RADIO
Willson Contreras Still Nursing Hand Injury, Out on Tuesday
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (hand) remains out of the starting lineup for Tuesday's series opener at Fenway Park against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies after he was hit by a pitch on his right hand on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays, per MLB.com. Imaging came back negative on Contreras' hand, though, so he could be back in the starting nine for the BoSox as soon as Wednesday. Mickey Gasper is making the start at first base and will hit in the two-hole on Tuesday against Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler. The struggling Red Sox could use Contreras back in the lineup as soon as possible. In his first year with the team in 2026, he's hitting .259 (35-for-135) with eight home runs, 23 RBI, 19 runs scored, and a stolen base across 39 games and 166 plate appearances. Gasper made his season debut on Sunday for Boston and went 3-for-4 at the plate with two doubles and an RBI, but he'll be a deep DFS sleeper on Tuesday against Wheeler. UPDATE: Contreras hit in the cage and is feeling better. The Red Sox are giving him an extra day, but it sounds like he should be back on Wednesday.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Samuel Basallo Returns to Tuesday's Lineup as the DH
Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo (knee) will return to the starting lineup as the designated hitter and bat fifth for the O's for Tuesday's game against the visiting New York Yankees and right-hander Will Warren, according to MLB.com. Baltimore scratched Basallo out of an abundance of caution in the series opener on Monday due to discomfort in his left knee, but he's back in the lineup a day later. The 21-year-old should be returned to fantasy lineups in traditional leagues against Warren, whom he has hit .286 against in his seven career at-bats. The left-handed-hitting backstop is having a strong 2026 season so far, too, slashing .270/.333/.470 with an .803 OPS, five home runs, 15 RBI, and 14 runs scored in 115 at-bats. Although he has yet to clear the fences in May, Basallo has gone 12-for-33 (.364) with four doubles, a triple, six RBI, and four runs scored in 10 games to begin the month.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Parker Messick Fueling Guardians' Division Lead
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Parker Messick has emerged as a bright spot in the rotation, posting a 4-1 record with a spectacular 2.30 ERA so far. In his first full season, the southpaw has been an anchor in the back half of the rotation by racking up strikeouts while limiting hits, walks, and runs. The Guardians are just a game above .500, but they're in first place in the AL Central, and Messick is a main reason why. Fans and fantasy managers can breathe a sigh of relief when he pitches, largely due to his 2.82 FIP, 9.77 K/9, and 2.11 BB/9. He's also limiting loud contact with 0.77 HR/9, and he's allowing fewer than one walk plus hit per inning. As long as Messick continues to pitch at this level, he'll rack up fantasy points while earning some All-Star consideration. Rostered in 89% of fantasy leagues, Messick is perhaps still a little undervalued. He's an intriguing target in dynasty leagues, where he could be a fantasy staple for many years to come.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brewers Reinstate Christian Yelich From Injured List
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich (groin) has been reinstated from the 10-day injured list, according to an announcement from the team. To create room for Yelich on the 26-man roster, outfielder Tyler Black was optioned to Triple-A Nashville. Yelich is set to return from a month-long absence that was caused by a left groin strain. He'll offer a major boost to the Brewers' lineup as they look to build on their 22-16 start this season. Before Yelich landed on the IL, he had been slashing .314/.375/.451 with one homer, 10 RBI, three steals, an 8.9% walk rate, a 25.0% strikeout rate, and 127 wRC+. In addition to strengthening Milwaukee's lineup, his return also helps out fantasy managers who have been patiently waiting to get him back. The Brewers haven't posted Tuesday's lineup yet, but we'd expect to see Yelich batting third as the designated hitter.
