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Spencer Jones Emerging as a Potential Stash Option Following Major-League Injury
New York Yankees outfield prospect Spencer Jones turns 25 years old in mid-May, but he's still awaiting an opportunity to make his MLB debut. That opportunity may soon present itself, as Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (calf) is currently on the injured list, and Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez (shoulder, head) may soon be joining him after colliding with the left field wall on Thursday. Per MLB.com's Bryan Hoch, Dominguez has been placed in concussion protocol and will also undergo an MRI on his left shoulder. Jones hit 35 home runs across 506 minor league plate appearances in 2025 and is off to another strong start at Triple-A in 2026, hitting .258/.366/.592 with 11 home runs, 41 RBI, 25 runs scored, and seven stolen bases. Batting average is a major concern for Jones, as he owns a 32.4% strikeout rate this season and struck out in 36.6% of his Triple-A plate appearances in 2025. Still, he offers significant power and speed upside if he gets a shot with the Yankees. Fantasy managers should monitor for updates on both Dominguez and Jones in the coming days.
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Colt Emerson Homers Wednesday, Getting Closer to MLB Debut?
Seattle Mariners shortstop prospect Colt Emerson went 3-for-5 with two singles, one home run, and three RBI during a Triple-A game on Wednesday. It's been a relatively modest year at the plate for Emerson, who is slashing .241/.336/.463 with five homers, seven steals, and a 100 wRC+. Still, he represents the future in Seattle, especially after signing an eight-year extension earlier this spring. Because of that enormous contractual commitment, the Mariners may feel incentivized to call him up for his MLB debut sooner rather than later. Even though the numbers at the plate haven't been amazing, his performance on Wednesday -- coupled with above-average defense all year long -- could be enough to move the needle within the Mariners' front office. J.P. Crawford has shortstop locked down, but Emerson could presumably play a healthy dose of games at second or third base in the majors. Because he's getting closer to his MLB debut, managers should strongly consider stashing Emerson in fantasy baseball.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Shea Langeliers Returning to the Athletics on Thursday
Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers (paternity) is back with the team on Thursday, per Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. Langeliers was placed on the paternity list by the Athletics on Monday and has been out of the lineup for each of his team's last two games as a result. The 28-year-old is off to a scorching start to the 2026 season, hitting .336/.390/.627 with 10 home runs, 18 RBI, and 24 runs scored across 146 plate appearances. Langeliers appears likely to be back in the Athletics' lineup for their game on Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies and profiles as a must-start catcher across all fantasy formats.
Source: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
Source: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
Cole Young Emerging as a Breakout Second Baseman to Target on the Waiver Wire
After struggling to a .607 OPS across his first 257 MLB plate appearances in 2025, Seattle Mariners second baseman Cole Young appears to have turned a corner in his sophomore campaign. Across 149 plate appearances in 2026, the 22-year-old is hitting .276/.342/.403 with three home runs, 20 RBI, 20 runs scored, and two stolen bases. Young has raised his barrel rate from 5.6% to 8.1%, and his hard-hit rate from 31.3% to 41.4%. The lefty-swinging Young has also more than held his own against same-handed pitching, hitting .283/.306/.478 against southpaws. Young's batting average could be at risk of regression, as his strikeout rate is up from 18.3% in 2025 to 24.2% in 2026. He's also currently benefiting from an elevated.354 batting average on balls in play. Still, Young has taken over as the unquestioned everyday second baseman in Seattle and offers a well-rounded profile that makes him an appealing waiver wire target for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tarik Skubal Could Return in 4-6 Weeks After Successful Elbow Surgery
Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal's left-elbow surgery was such a success on Wednesday that he could start working out within days, and a two-month timetable is even seen as a conservative estimate for the two-time Cy Young winner to return, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Skubal returning in four to six weeks is now possible after he had one relatively small loose body removed from his elbow. The 29-year-old All-Star had arthroscopic surgery with Dr. Neal ElAttrache. We should have a more concrete timetable for when Skubal might rejoin Detroit's starting rotation once he resumes a throwing program, but this is great news all around for the Tigers and fantasy managers. Even though Skubal will miss over a month after going under the knife, he must be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy baseball leagues. Skubal wasn't striking out batters at an elite rate in his first seven starts of 2026, but he still had a nice 2.70 ERA and 0.95 WHIP with 45 strikeouts and only six walks in 43 1/3 innings pitched.
