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Ryan Helsley Plays Catch, Feeling Much Better
Baltimore Orioles right-handed closer Ryan Helsley (elbow) played catch on Friday for the first time since landing on the 15-day injured list, and he is feeling much better, according to Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports. Helsley landed on the shelf on May 1. It's good news that he's throwing, but he still has some boxes to check and will most likely need a short minor-league rehab assignment before he can rejoin the back end of Baltimore's bullpen. The 31-year-old former fifth-round pick by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2015 out of Northeastern State University is a two-time All-Star who led the league with 49 saves in 2024. Helsley also had 21 saves for St. Louis last year before being traded to the New York Mets and falling apart in 22 appearances. He was bouncing back in Baltimore before his elbow injury, striking out 15 while picking up seven saves in his first 10 2/3 innings. Keep him stashed in all fantasy leagues, as he should immediately take over closing duties upon his return. In the meantime, Rico Garcia has proven to be an elite short-term source of saves for fantasy managers.
Source: MASN Sports - Roch Kubatko
Source: MASN Sports - Roch Kubatko
Gleyber Torres "Trending Toward a Rehab Assignment"
Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres (oblique) is "trending toward a rehab assignment," manager A.J. Hinch told Evan Woodbery of MLive.com. Torres' rehab assignment is likely to be brief, too, so he could be back for fantasy managers as early as next week. The 29-year-old Venezuelan infielder will return to everyday duties at the keystone in Motown when he finishes a brief rehab assignment. Before his oblique injury, he was slashing .259/.289/.328 with a .716 OPS, two home runs, 11 RBI, and 18 runs scored in 116 at-bats. Torres is eligible to come off the 10-day injured list on Friday, but he's not quite ready. Once he's back, Hao-Yu Lee will return to a utility role for the Tigers. Torres is rostered in only 54% of Yahoo leagues and isn't a big-time fantasy asset because of his minimal power and speed contributions. He's more attractive in leagues that count on-base percentage.
Source: MLive.com - Evan Woodbery
Source: MLive.com - Evan Woodbery
Chase Dollander Goes on Injured List With Elbow Strain
The Colorado Rockies are placing right-hander Chase Dollander (elbow) on the 15-day injured list on Friday with a right-elbow strain, according to Thomas Harding of MLB.com. The Rockies are making the move after they pulled Dollander from his outing on Thursday early against the Pittsburgh Pirates due to right-arm tightness. It's now confirmed that he is dealing with an elbow strain, which means he'll almost certainly be sidelined beyond two weeks. It's unfortunate for the 24-year-old former ninth overall pick out of Tennessee in 2023, especially since he had made strides from his first MLB campaign. Through his first 10 appearances (three starts) in 2026, Dollander was sporting a 3.89 ERA (4.18 FIP), 1.29 WHIP, and 47:18 K:BB in 44 innings while mostly working as a bulk reliever. In Dollander's absence, Tanner Gordon is the most likely candidate to take his spot in Colorado's starting rotation. Dollander isn't a must-hold in shallow mixed fantasy leagues while he recovers, as he's only rostered in a third of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Thomas Harding
Source: MLB.com - Thomas Harding
Max Fried Heading to Injured List With Elbow Bone Bruise
After undergoing an MRI exam and a CT scan on Thursday, New York Yankees left-hander Max Fried (elbow) will be placed on the 15-day injured list after initial findings showed a left-elbow bone bruise, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. Repeat imaging will be taken again in a few weeks (or when asymptomatic) to further determine when Fried can resume throwing. We'll have a more specific timetable on his potential return at that time. The 32-year-old southpaw avoided any structural damage, but a quick return from the IL should not be expected, and depending on when he can resume throwing, Fried may be fighting an uphill battle to return before the All-Star break in mid-July. It's a big injury blow for the Yankees' pitching staff and for fantasy managers, as the three-time All-Star has been a must-start in all lineups. Until right-hander Gerrit Cole (elbow) can make his season debut, the Yankees may turn to pitching prospect Elmer Rodriguez in the short term. Fried must be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Grayson Rodriguez to Make his Angels Debut on Sunday Against Dodgers
The Los Angeles Angels announced on Friday that right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (shoulder) will come off the 15-day injured list to make his debut with the team in Sunday's series finale against the crosstown-rival Los Angeles Dodgers. It will be a boost for the Halos' starting rotation, but fantasy managers in mixed leagues will probably want to take a wait-and-see approach with a pitcher who will be making his first appearance in the big leagues since 2024 with the Baltimore Orioles due to multiple arm-related injuries. Rodriguez was not ready for the start of the 2026 campaign due to right-shoulder inflammation that began back in spring training. In his two minor-league rehab starts, the former top pitching prospect allowed three earned runs while walking two and striking out 18 over 9 2/3 innings pitched. If healthy, G-Rod will be a staple in the Angels' starting rotation, but there are major concerns as to whether he can return to his pre-injury form as a high-end rotation arm. Rodriguez is currently rostered in 16% of Yahoo leagues. DFS managers should be looking to avoid him against the first-place Dodgers.
