RADIO
Dalton Rushing Forcing His Way into More Playing Time in Los Angeles, Worth Stashing Off the Waiver Wire?
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing remains blocked off from everyday playing time by the presence of star Dodgers backstop Will Smith. However, Rushing may be on the verge of forcing the Dodgers to manufacture more playing time for him. Across 44 plate appearances this season, the 25-year-old is hitting .385/.455/.974 with seven home runs, 16 RBI, and 11 runs scored. After posting a strong 14% barrel rate across 155 plate appearances in 2025, Rushing has elevated even further to a 17.9% barrel rate in 2026. With Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman locked in at designated hitter and first base for Los Angeles, Rushing does not have an obvious pathway to cracking his team's starting lineup. Still, the Dodgers can only ignore Rushing's ridiculous production for so long. Fantasy managers may want to consider stashing Rushing now, before an injury or lineup change causes his value to skyrocket.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Remains a Worthy Waiver Wire Target Despite Initial Struggles in Return from Injury
After missing the first few weeks of the 2026 season while recovering from the torn ACL that ended his 2025 campaign, Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. returned to the big leagues on April 18. The 32-year-old has struggled in his first 26 plate appearances of the year, hitting .125/.192/.167 with zero home runs, three RBI, and one run scored. However, Gurriel Jr. recorded at least 18 home runs and 85 RBI in each of his first three seasons with Arizona from 2023 through 2025. He's also a career .273 hitter who cut his strikeout rate to a career-low 13.9% last season. Once Gurriel Jr. settles in and gets some more plate appearances under his belt, he remains a solid bet to provide balanced, four-category production for fantasy managers. In leagues where he remains on the waiver wire, Gurriel Jr. could be a worthy target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dennis Santana Blows Second Save, Falling Out of Closer Committee?
Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Dennis Santana had a rough outing in his team's 4-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday. With Pittsburgh leading 2-0 entering the ninth inning, Santana allowed four hits, two walks, and four earned runs while recording just two outs for his second blown save of the season. The 30-year-old's overall stat line for the season remains solid, as he's pitched to a 3.29 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with 10 strikeouts and two saves across 13 2/3 innings. However, Santana has not recorded a save since April 15 and could be falling out of favor in a Pirates pen that has relied on multiple relievers in the ninth inning this season. With just a 17.2% strikeout rate and a 13.8% walk rate, Santana has not demonstrated typical closer dominance in his underlying numbers. If Pittsburgh does go in a different direction, left-hander Gregory Soto could emerge.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Bryan Baker Notches Seventh Save, Reaching Must-Start Territory
Tampa Bay Rays reliever Bryan Baker picked up his seventh save of the season in his team's 3-2 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Monday. Baker pitched a scoreless ninth inning, allowing two hits and recording two strikeouts. Across 11 1/3 innings so far in 2026, Baker has pitched to a 3.18 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with 13 strikeouts. He's recorded saves in seven of his last nine outings and has emerged as the clear go-to ninth-inning option for the Rays. With Tampa Bay right-hander Edwin Uceta (shoulder) recently being transferred to the 60-day injured list with a shoulder injury, Baker should have an extended runway as the Rays' closer, provided he continues to produce. At this point, Baker has reached must-start closer territory across most fantasy formats.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Gerrit Cole to Make Rehab Start on Wednesday at Double-A
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that right-hander Gerrit Cole (elbow) will make his next minor-league rehab start on Wednesday with Double-A Somerset, according to Erik Boland of Newsday. This will be Cole's third rehab start. In one start each with Somerset and High-A Hudson Valley, Cole has allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits (two homers) while walking one and striking out seven in 8 2/3 innings pitched. The 35-year-old is expected to make at least two more rehab starts on the farm before the Yankees consider reinstating him for his 2026 season debut. The Cy Young winner and six-time All-Star deserves to be stashed everywhere because of his track record as a fantasy ace, but patience may be required since he has only made 17 starts for New York since the start of the 2024 season. Cole missed all of 2025 after having Tommy John surgery. Despite his lengthy absence, Cole is rostered in 84% of Yahoo leagues, and that number should rise in the coming weeks as he gets closer to rejoining the team.
Source: Newsday - Erik Boland
Source: Newsday - Erik Boland
Mick Abel Playing Catch, Unlikely to Return When Eligible
Minnesota Twins right-hander Mick Abel (elbow) has started playing catch, and "all signs have been encouraging," manager Derek Shelton told Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic. Abel is unlikely to be ready to come off the 15-day injured list when he's first eligible, but the Twins still think his injury is "relatively minor." Fantasy managers probably won't have Abel back from the IL when he's eligible to be reinstated this Saturday, but it might not be that long of a wait after that. He initially went on the IL with right-elbow inflammation, which has allowed left-handed rookie Connor Prielipp to get his first couple of starts in the big leagues for the Twins. The 24-year-old former 15th overall pick in 2020 by the Philadelphia Phillies is still rostered in 20% of Yahoo leagues despite his elbow injury. Abel allowed nine earned runs on 22 hits while walking 10 and striking out 23 in 20 1/3 innings over his first four appearances (three starts) in 2026 for the Twins. Abel should absolutely have a starting rotation spot waiting for him in Minnesota when he returns from the IL.
