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Is the Arrow Still Pointing Up for Rainiel Rodriguez After Slow Start at Double-A?
St. Louis Cardinals catching prospect Rainiel Rodriguez was promoted to Double-A earlier this month, but hasn't quite found his footing at the new level yet. The Cards' second-ranked prospect slashed .311/.430/.519 in 28 games at High-A before being promoted, and while he had a pair of multi-hit performances in his first three games there, he's since gone 5-for-34 (.147) with a 2:11 BB:K in nine games. The Dominican had an impressive showing in 2025, slashing .276/.399/.555 with 20 home runs in 84 games between the Complex League and Single-A, so this is seemingly his first run-in with adversity in the minor league system. Still, at only 19 years old, he's one of just three players that young at Double-A, the other being MLB's No. 1 and No. 2 prospects Jesus Made and Leo De Vries, so growing pains are expected, and with his pedigree, he should be able to get back on track. An MLB debut this season seems like a long shot, but perhaps a late-season call-up is in the cards if he can pick up the pace, otherwise, the right-handed hitter remains a strong dynasty asset and could have an impact in redraft leagues in 2027.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Brock Bowers Taking Part in OTA Workouts
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) is participating in OTA practice this week and was getting open with ease on Thursday, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Bowers was the consensus top fantasy TE going into last season after he caught 112 passes on 153 targets for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns in 17 games in his rookie campaign. However, the 23-year-old former 13th overall pick out of the University of Georgia initially injured his knee in Week 1 and missed Weeks 5-7 as a result. He was never the same the rest of the way and finished with a disappointing 64-680-7 line in 12 contests (eight starts) in his sophomore campaign. Now apparently fully healthy and dominating in practices already, Bowers is a clear bounce-back candidate with league-winning upside at the position in a new offense led by head coach Klint Kubiak and new quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and rookie first overall pick Fernando Mendoza. Last year's down year due to injuries isn't really going to allow fantasy managers to purchase Bowers at a discount in 2026. He's currently ranked as the No. 2 overall TE, behind only Arizona's Trey McBride.
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
MLB Proposes Hard Salary Cap as Part of Next CBA
As expected, Major League Baseball proposed a hard salary cap to union officials on Thursday as part of the next Collective Bargaining Agreement, sources told Jesse Rogers of ESPN. The salary floor for teams, starting in 2027, would be set at $171.2 million, which includes player benefits, with the ceiling at $245.3 million. The MLB Players Association made its first formal proposal to the league on Wednesday, opening negotiations without the mention of a salary cap. Some of the things the players proposed included sharing more local TV revenue, a "competitive-integrity tax" for low-spending teams, a raise of the base competitive balance tax from $244 million to $300 million, and nearly doubling minimum salaries. Instituting a salary cap has been the next logical move for the league going into the next CBA, and they are also expected to eventually propose a hard salary floor as well for the first time in more than three decades. The league hasn't proposed a hard salary cap system since negotiations led to the 1994-95 players' strike. The union is clearly against any capped system, which will surely lead to contentious negotiations this winter and into early next year.
Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
Is Jesus Made on Track to Debut in 2026?
Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Jesus Made has had a good season at Double-A, but even by his standards, he has kicked it up a notch over the last week and a half. MLB's No. 1 overall prospect went 12-for-28 (.429) with a double, three home runs, and two steals (three caught) over a six-game stretch before an 0-for-4 day at the plate ended his hit streak. The switch-hitter is slashing .277/.353/.452 with six home runs and 18 steals through 42 games, and a promotion to Triple-A should be in the mix in the coming weeks. With Cooper Pratt already at Triple-A, shortstop is a bit crowded, but Pratt may head to the majors in the not-too-distant future, and Made also has the ability to play either second or third base, giving him multiple paths to a promotion. The 19-year-old isn't a stash candidate now, but is a star-in-the-making, and once he's at Triple-A, his all-around skillset could push him to the majors before the end of the year.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Xavier Worthy Limited in OTAs After Having Shoulder Surgery
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (shoulder) is wearing a yellow no-contact jersey during OTA practices this week after having surgery in the offseason to fully repair the torn labrum in his left shoulder, according to sports reporter Matt Foster. The 23-year-old speedster injured his shoulder in the Week 1 regular-season opener in 2025 and missed the following two games as a result. The former 28th overall pick in 2024 out of the University of Texas played in 14 games (13 starts) in his sophomore campaign and took a step back, catching 42 of his 73 targets for 532 yards and only one touchdown. Worthy has elite speed on the football field, but as long as Rashee Rice is active, he's been a distant second on KC's depth chart. His disappointing Year 2 performance has dropped him to No. 52 in RotoBaller's 2026 WR rankings, but with better health and Rice potentially facing another suspension to begin the year, Worthy's stock could be back on the rise in the coming months. Tight end Travis Kelce, now 37, also can't be relied on as much for a big role in the passing game.
