RADIO
Brewers Expected to Make Decision on Christian Yelich on Friday
Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy said, "Tomorrow will be telling whether he will need a longer break," when asked about whether outfielder/designated hitter Christian Yelich (back) will need to go on the injured list for the second time this season. Yelich just returned on Tuesday from a groin injury, but he could be forced to go right back on the IL on Friday after reporting back soreness after his first game back. Because of his lengthy history with back issues -- Yelich had a microdiscectomy procedure in 2024 -- the Brewers aren't going to take any chances here. The 34-year-old former MVP and two-time batting champion has battled injuries for years, and that could be the case again in 2026 after he played in 150 regular-season games in 2025. Through 16 games so far in 2026, Yelich has hit .291 (16-for-55) but with only one homer for the Brew Crew. Jake Bauers and Andrew Vaughn figure to split DH duties in Milwaukee if Yelich goes back on the shelf.
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Todd Rosiak
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Todd Rosiak
Shohei Ohtani Sitting Again as a Hitter in Thursday's Series Finale
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani will not be in the starting lineup as a hitter for the second straight day in Thursday's series finale against the division-rival San Francisco Giants, according to MLB.com. Catcher Will Smith will serve as the designated hitter and will bat leadoff, with Dalton Rushing doing the catching for right-hander Emmet Sheehan while hitting seventh against Giants right-hander Landon Roupp. Although Ohtani hit a home run on Tuesday night in a Dodgers loss, he has been struggling offensively for much of the 2026 season, and manager Dave Roberts confirmed earlier this week that he was considering resting the Japanese superstar for multiple days to get his head right. Believe it or not, even the 31-year-old four-time MVP is prone to slumps. He's currently slashing .240/.370/.427 with a .796 OPS, seven home runs, 17 RBI, 27 runs scored, and five steals across 150 at-bats. Ohtani has hit just .150 (6-for-40) with a homer, four RBI, six runs, and a steal in 46 plate appearances across 12 games in May.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Should Michael Soroka be Rostered in More Fantasy Leagues?
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka was definitely not on the radar in many fantasy leagues entering his seventh season in the big leagues after posting a 4.52 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 95:29 K:BB in 89 2/3 frames across his 22 appearances (17 starts) in 2025 with the Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs. The stuff wasn't terrible, but the 28-year-old had not reached 90 innings at the big-league level since 2019. So far in his eight starts in 2026 in the desert, Soroka has impressed with a 5-2 record, 3.53 ERA (3.18 FIP), and 1.31 WHIP with 47 strikeouts and 12 walks in 43 1/3 frames. Since allowing a season-high eight earned runs on 10 hits in just three innings versus the Milwaukee Brewers on April 30, Soroka has locked things back in with one earned run allowed, three walks, and 11 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings in two starts against the Pirates and Rangers. His 4.76 expected ERA points to regression, but Soroka can still be a useful matchup-based streamer for fantasy managers. His next outing on the road in Colorado at hitter-friendly Coors Field will be a dicey one. Soroka is currently rostered in 59% of Yahoo leagues, where he also carries relief eligibility.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Kyle Harrison Picks Up Fourth Win With Seven-K Performance Against Padres
Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Kyle Harrison continued his breakout season in 2026 with the Brew Crew by picking up his fourth win of the season in Thursday's series finale at American Family Field against the punchless San Diego Padres. Harrison tossed five shutout innings with five hits allowed, no walks, and seven strikeouts to lower his season ERA to 2.09. The 24-year-old southpaw hasn't gone beyond six innings in any of his eight starts so far this year, but he has tapped into his potential in his first year in Milwaukee and has become a reliable starting pitcher in the majority of fantasy leagues after the San Francisco Giants gave up on him and traded him to the Boston Red Sox last year. Harrison doesn't overpower hitters with velocity, but he came into Thursday's start in the 88th percentile in hard-hit rate, keeping hitters off balance and avoiding barrels. Surprisingly, he also entered Thursday's game in the 88th percentile in strikeout rate. His expected ERA sits at 3.52, so Harrison is likely facing some regression, but he also has a solid .299 xwOBA. After another strong start on Thursday, Harrison has become more of a waiver priority. He's rostered in less than 70% of Yahoo leagues currently.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Is Landen Roupp's Strong Start for Real?
