RADIO
Tanner Scott Takes Loss on Friday, in Danger of Losing Primary Ninth-Inning Job?
Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Tanner Scott allowed two runs over two-thirds of an inning of work during Friday's game against the Chicago Cubs. He entered in the ninth inning with the score tied at four apiece, and Chicago wasted no time doing damage. Pete Crow-Armstrong led off the inning with a single, and Dansby Swanson slugged a two-run homer two pitches later. Scott settled in to get two outs, but by the time he exited, the Cubs led 6-4. That score held for the rest of the game, and he was charged with his first loss of the season. Scott is walking batters at a career-low rate of 0.79 BB/9, but he also has a career-low strikeout rate of 7.15 K/9. This suggests that he's pitching to more contact, which falls in line with his concerning 1.59 HR/9 rate. It's been a lot of loud contact, too, as his ground ball rate has fallen to a career-low 32.3% mark. With Edwin Diaz (elbow) on the IL and Scott struggling, manager Dave Roberts could start turning to someone else in the ninth inning. Blake Treinen and Alex Vesia are early candidates to take ninth-inning work from Scott.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brad Keller a Short-Term Solution for Saves in Fantasy Baseball
Philadelphia Phillies reliever Brad Keller has emerged as a potential short-term solution for high-end production in fantasy baseball. Manager Rob Thomson said that Keller will earn the bulk of the team's save situations while Jhoan Duran (left oblique strain) is sidelined. With save opportunities on the way, Keller has the potential to accrue fantasy points as a short-term replacement option. Adding Keller doesn't come without some risk, though. He's up to a 4.78 FIP, and his 7.84 K/9 rate is nearly two units lower than last year. He also struggled in a high-leverage situation on Thursday as he surrendered a solo home run to Seiya Suzuki during a tied game in the ninth inning. With that being said, the Phillies remain committed to giving him leverage work, and we're encouraged by his 56.7% ground ball rate, 2.61 BB/9, and 2.58 xERA. He has additional upside greater than his current ranking as the #41 closer in RotoBaller's latest rest-of-season rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Saturday's Mets-Rockies Game Postponed Due to Weather
Saturday's game between the New York Mets and Colorado Rockies has been postponed due to inclement weather. The teams will play a straight doubleheader on Sunday, starting at 1:40 p.m. Nolan McLean is slated to start the originally scheduled Sunday contest for the Mets, but they haven't announced who'll get the ball for Game 2. Meanwhile, the Rockies have not announced a starter for either game. Both teams are looking for an opportunity to get back on track, as the Mets have fallen to 9-17 and the Rockies are an NL West-worst 11-17. Both teams are off Monday, so the rosters will have a little extra time to recover after playing two games in one day.
Source: SNY Mets
Source: SNY Mets
Jose Berrios to Make Rehab Start on Tuesday
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Jose Berrios (elbow) is scheduled to make a rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday. If all goes well, Berrios could be back with Toronto after this start. The right-hander has already made two rehab starts and appears to be trending in the right direction. He threw four scoreless innings during his most recent outing on Wednesday. Berrios has been sidelined all season due to an elbow issue. Depending on when he returns, Berrios could be an interesting streaming option given the injuries in the Blue Jays' rotation right now. Fantasy managers will need to check back for another update after his outing on Tuesday.
Source: Arden Zwelling
Source: Arden Zwelling
Giancarlo Stanton Exits With Leg Tightness on Friday
New York Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (leg) was forced to make an early exit from Friday's game against the Houston Astros. Stanton appeared to have suffered a leg injury while running the bases in the sixth inning. After visiting with the training staff, Stanton was pulled out of the contest due to right lower-leg tightness. He'll finish this game 1-for-3 at the plate with a single and an RBI. This will hopefully be something that will only keep Stanton sidelined for a day or two. Randal Grichuk could see increased playing time if Stanton is forced out of the lineup. Fantasy managers will need to check back for another update on his status.