Source: Matt Foster
Source: Matt Foster
Patrick Mahomes Limited to 7-on-7 Drills at OTAs
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) is being limited to 7-on-7 work during OTA practices this week, according to Pete Sweeney of The Kansas City Star. The fact that Mahomes is even participating at all in voluntary workouts at the end of May is a positive for the Chiefs after he tore his ACL and LCL in Week 15 against the Los Angeles Chargers last year. The 30-year-old superstar is making great progress, and if he continues at this rate, he'll have an excellent chance to play in the Week 1 2026 regular-season opener on Monday Night Football against the division-rival Denver Broncos. The six-time Pro Bowler and two-time MVP has finished as the QB11 in fantasy football in each of the last two years, and there's a chance his top receiver, Rashee Rice (knee), is suspended once again to begin the upcoming season. While we can't put anything past Mahomeboy after his stellar nine-year career so far, he's been trending down in fantasy the last two years and is now coming off major knee surgery. RotoBaller has him viewed as more of a low-end QB1/high-end QB2 target in fantasy drafts later this year. UPDATE: Mahomes said he is working toward being fully cleared for the start of training camp at the end of July.
Source: The Kansas City Star - Pete Sweeney
Source: The Kansas City Star - Pete Sweeney
With Breakout Season at Double-A, has Franklin Arias Become a Stash Target?
Boston Red Sox shortstop prospect Franklin Arias isn't slowing down at Double-A Portland, currently riding a five-game hitting streak, during which time he's gone 10-for-24 (.417) with a double, a triple, and four home runs. Boston's top-ranked prospect is hitting .343 on the year with 12 home runs and four steals, while his 1.079 OPS is third-highest in the minors out of hitters with at least 150 at-bats. The right-handed hitter is walking at a solid 9.1 percent clip, while maintaining a low strikeout rate of 12.8 percent. There doesn't appear to be much left to prove at this level, and a ticket to Triple-A should be coming in the near future. If he can continue to mash at Triple-A, the Venezuelan could see time in Boston later this year despite being just 20 years old, especially with the team thin at short as Trevor Story (hernia) is expected to miss anywhere from six to 10 weeks. Arias isn't necessarily a stash option at the moment in redraft leagues, but that could quickly change, so fantasy managers should monitor his progress.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Can Geraldo Perdomo Rediscover His 2025 Breakout Success?
Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo was one of the biggest breakout success stories of the 2025 season, as he hit 20 home runs and stole 27 bases while hitting .290 across 720 plate appearances. The 26-year-old has been considerably less productive so far in 2026, slashing .223/.336/.335 with two home runs, 20 RBI, 23 runs scored, and eight stolen bases across 220 trips to the plate. Perdomo posted a 6.2% barrel rate even in a breakout year in 2025, which always made him a likely regression candidate. Even still, there's reason to believe that Perdomo's production the rest of the way in 2026 will improve. With a 14.5% walk rate and a 13.2% strikeout rate, his plate skills remain elite. Perdomo has also hit just .248 on balls in play so far this season, significantly below his career mark of .287. Fantasy managers should not expect a full return to peak form, but Perdomo profiles as a steady compiler in every category other than home runs. At the right price, he could be a worthy buy-low candidate.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Jo Adell Worth Buying Low on Ahead of Potential Power Surge?