Source: Angels PR
Source: Angels PR
Christian Yelich Still Bothered by Back, Injured List Stint Coming?
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder/designated hitter Christian Yelich (back) is out of the team's starting lineup for Friday's series opener in Minnesota against the hosting Twins, according to MLB.com. Andrew Vaughn will serve as the team's DH and will bat sixth against Twins right-hander Joe Ryan at Target Field. Yelich returned on Tuesday against the San Diego Padres after a stint on the injured list with a groin injury, but he immediately reported some back stiffness after playing on Tuesday and could go right back on the IL after missing the last three games. Manager Pat Murphy said earlier this week that he isn't going to take any chances with the veteran left-handed hitter because of his history with back injuries -- he had a microdiscectomy on his back in 2024. Don't be surprised if Milwaukee makes a move to put Yelich back on the IL before Friday's game starts. Yelich is hitting .291 (16-for-55) in limited time so far in 2026 with just one homer. Fantasy managers have to be concerned that injuries will wreck his 14th year in the big leagues. UPDATE: The Brewers will wait another "couple of days" before deciding if they will put Yelich on the IL.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Byron Buxton Still Out on Friday With Hip Injury
Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) remains sidelined for Friday's series opener against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers at Target Field, according to MLB.com. Ryan Kreidler will make another start in center field for the Twins and will bat eighth against Brewers right-hander Coleman Crow. After hitting two home runs on Wednesday night, the Twins scratched Buxton from Thursday's series finale against the Miami Marlins due to hip-flexor soreness. It's bad timing for Buxton to be dealing with a physical ailment, as he has been a beast at the plate over his last 15 games, slashing .320/.382/.860 with eight home runs, 13 RBI, 12 runs scored, and even three stolen bases during that span. Fantasy managers can only hope it's a minor injury that won't land him on the injured list. For now, Buxton is being considered day-to-day. Check back to see if he's available to play in Game 2 of the series against Milwaukee on Saturday. The 32-year-old veteran and two-time All-Star is currently hitting .260 (44-for-169) on the year while providing plenty of power production with 15 homers, 23 RBI, and 33 runs scored.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Casey Mize to Return From Injured List and Start on Saturday
Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said that right-hander Casey Mize (groin) will come off the 15-day injured list to start on Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. Mize will return from a strained right groin that put him on the IL on April 28, and he will return this weekend without going on a minor-league rehab assignment. It will make him a riskier option in starting fantasy lineups on Saturday, but he has a career-high 27.3% strikeout rate so far in 2026 and will be facing a Blue Jays offense that currently ranks 23rd in baseball with a .686 OPS. The 29-year-old former first overall pick by Detroit out of Auburn in 2018 was a first-time All-Star in 2025 and has a career-best 2.90 ERA through his first six starts this year while also posting a 1.19 WHIP, 35 strikeouts, and 11 walks over 31 innings pitched. While Mize doesn't have an excellent track record for missing bats regularly, he's trending up in fantasy in his sixth year in the big leagues and deserves a look off the waiver wire for rotation depth now that he's healthy again.
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Despite Lack of Saves, Aaron Ashby is a Reliable High-Leverage Bullpen Arm
Milwaukee Brewers left-handed reliever Aaron Ashby isn't a sexy bullpen arm because he's not in line for saves in Milwaukee, but he still has plenty of fantasy baseball value. Going into the weekend in Week 8 of the fantasy season, Ashby has a league-high seven wins in relief while holding a strong 2.00 ERA (2.07 FIP) and 1.26 WHIP with an impressive 43 strikeouts and 15 walks in 27 innings out of the bullpen for the Brew Crew in 2026. The hard-throwing southpaw sits in the 99th percentile in strikeout rate, behind only Mason Miller and Erik Sabrowski, the 98th percentile in whiff rate, and the 74th percentile among pitchers in chase rate. Once a promising starting pitching prospect for the Brewers, Ashby was moved to a bullpen role because of his inability to stay healthy, and he has thrived ever since. Last year in 66 2/3 innings, Ashby had a 2.16 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, a career-high three saves, and a 76:24 K:BB. While he has zero saves so far this year, Ashby is proving himself as one of the better high-leverage bullpen arms in baseball, and he's rostered in only 37% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Eugenio Suarez Taking On-Field Batting Practice on Friday
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez (oblique) is taking batting practice on the field on Friday for the first time since going on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique injury late last month, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. Suarez's MRI exam, which was scheduled for Thursday, apparently gave the Reds some good news, so he has advanced in his baseball activities entering the weekend. Still, the Reds are slow-playing the right-handed power hitter, and Suarez will likely need to go on at least a short minor-league rehab assignment before he returns to action in the majors. Barring a setback with his oblique now that he's swinging full speed, Suarez should be back well in advance of the start of June. When Suarez is back in Cincy in the everyday lineup, it could be bad news for both Nathaniel Lowe and Ke'Bryan Hayes. The 34-year-old Suarez won't be an asset in fantasy in the average department, but he still has enough thump left in his lumber to be worth holding for his power production, especially at hitter-friendly Great American Ballpark. If you need power and Suarez was dropped, scoop him up now. He's currently rostered in 88% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Spencer Jones Worth Holding After Slow Start?