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman
Salvador Perez Nursing Sore Hip, May Not Catch This Weekend
Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro is unsure if catcher Salvador Perez (hip) will catch this weekend in the series against the division-rival Detroit Tigers because he's still nursing a sore hip, according to Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star. "I don't think so. I think we want to take it cautiously. But we're talking to him every day. But for right now, that wouldn't be my plan," Quatraro said. Perez's hip soreness isn't serious enough to keep him out of the lineup, though, as he's serving as the designated hitter and is batting cleanup for Thursday's series finale against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians and right-hander Slade Cecconi. The 35-year-old veteran is hitting just over the Mendoza Line on the year, but of late, he's gone 13-for-44 (.295) with two home runs, two doubles, 11 RBI, and eight runs scored in his last 11 games since April 25. Durability is going to be an issue for the aging Venezuelan, and he could require more DH days throughout the year in his 15th year in the big leagues.
Source: The Kansas City Star - Jaylon T. Thompson
Source: The Kansas City Star - Jaylon T. Thompson
Noah Cameron to Throw a Bullpen on Thursday, Could Start on Sunday
Kansas City Royals left-hander Noah Cameron (back) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Thursday, and how he responds/recovers from it will determine his readiness for a potential start on Sunday against the division-rival Detroit Tigers, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. The Royals have Sunday's starter against Detroit currently listed as TBA. The 26-year-old southpaw was scratched from his last start on Tuesday against the Cleveland Guardians with back tightness, but it's not considered a serious injury. If he can get through his bullpen session on Thursday without any further issues, he should be cleared to take the ball next on Sunday against the Tigers. If Cameron makes the start on Sunday, fantasy managers should be looking to fade him after his back injury. The Tigers rank 10th in baseball with a team OPS of .718, and Cameron hasn't exactly been great so far in his six starts for KC this year, posting a 5.40 ERA and 1.61 WHIP with 28 strikeouts and 11 walks in 31 2/3 innings pitched.
Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
Ryan Waldschmidt Hit in the Head by a Pitch in the Minors
Preston Salisbury of AZSnakePit.com reports that Arizona Diamondbacks outfield prospect Ryan Waldschmidt (head) was hit square on the side of the helmet by a fastball during Tuesday's game with Triple-A Reno. Waldschmidt stayed in the game initially before being removed, and he was held out of Wednesday's contest as a precaution. It's unclear if Waldschmidt is in the league's concussion protocol or if he's dealing with concussion-like symptoms, but it's an injury to follow up on for fantasy managers already stashing the outfield prospect in dynasty/keeper leagues. In redraft leagues, the D-backs' top-ranked prospect, per MLB Pipeline, is also a stash candidate with his MLB debut expected to come at some point in 2026. Before his head injury this week, the 23-year-old former first-rounder in 2024 out of Kentucky was hitting .285/.400/.480 with an .880 OPS, three homers, 21 RBI, 30 runs scored, and six steals in 33 games for Reno. Waldschmidt is currently rostered in only 4% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: AZSnakePit.com - Preston Salisbury
Source: AZSnakePit.com - Preston Salisbury
Matthew Boyd has Successful Knee Surgery, Could Miss Around a Month
Chicago Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd (knee) had a successful partial left-knee menisectomy on Thursday, according to the team. Jesse Rogers of ESPN reports that there's no official timetable for Boyd yet, but he could return in the range of around a "month or so." The Cubs placed the veteran left-hander on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday after it was announced he needed a full repair of his meniscus. It's unclear as of now who will take Boyd's spot in Chicago's starting rotation, but right-handers Javier Assad and Ben Brown, and lefty Jordan Wicks (elbow) are all options. None of them are particularly intriguing for fantasy purposes outside of deeper leagues for desperate managers in need of starting depth. Boyd is having a rough go of it so far in 2026 in his 12th year in the big leagues. He's 2-1 to begin the season with a 6.00 ERA, although his 2.39 FIP suggests he's been dealt some bad luck. Boyd also has a 1.29 WHIP with 31 strikeouts and only six walks in 24 innings pitched over his five starts. He's currently rostered in 63% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
Mick Abel Receives Cortisone Injection After Feeling Triceps Soreness
Minnesota Twins right-hander Mick Abel (elbow, triceps) felt soreness in his triceps muscle after throwing a simulated game on Saturday and received a cortisone shot, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. Abel is currently on the 15-day injured list due to right-elbow inflammation. The Twins plan to re-evaluate him on Tuesday. It's a setback that will push the 24-year-old's return back. Before his injury, Abel had joined the Twins' starting rotation and had gone 1-2 with a 3.98 ERA (2.79 FIP), 1.57 WHIP, and 23:10 K:BB in 20 1/3 innings pitched over four appearances (three starts). After allowing nine earned runs in his first 7 1/3 innings pitched in his first two outings of 2026, Abel had cleaned things up with 13 scoreless innings over his two most recent starts, with 16 strikeouts to earn some consideration off the waiver wire in fantasy baseball formats. Abel is currently rostered in 19% of Yahoo leagues, but a serious setback could ruin his chances of a potential breakout this year. Check back next week for an update on the former Phillies prospect.
