April 20, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays closer
Jeff Hoffman has struggled mightily thus far during the 2026 season, pitching to the tune of a 7.71 ERA and 2.04 WHIP through 9 1/3 innings pitched. Additionally, he has blown three of his five save opportunities so far this season. Blue Jays' manager, John Schneider, stated on Saturday after Hoffman blew the save in Arizona against the Diamondbacks that he (Hoffman) will continue to remain the team's closer following the game, per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. The man behind Hoffman,
Louis Varland, has been fantastic so far in the 2026 season, with a 0.00 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 11 innings pitched. Hoffman appears to have the manager's trust for now, but needs to start converting on his save opportunities if he wants to keep his job as the closer. Hoffman is coming off a career-high 33 saves in 2025.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: Baseball Savant
April 20, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers reliever
Edwin Diaz continues to struggle thus far in 2026, following an outing on Sunday where he allowed three earned runs on three hits and walked one without recording a single out against the Colorado Rockies. His velocity remains down compared to last season (95.7 mph compared to 97.2 mph in 2025). In addition, his walk rate is up (15.2 percent compared to 8.7 percent in his career), and his strikeout rate is way down (30.3 percent compared to 39.7 percent in his career). Both of those marks would be career-worst for Diaz. On the season, Diaz has converted four of his five save opportunities, but owns a 10.50 ERA and 2.33 WHIP across seven appearances.
Alex Vesia has converted both of his save opportunities, and if Diaz continues to stumble, they may turn to Vesia in the short term. It's still likely the Dodgers' long-term plans are to have Diaz close games, which is evident by his three-year, $69 million contract; however, fantasy managers have the right to be concerned about his performance, especially when most signs point towards the regression being understandable with the decrease in control and velocity.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: Baseball Savant
April 20, 2026
Boston Red Sox left-hander
Garrett Crochet followed up his awful outing on April 13 against the Twins, where he didn't even make it out of the second inning and allowed 10 earned runs, with his second start of the week on Sunday against the Tigers, where he once again struggled mightily. In this outing, he threw only five innings and allowed five earned runs on seven hits, two walks, 11 whiffs, and struck out eight. Following this outing, Crochet now has a 7.88 ERA and 1.63 WHIP, with a 25.9 percent strikeout rate. His velocity on his four-seamer has been down about 1/2 mph compared to 2025, and his SwStr percentage is down to 10.7 percent, compared to 13.7 percent last season and 16.2 percent the season before. While there are signs of optimism for positive regression based on his current numbers (5.29 xERA and 3.57 xFIP), they're still well below what most expected from Crochet coming into the season. He has been allowing hard contact across the board, and fantasy managers have every right to be concerned about his performance thus far. At this point, fantasy managers should be holding or receiving a package that returns fair second-round or late first-round value. Crochet is too valuable and provides too much upside to be selling for pennies on the dollar.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: Baseball Savant
April 20, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander
Louis Varland has been fantastic so far in the 2026 season, with a 0.00 ERA, 16 strikeouts, and 1.00 WHIP in 11 innings pitched. The Minnesota native, Varland, is currently being deployed as the team's high-leverage setup reliever, and with
Jeff Hoffman already blowing three saves in five opportunities, Varland may be emerging as a top handcuff option if Hoffman continues to struggle. Blue Jays' manager, John Schneider, stated on Saturday after Hoffman blew the save in Arizona against the Diamondbacks that he (Hoffman) will continue to remain the team's closer following the game, per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. In addition to the three blown save opportunities, Hoffman also owns a poor 7.71 ERA and 2.04 WHIP through 9 1/3 innings pitched. While Varland doesn't have a history of closing out games, evidenced by his zero saves in his career, he is right up there with Hoffman in terms of having the best stuff in the Blue Jays' bullpen, and in leagues where saves are hard to come by, Varland is someone to keep an eye on.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: Baseball Savant
April 20, 2026
The Minnesota Twins, who just got swept at home over the weekend against the Cincinnati Reds, are calling up their No. 10-ranked prospect,
Kendry Rojas, from Triple-A. Recent reports have suggested that the Twins have been using Rojas in a hybrid role, as both a reliever and a starting pitcher, as evidenced by his two appearances in 2026: one a start and the other a relief appearance. Last season in the minors, Rojas posted a 4.70 ERA and 1.55 WHIP over 69 innings, spread across 19 games and 18 starts. Thus far in 2026, he has not allowed a run in 7 1/3 innings pitched (two appearances and one start). The Twins' bullpen struggled mightily over the weekend, so if Rojas pitches well, he may have a shot at staying with the big league club. From a fantasy standpoint, Rojas should remain on the waiver wire, especially if he is used as a middle reliever.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: MLB Pipeline
April 19, 2026
Philadelphia Phillies No. 1 prospect
Aidan Miller (back) has resumed baseball activities and is expected to begin swinging a bat this week as he recovers from a lower back injury. Miller, the 27th overall pick in the 2023 draft, has yet to make his major league debut but remains one of the organization's top long-term pieces. The young shortstop owns an .817 OPS across his minor league career and has flashed advanced offensive upside. His recovery has moved slowly with limited updates, but Philadelphia will prioritize a full return. There is no official timetable for Miller's next game action.
