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Garrett Crochet Throws Two-Inning Bullpen Session on Wednesday
Boston Red Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet (shoulder) threw two innings during an up-and-down bullpen session on Wednesday, according to Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. Crochet said he will throw a brief side session on either Friday or Saturday before throwing his first live batting practice session next week. The 26-year-old southpaw was placed on the 15-day injured list with left-shoulder inflammation on April 29. Crochet isn't very happy with where his mechanics are at right now and said he still has "a lot of boxes to check in terms of workload and time to really iron those things out." Facing live hitters next week will give him a better idea of where he's at in his progression. Crochet said he expects to need more than one live BP session before going on a minor-league rehab assignment, so the two-time All-Star isn't exactly close to rejoining the BoSox's starting rotation. The talented left-hander was second in the American League Cy Young voting in 2025 in his first year in Boston, but he got off to a rough start in his first six starts this year with a 6.30 ERA and 1.47 WHIP. Still, Crochet is a must-stash in all fantasy baseball leagues.
Source: MassLive.com - Christopher Smith
Source: MassLive.com - Christopher Smith
Jackson Merrill Tweaks his Back on Wednesday, Pulled Early
San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill (back) appeared to tweak his back while leaping up against the fence while going after Shohei Ohtani's leadoff home run in the first inning at Petco Park in Wednesday's series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers and was pulled from the game, according to Alden Gonzalez of ESPN. Merrill struck out in his only plate appearance before being replaced in center field by Bryce Johnson in the fifth inning. The Padres can ill-afford an injury to one of their best hitters and best defenders. For now, we'll consider Merrill day-to-day, but we should have a better idea of his status going forward after he undergoes some imaging. San Diego has a scheduled day off on Thursday before starting a three-game series against the Athletics on Friday night, but Merrill might not be ready to go for that one. If Merrill is forced to miss significant time, Johnson would likely see an uptick in playing time in center field, which would be a massive downgrade for the Friars. Merrill has yet to repeat his strong rookie season in 2024, when he hit 24 homers, drove in 90, and stole 16 bases, and he entered Wednesday's contest with a weak .205/.275/.324 slash line, four homers, 19 RBI, nine steals, and 23 runs in 46 games.
Source: ESPN.com - Alden Gonzalez
Source: ESPN.com - Alden Gonzalez
Edward Cabrera Leaves Early on Wednesday With Middle-Finger Blister
Chicago Cubs right-hander Edward Cabrera (finger) left his start early on Wednesday against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers with a right middle-finger blister, according to Jared Wyllys of CHGO Sports. Cabrera got through only three innings on Wednesday, allowing four runs (one earned) on four hits while walking two and striking out two to take his second loss of the season. It could be worse, but Cabrera is now in danger of missing his next scheduled start next Tuesday in Pittsburgh against the Pirates. The 28-year-old Dominican hurler has been inconsistent in his first year with the Cubbies, as he came into his start on Wednesday with a 3-1 record, 4.06 ERA (4.51 FIP), and 1.31 WHIP with 45 strikeouts and 18 walks in 51 innings pitched across nine starts. Fantasy managers should consider Cabrera day-to-day and check back in a few days to see how he's progressing with his blister. Cabrera faced the Pirates in his third start of the year back on April 11 at Wrigley Field and allowed three earned runs with three walks and four strikeouts in five innings for a no-decision.
Source: CHGO Sports - Jared Wyllys
Source: CHGO Sports - Jared Wyllys
Astros to Promote 16th-Ranked Prospect Alimber Santa to MLB Roster
The Houston Astros have called up right-handed relief pitcher Alimber Santa, the team's 16th-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline, from Triple-A Sugar Land to the major-league roster, according to MLB insider Hector Gomez. The 23-year-old Dominican hurler got the call to the majors after going 4-2 with a 1.42 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, two saves, and a 24:7 K:BB in 19 relief innings at Sugar Land this year. It's unclear exactly what role Santa will have in the big-league bullpen, but the Astros are still without left-handed closer Josh Hader (biceps) and Bennett Sousa (elbow). Bryan Abreu got off to a rough start in 2026 as the preferred closing choice to begin the regular season, opening the door for Bryan King in the ninth inning. However, Abreu has bounced back of late and has recorded the team's last two saves, dating back to last Saturday. At best, Santa will most likely operate in a setup role in his big-league debut in Houston's bullpen.
