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Jose Caballero Will Reclaim Shortstop Job in Bronx When he's Healthy
New York Yankees infielder Jose Caballero (finger) went on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday with a fractured middle finger, but MLB.com's Bryan Hoch reports that he will reclaim the starting shortstop job from Anthony Volpe when he's fully healthy. "He's played as well as anyone out there," manager Aaron Boone said. "So that would be my expectation." Despite dealing with a fractured finger, Boone said the hope is that the speedy Caballero will spend the minimum of 10 days on the IL. "It just depends how he heals up over the next few days. He's got a small fracture in there, but the tendon and ligaments are all good. So we don't think it's going to be long," Boone said. The news makes Volpe less attractive as a waiver-wire pickup in fantasy leagues, even though he's expected to play regularly at the 6 with Caballero sidelined. The 29-year-old Caballero should be held in fantasy leagues where he's rostered after slashing .259/.320/.400 with seven doubles, four homers, 13 RBI, and 13 steals in 41 games. He leads all big-league shortstops with nine defensive runs saved and is mostly useful for his high-end speed in fantasy.
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Kevin McGonigle Flashing Superstar Upside as a Rookie
Detroit Tigers shortstop/third baseman Kevin McGonigle has hit the ground running as a rookie this season, hitting .300/.403/.447 with two home runs, 16 RBI, 26 runs scored, and six stolen bases in his first 176 MLB plate appearances. McGonigle's plate skills are elite for a 21-year-old as he's drawn a walk in 13.6% of his plate appearances while logging just a 12.5% strikeout rate. With an 11.1% barrel rate, McGonigle could also unlock some more power as the weather heats up in Detroit in the summer months. The youngster is already locked into an everyday role at or near the top of the Tigers' lineup, which should allow him to continue to rack up runs and RBI. It's still obviously very early in McGonigle's career, but he looks like a high-floor fantasy producer with the potential to provide value across all five rotisserie categories.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Are Aaron Nola's Days as a Viable Fantasy Starter Over?
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola has struggled mightily through his first eight starts of 2026, posting a 2-3 record with a 5.14 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, and 44 strikeouts across 42 innings. The 32-year-old's issues are a continuation of his down season in 2025, when he logged a 6.01 ERA across 17 starts. Nola's 24% strikeout rate is down from his peak, but remains a manageable figure. However, his 8.2% walk rate is his worst since 2019. The long ball is also a major impediment to success for Nola, as he owns a 1.50 HR/9 after recording a 1.72 HR/9 in 2025. While Nola allowed homers at a high rate even during his peak years, he no longer limits traffic well enough to work around his tendency to get taken deep. Nola's track record of success and his continued ability to rack up strikeouts allow him to maintain some fantasy appeal, but he's prone to a blow-up start at any time at this point in his career.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Michael King Regaining His Prior Form After Injury-Marred 2025 Campaign
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King is off to a strong start to the 2026 season, as he's recorded a 3-2 record with a 2.76 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 45 strikeouts across 45 2/3 innings (eight starts). With an 11.1% walk rate, King's control remains a bit of a concern. However, the 30-year-old has gotten his ground ball rate back up to 45.8% this season after seeing it drop to a career-low 38.3% in 2025. As a result, King's HR/9 has dropped from 1.47 to 0.79, which is more in line with his career rate of 0.95. King was limited to just 15 starts in 2025 by shoulder and knee injuries, so health remains a potential red flag in his profile. Still, as long as King stays on the mound, he should provide reliable production for fantasy managers in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Riley O'Brien Losing His Hold on the Closer Role in St. Louis?
St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Riley O'Brien has emerged as his team's primary closer with a strong start to the 2026 season. Across 19 innings, O'Brien has pitched to a 2.84 ERA and 0.95 WHIP with 23 strikeouts and 11 saves. However, the 31-year-old has run into a bit of a rough patch of late, as he's allowed six earned runs and blown two saves over his last 5 2/3 innings pitched. Even with the recent struggles, O'Brien's ridiculously dominant 29.3% K-BB rate indicates that the downturn is likely a momentary blip. Still, O'Brien does not have a long track record as a closer, which could lead to him being on a shorter leash in the role. Fantasy managers should remain positive on O'Brien's season-long outlook, but his next few appearances are worth monitoring.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brandon Nimmo Leaves Game on Tuesday with Apparent Ankle Injury
Texas Rangers outfielder Brandon Nimmo (ankle) was forced to exit early from his team's matchup on Tuesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks after rolling his ankle in a collision at first base, per Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News. Nimmo originally tried to stay in the game but was eventually pulled. The 33-year-old is off to a strong start to his first season with Texas, hitting .288/.367/.436 with four home runs, 12 RBI, 18 runs scored, and one stolen base across 177 plate appearances. Nimmo has been known to play through injury in the past, as he's logged at least 650 plate appearances in each of the last four seasons. Still, he could now be facing a trip to the injured list. Rangers outfielder Sam Haggerty replaced Nimmo on Tuesday and would likely be in line for more playing time if Nimmo ends up missing games. UPDATE: Nimmo has been diagnosed with a left-ankle sprain.