New York Yankees outfield prospect Spencer Jones was a popular waiver-wire pickup upon his long-awaited MLB debut on May 8, but he has gotten off to a slow start with the Yankees in the big leagues and is currently rostered in just 19% of Yahoo leagues. In his first 15 plate appearances over his first five MLB games, the team's No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has one hit, one RBI, three walks, and six strikeouts for a .083/.267/.083 slash line. The sample size is obviously extremely small, but it hasn't been an ideal start for the hulking 6-foot-7, 240-pound 25-year-old outfielder in the Bronx. The good news is that it's early, and it will be some time before both Giancarlo Stanton (calf) and Jasson Dominguez (shoulder) are ready to return from their injured-list stints, so Jones will have more of a runway to turn things around. But if he doesn't, he'll almost certainly be sent back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to work on his approach at the plate. While Jones has elite power potential from the left side of the plate, he has struck out over 30% of the time in the minors, and he currently has a 40% strikeout rate with the Yanks.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Jordan Westburg to Have Season-Ending Elbow Surgery
Baltimore Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg (elbow) will have season-ending elbow surgery, a source told Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner. Westburg will end up not even playing at all in 2026 due to a partially torn UCL in his right elbow that he suffered during spring training. He was attempting to avoid going under the knife, but a recent setback convinced him to have season-ending surgery. The 27-year-old infielder can now obviously be dropped in all single-year fantasy baseball leagues. He's currently still rostered in 15% of Yahoo leagues. With Westburg out this year, the O's have primarily been using Coby Mayo and Weston Wilson at the hot corner in Baltimore, with Jeremiah Jackson and Blaze Alexander being other options. When former first overall pick Jackson Holliday (hand) eventually makes his 2026 season debut, he, too, could be an option to handle third base this year in Westburg's absence. Barring a setback in his rehab from elbow surgery, Westburg should be fully healed in time for spring training next year and the start of the 2027 regular season.
Source: The Baltimore Banner - Andy Kostka
Source: The Baltimore Banner - Andy Kostka
Caleb Kilian the Current Favorite for Saves in Giants Bullpen
San Francisco Giants right-handed reliever Caleb Kilian is the current favorite for saves in the Gigantes' bullpen after going 1 1/3 scoreless innings with a strikeout in Tuesday's win over the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers for the second save of his career. Kilian hasn't been perfect so far in May with three runs allowed (two earned) on four hits (one homer) while walking five (one intentional) and striking out three, but he has picked up two saves in his last 5 1/3 innings pitched and has been solid overall in his first season in the Bay Area with a 1.40 ERA (4.50 FIP), 1.09 WHIP, two saves, 19 strikeouts, and 12 walks in 19 1/3 innings pitched. The 28-year-old reliever is rostered in only 9% of Yahoo leagues, so he's widely available for managers desperate for saves. However, Kilian's high walk rate (15.2%) makes him pretty volatile in the short term. Additionally, lefty Erik Miller (back) will return from a stay on the injured list on Saturday, adding competition for saves in San Fran.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Jack Perkins Still Worth Rostering After Second Blown Save?
Athletics right-handed reliever Jack Perkins blew his second save of the season and took his second loss of the year in Thursday's 5-4 defeat at the hands of the visiting St. Louis Cardinals. Perkins is on tilt right now, having allowed seven runs (five earned) on five hits while walking two and striking out five in his last 3 2/3 innings, which includes two losses, two blown saves, and one hold. The rough patch has the 26-year-old at a 4.76 ERA on the year with a 1.35 WHIP, 22 strikeouts, and three saves in 17 innings pitched in his 12 appearances out of the bullpen. Perkins gave up two runs on three hits while hitting a batter in just two-thirds of an inning in Sacramento on Thursday, and he might have hurt his chances of seeing save opportunities moving forward for manager Mark Kotsay. Don't be surprised if the A's next save chance goes to either Hogan Harris or Joel Kuhnel, who have both been involved in the team's committee approach to the ninth inning in 2026. Perkins is rostered in only 16% of Yahoo leagues and cannot be trusted after his recent rough patch.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Bryce Miller Worth Stashing Now That He's Healthy?
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryce Miller made his season debut on Wednesday night against the Houston Astros. His eight walks and three strikeouts weren't ideal, but he still delivered solid results with just one walk and two earned runs over 5.1 innings of work. Miller has never been a major strikeout threat, averaging less than one per inning throughout his career, so we aren't concerned about his control going forward. On the contrary, we're actually quite encouraged by his low walk total, which is also consistent with his career stats. He also flashed increased velocity in his first game back from a left oblique strain. His average fastball velocity was 95.0 mph in 2025, but that jumped to 97.4 mph on Wednesday. Outside of the eight hits, fantasy managers should feel very optimistic that Miller has returned to his pre-injury form, and he might even be better than before. The righty is rostered in 27% of leagues right now, so there's still time for managers to stash Miller in anticipation of a potentially big year. Currently, he ranks #82 among starters in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
