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Jack Flaherty Punches Out 10, Takes Tough-Luck Loss to Red Sox
Detroit Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty struck out a season-high 10 batters on Wednesday night against the visiting Boston Red Sox, but he was still handed his third loss of the season in the team's 4-0 shutout loss at Comerica Park. Flaherty went five innings, allowing four runs (two earned) on three hits while also walking just one. The 30-year-old veteran is winless on the campaign so far, but his outing on Wednesday evening was an encouraging one after he allowed 10 earned runs in 5 2/3 innings in his previous two starts versus the Cincinnati Reds and Texas Rangers. Flaherty now holds a 5.56 ERA (5.32 FIP) and 1.65 WHIP with 42 strikeouts and a league-high 26 walks in 34 innings pitched across his eight starts to begin the 2026 season. He also leads the league with five hit-by-pitches, so clearly, control has been an issue for Flaherty early on. He'll be in play as a streaming option for fantasy managers his next time out against the struggling New York Mets.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Luis Garcia Jr. Still Out for Series Finale Against Twins
Washington Nationals infielder Luis Garcia Jr. (wrist) remains sidelined for Thursday's series finale against the visiting Minnesota Twins, according to MLB.com. Curtis Mead is making yet another start at first base and will bat third for the Nats against Twins right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson. Garcia said he will avoid a trip to the injured list with what is being called a minor right wrist sprain, but if he's unable to return for this weekend's series against the division-rival Miami Marlins, that could change. This will be his third straight missed game. The 25-year-old left-handed-hitting infielder merely offers infield depth to fantasy managers in deeper leagues. He's currently hitting .234 (25-for-107) with one home run, 16 RBI, 14 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 33 games played. Mead has four long balls in 78 at-bats, but he's also batting just .218 at the plate. The Australian has gone hitless in just two career at-bats against Woods Richardson.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Alejandro Kirk to Start Hitting This Weekend
Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk (thumb) will start hitting this weekend for the first time since having surgery on his fractured left thumb on April 7, according to Brian Murphy of MLB.com. Barring a setback once he begins ramping up his baseball activities, Kirk could be back with the Blue Jays before the end of May. Until Kirk can return from the 10-day injured list, the Jays will continue to go forward with a catching tandem of Tyler Heineman and Brandon Valenzuela. The 27-year-old Kirk only played in five games before his injury, going 3-for-20 (.150) at the plate with a homer, two RBI, and two runs scored. He was an All-Star for the second time in his career in 2025, slashing .282/.348/.421 with a career-high 15 home runs, 76 RBI, 45 runs scored, and a stolen base in 130 regular-season games played. The volume isn't great with Kirk, but when healthy, he offers fantasy managers a solid average with decent counting stats. Kirk is currently rostered in 28% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Brian Murphy
Source: MLB.com - Brian Murphy
Jackson Holliday Set to Resume his Rehab Assignment This Weekend
The Chesapeake BaySox announced on Thursday that Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday (hand) will resume his minor-league rehab assignment at Double-A Chesapeake this weekend. Holliday had surgery for a broken hamate bone in his right hand back in spring training, and he still has yet to make his 2026 season debut due to a few setbacks. He has been pulled off his rehab assignment two separate times due to renewed soreness in his surgically-repaired hand, and he has hit just .176/.250/.235 in 14 games on the farm. Fantasy managers who have been stashing the young left-handed-hitting second baseman are hoping the third rehab assignment is the charm and he's able to return at some point in May. When he's finally ready, Holliday will return to starting duties at the keystone in Baltimore. The 22-year-old former first overall pick is rostered in under 50% of Yahoo leagues at this point. Holliday took a step forward in his first full year in the big leagues in 2025, slashing .242/.314/.375 with a .690 OPS, 17 homers, 55 RBI, and 17 steals in 149 games played.
Source: Chesapeake Baysox
Source: Chesapeake Baysox
Royals Hopeful That Cole Ragans Makes his Next Start
Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that he doesn't think left-hander Cole Ragans' elbow/triceps injury is serious and is hopeful that he makes his next start, according to Royals broadcaster Joel Goldberg. Ragans felt his elbow/triceps in the third inning of his outing against the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday, and the Royals wanted to be cautious, which is why they pulled him. The 28-year-old southpaw tossed three shutout innings with one hit allowed, two walks, and four strikeouts before hitting the showers early. The Royals will likely send Ragans for testing, at which point we'll have a better idea of whether he'll have to miss any time. Ragans has been up and down so far in 2026, but it looked like he was about to have a really good performance against Cleveland before his arm injury on Wednesday. He's currently 1-4 on the season with a 4.84 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with 45 punchouts and 23 walks in 35 1/3 frames over his eight starts. Ragans has really been hurt by the long ball, surrendering a league-high 10 long balls.