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Shawn McFarland
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Shawn McFarland
Gregory Soto Earns Fourth Save, Set as Pittsburgh's Primary Closer?
Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Gregory Soto picked up his fourth save of the season on Tuesday in his team's 3-1 win over the Colorado Rockies. Soto allowed two hits and an earned run, but managed to shut the door on the Rockies in the ninth. The 31-year-old is off to an excellent start to the 2026 season, as he's pitched to a 1.69 ERA and 0.71 WHIP with 26 strikeouts across 21 1/2 innings pitched. Soto has also earned saves in three out of his last four appearances and appears to be emerging as the primary closer in Pittsburgh after opening the season in a setup role. In any league where he's not already rostered, Soto profiles as a must-add closer for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Casey Mize Throws Live Batting Practice
Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize (groin) threw a live batting practice session on Monday, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. Mize is on the 15-day injured list due to a right-groin strain, but he might be ready to return shortly after he's eligible to come off the IL on Thursday. He started throwing bullpen sessions over the weekend, and at this right, he could avoid a minor-league rehab assignment before rejoining Detroit's starting rotation. The 29-year-old former first overall pick out of Auburn in the 2018 MLB draft lacks a ton of fantasy upside because of his modest 7.6 career K/9 in 471 innings in the big leagues, but he was pitching well before his injury. In six starts so far in 2026, Mize holds a 2.90 ERA (2.86 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with 35 strikeouts and 11 walks in 31 innings pitched across six starts. Mize is currently rostered in 42% of Yahoo leagues and will definitely be useful as a back-end rotation arm in mixed leagues if he continues to pitch like he has early on.
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Paul Skenes Strikes Out 10 on Tuesday, ERA Drops Under 2.00
Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes made easy work of the visiting Colorado Rockies at PNC Park on Tuesday night for his sixth win of the season. Skenes threw eight shutout innings and only allowed two hits, walking none and striking out 10 to drop his ERA on the season to 1.98. Since his uncharacteristic outlier performance on Opening Day against the New York Mets, when he surrendered five earned runs in just two-thirds of an inning, the two-time All-Star, former National League Rookie of the Year, and last year's NL Cy Young winner has given up a grand total of six earned runs in eight starts. He has thrown 16 shutout innings in his last two starts with 17 strikeouts, no walks, and only four hits allowed. It's safe to say that Skenes has rounded into his dominant self in 2026, and he'll be a no-brainer must-start in all fantasy formats for his next scheduled outing against the struggling Philadelphia Phillies.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jared Jones Goes Four Innings in Third Rehab Start on Tuesday
Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Jared Jones (elbow) looked impressive in his third minor-league rehab start on Tuesday with Double-A Altoona, tossing four scoreless innings with three hits allowed, no walks, and four strikeouts. The 24-year-old former second-round pick in 2020 hasn't shown a dip in velocity during his three rehab starts after having surgery on his right elbow last year, and he threw 36 of his 52 pitches for strikes on Tuesday. Jones is on the 60-day injured list, which means he's not eligible to be reinstated to make his 2026 season debut until later this month. Because of his extended absence, fantasy managers probably shouldn't expect him to rejoin Pittsburgh's starting rotation until early June. He'll have at least a few more starts down on the farm to build up his pitch count. Jones has been overshadowed by pitching phenom Paul Skenes in Pittsburgh, but he was impressive in his 22 starts in his rookie season in 2024 and is one of the better injured pitchers to stash in fantasy leagues. He's currently rostered in 35% of Yahoo leagues as he makes his way back.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Francisco Alvarez Suffers Leg Injury on Tuesday, Leaves in Sixth Inning
New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (leg) left Tuesday's game early against the Detroit Tigers in the sixth inning due to an apparent right-leg injury, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. The last thing the last-place Mets need is another injury to one of their everyday players. Before leaving the contest prematurely, Alvarez went 1-for-2 at the plate with a double, an RBI, and a run scored to boost his average to .241 on the year and his OPS to .710. He was replaced behind the plate at Citi Field by Luis Torrens. It's unclear right now how serious Alvarez's injury is, but the Mets will likely send him for tests after the game. At the very least, he is unlikely to play in Wednesday's contest, and he should be considered day-to-day for now. The 24-year-old Venezuelan backstop came into Tuesday's action hitting a very modest .236/.315/.382 with a .696 OPS, four home runs, nine RBI, and 11 runs scored in 36 games played. If Alvarez requires a stint on the injured list, the Mets would likely call up Hayden Senger from the minors to back up Torrens at catcher. UPDATE: Alvarez is dealing with a right-knee injury.
