April 16, 2026
Texas A&M wide receiver
K.C. Concepcion wrapped up his pre-draft visits with meetings with the Los Angeles Chargers and San Francisco 49ers this week, a source told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Concepcion visited with the New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, and Buffalo Bills last week and had the New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, Cleveland Browns, and Carolina Panthers before that. The first-round candidate has been busy of late. The Chargers already have
Ladd McConkey,
Quentin Johnston, and
Tre' Harris at the WR position, but the Niners have more of a need at the position behind future Hall of Famer
Mike Evans, given how injury-prone
Ricky Pearsall has been. Neither
Brandon Aiyuk (knee) nor
Jauan Jennings (free agent) is expected back in the Bay Area in 2026. Concepcion is a big-play threat at wideout who had 61 catches for 919 yards and an SEC-high nine receiving touchdowns in 2025 in 13 games.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
April 16, 2026
SNY's Connor Hughes writes that there's "significant buzz in league circles" that the Arizona Cardinals will take Notre Dame running back
Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick. The Tennessee Titans and New York Giants sit at No. 4 and No. 5, respectively, and they could be in play for Love, too, if he slips past Arizona. The Cardinals signed RB
Tyler Allgeier in free agency, and they also have
James Conner (ankle) and
Trey Benson (knee) coming off season-ending injuries. "There's a lot of smoke there," Hughes says about Love going to the Cardinals. If Arizona doesn't go with Love, they could opt for whichever pass-rusher the New York Jets pass on at second overall. The Las Vegas Raiders (first overall) are expected to take Indiana quarterback
Fernando Mendoza. If Love were to land in the desert, it wouldn't be ideal for his short-term fantasy value, but in the long run, he'd be the overwhelming favorite to eventually emerge as the RB1 for the Cardinals.
--Keith HernandezSource: SNY - Connor Hughes
April 16, 2026
Tennessee Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi said that it's "trending" toward second-year quarterback
Cameron Ward (shoulder) throwing in the team's upcoming minicamp, according to Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com. Ward ended his lackluster rookie campaign in 2025 with an AC joint sprain in his right (throwing) shoulder in the Week 18 regular-season finale, but he's expected to be fine by the start of training camp and the 2026 regular-season opener in early September. The 23-year-old former first overall pick last year out of the University of Miami completed 59.8% of his passes in his rookie season while throwing for just 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 17 starts. Ward led the Titans to a 3-14 record while also carrying the ball 39 times for 159 yards and two touchdowns as a rusher. It's a good time to buy low on him in dynasty leagues, as he could see Year 2 improvement under new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll with new receiver
Wan'Dale Robinson in town to help the passing attack. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues should consider Ward a low-end QB2 target with upside.
--Keith HernandezSource: TennesseeTitans.com - Jim Wyatt
April 16, 2026
Miami Dolphins running back
De'Von Achane was not present for the start of the team's voluntary offseason workout program last week, but he was seen at the training facility on Thursday, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. It's believed that Achane showed up "as a sign of good faith" as he and the organization continue to talk about a contract extension. The Dolphins continue to say that Achane is off limits for a trade this offseason, even though they already released receiver
Tyreek Hill (knee) and quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa and traded receiver
Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos. The 24-year-old Pro Bowler wants the team to prove that they value him as one of the pillars of their rebuild, and all signs point to something eventually being worked out to keep the Texas A&M product in South Beach for years to come. Achane was a top-10 fantasy RB in 2025 with his first 1,000-yard rushing season and eight rushing touchdowns in 16 games. He added 67 catches for 488 yards and four more touchdowns. There will be volatility with Achane in fantasy in 2026 in an offense that could be very inconsistent again, but the high-end volume that he's expected to see will give him a high floor as an RB1.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
April 16, 2026
If Los Angeles Angels manager Kurt Suzuki opts to go with someone else at closer after right-hander
