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Christian Yelich Still Bothered by Back, Injured List Stint Coming?
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder/designated hitter Christian Yelich (back) is out of the team's starting lineup for Friday's series opener in Minnesota against the hosting Twins, according to MLB.com. Andrew Vaughn will serve as the team's DH and will bat sixth against Twins right-hander Joe Ryan at Target Field. Yelich returned on Tuesday against the San Diego Padres after a stint on the injured list with a groin injury, but he immediately reported some back stiffness after playing on Tuesday and could go right back on the IL after missing the last three games. Manager Pat Murphy said earlier this week that he isn't going to take any chances with the veteran left-handed hitter because of his history with back injuries -- he had a microdiscectomy on his back in 2024. Don't be surprised if Milwaukee makes a move to put Yelich back on the IL before Friday's game starts. Yelich is hitting .291 (16-for-55) in limited time so far in 2026 with just one homer. Fantasy managers have to be concerned that injuries will wreck his 14th year in the big leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Byron Buxton Still Out on Friday With Hip Injury
Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) remains sidelined for Friday's series opener against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers at Target Field, according to MLB.com. Ryan Kreidler will make another start in center field for the Twins and will bat eighth against Brewers right-hander Coleman Crow. After hitting two home runs on Wednesday night, the Twins scratched Buxton from Thursday's series finale against the Miami Marlins due to hip-flexor soreness. It's bad timing for Buxton to be dealing with a physical ailment, as he has been a beast at the plate over his last 15 games, slashing .320/.382/.860 with eight home runs, 13 RBI, 12 runs scored, and even three stolen bases during that span. Fantasy managers can only hope it's a minor injury that won't land him on the injured list. For now, Buxton is being considered day-to-day. Check back to see if he's available to play in Game 2 of the series against Milwaukee on Saturday. The 32-year-old veteran and two-time All-Star is currently hitting .260 (44-for-169) on the year while providing plenty of power production with 15 homers, 23 RBI, and 33 runs scored.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Casey Mize to Return From Injured List and Start on Saturday
Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said that right-hander Casey Mize (groin) will come off the 15-day injured list to start on Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. Mize will return from a strained right groin that put him on the IL on April 28, and he will return this weekend without going on a minor-league rehab assignment. It will make him a riskier option in starting fantasy lineups on Saturday, but he has a career-high 27.3% strikeout rate so far in 2026 and will be facing a Blue Jays offense that currently ranks 23rd in baseball with a .686 OPS. The 29-year-old former first overall pick by Detroit out of Auburn in 2018 was a first-time All-Star in 2025 and has a career-best 2.90 ERA through his first six starts this year while also posting a 1.19 WHIP, 35 strikeouts, and 11 walks over 31 innings pitched. While Mize doesn't have an excellent track record for missing bats regularly, he's trending up in fantasy in his sixth year in the big leagues and deserves a look off the waiver wire for rotation depth now that he's healthy again.
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Despite Lack of Saves, Aaron Ashby is a Reliable High-Leverage Bullpen Arm
Milwaukee Brewers left-handed reliever Aaron Ashby isn't a sexy bullpen arm because he's not in line for saves in Milwaukee, but he still has plenty of fantasy baseball value. Going into the weekend in Week 8 of the fantasy season, Ashby has a league-high seven wins in relief while holding a strong 2.00 ERA (2.07 FIP) and 1.26 WHIP with an impressive 43 strikeouts and 15 walks in 27 innings out of the bullpen for the Brew Crew in 2026. The hard-throwing southpaw sits in the 99th percentile in strikeout rate, behind only Mason Miller and Erik Sabrowski, the 98th percentile in whiff rate, and the 74th percentile among pitchers in chase rate. Once a promising starting pitching prospect for the Brewers, Ashby was moved to a bullpen role because of his inability to stay healthy, and he has thrived ever since. Last year in 66 2/3 innings, Ashby had a 2.16 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, a career-high three saves, and a 76:24 K:BB. While he has zero saves so far this year, Ashby is proving himself as one of the better high-leverage bullpen arms in baseball, and he's rostered in only 37% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Eugenio Suarez Taking On-Field Batting Practice on Friday
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez (oblique) is taking batting practice on the field on Friday for the first time since going on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique injury late last month, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. Suarez's MRI exam, which was scheduled for Thursday, apparently gave the Reds some good news, so he has advanced in his baseball activities entering the weekend. Still, the Reds are slow-playing the right-handed power hitter, and Suarez will likely need to go on at least a short minor-league rehab assignment before he returns to action in the majors. Barring a setback with his oblique now that he's swinging full speed, Suarez should be back well in advance of the start of June. When Suarez is back in Cincy in the everyday lineup, it could be bad news for both Nathaniel Lowe and Ke'Bryan Hayes. The 34-year-old Suarez won't be an asset in fantasy in the average department, but he still has enough thump left in his lumber to be worth holding for his power production, especially at hitter-friendly Great American Ballpark. If you need power and Suarez was dropped, scoop him up now. He's currently rostered in 88% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Spencer Jones Worth Holding After Slow Start?