Source: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
Source: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
Guardians Calling Up Former First Overall Pick Travis Bazzana
The Cleveland Guardians are calling up former No. 1 overall pick Travis Bazzana from Triple-A Columbus, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. The 23-year-old Australian hit .287/.422/.511 with two home runs, 11 doubles, two triples, 10 RBI, eight stolen bases, and 18 runs scored in 24 games for Columbus to earn his first big-league call-up. Passan writes that Bazzana will take over at second base for a Guardians team that is a half-game out of first place in the American League Central division early in the year. Bazzana's arrival in the big leagues this week is bad news for the playing time of both Juan Brito and Daniel Schneeman, who had been platooning at the keystone for the Guards. Bazzana is currently rostered in only 9% of Yahoo fantasy leagues, but that number will surely rise now that he's set for regular playing time in the big leagues. The former Oregon State star projects as a plus hitter at a shallow second base position in fantasy who should have average power and plenty of on-base skills because of his disciplined approach as a hitter. Bazzana also has quick hands, a short, compact swing at the plate, and plus speed on the base paths.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Shohei Ohtani Might Not Serve as DH on Tuesday When he Pitches
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is scheduled to toe the rubber on Tuesday for Game 2 of the series at Dodger Stadium against the visiting Miami Marlins, but manager Dave Roberts told Katie Woo of The Athletic that there's a possibility that Ohtani won't serve as the designated hitter. Ohtani will be pitching on traditional rest (not on a six-day schedule like the Dodgers have tried), and Tuesday's game also starts at 12:10 pm. It would be the second time this year that Ohtani hasn't hit on the same day that he pitches. The 31-year-old Japanese sensation and four-time MVP is a must-start as a hitter and batter every time he's active, but fantasy managers may not have him available as a hitter on Tuesday. The five-time All-Star has actually looked better as a pitcher than a hitter so far in 2026, going 2-0 on the hill with a stingy 0.38 ERA and 0.75 WHIP with 25 strikeouts and six walks in 24 innings over his four starts. Although Miami has 12th in team OPS (.718) this year, Ohtani is a must-start in fantasy as a pitcher for Tuesday's matchup in L.A.
Source: The Athletic - Katie Woo
Source: The Athletic - Katie Woo
Oneil Cruz Sits Out on Monday With Illness
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz (illness) was scratched from the team's starting lineup on Monday against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park, according to the team. With Cruz being under the weather, Jake Mangum made the start in center field for the Bucs and was hitting eighth in the batting order against Cardinals right-hander Dustin May. First baseman Spencer Horwitz was also moved up to the leadoff spot. Fantasy managers should consider Cruz to be day-to-day. Check back on Tuesday to see if he's feeling good enough to return to action for Game 2 of the series in the Steel City. The 27-year-old Dominican has already had his fair share of mishaps on defense in center field as he continues to transition from shortstop to center field in the big leagues, but fantasy managers can't complain about his bat through his first 112 at-bats of the year. Cruz came into Monday's action slashing .259/.320/.518 with an .838 OPS, eight long balls, 24 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and 19 runs scored. He led the league with 38 steals in 2025 and is an elite power speed option in fantasy when he's healthy.
Source: Pittsburgh Pirates
Source: Pittsburgh Pirates
Fernando Tatis Jr. Starting at Second Base Again on Monday
San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. is making another start at second base and will bat in the two-hole for Monday's series opener at Petco Park against the visiting Chicago Cubs and left-hander Matthew Boyd, according to MLB.com. This will be Tatis' fourth start at second for the Friars this year, bringing him closer to gaining eligibility at the keystone in fantasy baseball leagues. Not only is this trend making the 27-year-old Dominican more attractive in fantasy, but the three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner has gotten even hotter at the plate of late. Tatis is still searching for his first home run of 2026, but otherwise, fantasy managers can't complain, as he's gone 8-for-29 (.276) with two RBI, three runs scored, and two stolen bases in his last seven games, dating back to April 18. He'll be hoping to turn things around against Boyd in the series opener in SD on Monday. In six career at-bats against Boyd, Tatis is hitting just .167 with one RBI.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Andres Gimenez "Banged Up," Available Off the Bench on Monday
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said he's giving a "banged-up" shortstop, Andres Gimenez (undisclosed), a breather on Monday against the Boston Red Sox, according to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. It explains why Gimenez will be missing a second straight game, but he will be available off the bench if needed. Ernie Clement got the start at the 6 on Monday in the series opener for Toronto, while Lenyn Sosa made the start at the keystone against Red Sox left-hander Ranger Suarez. Fantasy managers will want to check back to see if the 27-year-old Gimenez is back in the lineup for Game 2 of the series on Tuesday at Rogers Centre. The Venezuelan infielder has always been known as a glove-over-bat player, but Gimenez is off to a strong start offensively in 2026, hitting .287 (27-for-94) with three home runs, 16 RBI, four steals, and eight runs scored in his first 26 games played. Gimenez has never reached the 20-homer mark in his six MLB seasons, and after back-to-back 30-steal seasons in 2023 and 2023 with Cleveland, he has only stolen 16 bases since, including his four from 2026.