Jordan Romano blew two saves in New York against the Yankees this week, The Orange County Register's Jeff Fletcher suggests that right-hander
Chase Silseth might be the next man up. Silseth has a 2.84 ERA and 1.58 WHIP with six walks and eight strikeouts in 6 1/3 relief innings for the Halos this year in his nine outings. Right-handers
Kirby Yates (knee) and
Ben Joyce (shoulder) remain on the injured list and have yet to make their season debuts, so the Angels don't exactly have many great options beyond Romano, who is a two-time All-Star with 117 career saves in seven-plus MLB seasons. While Silseth has fared well early on in 2026, he holds a 5.53 FIP and has never recorded a save in his four-plus MLB campaigns. Silseth also has three holds, and he should only be a consideration for a waiver-wire pickup in deeper fantasy leagues for managers desperate in the saves column. Veteran lefty
Drew Pomeranz has five holds this year and 10 career saves in 12-plus years in the big leagues, and he could get a shot as well in save situations if Romano loses the job.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Orange County Register - Jeff Fletcher
April 16, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect
James Tibbs III has cooled considerably since his white-hot start to the season, going just 3-for-33 (.091) with an ugly 41.5 percent strikeout rate over his last nine games. He was never going to stay on the pace he was before that (.514 AVG, 12 extra-base hits, including seven home runs in eight games), but it appears to have gone from one extreme to another. On the plus side, the Dodgers' 10th-ranked prospect has continued to get on base via the walk, collecting seven of them in this recent nine-game skid and recording a strong 13.8 percent walk rate for the season. Hopefully the former 13th-overall draft pick can get going again soon, but for now, the shine has worn off his status as a top offensive stash option in fantasy leagues. The 23-year-old will likely make his MLB debut at some point this season, but with a healthy outfield on the big league club and the left-handed slugger clearly needing some additional seasoning at Triple-A, he does not appear to be on the verge of a call-up.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
April 16, 2026
Across his first 77 plate appearances of 2026, Chicago Cubs outfielder
Pete Crow-Armstrong is hitting .236/.276/.306 with one home run, five RBI, 12 runs scored, and four stolen bases. The 24-year-old was the talk of baseball to start the 2025 season, posting an .847 OPS with 25 home runs and 27 stolen bases before the All-Star break. However, Crow-Armstrong faltered down the stretch, posting a .634 OPS with just six homers in the season's second half. So far in 2026, Crow-Armstrong has been closer to his second-half self. He owns a subpar 4% barrel rate and has struck out in 29.9% of his plate appearances while walking at just a 3.9% clip. Crow-Armstrong's athleticism and elite defense should keep him in the Cubs' lineup and allow him to rack up stolen bases and counting stats. Still, the high-end power/speed upside that Crow-Armstrong showcased early in 2025 is starting to look more like a temporary hot streak than an established level of production.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
April 16, 2026
Detroit Tigers outfield prospect
Max Clark has been showing why he was a third-overall draft pick back in 2023, consistently climbing the ranks of the Tigers' farm system and proving he's not overmatched whatsoever at Triple-A thus far in 2025. The Tigers' second-ranked prospect (soon to be top-ranked with the eventual graduation of
Kevin McGonigle) has tallied six multi-hit performances over his last 10 games, and is now hitting .356, slugging .525, and owns a .437 on-base percentage thanks to a robust 14.1 percent walk rate. What's more is that the left-handed slugger has just an 8.5 percent strikeout rate and has swiped six bases. He's played just 15 games at Triple-A, but soon there won't be much left to prove, and a debut in the majors is drawing nearer and nearer. With a fantasy-friendly combination of contact, power, and speed, the 21-year-old is a worthy stash candidate in all formats.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
April 16, 2026
Colorado Rockies corner infielder/outfielder prospect
