RADIO
Juan Soto Back in Lineup on Thursday After Injury Scare
New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (ankle) is back in the starting lineup for Thursday's series finale at Citi Field, serving as the designated hitter and batting third against Detroit Tigers right-hander Keider Montero, according to MLB.com. Soto fouled a ball off his ankle early in Wednesday's game against Detroit and was later pulled from the contest, but he's back in there a day later after X-rays came back negative. It's great news for a banged-up and struggling Mets squad. Fantasy managers will be hoping that the 27-year-old Dominican can get on track at the plate going into the weekend. Soto enters Thursday's play with a .263/.357/.444 slash line with an .801 OPS, only four home runs, 11 RBI, 11 runs scored, and a stolen base in 99 at-bats. The four-time All-Star already spent time on the injured list with a calf strain, which hasn't helped him find his groove at the plate in 2026. He has a .502 OPS with one homer in May so far. Soto is hitless in just two career at-bats versus Montero.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Matt Wallner Optioned to Triple-A
Minnesota Twins outfielder Matt Wallner was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday. The big lefty was expected to be a key part of the lineup this season, but has scuffled to just a .167/.259/.292 slash line with a 39 percent strikeout rate. After hitting 22 homers in 104 games last season with a .334 wOBA, Wallner has the potential to be a power contributor when he's at his best, but his contact rate plummeted too low to keep him in the lineup this season. He could return later in the summer if he gets going at Triple-A, but he can be dropped in most leagues for now. Versatile utilityman Ryan Kreidler was called up to replace him on the bench.
Source: Audra Martin
Source: Audra Martin
Zebby Matthews Promoted From Triple-A, Worth an Add Ahead of Thursday's Start?
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Zebby Matthews will get the call for the Twins on Thursday afternoon in their series finale against the Marlins. The 25-year-old righty went 5-6 with a 5.56 ERA last year in 16 starts, but his 3.79 FIP and 10.0 K/9 indicate he has the potential for even more fantasy production going forward. In seven starts in Triple-A this year, Matthews had a 4.72 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 34 1/3 innings. He remains an intriguing talent with high strikeout potential, but his results have been very inconsistent in the majors last year and at Triple-A this year. He's a high-risk waiver pickup in standard-sized leagues, but he does have the potential to produce. As part of Thursday's roster moves, the Twins also optioned struggling lefty Matt Wallner, who posted a .167/.259/.292 slash line with a 39 percent strikeout rate. The slugger could return later in the summer if he gets going, but he can be dropped in most leagues for now. Mathews holds intriguing streaming potential in deeper 12+ team leagues given his strikeout potential.
Source: Audra Martin
Source: Audra Martin
Giants Remain Committed to Their Core Stars
The San Francisco Giants remain committed to their core stars and have had "zero internal conversations" about trading first baseman Rafael Devers, third baseman Matt Chapman, and/or shortstop Willy Adames, according to Robert Murray of FanSided. The Giants are optimistic that they can get their star players back on track and turn their season around. Devers has hit .351/.419/.703 with three home runs and seven RBI so far in May. If the Giants do end up becoming sellers before the Aug. 3 trade deadline, pitchers Robbie Ray and Tyler Mahle, who are both on expiring contracts, will be the biggest names to monitor. Ray is one of the better veteran left-handed arms in the game and currently has a nice 2.76 ERA in eight starts. Mahle, who signed a one-year, $10 million deal in the winter, is coming off a right-shoulder injury last year and has a 5.18 ERA in eight starts. The Giants are 18-24 right now and are only six games out of a wild-card spot in the National League. They think there is plenty of time to climb out of their current hole, so they aren't in full sell mode, even though they shipped catcher Patrick Bailey to Cleveland last weekend.
Source: FanSided - Robert Murray
Source: FanSided - Robert Murray
Casey Mize Could Return and Start on Saturday
Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize (groin) is eligible to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list on Friday, and he could return to the team's starting rotation to make the start on Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays, according to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News. Mize will be a riskier fantasy option this weekend if he makes his first start since late April due to a right-adductor strain. He threw a batting practice session this week, but it appears that he is going to return to the big-league roster without making a minor-league rehab assignment. The 29-year-old former first overall pick out of Auburn in the 2018 MLB draft was looking great before getting hurt, going 2-2 with a 2.90 ERA (2.85 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with 35 strikeouts and 11 walks in 31 innings across his first six starts, and he was a first-time All-Star for Detroit last season. Mize doesn't have the kind of high-end upside that other arms have because of his lack of strikeouts, but he will have a decent matchup on Saturday if he faces the Blue Jays, who rank 24th in baseball with a .684 OPS.
Source: The Detroit News - Chris McCosky
Source: The Detroit News - Chris McCosky
Bryan King Blows Second Save, in Danger of Losing Closer Job for Astros?
