RADIO
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
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
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
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
