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Sonny Gray Officially Reinstated to Start on Wednesday
The Boston Red Sox announced that they officially reinstated right-hander Sonny Gray (hamstring) from the 15-day injured list on Wednesday and optioned left-hander Alec Gamboa to Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move. Gray will return to make the start against the Detroit Tigers in the series finale at Comerica Park. The 36-year-old veteran spent the minimum time on the IL with a right-hamstring strain that landed him on the shelf back on April 21. In a tough matchup, Gray will be more of a risk as a fantasy streamer in his first start back with the BoSox, especially since he didn't go on a minor-league rehab assignment. The Tigers come into Wednesday's action with the seventh-best team OPS (.724) in baseball. Gray enters his sixth start of the 2026 season with a 2-1 record, 4.30 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 13:5 K:BB in his 23 innings pitched over five starts.
Source: Boston Red Sox
Source: Boston Red Sox
Caleb Kilian Pushing for More Save Opportunities?
San Francisco Giants reliever Caleb Kilian earned his first save of the season on Monday night, and he's now in the mix to handle more save situations going forward. The 28-year-old didn't pitch in the majors last year, but he's having somewhat of a resurgence on the west coast. Through 15 games (16.0 innings), he owns a 1.13 ERA with 10.13 K/9, 4.50 BB/9, 1.13 HR/9, one save, and a 47.2% ground ball rate. A 4.21 FIP suggests that he could be a regression candidate, but his success in a leverage spot on Monday would seem to indicate that he could be due for save situations in the future. The Giants don't really have a defined closer role, but rather have been rotating between Ryan Walker, Keaton Winn, and Kilian. With that said, Walker blew a save in each of his last two outings, so he's falling out of favor quickly. Kilian has a perfect opportunity to emerge as Tony Vitello's go-to arm in the ninth inning.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Rico Garcia Earns the Win in a Leverage Spot
Baltimore Orioles closer Rico Garcia excelled in a high-leverage situation on Tuesday, earning the win as the Orioles defeated the Miami Marlins 9-7. Garcia entered in a tough spot after Andrew Kittredge blew the save and allowed the Marlins to tie the game in the eighth inning. The 32-year-old ended up going 1.1 innings, striking out two batters and walking one. He has arguably been the most fascinating storyline in baseball this season. After a solid 2025 campaign, Garcia has taken his pitching production to the next level with just one hit over 16 innings this year. He has a 0.56 ERA, 10.13 K/9, and a 58.1% ground ball rate while posting a 3-0 record with one save. Fantasy managers would like to see a higher save total, but it's no fault of his own. The Orioles haven't earned a single save since April 28, but there's a very strong chance that Garcia will get the next one when the time comes. He's up to #50 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings and should jump even higher with more volume.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Gregory Soto Poised to Take Over Ninth-Inning Role for Pirates?
Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Gregory Soto has enjoyed a strong stretch of results and is beginning to emerge as the primary late-inning option for the Pirates. While Dennis Santana appeared to be the favorite for saves after taking over the closer role in 2025, the right-hander has struggled in the early going of the campaign, which has opened the door for Soto. Since tallying a save on April 15, Santana has posted a rough 8.10 ERA with a 2.10 WHIP, two losses, and one blown save over his last 6 2/3 innings. During this same stretch, Soto has struck out eight hitters over 7 1/3 innings while carrying a much stronger 2.45 ERA with a 0.68 WHIP. Even though Soto has only tallied one save so far this season, his underlying 1.91 xERA and elite 36.5% K% suggest he is far more suited for this role. Managers looking to find a reliever with high-end strikeout upside should look to stash Soto before he earns the bulk of the save opportunities on a competitive Pirates team.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Tony Santillan the Favorite to Take Over the Closer Job in Cincinnati?
Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Tony Santillan has seen his fantasy value spike following the injury to Emilio Pagan. During Tuesday's loss to the Cubs, Pagan exited the contest on a cart due to a hamstring injury. The right-hander is expected to be placed on the 15-day injured list, which will open up ninth-inning duties for Santillan. While Santillan may face some competition from fellow setup man Graham Ashcraft, the 29-year-old appears to be the slight favorite to earn the short-term save opportunities. This season, Santillan has tallied one save while posting a 2.87 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. Pitching primarily in the eighth innings of games, Santillan has logged eight holds while striking out 16 batters over 15 2/3 innings. While he has struggled recently, allowing five earned runs over his last five innings, his track record of seeing eighth-inning opponents should make him the slight favorite for the ninth-inning role. He is worth adding in all 12-team leagues while Pagan is on the shelf.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jack Perkins Still the Athletics' Primary Closer?
Athletics relief pitcher Jack Perkins remains in line to earn save opportunities for the organization. Although he hasn't earned a save since April 30, neither has any other pitcher on the A's. The team hasn't found itself in a save situation so far in the month of May. When one of those situations does present itself going forward, we expect Perkins to be the go-to option out of the bullpen. He's well rested at this point, having not pitched since that April 30th save. Through eight games (13.1 innings) this year, he owns a 1.72 FIP with 11.48 K/9, 2.03 BB/9, and three saves. Although he's only inducing ground balls at a 36.4% clip, fantasy managers should be intrigued by the fact that he hasn't surrendered a home run yet. Perkins is up to #36 in RotoBaller's latest relief pitcher rankings for fantasy baseball, and he could climb even higher with more volume.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tyler Glasnow Exits Early on Wednesday With Back Pain
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow (low back pain) exited before the second inning of Wednesday's game against the Houston Astros. Glasnow threw 19 pitches in the first inning, and he started to get ready for the second inning before manager Dave Roberts and the trainer came out to check on him. He was ultimately removed from the game and replaced by Jack Dreyer. Fans and fantasy managers will hold their breath as the team conducts testing to determine the severity of his injury. If Glasnow is forced to miss any time, it would be another chapter in an injury-filled career. He's been highly effective when healthy, though, pitching to a 2.41 xERA with 10.94 K/9 and 3.03 BB/9 this season. On a positive note, the Dodgers do have reinforcements on the way. Blake Snell (shoulder) is expected to return from the 15-day injured list next week and could slot into Glasnow's rotation spot, if necessary. UPDATE: Glasnow was pulled early with back spasms.
Source: Los Angeles Dodgers
Source: Los Angeles Dodgers
Jets Offer a Contract to Russell Wilson
Free-agent quarterback Russell Wilson said the New York Jets offered him a contract after he visited their facilities last week, according to Ryan Dunleavy of The California Post. The 37-year-old former Super Bowl champion said his visit with the Jets "was great," but he's also mulling a potential opportunity in television with CBS Sports for the 2026 season. If Wilson were to sign with the Jets, it would be as a backup to veteran Geno Smith. The Jets already have rookie Cade Klubnik, Bailey Zappe, and Brady Cook in their QB room in addition to Smith. The 37-year-old 10-time Pro Bowler is nearing the end of his amazing NFL career after the Seattle Seahawks took a chance on him in the third round (75th overall) in 2012 out of Wisconsin. Since leaving Seattle following the 2021 season, Wilson hasn't had much success in Denver, Pittsburgh, and New York. He made six appearances (three starts) with the Giants last year and threw for 831 yards, three touchdowns, and three picks before being benched for young QB Jaxson Dart. At this point, a starting gig in the NFL probably isn't in the cards for Wilson.
Source: The California Post - Ryan Dunleavy
Source: The California Post - Ryan Dunleavy
Blake Snell Expected to Make His Final Rehab Start on Saturday
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Blake Snell (shoulder) will make another rehab start on Saturday at Single-A Ontario, according to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register. Barring a setback, this is expected to be Snell's final rehab outing before he returns to the Dodgers' 26-man roster. The veteran starter is presumably ready to put the injury issues behind him, as he's made just 11 regular-season starts since joining the Dodgers prior to the 2025 season. Across 61.1 innings last year, he posted a 2.35 ERA with 10.57 K/9, 3.82 BB/9, 0.44 HR/9, and a 48.7% ground ball rate. It initially seemed like Snell would take Justin Wrobleski's spot in the rotation, but Wrobleski has been pitching so well that Emmet Sheehan (4.31 FIP) may end up being the odd man out.
