing on April 10 against the Texas Rangers, where he went 3-for-5 with three home runs. Muncy has always had the ability to go on hot streaks like this, but the cold streaks and the occasional sitting against left-handed pitching make him a more difficult person to trust on a weekly basis in head-to-head leagues. Rotisserie leagues, on the other hand, remain his best format for producing for fantasy managers throughout a season. Regardless of the league format, Muncy's quality of contact remains elite, as his average exit velocities, barrel percentage, and hard-hit rate all rank in the 84th percentile or better, making him a standout option for fantasy managers in the power department if he's available on your waiver wire.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: Baseball Savant
April 13, 2026
Washington Nationals right-handed reliever,
Clayton Beeter, picked up his second save of the season on Saturday in the Nationals' 3-1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. Beeter worked the ninth inning up 3-0, and allowed an earned run on one hit, two walks, and two strikeouts. He needed 24 pitches to get through the ninth inning, 12 of which he threw for strikes. Beeter wasn't particularly sharp in this outing; however, he appears to be the leader in the relievers' room to continue to earn saves for a Nationals team that is sitting at 7-8 on the season after sweeping the Brewers over the weekend. Beeter has three save opportunities compared to
Cole Henry's two,
Gus Varland's two, and
Ken Waldichuk's one. While the path is still a bit muddy for Beeter, he appears to be the frontrunner and is worth a waiver wire pickup in deeper leagues requiring saves as a category. On the season, Beeter owns a 3.52 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and six strikeouts in seven appearances to go along with those two saves.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: ESPN
April 12, 2026
New York Mets catcher
Francisco Alvarez has emerged as a key offensive contributor early in the 2026 season, slashing .300/.391/.625 with a 1.016 OPS and four home runs. The fifth-year backstop is showing clear growth at the plate. His improved barrel rate and consistent hard contact point to a more refined approach. Alvarez produced a .256/.339/.447 slash line in 76 games last season, but this start suggests a meaningful step forward. If this level of production holds, Alvarez has the profile to establish himself as one of the more impactful offensive catchers in the league.
--Julian BrookeSource: MLB.com
April 12, 2026
Miami Marlins outfielder
Owen Caissie has found steady production in his early 2026 campaign and first year with the club. The 23-year-old is slashing .275/.348/.525 with two home runs through 14 games, an improvement from his limited sample last season in Chicago. Caissie is ranked as the No. 3 prospect in the Marlins system and No. 42 in baseball, flashing power and strong barrel rates early. His offensive profile continues to develop at the major league level. If Caissie can reduce his strikeouts, his upside should translate into consistent production moving forward.
--Julian BrookeSource: MLB.com
April 12, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays infielder
Andres Gimenez has cooled off slightly after a red-hot start to the 2026 season, but he continues to provide steady production as the team navigates multiple injuries. Gimenez is in his second year with Toronto and is slashing .278/.328/.444 through 15 games. He has reduced his strikeouts this season, though his power has not matched his peak offensive years in 2022 and 2023. Gimenez should continue to see consistent opportunities as Toronto works through injuries, keeping his fantasy value stable.
--Julian BrookeSource: MLB.com
April 12, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers left-hander
Kyle Harrison (knee) has emerged as a key rotation piece early in the 2026 season, posting a 3.07 ERA through three starts with the club. Harrison is in his first year with Milwaukee after being acquired from the Boston Red Sox and has provided steady production. He is coming off his shortest outing on Saturday, allowing two runs over 4 1/3 innings while taking his first loss. The 24-year-old has yet to complete six innings in a start, but the talent remains evident. If Harrison can build toward deeper outings, his value should continue to rise as the season progresses.
--Julian BrookeSource: MLB.com
April 12, 2026
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder
Justin Crawford is off to a scorching start in his rookie campaign, recording 15 hits in 14 games, good for a .341 average. The 22-year-old has posted a .885 OPS and has made the most of his early opportunities with the club. Crawford's emergence should be monitored closely by fantasy managers as he looks to secure an everyday role in the lineup. The former 17th overall pick in the 2022 draft has yet to hit his first home run, but the tools remain evident. If Crawford continues to produce at this level, his role and fantasy value should continue to grow.
--Julian BrookeSource: MLB.com
April 12, 2026
New York Mets infielder
Mark Vientos is looking to take the next step as he navigates his fifth MLB season. The 26-year-old has cooled off after a strong start and has not recorded a hit in his last six games. Vientos is now slashing .263/.293/.395 with a .688 OPS through 12 games as he looks to break out of this early slump. He posted his best season in 2024 before taking a step back last year, but still showed flashes of power. If Vientos can regain his early-season form, fantasy managers should look to capitalize on a buy-low opportunity.
--Julian BrookeSource: MLB.com
April 12, 2026
Houston Astros right-hander
Lance McCullers Jr. is still looking to settle into the 2026 season after a rough outing on Saturday against the Mariners in which he allowed six runs on five hits. McCullers has been riddled with injuries in recent seasons and is aiming to complete his first full campaign since 2021. He now holds a 5.87 ERA through three starts as he works to regain his previous form. The 32-year-old is in his 11th season with Houston and is expected to make his next start on Thursday. Fantasy managers should monitor McCullers closely, as his talent level remains high if he can find consistency.
--Julian BrookeSource: MLB.com
April 12, 2026
San Diego Padres right-handed pitcher
Nick Pivetta (elbow) exited with right elbow stiffness after just three innings during Sunday's start against the Colorado Rockies. He had been cruising prior to his departure, amassing four strikeouts with zero runs, zero hits, and zero walks. Pivetta was roughed up with six runs in his first start, but he has been much better across three games since then, surrendering just two runs with 20 strikeouts over that 13-inning span. He owns a 6.7 K/BB ratio with a .114 OBA and 0.62 WHIP in the month of April. The Padres will conduct medical testing and hope that he can return without missing much time (if any at all), especially given how well he has been pitching lately. Pivetta ranks #27 among starters in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings.
--Andersen PickardSource: San Diego Padres
April 12, 2026
Colorado Rockies starting pitcher
Kyle Freeland (shoulder) was scratched from his start on Sunday against the San Diego Padres. Right-handed reliever
Jimmy Herget started the game in his absence, but fellow right-hander
Valente Bellozo handled the bulk of the innings with five runs on eight hits (including two homers), four walks, and three strikeouts over 4.1 innings of work. Losing Freeland is brutal for the Rockies, as he had been one of their most dependable starters so far. Through three games, he owns a 2.30 ERA, 7.47 K/9, and 2.30 BB/9. Two of his three starts have come away from Coors Field, which could be part of the reason for his solid results, as well as his 0.57 HR/9 and 50% ground ball rate. He has also tapped into a little more velocity, averaging 92.2 mph on his fastball. That's the third-highest average fastball velocity of his career, as well as his highest mark since 2020. It remains to be seen whether Freeland will miss additional time due to his new shoulder issue. At the very least, it's a situation worth monitoring in the coming days.
--Andersen PickardSource: Thomas Harding
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