April 9, 2026
Kansas City Royals right-handed reliever
Carlos Estevez (foot) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Thursday, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. After an abysmal start to the 2026 season, the Royals placed Estevez on the 15-day injured list last Wednesday with a left-foot contusion that he suffered when he was struck by a comebacker. The 33-year-old veteran Dominican hurler was showing decreased velocity this spring, and it continued into the start of the regular season. In just one-third of an inning pitched in his only outing of the year before going on the shelf, Estevez allowed six earned runs on four hits (one grand slam) while walking two and striking out none. The two-time All-Star had a league-high 42 saves in his first year in KC in 2025, but there were underlying signs that his stuff was in decline.
Lucas Erceg has stepped up as the Royals' closer, and he may not relinquish the title, even when Estevez is cleared to return from the IL.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
April 9, 2026
Detroit Tigers outfielder
Parker Meadows (head) was carted off the field in the eighth inning at Target Field on Thursday after a scary collision in the outfield with left fielder
Riley Greene, according to Jason Beck of MLB.com. Meadows was sitting up and was alert as he was being carted off, but he'll surely be put through the league's concussion protocol and could end up landing on the seven-day concussion injured list. The 26-year-old came into Thursday's game hitting .273 (9-for-33) with two RBI, three runs scored, and three stolen bases in his first 11 games, and he went 0-for-3 with a strikeout on Thursday before being pulled from the game.
Matt Vierling could see the biggest playing time bump in Detroit if Meadows is forced to the IL. At the very least, we wouldn't expect Meadows to be back in the starting lineup in Friday's series opener at Comerica Park against the visiting Miami Marlins.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Jason Beck
April 9, 2026
New York Mets infielder
Jorge Polanco (Achilles) is getting the day off in Thursday's series finale against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks after his Achilles didn't feel great after playing on Wednesday, according to Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News. Manager
Carlos Mendoza said that at some point, the Mets might have to put Polanco on the injured list, but for now, the situation remains "fluid." It's a recurring Achilles tendon issue for the veteran infielder, which is bad news for the Mets, considering his lengthy history of lower-body injuries. The 32-year-old Dominican's production on the field could be affected by his Achilles, too, as he's gone just 8-for-40 (.200) with no homers, one RBI, two runs, five walks, and six strikeouts in his first 10 games with the Mets in 2026. With outfielder
Juan Soto (calf) on the 10-day injured list, both
Mark Vientos and
Brett Baty are seeing more consistent playing time in Queens.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Daily News - Abbey Mastracco
April 9, 2026
New York Mets outfielder
Juan Soto (calf), who is on the 10-day injured list with a right-calf strain, has been swinging a bat indoors and playing catch, but he's not close to starting a running program, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Soto will continue to take part in light baseball activities when he heals. It's not a very serious calf injury, but the All-Star outfielder won't be back immediately when he's eligible to return from the 10-day IL. The four-time All-Star and six-time Silver Slugger winner is an absolute must-stash in all fantasy leagues as a five-category contributor. Soto was off to a strong start before his injury, too, going 11-for-31 (.355) at the plate with a homer, two doubles, five RBI, three runs scored, three walks, and six strikeouts in eight games played.
Mark Vientos should continue to see his playing time rise as long as Soto remains on the shelf.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
April 9, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder
Corbin Carroll (hip) is out of the starting lineup against the New York Mets in the series finale on Thursday because he's dealing with what he says is a minor hip injury that he felt during his triple on Wednesday, according to Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. Carroll doesn't think the injury is serious and doesn't expect to miss much time. We'll consider him day-to-day for now and check back on his status on Friday to see if he can play against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. With Carroll out on Thursday,
Jorge Barrosa is starting in right field for the Snakes and is batting ninth against Mets right-hander
Nolan McLean. Carroll's hip injury is worth watching, and hopefully, for his fantasy managers' sake, it doesn't affect him on the basepaths. The former National League Rookie of the Year and two-time All-Star is off to a strong start in 2026, hitting .333/.408/.690 with two homers, 11 RBI, nine runs scored, and a steal in 42 at-bats.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Arizona Republic - Nick Piecoro
April 9, 2026
Miami Marlins outfielder
Griffin Conine (knee) will likely be placed on the 10-day injured list after injuring his left knee in Thursday's win over the Cincinnati Reds, according to Daniel Alvarez-Montes of El Extra Base. The Marlins are calling up first baseman
Deyvison De Los Santos from Triple-A Jacksonville to replace Conine on the active roster. Conine came up lame on Thursday while diving for a ball in left field and limped off the field with a trainer. The severity of his knee injury is unknown, but it looks like he'll at least miss the next 10 days. The 28-year-old former second-round pick by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2018 out of Duke came into Thursday's action hitting .300 (6-for-20) with two home runs, four RBI, six runs scored, and two stolen bases, and he went hitless in two at-bats before departing the game.
