RADIO
Amid Slump, Luke Raley Still Worthy of Roster Consideration?
Seattle Mariners outfielder Luke Raley continued his skid on Sunday, going 0-for-3 at the plate, now hitless in his last 12 at-bats and 1-for-19 (.053) over his last 10 games. Of course, as a career .232 hitter coming into the season, the 6-foot-3 slugger was probably overdue for some regression after starting the year 20-for-59 (.339). Still, with bat speed, hard-hit rate, barrel rate, and average exit velocity all 89th percentile or better, expect more home runs from the left-handed hitter, even if the batting average doesn't return. He's seen just two plate appearances against left-handed pitching all season, which puts a cap on his production ceiling in season-long leagues, although leagues with daily lineup changes alleviate that problem somewhat. With a career ISO of .216 and wRC+ of 127 against righties, though, he could be a solid DFS play on days where the Mariners have a high implied run total and are facing a right-hander.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Moises Ballesteros Continues to Trend Upward, Worth Adding Off the Wire?
Chicago Cubs catcher/designated hitter Moises Ballesteros has been raking to begin 2026. The diminutive backstop has collected an extra-base hit in three consecutive games (three doubles, one home run), and is now slashing a robust .397/.446/.690 on the year with a .486 wOBA and 215 wRC+. The drawback right now is that he is exclusively being deployed against right-handed pitchers, with five plate appearances against LHP and 60 against RHP, while averaging under three plate appearances per game so far. With how hot he is, though, the Cubs' former top prospect warrants consideration for a roster spot, especially in leagues that allow daily lineup changes. This is a kid who was a .303 career hitter in 182 games at Triple-A and who hit .298 in his 20-game debut in 2025, so if his advanced hit tool earns him more at-bats, more production will follow. The 22-year-old is available in almost 80 percent of Yahoo! leagues, and should be a regular DFS consideration when the Cubs are facing a right-hander.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
What Does Power Outage Mean for Jake Bauers' Fantasy Value?
Milwaukee Brewers first baseman/outfielder Jake Bauers has done a fine job filling in at first base this season after expected starter Andrew Vaughn (hand) hit the injured list before the season began. Bauers hit five home runs in his first 15 games this season, and although he is in the midst of a 10-game homerless drought, the left-handed slugger is also currently riding a five-game hit streak. During this streak, he's gone 8-for-21 (.381) with three doubles, and is now slashing .261/.316/.477 for the year with a .339 wOBA and 115 wRC+. Expected stats like xBA and xwOBA are in line with his actual statistics, so there doesn't appear to be any signs of regression one way or the other, and with bat speed, hard-hit rate, and average exit velocity all 92nd-percentile or better, more long balls should be on the way. Vaughn could be back by mid-May, so Bauers' playing time could become diminished, but for now, he's worth adding from the waiver wire for managers looking for some power production, and is available in over 80 percent of leagues.
Source: Baseball Savant
Source: Baseball Savant
Ronny Mauricio a Sneaky Power Bat Available on the Waiver Wire
New York Mets infielder Ronny Mauricio is a name to consider on the waiver wire this week as the Mets recently called up their former top prospect when Francisco Lindor (calf) went on the injured list. Mauricio was hitting .293 at Triple-A and was already up to six home runs and five steals this season in just 15 games. The steals aren't something fantasy managers should expect in the majors, but he could be a sneaky source of power while filling in at shortstop. The 6-foot-3 Dominican hit six home runs last season with the Mets in only 61 games, and was the owner of the 10th-hardest hit ball in the majors at 117.3 mph back in 2023, the year he debuted. The switch-hitter is 3-for-6 in his last two games, is eligible at both 2B and 3B in Yahoo! leagues, and should soon gain eligibility at SS.
Source: Baseball Savant
Source: Baseball Savant
Anthony Volpe a Priority Injured List Stash?
New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (shoulder) is rostered in just nine percent of Yahoo! leagues, but with his expected return to the big league club this week, that number should probably be higher. The former first-round draft pick had a 20/20 season in his debut season of 2023, and was nearly 20/20 again last year (19 home runs, 18 steals). The right-handed hitter will likely be a drain on batting average, but he's hitting .308 through eight rehab games in the minors, so perhaps there's hope he could outproduce his career batting average of .222. Also, hitting anywhere in the league's fifth-best run-producing lineup (5.21 runs/game) should carry plenty of RBI and run-scoring opportunities. The soon-to-be-25-year-old is worth a look in most 12-team mixed leagues and could be stashed away ahead of his return.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Should Fantasy Managers Consider Dropping Daulton Varsho?