Entering play on Thursday, Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jo Adell was hitting .242/.289/.386 with eight home runs, 29 RBI, 19 runs scored, and two stolen bases across 232 plate appearances. Adell put together a breakout season from a power perspective in 2025, logging an excellent 17.2% barrel rate and clubbing 37 home runs in just 573 plate appearances. His numbers have come crashing down to earth so far this season, as his barrel rate has fallen all the way down to 8.7%. However, Adell's power bat has come to life a bit in recent weeks, as he's hit four home runs in his last 16 games after hitting just four in his first 40. The 27-year-old appears to have gotten back to his old approach at the plate of sacrificing contact for power, as he's struck out in 30.1% of his plate appearances in May after posting a 20.1% strikeout rate through the end of April. While Adell's batting average could continue to drop, he may be on the verge of a power breakout and could be worth buying low on for fantasy managers desperate to add slugging to their roster.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Cooper Pratt's Recent Surge Enough to Earn MLB Debut?
Milwaukee Brewers shortstop prospect Cooper Pratt has been making his case for a major league debut over the last couple of weeks, going 17-for-56 (.304) over his last 14 games with three doubles, four home runs, three steals, and nearly as many walks (nine) as strikeouts (11) during that time. For the season, the Brewers' fourth-ranked prospect is slashing .236/.355/.382 with five home runs, 12 steals, and an impressive 28:29 BB:K through 43 games with the Sounds. Despite being more of a hit-over-power bat, the 6-foot-4 slugger is pacing to set a new career high in home runs (eight in '25 and '24), and his ability to steal bases continues to be an asset. David Hamilton (.196/.260/.239 in May) and Joey Ortiz (.191/.298/.298 in May) are holding down short in the majors, but their futility and Pratt's recent surge could be enough reason for the club to award him with an MLB debut soon. The former sixth-rounder received an eight-year, $50.75 million contract in the offseason, so the team clearly sees him as part of their future, and with his ability to make contact and steal bases, the 21-year-old could be an intriguing fantasy asset. Fantasy managers should put him on the redraft radar, and he could become a stash option in deeper leagues if he continues to show development.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Manny Machado Remains a Worthy Buy-Low Candidate
San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado has been one of the best hitters in baseball for over a decade, but the 33-year-old has struggled mightily to this point in 2026. Across 220 plate appearances, Machado is hitting .169/.265/.339 with nine home runs, 27 RBI, 27 runs scored, and one stolen base. Machado's strikeout rate is a career-worst 23.2%, while his 7.7% barrel rate is his worst mark since his rookie season in 2015. As he hits his mid-30s, Machado could simply be suffering from age-related decline. Still, the veteran's extended track record of both consistency and durability makes it hard to believe he won't claw his way back to respectable production by the end of the year. Entering 2026, Machado had posted five consecutive seasons with at least 600 plate appearances, 27 home runs, and 90 RBI. Fantasy managers should not expect peak performance, but Machado still profiles as a worthy buy-low candidate.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Riley Greene's Current Pathway to Production May Be Unsustainable
Across 232 plate appearances entering play on Thursday, Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene was hitting .305/.401/.440 with four home runs, 25 RBI, 30 runs scored, and one stolen base. While Greene has been a productive hitter, his power output has come down considerably from where it was in 2025, when he clubbed 36 home runs across 655 plate appearances. Greene's barrel rate is down from 17.1% last season to 12.6% this season. As the weather heats up in Detroit, Greene could find more power. However, if he doesn't, his current path to production may be unsustainable. With a 28% strikeout rate and a heavily inflated .435 batting average on balls in play, Greene's batting average seems likely to regress closer to his career mark of .268 over the course of a full season. As a result, fantasy managers may want to consider selling high on Greene before he runs into some batting average regression.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Mason Miller Worth Selling High On at the Peak of His Value?