Source: Bill Plunkett
Source: Bill Plunkett
Luis Arraez Dealing With Hand Soreness
San Francisco Giants second baseman Luis Arraez (hand) is dealing with some hand soreness, which is why he's out of the starting lineup for Wednesday's series finale against his former team, the San Diego Padres, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. The Giants have a scheduled day off on Thursday, so the Giants will likely try to avoid using him at all on Wednesday so that he gets three full days to heal up. Arraez tweaked his hand during a swing in Monday's series opener and was also held out of action in Tuesday's loss. The hot-hitting Casey Schmitt is starting at second again on Wednesday and will hit third for the Gigantes against Padres right-handed opener Bradgley Rodriguez. The 29-year-old Arraez continues to be a hitting machine for fantasy managers with a .316 average (42-for-133), but it comes with no home runs, 11 RBI, 14 runs scored, and four stolen bases in his first year in San Francisco. Check back on Friday to see if Arraez's hand is feeling good enough to allow him to return to the starting nine.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Susan Slusser
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Susan Slusser
Brauntae Johnson the Next Star in Notre Dame's Secondary?
Since Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman stepped on campus in 2021, the Irish have had no shortage of star power in the secondary, including All-Americans Kyle Hamilton, Xavier Watts, and Leonard Moore. Moore remains with the team in 2026, but safety Brauntae Johnson could be next in line in the impressive run of defensive back talent. In his redshirt freshman season, Johnson logged 48 tackles (31 solo), four interceptions, three pass deflections, a defensive touchdown, and a special teams touchdown (blocked punt return) in 10 games. Like Watts, the 6'2" Indiana native is a game-changer and disruptor, and he could be one of the country's best safeties by the end of his sophomore campaign.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Nathan Church Leaves Early After Being Hit by a Pitch
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Nathan Church (leg) was pulled from Wednesday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers in the top of the fourth inning after being hit by a pitch earlier in the game on his left leg, according to Jeff Jones of the Belleville News. Brewers right-hander Brandon Sproat hit Church in the left shin with a pitch in the second inning, and he had to come out of the ballgame a bit later. For now, we'll consider the left-handed-hitting outfielder as day-to-day. Church was replaced in left field by Jose Fermin. The 25-year-old came into play on Wednesday with a .248/.278/.436 slash line, .713 OPS, five home runs, 16 RBI, 14 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 101 at-bats. He came into Wednesday's action riding a five-game hitting streak in which he's gone 6-for-21 (.286) with three doubles, three RBI, and two runs scored. Check back to see if Church is available for the Cardinals' series opener on Thursday night on the road at Petco Park against the San Diego Padres. UPDATE: Church was diagnosed with a left-leg contusion.
Source: Belleville News - Jeff Jones
Source: Belleville News - Jeff Jones
Ethan Barbour a Name to Know in Georgia's Tight End Room
Georgia tight end Ethan Barbour suffered a broken ankle in the second game of his true freshman season a year ago, but ESPN's Mark Schlabach views him as the team's "under the radar" player to know heading into 2026. The 6'3", 235-pound freshman was a four-star recruit out of Alpharetta in the Class of 2025, and Schlabach said the coaching staff was high on him before he was lost for the year. "Smart loves his toughness, blocking ability, and versatility," Schlabach wrote. "He's a capable pass catcher, too." The Bulldogs' tight end room has been loaded for much of the Kirby Smart era, and this season is no different, despite the departure of Oscar Delp. However, we've seen Georgia utilize several tight ends in the same offense, so Barbour is a name to know as Georgia looks to win its third consecutive SEC title.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
C.J. Stroud Makes Changes to his Diet as he Looks to Bounce Back
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has been locked in this offseason and is focused on ways to improve after a second straight disappointing campaign in 2025. ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime reports that Stroud made a noticeable change to his diet to slim down this offseason, avoiding sugars and carbs. The Texans picked up Stroud's fifth-year option for the 2027 season, but 2026 will be a prove-it year to convince the team that he deserves a long-term extension. Photographs on Instagram that Stroud has shared in the weight room show a more shredded and slimmed-down version of himself. The former second overall pick out of Ohio State was a Pro Bowler in his first NFL season in 2023, throwing for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, and five interceptions in 15 regular-season starts, but he hasn't come close to those numbers the last two seasons, and he threw for a career-low 3,041 yards and 19 TDs in 2025. The 24-year-old hasn't always been helped by the offensive line in front of him, but he appears determined to turn things around, and a bounce-back campaign could be coming if second-year wideouts Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel can step up behind WR1 Nico Collins. Target Stroud as a QB2 with upside in fantasy drafts this fall.