Heriberto Hernandez replaced Conine in left on Thursday and could see more playing time in the outfield with Conine on the IL.
--Keith HernandezSource: El Extra Base - Daniel Alvarez-Montes
April 9, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder
Corbin Carroll is taking the day off on Thursday in the series finale at Citi Field against the hosting New York Mets, according to MLB.com.
Jorge Barrosa will make the start in right field for the Snakes and will hit ninth against Mets right-hander
Nolan McLean. Carroll will take a seat after a strong start to the 2026 season, as he has gone 14-for-42 (.333) with two home runs, three doubles, a league-leading three triples, 11 RBI, nine runs scored, a steal, six walks, and 10 strikeouts in 49 plate appearances over 12 games played. Because of his ability to contribute in all fantasy categories at a high level, Carroll is one of the most valuable players in the game. He should be back in action on Friday for the team's series opener in Philadelphia against the Phillies. Barrosa has gone 4-for-19 (.211) with four doubles and two RBI in his first six games of the year. He'll be a poor DFS option on Thursday out of the nine-hole for Arizona.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
April 9, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers third base prospect
Andrew Fischer belted his first home run of the season (a grand slam) at High-A Wisconsin on Wednesday, finishing 2-for-4 with a walk, four RBI, and two runs scored. He was also caught stealing once. The Brewers' first-round pick from the 2025 Draft is now 5-for-13 (.385) on the young season, with three walks and a hit-by-pitch helping him to a robust .529 OBP. The Brewers' sixth-ranked prospect hit well at that level in 19 games last season, too, slashing .311/.402/.446 with a home run and eight steals. The left-handed slugger could see a quick hook to Double-A Biloxi and could see some time at Triple-A before the season is over. Although he is unlikely to see the majors in 2026, with a solid hit tool and above-average power, the 21-year-old could be fantasy-relevant in redraft leagues in 2027.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
April 9, 2026
St. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect Liam Doyle made his season debut for Double-A Springfield on Wednesday, but it surely did not go as hoped. The Cards' first-round pick in the 2025 Draft allowed six runs (four earned) on eight hits and one walk while striking out three batters in three innings of work. The southpaw made just two starts in the minors last season after a big season at the University of Tennessee, where he posted a 3.20 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and struck out 164 batters in just 95 2/3 innings pitched (15.43 K/9). Assuming the Cardinals' top-ranked pitching prospect eventually gets on track, he could see time at Triple-A later this year, but he may not see the majors until 2027. Regardless, he's a player to watch, and the 21-year-old's big arm makes him an intriguing asset in dynasty leagues.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
April 9, 2026
Baltimore Orioles first baseman
Pete Alonso is off to a slow start in his first year with the club, hitting .188/.264/.292 with one home run, three RBI, and four runs scored through his first 53 plate appearances of 2026. The 31-year-old is striking out in a career-worst 28.3% of his plate appearances, and his 9.1% barrel rate is less than half of the 18.9% barrel rate he posted in 2025 as a member of the New York Mets. Still, Alonso has a long track record of being one of the best power hitters in baseball. Dating back to 2021, he's recorded five consecutive seasons with at least 34 home runs and 88 RBI. After signing a five-year, $155 million contract with the Orioles in free agency, Alonso could simply be pressing in an effort to ingratiate himself with a new fanbase. Fantasy managers should afford him a much larger sample size of plate appearances before hitting the panic button.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
April 9, 2026
Colorado Rockies corner infielder/outfielder prospect
Charlie Condon went 3-for-6 in his second game back at Triple-A Albuquerque after having a cyst removed, smacking his third home run of the season, and crossing the plate three times. Perhaps just as notable is that it was the first time this season that the right-handed hitter did not strike out in a game. The Rockies' second-ranked prospect is now 10-for-28 (.357) through seven games, and although the strikeouts remain on the high side (27.3 percent), he's hitting well and continuing to draw walks at an above-average rate (12.1 percent). If that trend continues, the former third-overall draft pick should get his call to the majors sooner rather than later. The 6-foot-5 slugger's power will be an asset at Coors Field, and managers looking for some home run and RBI production should consider stashing the 22-year-old in advance of a future call-up.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