As we near the end of May, San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller has arguably been the most dominant reliever in baseball in 2026. Across 23 2/3 innings (23 games), Miller owns a 0.76 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 47 strikeouts, and 16 saves. He's averaging 101.2 miles per hour on his fastball and has struck out a completely ridiculous 52.2% of the batters he's faced. Barring injury, there's little reason to think that Miller won't continue to provide high-end closer production for fantasy managers. At the same time, managers with another viable ninth-inning option on their roster may want to consider shopping Miller now, when he's at the absolute peak of his value. If the offers for Miller are astronomical, trading him could be a way to build a more well-rounded overall roster. There's obviously nothing wrong with holding onto the 27-year-old, but selling high could be worth exploring.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Max Clark Still a Top Hitter to Stash with Multi-Category Potential
Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark remains firmly on the stash radar after hitting safely in 12 of his last 14 games at Triple-A Toledo, going 16-for-60 (.267) during that stretch with four doubles, a triple, one home run, and two stolen bases. The Tigers' top-ranked prospect owns a respectable .267/.338/.390 slash line in 46 games for the Mud Hens, with two home runs and 11 steals, while his 14.8 percent strikeout rate shows he's not overmatched at the top level of the minors. The left-handed slugger is also drawing walks at a 9.5 percent rate thanks to a 77th percentile chase rate, displaying a good all-around approach. Although the organization is in no rush to get him to the majors, the former third-overall draft pick should get that chance in the coming weeks and should be considered a high-end stash option for his multi-category fantasy potential.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Do Fantasy Managers Have a Buy-Low Window on Sal Stewart?
Across 241 plate appearances so far in 2026, Cincinnati Reds infielder Sal Stewart is hitting .256/.353/.473 with 12 home runs, 36 RBI, 34 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases. However, Stewart's overall stat line is buoyed by a red-hot start to the season, as he posted a .943 OPS through the end of April. The 22-year-old has slowed down considerably in May, slashing .226/.327/.355 with three home runs, seven RBI, 14 runs scored, and three stolen bases. Even with the rough month baked in, Stewart owns excellent walk (12.9%) and barrel (15.5%) rates for the year overall. He's also remained an everyday fixture in the heart of the Cincinnati lineup, and as a young player, it's not surprising to see him struggle a bit as the league adjusts to him. With Stewart's value at a relative low point, fantasy managers may want to see if they can buy low on him in hopes of a return to form in the summer months.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Joe Burrow Solidified as a Top Dynasty Quarterback?
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is one of the best pure passers in the NFL, but persistent injuries have capped his fantasy upside and raised some questions about his long-term dynasty outlook. Burrow has played 10 or fewer games in two of the last three seasons. Last year, he was healthy for just eight games, as he totaled 1,809 passing yards, 17 passing touchdowns, and five interceptions. Those are great results on a per-game basis, but he ultimately let down many of his fantasy managers as they were forced to pivot to other quarterbacks when he got hurt. A healthy Burrow can be a top-five dynasty quarterback. After all, he was QB4 or higher in each of the two years where he played all 17 games. However, the injury concern is valid, and it has resulted in him falling to QB6 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings. He's still a high-upside dynasty quarterback, but he has fallen out of the top three tiers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Does Jordan Love Still Have Top-12 Upside in Dynasty?
Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love's dynasty outlook has taken a hit in recent years. Formerly a first-round pick, Love seemed like a top dynasty option after finishing as the QB5 in 2023. However, he has fallen to QB15 or lower in each of his last two seasons, raising questions about whether he can be a top-12 option (and a fantasy starter) going forward. The Packers' identity has been a run-first offense lately, leaving fewer pass attempts for Love. In 2025, Green Bay ran the ball 47.69%, which was fifth-most in the NFL. Love doesn't have a ton of flashy weapons around him, either. Romeo Doubs departed in free agency, leaving him with Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Matthew Golden as his top wide receivers. Tight end Tucker Kraft (knee) is also in the mix, and while he has a great track record, he's working his way back from injury. If the Packers continue to be run-heavy for years to come, Love will likely struggle to emerge as a QB1 in fantasy football consistently, despite having a talented throwing arm. Dynasty managers should be open to the idea of trading him away and upgrading at the quarterback position.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Can Dalton Schultz Have Another Top-10 Season?
Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz finished as the overall TE10 in PPR leagues last year, but there are questions about his dynasty outlook as he prepares for his age-30 season. Schultz played in all 17 games last year, catching 82 passes for 777 yards and three touchdowns. His 106 targets ranked second on the team, putting him just 14 targets behind team leader Nico Collins. The involvement was very encouraging, and his high reception total made up for the fact that he wasn't a huge touchdown threat. However, as the Texans' receiver room gets better and healthier, Schultz could fall out of favor. Collins is an ever-present threat, Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel are due for Year 2 breakouts, and Tank Dell (knee) is working his way back from injury. Therefore, although Schultz may still have the tight end room to himself, it's hard to imagine he'll end up with 100+ targets again. He projects as more of a mid-to-low TE2 going forward in dynasty leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kris Bubic Still Dealing With General Arm Fatigue
Kansas City Royals left-hander Kris Bubic (elbow) has started his throwing progression, but he's still dealing with general arm fatigue, according to MLB.com. Bubic has continued to play catch, though, and he's expected to return to the Royals' starting rotation in June. He was placed on the 15-day injured list on May 18 (retroactive to May 15) with left-elbow soreness. Bubic won't be allowed to ramp up his throwing program until his arm fatigue goes away, so he could be looking at more of a late-June return. The 28-year-old southpaw went 3-2 with a 4.11 ERA (3.68 FIP) and 1.23 WHIP with 51 strikeouts and 26 walks in 50 1/3 innings pitched over his first nine starts this year before landing on the shelf. Bubic was a first-time All-Star in 2025, when he went 8-7 for the Royals with a career-low 2.55 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 116:39 K:BB in 20 starts. Even though we don't have a clear picture of when exactly Bubic might return, he's a worthy stash candidate in deeper mixed fantasy leagues for pitching depth for the rest of the year.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Hype Brewing for a Jayden Higgins Breakout in Year 2
Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins has emerged as a potential Year 2 breakout, and head coach Demeco Ryans indicated that Higgins has made the physical leap needed to become a weekly fantasy threat. "Bigger, stronger, and faster," Ryans said regarding Higgins. "Going to have a really great year based on what he's doing." While we need to be cautious how much trust we invest in coachspeak, these comments would suggest that the Iowa State product is ready to become a key piece in the Texans' offense, building on an impressive rookie season. In 17 games as a rookie last year, he caught 41 passes for 525 yards and six touchdowns. He was the WR47, and he could have an even easier path to production now that Christian Kirk is gone, although Tank Dell (knee) could be back in the mix. All in all, we're intrigued by the possibility of Higgins blossoming into a top-36 fantasy receiver next year. He's an intriguing trade target in dynasty leagues.
Source: Aaron Wilson
Source: Aaron Wilson
Nolan Schanuel Dealing With Ankle Tendinitis, Length of Absence Unknown
Los Angeles Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel (ankle) said his MRI exam showed that he has left-ankle tendinitis, and he's not sure how long he'll be on the 10-day injured list, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. It's an injury that Schanuel has been dealing with since April, but it flared up recently. The Angels initially classified his injury as left-calf inflammation. At least for the foreseeable future, infielder Vaughn Grissom figures to take most of the available playing time at first base in Anaheim with Schanuel sidelined. Even in AL-only leagues, Schanuel isn't a must-hold while he's out, as the former 11th overall pick in 2023 out of Florida Atlantic is hitting .262 (50-for-191) with only four home runs, 24 RBI, and 18 stolen bases over his 49 games and 208 plate appearances in 2026. He also has a weak .313 on-base percentage and a career-low .700 OPS. Schanuel is currently rostered in just 12% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Rhett Bollinger
Source: MLB.com - Rhett Bollinger
Ben Johnson Suggests Buying Stock in Luther Burden III
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III has generated plenty of buzz this offseason. Not only are fantasy managers getting excited about the young receiver, but Bears head coach Ben Johnson has expressed optimism, too. "I'm buying Luther Burden stock right now," Johnson said. "He's been extremely coachable." Burden was arguably the most dependable Bears receiver in 2025, especially during the second half of the season. He caught 47 passes for 652 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie, and he played so well that the Bears felt compelled to trade DJ Moore this offseason. Now, Burden and Rome Odunze are competing to be the top receiver in a Bears offense that is trending up very quickly. Burden has the potential to be Caleb Williams' top target, giving him top-24 upside in fantasy football. Between being a potential Year 2 breakout and drawing praise from Johnson, Burden is a glaring trade target for fantasy managers in dynasty leagues.
