April 4, 2026
Right-hander
Jedixson Paez has cleared waivers and has been returned to the Boston Red Sox, according to the Chicago White Sox, reports Scott Merkin of MLB.com. Paez was a Rule 5 selection by the White Sox, but the experiment ended quickly after Paez allowed six earned runs on four hits (two home runs) while walking three and striking out none in three relief innings to begin his big-league career. The 22-year-old had never pitched above High-A in the minors before debuting with the White Sox early this year, so he will definitely benefit from some more seasoning on the farm back in the Red Sox's organization. Paez looked good in just 19 1/3 innings with High-A Greenville in 2025 while dealing with a calf injury, posting a 2.79 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 23:3 K:BB. There's still hope for Paez long-term, as he has displayed a nice combination of strikeout upside and control. He's just probably not quite ready to retire hitters consistently at the major-league level.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Scott Merkin
April 4, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop prospect
Konnor Griffin didn't do anything dramatic in his major-league debut on Friday in the 5-4 win over the Baltimore Orioles, but he still helped fantasy managers who started him in his first game. Griffin went 1-for-3 at the plate with a double, RBI, run scored, strikeout, and a walk while hitting seventh in Pittsburgh's batting order. His double and RBI came in his first big-league plate appearance. The 19-year-old phenom didn't make the Opening Day roster out of spring training, but the Pirates didn't wait long to bring the talented youngster up to the big leagues. Griffin is mature beyond his years, both physically and skills-wise, making him a potential once-in-a-generation-type player for the Bucs and for fantasy managers. He should play regularly from here on out and should be rostered in all fantasy leagues as a potential game-changer in all categories. Griffin should move up the Pirates' batting order eventually.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
April 4, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays right-handed pitching prospect
Trey Yesavage (shoulder) made a minor-league rehab start on Friday with Single-A Dunedin and allowed an earned run on a solo home run while walking one and striking out three in 2 2/3 innings of work. This was Yesavage's first start in a game this spring after he was held back in spring training and then placed on the 15-day injured list before the start of the 2026 season due to a right-shoulder impingement. The 22-year-old's injury isn't considered serious, but it gives the Blue Jays another reason to handle him with utmost caution early on in his first full big-league season. Yesavage made it up to the big leagues in a hurry last year after he was taken 20th overall out of East Carolina in 2024. Yesavage showed good velocity on Friday while throwing 44 pitches, and he should make his season debut well before both
Jose Berrios (elbow) and
Shane Bieber (elbow). Despite the high-end upside Yesavage brings for fantasy managers, he may not reach his true ceiling until later this year as the team tries to manage his innings early in his MLB career.
--Keith HernandezSource: milb.com
April 4, 2026
The Toronto Blue Jays placed catcher
Alejandro Kirk (thumb) on the 10-day injured list on Saturday with a left-thumb fracture and recalled catcher
Brandon Valenzuela from the Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move, according to Hazel Mae of Sportsnet. Kirk suffered the injury in the 10th inning of Friday's game when he took a foul tip off his thumb while behind the plate on defense. It's unclear exactly how long the 27-year-old backstop will be out, but fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised at all if it's an extended absence well beyond 10 days. In the meantime, the Blue Jays will use
Tyler Heineman as their primary backstop, with Valenzuela and
Reese McGuire providing insurance at the position. Kirk is not only hurt early in 2026, but he was struggling at the plate in a small sample size of five games, going 3-for-20 (.150) with a homer, two RBI, two walks, and two strikeouts in his 22 plate appearances to begin his seventh year in the majors.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sportsnet - Hazel Mae
April 4, 2026
Cleveland Guardians outfielder
Chase DeLauter went 3-for-4 with a pair of singles and a two-run homer during Friday's win over the Chicago Cubs. He finished the game with three RBI, bringing his season total to eight. DeLauter has appeared in seven games this season, slashing .346/.370/.923 with a whopping five home runs and 266 wRC+. If there's been any hole in his game, it's plate discipline, as he owns a 3.7% walk rate and 25.9% strikeout rate so far. Still, those numbers are somewhat forgivable when you have a player like DeLauter, who is averaging a home run every 5.2 at-bats and is tied for the league lead in dingers. At this point, the 24-year-old rookie has cemented himself in must-start territory for fantasy baseball. As long as he continues to mash the baseball, he should find his way into your fantasy lineups.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
April 4, 2026
San Francisco Giants relief pitcher
Jose Butto (right arm fatigue) was diagnosed with a blood clot in his right arm after exiting Wednesday's game with discomfort, according to Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports. He has been placed on the 15-day injured list, and he underwent a procedure to remove the blood clot on Friday. The 28-year-old right-hander has allowed five earned runs over two innings (three appearances) this season. He has surrendered two homers and four walks while striking out five batters. It's been an uncharacteristically poor start to the year for Butto, who was projected to be a setup candidate in the Giants' bullpen after posting a 3.70 FIP last season. He'll be eligible to return from the injured list as early as April 17.