New York Yankees outfield prospect Spencer Jones was a popular waiver-wire pickup upon his long-awaited MLB debut on May 8, but he has gotten off to a slow start with the Yankees in the big leagues and is currently rostered in just 19% of Yahoo leagues. In his first 15 plate appearances over his first five MLB games, the team's No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has one hit, one RBI, three walks, and six strikeouts for a .083/.267/.083 slash line. The sample size is obviously extremely small, but it hasn't been an ideal start for the hulking 6-foot-7, 240-pound 25-year-old outfielder in the Bronx. The good news is that it's early, and it will be some time before both Giancarlo Stanton (calf) and Jasson Dominguez (shoulder) are ready to return from their injured-list stints, so Jones will have more of a runway to turn things around. But if he doesn't, he'll almost certainly be sent back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to work on his approach at the plate. While Jones has elite power potential from the left side of the plate, he has struck out over 30% of the time in the minors, and he currently has a 40% strikeout rate with the Yanks.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Jordan Westburg to Have Season-Ending Elbow Surgery
Baltimore Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg (elbow) will have season-ending elbow surgery, a source told Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner. Westburg will end up not even playing at all in 2026 due to a partially torn UCL in his right elbow that he suffered during spring training. He was attempting to avoid going under the knife, but a recent setback convinced him to have season-ending surgery. The 27-year-old infielder can now obviously be dropped in all single-year fantasy baseball leagues. He's currently still rostered in 15% of Yahoo leagues. With Westburg out this year, the O's have primarily been using Coby Mayo and Weston Wilson at the hot corner in Baltimore, with Jeremiah Jackson and Blaze Alexander being other options. When former first overall pick Jackson Holliday (hand) eventually makes his 2026 season debut, he, too, could be an option to handle third base this year in Westburg's absence. Barring a setback in his rehab from elbow surgery, Westburg should be fully healed in time for spring training next year and the start of the 2027 regular season.
Source: The Baltimore Banner - Andy Kostka
Source: The Baltimore Banner - Andy Kostka
Caleb Kilian the Current Favorite for Saves in Giants Bullpen
San Francisco Giants right-handed reliever Caleb Kilian is the current favorite for saves in the Gigantes' bullpen after going 1 1/3 scoreless innings with a strikeout in Tuesday's win over the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers for the second save of his career. Kilian hasn't been perfect so far in May with three runs allowed (two earned) on four hits (one homer) while walking five (one intentional) and striking out three, but he has picked up two saves in his last 5 1/3 innings pitched and has been solid overall in his first season in the Bay Area with a 1.40 ERA (4.50 FIP), 1.09 WHIP, two saves, 19 strikeouts, and 12 walks in 19 1/3 innings pitched. The 28-year-old reliever is rostered in only 9% of Yahoo leagues, so he's widely available for managers desperate for saves. However, Kilian's high walk rate (15.2%) makes him pretty volatile in the short term. Additionally, lefty Erik Miller (back) will return from a stay on the injured list on Saturday, adding competition for saves in San Fran.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Jack Perkins Still Worth Rostering After Second Blown Save?
Athletics right-handed reliever Jack Perkins blew his second save of the season and took his second loss of the year in Thursday's 5-4 defeat at the hands of the visiting St. Louis Cardinals. Perkins is on tilt right now, having allowed seven runs (five earned) on five hits while walking two and striking out five in his last 3 2/3 innings, which includes two losses, two blown saves, and one hold. The rough patch has the 26-year-old at a 4.76 ERA on the year with a 1.35 WHIP, 22 strikeouts, and three saves in 17 innings pitched in his 12 appearances out of the bullpen. Perkins gave up two runs on three hits while hitting a batter in just two-thirds of an inning in Sacramento on Thursday, and he might have hurt his chances of seeing save opportunities moving forward for manager Mark Kotsay. Don't be surprised if the A's next save chance goes to either Hogan Harris or Joel Kuhnel, who have both been involved in the team's committee approach to the ninth inning in 2026. Perkins is rostered in only 16% of Yahoo leagues and cannot be trusted after his recent rough patch.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Bryce Miller Worth Stashing Now That He's Healthy?