Source: Hector Gomez
Source: Hector Gomez
Thomas White Placed on 7-Day Injured List, Still Holding High-End Stash Value?
According to MiLB.com, Miami Marlins top pitching prospect Thomas White (undisclosed) has been placed on the 7-day injured list. This is a tough blow for the budding ace, as it appeared the young left-hander was in serious consideration to make his MLB debut in the immediate future. With Robby Snelling recently moved to the 15-day IL and Braxton Garrett optioned to Triple-A, White appeared to be the next man up. However, the young lefty will be out at least the next week on the injured list. White was in contention to break camp with the MLB roster, but an oblique injury in camp hindered his chances. After a short stint on the IL to begin the season, he has since returned to Triple-A and logged 18 2/3 innings to the tune of a 4.34 ERA and 25 punchouts. While his short-term value did take a hit, he remains in the mix to make his MLB debut later this season and is still worth stashing in deeper 12+ team formats.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Jonah Tong is a Possibility to Earn MLB Start
New York Mets right-handed pitching prospect Jonah Tong is a "possibility to start" a game in Miami this weekend against the division-rival Marlins to give extra rest to the starting rotation, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post. Tong was scratched from his scheduled start for Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday, leading to speculation that he was on the verge of being called up to the major leagues for the first time in 2026. The 22-year-old Canadian, who is the Mets' No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, made his big-league debut in 2025 and struggled in five starts, allowing 20 runs (16 earned) on 24 hits (three homers) while walking nine and striking out 22 in 18 2/3 innings. Tong hasn't exactly been lights-out at Syracuse this year, either, with a 1-3 record, 5.68 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and 24 walks in 38 innings, but he also has 55 strikeouts in nine starts. The Mets are looking for an arm to stabilize their rotation with Clay Holmes (leg) out for the foreseeable future, and Tong could be that guy. Tong's funky mechanics have proven difficult to repeat, but if he figures it out, he will be a fast riser in the fantasy community.
Source: New York Post - Mike Puma
Source: New York Post - Mike Puma
Jose Berrios Undergoes Full Tommy John Surgery
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Jose Berrios (elbow) underwent full Tommy John surgery, manager John Schneider told Hazel Mae of Sportsnet. Additionally, Berrios had a stress fracture in his right elbow fixed, and he will now miss the entire 2026 campaign and probably at least the first half of the 2027 campaign. All the innings that the 31-year-old Puerto Rican hurler has racked up over the years have finally caught up with him. The two-time All-Star began to show signs of decline last year in Toronto, posting a 4.17 ERA (4.65 FIP) and 1.30 WHIP with 138 strikeouts and 56 walks in 166 innings pitched across 31 regular-season outings (30 starts). Not only is durability now a major question mark, but when healthy, Berrios struggled with control, a lack of velocity, and keeping the ball in the yard. He was left off last year's postseason roster during the start of his elbow problems, and now we won't see Berrios in the big leagues for at least another full year. He can safely be dropped in all single-year fantasy formats, if he wasn't already.