Source: ESPN.com - DJ Bien-Aime
Source: ESPN.com - DJ Bien-Aime
Payton Pierce Next Up at Linebacker for Ohio State
Ohio State linebacker Payton Pierce has big shoes to fill with the departure of first-round picks Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles. Jake Trotter of ESPN listed Pierce as the Buckeyes' under-the-radar player, and he doesn't expect linebacker to be a weakness for Matt Patricia's defense despite the All-American players leaving the program. "With Reese and Styles gone, Pierce, who had 44 tackles as a reserve last season, looks ready to step into a starting role," Trotter wrote. "The No. 5 inside linebacker recruit in the country two years ago out of Lucas, Texas, Pierce chose Ohio State over the Longhorns. In Pierce and rising sophomore Riley Pettijohn, the Buckeyes have a promising young linebacking tandem to retool the defense around." Ohio State's defense has been dominant over the last two seasons, but much of its personnel has moved on to the NFL. However, the program continues to reload on the recruiting trail and in the transfer portal. A step back on defense is likely, but Ohio State will likely flex a top Big Ten stop-unit once again in 2026. Pierce will play a significant role in that effort.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Javin Gordon to Play Significant Role for Tennessee?
Tennessee running back Javin Gordon, who transferred to the Vols from Tulane after his true freshman season, will have the opportunity to carve out a role in the backfield right away. Head coach Josh Heupel has rarely used a one-man backfield, except for Dylan Sampson in 2024. With Peyton Lewis and Star Thomas gone, Knoxville native DeSean Bishop figures to begin the year as the starter in the backfield, but Gordon and rising sophomore Daune Morris can play their way into touches alongside him. Harry Lyles Jr. of ESPN listed Gordon as the "under the radar" player to watch for Tennessee in 2026. The Georgia native rushed 128 times for 516 yards, caught 13 passes for 93 yards, and scored six touchdowns in his first year of college football. In Tennessee's wide-open offense, he could take a big step forward, and the Vols could lean more heavily on their rushing attack with a freshman quarterback set to lead the offense.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Bhayshul Tuten the Preferred Dynasty Running Back in Jacksonville?
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten still doesn't have the backfield all to himself, but he could be the team's top dynasty running back because of his age. All signs point to a true 50/50 split between Tuten and Chris Rodriguez, so even though they have different value in dynasty leagues, they're similarly valued in redraft formats. From a dynasty perspective, we're more intrigued by Tuten, who is just 23 years old, than Rodriguez, who is 26. Ever since he was drafted last year, it seemed like Tuten could be the eventual No. 1 ball-carrier in Jacksonville, and that outlook remains in place after the team watched Travis Etienne Jr. depart in free agency. Rodriguez could represent a thorn in his side, but he could also be a valuable complementary piece to keep Tuten's legs fresh and keep the offense less predictable. Given that we never felt like Tuten was going to be a dynasty RB1 anyway, we're not too concerned about the presence of Rodriguez. Tuten has low-end RB2 or high-end RB3 appeal this year, and he ranks as a low-end RB2 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy football rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tanook Hines Stepping into WR1 Role for USC
USC wide receiver Tanook Hines had a productive true freshman campaign in Los Angeles, despite serious target competition. The Texas native shared the field with 2026 NFL Draft picks Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane, but still managed to tally 34 receptions for 561 yards and two touchdowns. With Lemon and Lane now with the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens, respectively, Hines has major breakout potential as Jayden Maiava's go-to option in Lincoln Riley's offense. Riley has declared that the Trojans have entered their championship window, and Hines taking a step forward will be a big part of that effort. With games against Oregon, Washington, Ohio State, Penn State, and Indiana on the schedule, he'll have plenty of opportunities to show out as a 20-year-old sophomore. He's one of the top wideouts to keep an eye on in 2026.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
49ers See Something Special in De'Zhaun Stribling