Houston Astros relief pitcher Bryan King let a one-run lead slip away on Wednesday night, and even though his team rallied to beat the Mariners, he may not be the go-to option for saves in Houston for long. He walked in the tying run and issued three free passes while also giving up an infield single. He escaped a bases-loaded jam, and Bryan Abreu worked a scoreless 10th inning to get the win. King's three walks were the first he allowed in six appearances, so hopefully the weaker command was an outlier. Both Abreu and Enyel De Los Santos pitched effectively in this game and would be the team's next options if it moves away from King. Top closer Josh Hader is continuing his rehab and should return in the next few weeks as well, which will likely take away any save chances that are available in the short term. King is a fine short-term hold in deep leagues, but his fantasy window is closing, especially if his control becomes an issue.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jack Perkins Tosses Scoreless Frame, Remains Top Ninth-Inning Option for Athletics
Athletics relief pitcher Jack Perkins spun a scoreless ninth inning in a non-save situation on Wednesday night in his team's 6-2 win over the Cardinals. An insurance run in the bottom of the eighth inning kept it from being a save situation, but the team's bullpen was set up for him to get the save if there was one. He allowed a single and hit a batter, but he struck out Alec Burleson to seal the victory. Perkins is 2-1 in his 11 games with a 3.86 ERA, three saves, and an impressive 1.88 FIP. His 30.6% K% makes him a great closer candidate, and he has a slight edge over Hogan Harris and Joel Kuhnel in the team's committee at this point. The committee and its uncertainty keep him from being an elite option, but he's clearly the team's top reliever for fantasy at this point, and worth a look if you're seeking saves on the waiver wire.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Paul Sewald Allows Three Runs in Blown Save, Cause for Concern?
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Paul Sewald took a tough loss on Wednesday night, letting a game get away against the Texas Rangers after his team rallied in the top of the ninth. Arizona scored three times to take a 5-3 lead into the bottom of the ninth, but Sewald ran into trouble after getting the first two outs of the inning. He gave up a game-tying single to Jake Burger as one of the three hits he allowed, and after he was removed, Juan Morillo allowed one of his inherited runners to score on a walk-off single by Danny Jansen. Sewald's loss dropped him to 0-4 on the year with a 4.70 ERA and 4.35 FIP. He had nine saves in nine opportunities before Wednesday's blown save, and the veteran righty should remain the clear closer for the Snakes at this point. Sewald's peripheral numbers aren't elite, but as a volume producer of saves, he still has value as long as he remains the team's top closer. However, this is a situation to keep an eye on, as it could become a pattern that costs him his role.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Louis Varland No Longer the Clear Closer in Toronto?
Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Louis Varland came into the eighth inning of his team's 5-3, extra-inning win on Wednesday night. The Jays were trailing the Rays 1-0 at the time, so it wasn't set up for a typical save scenario. He was brought in to face the heart of Tampa Bay's lineup and was able to escape a scoreless inning with two hits and a walk, leaving the bases loaded. Toronto eventually rallied and won, but Varland didn't earn a win, hold, or save. He is still the most likely closer when the team has a lead late, but Wednesday's appearance shows the team will use him in high-leverage spots earlier in the game if the situation calls for it. The strategy could cost him some saves, but he remains the top option in Toronto's bullpen at this point and is worth holding in most standard-sized leagues.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Byron Buxton Continues Power Surge With Two Home Runs Wednesday
Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton had the 19th multi-homer game of his career in Wednesday's 9-5 loss to the visiting Miami Marlins at Target Field, and he's now up to 15 home runs on the year. Buxton finished the contest 2-for-4 at the plate out of the leadoff spot for the Twins with two solo home runs, a walk, and a strikeout to raise his season average to .260 and his OPS to .899. The 32-year-old veteran and two-time All-Star has stayed healthy so far in 2026 and is up to 23 RBI, 33 runs scored, and four stolen bases in his first 40 games. Buxton has also added four stolen bases, but fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting him to reach the 20-steal mark for the second straight year. At this point in his career, Buxton is primarily a power asset at the top of Minnesota's batting order. He has really started to heat up offensively, batting .298 with all 15 of his homers, 22 RBI, and four stolen bases in his last 26 games across 114 at-bats. Continue to ride the hot-hitting veteran in all fantasy formats.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Connor Prielipp Being Pushed Back, Twins Managing his Innings
The Minnesota Twins will push back left-handed pitching prospect Connor Prielipp's next start a day or two to help manage his innings, according to Bobby Nightengale of The Minneapolis Star Tribune. Zebby Matthews will be called up from the minors to start Thursday's series finale against the Miami Marlins. The 25-year-old Prielipp has looked good in his first four major-league starts, posting a 3.32 ERA (4.38 FIP) and 1.00 WHIP with 21 strikeouts and seven walks in 19 innings pitched, but since he has not thrown more than 83 2/3 innings in a single season as a professional, the Twins will handle him with kid gloves in 2026. The team's No. 5 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has also had Tommy John surgery twice in his career. Prielipp is currently rostered in only 12% of Yahoo leagues, and his innings cap this year will certainly keep his fantasy ceiling low in his first year in the big leagues with the Twins. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound southpaw's stuff is real with a high-90s heater that gets plenty of swing and miss. Prielipp also generates elite-level spin on his slider and features a changeup that also draws plenty of whiffs.