Source: Brad Biggs
Source: Brad Biggs
Jorge Soler Playing Through Groin Injury
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jorge Soler (groin) recently said that he can run at 60-70% right now due to a nagging groin injury, but manager Kurt Suzuki shrugged at the suggestion that the right-handed slugger needs time off, according to Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register. "He just had a day off," Suzuki said. "We had a team day off (on Monday). He's swinging the bat fine. He's looking good. And he's in the lineup." Soler said the soreness started "a few days ago," but Suzuki said it's just something normal that players go through over the course of a long season. The 34-year-old, who is hitting .215/.298/.403 with a .701 OPS in 191 at-bats in 2026, was last out of the lineup on May 21. Despite not being 100%, he has exactly one hit in each of his last seven games he's started, but that has included just one extra-base hit. It doesn't appear that the Cuban outfielder is in danger of landing on the injured list, but fantasy managers can't really do much with Soler unless he's hitting for power. He has nine home runs, 30 RBI, and 25 runs scored on the year for the last-place Halos.
Source: The Orange County Register - Jeff Fletcher
Source: The Orange County Register - Jeff Fletcher
Dodgers Promote No. 19 Prospect Ryan Ward, Will he Play Enough in L.A.?
The Los Angeles Dodgers are recalling outfielder/first baseman Ryan Ward with Teoscar Hernandez (hamstring) going on the 10-day injured list on Thursday, according to Sonja Chen of MLB.com. Ward is the Dodgers' No. 19 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and led the minors with 36 home runs in 2025. The 28-year-old left-handed hitter and former eighth-round pick in 2019 out of Bryan University had two hits in six plate appearances with an RBI for the Blue earlier this year. In 47 games across 214 plate appearances for Triple-A Oklahoma City this year, Ward has hit .254/.379/.418 with a .797 OPS, six home runs, nine doubles, a triple, 31 RBI, six stolen bases, and 28 runs scored. The 5-foot-10, 200-pound prospect consistently hits balls hard and has intriguing power for fantasy managers in deeper leagues looking for a spark. Ward could play regularly in L.A. going forward against right-handed pitchers with both Teoscar and Enrique Hernandez (oblique) out for at least several weeks, if not more.
Source: MLB.com - Sonja Chen
Source: MLB.com - Sonja Chen
Tigers Place Kenley Jansen on Injured List With Pelvic Inflammation
The Detroit Tigers placed veteran right-handed closer Kenley Jansen (pelvis) on the 15-day injured list on Thursday with pelvic inflammation and recalled left-hander Drew Sommers from the minors in a corresponding move, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. The Tigers initially announced that Jansen was removed from his outing on Wednesday night against his former team, the Los Angeles Angels, with a right-groin injury. The 17-year veteran and four-time All-Star has seven saves in 18 appearances in his first year with Detroit, but he's also gone 1-3 and has struggled to a 4.80 ERA (5.80 FIP) and 1.20 WHIP with 19 strikeouts and nine walks in 15 innings pitched. Will Vest hasn't been any better in 2026 and has also dealt with injuries, so right-hander Kyle Finnegan should be the reliever to target off the waiver wire now that Jansen is on the shelf. Finnegan has just one save this year and has walked 19, but he's allowed just five earned runs in 25 2/3 frames with 15 K's, and he has 113 career saves in six-plus MLB seasons. He is rostered in just 9% of Yahoo leagues right now.
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Casey Mize Plays Catch, Still Awaiting MRI Results
Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize (groin) played catch on Thursday but is still awaiting the results of an MRI exam after being pulled from his start early on Wednesday due to right-groin tightness, according to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News. McCosky notes that it's not a bad sign that Mize was able to throw on Thursday, although the Tigers don't have to make an immediate move with him. It's a positive development that the 29-year-old former first overall pick out of Auburn in 2018 did some throwing a day after his injury, but it doesn't necessarily mean that he will avoid the injured list. We should have a better idea of Mize's status in the next day or two. Mize was a first-time All-Star in 2025, his fifth year with the Tigers, and is currently sporting a career-low 2.27 ERA (2.38 FIP) and 0.96 WHIP, with a career-best 26.5% strikeout rate and a 6.5% walk rate in 47 2/3 frames across nine starts. As long as he can continue to miss more bats and stay healthy, Mize will be an intriguing matchup-based streamer in fantasy. He's rostered in 63% of Yahoo leagues right now.
