RADIO
Ryan Jeffers to Have Hand Surgery, Expected to Miss 6-8 Weeks
Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers (hand) will have surgery to fix a broken hamate bone in his left hand and is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks, general manager Jeremy Zoll told The Athletic's Aaron Gleeman. The Twins placed Jeffers on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday after he injured his hand in an at-bat late in Monday night's win over the visiting Houston Astros. It's a really tough break for Jeffers and the Twins, as he was hitting .295 (36-for-122) this year with seven home runs, 26 RBI, 26 runs scored, a stolen base, a .408 on-base percentage, a .541 slugging percentage, and a .949 OPS in 37 games across 148 plate appearances. In a best-case scenario, Jeffers might be able to return to the big-league roster in early July. In the meantime, veteran Victor Caratini should do most of the catching for the Twins, with Alex Jackson backing him up. Fantasy managers should be looking to avoid the catching situation in Minnesota with Jeffers out for an extended period of time.
Source: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
Source: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
Emmanuel Rodriguez Needs Surgery for UCL Tear in his Thumb
Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez (thumb), who is currently on the seven-day injured list at Triple-A St. Paul, needs surgery after an MRI exam showed a UCL tear in his left thumb, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. It's a tough break for the 23-year-old, who is considered the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline. Rodriguez was hitting .247 (20-for-81) for the Saints with six home runs, 18 RBI, 15 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 25 games across 108 plate appearances at the time of his injury. Thumb injuries have been a problem for him, as he had surgery for a right-thumb injury in 2024 and also missed some time last year with a left-thumb ailment. The Dominican outfielder is quickly losing steam in dynasty/keeper leagues as a stash candidate due to durability concerns. Rodriguez has yet to play in 100 games down on the farm in a single season since he became a professional in 2021. His most recent thumb injury could very well cost him the rest of the 2026 season.
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Byron Buxton Returning to Twins Lineup on Tuesday Night
Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) is returning to the team's starting lineup on Tuesday night against the visiting Houston Astros and right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. at Target Field, according to Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic. Buxton is finally back in action after missing almost a full week due to soreness in his right hip flexor. Fantasy managers will be hoping that the 32-year-old veteran can pick up where he left off after he clubbed two home runs in his last game against the Miami Marlins last week. The two-time All-Star has picked things up in May, going 13-for-46 (.283) with seven home runs, two doubles, 12 RBI, 10 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 11 games. Buxton has hit .260/.319/.580 overall in 2026 with an .899 OPS, 15 long balls, 23 RBI, 33 runs scored, and four stolen bases in his 169 at-bats. He has also hit .600 with a 1.867 OPS in a small sample size of five career at-bats against McCullers.
Source: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
Source: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
Alejandro Kirk Not Quite Ready for a Rehab Assignment
Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk (thumb) "continues to progress," but he isn't taking full batting practice yet and still feels his thumb a bit when swinging, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. Kirk caught right-hander Shane Bieber's (elbow) side session and is catching, throwing, and hitting. "By the end of the week, we'll have a better feel" for when he might be cleared to begin a rehab assignment, according to manager John Schneider. The 27-year-old Mexican backstop is recovering from a fractured left thumb. Kirk had surgery on his thumb and had a screw inserted into his hand. It remains to be seen when exactly Kirk will come off the 10-day injured list, but if he continues to make progress, he could return to Toronto before the end of May. Until then, Tyler Heineman and Brandon Valenzuela will continue to split the catching duties for the Jays. Kirk went 3-for-20 (.150) with a homer in five games before getting hurt this year, but the two-time All-Star can provide modest power at the weak catching position in fantasy when he's healthy. He's currently rostered in 26% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
Source: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
Mets Move Clay Holmes to 60-Day Injured List With Fractured Fibula
The New York Mets announced on Tuesday that they moved right-hander Clay Holmes (leg) to the 60-day injured list after he suffered a fractured right fibula when he took a comebacker off his leg during his start over the weekend against his former team, the New York Yankees. He has been shut down from all baseball activities for the next six to eight weeks and won't be eligible to return to the big-league starting rotation until mid-August. Although the 33-year-old veteran's underlying metrics suggested that regression was coming, he looked good for the Mets in his first nine starts of 2026, going 4-4 with a 2.39 ERA (3.22 FIP) and 1.10 WHIP with 45 strikeouts and 18 walks over 52 2/3 innings pitched. Because of his long-term injury, he's already been dropped in a lot of fantasy leagues and is currently rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues. Left-handed pitching prospect Zach Thornton will get the first crack at trying to fill Holmes' starting rotation spot in the big leagues, but Jack Wenninger and Jonah Tong might also get opportunities.