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho looked like he was heating up, going 13-for-38 (.342) over a 10-game stretch from April 10 through April 22, but went ice cold in the Cleveland series over the weekend. The left-handed hitter went 0-for-11 in the three-game set and is now slashing .230/.302/.379 with a .303 wOBA and 88 wRC+. The 29-year-old is putting the bat on the ball at a career-best 84.1 percent of the time with a career-best strikeout rate of 16.7 percent, but with a noticeable year-over-year drop in bat speed, it looks like he's sacrificing power for contact, but it's coming without a corresponding uptick in batting average. The 5-foot-8 slugger belted at least 18 home runs from 2022 to 2025, but with an average exit velocity in the fourth percentile and just a 5.6 percent barrel rate, that could be a challenge in 2026. Perhaps his bat will warm up with the weather, but there may be higher upside options on the waiver wire. He's 36 percent rostered on Yahoo!, and it probably shouldn't be any higher than that for now.
Source: Baseball Savant
Source: Baseball Savant
Gabriel Moreno Could Return This Weekend
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (oblique) isn't expected to return from the 10-day injured list for the series this week against the Milwaukee Brewers, but he could return for the series against the Chicago Cubs this weekend, according to Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. The D-backs originally thought the 26-year-old backstop would be an option to return against Milwaukee on Tuesday. Until Moreno can return this weekend, the Snakes will move forward with James McCann and Aramis Garcia at catcher if Adrian Del Castillo (finger) is forced to join Moreno on the IL after injuring his finger on Sunday in Mexico City. The once-promising Moreno has quickly lost luster in fantasy baseball leagues, especially single-catcher formats. Durability has been a major issue, as he has played in over 100 games just once in four MLB seasons. Through 13 games this year, Moreno has hit .275 (11-for-40), but with no homers and five RBI. Moreno has never had double-digit home runs in a season and is currently rostered in just 11% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Arizona Republic - Nick Piecoro
Source: The Arizona Republic - Nick Piecoro
Grayson Rodriguez Facing Hitters in Arizona
Los Angeles Angels right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (shoulder) faced hitters in Arizona for the equivalent of three innings on Friday, and manager Kurt Suzuki said he "feels good," according to Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register. Suzuki said the team will wait until they see how Rodriguez feels before determining his next step. Rodriguez has yet to make his Angels debut after landing on the 15-day injured list with right-shoulder inflammation before Opening Day. The 26-year-old appears to be on the verge of starting what will be a lengthy minor-league rehab assignment, which means he could be an option to join the Halos' starting rotation at some point in May. Rodriguez came up with the Baltimore Orioles as one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball. The former 11th overall pick in 2018 looked good in his second MLB season in 2024 and has a 25.7% strikeout rate in his 238 2/3 big-league innings, but injuries are threatening to derail his career. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues can likely take a wait-and-see approach to G-Rod once he hears a return to the big-league mound. He's rostered in only 12% of Yahoo leagues right now.
Source: The Orange County Register - Jeff Fletcher
Source: The Orange County Register - Jeff Fletcher
Quinn Priester Shaky Again in Second Rehab Start
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Quinn Priester's (wrist) control and velocity were both issues in his second minor-league rehab start on Sunday at Triple-A Nashville. The 25-year-old threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings and didn't allow a hit, but he walked three and struck out two, and threw just 18 of his 45 pitches for strikes. Lack of control has been an issue for Priester so far in his first two rehab starts, as he threw only 12 of his 29 pitches for strikes in his first rehab start. We'd expect Priester to need at least two more rehab starts before the Brewers think he's ready to pitch in the big leagues. The former first-rounder by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2019 has yet to pitch in 2026 due to symptoms related to thoracic outlet syndrome. It's a tricky injury that could eventually require surgery down the road. Right now, Priester can probably be left on the waiver wire in shallow-mixed fantasy leagues while he continues to work on his control on the farm. He's rostered in 23% of Yahoo leagues at the moment.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Spencer Strider Fans Seven in Rehab Start, Joining the Braves Next?
Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider (oblique) took the loss for Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday, but he looked good in what could be his final minor-league rehab start before making his 2026 season debut with the Braves. Strider allowed two earned runs on four hits while walking two and striking out seven in five innings of work for the Stripers. He threw 50 of his 82 pitches for strikes, generated 16 swings and misses, and hit 96.9 mph on the radar gun. All signs are pointing to the 27-year-old being reinstated from the 15-day injured list soon to rejoin Atlanta's starting rotation. If Strider is activated this week, he'll be lined up to make his first start of 2026 on the road in Denver at hitter-friendly Coors Field against the Colorado Rockies this weekend. Strider broke out in 2023 with a league-high 20 wins, 281 strikeouts, and a 2.85 FIP, but he made only two starts in 2024 after having elbow surgery, and he wasn't quite the same in 2025 following surgery. He's worth stashing and taking a chance on to see if he can rediscover his pre-injury form for the Braves. Strider is rostered in 90% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Nick Lodolo Looks Good in First Rehab Start
Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo (finger) looked good in his first minor-league rehab start on Sunday with High-A Dayton, throwing five scoreless innings for a win with two hits allowed, no walks, and seven strikeouts. Lodolo was initially pulled off his first rehab assignment due to a setback with the blister on his pitching hand. The talented southpaw has been on the 15-day injured list since the start of the 2026 season, but he could be getting close to his season debut after another rehab start or two. Lodolo threw 39 of his 51 pitches for strikes on Sunday. Look for him to move up to a higher minor-league affiliate for his next rehab start, which should come later this week. When ready, the former first-rounder in 2019 out of TCU will have a starting rotation spot waiting for him in Cincinnati, and his high-strikeout upside makes him worth stashing in all fantasy baseball formats. Despite having yet to pitch for the Reds this year, Lodolo is rostered in 88% of Yahoo leagues at the moment.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Max Clark Extending Dominant Stretch at Triple-A
Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark has continued to impress at Triple-A and remains a top prospect to stash. Clark was given the opportunity to break camp with the MLB roster but was sent to Triple-A to begin the regular season. Even though he fell just short of the competition, Clark has looked quite comfortable with Toledo and remains on the verge of his MLB debut. Through his first 24 games with the top club in the Detroit system, the former first-round selection has carried a .305/.382/.452 slash line with an .835 OPS. During this stretch, Clark has launched just one home run but tallied nine doubles, swiped eight bags, and held an impressive 14:13 K:BB. While the Detroit outfield appears to be crowded at the moment, another injury could push Clark to the big leagues. He remains a top option to stash in five-outfielder formats.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Jeremiah Estrada Begins Rehab Assignment
San Diego Padres right-handed reliever Jeremiah Estrada (elbow) started a minor-league rehab assignment with Single-A Lake Elsinore last Friday by throwing a scoreless inning with a strikeout for the Storm, according to MLB.com. Estrada landed on the 15-day injured list on April 10 after feeling "tightness" in his right elbow while playing catch. He was diagnosed with right-elbow tendinitis, but the fact that he's already pitching in games again means he could come off the IL soon to rejoin the Friars' bullpen. The 27-year-old's velocity was down considerably before he landed on the IL, and he didn't look like his previous dominant self on the mound. Estrada allowed six runs (four earned) on five hits while walking five and striking out eight in his seven relief innings for SD before landing on the shelf. He can be a nice arm to roster in leagues that count holds, but Mason Miller has the ninth locked down in San Diego. Estrada is currently rostered in just 11% of fantasy baseball leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Logan Henderson Continues to Soar Atop Stash Rankings in Week 5
Milwaukee Brewers right-handed pitching prospect Logan Henderson continues to perform at a high level at Triple-A and is on the verge of returning to the major leagues. Since returning after his one spot-start with the Brewers this season, Henderson has logged 9 2/3 innings (three outings) with a near-perfect 0.93 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and a 12:7 K:BB. While his command has not been perfect, Henderson has been able to show high-end strikeout upside while limiting the damage in the box score. Last summer, Henderson made his MLB debut and looked more than comfortable in his first five MLB starts, carrying a 1.78 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP over 25 1/3 innings. Currently, the Brewers do not have a clear opening for the young right-hander, but given his prior success in the majors and current dominance at Triple-A, he is a top candidate to put in an "N/A" spot in deeper 12-team leagues in Week 5.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Is Bryce Eldridge Still Worth Stashing Amid Power Skid?
San Francisco Giants first-base prospect Bryce Eldridge has hit a bit of a skid at Triple-A but still holds high-end upside in all 12-team formats. Over his last 10 contests at Sacramento, the team's No. 1 hitting prospect has seen his production take a steep decline, as he has held a .189/.250/.216 line with a low .466 OPS. During this stretch, Eldridge has hit just one extra-base hit (a double) while posting a 13:3 K:BB. However, over his first 15 games, Eldridge was swinging a scorching hot bat, carrying a .368/.493/.561 line with five doubles, two home runs, 14 runs, and 11 RBI. Eldridge made his MLB debut last summer but struggled over his brief stint, holding a .476 OPS. While he may be in a bit of a slump at the plate, given San Francisco's lack of proven options at first base and DH outside of Rafael Devers, Eldridge remains a high-end stash option in Week 5.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
