RADIO
Brendan Donovan is Scratched on Saturday
Seattle Mariners infielder/outfielder Brendan Donovan (undisclosed) has been scratched ahead of Saturday's game against the San Diego Padres. Donovan played the entire game on Friday and didn't appear to suffer any injuries. It's unclear why he has been pulled out of the lineup, but the Mariners should provide more information soon. In the meantime, Leo Rivas will cover third base and bat ninth against right-hander Walker Buehler. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups accordingly ahead of first pitch. They should also check back for another update on Donovan's status.
Source: Ryan Divish
Source: Ryan Divish
Ryan O'Hearn Exits Early on Saturday with Quad Issue
Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Ryan O'Hearn (quad) was forced to make an early exit from Saturday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. O'Hearn exited in the fourth inning of this game due to right quad discomfort. Before exiting, O'Hearn was hitless in his lone plate appearance. Fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if he sits out of Sunday's game as a precaution. The Pirates should give an update on his status following Saturday's game. Jared Triolo took over at first base and could see more action over there if O'Hearn misses any time.
Source: Pittsburgh Pirates
Source: Pittsburgh Pirates
Heliot Ramos is Out with Quad Injury
San Francisco Giants outfielder Heliot Ramos (quad) is out of the starting lineup against the Athletics on Saturday. This doesn't come as a surprise after Ramos was forced to exit early during Friday's game due to right quad tightness. The Giants are going to play it safe and hold Ramos out for at least Saturday's game. The Giants should give another update on his status if he's forced to miss more time than that. Drew Gilbert will cover left field and bat seventh versus right-hander Luis Severino on Saturday. Fantasy managers should check back on Sunday for another update.
Source: mlb.com
Source: mlb.com
Clay Holmes is Officially Placed on Injured List
New York Mets starting pitcher Clay Holmes (leg) has officially been placed on the 15-day Injured List on Saturday. This news was coming after Holmes suffered a fractured right fibula during Friday's start. The right-hander won't require surgery, but he's still expected to miss significant time. Holmes will be shut down from all baseball activities for 6-to-8 weeks. After that, Holmes is going to slowly ramp up, which could possibly take another month. There's a good chance that Holmes isn't back on a big league mound until around August. This is a tough hit considering Holmes was pitching extremely well before the injury. Jonah Tong, Tobias Myers, and Jack Wenninger are all candidates to join the Mets' rotation with Holmes sidelined for the next few months.
Source: New York Mets
Source: New York Mets
Corey Seager is Absent with Back Spasms
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (back) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Houston Astros. Seager was held out of Friday's contest as well, but that was presumed to be a rest day in the midst of a 0-for-27 skid at the plate. It's unclear if the issue occurred on Friday or began to bother Seager on Saturday. The team is calling Seager day-to-day with back spasms. It doesn't sound like something that is going to keep him sidelined for too long. Ezequiel Duran will cover shortstop and bat fifth versus right-hander Kai-Wei Teng on Saturday. Fantasy managers should check back for another update on Seager's status on Sunday.
Source: Kennedi Landry
Source: Kennedi Landry
Byron Buxton Remains Out of Twins Lineup on Saturday
Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) is out of his team's starting lineup for a third consecutive game on Saturday as he recovers from hip flexor soreness. The oft-injured outfielder was off to an excellent start to 2026 before this hip issue, hitting .260/.319/.580 with 15 home runs, 23 RBI, 33 runs scored, and four stolen bases across 185 plate appearances. Buxton's barrel rate currently sits at a career-high 21.1%, hinting at his elite power upside if he can ever put together a full season. While Buxton is not currently expected to require a trip to the injured list, any ailment for the 32-year-old should raise red flags for fantasy managers. Buxton has never reached 550 plate appearances in any of his 11 MLB seasons and has surpassed 400 plate appearances in a season just twice. Twins outfielders Ryan Kreidler and James Outman have taken turns in center field in Buxton's absence, with Outman earning the start and batting ninth on Saturday against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ben Brown Emerging as a Waiver-Wire Target Following Return to the Cubs Rotation
After opening the season in a bulk relief role, Chicago Cubs right-hander Ben Brown was moved into the starting rotation on May 8. The 26-year-old has impressed since the role shift, allowing just one hit while striking out 10 over eight innings of work (two starts). Brown's year-long numbers are excellent as well, as he's pitched to a 1.60 ERA and 0.86 WHIP with 34 strikeouts across 33 2/3 innings (14 games). Brown's 0.27 HR/9 is a significant improvement from the 1.52 HR/9 he posted in 2025, so he could be in line for some ERA regression as the weather heats up in Chicago and the ball starts to fly at Wrigley Field. Still, the hard-throwing right-hander owns a career MLB strikeout rate of 26.6% and appears to be finding his groove as a big-league pitcher. Now that he's back in the Cubs rotation, Brown offers some upside as a waiver-wire target for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Zack Gelof a Post-Hype Sleeper to Target on the Waiver Wire
Since being recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on April 10, Athletics infielder Zack Gelof has re-emerged as an everyday piece of his team's lineup. Across 85 plate appearances, the 26-year-old is hitting .260/.313/.506 with five home runs, 13 RBI, 15 runs scored, and two stolen bases. Gelof has always offered high-end power upside, and he's posted a strong 10.2% barrel rate so far in 2026. The main difference for Gelof this season has been his ability to make consistent contact, as his 23.5% strikeout rate is significantly improved from his career mark of 32.5%. Given his history of swing-and-miss issues and his 19.2-degree average launch angle, fantasy managers may not want to count on Gelof continuing to provide value in the batting average category. Still, Gelof profiles as a power/speed asset with upside who should be a priority waiver wire target in most league formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tanner Scott is a Must-Roster Closer Across All Formats