Source: Milwaukee Brewers
Source: Milwaukee Brewers
Corey Seager in the Lineup Every Day Despite Disastrous Stats
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager continues to play on an everyday basis, mostly due to his reliable defense and his track record as a proven veteran. However, the temptation to make a shortstop change may be growing in Texas, as Seager is slashing just .189/.299/.372 with -3.1 WAR at the plate. It's the first time he has posted negative WAR on either side of the ball since 2018, and the first time he's ever posted negative WAR at the plate. His seven home runs have helped keep his wRC+ afloat at 88, but it's still not very encouraging. He had an .860 OPS last year, so to see that mark fall nearly 200 percentage points doesn't bode well for his fantasy value. As one might expect based on the poor stats, he's also striking out far more than normal. His 27% strikeout rate this year drastically exceeds his previous career-worst mark of 21.4% back in 2017. The power makes Seager a fine fantasy option every now and then, and he's been able to hang around as the #7 shortstop in RotoBaller's latest fantasy rankings. However, we don't blame fantasy managers (or the Rangers) if they start to lose patience with the 32-year-old soon.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Paul Skenes Rides Momentum Into Start vs. Rockies
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes has found his stride on the mound once again. After an anomalous Opening Day performance in which he was pulled during the first inning, Skenes has bounced back and lowered his FIP to 2.81. Through eight starts, he is 5-2 with 9.86 K/9 and 1.50 BB/9. His blend of control and velocity continues to suit him well, leading to great results for the Pirates and fantasy managers. Skenes went five perfect and eight scoreless in his last outing, so he'll look to keep that momentum going Tuesday against the Rockies. It's a favorable matchup for the Cy Young favorite, since the Rockies' offense has the second-most strikeouts and the sixth-fewest walks in baseball. The game is also in Pittsburgh, meaning that Skenes doesn't have to worry about Coors Field, and the Rockies' batters will have to adjust to a less favorable environment.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
David Bednar Remains a Steady Option for Saves
New York Yankees closer David Bednar continues to rack up saves while handling leverage opportunities out of the bullpen. He did experience a minor blip on Sunday when he surrendered one run over 0.2 innings and was hit with the loss, but for the most part, he has been productive. He's now 1-3 with a 2.47 FIP, 11.12 K/9, 2.65 BB/9, a 56.3% ground ball rate, and 10 saves over 17 games (17.0 innings). No other Yankees pitcher has earned a save this season, so Bednar's job remains safe despite an occasional subpar outing. Given that the Yankees have the second-best record in the American League, save situations should continue to present themselves to Bednar quite often. He remains a steady option for saves, and he ranks as the #9 reliever in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ted Hurst Viewed as "True X" Receiver Going into Rookie Campaign
New Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said that rookie third-round wide receiver Ted Hurst is a "true X" receiver, according to Scott Smith of the team's official website. Robinson also said there are "so many things" that he likes about Hurst, who has an exciting skill set and great instincts. The 21-year-old product of Georgia State only played two seasons in college, but he has the size (6-foot-4, 206 pounds) and speed (4.42-second 40-yard dash) to make noise at the next level in an offense that lost future Hall of Famer Mike Evans in free agency. In his two seasons at Georgia State, Hurst caught 127 passes for 1,965 yards and 15 touchdowns. He will primarily be competing with Jalen McMillan for the WR3 role in 2026 behind Chris Godwin Jr. and Emeka Egbuka, but his physical attributes make him a bit more intriguing long-term than McMillan. RotoBaller has Hurst ranked as the No. 73 dynasty pass-catcher, two spots below McMillan.
Source: Buccaneers.com - Scott Smith
Source: Buccaneers.com - Scott Smith
Braves Place Sean Murphy Back on Injured List With Fractured Finger
The Atlanta Braves announced on Tuesday that they placed catcher Sean Murphy (finger) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to May 11) with a fractured left middle finger. In a corresponding move, the Braves signed free-agent veteran catcher Sandy Leon to a major-league contract. Murphy got a late start to the 2026 regular season while recovering from offseason hip surgery, and now he's back on the shelf after playing in only four games for Atlanta. In those four contests, he went 1-for-14 at the plate with a run scored and six strikeouts. The 31-year-old veteran was one of the better power-hitting catchers in the big leagues from 2021 to 2023, but he hasn't played in more than 100 games the last couple of seasons with the Braves as he's struggled with injuries. Murphy is now only rostered in 1% of Yahoo leagues. Drake Baldwin will now see more work behind the plate (in addition to DH duties), with Leon backing him up in Atlanta. UPDATE: Murphy is expected to be out at least eight weeks.
