RADIO
Ezequiel Duran Back From Illness on Thursday
Texas Rangers infielder Ezequiel Duran (illness) is feeling better on Thursday and is back in the starting lineup for the series finale against the visiting Houston Astros, starting at shortstop and batting seventh against Astros right-hander Spencer Arrighetti, according to MLB.com. Duran was pulled from Wednesday's loss to the Astros due to an illness, but he's back in there the very next day. The 27-year-old Dominican utility man doesn't have much power or speed, but he can rack up counting stats for fantasy managers in a variety of roles in Texas like he has been of late. Duran has been serving as the team's primary shortstop with Corey Seager (back) on the injured list, and he'll enter play on Thursday evening with a .279/.333/.456 slash line with a .789 OPS, four home runs, 26 RBI, 22 runs scored, and four steals in 47 games across 163 plate appearances in his fifth year in Texas. He's most valuable in fantasy because he's eligible at first, second, third, shortstop, and the outfield in Yahoo leagues. Duran is hitless in just three career at-bats against Arrighetti.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Carmen Mlodzinski Being Moved to the Bullpen
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly said that right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski will move to the bullpen this weekend with right-hander Jared Jones (elbow) returning from the 60-day injured list on Friday to make his season debut against the Minnesota Twins, according to Pirates insider Jason Mackey. Mlodzinski hasn't been bad this year, but he'll provide the Pirates with a valuable multi-inning arm out of the bullpen now that Jones is back. The 27-year-old former first-rounder in 2020 out of the University of South Carolina has gone 4-3 in 2026 with a decent 3.76 ERA (3.30 FIP) and 1.42 WHIP with 46 strikeouts and 20 walks in 55 innings across his 11 appearances (nine starts) for the Bucs in his fourth year in the league. Mlodzinski will now lose whatever little fantasy appeal he had in NL-only leagues with the move to the Pirates' bullpen. He's rostered in only 12% of Yahoo leagues, and that number will now most likely dip below 10% with the news of his demotion to the 'pen.
Source: Jason Mackey
Source: Jason Mackey
Jared Jones Making Season Debut on Friday, a Must-Add Waiver-Wire Target?
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced on Thursday that right-hander Jared Jones (elbow) will come off the 60-day injured list to make his 2026 season debut on Friday against the visiting Minnesota Twins at PNC Park. Jones missed the entire 2025 campaign after undergoing UCL surgery on his right elbow last May, but he had a nice 2.89 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 24:6 K:BB in 18 2/3 innings over his five minor-league rehab starts and is definitely worth a pickup off the waiver wire in mixed leagues now that he's on the cusp of his season debut for Pittsburgh. In his final rehab tune-up on the farm, Jones went 4 1/3 innings and got up to 76 pitches, so he might not have any restrictions on Friday from a pitch-count perspective. However, the Pirates will most likely be looking to limit the 24-year-old's overall workload the rest of the way in 2026 after he missed all of last year. The former second-rounder in 2020 went 6-8 in his rookie season in 2024 with a 4.14 ERA (4.00 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with 132 K's and 39 walks across 22 starts and 121 2/3 innings pitched. Jones' return is a big boost for the Pirates' rotation going forward.
Source: Pittsburgh Pirates
Source: Pittsburgh Pirates
Is the Arrow Still Pointing Up for Rainiel Rodriguez After Slow Start at Double-A?
St. Louis Cardinals catching prospect Rainiel Rodriguez was promoted to Double-A earlier this month, but hasn't quite found his footing at the new level yet. The Cards' second-ranked prospect slashed .311/.430/.519 in 28 games at High-A before being promoted, and while he had a pair of multi-hit performances in his first three games there, he's since gone 5-for-34 (.147) with a 2:11 BB:K in nine games. The Dominican had an impressive showing in 2025, slashing .276/.399/.555 with 20 home runs in 84 games between the Complex League and Single-A, so this is seemingly his first run-in with adversity in the minor league system. Still, at only 19 years old, he's one of just three players that young at Double-A, the other being MLB's No. 1 and No. 2 prospects Jesus Made and Leo De Vries, so growing pains are expected, and with his pedigree, he should be able to get back on track. An MLB debut this season seems like a long shot, but perhaps a late-season call-up is in the cards if he can pick up the pace, otherwise, the right-handed hitter remains a strong dynasty asset and could have an impact in redraft leagues in 2027.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
MLB Proposes Hard Salary Cap as Part of Next CBA
As expected, Major League Baseball proposed a hard salary cap to union officials on Thursday as part of the next Collective Bargaining Agreement, sources told Jesse Rogers of ESPN. The salary floor for teams, starting in 2027, would be set at $171.2 million, which includes player benefits, with the ceiling at $245.3 million. The MLB Players Association made its first formal proposal to the league on Wednesday, opening negotiations without the mention of a salary cap. Some of the things the players proposed included sharing more local TV revenue, a "competitive-integrity tax" for low-spending teams, a raise of the base competitive balance tax from $244 million to $300 million, and nearly doubling minimum salaries. Instituting a salary cap has been the next logical move for the league going into the next CBA, and they are also expected to eventually propose a hard salary floor as well for the first time in more than three decades. The league hasn't proposed a hard salary cap system since negotiations led to the 1994-95 players' strike. The union is clearly against any capped system, which will surely lead to contentious negotiations this winter and into early next year.
Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
Is Jesus Made on Track to Debut in 2026?
Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Jesus Made has had a good season at Double-A, but even by his standards, he has kicked it up a notch over the last week and a half. MLB's No. 1 overall prospect went 12-for-28 (.429) with a double, three home runs, and two steals (three caught) over a six-game stretch before an 0-for-4 day at the plate ended his hit streak. The switch-hitter is slashing .277/.353/.452 with six home runs and 18 steals through 42 games, and a promotion to Triple-A should be in the mix in the coming weeks. With Cooper Pratt already at Triple-A, shortstop is a bit crowded, but Pratt may head to the majors in the not-too-distant future, and Made also has the ability to play either second or third base, giving him multiple paths to a promotion. The 19-year-old isn't a stash candidate now, but is a star-in-the-making, and once he's at Triple-A, his all-around skillset could push him to the majors before the end of the year.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
With Breakout Season at Double-A, has Franklin Arias Become a Stash Target?
Boston Red Sox shortstop prospect Franklin Arias isn't slowing down at Double-A Portland, currently riding a five-game hitting streak, during which time he's gone 10-for-24 (.417) with a double, a triple, and four home runs. Boston's top-ranked prospect is hitting .343 on the year with 12 home runs and four steals, while his 1.079 OPS is third-highest in the minors out of hitters with at least 150 at-bats. The right-handed hitter is walking at a solid 9.1 percent clip, while maintaining a low strikeout rate of 12.8 percent. There doesn't appear to be much left to prove at this level, and a ticket to Triple-A should be coming in the near future. If he can continue to mash at Triple-A, the Venezuelan could see time in Boston later this year despite being just 20 years old, especially with the team thin at short as Trevor Story (hernia) is expected to miss anywhere from six to 10 weeks. Arias isn't necessarily a stash option at the moment in redraft leagues, but that could quickly change, so fantasy managers should monitor his progress.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Can Geraldo Perdomo Rediscover His 2025 Breakout Success?
Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo was one of the biggest breakout success stories of the 2025 season, as he hit 20 home runs and stole 27 bases while hitting .290 across 720 plate appearances. The 26-year-old has been considerably less productive so far in 2026, slashing .223/.336/.335 with two home runs, 20 RBI, 23 runs scored, and eight stolen bases across 220 trips to the plate. Perdomo posted a 6.2% barrel rate even in a breakout year in 2025, which always made him a likely regression candidate. Even still, there's reason to believe that Perdomo's production the rest of the way in 2026 will improve. With a 14.5% walk rate and a 13.2% strikeout rate, his plate skills remain elite. Perdomo has also hit just .248 on balls in play so far this season, significantly below his career mark of .287. Fantasy managers should not expect a full return to peak form, but Perdomo profiles as a steady compiler in every category other than home runs. At the right price, he could be a worthy buy-low candidate.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Jo Adell Worth Buying Low on Ahead of Potential Power Surge?
Entering play on Thursday, Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jo Adell was hitting .242/.289/.386 with eight home runs, 29 RBI, 19 runs scored, and two stolen bases across 232 plate appearances. Adell put together a breakout season from a power perspective in 2025, logging an excellent 17.2% barrel rate and clubbing 37 home runs in just 573 plate appearances. His numbers have come crashing down to earth so far this season, as his barrel rate has fallen all the way down to 8.7%. However, Adell's power bat has come to life a bit in recent weeks, as he's hit four home runs in his last 16 games after hitting just four in his first 40. The 27-year-old appears to have gotten back to his old approach at the plate of sacrificing contact for power, as he's struck out in 30.1% of his plate appearances in May after posting a 20.1% strikeout rate through the end of April. While Adell's batting average could continue to drop, he may be on the verge of a power breakout and could be worth buying low on for fantasy managers desperate to add slugging to their roster.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Cooper Pratt's Recent Surge Enough to Earn MLB Debut?
