RADIO
Rico Garcia Earns Second Save, Emerging as Temporary Closer for Orioles
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Rico Garcia slammed the door on the Marlins on Wednesday night to earn his second save of the season. He issued a walk to Owen Caissie to start the inning, but Garcia induced a double play from Otto Lopez and fanned Javier Sanoja to end the game. Garcia earned his second save of the year by securing the three-run win for Baltimore, and the 32-year-old righty should continue to have fantasy value as the team's closer as long as Ryan Helsley (elbow) is on the injured list. In his 18 games this season, Garcia has allowed just one run on one hit across 17 innings with 19 strikeouts. If you need a short-term addition to your bullpen, Garcia is one of the top options to consider.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jack Perkins Blows First Save, in Danger of Losing Top Closer Job?
Athletics relief pitcher Jack Perkins was charged with a blown save on Wednesday night against the Philadelphia Phillies. He allowed four runs (two earned) on two hits and a walk, while picking up two strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings. Perkins came into the game to start the seventh inning and retired the Phillies in order with two strikeouts. Things fell apart on him in the eighth, though, and he left runners on the corners with one out after a costly error by second baseman Jeff McNeil. Those runners came around to score, and Perkins took his first loss of the season. The 26-year-old righty still has a 3.68 ERA and 1.78 FIP with a 30.2% strikeout rate. Even though this was officially a blown save, it came before the ninth inning, which shows the A's are still not using him as a traditional, everyday closer. Perkins remains in the mix for saves along with Hogan Harris and Joel Kuhnel, but it's hard to trust any of them for fantasy with the current uncertainty, making him best left for deeper 12+ team leagues.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jared Jones Throws 54 Pitches in Rehab Outing on Wednesday
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jared Jones (elbow) threw 54 pitches across three innings of work in a rehab start with Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday, allowing five hits, one earned run, and one walk while striking out two. It was the second rehab start for Jones as he works his way back from internal brace surgery on his right elbow. The 24-year-old has not appeared in an MLB game since September 2024, but he appears to be progressing towards a return to the big leagues in the not-too-distant future. Jones flashed significant upside as a rookie in 2024, posting a 6-8 record with a 4.14 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 132 strikeouts across 121 2/3 innings (22 starts). He's currently on the 60-day injured list, so a late-May/early-June return for Jones is likely the plan in Pittsburgh. Fantasy managers should consider stashing Jones off the waiver wire now in leagues where he is available.
Source: milb.com
Source: milb.com
Kodai Senga Plays Catch on Wednesday, Feeling "A Lot Better"
New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said that starting pitcher Kodai Senga (back) played catch on Wednesday and is feeling "a lot better," per Laura Albanese of Newsday. Senga was placed on the 15-day injured list in late April after receiving an epidural injection to treat lumbar spine inflammation. The 33-year-old was off to a terrible start to the 2026 season before hitting the IL, recording a 0-4 record with a 9.00 ERA, 1.95 WHIP, and 23 strikeouts across five starts (20 innings). Senga was initially shut down from throwing, but it appears as though he's now progressing towards a return. Injuries have been a persistent issue for Senga, who has now thrown just 138 2/3 innings since the start of the 2024 season. Given his spotty health track record and his ineffectiveness this season, Senga can likely be dropped in most fantasy formats.
Source: Newsday - Laura Albanese
Source: Newsday - Laura Albanese
Shane Bieber Throws Bullpen on Wednesday, Looks "Sharp"
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that starting pitcher Shane Bieber (elbow) threw a bullpen on Wednesday and "looked sharp," per Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. Bannon reports that Bieber is scheduled to throw another bullpen next week before progressing to work against live hitters. The veteran right-hander has yet to pitch in 2026 as he works his way back from elbow and forearm issues that landed him on the 60-day injured list before the start of the season. Bieber underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2024, which kept him out until August 2025. He was effective down the stretch for Toronto, recording a 4-2 record with a 3.57 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 37 strikeouts across 40 1/3 innings (seven starts). While Bieber is not eligible to return from the injured list until late May at the earliest, it appears that he's slowly making progress. Once healthy, he should be rostered in most fantasy formats.