The San Francisco 49ers give a handful of draft prospects "gold helmet" designations for their exemplary standing in several areas, including leadership and football intelligence. Former Ole Miss wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling, who the team selected at 33rd overall at the top of the second round, is considered one of the "gold helmet" prospects, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. "The passion the guy has, the work ethic, the toughness, the durability. He checks all those boxes at a high level," vice president of player personnel Tariq Ahmad said. The 23-year-old Stribling also scored the highest ever in a personality test called the Judgment Index, which seeks to shed light on a player's decision-making skills and value. Stribling was a surprise pick at that spot early in the second round, as he never had over 882 receiving yards or six touchdowns in his five collegiate seasons at Washington State, Oklahoma State, and Ole Miss. At best, Stribling will be an option as San Fran's WR3 in his rookie season in 2026 behind Mike Evans and Ricky Pearsall. He won't be on the fantasy radar in single-year leagues in 2026, but his size (6-foot-2, 207 pounds) and speed (4.36-second 40-yard dash) give him upside in the long term if his intangibles set him apart.
Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows
Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows
Rueben Owens II has "Star Potential" in Fourth Campaign
Texas A&M running back Rueben Owens II is set to enter the 2026 season as the clear leader in the backfield after the departure of Le'Veon Moss. He saw extra action last season with Moss missing five games due to injury, but he has yet to fully break out following his 2023 freshman season, in which he led the SEC in all-purpose yards before being limited to just two games in 2024. With the injury fully behind him and the RB1 job in hand, Dave Wilson of ESPN believes Owens has star potential for the Aggies in his fourth year on campus. Overall, Owens has rushed 236 times for 1,090 yards, caught 26 passes for 262 yards, and scored eight total touchdowns. Much of the attention will be given to quarterback Marcel Reed and wideouts Mario Craver and Isaiah Horton, but Owens could fuel the offense behind new offensive coordinator Holmon Wiggins.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Luis Arraez a "Little Bit Sore," Out of Lineup on Wednesday
San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello said that second baseman Luis Arraez (soreness) isn't in the starting lineup for Wednesday's series finale against the division-rival San Diego Padres because he's "just a little bit sore" from a swing in Monday's series opener against the Padres, according to Justice delos Santos of MLB.com. Vitello is hoping that Arraez will return to action for Thursday's series opener in San Fran against the Pittsburgh Pirates. With Arraez out on Wednesday, the hot-hitting Casey Schmitt will start at the keystone and will bat third for the Giants against Padres right-handed opener Bradgley Rodriguez. The 29-year-old Arraez continues to be an excellent asset for batting average in fantasy with a .316 average (42-for-133), but he doesn't contribute much elsewhere, as he's still searching for his first home run of the year and has added 11 RBI, 14 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 34 games. Check back on Thursday to see if Arraez is back in the Giants' starting lineup.
Source: MLB.com - Justice delos Santos
Source: MLB.com - Justice delos Santos
Brandon Woodruff has Fluid Drained From his Right Shoulder
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) had a minor procedure on Tuesday to drain fluid from his right shoulder, and he is tentatively set to resume throwing on Saturday, per Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. Manager Pat Murphy thinks that Woodruff will only need a couple of bullpen sessions before he rejoins the starting rotation. The veteran hurler had a hands-on meeting with renowned Dr. Keith Meister on Tuesday, which was an ominous sign, but instead, Woodruff received positive news, and he could rejoin Milwaukee's starting rotation sooner rather than later. He was placed on the 15-day injured list last Friday after he couldn't get over 85 mph with his fastball in his last start. It's good news for the 33-year-old, but fantasy managers should still be skeptical, and we wouldn't recommend throwing Woodruff back into your starting lineups when he's activated from the IL to make his next start. Remember, Woodruff had right-shoulder surgery that caused him to miss all of 2024, and he made only 12 starts last year due to various injuries, including a lat injury that ended his season early.
