RADIO
J.P. Crawford Back in Monday's Lineup Against White Sox
Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford (triceps) is back in the starting lineup for Monday's series opener against the visiting Chicago White Sox, batting leadoff against left-hander Noah Schultz, according to MLB.com. Crawford was hit by a pitch in his right triceps muscle on Sunday against the San Diego Padres and was pulled early as a precaution, but he's back in there a day later and is ready to roll. The 31-year-old former 16th overall pick by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2013 isn't much to look at in fantasy from an offensive perspective, and he's only rostered in 13% of Yahoo leagues. To start his 10th year in the big leagues in 2025, Crawford has hit just .216 (30-for-139), although he does have six home runs, 16 RBI, 23 runs scored, and a stolen base in 40 games across 171 plate appearances. Crawford's career high in home runs is 19 back in 2023, and he has never stolen double-digit bases in his nine-plus seasons.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ceddanne Rafaela Dealing With Hamstring Tightness
Boston Red Sox outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela (hamstring) is dealing with some hamstring tightness, which is why he was not in the team's starting lineup for Monday's series opener against the Kansas City Royals, interim manager Chad Tracy told Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. With Rafaela sitting out, Jarren Duran made the start in center field, with Masataka Yoshida manning left field for the BoSox. It's not a major injury for Rafaela, thankfully, and Tracy expects him to return to the lineup for Game 2 of the series on Tuesday. The 25-year-old has been one of the team's best hitters so far in 2026, batting .284 (42-for-148) with four home runs, 19 RBI, 18 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 44 games across 164 plate appearances. He's been even better in May, going 17-for-53 (.321) with a .390 on-base percentage, .528 slugging percentage, and .918 OPS. Rafaela is tied with the Rangers' Evan Carter for most defensive runs saved among American League center fielders, and he ranks in the 99th percentile in outs above average (six).
Source: MassLive.com - Christopher Smith
Source: MassLive.com - Christopher Smith
Dylan Crews on Verge of Returning to Nats, Worth a Waiver-Wire Pickup?
The Washington Nationals are expected to recall outfielder Dylan Crews from Triple-A Rochester as early as Tuesday, a source familiar with the decision told Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports. Crews was demoted to Rochester at the end of spring training, but he is on the verge of returning to the big leagues after hitting .258 (40-for-155) with five home runs, 10 doubles, a triple, 20 RBI, seven stolen bases, and 30 runs scored in 41 games across 177 plate appearances for Rochester this year. In 14 games in May, though, he has hit .291/.339/.527 with two homers and seven doubles. The plan was already in place before outfielder Jacob Young (rib cage) was forced from Monday's game early after being hit by a pitch in the left rib cage. Young could be forced to the 10-day injured list to account for the corresponding roster move for Crew's promotion. The 24-year-old former second overall pick in 2023 out of LSU has been a disappointment in his 116 games in the majors so far, slashing .211/.282/.352 with a .634 OPS, 13 homers, 35 RBI, 29 steals, 35 walks, and 102 strikeouts in 454 plate appearances. But his draft pedigree alone makes Crews an interesting waiver-wire pickup, and he's currently rostered in only 32% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MASN Sports - Mark Zuckerman
Source: MASN Sports - Mark Zuckerman
Braves Reinstate Ronald Acuna Jr. From Injured List on Monday
The Atlanta Braves announced on Monday that they reinstated outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list and placed infielder Kyle Farmer (forearm) on the 10-day IL (retroactive to May 16) with a strained right forearm in a corresponding move. After speculation that the Braves might wait until Friday's series opener against the Washington Nationals to reinstate Acuna, he was activated on Monday, although he was not included in the starting lineup for Monday's series opener in Miami. The 28-year-old is available off the bench and should make his return to the starting lineup on Tuesday, perhaps as the designated hitter. Fantasy managers have to be excited that the former MVP and five-category contributor is back with the big-league club since straining his hamstring earlier this month. The five-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger winner hasn't played up to his standards through 127 at-bats in 2026, but he's a must-start in traditional fantasy lineups whenever he's in the lineup. He returns from the IL sporting a .252/.362/.378 slash line with a .740 OPS, only two homers, nine RBI, seven steals, and 17 runs scored.
Source: Atlanta Braves
Source: Atlanta Braves
Robby Snelling to Visit With Specialist on Thursday
Miami Marlins left-handed pitching prospect Robby Snelling (elbow) is scheduled to visit with Dr. Keith Meister in Texas on Thursday, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. Snelling made his major-league debut on May 8 in a loss against the Washington Nationals and was then placed on the 15-day injured list last Wednesday with a UCL sprain in his left elbow. The 22-year-old is out indefinitely and could need season-ending surgery on his elbow, depending on what Meister finds during his examination on Thursday. If Snelling gets good news and doesn't need to go under the knife, he still probably won't be an option to rejoin Miami's starting rotation until around the All-Star break in mid-July or later. After Snelling's injury, the Fish called up fellow lefty starter Braxton Garrett to join the rotation, but he disappointed in his 2026 debut and allowed five earned runs on five walks and three strikeouts against the Minnesota Twins on May 14 in just 1 1/3 innings pitched. Snelling is currently rostered in less than 10% of Yahoo leagues after his injury.