Milwaukee Brewers shortstop prospect Cooper Pratt has been making his case for a major league debut over the last couple of weeks, going 17-for-56 (.304) over his last 14 games with three doubles, four home runs, three steals, and nearly as many walks (nine) as strikeouts (11) during that time. For the season, the Brewers' fourth-ranked prospect is slashing .236/.355/.382 with five home runs, 12 steals, and an impressive 28:29 BB:K through 43 games with the Sounds. Despite being more of a hit-over-power bat, the 6-foot-4 slugger is pacing to set a new career high in home runs (eight in '25 and '24), and his ability to steal bases continues to be an asset. David Hamilton (.196/.260/.239 in May) and Joey Ortiz (.191/.298/.298 in May) are holding down short in the majors, but their futility and Pratt's recent surge could be enough reason for the club to award him with an MLB debut soon. The former sixth-rounder received an eight-year, $50.75 million contract in the offseason, so the team clearly sees him as part of their future, and with his ability to make contact and steal bases, the 21-year-old could be an intriguing fantasy asset. Fantasy managers should put him on the redraft radar, and he could become a stash option in deeper leagues if he continues to show development.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Manny Machado Remains a Worthy Buy-Low Candidate
San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado has been one of the best hitters in baseball for over a decade, but the 33-year-old has struggled mightily to this point in 2026. Across 220 plate appearances, Machado is hitting .169/.265/.339 with nine home runs, 27 RBI, 27 runs scored, and one stolen base. Machado's strikeout rate is a career-worst 23.2%, while his 7.7% barrel rate is his worst mark since his rookie season in 2015. As he hits his mid-30s, Machado could simply be suffering from age-related decline. Still, the veteran's extended track record of both consistency and durability makes it hard to believe he won't claw his way back to respectable production by the end of the year. Entering 2026, Machado had posted five consecutive seasons with at least 600 plate appearances, 27 home runs, and 90 RBI. Fantasy managers should not expect peak performance, but Machado still profiles as a worthy buy-low candidate.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Riley Greene's Current Pathway to Production May Be Unsustainable
Across 232 plate appearances entering play on Thursday, Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene was hitting .305/.401/.440 with four home runs, 25 RBI, 30 runs scored, and one stolen base. While Greene has been a productive hitter, his power output has come down considerably from where it was in 2025, when he clubbed 36 home runs across 655 plate appearances. Greene's barrel rate is down from 17.1% last season to 12.6% this season. As the weather heats up in Detroit, Greene could find more power. However, if he doesn't, his current path to production may be unsustainable. With a 28% strikeout rate and a heavily inflated .435 batting average on balls in play, Greene's batting average seems likely to regress closer to his career mark of .268 over the course of a full season. As a result, fantasy managers may want to consider selling high on Greene before he runs into some batting average regression.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Mason Miller Worth Selling High On at the Peak of His Value?
As we near the end of May, San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller has arguably been the most dominant reliever in baseball in 2026. Across 23 2/3 innings (23 games), Miller owns a 0.76 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 47 strikeouts, and 16 saves. He's averaging 101.2 miles per hour on his fastball and has struck out a completely ridiculous 52.2% of the batters he's faced. Barring injury, there's little reason to think that Miller won't continue to provide high-end closer production for fantasy managers. At the same time, managers with another viable ninth-inning option on their roster may want to consider shopping Miller now, when he's at the absolute peak of his value. If the offers for Miller are astronomical, trading him could be a way to build a more well-rounded overall roster. There's obviously nothing wrong with holding onto the 27-year-old, but selling high could be worth exploring.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Max Clark Still a Top Hitter to Stash with Multi-Category Potential
Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark remains firmly on the stash radar after hitting safely in 12 of his last 14 games at Triple-A Toledo, going 16-for-60 (.267) during that stretch with four doubles, a triple, one home run, and two stolen bases. The Tigers' top-ranked prospect owns a respectable .267/.338/.390 slash line in 46 games for the Mud Hens, with two home runs and 11 steals, while his 14.8 percent strikeout rate shows he's not overmatched at the top level of the minors. The left-handed slugger is also drawing walks at a 9.5 percent rate thanks to a 77th percentile chase rate, displaying a good all-around approach. Although the organization is in no rush to get him to the majors, the former third-overall draft pick should get that chance in the coming weeks and should be considered a high-end stash option for his multi-category fantasy potential.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Do Fantasy Managers Have a Buy-Low Window on Sal Stewart?
Across 241 plate appearances so far in 2026, Cincinnati Reds infielder Sal Stewart is hitting .256/.353/.473 with 12 home runs, 36 RBI, 34 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases. However, Stewart's overall stat line is buoyed by a red-hot start to the season, as he posted a .943 OPS through the end of April. The 22-year-old has slowed down considerably in May, slashing .226/.327/.355 with three home runs, seven RBI, 14 runs scored, and three stolen bases. Even with the rough month baked in, Stewart owns excellent walk (12.9%) and barrel (15.5%) rates for the year overall. He's also remained an everyday fixture in the heart of the Cincinnati lineup, and as a young player, it's not surprising to see him struggle a bit as the league adjusts to him. With Stewart's value at a relative low point, fantasy managers may want to see if they can buy low on him in hopes of a return to form in the summer months.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