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryce Miller made his season debut on Wednesday night against the Houston Astros. His eight walks and three strikeouts weren't ideal, but he still delivered solid results with just one walk and two earned runs over 5.1 innings of work. Miller has never been a major strikeout threat, averaging less than one per inning throughout his career, so we aren't concerned about his control going forward. On the contrary, we're actually quite encouraged by his low walk total, which is also consistent with his career stats. He also flashed increased velocity in his first game back from a left oblique strain. His average fastball velocity was 95.0 mph in 2025, but that jumped to 97.4 mph on Wednesday. Outside of the eight hits, fantasy managers should feel very optimistic that Miller has returned to his pre-injury form, and he might even be better than before. The righty is rostered in 27% of leagues right now, so there's still time for managers to stash Miller in anticipation of a potentially big year. Currently, he ranks #82 among starters in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jorge Soler Slowing Down in May, Still a Waiver Target for Power?
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jorge Soler had five home runs and hit .253 (20-for-79) in 22 games (93 plate appearances) in April, but he has gone a bit quiet in May and is now hitting .221 (32-for-145) overall with eight long balls, 28 RBI, and 20 runs scored in 40 games in his 13th season in the majors. In 12 games so far in May, Soler has gone 8-for-43 (.186), and he hasn't gone deep at the plate since May 5. The rough patch of late has dropped his OPS on the year to .752, and his on-base percentage is down to .318. Soler's xwOBA sits at .318, and his expected slugging percentage is at .404 (currently .434). Soler is never going to be an asset for your fantasy teams' batting average, as he currently sits in the fifth percentile in strikeout rate, and he's in just the 65th percentile in hard-hit rate through a month and a half of the 2026 season. The Cuban outfielder can still be an asset for fantasy managers who are desperate for power, but he's extremely volatile and will kill your average. It's why he's still rostered in less than half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Graham Ashcraft a Top Stash Option for Saves?
Cincinnati Reds reliever Graham Ashcraft is an intriguing player to stash in fantasy baseball, as he could be due for more save opportunities going forward. Ashcraft hasn't pitched in a save situation since May 6, and he has just one save situation since April 19. However, the Reds are in desperate need of a dependable closer, and Ashcraft might be the solution. He has a terrific 1.66 ERA and 10.38 K/9 this year, and we can see that he's limiting loud contact with his 0.42 HR/9 and 55.3% ground ball rate. Two areas of concern, though, are walks and leverage opportunities. His walk rate has jumped to a career-worst 5.40 BB/9, and he has just one save to two blown saves. If he can clean up the walks, the saves should come naturally, assuming the Reds do in fact deploy him as their closer going forward. He ranks #33 among relievers in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Carson Benge Starting to Turn the Corner at MLB Level
New York Mets outfielder Carson Benge needed a little time to acclimate to the majors, but he seems to have found his stride lately. Over his last 10 games, the rookie has gone 14-for-36 with four extra-base hits, seven RBI, four walks, and six strikeouts. He has also stolen a base in back-to-back games. The 2024 first-round pick doesn't have a ton of power, but he's been putting the ball in play, and we've always known that he runs well. His defensive versatility has also helped him get in the lineup more often, as he has 8+ appearances in each of the three outfield spots this year. Given Benge's average-at-best power, we'd like to see him cut down on his 21.1% strikeout rate. Otherwise, though, he's been a much-needed addition to the Mets' lineup while inching his way closer to the fantasy radar. He currently ranks #76 among outfielders in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings, and he's rostered in 12% of leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Casey Schmitt Cooling Off at the Plate
San Francisco Giants first baseman Casey Schmitt was one of the hottest hitters in baseball through April and early May, but he has cooled off lately and finds himself in a bit of a slump. Over his last six games, Schmitt is just 3-for-23 with zero extra-base hits, zero RBI, one walk, and eight strikeouts. He had arguably his worst game of the season against the Dodgers on Thursday as he went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts. Thanks to his strong start this year, Schmitt still has a decent-looking .276/.329/.485 slash line with six home runs, three steals, a .346 xwOBA, and 131 wRC+. However, his production is falling fast, and fantasy managers would like to see him get back on track sooner rather than later. His roster share has fallen to 31% in fantasy baseball, and he now ranks #19 among first basemen in RotoBaller's latest rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jacob Latz Fully in Command of Rangers Closing Job?
Texas Rangers reliever Jacob Latz allowed three runs without recording an out in his last appearance on Wednesday, but he may still have control of the closer job in Arlington. Outside of an occasional blemish like Wednesday, Latz has been stellar this season, pitching to a 2.08 ERA with 7.06 K/9, 2.08 BB/9, and 0.42 HR/9. He has two holds, five saves, and two blown saves through 18 outings so far this year. The biggest obstacle for Latz has arguably been the Rangers' record. At 21-22, save opportunities don't present themselves every day. Texas has still been getting him leverage scenarios, but fantasy managers would like to see more saves. The good news is that he faces essentially no competition for the closer role. Jakob Junis does have three saves this year, but he's been more of an eighth-inning setup option, and he's also trending down after taking a loss in his last outing. All in all, fantasy managers should continue to feel confident about Latz as the Rangers' closer. He ranks #29 among relievers in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
