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Jackson Holliday Batting Seventh in Season Debut for O's on Tuesday
Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday (hand) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list on Monday before the series opener against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays, but he didn't play. Holliday will start at second base and bat seventh in the lineup in his 2026 season debut against Rays right-hander Griffin Jax. The 22-year-old former first overall pick in 2022 needed surgery for a fractured hamate bone in his right hand in February, but he's just now making his season debut due to multiple setbacks he encountered while on his minor-league rehab assignment. Fantasy managers still holding Holliday have to be disappointed that he's hitting near the bottom of the batting order, but there is plenty of time to move his way up the lineup if he produces offensively. Don't be surprised if Holliday is slow to get back into a rhythm at the plate after slashing just .176/.291/.284 during his rehab assignment. Holliday is an emerging power/speed threat who is in just his second full season in the majors. He's currently rostered in 41% of Yahoo leagues, but he'll become a priority waiver addition if he starts putting up numbers in Baltimore.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ceddanne Rafaela Returns Following Minor Hamstring Injury
Boston Red Sox outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela (hamstring) is back in center field and will bat out of the two-hole for Tuesday's game against the hosting Kansas City Royals and left-hander Bailey Falter, according to MLB.com. Rafaela was not in the starting nine for Monday's series opener against the Royals, but he entered as a defensive replacement, and now he's back in the starting lineup for Game 2 at Kauffman Stadium. Not only is the 25-year-old native of Cuacao one of the best defensive center fielders in the game, but he's also been one of Boston's best producers on offense, entering Tuesday's tilt with a .284/.354/.432 slash line with a .786 OPS, four home runs, 19 RBI, 18 runs scored, and three stolen bases across 45 games and 164 plate appearances. Rafaela has been even better in May, going 17-for-53 (.321) with three of his home runs, two doubles, nine RBI, three steals, and five runs scored in 16 games played. Get him back into your starting lineups in all traditional formats on Tuesday.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Gerrit Cole to Make Season Debut on Friday Against Rays
New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole (elbow) will come off the 15-day injured list to make his 2026 season debut on Friday against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays, manager Aaron Boone told Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. Cole missed the entire 2025 season after having Tommy John surgery last March. The 35-year-old former first overall pick in 2011 out of UCLA had a 4.66 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with 28 strikeouts, and only three walks in 29 innings over six minor-league rehab starts with High-A Hudson Valley, Double-A Somerset, and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He should not be limited from a pitch-count perspective in his season debut on Friday after throwing 86 pitches in 5 1/3 innings in his final rehab start last Saturday. However, fantasy managers should take a cautious approach with Cole in his first outing back in the big leagues against the first-place Rays. Cole was named the American League Cy Young winner in 2023, making him a must-roster veteran arm with strikeout upside, even though he's been away from the Yankees for a full year.
Source: The Athletic - Chris Kirschner
Source: The Athletic - Chris Kirschner
Masyn Winn Not Ready to Return From Knee Injury
St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (knee) is still bothered by his knee injury and is not in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates at Busch Stadium, according to MLB.com. Cesar Prieto will make the start at the 6 and bat seventh against Pirates right-hander Mitch Keller. Winn was pulled from Sunday's game against the Kansas City Royals early due to discomfort in his left knee, and he's still out of action despite the team having a day off on Monday. It's not the same knee that Winn had surgery on last September to fix a meniscus injury. For now, fantasy managers should continue to label him as day-to-day. The 24-year-old former second-rounder in 2020 offers a modest blend of power and speed at a premium position in fantasy baseball for the Red Birds. Through 41 games in 2026 in his third full season in the majors, Winn is hitting a mediocre .255/.331/.353 with a .684 OPS, only one homer, 17 RBI, 18 runs, and four stolen bases across 41 games and 175 plate appearances.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ryan Jeffers to Have Hand Surgery, Expected to Miss 6-8 Weeks
Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers (hand) will have surgery to fix a broken hamate bone in his left hand and is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks, general manager Jeremy Zoll told The Athletic's Aaron Gleeman. The Twins placed Jeffers on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday after he injured his hand in an at-bat late in Monday night's win over the visiting Houston Astros. It's a really tough break for Jeffers and the Twins, as he was hitting .295 (36-for-122) this year with seven home runs, 26 RBI, 26 runs scored, a stolen base, a .408 on-base percentage, a .541 slugging percentage, and a .949 OPS in 37 games across 148 plate appearances. In a best-case scenario, Jeffers might be able to return to the big-league roster in early July. In the meantime, veteran Victor Caratini should do most of the catching for the Twins, with Alex Jackson backing him up. Fantasy managers should be looking to avoid the catching situation in Minnesota with Jeffers out for an extended period of time.