Charlie Condon continues to hit well at Triple-A Albuquerque, going 5-for-12 (.417) over his last three games. The Rockies' second-ranked prospect is slashing an impressive .319/.439/.617 with four home runs and, perhaps more importantly, has lowered his strikeout rate to a better-than-average 19.3 percent for the season. The right-hander is also drawing walks at a 14.0 percent clip and has even stolen a base. The main knock on the former third-overall draft pick was his strikeout rate, which showed improvement in the Arizona Fall League and in Cactus League play, and now it is translating to regular-season action. After a strong start to the year, Rockies first baseman T.J. Rumfield has cooled, going 3-for-24 (.124) with zero extra-base hits over his last seven games, so there isn't much blocking Condon's path, especially given that he can also play third base, outfield, or simply be the designated hitter. With his power and the 6-foot-5 slugger's home field being Coors Field, he remains a top hitter to stash in deep leagues, and could even become viable in shallower formats given his improved approach at the plate.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
April 16, 2026
Across his first 90 plate appearances of the 2026 season, Los Angeles Angels shortstop
Zach Neto is hitting .240/.367/.493 with five home runs, nine RBI, 17 runs scored, and one stolen base. The 25-year-old has not been especially aggressive on the base paths so far this season, but Neto has a track record as a speed asset with 56 stolen bases over the past two seasons combined. Elsewhere in his profile, Neto looks to be on track to provide strong fantasy production. His 12% barrel rate supports his strong power output, and his 15.6% walk rate at the top of the Angels lineup should allow him to continue racking up runs scored. While Neto's 27.8% strikeout rate limits his batting average upside, he makes enough hard contact to avoid crushing fantasy managers in the category. As long as he stays healthy, Neto appears poised to be a high-end fantasy shortstop in 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
April 16, 2026
Across his first 78 plate appearances of 2026, Philadelphia Phillies shortstop
Trea Turner is hitting .260/.308/.397 with two home runs, seven RBI, 13 runs scored, and one stolen base. The 32-year-old has a long track record of strong MLB production, so it's too early in the season for fantasy managers to panic. However, Turner is showing some signs of age-related decline. For one, his strikeout rate has risen from 16.7% to 21.8% while his barrel and hard-hit rates currently sit at just 3.6% and 28.6%. Perhaps most concerningly, Turner has attempted just one stolen base across 18 games played after going 36-for-43 as a base stealer across 141 games in 2025. The veteran shortstop is locked into everyday playing time at the top of the Phillies' order. He should be able to rack up counting stats and has plenty of time to heat up as the season progresses. Still, Turner's fantasy value is trending in the wrong direction in the midst of a relatively slow start to the year.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
April 16, 2026
Miami Marlins pitching prospect
Robby Snelling was in the mix to make the Marlins' starting rotation before ultimately being reassigned to Triple-A to begin the year, but since then, the left-hander has been making his case for a big league debut. In his latest outing, the former 39th-overall draft pick struck out 12 batters in just five innings of work, now with a remarkable 40.7 strikeout rate through three starts. Granted, a 14.8 percent walk rate is not ideal, but he's been able to limit the damage with a .152 opponent batting average, 80.9 LOB%, and a 2.77 ERA. The Marlins' second-ranked prospect could be nearing a major league debut, especially with right-handers
Chris Paddack (four starts, four HR, 5.59 ERA) and
Janson Junk (three starts, 11.6 percent K-BB%, 4.32 ERA) underwhelming so far. Snelling remains one of the top prospect pitching stashes in deeper leagues, and with a 34.3 percent K% in 14 starts at Triple-A over the past two seasons, the strikeout potential is high.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
April 16, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander
Gregory Soto worked a scoreless eighth inning with two strikeouts in his team's 2-0 win over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday. Pirates reliever
Dennis Santana followed Soto in the ninth inning and picked up his second save of the season. While Soto also has a save in 2026, he has four holds and appears to be settling in to a setup role ahead of Santana. The 31-year-old's overall line is excellent, as he's recorded a 0.93 ERA and 0.72 WHIP with 15 strikeouts across 9 2/3 innings, so he could be in line to take over the ninth if Santana gets injured or struggles. Still, Soto's value in standard fantasy leagues is fading as the roles in Pittsburgh's bullpen start to become defined.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com
April 16, 2026
Atlanta Braves pitching prospect