Source: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
Source: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
Cole Ragans Playing Catch, Still Considered Day-to-Day
Kansas City Royals left-hander Cole Ragans (elbow), who is on the 15-day injured list with a right-elbow impingement, played catch on Sunday and again on Tuesday, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. Manager Matt Quatraro said that both of Ragans' throwing sessions went well, but Tuesday's was better, which is a good sign. He is still considered day-to-day based on how he feels, but the expectation is that Ragans will play catch again on Wednesday. The 28-year-old southpaw isn't expected to have a lengthy stay on the IL, and he should be stashed in all fantasy leagues while he recovers. Ragans, a former first-rounder by the Texas Rangers in 2016, wasn't pitching all that well before his injury -- he went 1-4 with a 4.84 ERA (6.20 FIP) and 1.41 WHIP -- but he also had 45 strikeouts in 35 1/3 innings over his eight starts. He carries intriguing strikeout upside, even though injuries have bothered him since his first All-Star campaign in 2024. Ragans is currently rostered in 93% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
Shohei Ohtani Could Sit as the DH for Two Straight Games
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani will not be in the starting lineup as the designated hitter for Thursday's series finale against the division-rival San Francisco Giants, and the skipper is leaning towards keeping him out of the lineup as a hitter on Wednesday (his pitching start day). Roberts said Ohtani is in need of a reset. "It might be a good thing to take a little bit of a load off his plate offensively," Roberts said. Could two-way duties finally be catching up to Ohtani? The five-time All-Star and four-time MVP has not been himself at the plate through 38 games in 2026, as he enters Tuesday's action slashing .233/.363/.404 with a .767 OPS, six home runs, 16 RBI, 25 runs scored, and five stolen bases through 180 plate appearances. He's been much worse in 10 games in May, going 4-for-36 (.111) with no homers, three RBI, four runs, a steal, four walks, and 10 K's. The left-handed slugger currently sits in the 72nd percentile in hard-hit rate and is in the 85th percentile in xwOBA, so he will most likely turn it around sooner rather than later.
Source: The Athletic - Katie Woo
Source: The Athletic - Katie Woo
Jose Caballero has Fractured Finger
Updating a previous report, the New York Yankees placed infielder/outfielder Jose Caballero (finger) on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday with a right middle-finger fracture. Caballero suffered a fractured finger when he dove back to first base in Sunday's loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, and now he will likely miss at least several weeks. The 29-year-old speedster had been serving as the team's starting shortstop since Opening Day, but now Anthony Volpe is back from the minors to fill that role in the Bronx. The earliest that Caballero can return from the IL will be on May 21. It's unclear as of now if Caballero will return to starting duties at the 6 for the Yanks when his finger is all healed up. Through 41 games before fracturing his finger, Caballero slashed .259/.320/.400 with a .720 OPS, four home runs, 13 RBI, 13 stolen bases, and 18 runs scored across 147 plate appearances. The native of Panama is currently rostered in 77% of Yahoo leagues and is mostly useful in fantasy leagues for his speed on the basepaths.
Source: Yankees PR Department
Source: Yankees PR Department
Luis Robert Jr. "Not Progressing" the Way the Mets Would Like
New York Mets outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (back), who is on the 10-day injured list with a lumbar spine disc herniation, continues to experience symptoms and "is not progressing the way we would like," manager Carlos Mendoza told Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. It doesn't sound like Robert will be back anytime soon, which potentially gives outfield prospect A.J. Ewing a long runway to establish himself in center field in Queens. Given the nature of Robert's injury and his lengthy injury history, we would not be surprised if this ends up being something that wrecks the rest of his first year with the Mets. The 28-year-old Cuban outfielder was struggling offensively before his injury, too, hitting .224 (19-for-85) with two homers, eight RBI, 10 runs, and two steals in 24 games played. Fantasy managers are starting to run out of patience with Robert, who, aside from his 38-homer, 20-steal season in 2023 with the Chicago White Sox, has failed to live up to lofty expectations. It's going to be an extended absence for Robert, who is now rostered in 60% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
Source: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