Source: New York Mets
Source: New York Mets
Kyle Schwarber Still Under the Weather, Out on Tuesday
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder/designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (illness) is out of the starting lineup for a second straight game on Tuesday against the visiting Cincinnati Reds with an illness, according to MLB.com. Shortstop Trea Turner will serve as the DH and will bat leadoff, while Edmundo Sosa will make the start at the 6 and hit seventh against Reds right-hander Chase Burns at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies will give the three-time All-Star another day off. Hopefully, the 33-year-old veteran will be back in the lineup for Wednesday's contest against Cincy. Schwarber continues to mash baseballs well over the fence in 2026 in his 12th year in the big leagues. He currently leads all of baseball with 20 home runs and has also contributed 36 RBI in 47 games across 213 plate appearances. He's been on a homer binge since May 7, going 13-for-43 (.302) with nine homers, a double, 16 RBI, 10 runs scored, and a stolen base in 10 games played. When Schwarber returns to action, fantasy managers will want to throw him right back into all starting lineups. Hopefully, his illness doesn't slow him down at the plate at all.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Hagen Smith's Strikeout Potential Warrants Stash Consideration
Chicago White Sox pitching prospect Hagen Smith struck out another six batters in his latest start at Triple-A and allowed just one earned run on two hits, but his command issue reared it's head again, with the southpaw walking five batters, resulting in an exit after only 3 2/3 innings pitched (75 pitches). Chicago's fourth-ranked prospect has flashed strong strikeout potential over the last two seasons between Double-A and Triple-A, punching out 33.2 percent of batters faced, however, a gaudy 17.6 percent walk rate over that same period shows there is still work to be done. The former fifth-overall draft pick is limiting opponents to a .171 batting average, but a 3.90 ERA (4.16 FIP) and 13.8 percent K-BB% could delay his call-up to the majors. Even so, the 22-year-old is expected to make a debut at some point this season, and with his elite strikeout potential, the lefty should be viewed as one of the top prospect pitchers to stash.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Agustin Ramirez Worth Stashing Ahead of Potential Return?
Miami Marlins catcher Agustin Ramirez has emerged as a base-stealing threat at Triple-A, making him an intriguing fantasy stash ahead of his eventual return to the majors. Ramirez was optioned to Triple-A on May 4 after slashing .230/.318/.345 with two homers, three steals, and 87 wRC+ in the majors. His slash line in Jacksonville isn't any better (.206/.270/.235), and he's striking out more (27.0%) with a lower walk rate (5.4%). With that being said, he has shown glimpses of impressive speed, stealing four bases in just eight games. We fully expect to see Ramirez back in the majors this year, so his ability to steal bases could be enough to get him back on the fantasy radar, especially at the catcher position, where speed can be hard to come by.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ronald Acuna Jr. Back in the Lineup on Tuesday
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (hamstring) is in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Miami Marlins. He'll bat leadoff as the designated hitter against Marlins southpaw Braxton Garrett. Acuna is making his return from a two-week absence that included a stint on the 10-day injured list. Prior to injuring his hamstring on May 3, he was slashing .252/.362/.378 with two homers, seven RBI, a 13.2% walk rate, a 20.4% strikeout rate, and 111 wRC+. Acuna hasn't been as effective with the bat in his hands this season compared to years past, but he's still an above-average hitter with a nice blend of power and speed. With that said, injuries have continued to plague him, as he hasn't played 100+ games in a season since 2023, when he played 159 games while slugging 41 homers and stealing 73 bases. Acuna ranks #8 among outfielders in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
On the Doorstep to Majors, George Lombard Jr. Enters Stash Conversation
New York Yankees shortstop prospect George Lombard Jr.'s bat has cooled since being greeted by Triple-A pitching, going just 9-for-59 (.153) without a single extra-base hit over his first 16 games at that level. On the bright side, the Yankees' top-ranked prospect has shown a supremely keen eye, drawing 17 walks (21.8 percent) compared to only 12 strikeouts (15.4 percent), and has stolen three bases. Recently-activated Anthony Volpe has a pair of multi-hit games over his last two contests, and Jose Caballero (finger) could soon return from the injured list, so a big league debut doesn't appear to be imminent, but that could change quickly. If Volpe falters or Caballero encounters a setback, Lombard's chance could be next. With a fantasy-friendly toolset, the soon-to-be-21-year-old should be on the stash radar.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Ralphy Velazquez Headed to Triple-A, Officially on the Stash Radar?