Source: Sportsnet - Hazel Mae
Source: Sportsnet - Hazel Mae
Gleyber Torres Still Unable to Swing at Full Speed
Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres (oblique) continues to do pre-game fielding drills, but manager A.J. Hinch said that swinging is the hurdle right now, according to Evan Woodbery of MLive.com. Torres is unable to swing at full speed yet, and playing at 75 or 80 percent is not feasible and could aggravate his left-oblique injury. It's why the team's starting second baseman hasn't been able to start a minor-league rehab assignment this week. The 29-year-old Venezuelan infielder could still be back in the Tigers' starting lineup before the end of the month if he can resume swinging a bat at full speed sooner rather than later. In the meantime, Zach McKinstry and Hao-Yu Lee will continue to form a platoon at the keystone in Motown. Torres is currently rostered in just over half of Yahoo leagues, but he's worth an injury stash if you need a boost at second base in leagues that count on-base percentage. The three-time All-Star is slashing .259/.389/.328 with only two home runs, 11 RBI, and 18 runs scored through his first 32 games in 2026 in his second year with the Tigers.
Source: MLive.com - Evan Woodbery
Source: MLive.com - Evan Woodbery
Brandon Nimmo Pulled Early With Hamstring Tightness
Texas Rangers outfielder Brandon Nimmo (hamstring) exited Wednesday's series finale in Denver early against the Colorado Rockies with right-hamstring tightness, according to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. After a single in the fifth inning, manager Skip Schumaker and a trainer went to check on Nimmo before pulling him from the game. Before leaving, Nimmo went 1-for-3 in the contest with a single. He was replaced in right field by Alejandro Osuna. The 33-year-old veteran has missed a few games with the same balky hamstring since the beginning of April, so we wouldn't be surprised if the Rangers place him on the injured list so that he can fully recover. Going into Wednesday's game, the former first-rounder was hitting .272/.353/.422 with a .775 OPS, five home runs, 16 RBI, 21 runs, and a stolen base in 180 at-bats in his first year with the Rangers. Nimmo is a multi-category contributor in fantasy and is known as an on-base machine, making him relevant in all fantasy leagues. If he were to miss extended time, Osuna could see regular playing time in right field against righties.
Source: MLB.com - Kennedi Landry
Source: MLB.com - Kennedi Landry
Ernie Clement Returns From Illness on Wednesday
Toronto Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement (illness) is starting at second base and is batting sixth on Wednesday against the hosting New York Yankees and right-hander Cam Schlittler in the Bronx, according to MLB.com. Clement did not play on Tuesday due to a case of strep throat, but he is feeling much better and will return to action as the series in New York continues. The 30-year-old utility man makes plenty of contact at the plate and carries a very useful .287 batting average (52-for-181), but he has limited power (three homers) and has only stolen one base in addition to 16 RBI and 18 runs scored so far in 2026. He hasn't been as consistent in May, either, going 14-for-55 (.255) with two homers, seven RBI, and eight runs scored in 59 plate appearances across 16 games played. Clement has only faced Schlittler three times in his career and has one hit against him. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues are hoping that Clement can get things turned around now that he is feeling better.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Chase Dollander Shut Down for 2-3 Weeks
Colorado Rockies manager Warren Schaefer said that right-hander Chase Dollander (elbow) will be shut down from throwing for two to three weeks, according to MLB.com. Dollander left his last start on May 14 in the second inning with right-elbow tightness and was placed on the 15-day injured list the following day with a right-elbow sprain. His return is to be determined, and in a best-case scenario, Dollander probably won't be ready to return until late June. It's a tough break for the Rockies and fantasy managers, since the former ninth overall pick in 2023 out of Tennessee was making strides in his first full year in the big leagues with a 3.89 ERA (4.18 FIP) and 1.29 WHIP with 47 strikeouts and 18 walks in 44 innings across 10 appearances (three starts). Most of Dollander's outings had come in a bulk-relief role following an opener. Before his elbow injury, the hard-throwing Dollander had become a popular waiver-wire pickup, but he's now rostered in only 16% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
MacKenzie Gore "Trending" Toward Making his Next Start on Sunday
Imaging on Texas Rangers left-hander MacKenzie Gore's lat came back clean, and he's "trending" toward making his next scheduled start on Sunday in Anaheim against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels, according to Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News. The 27-year-old southpaw was pulled after just one inning in his latest start on Monday versus the Colorado Rockies when his lat tightened up on him, but it looks like he has avoided anything serious, and he shouldn't have to miss a turn through Texas' starting rotation. The bad news is that Gore has had a rough go of it in his first year with the Rangers, giving up two more earned runs on Monday. He is sporting a 3-4 record with a 4.78 ERA (3.99 FIP), 1.33 WHIP, and 55:24 K:BB in 49 innings across his first 10 starts in 2026. Gore will be a riskier fantasy option this weekend in Anaheim, but it will be hard to ignore him in starting lineups because of the matchup. The Angels were nearly no-hit by A's starter J.T. Ginn a few days ago, and they currently rank 25th in baseball with a .686 OPS. The Angels also lead the league with 476 strikeouts.