Source: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
Source: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
Logan Webb Undergoing Further Evaluation on Left Knee
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb (knee) is undergoing further evaluation on his left knee after exiting early from his start on Tuesday night against the San Diego Padres. After the game, Webb said that he has been dealing with discomfort in the knee for "a little while." The 29-year-old is off to a very slow start to 2026, as he's posted a 2-4 record with a 5.06 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 42 strikeouts across 48 innings (eight starts). The knee issues could provide an explanation for Webb's struggles. While Webb downplayed the injury after his start on Tuesday, it appears as though the team is seeking an exact diagnosis, and a trip to the injured list could be on the table. Should Webb miss time, right-hander Trevor McDonald could be the favorite to take his spot in the Giants' rotation.
Source: MLB.com - Michael Wagaman
Source: MLB.com - Michael Wagaman
Andy Pages Continues Scorching Start to 2026 with Three-Homer Game on Wednesday
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages put together a monster performance in his team's 12-2 win over the Houston Astros on Wednesday, going three-for-five with three home runs and six RBI. The 25-year-old is off to an excellent start to the 2026 season, hitting .336/.376/.589 with eight home runs, 33 RBI, 22 runs scored, and six stolen bases. Pages is currently tied for the MLB lead in RBI and should remain in a prime position to keep racking up counting stats while hitting in the heart of the potent Dodgers' lineup. He looks like an above-average contributor across all five traditional rotisserie categories early on this year.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Cole Ragans Exits Early from Start on Wednesday Due to Elbow and Triceps Soreness
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans (elbow, triceps) exited early from his start on Wednesday against the Cleveland Guardians due to elbow and triceps soreness, per Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star. Ragans threw 68 pitches across three scoreless innings, allowing one hit and two walks while striking out four. The 28-year-old has gotten off to a slow start to the 2026 season, pitching to a 4.84 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with 45 strikeouts across 35 1/3 innings (eight starts). While the exact nature of Ragans' injury is not yet clear, any elbow issue is obviously a major concern for the left-hander. Should Ragans require a trip to the injured list, right-hander Stephen Kolek could be the favorite to take his spot in the Kansas City rotation.
Source: The Kansas City Star - Jaylon T. Thompson
Source: The Kansas City Star - Jaylon T. Thompson
Carlos Estevez Leaves Rehab Outing With Shoulder Discomfort
Kansas City Royals right-handed reliever Carlos Estevez (shoulder, foot) left his minor-league rehab outing on Wednesday early at Triple-A Omaha with right-shoulder discomfort, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. Estevez recorded two outs, but his velocity was down, and he exited after the second out when a trainer came to visit with him. Estevez has been on the 15-day injured list since he was hit by a comebacker on his left foot after his first appearance of the season. The 33-year-old Dominican veteran and two-time All-Star allowed six earned runs in one-third of an inning of work before being hit in the foot, and his velocity was noticeably down in spring training as well. Estevez might have recovered from his foot injury, but now he has shoulder concerns and could need to restart a rehab assignment. It's becoming harder to justify stashing Estevez in fantasy leagues, and Lucas Erceg's run as KC's primary closer could be extended, depending on how serious Estevez's shoulder injury is. Estevez is currently rostered in 64% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
Lance McCullers Jr. Dealing With Blister Issue?
Houston Astros right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. (finger) was pulled from his start early on Wednesday against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning, and The Athletic's Chandler Rome reported that McCullers was looking down at his finger before manager Joe Espada and a trainer came out to check on him. McCullers has dealt with blister issues in the past, as well as several arm injuries that derailed his career for quite some time. It was a rough outing for the 32-year-old veteran before being pulled, as he allowed six earned runs on four hits (one homer) while walking three and striking out four in just 2 2/3 innings against the first-place Dodgers to pick up his third loss of the year. The poor outing raised McCullers' ERA to 7.41 in seven starts this year. The former first-rounder in 2012 will be droppable in most leagues if he finds his way to the injured list. McCullers is only rostered in 10% of Yahoo leagues right now.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Emilio Pagan has Grade 2 Hamstring Strain, Expected to Miss 4-8 Weeks
Cincinnati Reds right-handed closer Emilio Pagan (hamstring) said he suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain on Tuesday night, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer. Doctors told Pagan that it will be four to eight weeks before he can return to the mound for the Reds, but it's a best-case scenario after the level of pain that he experienced on Tuesday night when he was carted off the field against the Chicago Cubs. "Leaving the field yesterday, I thought my season was done," Pagan said. The Reds placed Pagan on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday. The 34-year-old veteran reliever will be dropped in a lot of fantasy leagues after this news. It's not like he was pitching well before his hamstring issues, sporting a 6.43 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, six saves, 11 strikeouts, and six walks in 14 innings pitched out of the bullpen. Going forward, right-hander Tony Santillan is the name to know for a waiver-wire pickup for save opportunities, although righty Graham Ashcraft could also see some save chances with Pagan sidelined.
Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Gordon Wittenmyer
Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Gordon Wittenmyer
Joe Ryan Listed as Scheduled Starter for Saturday Against Cleveland
Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan (elbow) is officially listed as the team's scheduled starter for Saturday's game in Cleveland against the division-rival Guardians, according to Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic. The Twins pulled Ryan from his last outing against the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday after just nine pitches with soreness in his right elbow. Thankfully, an MRI exam ruled out any structural damage for the 29-year-old, and he's been cleared to make his next start this weekend in a plus matchup against a Guardians team that ranks 22nd in OPS (.693). Despite the plus matchup, Ryan will be extra risky for fantasy managers and could be on a shorter leash on Saturday after throwing only nine pitches his last time out. The former seventh-round pick by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018 out of Cal State Stanislaus has gone 2-3 this year for the Twins with a 3.72 ERA (3.01 FIP), 1.06 WHIP, and 40:10 K:BB in 38 2/3 innings across his eight starts.
Source: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
Source: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
Tyler Glasnow Not Expected to Land on the Injured List
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that right-hander Tyler Glasnow (back) will undergo an MRI exam on his back, but he's not expected to go on the injured list, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Glasnow said he felt his back "gave out" during a warm-up throw before the second inning of his outing on Wednesday in Houston against the Astros. He tried to throw another pitch, but it didn't feel any better. It's the same issue that forced him to skip a start in Baltimore in 2025 and that sent him to the IL in 2024. The Dodgers are calling Glasnow's injury back spasms for now. If Glasnow's back doesn't get any worse and he's able to make his between-starts bullpen session, he'll be lined up for a great matchup next week against the division-rival San Francisco Giants. In his inning of work on Wednesday, the hard-throwing right-hander allowed an earned run on a solo home run while walking none and striking out two. Given the 32-year-old's lengthy injury history, it wouldn't be a surprise if he lands on the IL as a precaution.
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
Luis Garcia Jr. Remains Out of Nationals Lineup on Wednesday
Washington Nationals infielder Luis Garcia Jr. (wrist) remains out of the starting lineup on Wednesday against the visiting Minnesota Twins with a hand/wrist injury, per MLB.com. Curtis Mead will make another start at first base for the Nats and will hit third in the batting order against Twins right-hander Bailey Ober. Garcia is missing a second straight start after injuring his hand/wrist in Sunday's series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers. The 25-year-old is considered day-to-day for now and could be back as early as Thursday's series finale in D.C. against the Twins. Garcia, who is merely an infield depth option in deeper fantasy leagues, has hit just .234 (25-for-107) with a homer, 16 RBI, 14 runs scored, and two stolen bases in his 33 games played so far in 2026 as the team's regular first baseman. Mead has one hit in just two career at-bats against Ober.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Matthew Boyd Needs Meniscus Surgery, Going on 15-Day Injured List
The Chicago Cubs announced on Wednesday that they placed left-hander Matthew Boyd (knee) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to May 4) with a left-knee meniscus injury that will require surgery. The team selected right-hander Trent Thornton's contract from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move. Boyd's timetable for a return is unknown right now, but in a best-case scenario, he probably will not be ready to return to Chicago's starting rotation until after the All-Star break in mid-July. It's yet another injury blow to the Cubs' pitching staff, and it's unclear right now who will take Boyd's spot in the rotation. Right-handers Ben Brown and Javier Assad are two options out of the bullpen, as is left-hander Jordan Wicks (elbow) whenever he's ready to return from his IL stint. The 35-year-old Boyd will be dumped in a lot of redraft leagues with this news, especially since he currently has an unsightly 6.00 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with 31 strikeouts in 24 innings over his five starts so far in 2026. He's currently rostered in 72% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Chicago Cubs
Source: Chicago Cubs