San Francisco Giants right-hander Landen Roupp has become a popular waiver-wire pickup because of his strong start in his third year in the big leagues, but can he keep it up, or should fantasy managers sell high on him? Roupp enters a tough matchup on Thursday night on the road against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers and is currently 5-3 with a career-best 3.09 ERA (2.51 FIP) and 1.09 WHIP with 51 strikeouts and 19 walks in 43 2/3 innings across his first eight starts of 2026. With an expected ERA of 2.55 and an xwOBA of .255, the 27-year-old's underlying metrics point to his early-season numbers being sustainable going forward. Roupp also ranks in the 98th percentile in hard-hit rate, the 86th percentile in strikeout rate, although he sits in the 31st percentile in walk rate. The former 12th-rounder in 2021 has been great at limiting hard contact and keeping the ball in the yard -- he leads the league with a 0.2 HR/9 mark. Roupp will be bested on Thursday, but he did limit the Dodgers to one earned run on just one hit with five walks and seven strikeouts in five innings in a win at home back on April 21.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
JJ Bleday Continues to Thrive With Reds, Homers Twice on Thursday
Cincinnati Reds outfielder JJ Bleday has looked like a different hitter since joining the Reds this year, as he came into Thursday's action with a .292/.443/.646 slash line, a 1.088 OPS, four home runs, 12 RBI, and eight runs scored in just 15 games played. The former fourth overall pick by the Miami Marlins in 2019 out of Vanderbilt kept it going in Thursday's 15-1 blowout win over the visiting Washington Nationals, going 3-for-5 at the plate as the designated hitter with two home runs, six RBI, and a strikeout to raise his season average to .321 and his OPS to 1.210. The left-handed-hitting outfielder now has six long balls in his first 52 at-bats since joining Cincy, which should have fantasy managers taking notice in all formats. Bleday won't be able to keep this pace up all season, but his pedigree as a top draft choice makes him more intriguing as a potential waiver-wire star in 2026 who is clicking with a change of scenery in a very hitter-friendly home ballpark. Bleday is only rostered right now in 18% of Yahoo leagues and should deserve more attention.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jesus Made Named MLB's No. 1 Prospect, Will he Debut in 2026?
Per MLB Pipeline, Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Jesus Made is now the No. 1 prospect in baseball, taking over the top spot with shortstop Konnor Griffin now starting in the big leagues for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Made is only 19 years old and hails from the Dominican Republic, but he has a realistic chance to make his major-league debut before the 2026 season is over in Milwaukee. The 6-foot-1, 221-pound switch-hitter is currently stationed at Double-A Biloxi, where he has hit .257/.340/.400 with a .740 OPS, three home runs, 20 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and 26 runs scored in 34 games across 159 plate appearances for the Shuckers. He doesn't have any obvious weaknesses from either side of the plate, and he has 25- to 30-homer upside at the big-league level at a premium position. In addition to his raw-power upside at the plate, Made has a refined approach at the plate despite his young age, and he consistently finds the barrel when he makes contact. In addition to his hitting skills, Made is a plus runner with lots of range at the 6. He could initially be used at second and third base in the majors, but long-term, he has the skills to stick at shortstop. Despite not even being 20 years of age yet, Made is rostered in 7% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Emmanuel Rodriguez Worth Stashing Amid Injured List Stint?
Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez (thumb) hasn't played in a game since May 1 after suffering a muscle strain in his thumb, but could be back on the field in the coming weeks. Before hitting the injured list at Triple-A St. Paul, the Twins' fourth-ranked prospect was showing well, hitting .247 with six home runs and producing a superb .417 on-base percentage thanks to an elite 21.3 percent walk rate (28.7 percent strikeout rate). The left-handed slugger has displayed an elite eye at the plate for the entirety of his minor league career, and had a 16-home run campaign in just 99 games back in 2023, but staying healthy has been an issue for him, playing a total of 65 games in 2025 and 47 in 2024. With Matt Wallner recently demoted to Triple-A, there could be a path to playing time once Rodriguez returns to action, and with his solid combination of power, speed, and plate discipline, the 23-year-old is a worthy stash candidate in deeper leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Thomas White Primed for Call-Up the Next Time Marlins Need an Arm?