Source: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
Source: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
Garrett Mitchell Scratched on Wednesday With Illness
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Garrett Mitchell (illness) has been scratched from the lineup for Wednesday's series finale against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals due to an illness, according to the team. Jackson Chourio will take over in center field and will bat second, while Tyler Black is starting in left field and hitting out of the seven-hole versus Cardinals right-hander Andre Pallante. The Brewers have a scheduled day off on Thursday for travel, so Mitchell could be ready to rejoin the starting nine at home for Friday's series opener against the visiting New York Yankees at American Family Field. Mitchell, 27, has struggled at the plate so far in 2026, hitting just .219 (21-for-96) with one home run, 21 RBI, five stolen bases, and 15 runs scored in 32 games played. He hasn't reached his true power/speed potential in the big leagues with the Brew Crew, having not played more than 69 games due to injuries since debuting in Milwaukee in 2022. Because of his slow start, Mitchell is only rostered in 10% of Yahoo leagues right now.
Source: Milwaukee Brewers
Source: Milwaukee Brewers
Tatsuya Imai's Next Start to be With the Astros
Houston Astros right-hander Tatsuya Imai's (arm) next start will be in the big leagues, manager Joe Espada told Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. It's unclear when Imai's next start for the Astros will come after he's reinstated from the 15-day injured list, but it could come early next week versus the division-rival Seattle Mariners. Imai looked better in his second minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, allowing one run on one hit while walking three and striking out five in three innings of work. The 27-year-old Japanese native only made three starts for the Astros to begin his big-league career before hitting the shelf with right-arm fatigue, and he wasn't effective in those three starts, posting a 7.27 ERA, 2.08 WHIP, 11 walks, and 13 strikeouts in only 8 2/3 innings pitched. He only got up to 63 pitches in his rehab outing on Tuesday, too, so he won't be fully stretched out when he returns to Houston's rotation next week. Fantasy managers looking for a streamer should be avoiding Imai, and his control must improve for managers in mixed leagues to consider him off the waiver wire. Imai is rostered in under 50% of Yahoo leagues right now.
Source: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
Source: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
Addison Barger Expected to be Activated on Friday
The plan is for Toronto Blue Jays third baseman/outfielder Addison Barger (ankles) to come off the 10-day injured list for Friday's series opener against the Los Angeles Angels, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet. Barger got off to a rough start to the 2026 season at the plate before spraining both of his ankles. The 26-year-old is nearing full health, though, and will return for a series against the Angels at the Rogers Centre. Before landing on the 10-day injured list, Barger went just 1-for-19 at the plate with two RBI, a run scored, three walks, and six strikeouts in eight games played. In his first full season in the majors in 2025, he slashed .243/.301/.454 with a .756 OPS, 21 home runs, 74 RBI, 61 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 135 regular-season games while stepping up clutch in the team's run to the World Series in the postseason. Barger doesn't have a ton of plate skills, but he hit the ball hard more often than not last year, and he should play regularly against right-handed pitchers when he returns. He's currently rostered in only 27% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Sportsnet - Ben Nicholson-Smith
Source: Sportsnet - Ben Nicholson-Smith
Brandon Woodruff to Resume Throwing on Saturday, Return Imminent?
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) has been cleared to resume throwing on Saturday after visiting with Dr. Keith Meister on Tuesday, according to Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. It sounds as though Woodruff won't have to do much building back up or go on a minor-league rehab assignment before rejoining the team's starting rotation. The Brewers put Woodruff on the 15-day injured list last Friday with right-shoulder inflammation after his fastball couldn't get over 85 mph on the radar gun in his most recent outing. The 33-year-old veteran and two-time All-Star was pain-free, though, prompting the Brewers to believe he was just dealing with a dead arm. That appears to be the case after Meister cleared Woodruff of any structural damage this week. Woodruff hasn't been bad in his six starts for Milwaukee this year, going 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA and 1.03 WHIP, but he has just a 7.5 K/9, and he'll be extremely risky for fantasy purposes whenever he rejoins the team's starting rotation. Woodruff's return could be bad news for pitching prospect Logan Henderson.