Source: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
Source: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
Astros Put Jose Altuve on Injured List With Oblique Strain
The Houston Astros placed second baseman Jose Altuve (oblique) on the 10-day injured list on Monday with a left-oblique strain, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. In a corresponding move, shortstop Jeremy Pena (hamstring, neck) was reinstated from the 10-day IL. Altuve suffered a Grade 2 oblique strain while swinging on Saturday against the division-rival Texas Rangers and could miss anywhere from four to six weeks, so fantasy managers definitely shouldn't expect a quick recovery for the veteran second baseman. Braden Shewmake made the start at the keystone for the Astros in Monday's series opener in Minnesota against the Twins, but Brice Matthews could also see more playing time at second until Altuve is fully healed. Despite a mediocre start to his 2026 season, Altuve should be held in all fantasy baseball formats. The former MVP, nine-time All-Star, and seven-time Silver Slugger winner heads to the IL with a .245/.326/.380 slash line, .706 OPS, only four home runs, 12 RBI, 27 runs scored, and a steal in his 163 at-bats.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Jack Wenninger a Top Arm to Stash in Fantasy Baseball?
New York Mets starting pitching prospect Jack Wenninger is off to a fantastic start to the season in Triple-A. With eight outings in the books, Wenninger has made his mark as one of the most intriguing pitching prospects to stash in fantasy baseball, especially since he's getting very close to his MLB debut. Through eight starts (35.2 innings), he has a 1.51 ERA with 9.84 K/9 and 0.25 HR/9. His sinker is averaging 94 mph, and he's getting 44.4% whiff on his changeup. On the other hand, he has a 5.55 BB/9 rate, and his xFIP has jumped to 4.72, suggesting he's been walking too many batters and perhaps getting a bit lucky on the mound. That's something to keep in mind, especially as the Mets consider calling him up to face big-league hitting. At the same time, though, the results speak for themselves, and we've been very encouraged by Wenninger's performance through the first month and a half this year. He remains a top stash among pitchers in fantasy baseball.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Corey Seager Going on Injured List With Back Injury
Texas Rangers general manager Chris Young said on Monday on 105.3 The Fan that shortstop Corey Seager (back) is going on the injured list, according to Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News. "He's just too valuable and important to the rest of our season," Young said. "Our anticipation is this will give him the chance to reset mentally." The Rangers must not have liked what they saw after the 32-year-old veteran visited with a back specialist back in Arlington on Monday. With Seager battling a back injury over the weekend, Ezequiel Duran received two straight starts at the 6 and should remain there for Monday's series opener in Denver against the Colorado Rockies. The Rangers and fantasy managers are hoping that some time off for Seager will help him get right at the plate when he returns from the IL, as he has hit a lowly .179/.286/.353 with a .638 OPS, seven home runs, 20 RBI, 22 runs scored, and a steal in his 156 at-bats. The five-time All-Star hit 30-plus homers from 2022 to 2024, but he was also plagued by injuries last year and is more of an injury risk than ever.
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Shawn McFarland
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Shawn McFarland
Eugenio Suarez Expected to Start a Rehab Assignment on Wednesday
Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that third baseman Eugenio Suarez (oblique) is expected to start a minor-league rehab assignment on Wednesday, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. Suarez has taken his time in his recovery from a strained left oblique, but if he can avoid any setbacks on his rehab assignment, he could be reinstated and rejoin the Reds starting lineup as early as this weekend. Once the 34-year-old right-handed slugger returns to the big-league roster, both Ke'Bryan Hayes and Nathaniel Lowe could lose out on playing time at third base and designated hitter, respectively. Suarez, a two-time All-Star and 13-year veteran, was hitting .231/.300/.363 with a .663 OPS, three home runs, 11 RBI, and 10 runs scored in 25 games played at the time of his injury. He isn't going to provide much in the way of batting average or on-base percentage, but Suarez still has value because of his power in mixed fantasy leagues, and he's currently rostered in 87% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Ronald Acuna Jr. is "Day-to-Day," Could Return on Friday
Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said on Monday that outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (hamstring) is "day-to-day" at this point, according to Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Weiss added that it's not out of the question that Acuna comes off the 10-day injured list to play early this week against the Miami Marlins, but the LoanDepot Park turf is a factor in the team possibly waiting to bring Acuna back on Friday at Truist Park in Atlanta against the Washington Nationals. As of right now, the five-time All-Star isn't scheduled to go on a minor-league rehab assignment, but he also might not return until the start of the weekend. The 28-year-old superstar has been out since suffering a Grade 1 left-hamstring strain and landing on the IL on May 3. In his absence, Mike Yastrzemski has been playing right field regularly against right-handed pitching. The Braves could choose to ease Acuna back in at DH when he's activated, but either way, he should be returned to all starting fantasy lineups immediately. The former MVP was hitting a mediocre .252 (32-for-127) with two homers, nine RBI, seven steals, and 17 runs scored across 34 games at the time of his injury.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Chad Bishop
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Chad Bishop
Byron Buxton Remains Sidelined With Hip Injury on Monday
Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) remains sidelined for Monday's series opener against the visiting Houston Astros, according to MLB.com. James Outman will make the start in center field for the Twins and will bat ninth against Astros right-hander Tatsuya Imai. Buxton is missing a fifth straight game due to soreness in his right hip flexor, but he worked out over the weekend and is feeling much better. The veteran outfielder doesn't expect to need a stint on the injured list, but he's probably going to have to return to the starting nine during the series against the Astros to avoid that. For what it's worth, manager Derek Shelton said that Buxton is "very close" to returning to the lineup. In the 32-year-old's last game last week against the Miami Marlins, he hit two home runs. Buxton has been providing plenty of pop for his fantasy managers with 15 homers, 23 RBI, and 33 runs scored in his 169 at-bats this year, and hopefully, his current hip injury won't put an end to his hot streak at the plate. Outman and the Twins have never faced Imai.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jeremy Pena Reinstated and Starting on Monday Against Twins
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (hamstring, neck) has been reinstated from the 10-day injured list on Monday before the series opener against the hosting Minnesota Twins. Pena is at shortstop and will bat leadoff against Twins left-hander Kendry Rojas at Target Field. Pena initially landed on the injured list on April 11 with a Grade 1 right-hamstring strain before being bothered by a sore neck due to a collision with a runner while on his minor-league rehab assignment last week. Now that the 28-year-old Dominican infielder is back, he will return to primary starting duties at the 6 in Houston. Pena was hitting .256/.304/.349 with a .653 OPS, no home runs, no RBI, five runs scored, and a stolen base in his first 43 at-bats with the Astros in 2026 before going on the shelf. Injuries have plagued him so far this year, but he was a first-time All-Star in 2025 and finished just three home runs shy of his first 20-20 campaign. Pena is available in 20% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Kyle Schwarber Out With Illness on Monday
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder/designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (illness) is feeling under the weather and will not start in Monday's series opener against the Cincinnati Reds, interim manager Don Mattingly told Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Bryce Harper will take over as the DH on Monday and bat second, while Alec Bohm will move across the diamond to play first base while batting third against Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo. Edmundo Sosa is at the hot corner and is batting cleanup for the Phils. This will be Schwarber's first time on the bench in 2026 after he started each of the team's first 47 games. Fantasy managers should expect the left-handed slugger to be back in there for Game 2 of the series at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday. The 33-year-old veteran slugger remains one of the best sources of power and on-base percentage in his fifth season in Philly. Schwarber enters Monday's action slashing .230/.357/.624 with a .980 OPS, a league-leading 20 home runs, 36 RBI, 33 runs scored, and a stolen base in 213 plate appearances. Sosa will be a viable DFS sleeper in the cleanup spot, and he's also hit .444 with a 1.252 OPS, a homer, and three RBI in 18 career at-bats against Lodolo.
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Scott Lauber
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Scott Lauber
Gerrit Cole on the Verge of Making his 2026 Debut?
The New York Yankees are discussing having right-hander Gerrit Cole (elbow) return to their starting rotation instead of making his final minor-league rehab start, but that hasn't been officially set yet, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. "We're talking through everything," according to manager Aaron Boone. Cole has been looking good on the farm as he rehabs back from Tommy John surgery that kept him out for all of last year, and the 35-year-old former American League Cy Young winner allowed just one run with six strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday. If the Yankees decide that Cole is ready for his 2026 debut in the big leagues, he will most likely make his first start for the team this Friday in a tough matchup against the first-place Tampa Bay Rays. Cole is a potential fantasy ace when he's right, but we wouldn't recommend starting him right away this weekend if he takes the hill versus Tampa. He's still available in 15% of Yahoo leagues, so fantasy managers should run to the waiver wire and add him immediately if he's floating around on your league's wire.
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Zach Thornton Worth an Add After Strong Showing at Triple-A?
The New York Mets will call up left-handed pitching prospect Zach Thornton from Triple-A Syracuse to pitch on Wednesday against the division-rival Washington Nationals, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Thornton, who is ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Mets' No. 13 prospect, only made two starts at Syracuse, but he allowed just three earned runs on eight hits (one homer) while walking three and striking out 13 in 12 innings of work. Before that, the 24-year-old southpaw had a 3.60 ERA and 1.32 WHIP with 27 strikeouts and nine walks in 25 innings over his five starts with Double-A Binghamton. The 6-foot-3, 170-pounder is known as a strike-thrower. He doesn't have overpowering stuff, but he attacks hitters and is highly competitive. It could just be a spot start for Thornton as the Mets look to replace right-hander Clay Holmes (leg) in the starting rotation long-term. Kodai Senga (back) is also still on the injured list. Next up for the Mets could be prospects Jack Wenninger (No. 5) or Jonah Tong (No. 2) if Thornton doesn't stick around.
Source: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
Source: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
