Randy Vasquez Emerging as Must-Start Pitcher?
San Diego Padres right-hander Randy Vasquez continues to be lights-out to start the 2026 MLB season, as he pitched another gem against the Rockies on Thursday night, going 5 2/3 innings while allowing one earned run, seven hits, and striking out eight Rockies in his no-decision effort. On the season, he has now completed three starts (1-0) and pitched to the tune of a 1.02 ERA and 1.08 WHIP, with 19 strikeouts, and only four walks in 17 2/3 innings pitched (three games started). While there are some signs of regression under the hood (3.59 xERA), Vasquez is showing great improvement over his previous seasons and is becoming a must-add in all formats as he continues this hot stretch. Additionally, his next outing is against the Seattle Mariners, who rank last in MLB in batting average (.184), runs per game (3.1), and strikeout rate (27.6 percent), the fourth-worst in the league, making him a strong stream and add for next week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Seranthony Dominguez Tallies Second Save for White Sox
Chicago White Sox right-hander Seranthony Dominguez tallied his second save of the season on Thursday in the White Sox's 2-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals. He had a clean ninth inning, allowing one walk and striking out two Royals batters. Dominguez has now secured two saves in three total opportunities after a disappointing effort in his first save chance, where he allowed two earned runs in 1/3 innings against the Milwaukee Brewers back on March 29. Since that blown save, Dominguez has recorded three converted on three consecutive scoreless outings and has racked up a win and two saves in that time, and appears to have a clear grip on the closer role for the White Sox so long as he keeps converting his chances to close out games. On the season, Dominguez owns a 3.86 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with five strikeouts and three walks in five appearances.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Didier Fuentes to be Back Up With the Braves Soon?
Braves reporter Harrison Smajovits said on Thursday that the expectation is that right-handed pitching prospect Didier Fuentes will be back with the Atlanta Braves next week, per a source. The Braves' pitching rotation has been solid on the season with a 2.03 team ERA, but has dealt with its fair share of injuries, with Spencer Strider (oblique) starting the regular season on the injured list, and Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow) undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow. Fuentes was highly regarded coming into the regular season after breaking out in Spring Training, where he had a 0.66 ERA, 0.22 WHIP, and a 41.9 percent strikeout rate in 13 2/3 innings pitched. He started the season with the Braves and threw in one relief outing against the Kansas City Royals on March 29, where he allowed one earned run in four innings pitched with four strikeouts. The Braves then optioned him to Triple-A to stretch him out into a starter's workload. Fuentes has the strikeout upside to be a potential sleeper off the waiver wire if called up, and would become a must-add in all 12-team formats if called up and plugged into the starting rotation, simply based on what he has shown so far this season through Spring and his first relief appearance for the Braves earlier this year.
Source: Harrison Smajovits
Source: Harrison Smajovits
Hunter Goodman Leaves Thursday Night's Game With Finger Injury
Thomas Harding of MLB.com reported Thursday night that Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman left Thursday's game with a right middle finger laceration after being hit by a pitch in the sixth inning. The Rockies' catcher's status will likely be updated ahead of Friday's second contest of the four-game series in San Diego. Before leaving the contest, Goodman was hitless in two plate appearances. Brett Sullivan entered for Goodman after the injury and finished the contest behind the dish. Fantasy managers will want to keep tabs on Goodman's status on Friday to see what his availability may be for the rest of the weekend or if a trip to the injury list is a possibility. Fantasy managers in daily lineups will want to try to prepare for a backup plan at catcher for the weekend. Goodman has had a slow start to the 2026 season, slashing .239/.327/.391 with two home runs, four RBI, five runs, and one stolen base.
Source: Thomas Harding
Source: Thomas Harding
Eric Orze Earns First Save on Thursday
Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Eric Orze was tasked with closing the door versus the Detroit Tigers on Thursday. The Twins didn't have many options with Kody Funderburk, Justin Topa, and Cole Sands all pitching in three of the last four days. Twins' manager Derek Shelton decided to lean on Orze, and it worked out great for him on Thursday. Orze tossed a scoreless ninth inning with one strikeout to earn his first save of the season. The 28-year-old holds a strong 1.59 ERA across his first five appearances this season. The Twins have used five different pitchers to record a save this season. Orze will likely be in the mix again, but it's going to be tough for fantasy managers to trust him as a reliable source of saves.