Source: Atlanta Braves
Source: Atlanta Braves
Zac Robinson Thinks Bucky Irving, Kenneth Gainwell Have Similar Skill Sets
New Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said that running backs Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell "can match each other" in terms of their similar skill sets out of the backfield, according to FOX Sports' Greg Auman. The Bucs let Rachaad White walk in free agency this offseason, but they added Gainwell to their RB room after the 27-year-old broke out with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025 with 114 carries for 537 yards and five touchdowns, adding 73 receptions (85 targets) for 486 yards and three more TDs as a pass-catcher in 17 regular-season games. Irving only played in 10 games in his second NFL season due to injuries, but the 23-year-old was efficient as a pass-catcher as well, recording 277 yards and three TDs on his 30 receptions. As long as he stays on the field, Irving is expected to be utilized as Tampa's lead back in 2026, with Gainwell serving in the third-down, pass-catching role. Both will be fantasy relevant, with Irving ranking as RotoBaller's No. 16 dynasty RB, and Gainwell checking in as the No. 45 RB. In PPR leagues, Gainwell will be much more expensive after ranking fifth among RBs in catches.
Source: FOX Sports - Greg Auman
Source: FOX Sports - Greg Auman
Emeka Egbuka to Settle into "Z" Role in Year 2
New Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said that second-year wide receiver Emeka Egbuka will settle into the "Z" role primarily on the outside in 2026 after playing multiple spots as a rookie in 2025, according to Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com. Egbuka, the 19th overall pick in 2025 out of Ohio State, bounced around inside and outside in his first year in the NFL due to injuries to Mike Evans, Chris Godwin Jr., and Jalen McMillan. The 23-year-old now figures to mostly play outside this year, though, with Evans now in San Francisco. Third-round rookie Ted Hurst is more of a "true X" wideout, which will allow the Bucs to use Egbuka on the outside more, with Godwin in the slot. The 23-year-old Egbuka was a best in his first five NFL games, catching 25 passes for 445 yards and five touchdowns, but he caught just one more TD the rest of the way and dealt with a hamstring injury to finish his rookie campaign with a 63-938-6 line in 17 games (13 starts). With Evans now gone, Egbuka will have an opportunity to rise as Tampa's WR1 in 2026 and beyond, making him a top-12 dynasty receiver.
Source: Buccaneers.com - Scott Smith
Source: Buccaneers.com - Scott Smith
Trevor Rogers Reinstated and Starting on Tuesday
The Baltimore Orioles announced that they reinstated left-hander Trevor Rogers (illness) from the 15-day injured list, and he will start Tuesday's game against the division-rival New York Yankees. In a corresponding move, the O's optioned right-hander Jose Espada to Triple-A Norfolk. Rogers is back after missing the last couple of weeks due to a bad case of the flu. The 28-year-old southpaw gave up only four earned runs while walking five and striking out 14 in 19 innings in his first three starts of the year before surrendering 13 runs (12 earned) on 19 hits (three homers) while walking five and fanning 13 in 11 1/3 innings in his three most recent appearances. Rogers wasn't rehabbing any kind of injury, so he didn't require a minor-league rehab assignment. Tuesday's start will be his first game since April 25, though, so we would not recommend starting him, especially against a Yankees team that ranks third in baseball with a .771 OPS.
Source: Baltimore Orioles
Source: Baltimore Orioles
Trey Benson Droppable in Some Dynasty Leagues?