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Curt Hogg
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Curt Hogg
Max Scherzer Still Searching for Answers for Forearm Tendinitis
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer (forearm) continues to search for answers to his forearm tendinitis, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. Scherzer's ankle discomfort has gone away, but his right forearm is currently preventing him from ramping up his throwing program. The good news is that MRI exams aren't showing any structural damage to his arm, but the future Hall of Famer remains without a timetable to return. "Got to talk to more doctors and figure it out," Scherzer said. "The foot, I'm not worried about. My concern is more on this forearm, because now we've given it enough time outside of a start, like I should be ramping back up." The 41-year-old three-time Cy Young winner and eight-time All-Star might finally be nearing the end of the road in what has been a dominant career. In addition to his injuries, Scherzer went 1-3 with a rough 9.64 ERA and 1.61 WHIP while striking out only 10 in 18 2/3 frames over his first five starts of 2026 before landing on the 15-day injured list early last week. He's still trying to find a way to return to Toronto's rotation, but when/if that will happen is anyone's guess. Scherzer is rostered in only 5% of Yahoo leagues nowadays.
Source: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
Source: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
Griffin Jax to Start on Thursday, Worth a Waiver-Wire Pickup?
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Griffin Jax will make the start for the Rays on Thursday against the Red Sox in Boston, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. This will be Jax's third straight "start" for Tampa. The Rays could potentially be looking to stretch Jax out as a traditional starting option after left-hander Steven Matz (elbow) landed on the injured list on Tuesday, but for Thursday's outing in Beantown, Jax most likely won't go deep enough in the ballgame to be a worthwhile streaming option for fantasy managers. In his last two opening assignments, Jax has tossed five shutout innings with two hits allowed, two walks, and four strikeouts against the Minnesota Twins and San Francisco Giants. The 31-year-old veteran opened the year as Tampa's go-to closer with Edwin Uceta (shoulder) on the shelf, but he struggled in that role and was demoted quickly. Overall, he has a 5.14 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, and 14:9 K:BB in 14 innings over 13 outings (two starts) in 2026. If Jax continues to get stretched out as a starter, he'll be worth a look off the waiver wire in deeper leagues for fantasy managers in need of rotation depth. Jax is rostered in 25% of Yahoo leagues currently.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Joe Mixon Remains an Enormous Question Mark
Free agent running back Joe Mixon (ankle, foot) remains unsigned, and now that we've reached the month of May, there are serious questions about whether he'll be able to occupy a meaningful role for the 2026 season. Mixon missed all of last year due to injury, and while we know he was dealing with ankle and foot issues, the Texans were very secretive about his status and why his injury timeline dragged on so much longer than anticipated. Even as Mixon hits free agency, we still haven't heard any updates about his health or status. The fact that none of the 32 teams has signed him feels discouraging, though. It was a rapid fall-off for the veteran back, who is just one year removed from tallying 1,016 rushing yards, 309 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns in Houston. Now, if he does sign somewhere, it'll likely be in a backup role, capping his standalone value in the RB3/flex tier (at best). As long as he's unsigned, Mixon is somewhat untouchable in fantasy football, slotting in as the overall RB73 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
RJ Harvey Still the Leader in a Crowded Backfield?
Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey remains the projected No. 1 option atop the depth chart, but it would be surprising to see him carve out an every-down role after the team re-signed J.K. Dobbins and drafted Jonah Coleman. It took a while for Harvey to occupy a significant role as a rookie last season, and he only started averaging 16+ touches per game once Dobbins went down with an injury. Now that Dobbins is healthy and back on the roster, he should chip into Harvey's workload. Meanwhile, we expect Coleman to steal some touches, too. It might not happen right away since he's a rookie with Day 3 draft capital, but there have been plenty of analysts who view Coleman as an eventual three-down back and potential late-round steal. The problem with adding Coleman to the mix is that it doesn't just impact Harvey's redraft value, but it hurts him in dynasty leagues, too. He has fallen to RB25 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy football rankings, and it's difficult to envision him climbing much higher than that as the Broncos appear committed to a shared backfield.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