Didier Fuentes ran into some trouble in his latest start at Triple-A Gwinnett, yielding four runs in the first inning alone, but settled in and tossed six shutout innings after that. Outside of that one inning of trouble, the Braves' third-ranked prospect has thrown 15 2/3 innings of scoreless ball and has produced a 20:6 K:BB overall. The right-hander has already made one appearance earlier this season with the Braves and made his MLB debut in June last year, days after he turned 20 years old. Veteran
Martin Perez appears to be the current placeholder in the fifth spot of the rotation for now, but having been DFA'd once already this season, his hold on the job is tenuous. So long as Fuentes continues to pitch well, the Colombian should be the next name the team turns to. With major league experience already and strikeout upside that is paired with solid control (7.3 percent career walk rate in the minors), Fuentes is a strong stash option in deeper leagues ahead of his eventual return to the big leagues.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
April 16, 2026
Houston Astros starting pitcher
Spencer Arrighetti recorded the win in his 2026 season debut on Wednesday, allowing one run and two hits while striking out 10 across six innings of work in his team's 3-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies. Arrighetti was expected to play a significant role in the Astros rotation heading into the 2025 season, but elbow and thumb injuries limited him to just 35 innings pitched. He opened 2026 in Triple-A, but was recalled on Wednesday after fellow Astros starter
Cody Bolton (back) was placed on the injured list. Arrighetti posted an impressive 27.1% strikeout rate across 145 innings with the Astros in 2024 and demonstrated his ability to miss bats in his first start of 2026. However, control remains an issue for the 26-year-old, as he owns a career walk rate of 10.9% and issued four free passes against Colorado. Still, if Arrighetti locks down a regular role in the Houston rotation, he could be a cheap source of strikeouts for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com
April 16, 2026
Boston Red Sox pitching prospect
Payton Tolle is biding his time in Worcester until it is his turn to get the call to the majors, which shouldn't be long now. Boston's top-ranked prospect was roughed up in his first start at Triple-A this year, but has been very effective in his last two turns through the rotation, allowing one earned run on seven hits and two walks while striking out 13 in 11 innings of work in those two outings. After breezing through three levels of the minors in 2025, recording a 3.04 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 133 strikeouts in 91 2/3 innings pitched, the southpaw made his big league debut at the end of August. Despite some growing pains, the former second-round draft pick displayed the strikeout potential, tallying 19 strikeouts in 16 1/3 IP. With some more seasoning under his belt, the 23-year-old should fare better this time around once a spot opens up in the big league rotation, and he remains a must-stash in deeper leagues; he could even be a viable waiver add in shallower formats for managers looking for help.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
April 16, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher
Dennis Santana picked up his second save of the season on Wednesday by pitching a scoreless ninth inning in his team's 2-0 win over the Washington Nationals. Santana has now logged saves in two out of his last three appearances and appears to be reclaiming the lead closer role in Pittsburgh. Across nine innings overall in 2026, Santana owns a 1.00 ERA and 0.67 WHIP with six strikeouts. Santana has struck out just 18.8% of the batters he's faced this season and posted a 22.2% strikeout rate in 2025, so he does not carry typical ninth-inning swing-and-miss stuff. Still, he's been highly effective since being acquired by the Pirates midway through the 2024 season, recording a 2.18 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, and 19 saves across 123 2/3 innings with the club. In leagues where Santana may have been dropped, he profiles as a priority waiver wire target.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
April 16, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays third baseman/outfielder