Source: mlb.com
Source: mlb.com
Drew Rasmussen Could Return on Saturday
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen (personal) could make his return to the mound on Saturday, according to Marc Topkin. There was hope that Rasmussen could pitch on Friday, but it sounds like the earliest that he'll be back is on Saturday. The right-hander is currently on the paternity leave list, but should be activated in the near future. In the meantime, the Rays will turn to left-hander Steven Matz for the series opener against the New York Yankees on Friday. Fantasy managers should check back for an update, but it sounds like Rasmussen should be ready to go this weekend.
Source: Marc Topkin
Source: Marc Topkin
Mick Abel Regains Spring Training Form in Dominant Outing
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Mick Abel was able to bounce back in a big way against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday. The right-hander tossed six shutout innings, allowing four hits, three walks, and struck out six batters in the no-decision. He exited the game with a one-run lead, but the Twins' bullpen quickly blew that. Despite losing his first potential win, this was the best outing of the season for the young right-hander. Abel will carry a 6.08 ERA with a 13:10 K/BB ratio into his next start versus the Boston Red Sox. He's worth a look in at least mixed leagues ahead of that start.
Source: mlb.com
Source: mlb.com
Hogan Harris Secures First Save, Adds to Bullpen Committee
Athletics relief pitcher Hogan Harris was called upon to hold a one-run lead versus the New York Yankees on Thursday. A's manager Mark Kotsay decided to play the matchups with a trio of left-handed batters coming up for the Yankees. Harris retired all three batters to record his first save of the season. Harris only has five career saves, but he could be gaining more trust as a late-inning option. The A's have turned to three different pitchers to record saves for them this season. It looks like Harris could be another option for them if the opposing team has a heavy dose of left-handed batters.
Source: mlb.com
Source: mlb.com
Jeffrey Springs Flirts With No-Hitter, Worth a Waiver-Wire Pickup?
Athletics starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs looked untouchable on the mound during Thursday's outing against the New York Yankees. Springs made it through six innings without allowing a hit. Unfortunately for him, Ben Rice smacked a single in the seventh inning to ruin the no-hit bid. Springs would finish his day going seven shutout innings, allowing one hit, and striking out six batters. The southpaw now holds a 1.47 ERA with 15 strikeouts across 18.1 innings of work this season. His next scheduled outing is against the Texas Rangers on Tuesday. Springs has looked strong against some tough lineups to begin the season. The 33-year-old is worth a look as a streaming option ahead of his next matchup.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Trey Yesavage Allows Four Runs in Rehab Start
Toronto Blue Jays right-handed pitching prospect Trey Yesavage (shoulder) allowed four earned runs while walking one and striking out six in 2 2/3 innings on Thursday in his minor-league rehab start for Single-A Dunedin, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. Yesavage threw 34 of his 52 pitches for strikes. All four of the runs he allowed came on a string of singles in the first inning. Most importantly, Yesavage's velocity held firm, and his command was solid. The Blue Jays should announce a plan for the next step in his rehab on Friday. In his first rehab start with Dunedin, the 22-year-old allowed an earned run while walking one and striking out three in 2 2/3 innings. Yesavage slightly increased his workload, so he'll most likely be asked to make another rehab start or two before the Jays clear him to rejoin the big-league rotation. The prized young arm will be a fixture in Toronto's rotation for years to come, but they are going to slow-play him back into the big leagues in 2026 after a quick rise to the majors last year and an extended workload going deep into the postseason. He needs to be stashed in all fantasy leagues for his high-end upside.
Source: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
Source: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
Marlins Calling Up Deyvison De Los Santos
The Miami Marlins are calling up first baseman Deyvison De Los Santos from Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday, a source told Kevin Barral of Fish On First. The move comes with outfielder Griffin Conine (knee) likely to land on the 10-day injured list after injuring his left knee while diving for a ball in the outfield in Thursday's win over the Cincinnati Reds. It will be the second time that the 22-year-old is with the Marlins in 2026, as he went 1-for-2 with a double in a short stint with the Fish earlier in April. He will compete for at-bats in Miami between first base and designated hitter, but he's unlikely to play enough to generate any real interest from fantasy managers in mixed leagues. Raw power is De Los Santos' calling card, but his poor defensive play and issues making contact will need to improve for him to have a chance at more playing time down the road in the big leagues.