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson's dynasty value has plummeted over the last few months. Benson was once seen as the potential successor to James Conner in Arizona -- and, at the very least, an extremely valuable handcuff. However, the Cardinals' new coaching staff brought in two new running backs this season, bumping Benson to fourth on the depth chart. Rookie Jeremiyah Love should take over the lead-back role right away, and Conner and Tyler Allgeier will both carve out significant workloads, too. That leaves Benson on the outside looking in, and we can't rule out the possibility of him being a healthy scratch on gamedays. If that happens, managers in shallower dynasty leagues could justify dropping him. At this point, the ideal outcome for fantasy managers would be Benson getting traded to a team that uses him as a true backup. That way, he would maintain his appeal as a handcuff while offering occasional standalone RB3/flex value. For now, though, he remains on the Cardinals' roster, and his outlook is bleak. He has fallen to #59 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty running back rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Robby Snelling to Make Second MLB Start on Thursday Against Twins
Miami Marlins left-handed pitching prospect Robby Snelling is slated to make his second start in the big leagues this Thursday on the road at Target Field against the Minnesota Twins, according to MLB.com. In his major-league debut last Friday against the division-rival Washington Nationals, Snelling allowed three earned runs on five hits (one homer) while walking four and striking out two in five innings pitched to take the loss, so it wasn't the most effective first outing for the highly-regarded pitching prospect. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder was brought up to Miami after going 3-1 with a 1.86 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 44:15 K:BB in 29 innings over six starts at Triple-A Jacksonville. Although Snelling walked more than he struck out in his MLB debut, he did generate 12 whiffs on 86 pitches, and he remains an intriguing young arm to stash in deeper fantasy leagues for his strikeout upside. It also appears that he is going to get an extended run in the Marlins' starting rotation. Snelling is currently rostered in 26% of Yahoo leagues. He'll be facing a Twins ballclub that ranks in the middle of the pack in baseball this year in team OPS.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ben Brown Earns Another Start, Taking on Braves on Thursday
The Chicago Cubs have rewarded right-hander Ben Brown with another start, which will come on Thursday at Truist Park against the first-place Atlanta Braves and veteran lefty Chris Sale, per MLB.com. Brown, who is filling in for Chicago's banged-up starting rotation, earned a second start after tossing four shutout innings with no hits allowed, one walk, and three strikeouts in a no-decision against the Texas Rangers last Friday. On the year, the 26-year-old former 33rd-round pick by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2017 has been excellent for the Cubbies, recording a 1.82 ERA (2.65 FIP), 0.91 WHIP, one save, 27 strikeouts, and nine walks in 29 2/3 frames across 13 appearances (one start). Because Brown could stick around for the long term in Chicago's rotation, he's certainly worth a look off the waiver wire -- he's rostered in just 9% of Yahoo leagues. However, we wouldn't recommend starting him this week against a Braves team with the best OPS (.784) in the big leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
James Wood a Reliable Source of Elite Raw Power
Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood is only 23 years old, but he's already one of the best sources of raw power production in the big leagues. The 6-foot-6, 234-pounder was a first-time All-Star in 2025 in his first full year in the majors despite leading the league with 221 strikeouts in 689 plate appearances. He hit 31 homers, drove in 94 runs, and even stole 15 bases in 157 games. So far in 41 games in 2026, the former second-round selection by the San Diego Padres in 2021 has gone 38-for-156 (.244) with 11 home runs, 11 doubles, 28 RBI, 35 runs scored, seven stolen bases, a league-leading 35 walks, and 60 strikeouts across 41 games and 194 plate appearances. Wood is hitting .265 (9-for-34) with a homer, four doubles, four RBI, five runs, and two steals in nine games so far in May and remains a must-start in all traditional fantasy formats as a high-upside power bat with excellent on-base skills. He currently ranks in the 99th percentile in hard-hit rate and the 97th percentile in walk rate, which is a recipe for success long term.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Cameron Ward Looking to Make a Year 2 Leap