Addison Barger (ankles) has resumed baseball activities at the team's spring training complex in Florida, according to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. Barger played catch over the last two days and is expected to resume swinging on Friday or Saturday. The goal is for Barger to resume running by Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. The 26-year-old was a hero during the team's World Series run last fall, but he got off to a rough start in 2026 before landing on the 10-day injured list with sprained ankles. In a small sample size of just eight games, Barger went 1-for-19 (.053) at the plate with a double, two RBI, a run scored, three walks, and six strikeouts in 23 plate appearances. Barger will not come off the IL when he's eligible on Friday, but depending on how his rehab goes, he could be an option to rejoin the big-league roster for the start of their next homestand on Friday, April 24.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sportsnet - Arden Zwelling
April 16, 2026
The Los Angeles Angels could shake things up with the closer's role going forward after right-handed reliever
Jordan Romano has blown saves against the New York Yankees in two of the last three games, according to Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register. When asked about the closer's role in the wake of Romano's recent struggles, manager Kurt Suzuki said, "Obviously, with Jordan the last couple days, tough outings, but there's no panic," Suzuki said. "He's been so good for us to start the year, and he had two rough outings. You look at it, and you say you could be reactionary or you could just keep going. We started the year with Jordan as our closer, and we'll see how it goes. Right now, he's still going to be in those high-leverage spots, and you know, if the opportunity comes for him to close, we'll see what we've got." It remains to be seen what the Angels do for their next save chance, but if Suzuki does opt to go away from Romano, it could be
Chase Silseth with the next opportunity. He has a 2.84 ERA in his first nine games in 2026 and has experience closing in the minors.
Kirby Yates (knee) and
Ben Joyce (shoulder) are still on the injured list.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Orange County Register - Jeff Fletcher
April 16, 2026
San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello said on Thursday that catchers
Daniel Susac and
Patrick Bailey might start splitting time and alternating behind the plate, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Bailey got the start in Thursday's series finale against the Cincinnati Reds after Susac started on Wednesday night for the Gigantes. Bailey is the superior defensive catcher in San Fran, but Susac has earned more playing time by starting his MLB career 9-for-16 (.563) at the plate with a double, triple, five RBI, and a run scored in his first eight games played. Bailey, meanwhile, is just 6-for-44 (.136) with an RBI, a stolen base, three runs scored, three walks, and six strikeouts in 14 games played. Susac is the one to target in deep two-catcher leagues, although his fantasy upside will be limited due to what will likely be a 50/50 split with Bailey. The 24-year-old was a former 19th overall pick by the Athletics in 2022 out of the University of Arizona.
--Keith HernandezSource: San Francisco Chronicle - Susan Slusser
April 16, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates head athletic trainer Todd Tomczyk said that right-hander
Jared Jones (elbow) will enter the simulated-game phase of his rehab soon, according to Pirates reporter Alex Stumpf. Generally, pitchers have three to six simulated games/live batting practice sessions before a club will consider sending them on a minor-league rehab assignment. Jones started the year on the 60-day injured list, so he won't be eligible to be activated to make his 2026 season debut until May 25. The 24-year-old reportedly looked "amazing" in his most recent live BP session, but he still has a ways to go before he'll be of use to fantasy baseball managers. The Pirates will most likely ease Jones back into their rotation when he's ready, too, so patience must be exercised in fantasy. The former second-rounder in 2020 showed enough in his MLB debut in 2024 to be worth stashing in mixed leagues, going 6-8 with a 4.14 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with 132 strikeouts and 39 walks in 121 2/3 innings over 22 starts.
--Keith HernandezSource: Alex Stumpf
April 16, 2026
Detroit Tigers veteran right-hander
Justin Verlander (hip) threw a bullpen session on Wednesday, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. However, Verlander's recovery is "going a little slower than I think he anticipated or we anticipated," manager A.J. Hinch said. The Tigers will continue to take the 43-year-old future Hall of Famer's recovery on a day-by-day basis. Verlander is currently on the 15-day injured list with a left-hip injury, and his return to Detroit's starting rotation doesn't appear to be on the horizon. In his lone start this year in his return to the Tigers, Verlander gave up five runs on six hits while walking two and striking out just one in 3 2/3 innings versus the Arizona Diamondbacks on March 30.