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Tanner Scott opened 2026 in a setup role, but early-season elbow surgery for Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz (elbow) has reopened the path to the ninth inning for Scott. The veteran left-hander has recorded four saves since Diaz was placed on the injured list, including three in his last five appearances. Scott's overall numbers for the season are strong as well, as he's pitched to a 1.47 ERA and 0.60 WHIP with 18 strikeouts across 18 1/3 innings. Scott's 24.6% K-BB rate is excellent, and he's allowed just 11 out of the 65 batters he's faced so far this season to reach base. With Diaz expected to be sidelined until the late summer at the earliest, Scott is a must-roster closer across all fantasy formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Connelly Early Re-Emerging as a Prime Waiver-Wire Target
Across 47 2/3 innings (nine starts) so far this season, Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Connelly Early has recorded a 3-2 record with a 3.21 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 45 strikeouts. The 24-year-old has been particularly effective in his last two times out, allowing just two earned runs and one walk while striking out 14 across 12 innings of work against the Tampa Bay Rays and Atlanta Braves. Early hasn't been quite as dominant as he was upon making his MLB debut in 2025, when he posted a 36.7% strikeout rate in a small sample size of 19 1/3 innings (four starts). Still, the young lefty appears to be settling in and finding his groove after working through some command issues early in the year. Early profiles as a worthy high-upside waiver-wire target for fantasy managers ahead of his next scheduled start in Kansas City against the Royals on Wednesday.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Elmer Rodriguez Recalled by Yankees
New York Yankees starting pitcher Elmer Rodriguez has been recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, per a team announcement. Rodriguez will take Yankees lefty Max Fried's (elbow) spot in the starting rotation, with Fried being placed on the 15-day injured list due to a bone bruise in his elbow. Rodriguez has struggled in his two MLB starts so far this season, posting an 18.2% walk rate and a 2.08 WHIP across 8 2/3 innings. However, the 22-year-old is considered the top pitching prospect in the Yankees' system and has been lights out at Triple-A in 2026, posting a 1.38 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP with 26 strikeouts across 26 innings (five starts). Rodriguez's return to the Yankees' rotation could be short-lived with Gerrit Cole (elbow) nearing his return to the big-league mound. Still, Rodriguez could be worth a short-term add off the waiver wire in deeper leagues ahead of a potential two-start week against the Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays.
Source: New York Yankees
Source: New York Yankees
Cole Ragans Making Headway in Rehab
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans (elbow) is making progress while rehabbing his injured elbow. Manager Matt Quatraro said that the 28-year-old has been playing catch with increased intensity, velocity, and volume. He also threw a few pitches off the mound, likely testing his arm to see if it could withstand the increased workload. While this should not be confused with a bullpen session, it is a good sign that he is likely ready to advance to that stage of his recovery soon. The hope is that he can progress to a formal bullpen session after playing catch once more. The left-hander has been out of action since May 8 with a left elbow impingement. His return will not be rushed, as he is arguably Kansas City's best pitcher both now and for the future.
Source: Jaylon T. Thompson
Source: Jaylon T. Thompson
Matt Strahm to the Injured List With Knee Inflammation
The Kansas City Royals placed left-handed relief pitcher Matt Strahm (knee) on the Injured List with right knee inflammation on Saturday. The 34-year-old struggled in his last appearance on Friday, requiring the attention of the medical staff while he was on the mound. He was able to push through and record the necessary outs, but a day later, it was determined that he would need at least the next 15 days off to rest. It is unclear how serious the issue is at this time. Strahm has had his ups and downs this season, and heads to the Injured List with a 3.86 ERA and eight holds through 16.1 innings pitched.
Source: Jeff Jones
Source: Jeff Jones
Jose Berrios to Undergo Surgery on his Elbow
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Jose Berrios (elbow) will undergo surgery to repair a stress fracture in his elbow. The 31-year-old has missed the entire 2026 season so far because of this injury, as he was initially attempting to rest it and pitch through the ailment. Instead, the issue failed to improve, and a check-up with Dr. Keith Meister this past week revealed that he had loose bodies throughout the elbow area. As it stands, there could also be significant ligament damage, although the full extent of the injury will not be known until doctors are able to properly evaluate everything during the operation. While the injury has not yet been labeled season-ending, the belief is that a two-month absence would be the best-case scenario. However, if ligament damage is discovered during surgery, his absence could become much more extensive.
Source: Hazel Mae
Source: Hazel Mae
Trevor Story Hits the Injured List With Groin Injury
Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story (groin) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Saturday with a groin injury. The 33-year-old has been battling this ailment for most of the season and will now require time off to let it heal properly. Story has failed to live up to last year's success, hitting just three home runs and stealing four bases over 176 plate appearances. The struggles have also spilled over into the field, as he has already committed six errors. In his absence, the Red Sox will likely use a committee approach, with Nick Sogard, Andruw Monasterio, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa getting a chance to take over. The team has also indicated that they would like to keep Marcelo Mayer at second base, even with Story sidelined. It is unclear at this time if he will need more than the ten-day minimum before returning.
Source: Tim Healey
Source: Tim Healey