Source: The Detroit News - Chris McCosky
Source: The Detroit News - Chris McCosky
Gleyber Torres Starting a Rehab Assignment on Friday
Detroit Tigers infielder Gleyber Torres (oblique) will head to Triple-A Toledo on Friday for a minor-league rehab assignment, according to Evan Woodbery of MLive Media Group. Torres might be a day or two before he plays in his first game. The Tigers won't rush Torres once he starts playing in games down on the farm since he has been sidelined for almost four weeks due to a strained left oblique muscle. But barring a setback, Torres could be back with the big-league squad by the end of next week. The 29-year-old veteran Venezuelan second baseman will return to starting duties at the keystone in Motown when he's reinstated from the 10-day injured list. The three-time All-Star shouldn't be expected to return to the 20-homer mark, and he also has very minimal speed, but he has great plate discipline and should continue to be an asset in leagues that count on-base percentage. Torres was slashing .259/.389/.328 with two home runs, 11 RBI, 18 runs, 25 walks, and 22 K's in 32 games across 144 plate appearances for Detroit at the time of his injury.
Source: MLive Media Group - Evan Woodbery
Source: MLive Media Group - Evan Woodbery
Kerry Carpenter to Start a Rehab Assignment on Friday
Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter (shoulder) will start a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo on Friday, according to MLive Media Group's Evan Woodbery. Carpenter was cleared to resume playing in games after he took part in right-hander Justin Verlander's (hip) simulated game on Wednesday. If he can avoid any setbacks this weekend, Carpenter could be reinstated from the 10-day injured list to rejoin the Tigers' starting lineup at some point early next week. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder has been on the shelf for just under three weeks with an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder. Before his injury, Carpenter was batting a disappointing .216 (22-for-102) with six home runs, 17 RBI, 11 runs scored, 11 walks, and 40 strikeouts across 37 games (117 plate appearances). He won't offer much speed and strikes out too much to be an asset in on-base-percentage leagues, but Carpenter proved last year with his career-high 26 homers that he can help in the power department against right-handed pitchers. He's currently rostered in just under 40% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLive Media Group - Evan Woodbery
Source: MLive Media Group - Evan Woodbery
Tarik Skubal to Throw Another Sim Game on Monday
Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal (elbow) will throw another simulated game/live batting practice session on Monday at Tropicana Field, according to Evan Woodbery of MLive Media Group. Manager A.J. Hinch said Skubal might get an extra day before his next outing as well, which would push it to June 7. Woodbery speculates that if Skubal continues to avoid setbacks and the Tigers keep pushing his timeline, he could make a minor-league rehab start on June 12, with a return to the Tigers' starting rotation potentially coming on June 17 in Houston against the Astros. The back-to-back American League Cy Young winner has made exceptional progress after having a minimally invasive procedure to remove a loose body from his left elbow. The 29-year-old two-time All-Star threw 39 pitches in 2 2/3 innings during a sim game on Tuesday and came out of it feeling fine. Skubal would love to return as soon as possible in June to build his trade value before the early August deadline. He went 3-2 with a 2.70 ERA and 0.95 WHIP with 45 K's in 43 1/3 innings over seven starts this year before going on the 15-day injured list.
Source: MLive Media Group - Evan Woodbery
Source: MLive Media Group - Evan Woodbery
Quinn Priester Only Goes Two-Thirds of an Inning in Latest Rehab Start
It was another disappointing showing for Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Quinn Priester (shoulder) in his latest minor-league rehab outing with Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday. Priester allowed three earned runs on two hits while walking three and striking out one in just two-thirds of an inning for the Sounds. The Brewers went into Wednesday's appearance hoping that Priester would go five innings and/or 80 to 85 pitches, so he came well short of expectations. The 25-year-old former first-rounder back in 2019 by the Pittsburgh Pirates, needed 38 pitches on Wednesday and couldn't even get out of the first inning. He has been pretty awful in both of his separate rehab starts while trying to recover from symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome, and it wouldn't be a surprise at this point if Priester gets shut down again at some point. Through six rehab starts on the farm, he's posted a horrific 21.60 ERA and 3.60 WHIP with 10 strikeouts and 17 walks. It's getting harder and harder to justify holding him in deeper fantasy leagues. Priester is rostered in 16% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