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Shawn McFarland
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Shawn McFarland
Masyn Winn Returns From Knee Injury on Wednesday
St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (knee) is back in the starting lineup on Wednesday against the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates after an MRI exam on his left knee came back clean, according to MLB.com. Winn is back at the 6 and is batting sixth against Pirates right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski at Busch Stadium. A left-knee injury kept Winn out of the starting nine for Tuesday's series opener against the Bucs, but he's back in there a day later for Game 2 of the series in St. Louis. The 24-year-old hasn't been much to look at so far in 2024 from a fantasy perspective, as he's slashing a mediocre .255/.331/.353 with a .684 OPS, just one home run, 17 RBI, 18 runs scored, and four stolen bases across 41 games and 175 plate appearances. The former second-rounder does have a hit in five of his last six games, though, going 6-for-22 (.273) over that span with two doubles, an RBI, and two runs scored. Winn is hitting .333 with a .666 OPS in a small sample size of just six career at-bats against Mlodzinski.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Miguel Vargas' X-Rays Come Back Clean, Sitting Out on Wednesday
Chicago White Sox manager Will Venable told White Sox reporter Brooke Fletcher that third baseman Miguel Vargas' (hand) X-rays came back negative, but he will not be in the starting lineup for Wednesday's contest in Seattle against the Mariners. Vargas is receiving treatment and could potentially be available off the bench for a pinch-hit situation. Shortstop Colson Montgomery will shift over to the hot corner and bat cleanup, with Luisangel Acuna playing the 6 and hitting in the nine-hole on Wednesday against Mariners right-hander Emerson Hancock. Vargas was hit by a pitch on his hand during Tuesday's victory at T-Mobile Park, and he was able to stay in the game. However, he's probably a little sore, and Venable noted that the starting third baseman was due for a day off anyway. The 26-year-old Cuban can be an asset in deep-mixed fantasy leagues for his power production. Vargas is currently hitting .237 (40-for-169) with 11 homers, 29 RBI, seven steals, and 35 runs scored in his first 47 games across 206 plate appearances in 2026.
Source: Brooke Fletcher
Source: Brooke Fletcher
J.P. Crawford Scratched on Wednesday With Triceps Soreness
Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford (triceps) has been scratched from the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the visiting Chicago White Sox due to a sore triceps muscle, according to Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times. It was bothering Crawford when he tried to play catch. Rookie infielder Colt Emerson will take over at the 6 and will bat eighth, with Patrick Wisdom slotting in at third base and seventh in the batting order versus White Sox right-hander Sean Burke. The injury stems from when Crawford was hit by a pitch in Sunday's series finale against the San Diego Padres, forcing him from that contest early. It's still bothering him a bit, but he should be able to return for Friday's series opener against the Kansas City Royals after a scheduled day off on Thursday. For now, fantasy managers should consider Crawford day-to-day. The 31-year-old veteran offers very minimal power and speed, mostly making him a fantasy option for middle-infield depth in deeper fantasy baseball formats. Crawford is hitting only .210 (30-for-143) on the year with six home runs, 16 RBI, 23 runs scored, and a stolen base for the M's.
Source: The Seattle Times - Ryan Divish
Source: The Seattle Times - Ryan Divish