Source: Brendan Kuty
Source: Brendan Kuty
Addison Barger is Ramping Up Baseball Activities
Toronto Blue Jays infielder/outfielder Addison Barger (ankle) is beginning to ramp up his baseball activities, according to Arden Zwelling. Barger is currently working his way back after spraining both his ankles. The plan is for Barger to begin running the bases and facing live pitching. Once he completes those tasks, Barger will be sent on a minor league rehab assignment for multiple games. It sounds like the 26-year-old is making progress, but is still a few weeks away from returning. The Jays didn't give an exact timetable, but sometime in early May would make sense for his return.
Source: Arden Zwelling
Source: Arden Zwelling
Edwin Uceta is Transferred to 60-Day Injured List
Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Edwin Uceta (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day Injured List on Friday. Uceta has been sidelined since the beginning of the season due to a shoulder impingement. He recently suffered a setback while attempting to return, which will get him moved from the 15-day to the 60-day IL. This move opens up a 40-man roster spot, but also means that Uceta won't be eligible to return until late May. The Rays have already filled the roster spot by acquiring right-hander Casey Legumina from the Seattle Mariners on Friday. Uceta could be in the mix for saves once he returns, but fantasy managers won't see that happen for another month or so.
Source: Ryan Bass
Source: Ryan Bass
Caleb Thielbar Heads to the Injured List With Hamstring Injury
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Caleb Thielbar (hamstring) was placed on the 15-day Injured List on Friday. This is a tough break for the Cubs, who are down multiple key bullpen arms right now. Thielbar suffered a left hamstring strain during Thursday's win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Given all the injuries, Ben Brown could be next in line for closer responsibility with the Cubs not having many healthy arms right now. In a corresponding move, right-hander Vince Velasquez was recalled from Triple-A Iowa. He figures to take over Brown's multi-inning role, with Brown likely shifting to a high-leverage role.
Source: Chicago Cubs
Source: Chicago Cubs
Tatsuya Imai "Looked Good" in Friday's Bullpen Session
Houston Astros right-hander Tatsuya Imai (arm) threw a bullpen session on Friday and "looked good," manager Joe Espada told Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Imai's next step will be to start a minor-league rehab assignment. The first-year MLB player tossed 45 pitches during his bullpen on Friday. The 27-year-old Japanese native has had a rude awakening to the big leagues, posting a 7.27 ERA and 2.08 WHIP with 13 walks and 11 strikeouts in 8 2/3 innings in his first two starts in the United States before landing on the 15-day injured list on April 13 with right-arm fatigue. Imai is still adjusting to life in the States, and he'll still need at least several rehab starts before the Astros feel comfortable reinserting him into their starting lineup. If the rest of his 2026 season looks anything like the beginning of his tenure with the Astros, fantasy managers could be in for a roller-coaster ride. Imai needs to show better control of his pitches first if he wants to turn things around. He's currently rostered in just over half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
Source: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
JR Ritchie to Remain in Big Leagues With the Braves
Atlanta Braves right-handed pitching prospect JR Ritchie will remain with the big-league club for now because "we wanted him to be an option in the picture moving forward," manager Walt Weiss told Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Richie will get more chances after looking great in his major-league debut on Thursday against the Washington Nationals, in which he allowed two earned runs over seven innings with seven strikeouts and two walks for his first major-league win. The team's No. 2 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, will remain with Atlanta for now, but it's unclear if that will be in a starting or relief role. It might all depend on when right-hander Spencer Strider (oblique) comes off the 15-day injured list to make his season debut. At the very least, Ritchie deserves to be stashed in dynasty/keeper and NL-only leagues for his upside if he stays in Atlanta's starting rotation. He's currently rostered in 20% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Chad Bishop
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Chad Bishop
Willi Castro Absent From Lineup for Series Opener Against Mets
Colorado Rockies infielder Willi Castro (knee) is not in the team's starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the New York Mets at Citi Field, per MLB.com. Tyler Freeman will make the start at second base for Colorado and will bat cleanup against Mets right-hander Freddy Peralta. Castro is considered day-to-day right now after being pulled from Thursday's loss to the San Diego Padres early with right-knee soreness. The 29-year-old switch-hitting Puerto Rican super-utility man might find himself on the bench more often in Denver, even when he's healthy, since both Edouard Julien and Freeman have been swinging the bat better in the early going. In his first year with the Rockies, Castro is off to a .246/.316/.348 start with a .664 OPS, one home run, nine RBI, 10 runs scored, and two stolen bases. Freeman has yet to homer in his 41 at-bats, but he's gone 12-for-41 (.293) at the plate with seven RBI, two runs, and two steals. He should be considered a DFS sleeper out of the cleanup spot on Friday against Peralta.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Michael Harris II Scratched on Friday Against Phillies
Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said that outfielder Michael Harris II (quadriceps) has been scratched from the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies, according to Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The Braves removed Harris from Thursday's win over the Washington Nationals early as a precaution with left-quadriceps tightness, and now he'll miss another game. Weiss said that Harris remains day-to-day, and the team doesn't expect him to have to land on the 10-day injured list. Eli White will take over again for Harris in center field on Friday and will bat ninth for the Braves versus Phillies rookie right-hander Andrew Painter. Harris' fantasy managers are hoping his minor quad injury doesn't interrupt his hot hitting at the plate of late. The 25-year-old left-handed hitter has gone 13-for-23 (.565) with four home runs, two doubles, nine RBI, and six runs scored in his last seven games, dating back to April 17. Check back on Saturday for Game 2 of the series against the Phillies to see if Harris is reinserted into the starting nine.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Chad Bishop
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Chad Bishop
Eugenio Suarez Scratched on Friday With Mid-Back Pain
Cincinnati Reds third baseman/designated hitter Eugenio Suarez (back) has been scratched from the starting lineup on Friday for the game against the Detroit Tigers due to mid-back pain, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. First baseman Nathaniel Lowe will serve as the team's designated hitter and bat sixth against Tigers left-hander Framber Valdez. Although Lowe has plenty of experience in his career against Valdez -- he's hit .269 against him with an .867 OPS, one home run, and three RBI in 26 at-bats -- fantasy managers in DFS will probably want to fade him in the lefty-lefty matchup. For now, we'll consider Suarez day-to-day. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Saturday to see if he's available to play in Game 2 of the series. The 34-year-old Venezuelan veteran has hit .231 (21-for-91) so far in his return to Cincy in 2026 with three homers, 11 RBI, and 10 runs scored in his first 25 games. Make sure you remove Suarez from your starting lineups on Friday.
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Braves Hope to Have Raisel Iglesias Back When he's Eligible to Return
Atlanta Braves right-handed reliever Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) has not resumed throwing yet, but manager Walt Weiss said that the team is encouraged by his progress and hopes to have him back as soon as his 15-day injured list stint is up, according to Grant McAuley of 929 The Game. The 36-year-old veteran is eligible to return to the Braves' bullpen on May 5, so hopefully, fantasy managers will have him back then. In the meantime, former San Diego Padres closer Robert Suarez figures to see all of the team's save chances in the ninth inning. Suarez is rostered in 70% of Yahoo leagues, so fantasy managers in need of saves should check to see if he's available on your league's waiver wire. When Iglesias is ready to return, he should be inserted right back into ninth-inning duties after his strong start to the 2026 campaign. The Cuban hurler has not allowed a run in his first 8 2/3 relief innings for Atlanta while picking up five saves, striking out 11, and walking only one.
Source: 929 The Game - Grant McAuley
Source: 929 The Game - Grant McAuley
David Peterson to Pitch Again Next Wednesday Against Nationals
The New York Mets told left-hander David Peterson to be ready to pitch next Wednesday against the division-rival Washington Nationals after right-hander Christian Scott was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, according to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. It's unclear at this time if Peterson will start next Wednesday against the Nats or if he'll serve in a bulk-relief role. The 30-year-old southpaw has been much better as a bulk reliever out of the bullpen early on in 2026 than as a traditional starter. Overall, he's gone 0-3 with a 5.06 ERA (3.78 FIP) and 1.65 WHIP with 24 strikeouts and 11 walks in 26 2/3 innings over six appearances (four starts). Since being used as a bulk reliever each of his last two times out, Peterson has allowed just one earned run with a walk and three K's in seven innings pitched. Peterson obviously will have more fantasy appeal as a traditional starter, but that might not be how the Mets deploy him going forward. He's rostered in just 15% of Yahoo leagues at the moment.
Source: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
Source: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