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Pete Fairbanks has "Very Encouraging" Bullpen Session
Miami Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said that right-handed closer Pete Fairbanks (hand) had a "very encouraging" bullpen session on Wednesday and that Fairbanks was surprised at how well the ball came out of his hand, according to Marlins reporter Jeremy Tache. "It's a very, very, very good day for us," McCullough said. It was the first time that Fairbanks threw off a mound since the Marlins placed him on the 15-day injured list with nerve irritation in his right hand on April 28. It's something that caused him to miss three weeks back in 2024, but Fairbanks doesn't think the issue is as serious this time around. Because he should return as the team's primary closer when he's healthy, Fairbanks deserves to be stashed in most fantasy baseball leagues. He's currently rostered in 70% of Yahoo leagues. As of now, the Fish are hoping that Fairbanks can return around when he's eligible to be reinstated from the IL. The 32-year-old veteran has struggled so far in 2026 in his first year in South Beach, allowing 10 earned runs on nine hits while walking four, striking out 13, and picking up five saves in nine innings pitched.
Source: Jeremy Tache
Source: Jeremy Tache
Jorge Soler Deserves to Be Rostered in More Leagues
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jorge Soler is only rostered in 49% of Yahoo leagues right now. Fantasy managers in need of power should definitely give him a look. The 34-year-old power hitter is never going to be an asset in batting average -- he's currently hitting .238 (29-for-122) -- but he's also sporting an .818 OPS with eight long balls, a team-high 28 RBI, and 19 runs scored in his first 34 games for the Halos. Since April 24 (a span of 12 games), Soler has gone 12-for-43 (.279) with three home runs, two doubles, nine RBI, and six runs scored with a 13:6 K:BB. Additionally, he has a strong .373 on-base percentage and .535 slugging percentage during this span. Soler has struggled to stay healthy during his career and tends to be streaky, but right now, he's been pretty consistent, and he deserves to be rostered in more than half of fantasy baseball leagues. If you need power, look no further than Soler.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Reid Detmers Worth a Look Off the Waiver Wire?
Los Angeles Angels left-hander Reid Detmers is coming off a quality start in his last outing in a win over the New York Mets on May 2 and deserves some attention off the waiver wire from fantasy managers looking for a boost in strikeouts. The 26-year-old southpaw is 1-2 on the season with a 4.28 ERA (2.81 FIP) and 1.15 WHIP with 44 strikeouts and only nine walks in 40 innings pitched over his seven starts. He was cruising through six innings in his last outing against the Mets before allowing two runs and leaving with the bases loaded. Still, he threw 68 of his 95 pitches for strikes and induced 16 swings and misses. Detmers has the swing-and-miss stuff to be successful if he can command the baseball as he has so far in 2026. He has gone into the seventh inning in four of his seven outings as well, providing plenty of length for fantasy managers. You should certainly consider at least streaming him in his next scheduled outing this weekend versus the Toronto Blue Jays, a team with a .690 OPS, which ranks 25th in baseball.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
CJ Abrams has Grand Night, Continues to Hit the Ball Hard
Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams has been punishing baseballs this year, and that continued in the team's 15-2 blowout win over the visiting Minnesota Twins. Abrams went 3-for-5 at the plate with a grand slam, two doubles, five RBI, and two runs scored to boost his season average to .299 and his OPS to .960. The 25-year-old hit the second grand slam of his career in the bottom of the eighth inning. The 25-year-old former sixth overall pick by the San Diego Padres in 2019 now has a .401 on-base percentage in 36 games this year and has added nine home runs, a league-high 33 RBI, seven stolen bases, and 21 runs scored across 152 plate appearances. Abrams has been even better of late, going 12-for-30 (.400) with two home runs, three doubles, 12 RBI, six runs scored, and two stolen bases in eight games since April 28. Keep riding his hot bat while it lasts.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jack Flaherty Punches Out 10, Takes Tough-Luck Loss to Red Sox
Detroit Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty struck out a season-high 10 batters on Wednesday night against the visiting Boston Red Sox, but he was still handed his third loss of the season in the team's 4-0 shutout loss at Comerica Park. Flaherty went five innings, allowing four runs (two earned) on three hits while also walking just one. The 30-year-old veteran is winless on the campaign so far, but his outing on Wednesday evening was an encouraging one after he allowed 10 earned runs in 5 2/3 innings in his previous two starts versus the Cincinnati Reds and Texas Rangers. Flaherty now holds a 5.56 ERA (5.32 FIP) and 1.65 WHIP with 42 strikeouts and a league-high 26 walks in 34 innings pitched across his eight starts to begin the 2026 season. He also leads the league with five hit-by-pitches, so clearly, control has been an issue for Flaherty early on. He'll be in play as a streaming option for fantasy managers his next time out against the struggling New York Mets.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