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cameron Ward showed flashes of upside as a rookie last season, but fantasy managers will look for him to take a significant Year 2 leap in 2026. Ward didn't miss a snap until Week 18 last year, finishing the season with a 59.8% completion rate, 3,169 passing yards, and 159 rushing yards. Between throwing and running, he had 17 touchdowns and 14 turnovers. Cleaning up the turnovers will be a key area of focus for Ward, and he should benefit from being coached by offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, who helped Jaxson Dart turn in a fantastic rookie season. The former No. 1 pick will also hit the field with a drastically upgraded wide receiver room that now features Carnell Tate and Wan'Dale Robinson, in addition to returners Calvin Ridley, Elic Ayomanor, and Chimere Dike. With improved coaching and weapons at his disposal, Ward seems like a prime candidate to break out in his second season. He's a very appealing "buy" in dynasty leagues this offseason, given that he still has top-12 quarterback upside long-term.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Bubba Chandler's Lack of Control Making him Hard to Trust
Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Bubba Chandler has plenty of long-term upside, but so far in his first full season in the big leagues, he has struggled to control the baseball, allowing a league-high 27 free passes in his 39 innings over his first eight starts in 2026. Chandler has gone 1-4 in the early going with a 4.62 ERA (5.53 FIP) and 1.46 WHIP with 34 strikeouts. The 23-year-old former third-round pick in 2021 walked 13 batters in three starts from April 23 to May 5. In his most recent outing, though, Chandler went five innings against the punchless San Francisco Giants, giving up two earned runs on five hits while walking just one and striking out three for a no-decision. It was encouraging that he only walked one batter his last time out, but until he can show us that he can command his arsenal more consistently, Chandler is going to be a volatile fantasy starter. His next start will come against the underperforming Philadelphia Phillies at home. Start Chandler at your own risk.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Yoshinobu Yamamoto a Reliable Fantasy Ace Despite Heavy Postseason Workload
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto's heavy workload during the team's World Series run last fall, in just his second year in the big leagues, doesn't appear to have affected him so far in 2026. Through his first seven starts for L.A. in 2026, Yamamoto has gone 3-2 with a 3.09 ERA (3.53 FIP) and 1.01 WHIP with 40 strikeouts and just 10 walks in 43 2/3 innings pitched. The 27-year-old Japanese native held the struggling Houston Astros to three earned runs in six innings while walking one and striking out a season-high eight in his last time out on May 4. Yamamoto has yet to allow more than three earned runs in any of his outings this season while going at least five innings in all seven of his starts. Fantasy managers need to continue to throw him out there in their starting lineups every time he toes the rubber. Yamamoto has another great matchup on tap for Tuesday in L.A. against the visiting San Francisco Giants, who have the second-worst team OPS (.655) in the big leagues. In his first meeting with the Giants on April 21, Yamamoto allowed three earned runs on six hits while walking two and fanning seven in seven innings.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Omar Cooper Jr. to Require Some Patience in Dynasty Leagues?
New York Jets wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. has long-term upside in dynasty fantasy football, but managers should prepare for the possibility that he doesn't break out right away as a rookie. The Jets are expected to experience some growing pains this season with Geno Smith at quarterback. Smith had a miserable season in Las Vegas last year, and we question whether he'll be able to support a fantasy-relevant season from Omar Cooper Jr. when he already has Garrett Wilson as his WR1. With that being said, Cooper has proven himself as a winning receiver since he played for the national champion Indiana Hoosiers. He also has long-term appeal in dynasty leagues, because it seems like a foregone conclusion that the Jets will spend a top pick on a quarterback next year. A talented, young quarterback could be exactly what Cooper needs to emerge as a reliable fantasy option, even if Wilson remains the top target. As a result, Cooper is the WR5 in RotoBaller's rookie rankings and the WR37 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jesus Luzardo Continues to be Volatile in Second Season With Phillies
After a three-start stretch where he didn't allow more than two earned runs, Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Jesus Luzardo fell apart again in his latest outing on Friday against the Colorado Rockies, allowing six earned runs on six hits (one homer) while walking three and striking out six in a season-low three innings of work. The 28-year-old southpaw is now 3-3 on the year with a bloated 5.98 ERA (2.96 FIP) and 1.39 WHIP with 57 strikeouts and 12 walks in 43 2/3 innings over his eight starts for Philly. He has failed to go five innings in three of his eight starts and has allowed five-plus runs in four of his outings so far. At this point, fantasy managers may not know what to do with him. Opponents are currently hitting .278 against him, but Luzardo holds an expected average of just .236, while the difference in his wOBA (.334) and xwOBA (.286) also shows that he's been hit with some pretty bad luck early on. Luzardo also ranks in the 91st percentile in strikeout rate and 82nd percentile in walk rate. He's a prime buy-low candidate, and he could easily dominate his next time out against the struggling Boston Red Sox.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Is Jordyn Tyson the Best Rookie Receiver in Dynasty Leagues?