Source: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
Source: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
Emmanuel Rodriguez Needs Surgery for UCL Tear in his Thumb
Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez (thumb), who is currently on the seven-day injured list at Triple-A St. Paul, needs surgery after an MRI exam showed a UCL tear in his left thumb, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. It's a tough break for the 23-year-old, who is considered the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline. Rodriguez was hitting .247 (20-for-81) for the Saints with six home runs, 18 RBI, 15 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 25 games across 108 plate appearances at the time of his injury. Thumb injuries have been a problem for him, as he had surgery for a right-thumb injury in 2024 and also missed some time last year with a left-thumb ailment. The Dominican outfielder is quickly losing steam in dynasty/keeper leagues as a stash candidate due to durability concerns. Rodriguez has yet to play in 100 games down on the farm in a single season since he became a professional in 2021. His most recent thumb injury could very well cost him the rest of the 2026 season.
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Byron Buxton Returning to Twins Lineup on Tuesday Night
Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) is returning to the team's starting lineup on Tuesday night against the visiting Houston Astros and right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. at Target Field, according to Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic. Buxton is finally back in action after missing almost a full week due to soreness in his right hip flexor. Fantasy managers will be hoping that the 32-year-old veteran can pick up where he left off after he clubbed two home runs in his last game against the Miami Marlins last week. The two-time All-Star has picked things up in May, going 13-for-46 (.283) with seven home runs, two doubles, 12 RBI, 10 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 11 games. Buxton has hit .260/.319/.580 overall in 2026 with an .899 OPS, 15 long balls, 23 RBI, 33 runs scored, and four stolen bases in his 169 at-bats. He has also hit .600 with a 1.867 OPS in a small sample size of five career at-bats against McCullers.
Source: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
Source: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
Alejandro Kirk Not Quite Ready for a Rehab Assignment
Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk (thumb) "continues to progress," but he isn't taking full batting practice yet and still feels his thumb a bit when swinging, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. Kirk caught right-hander Shane Bieber's (elbow) side session and is catching, throwing, and hitting. "By the end of the week, we'll have a better feel" for when he might be cleared to begin a rehab assignment, according to manager John Schneider. The 27-year-old Mexican backstop is recovering from a fractured left thumb. Kirk had surgery on his thumb and had a screw inserted into his hand. It remains to be seen when exactly Kirk will come off the 10-day injured list, but if he continues to make progress, he could return to Toronto before the end of May. Until then, Tyler Heineman and Brandon Valenzuela will continue to split the catching duties for the Jays. Kirk went 3-for-20 (.150) with a homer in five games before getting hurt this year, but the two-time All-Star can provide modest power at the weak catching position in fantasy when he's healthy. He's currently rostered in 26% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
Source: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
Mets Move Clay Holmes to 60-Day Injured List With Fractured Fibula
The New York Mets announced on Tuesday that they moved right-hander Clay Holmes (leg) to the 60-day injured list after he suffered a fractured right fibula when he took a comebacker off his leg during his start over the weekend against his former team, the New York Yankees. He has been shut down from all baseball activities for the next six to eight weeks and won't be eligible to return to the big-league starting rotation until mid-August. Although the 33-year-old veteran's underlying metrics suggested that regression was coming, he looked good for the Mets in his first nine starts of 2026, going 4-4 with a 2.39 ERA (3.22 FIP) and 1.10 WHIP with 45 strikeouts and 18 walks over 52 2/3 innings pitched. Because of his long-term injury, he's already been dropped in a lot of fantasy leagues and is currently rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues. Left-handed pitching prospect Zach Thornton will get the first crack at trying to fill Holmes' starting rotation spot in the big leagues, but Jack Wenninger and Jonah Tong might also get opportunities.