--Andersen PickardSource: Alex Pavlovic
April 4, 2026
Seattle Mariners third baseman
Brendan Donovan (leg) exited after landing awkwardly while trying to beat out a throw at first base in the seventh inning of Friday's game against the Los Angeles Angels. Manager Dan Wilson told Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times that Donovan had discomfort "somewhere in his leg" and will be re-evaluated on Saturday. It's too early to tell whether the third baseman will be in the starting lineup for Saturday evening's contest against the Halos, but it sounds like there's at least a chance he needs some time off. That would be unfortunate news for the Mariners and Donovan, who is slashing .370/.485/.667 with two home runs, four RBI, a 12.1% walk rate, and 18.2% strikeout rate, and 237 wRC+ through eight games. If he's forced to miss any time,
Leo Rivas could get into the lineup on a more consistent basis.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ryan Divish
April 4, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed pitcher
Gavin Stone (right shoulder inflammation) began his throwing program on Friday, according to the team's injury tracker on MLB.com. Now that Stone has resumed throwing, he essentially has a full spring training ramp-up ahead of him. The 27-year-old is working his way back from right shoulder surgery, which sidelined him for the entire 2025 season. He last pitched in 2024, when he made 25 starts with a 3.97 xERA, 7.44 K/9, and 2.37 BB/9. Stone can be a fantasy option when healthy, but for now, he needs to ramp up and prove that he deserves a spot in the Dodgers' extremely crowded rotation. Given that Stone is on the 60-day injured list, he won't be eligible to return until May 21, at the earliest.
--Andersen PickardSource: MLB.com
April 4, 2026
New York Mets outfielder
Juan Soto (calf) is scheduled to undergo an MRI to determine the severity of the calf injury he suffered on Friday against the San Francisco Giants, according to John Harper of SNY. Manager
Carlos Mendoza admitted that he was "concerned" about the 27-year-old's injury but would wait for the MRI results before divulging further. Soto has appeared in seven games this season, slashing .355/.412/.516 with one home run, five RBI, an 8.8% walk rate, a 17.6% strikeout rate, and 162 wRC+. He has been hitting out of the No. 2 spot, but if the injury is as serious as Mendoza feared, he could be sidelined for at least Saturday's contest against the Giants. If so, we could see more playing time for
Carson Benge and
Tyrone Taylor.
--Andersen PickardSource: John Harper
April 3, 2026
New York Mets outfielder
Juan Soto (calf) was forced to make an early exit from Friday's game against the San Francisco Giants. Soto reached on base with a single in the first inning. However, the superstar slugger appeared to have tweaked his right calf while running the bases later that inning. The severity of the issue is unknown right now, but Soto will likely undergo further testing. For the moment, fantasy managers should consider Soto as day-to-day.
Tyrone Taylor took over in left field on Friday and could be in line for a few starts, assuming Soto misses time.
--Andy WebbSource: New York Mets
April 3, 2026
Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher
Emilio Pagan was tasked with shutting down the Texas Rangers during the ninth inning of Friday's game. It has been a rocky start for Pagan, but he was able to bounce back nicely on Friday. The right-hander tossed a perfect final frame and recorded one strikeout on his way to earning his second save of the season. This was a strong bounce-back outing after Pagan allowed four earned runs during Wednesday's game. Fantasy managers should stick with him despite a slow start to the season.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
April 3, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher
Gregory Soto was called upon to close the door against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday. Soto was tasked with holding a two-run lead versus the tough Orioles offense. The southpaw gave up a home run to
Gunnar Henderson, but was able to limit the damage. The solo homer was his only hit allowed as Soto was able to record three strikeouts and earn his first save of the season. It's a small sample size, but it looks like Soto could be the favorite for saves in Pittsburgh. He has recorded 11 strikeouts across 5.2 innings of work this season.
Dennis Santana was used during the eighth inning on Friday and figures to be in the mix for saves as well. This might end up being a headache for fantasy managers, but Soto appears to be a possible source for saves right now.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
April 3, 2026
San Francisco Giants infielder
Casey Schmitt (back) has been scratched from the starting lineup ahead of Friday's game against the New York Mets. Schmitt has been pulled from the lineup due to back tightness. This doesn't seem like something that will sideline him long, so fantasy managers should consider Schmitt as day-to-day.
Jerar Encarnacion will take over at first base and bat ninth in place of Schmitt on Friday. Fantasy managers should check back on Saturday for another update, but Schmitt isn't someone who needs to be rostered in most fantasy formats at the moment.
--Andy WebbSource: Alex Pavlovic
April 3, 2026
New York Mets infielder
Jorge Polanco (Achilles) reportedly suffered a setback in his recovery from his left Achilles tendinitis. With that being said, Polanco is being held out of the starting lineup ahead of Friday's game against the San Francisco Giants. The veteran slugger has been serving as the designated hitter while battling through this issue. It wouldn't be shocking to see the Mets place Polanco on the Injured List, so he can get fully healthy.
Mark Vientos has been logging in extra at-bats with Polanco missing time due to this injury. It hasn't helped too much, considering Vientos only has three hits coming into Friday's game. Vientos remains a mixed league option even with an expanded role.
--Andy WebbSource: Mike Puma
April 3, 2026
New York Yankees starting pitcher
Gerrit Cole (elbow) continues to make progress in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. The veteran right-hander was able to make two starts during Spring Training. Since then, Cole has thrown a live batting practice session on April 1. The plan is for Cole to continue ramping up his activities before eventually beginning a minor league rehab assignment. The Yankees are hopeful that Cole will be ready to pitch for the big league team by the end of May. The six-time All-Star hasn't pitched since the 2024 campaign, but is one of the best in the game when he's healthy.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
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