The Cleveland Guardians have promoted first base prospect Ralphy Velazquez to Triple-A, according to Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com. Velazquez was the Guardians' first-round pick in 2023, signing for $2.5 million out of Huntington Beach High School in California. It's a much-deserved promotion for the left-handed hitter, who was slashing .317/.414/.566 with seven home runs, a 13.0% walk rate, a 18.3% strikeout rate, and 159 wRC+ in Double-A. He has 29 homers over his last 158 minor league games, reminding fans and fantasy managers of his impressive power. Although the Guardians won't rush his development, it seems likely that he'll make his MLB debut this season if he continues to hit well at Triple-A. Once he reaches the majors, his power-hitting profile will make him a worthwhile first baseman to roster in fantasy baseball leagues.
Source: Paul Hoynes
Source: Paul Hoynes
Mike Sirota Earns the Call to Double-A, On Fast Track to Major Leagues?
Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect Mike Sirota has been promoted to Double-A, suggesting that he could be on the fast track to making his MLB debut. Sirota was the Reds' third-round pick in 2024, but Cincinnati traded him to the Dodgers in exchange for Gavin Lux in January 2025. As we've become accustomed to with Dodgers prospects, Sirota has emerged as a superstar at the plate in the minor leagues. Across 35 games at High-A this year, he slashed .325/.478/.602 with seven homers, eight steals, a 20.1% walk rate, a 22.6% strikeout rate, and 177 wRC+. The Northeastern product has been an above-average hitter everywhere he's played, so we would expect Double-A to be no different. If he excels at the plate in Tulsa, Sirota could fast-track to Triple-A this year, and the majors either this year or early next year. The 22-year-old is already an intriguing dynasty stash because of the offensive upside that he boasts.
Source: MiLB
Source: MiLB
Braden Montgomery Entering Must-Stash Territory with Performance at Triple-A
Chicago White Sox outfield prospect Braden Montgomery has appeared unfazed by his transition to Triple-A pitching, going 15-for-50 (.300) over his first 12 games, with three doubles, two home runs, and a stolen base thus far. A 26.8 percent strikeout rate is on the high side, but mostly unchanged from the 25.4 percent rate he recorded in 27 games at Double-A, while the Texas A&M product is drawing walks at an average rate of 8.9 percent. The switch-hitter showed some power (12 home runs) and some speed (14 steals) in 2025, and if he can continue to produce at Triple-A, a promotion to the big league club looks likely by midseason. With his all-around skillset, Chicago's second-ranked prospect is a worthwhile stash option in deeper leagues for his potential to contribute across multiple categories.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Homerless Drought Continues for Charlie Condon, Still a Stash Option?
Colorado Rockies corner infield/outfield prospect Charlie Condon continues to tread water at Triple-A Albuquerque, collecting a hit in eight of his last 10 games but going just 9-for-42 (.214) over that span with a 36.2 percent strikeout rate. The former third-overall draft pick has a superb 19.7 percent chase rate (88th percentile) that's allowed him to draw walks at a strong 15.3 percent clip, and still has plenty of pop in his bat, with a max exit velocity this season of 112.6 percent (91st percentile), but he likely needs to get the strikeouts under control to see his average start to creep back up and get back on track in the power department. The 6-foot-5 slugger has now gone 27 straight games without a home run after belting four in his first 10 contests. For the season, the 23-year-old is slashing .232/.369/.366, so he's not pushing the issue for a promotion, and the Colorado starters are probably doing enough to hold off the youngster's debut a while longer, but Condon could be called up sometime in June, so managers in deep leagues looking for a power bat should still consider stashing the UGA product ahead of time.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Bryce Eldridge Falling Out of Role in Giants Lineup?
San Francisco Giants first baseman Bryce Eldridge has struggled to earn consistent playing time lately, and that trend could continue going forward. Justice delos Santos of The Mercury News reports that Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey acknowledges Eldridge hasn't been afforded consistent playing time, which could be impacting his ability to get into a routine. When asked if Eldridge could be sent to Triple-A to get more consistent reps, Posey said the team will "just watch what's going on out here and make different decisions as we think they're necessary." That answer doesn't provide much clarity, but it does seem to suggest that Eldridge isn't quite ready for an everyday role in the major leagues. The stats say similar, as the first base prospect is slashing just .143/.226/.250 with one home run, a 9.7% walk rate, a 32.3% strikeout rate, and 28 wRC+ through nine games. His stock is falling in fantasy baseball, and he's now rostered in just 5% of leagues.
Source: Justice delos Santos
Source: Justice delos Santos