Source: The Minneapolis Star Tribune - Bobby Nightengale
Source: The Minneapolis Star Tribune - Bobby Nightengale
Cal Raleigh Exits With Apparent Side Injury on Wednesday Night
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (side) left the game on Wednesday night against the Houston Astros in the bottom of the ninth inning, according to Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. Mitch Garver replaced Raleigh behind the plate after the left-handed slugger was seen grabbing at his right side in the eighth inning. Before leaving, the struggling catcher went hitless in his four at-bats with two strikeouts to drop his season average to a paltry .161 and his OPS to .560. The 29-year-old All-Star missed three games earlier in May due to soreness in the same side, so this could definitely be something that sends Raleigh to the injured list. We should know more about the severity of his injury on Thursday, so fantasy managers will want to check back for an update then. At the very least, Raleigh probably won't play in Thursday's series finale in Houston, and he might not be available this weekend when the team returns home to face the San Diego Padres for a three-game series. After leading all of baseball with 60 homers and 125 RBI in 2025, Raleigh has been one of the biggest disappointments so far in 2026, with seven homers and 18 RBI in his 41 games played.
Source: MLB.com - Daniel Kramer
Source: MLB.com - Daniel Kramer
Mickey Moniak's Breakout Continues With Five-RBI Night Against Pirates
Colorado Rockies outfielder Mickey Moniak continues to be money for fantasy managers in his second season with the Rockies. The 28-year-old former first overall pick by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2016 continued to rake on Wednesday night in a 10-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park, going 3-for-5 at the plate with a three-run home run, a triple, five RBI, and a strikeout to raise his season average to .315 and his OPS to 1.051. He finished a single shy of the cycle and blasted his 12th home run of the season off right-hander Mitch Keller in the fifth inning. Moniak is proving that last year's breakout in his first year in Colorado wasn't a fluke. He's now slashing .315/.358/.693 with 12 homers, 26 RBI, 12 runs scored, and a stolen base in 137 plate appearances across 35 games in 2026. The crazy part is that he's rostered in under 70% of Yahoo leagues. Run to the waiver wire and pick him up immediately if he's still available in your league.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Giancarlo Stanton Not Cleared to Ramp Up Running Program
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that outfielder/designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton's (calf) latest MRI exam has not allowed the team to clear him to start ramping up his running program, according to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. Stanton is on the 10-day injured list with a calf strain and doesn't appear close to rejoining the major-league squad, which isn't exactly a surprise given his reputation as a slow healer. Once the 36-year-old power hitter is cleared to resume running, he might not be far off from starting a minor-league rehab assignment. With Jasson Dominguez (shoulder) also on the IL and not close to a return, rookie outfielder Spencer Jones will continue to get run in the Yankees' lineup against right-handed pitching. Jones, 24, offers elite power upside, but he entered Wednesday with just one hit in his first 11 MLB at-bats with one walk and six strikeouts. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues are beginning to run out of patience with the oft-injured Stanton, as he's now rostered in only 34% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Chris Kirschner
Source: The Athletic - Chris Kirschner
Jeremy Pena Dealing With Sore Neck on Rehab Assignment
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (hamstring, neck) is dealing with a sore neck on Wednesday after colliding with a baserunner during his minor-league rehab game on Tuesday with Double-A Corpus Christi, manager Joe Espada told Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. Pena was scheduled to serve as the designated hitter for Corpus Christi on Wednesday, but he was held out and instead did baseball activities. Espada hopes that Pena will be back in action on Thursday. The 28-year-old continues to recover from a Grade 1 hamstring strain that landed him on the 10-day injured list on April 13, and he's expected to need at least several more rehab games before the Astros consider reinstating him. If Pena doesn't have any more physical issues later this week, he could be back in Houston's big-league lineup by the end of the weekend or early next week. With Carlos Correa (ankle) done for the year, the Astros can't get Pena back any sooner as their regular at shortstop. He's currently rostered in 80% of Yahoo leagues and can offer a little power and speed. Pena came close to his first 20-20 season in 2025, finishing three home runs shy in 125 games played.
Source: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
Source: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