Source: New York Mets
Source: New York Mets
Kyle Schwarber Still Under the Weather, Out on Tuesday
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder/designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (illness) is out of the starting lineup for a second straight game on Tuesday against the visiting Cincinnati Reds with an illness, according to MLB.com. Shortstop Trea Turner will serve as the DH and will bat leadoff, while Edmundo Sosa will make the start at the 6 and hit seventh against Reds right-hander Chase Burns at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies will give the three-time All-Star another day off. Hopefully, the 33-year-old veteran will be back in the lineup for Wednesday's contest against Cincy. Schwarber continues to mash baseballs well over the fence in 2026 in his 12th year in the big leagues. He currently leads all of baseball with 20 home runs and has also contributed 36 RBI in 47 games across 213 plate appearances. He's been on a homer binge since May 7, going 13-for-43 (.302) with nine homers, a double, 16 RBI, 10 runs scored, and a stolen base in 10 games played. When Schwarber returns to action, fantasy managers will want to throw him right back into all starting lineups. Hopefully, his illness doesn't slow him down at the plate at all.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Hagen Smith's Strikeout Potential Warrants Stash Consideration
Chicago White Sox pitching prospect Hagen Smith struck out another six batters in his latest start at Triple-A and allowed just one earned run on two hits, but his command issue reared it's head again, with the southpaw walking five batters, resulting in an exit after only 3 2/3 innings pitched (75 pitches). Chicago's fourth-ranked prospect has flashed strong strikeout potential over the last two seasons between Double-A and Triple-A, punching out 33.2 percent of batters faced, however, a gaudy 17.6 percent walk rate over that same period shows there is still work to be done. The former fifth-overall draft pick is limiting opponents to a .171 batting average, but a 3.90 ERA (4.16 FIP) and 13.8 percent K-BB% could delay his call-up to the majors. Even so, the 22-year-old is expected to make a debut at some point this season, and with his elite strikeout potential, the lefty should be viewed as one of the top prospect pitchers to stash.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Agustin Ramirez Worth Stashing Ahead of Potential Return?
Miami Marlins catcher Agustin Ramirez has emerged as a base-stealing threat at Triple-A, making him an intriguing fantasy stash ahead of his eventual return to the majors. Ramirez was optioned to Triple-A on May 4 after slashing .230/.318/.345 with two homers, three steals, and 87 wRC+ in the majors. His slash line in Jacksonville isn't any better (.206/.270/.235), and he's striking out more (27.0%) with a lower walk rate (5.4%). With that being said, he has shown glimpses of impressive speed, stealing four bases in just eight games. We fully expect to see Ramirez back in the majors this year, so his ability to steal bases could be enough to get him back on the fantasy radar, especially at the catcher position, where speed can be hard to come by.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ronald Acuna Jr. Back in the Lineup on Tuesday
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (hamstring) is in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Miami Marlins. He'll bat leadoff as the designated hitter against Marlins southpaw Braxton Garrett. Acuna is making his return from a two-week absence that included a stint on the 10-day injured list. Prior to injuring his hamstring on May 3, he was slashing .252/.362/.378 with two homers, seven RBI, a 13.2% walk rate, a 20.4% strikeout rate, and 111 wRC+. Acuna hasn't been as effective with the bat in his hands this season compared to years past, but he's still an above-average hitter with a nice blend of power and speed. With that said, injuries have continued to plague him, as he hasn't played 100+ games in a season since 2023, when he played 159 games while slugging 41 homers and stealing 73 bases. Acuna ranks #8 among outfielders in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
On the Doorstep to Majors, George Lombard Jr. Enters Stash Conversation
New York Yankees shortstop prospect George Lombard Jr.'s bat has cooled since being greeted by Triple-A pitching, going just 9-for-59 (.153) without a single extra-base hit over his first 16 games at that level. On the bright side, the Yankees' top-ranked prospect has shown a supremely keen eye, drawing 17 walks (21.8 percent) compared to only 12 strikeouts (15.4 percent), and has stolen three bases. Recently-activated Anthony Volpe has a pair of multi-hit games over his last two contests, and Jose Caballero (finger) could soon return from the injured list, so a big league debut doesn't appear to be imminent, but that could change quickly. If Volpe falters or Caballero encounters a setback, Lombard's chance could be next. With a fantasy-friendly toolset, the soon-to-be-21-year-old should be on the stash radar.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Ralphy Velazquez Headed to Triple-A, Officially on the Stash Radar?
The Cleveland Guardians have promoted first base prospect Ralphy Velazquez to Triple-A, according to Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com. Velazquez was the Guardians' first-round pick in 2023, signing for $2.5 million out of Huntington Beach High School in California. It's a much-deserved promotion for the left-handed hitter, who was slashing .317/.414/.566 with seven home runs, a 13.0% walk rate, a 18.3% strikeout rate, and 159 wRC+ in Double-A. He has 29 homers over his last 158 minor league games, reminding fans and fantasy managers of his impressive power. Although the Guardians won't rush his development, it seems likely that he'll make his MLB debut this season if he continues to hit well at Triple-A. Once he reaches the majors, his power-hitting profile will make him a worthwhile first baseman to roster in fantasy baseball leagues.
Source: Paul Hoynes
Source: Paul Hoynes