Source: Joel Goldberg
Source: Joel Goldberg
Ryan Weathers Scratched on Thursday Due to Illness
New York Yankees left-hander Ryan Weathers (illness) has been scratched from his scheduled start in Thursday's series finale against the Texas Rangers at Yankee Stadium due to an illness, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. The team will look to slot Weather back into the starting rotation on Monday in Baltimore against the division-rival Orioles. Veteran right-hander Paul Blackburn will make the spot start for the Yankees in Thursday's series finale against Texas. The 26-year-old Weathers will be a bit riskier as a fantasy starter in his next outing to kick off next week against an Orioles team that ranks 13th in MLB with a .710 OPS. Weathers, a former first-round pick by the San Diego Padres in 2018, has been sharp so far in 2026 in his first year with the Yankees. He's gone 2-2 with a 3.03 ERA (3.60 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with 45 strikeouts and 10 walks in 38 2/3 innings of work across his seven starts. Weathers has allowed more than three earned runs in just one of his outings.
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Jose Caballero Sitting With an Elbow Injury
New York Yankees infielder Jose Caballero (elbow) will take a seat for Thursday's series finale against the visiting Texas Rangers in the Bronx, per MLB.com. Caballero will be given the day off after he was hit by a pitch on his left elbow in Wednesday's game. Max Schuemann is starting at shortstop and will bat eighth for the Yankees against Rangers left-hander MacKenzie Gore. Caballero stayed in Wednesday's game, so he should be ready to return for Friday's series opener on the road against the Milwaukee Brewers. The speedy infielder is still the team's starting shortstop after Anthony Volpe was reinstated from the injured list and optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The 29-year-old native of Panama is a fine fantasy baseball asset in most leagues for his speed. He's slashing .256/.311/.400 with four home runs, 13 RBI, 13 stolen bases, and 17 runs scored for the Yankees in his first 125 at-bats of the year. Schuemann can be ignored for DFS purposes at the bottom of the lineup. He's hitless in four career at-bats versus Gore.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ben Rice Still Absent for Series Finale Against Rangers
New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice (hand) remains absent from the starting nine for Thursday's series finale against the visiting Texas Rangers, according to MLB.com. Paul Goldschmidt will make yet another start at first base and will bat leadoff for the Yanks with Rangers left-hander MacKenzie Gore on the mound. Rice is recovering from a left-hand contusion that has kept him out for a few games, and the Yankees are likely just giving him an extra day to recover with a tough left-handed pitcher on the mound. We'd expect Rice to return for the upcoming series in Milwaukee against the Brewers, potentially as early as Friday's series opener. Whenever the 27-year-old returns to New York's lineup, he'll be a must-start after his scorching start to the 2026 season. Rice is hitting .343 (37-for-108) with 12 home runs, 27 RBI, 30 runs, and two stolen bases in his first 33 games played. Goldschmidt will be a popular DFS pick on Thursday in the leadoff spot against a lefty whom he's hit .333 against with an .864 OPS against in 10 career at-bats.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Chase Dollander Offers a High Ceiling Off the Waiver Wire
Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Chase Dollander will be looking to bounce back from a rough outing when he makes his next appearance for the Rockies, likely on Friday. He has been working behind an opener most of the season, and he was on a great run before giving up six runs in 5 1/3 innings to the Braves last Saturday. The 24-year-old top prospect had been excellent in his previous seven games, posting a 1.29 ERA and 1.78 FIP with a 0.89 WHIP over 28 innings. He has 42 strikeouts in 37 1/3 innings this season, and he has an elite ceiling if he can continue to realize his potential. Like many young pitchers, the 24-year-old is a volatile option from game to game, but he's shown a high enough ceiling to be a nice pickup if you need help in the rotation. He carries risk when making a home start at Coors Field, but has shown a high enough ceiling that is worth picking up in all 12-team leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brad Keller Remains a Potential Ninth-Inning Option for Phillies, Earns Third Save
Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Brad Keller had a rocky ninth inning against the A's on Wednesday night, but he still secured his third save of the year. Keller gave up a single and two walks to load the bases before getting Jacob Wilson to ground out to end the game. Keller needed 22 pitches to earn his third save in the last six days, and he'll remain a primary setup man for Jhoan Duran, who just returned from the injured list and threw 27 pitches on Tuesday. With Duran unavailable, Keller stepped in once again. He has a 4.02 ERA in his 15 2/3 innings this season and will remain in a high-leverage role, even though Duran should get most of the save chances for the Phillies now that he's healthy.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Graham Ashcraft Allows Two Runs, Blows Save Opportunity on Wednesday
Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Graham Ashcraft couldn't close out the Cubs on Wednesday night, picking up his second blown save of the season. After the Reds rallied to take the lead in the top of the ninth, Ashcraft came in to secure the win, but he gave up a single to Carson Kelly and a game-tying home run to Pete Crow-Armstrong. He was able to finish the inning but was charged with two runs on two hits, causing his ERA to rise to 1.93 on the season. In his 17 previous appearances, Ashcraft had allowed two earned runs across 17 2/3 innings with 19 strikeouts. With Emilio Pagan (hamstring) on the injured list, Ashcraft and Tony Santillan will likely share closer duties. However, Santillan blew the save on Tuesday and Ashcraft on Wednesday, leaving the job still wide open while Pagan is out for an extended period of time.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Gregory Soto Tallies Second Save for Pirates, Settling in as Closer to Roster?
Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Gregory Soto secured his second save of the season on Wednesday night, pitching a scoreless ninth inning to complete a close, 1-0 win over the Diamondbacks. Soto combined with Paul Skenes on the shutout and worked around a walk to Geraldo Perdomo to lock down the win. The veteran lefty has allowed three runs in 18 innings this season, posting a 1.50 ERA, 2.53 FIP, and 0.72 WHIP. He has 24 strikeouts in his 18 frames this year, and he has six holds to go with his two saves. If he consistently gets the call in the ninth, he'll be a solid closer to roster, but he has been used earlier in games in high-leverage situations against lefties. He and Dennis Santana will continue to share the closer role, but Soto has been more effective and could start to get more of the timeshare if he continues to be so effective.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Rico Garcia Earns Second Save, Emerging as Temporary Closer for Orioles
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Rico Garcia slammed the door on the Marlins on Wednesday night to earn his second save of the season. He issued a walk to Owen Caissie to start the inning, but Garcia induced a double play from Otto Lopez and fanned Javier Sanoja to end the game. Garcia earned his second save of the year by securing the three-run win for Baltimore, and the 32-year-old righty should continue to have fantasy value as the team's closer as long as Ryan Helsley (elbow) is on the injured list. In his 18 games this season, Garcia has allowed just one run on one hit across 17 innings with 19 strikeouts. If you need a short-term addition to your bullpen, Garcia is one of the top options to consider.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jack Perkins Blows First Save, in Danger of Losing Top Closer Job?
Athletics relief pitcher Jack Perkins was charged with a blown save on Wednesday night against the Philadelphia Phillies. He allowed four runs (two earned) on two hits and a walk, while picking up two strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings. Perkins came into the game to start the seventh inning and retired the Phillies in order with two strikeouts. Things fell apart on him in the eighth, though, and he left runners on the corners with one out after a costly error by second baseman Jeff McNeil. Those runners came around to score, and Perkins took his first loss of the season. The 26-year-old righty still has a 3.68 ERA and 1.78 FIP with a 30.2% strikeout rate. Even though this was officially a blown save, it came before the ninth inning, which shows the A's are still not using him as a traditional, everyday closer. Perkins remains in the mix for saves along with Hogan Harris and Joel Kuhnel, but it's hard to trust any of them for fantasy with the current uncertainty, making him best left for deeper 12+ team leagues.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jared Jones Throws 54 Pitches in Rehab Outing on Wednesday
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jared Jones (elbow) threw 54 pitches across three innings of work in a rehab start with Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday, allowing five hits, one earned run, and one walk while striking out two. It was the second rehab start for Jones as he works his way back from internal brace surgery on his right elbow. The 24-year-old has not appeared in an MLB game since September 2024, but he appears to be progressing towards a return to the big leagues in the not-too-distant future. Jones flashed significant upside as a rookie in 2024, posting a 6-8 record with a 4.14 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 132 strikeouts across 121 2/3 innings (22 starts). He's currently on the 60-day injured list, so a late-May/early-June return for Jones is likely the plan in Pittsburgh. Fantasy managers should consider stashing Jones off the waiver wire now in leagues where he is available.
Source: milb.com
Source: milb.com