Source: Sportsnet.ca - Arden Zwelling
Source: Sportsnet.ca - Arden Zwelling
George Springer Close to Returning, Won't Need a Rehab Assignment
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder/designated hitter George Springer (toe) will run the bases and hit again on Tuesday, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. Springer is close to returning from the 10-day injured list and will not need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment, manager John Schneider said. The 36-year-old veteran has missed the last two weeks with a fractured leg big toe, but if he feels good after another workout at Rogers Centre on Tuesday, he could be activated from the IL before Tuesday's contest against the division-rival Boston Red Sox. Before fracturing his toe, Springer was struggling at the plate in his first 14 games of 2026, going 10-for-54 (.185) with two home runs, four doubles, six RBI, four runs scored, and a stolen base. The four-time All-Star could have a tough time duplicating his late-career resurgence in 2025, but Springer still deserves to be rostered in all fantasy baseball leagues as the Blue Jays' primary DH when he's healthy. Springer is rostered in 92% of Yahoo leagues despite being on the IL the last two-plus weeks.
Source: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
Source: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
Max Scherzer Goes on Injured List With Forearm, Ankle Injuries
The Toronto Blue Jays announced on Monday that they placed right-hander Max Scherzer (forearm, ankle) on the 15-day injured list with right-forearm tendinitis and left-ankle inflammation and recalled right-hander Chase Lee from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. Scherzer continues to battle through injuries and poor performance at the end of his illustrious career. The 41-year-old three-time Cy Young winner and eight-time All-Star just doesn't have much left in the tank at this point and cannot stay healthy. He was tagged for seven runs in just 2 1/3 innings in a loss to the Cleveland Guardians in his last start, and he is now sporting a 9.64 ERA and 1.61 WHIP with 10 strikeouts and eight walks in his 18 2/3 frames over five starts for Toronto in his second season with the team. The future Hall of Famer is rostered in just 8% of Yahoo leagues now, and he is not a must-stash anywhere at this point. With Scherzer back on the shelf, left-hander Eric Lauer could be primed for a return to the starting rotation.
Source: Toronto Blue Jays
Source: Toronto Blue Jays
Cubs Activate Phil Maton From Injured List, the New Temporary Closer?
The Chicago Cubs reinstated right-hander reliever Phil Maton (knee) from the 15-day injured list on Monday and optioned Charlie Barnes to Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move, according to Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network. Maton will be returning to the Cubs bullpen since landing on the IL back on April 10 with right-knee tendinitis. The 33-year-old veteran reliever allowed six earned runs on six hits (one homer) while walking four and striking out five in four innings of work out of the bullpen before his knee injury, but he had a nice 2.79 ERA with a career-high five saves, and an 81:23 K:BB in 61 1/3 innings for the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers last year. The Cubs' pitching staff has been decimated by injuries early in the year, so Maton could see opportunities to pick up more saves in Chicago now that he's healthy. In addition to Maton, Ben Brown, Jacob Webb, and Hoby Milner could be involved in a committee approach for manager Craig Counsell. Fantasy managers desperate for saves in deeper leagues should consider stashing Maton, who is rostered in only 4% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Marquee Sports Network - Taylor McGregor
Source: Marquee Sports Network - Taylor McGregor
Max Muncy Feeling Better, Starting at Third Base on Monday
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy (illness) is back at third base and will hit sixth on Monday against the visiting Miami Marlins and right-hander Chris Paddack in the series opener at Dodger Stadium, according to MLB.com. Muncy missed Saturday's win over the Chicago Cubs due to an illness, and he was held out of the series finale on Sunday as a regular day of rest. The veteran left-handed-hitting slugger is feeling much better to start the new week, and he should be returned to starting fantasy lineups where he's rostered. The 35-year-old two-time All-Star has been swinging a hot bat in the first month of the 2026 season, slashing .300/.394/.633 with a 1.028 OPS, nine home runs, 11 RBI, and 22 runs scored in 26 games played. Muncy should especially be back in starting lineups against a right-handed pitcher prone to the long ball. In 15 career at-bats against Paddack, Muncy is hitting .267 with a 1.189 OPS and two solo home runs.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