April 9, 2026
San Diego Padres outfielder
Fernando Tatis Jr. has established himself as one of the better players in all of baseball in recent seasons, making his third All-Star game and finishing eighth in the National League MVP vote in 2025. However, the 27-year-old is off to a slow start to his 2026 campaign. Through his first 53 plate appearances, Tatis Jr. is hitting .196/.283/.261 with zero home runs, four RBI, six runs scored, and three stolen bases. He's struck out in 28.3% of his plate appearances, which would be his worst mark over a full season since his rookie year in 2019. Still, a look under the hood at Tatis Jr.'s underlying hitting metrics should allay concerns for fantasy managers. He's posted an elite 68.8% hard-hit rate, meaning his lack of power can be ascribed to his average launch angle of 2.7 degrees. Once Tatis Jr.'s launch angle drifts back towards his career average of 10.1 degrees, his .261 slugging percentage should skyrocket. Tatis Jr.'s batting average is at risk without some improvement in his strikeout rate, but he remains an elite power/speed threat for fantasy managers despite the slow start.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
April 9, 2026
New York Mets pitching prospect
Jonah Tong made his third start of the season on Wednesday for Triple-A Syracuse, allowing two earned runs on one hit and two walks while striking out seven in five innings of work. He also hit one batter. The right-hander threw 83 pitches in the outing (53 of them for strikes) and, at that pitch count, should be ready to return to the majors whenever the need arises for the Mets. The team's second-ranked prospect had an uneven debut in the majors last year, allowing one run or less in two starts but four or more in the other three; however, he was able to maintain his strikeout-per-inning rate with 22 punchouts in 18 2/3 innings pitched. Through three starts for Syracuse, the 22-year-old has looked good in two of them, while the other was a dud, but if he can get on a roll, the former seventh-rounder should get the call to the big leagues again within the next couple of months. There is strikeout upside here if managers in deeper leagues are looking for a stash option, but others may want to take a wait-and-see approach before rostering him.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
April 9, 2026
Across his first 18 innings (three starts) in 2026, Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher
Yoshinobu Yamamoto has recorded a 2-1 record with a 2.50 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 14 strikeouts. The 27-year-old has allowed just two walks on the season, and his overall line remains excellent. However, Yamamoto is not generating his usual level of swing-and-miss so far, as his 20.9% strikeout rate is down from the 29.4% rate he posted in 2025. Yamamoto threw 211 innings between the regular season and postseason in 2025, so his ability to sustain high-level production coming off a significant workload will be something for fantasy managers to monitor throughout this year. Still, Yamamoto's average fastball velocity early in the year is 95.8 mph, right in line with where he's been over his first two MLB seasons. He remains an elite starting pitcher option for fantasy managers in 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
April 9, 2026
Across 51 plate appearances so far in 2026, Toronto Blue Jays first baseman
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is hitting .268/.412/.366 with one home run, four RBI, and three runs scored. The 27-year-old currently boasts a career-best 17.8% walk rate while striking out in just 9.8% of his plate appearances. However, Guerrero Jr. has yet to get his power stroke going. With an average launch angle of 3.7 degrees, Guerrero Jr. is pounding the ball into the ground at a 52.8% rate. The lack of lift has been a problem for Guerrero Jr. at previous points in his career, as he's hit 26 home runs or fewer in two out of the last three seasons despite consistently posting elite batted-ball metrics. Still, Guerrero Jr. owns elite plate skills and should see his counting stats rise once Toronto comes out of its team-wide offensive funk. He remains an elite first base option for fantasy managers despite the relatively slow start.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
RADIO