Miami Marlins pitching prospect Thomas White could be the next man up when a rotation spot opens up after the recently promoted Robby Snelling (elbow) hit the injured list with a UCL sprain after one start, with the team recalling Braxton Garrett for Thursday's start against the Twins. White is not on the 40-man roster, so it is not a certainty he'll be the next name called, and he was shaky in his latest start at Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday, allowing four earned runs on seven hits (two home runs) and two walks in just four innings of work. He struck out three batters, but his ERA at Triple-A now stands at 4.86 through five starts with an uninspiring 1.62 WHIP, thanks partly to a high 11.1 percent walk rate. Still, the Marlins' top prospect was fantastic in 2025, recording a 2.31 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 145 strikeouts in 89 2/3 innings (25.0 percent K-BB%) across three levels, and should get back on track soon. With a nearing MLB debut and his high potential for strikeouts, the 21-year-old is one of the top pitchers to stash in most formats.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Chase Dollander Pulled Early on Thursday With Arm Tightness
Colorado Rockies right-hander Chase Dollander (arm) was pulled from Thursday's series finale at PNC Park early against the Pittsburgh Pirates with right-arm tightness, according to Thomas Harding of MLB.com. Dollander made the start and only went one inning, giving up three earned runs on five hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out none before getting the early hook. The 24-year-old's velocity was down, but as of right now, the severity of his arm injury is unknown. The former ninth overall pick in 2023 out of the University of Tennessee has mostly served in a bulk-relief role in 2025 in his second year in the big leagues -- Thursday was just his third traditional start of the year -- and he came into Thursday's action with a strong 3.35 ERA (3.83 FIP), 1.19 WHIP, and 47:17 K:BB in 43 innings across his nine appearances (two starts). Dollander's strong start in his first full year in the big leagues has made him a popular waiver-wire target early on, although he's still rostered in less than half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Thomas Harding
Source: MLB.com - Thomas Harding
Colt Emerson Making a Push for Big-League Debut, Remains a Top Hitter to Stash
Seattle Mariners infield prospect Colt Emerson stayed hot on Wednesday, clubbing his seventh home run of the season and collecting four RBI in a 2-for-5 day at the plate. The Mariners' top-ranked prospect is slashing .300/.333/.520 in 11 games in May, and owns a .257/.342/.478 slash line for the season with seven home runs and nine steals through 35 games at Triple-A Tacoma. The former first-rounder has the makings of a potential five-category producer for fantasy, and despite being just 20 years old, appears likely to be the next highly-rated MLB prospect (MLB No. 6 overall) to make his major league debut this season. With no current holes on the major league roster, a promotion is not imminent, but it could happen before the end of the month or shortly thereafter, so fantasy managers looking for a fantasy-friendly infield bat should consider Emerson as one of the top hitters to stash ahead of his eventual call-up.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Emerson Hancock Could Be Emerging as a Breakout Starting Pitcher
After struggling to a 4.90 ERA across 90 MLB innings in 2025, Seattle Mariners right-hander Emerson Hancock entered 2026 as an afterthought in the minds of most fantasy managers. However, the 26-year-old has gotten off to a strong start to the year, recording a 3-1 record with a 3.21 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 50 strikeouts across 47 2/3 innings (eight starts). Hancock's underlying metrics support his improvement as well, as his K-BB rate has skyrocketed from 8.6% to 22.2%. The return of Mariners starting pitcher Bryce Miller from an oblique injury that delayed his 2026 debut looked like it might throw a wrench in Hancock's emergence. However, Seattle announced that Miller will piggyback with struggling Mariners veteran Luis Castillo, leaving Hancock's spot in the team's rotation unencumbered. As long as Hancock remains healthy, he could be on the verge of a breakout season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kaelen Culpepper Enjoying a Hot May, Nearing a Promotion to the Majors?
Minnesota Twins infield prospect Kaelen Culpepper weathered a 3-for-27 (.111) slump at the end of April, but has since turned it around, going 13-for-43 (.302) with three doubles, three home runs, and three steals so far in May (10 games). The Twins' second-ranked prospect is now slashing a respectable .253/.345/.460 with eight home runs and eight steals through 36 games at Triple-A. This comes on the heels of a 20-home run, 25-steal performance last year between High-A and Double-A, showcasing his ability to be a potential multi-category contributor for fantasy. The former first-round draft pick could make his MLB Debut in the coming weeks, and with experience at shortstop, second base, and third base, the 23-year-old has multiple paths to get there. He's only eligible at SS in Yahoo! leagues, but is available on nearly all waiver wires, and with his proximity to the majors along with multi-category appeal, the right-handed slugger should be considered one of the top hitters to stash in deeper leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
How Sustainable is Will Warren's Early-Season Improvement?
After allowing six earned runs to the Texas Rangers on May 6, New York Yankees starting pitcher Will Warren bounced back with a strong performance against the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday. The 26-year-old is off to a solid start to 2026 overall, as he's recorded a 5-1 record with a 3.42 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 59 strikeouts across 47 1/3 innings (nine starts). Warren has lowered his walk rate from 9.1% in 2025 to 6.1% in 2026 while simultaneously improving his strikeout rate from 24.1% to 29.8%. He's also allowing less hard contact so far this season, as opponents own a 41.3% hard-hit rate against him after posting a 45.2% hard-hit rate last year. Additionally, Warren's spot in the Yankees' rotation may be more secure after fellow starter Max Fried (elbow) was removed from his start on Wednesday due to elbow soreness. While Warren may not offer elite upside, he looks like a reliable source of strikeouts and innings for fantasy managers in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Can Zack Wheeler Sustain His Strong Start to 2026?
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler's start to the 2026 season was delayed by the shoulder injury that ended his 2025 campaign. Since making his return on April 25, Wheeler has recorded a 2-0 record with a 2.55 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 22 strikeouts across 24 2/3 innings (four starts). By the top line numbers, the 35-year-old has mostly looked like his vintage self. However, there are a few minor red flags in Wheeler's profile. For one, his average fastball velocity currently sits at 94.9 miles per hour, down from 96 mph in 2025. Wheeler's 23.2% strikeout rate is also way down from his 33.3% rate in 2025 and would be his worst mark since the shortened 2020 season. Given Wheeler's extended track record as one of the best pitchers in baseball, he deserves the benefit of the doubt and could simply be rounding into form after a long injury layoff. Still, fantasy managers may want to prepare for potential regression from Wheeler.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