Source: Fish On First - Kevin Barral
Source: Fish On First - Kevin Barral
Brandon Sproat No Longer in Line to Start This Weekend
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Sproat is no longer listed among the team's probable starters for this weekend's series against the Washington Nationals, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. Right-hander Chad Patrick is scheduled to start on Friday, followed by lefty Kyle Harrison on Saturday, and veteran right-hander Brandon Woodruff on Sunday in the series finale. Sproat was originally scheduled to take the mound for his next start on Saturday. It's unclear exactly why Milwaukee will skip the 25-year-old, but it probably has something to do with his 14.85 ERA through 6 2/3 innings in his first two appearances (one start) with the team this year. In addition to allowing 11 runs, Sproat has walked as many as he's struck out (seven) in his first couple of games after being included in the offseason trade that sent starting pitcher Freddy Peralta to the New York Mets. If Sproat isn't injured, the Brewers might just be taking advantage of Thursday's off day to push him back and give him more time to make some adjustments before his next outing.
Source: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
Source: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
J.T. Ginn to Start for A's on Friday
Athletics left-hander J.T. Ginn will make the start in Friday's series opener against the New York Mets, according to MLB.com's Martin Gallegos. Ginn will be the first man up to take over Luis Morales' spot in the team's starting rotation. The 26-year-old former second-rounder by the Mets in 2020 out of Mississippi State has made three relief appearances for the A's so far in 2026 and has allowed four earned runs on six hits (one homer) while walking two and striking out four in seven innings of work. In his three MLB seasons, Ginn has recorded a 4.87 ERA (4.46 FIP), 1.34 WHIP, and 132:42 K:BB in 131 1/3 innings over 34 appearances (22 starts). He's been worse as a starter, posting a 5.04 ERA with a 1.40 WHIP and 105 strikeouts in 105 1/3 innings pitched. Against the Mets to kick off the weekend, fantasy managers should be looking to avoid Ginn as a deep-league or DFS streamer.
Source: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
Source: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
Brent Rooker to Undergo Imaging on Sore Side on Friday
Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker (side) will undergo further testing on Friday morning after being pulled early from Thursday's 1-0 win in the Bronx over the New York Yankees, according to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. Rooker said he's feeling "alright" with some tightness and soreness in his right side after taking an aggressive swing in the first inning. If it's an oblique injury for the 31-year-old veteran, he will almost certainly require a trip to the 10-day injured list, and he could end up missing several weeks. Rooker entered Thursday's game hitting just .150 (6-for-40) with two home runs, eight RBI, four runs scored, and two stolen bases in his first 11 games of 2026, and he went 0-for-1 in his only plate appearance on Thursday before being pulled. If Rooker lands on the IL, he will be a must-stash player due to his high-end power upside at one of the most hitter-friendly home ballparks in Sacramento. Carlos Cortes figures to be the biggest beneficiary on the A's in terms of playing time if Rooker requires a stint on the IL.
Source: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
Source: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
Carlos Estevez to Throw a Bullpen on Thursday
Kansas City Royals right-handed reliever Carlos Estevez (foot) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Thursday, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. After an abysmal start to the 2026 season, the Royals placed Estevez on the 15-day injured list last Wednesday with a left-foot contusion that he suffered when he was struck by a comebacker. The 33-year-old veteran Dominican hurler was showing decreased velocity this spring, and it continued into the start of the regular season. In just one-third of an inning pitched in his only outing of the year before going on the shelf, Estevez allowed six earned runs on four hits (one grand slam) while walking two and striking out none. The two-time All-Star had a league-high 42 saves in his first year in KC in 2025, but there were underlying signs that his stuff was in decline. Lucas Erceg has stepped up as the Royals' closer, and he may not relinquish the title, even when Estevez is cleared to return from the IL.
Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
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