Keider Montero has pitched well early on in 2026 and will continue to make starts for the Tigers in Verlander's place. Verlander isn't the dominant arm that we've come to know from the peak of his career, and his ability to stay healthy the rest of the way is a big question mark.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
April 16, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder/designated hitter
George Springer (toe) is hitting off a tee and doing flips in the batting cage, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. "Looked pretty normal, which is good. He's feeling better," manager John Schneider said. Springer still needs to run to test out his fractured toe, but the Blue Jays are targeting a return for Springer when they get back to Toronto for a homestand that begins on Friday, April 24, against the Cleveland Guardians. As of right now, the 36-year-old veteran isn't expected to require a minor-league rehab assignment before being activated from the 10-day injured list. Springer, who had a late-career resurgence in 2025 while helping Toronto get to the World Series, was off to a rough start in his first 54 at-bats this year before injuring his toe. The four-time All-Star will be returning to a weak .185/.290/.370 slash line later this month. Springer has two home runs, six RBI, one steal, four runs scored, eight walks, and 14 strikeouts in his 14 games played.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
April 16, 2026
San Diego Padres manager
Craig Stammen said on Wednesday that right-hander
Nick Pivetta (elbow) is dealing with a flexor strain in his right elbow, according to Annie Heilbrunn of The San Diego Union-Tribune. The Padres think it will be "weeks, maybe months" before Pivetta can return to the team's starting rotation after rest and rehab. The 33-year-old kind of gave us the bad news on Wednesday, when he said he was confident that he'd return at some point in 2026. Pivetta will rest and rehab for now, but there's also a scenario where that doesn't go well, and he eventually needs surgery, which would knock him out for the rest of this season and likely the start of 2027. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Pivetta to return from the 15-day injured list until at least the second half of the season. For now, right-hander
Matt Waldron (lower body) is expected to fill Pivetta's spot in the rotation and make his season debut in Friday's series opener in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels.
--Keith HernandezSource: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Annie Heilbrunn
April 16, 2026
Texas Rangers shortstop
Corey Seager is out of the starting lineup for Thursday's series finale against the division-rival Athletics at Sutter Health Park with a lefty on the mound, according to MLB.com.
Ezequiel Duran will make the start at shortstop for the Rangers and will hit ninth against southpaw
Jacob Lopez. Seager has five home runs on the season in his first 18 games, but otherwise, he's gone just 13-for-64 (.203) with 12 runs scored, 12 walks, and 20 strikeouts in 78 plate appearances. The veteran left-handed slugger and former World Series MVP should be back in action for Friday's series opener on the road in Seattle against the division-rival Mariners. Duran will be a low-upside deep sleeper for DFS lineups on Thursday out of the nine-hole for the Rangers. The 26-year-old Dominican has gone 8-for-36 (.222) at the plate so far in 2026 with a homer, four RBI, and two steals in 15 games played. He has never faced Lopez in his career.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
April 16, 2026
Detroit Tigers infielder
Zach McKinstry (hip) is "not moving around well" on Thursday, and "we're going to continue to get him looked at," manager A.J. Hinch told Evan Woodbery of MLive.com. McKinstry is beat up right now, also dealing with an arm/shoulder injury and a scraped chest after he collided with Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder
Jac Caglianone in Wednesday's contest. He is not in Detroit's starting lineup for Thursday's tilt against the Royals, and he could be forced to the 10-day injured list, depending on what his test results show. In addition to his injuries, the 30-year-old is hitting just .209 (9-for-43) with a homer, five RBI, two runs, three walks, and 10 strikeouts in his first 14 games of the 2026 season. McKinstry was a first-time All-Star in 2025, slashing .259/.333/.438 with a .771 OPS, 12 home runs, 49 RBI, 19 stolen bases, and 68 runs scored in 144 games played. With infield prospect