--Julian BrookeSource: Todd Zolecki
April 19, 2026
Atlanta Braves catcher
Sean Murphy (hip) will start for Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday as he continues his rehab assignment for a right hip labral tear. Murphy previously appeared for High-A Rome and is moving closer to a return in the coming weeks if he avoids setbacks. The veteran opened the season on the 10-day injured list and is expected to reclaim regular catching duties once activated. This is Murphy's third season with Atlanta after arriving in a trade from the Athletics. His production dipped last year, as he slashed .199/.300/.409 with a .709 OPS in 94 games. However, a healthy return would give the Braves a needed boost behind the plate.
--Julian BrookeSource: Chad Bishop
April 19, 2026
Boston Red Sox left-hander
Patrick Sandoval (biceps) experienced discomfort after struggling in his second rehab start for Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, creating another delay in his recovery. Sandoval was scheduled to pitch Sunday, but that outing has been postponed as he returns to Boston for further evaluation. The left-hander has been on the 15-day injured list retroactive to March 22 and has yet to make his debut with the Red Sox. With this new setback, he is expected to return no sooner than May, but that timeline may vary as he receives a full evaluation. Sandoval has not appeared in a major league game since 2024 after missing all of 2025 with an elbow injury. He owns a 4.01 career ERA across six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels.
--Julian BrookeSource: Chris Cotillo
April 19, 2026
Athletics outfielder
Brent Rooker (oblique) has resumed light baseball activity as he works back from a right oblique strain and is expected to travel with the club for its upcoming road trip to Seattle on Monday. Rooker has been sidelined since April and is targeting a late May return if his recovery continues on schedule. The 31-year-old slugger opened the season slowly, slashing .146/.245/.293 in 12 games before landing on the injured list. Rooker remains one of the Athletics' most important power threats after producing 30 or more home runs in each of the last three seasons. His return should provide a needed boost to the top of the lineup.
--Julian BrookeSource: Martín Gallegos
April 19, 2026
Atlanta Braves right-hander
Spencer Strider (oblique) is expected to make his second rehab start Tuesday for Triple-A Gwinnett as he moves closer to a return in early May. Strider has yet to pitch this season while recovering from a left oblique strain, but his first outing was encouraging. He tossed 3 ⅓ scoreless innings for High-A Rome on Thursday and showed strong command throughout the appearance. The 2023 National League All-Star owns elite strikeout upside when healthy and could provide a major lift for Atlanta's rotation. Strider posted a 4.45 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in 23 starts last season, but his fantasy upside remains high once activated.
--Julian BrookeSource: Chad Bishop
April 19, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said outfielder
Corbin Carroll (back) will start in right field on Tuesday after leaving Sunday's game vs. the Blue Jays with back tightness. Carroll went 0-for-2 with a strikeout before exiting in the fourth inning, with
Jorge Barrosa taking over in right field. The quick return suggests Arizona avoided a more serious issue with one of its top stars. Carroll has been excellent early this season, slashing .309/.400/.618 through 19 games. The Diamondbacks are off Monday before opening a three-game series against the White Sox on Tuesday.
--Julian BrookeSource: Alex D’Agostino
April 19, 2026
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher
Didier Fuentes had his start with Triple-A Gwinnett skipped on Sunday. The Braves are in the midst of a stretch of 10 games in 10 days. With that being said, Fuentes could be needed to make a spot start or help out as a long relief option in the bullpen. The 20-year-old has already made one appearance for the Braves this season out of the bullpen. He has looked outstanding as a full-time starter in Triple-A so far this season. If he does get the call to start next week, Fuentes could be an interesting streaming option. He won't be an ideal long-term option with
Spencer Strider (oblique) working his way back soon. Fantasy managers should stay tuned to see if Fuentes is asked to join the big league club this week.
--Andy WebbSource: Mark Bowman
April 19, 2026
Houston Astros starting pitchers
Hunter Brown (shoulder) and
Cristian Javier (shoulder) aren't expected to be back in the mix until late May or early June. Astros general manager Dana Brown told reporters the expected timetable on Sunday, but is hopeful that both pitchers can be back sooner than expected. Both right-handers suffered Grade 2 right shoulder strains within a week of each other. Given the extent of the injury, both pitchers are looking at lengthy buildups. They'll likely need to ramp up throwing sessions before going on multiple rehab starts. Fantasy managers won't have either pitcher back in the mix for at least another month or so. Brown is worth holding through the injury, while Javier can be dropped for a healthy arm.
--Andy WebbSource: Brian McTaggart
April 19, 2026
New York Mets outfielder
Juan Soto (calf) is reportedly on track to return to the lineup for the upcoming homestand. Mets manager
Carlos Mendoza confirmed this news on Sunday, saying that Soto should be back for the homestand starting April 21-30. The plan is for Soto to undergo an MRI to confirm his right calf strain is fully healed. If all goes well, Soto could be activated as early as Tuesday's game for the beginning of the homestand. The superstar slugger has been out for the last two-plus weeks due to a calf strain. His return to the lineup will be a welcoming sight to this Mets team that dropped its 11th straight game on Sunday.
--Andy WebbSource: Laura Albanese
April 19, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder
Corbin Carroll (back) was forced to make an early exit from Sunday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Carroll didn't look right after striking out in the bottom of the third inning. He was later replaced by
Jorge Barrosa to open the fifth inning. The D-Backs are saying that Carroll was pulled due to lower back tightness. He was hitless in two plate appearances before being taken out of the contest. Fantasy managers should consider Carroll as day-to-day until the team gives more information on his status. This shouldn't be something that lands Carroll on the Injured List. If he misses any time, Barrosa will likely see some extra playing time.
--Andy WebbSource: Nick Piecoro
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