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Jordyn Tyson was a top prospect in this year's NFL Draft, and his landing spot could be conducive to a top-12 finish in fantasy football. Tyson ended up with the Saints, where he should start every game opposite Chris Olave. New Orleans' offense is trending in the right direction under offensive-minded head coach Kellen Moore. Quarterback Tyler Shough had a fantastic rookie season, Travis Etienne Jr. was added to the backfield, and Tyson and Olave could end up being the best wide receiver duo in the NFC South. We're not too worried about target share, either, as Shough averaged 35 pass attempts per game following the bye week last year, and that number could increase in 2026. Tyson may initially produce slightly less than Olave, but we wouldn't be surprised to see an even split (or even see Tyson win the top role) by season's end, especially given Olave's concussion history. All in all, Tyson will push to be the top-scoring receiver in the 2026 rookie class, both short-term and long-term. His biggest competition is presumably Carnell Tate, the Titans' first-round pick, who may initially face some growing pains as Cameron Ward continues to develop.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cade Smith has Become a High-End Closing Option in Fantasy
Cleveland Guardians right-handed reliever Cade Smith hasn't been perfect, but he has quickly become one of the best options for saves in fantasy baseball in 2026. The 27-year-old Canadian pitcher is currently tied for the American League lead in saves with 11 and has gone 2-0 with a 3.44 ERA (1.86 FIP), 1.25 WHIP, and 24:4 K:BB in 18 1/3 innings pitched for the Guards. He gave up a run in his last appearance on Friday against the Minnesota Twins, but Smith still managed to hold on for the save in his inning of work, and he's been successful in each of his last eight save opportunities, allowing two earned runs on 10 hits while walking one and striking out 13 in 9 1/3 innings. Under the hood, Smith is in the 93rd percentile in strikeout rate, the 91st percentile in walk rate, and the 92nd percentile in whiff rate while posting an 11.8 K/9 in his third year in the big leagues. There's a reason why he's rostered in 98% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Nico Collins Still in the WR1 Tier for Dynasty Fantasy Football
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins wasn't the flashiest name last season, but he still managed to finish as the WR8 in PPR leagues. That was the best mark of his career, and it was the second time that he finished among the top 12 receivers in the last three years. He had 71 catches, 1,117 yards, and six touchdowns, and he presumably would have ranked even higher if he hadn't missed two games due to injury. Collins managed to produce at a high level despite the inconsistent quarterback play of C.J. Stroud, who had a shaky third season. If Stroud doesn't bounce back in 2026 and beyond, it's encouraging to know that Collins can still be a top-12 receiver with iffy quarterback play. However, if Stroud does have a big year, then Collins has legitimate top-five upside in both redraft and dynasty leagues. He's a firm "hold" for now, and he ranks as RotoBaller's dynasty WR11 at the moment.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kyle Teel a Top Stash Option Amid Rehab Assignment?
Chicago White Sox catcher Kyle Teel (hamstring) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday night, according to Milb Central. Teel has been cleared to resume playing in games after he ran the bases over the weekend. The 24-year-old has been recovering from a Grade 2 right-hamstring strain that put him on the 10-day injured list before the start of the 2026 regular season. Barring a setback on his rehab assignment, he could make his season debut for the Pale Hose by this weekend or early next week. He's only rostered in 10% of Yahoo leagues at the moment, but fantasy managers looking for an upgrade at catcher should be interested in the former Virginia product. Teel was originally a first-round pick by the Boston Red Sox in 2023 before being traded to Chicago. In his first year in the big leagues in 2025, he hit a very respectable .273 (69-for-253) with eight homers, 35 RBI, 38 runs, and three steals in 78 games played. Teel should do most of the catching for the White Sox when he's reinstated from the IL.
Source: Milb Central
Source: Milb Central
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has Cooled Off in May, a Buy-Low Candidate?