Kevin McGonigle now in Detroit to stay, McKinstry's opportunities at the 6 will be less frequent.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLive.com - Evan Woodbery
April 16, 2026
Houston Astros left-handed closer
Josh Hader (biceps) said he's "feeling strong" after throwing 20 pitches to teammates
Taylor Trammell and
Brice Matthews on Tuesday at Daikin Park, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Hader missed the final two months last year with a left-shoulder capsule strain and was then diagnosed with biceps tendinitis at the start of February. He's been working his way back ever since and landed on the 15-day injured list to begin the 2026 regular season. Hader was sitting at 91-93 mph with his fastball on Tuesday. Barring a setback, he's about a month away from making his season debut for the Astros. With Hader on the shelf, right-handed reliever
Bryan Abreu has not taken advantage of the opportunity to lock down Houston's closing role, which has led to
Enyel De Los Santos picking up some saves in the last couple of days. Even though Hader is getting older and is more of an injury risk now, he was dominant when healthy in 2025 and should still be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
April 16, 2026
Philadelphia Phillies left-hander
Jesus Luzardo had a start to forget on Wednesday night in the team's 11-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs at Citizens Bank Park. Luzardo lost his third game of the year, surrendering nine runs (eight earned) on 12 hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out four in 5 1/3 innings of work. He allowed six earned runs in six innings in his first start of the year on March 29 against the Texas Rangers, and he also gave up five earned runs in 4 2/3 frames in his last start versus the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 10. The 28-year-old southpaw now has an ugly 7.94 ERA (2.89 FIP) and 1.45 WHIP with 30 strikeouts and only five walks in 22 2/3 innings over his four starts in 2026. Luzardo has allowed a league-high 20 earned runs, but with a 2.89 FIP, it looks like he's dealt with some bad luck early on. Fantasy managers might want to consider benching him in a rematch with the Cubs next week at Wrigley Field, but they shouldn't panic just yet with Luzardo.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
April 16, 2026
Chicago Cubs second baseman
Nico Hoerner continued to swing the bat well in Wednesday's 11-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, going 3-for-5 with five RBI and two runs scored as the Cubs' leadoff hitter. Hoerner is one of the hottest hitters in baseball at the moment in the first month of the season, as he's now slashing .324/.410/.507 with a .917 OPS, two home runs, 18 RBI, six stolen bases, 12 runs scored, nine walks, and nine strikeouts in 83 plate appearances over 18 games played. He has five multi-hit games in his last eight games since April 7. Hoener's home run was a two-run shot off left-handed starter
Jesus Luzardo in the fifth inning to put the Cubs up 5-1 at the time. It goes without saying that Hoerner should be started in all fantasy formats right now while he's scorching hot. Hoerner is one of the toughest hitters to strike out in the big leagues, giving him a stable batting-average floor since he makes so much contact.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
April 16, 2026
Chicago Cubs left-hander
Shota Imanaga was on point in Wednesday's 11-2 blowout win over the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Ballpark. Imanaga was dominant, allowing only one earned run on three hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out 11 in six innings to win his first game of the 2026 season. His 11 strikeouts matched a career-high, and he also had a head-turning 26 swinging strikes and threw 67 of his 97 pitches on the night for strikes. The only run that Imanaga allowed was on a solo shot to shortstop
Trea Turner in the first inning. The 32-year-old veteran southpaw settled in from there and didn't allow much of anything else for the rest of his outing in Philly. Imanaga is now 1-1 on the year with a 2.45 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, and 31 strikeouts in his 22 innings pitched over four starts. While it will be difficult for Imanaga to repeat this outing in a rematch with the Phillies next week at Wrigley Field, fantasy managers shouldn't be benching him with his fastball velocity up a few ticks this year.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
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