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is hitting an even .300 (45-for-150) on the year, but he has cooled off considerably in May, going 5-for-37 (.135) with no extra-base hits, two RBI, five runs scored, four walks, and five strikeouts across 10 games and 41 plate appearances. With his recent slump, Guerrero's hard-hit rate now sits in the 63rd percentile, although his xwOBA is in the 87th percentile. Even the best hitters in baseball go through rough patches, and it appears that Vladdy is one of them right now. The good news for fantasy managers is that his expected batting average sits at .312, and his expected slugging percentage is at .453 -- he's currently slugging just .387 with two home runs, 17 RBI, and 23 runs scored on the season. The five-time All-Star shouldn't be expected to approach the career-high mark of 48 homers he hit back in 2021, but he's still projected to reach the 20-homer mark in 2026 while hitting around .300. It wouldn't hurt to test out the Vlad manager in your league to see if you can't pick him up for pennies on the dollar during his current skid.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Shohei Ohtani to Get a Day Off From Hitting This Week
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he plans to give two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani a day off from hitting either on Wednesday (when he pitches) against the division-rival San Francisco Giants, or in Thursday's series finale, according to Maddie Lee of The Los Angeles Times. "I think he's just trying to swing out of it," Roberts said, referring to Ohtani's struggles at the plate lately. The four-time MVP took on-field batting practice before Monday's loss to San Fran, which is only the third time he's taken pre-game BP on the field this year. After hitting 50-plus home runs and stealing 79 bases combined in his first two years with the Blue, the 31-year-old Japanese superstar hasn't produced up to his standards offensively in his first 38 games of 2026, slashing .233/.363/.404 with a .767 OPS, six home runs, 16 RBI, five steals, and 25 runs scored across 180 plate appearances. Ohtani has especially struggled since the calendar flipped to May, going 4-for-36 (.111) with no homers, three RBI, four runs, and a steal in 10 games this month.
Source: The Los Angeles Times - Maddie Lee
Source: The Los Angeles Times - Maddie Lee
Luka Doncic Admits He Wasn't Close to Returning Before Season Ended
Los Angeles Lakers point guard Luka Doncic (hamstring) wasn't close to returning before the team's season ended on Monday night. "I know some people wanted me (to come) back, but obviously I wasn't close to clearing," Doncic said. "If I could be out there, I would be, 100%. Everybody in that room knows this is really tough. This is the best time to play basketball." Doncic missed the Lakers' entire postseason campaign after suffering a Grade 2 hamstring strain on April 2. He said he is running and shooting but hasn't progressed to contact work in practice. Losing Doncic for the playoffs was a massive blow to the Lakers. During his first full season in Los Angeles, Doncic averaged a league-high 33.5 points, along with 7.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 1.6 steals. Having turned only 27 earlier this year, he is set to remain a fantasy stalwart for the foreseeable future.
Source: Associated Press
Source: Associated Press
Is Colston Loveland a Top-25 Dynasty Asset?
Despite playing in only two playoff games as a rookie in 2025, Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland's 25 postseason targets trailed only Puka Nacua, while only Nacua and Jaxon Smith-Njigba amassed more receiving yards. Standing out from a loaded group of pass catchers when the games mattered most certainly drew the attention of dynasty managers, and with the Bears thinning their pass-catching ranks this offseason by trading away veteran DJ Moore, Loveland has become one of the most sought-after assets in fantasy. Loveland's 25 targets against the Packers and Rams were more than All-Pro Trey McBride saw over any two-game stretch in a year in which he broke the tight end reception record. While accuracy issues from quarterback Caleb Williams limited the impact of some of that raw volume, the former first overall pick is expected to take another step forward in his second season in Ben Johnson's offense, potentially elevating the entire Chicago offense. With the passing game expected to run through Loveland, Rome Odunze, and Luther Burden III, the second-year tight end has risen to RotoBaller's dynasty TE3, and at only 22 years old, he is already knocking on the door of the fantasy elite.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Nolan McLean Remains High-End Option Despite Lack of Wins
New York Mets starting pitcher Nolan McLean has only one win this season, but his numbers have been strong across the board despite his lack of run support. McLean has made eight starts this season, matching his total from last year after his promotion. He has an even higher strikeout rate (32.6%) than last year, with a lower WHIP (0.90) and FIP (2.39). His ERA is slightly higher than last season at 2.78, but the 24-year-old righty continues to progress across the rest of his metrics and should continue to grow into his ace potential as the year goes on. He has allowed three earned runs or fewer in every start this season and can continue to be a strong starting pitcher to anchor your fantasy rotation moving forward, despite his lack of consistent run support on an underperforming Mets team.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
