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Justin Verlander to Throw Live Batting Practice on Saturday
Detroit Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander (hip) will throw a live batting practice session on Saturday, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. It will be Verlander's first time facing hitters since landing on the 15-day injured list in early April with left-hip inflammation. It's a positive step for the 43-year-old veteran, but there's still no specific timetable for his return, and we wouldn't be surprised if he's not back with the Tigers until the calendar flips to May. In his lone start in his return to Motown in 2026 against the Arizona Diamondbacks on March 30, Verlander struggled, allowing five earned runs on six hits (one homer) while walking two and striking out only one in 3 2/3 innings. Durability is a major question for the future Hall of Famer and three-time Cy Young winner as he nears the end of his outstanding career, although he did make 29 starts with the San Francisco Giants a year ago. In addition to injury issues, Verlander is no longer the dominant strikeout artist he once was, and he's only rostered in 5% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Kyle Teel Could Start Rehab Assignment Next Week
Chicago White Sox catcher Kyle Teel (hamstring) will run the bases to test his hamstring this weekend. If all goes well, he could go on a minor-league rehab assignment next week, according to Scott Merkin of MLB.com. Teel has been on the 10-day injured list all season to this point with a right-hamstring strain, but if he's cleared to begin a rehab assignment, he could be activated to make his 2026 season debut by next weekend. When the 24-year-old is finally cleared to return to the major-league roster, he should operate as Chicago's primary backstop. The former first-rounder (14th overall) by the Boston Red Sox in 2023 out of Virginia handled himself well in 78 games across 297 plate appearances in his rookie campaign in 2025 with the Pale Hose, slashing .273/.375/.411 with a .786 OPS, eight home runs, 35 RBI, 38 runs scored, and three stolen bases. Fantasy managers looking to upgrade at the catching position may want to stash Teel now. He's currently rostered in just 10% of Yahoo leagues, so he's widely available.
Source: MLB.com - Scott Merkin
Source: MLB.com - Scott Merkin
Abner Uribe Remains a Solid Source for Saves
Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Abner Uribe has been taking care of business lately. Uribe has notched three of his last four save chances, but is posting a 4.05 ERA on the season. It hasn't always been pretty, but Uribe has mostly been reliable when it matters most. The Brewers have a few options they can use in the ninth inning, but they've been leaning on Uribe lately. The right-hander has recorded each of the last three save chances. Uribe has a ton of potential as a long-term closer, but there are some growing pains as well. The Brewers should be winning enough to give Uribe plenty of opportunities moving forward. Despite some struggles, fantasy managers seeking a source for saves should add Uribe.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Tanner Scott is Becoming a Must-Add Reliever
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Tanner Scott is off to a strong start to the 2026 season. After some struggles last season, Scott appears to have made the correct adjustments. He currently owns a 1.88 ERA with a 15:2 K/BB ratio across 14.2 innings of work this season. The southpaw has fallen back into a high-leverage role with Edwin Diaz (elbow) currently sidelined. Scott notched his second save of the season on Sunday. He figures to be the favorite for saves, but Alex Vesia could also get mixed in as well. Scott has the stuff to be an elite closer moving forward. He has shown that he can do it in the past and should get a legitimate shot while Diaz is down. Fantasy managers seeking bullpen help should look into adding Scott.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Josh Jung is Worth an Add During Hot Streak
Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung has been putting together a solid run at the plate lately. He recently saw his 13-game hitting streak come to an end on Wednesday. During that span, Jung slashed .400/.455/.620 with two home runs and 11 RBI. He has cooled off a bit since seeing his hitting streak end, but that shouldn't sway away fantasy managers. The 28-year-old has been impressive against right-handed pitching all season long. He has shown the upside to be a dominant right-handed power threat throughout his career. Fantasy managers in need of some offensive help right now should consider adding Jung while he's hot.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Louis Varland is Pushing Must-Add Territory
Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Louis Varland is quickly running away with the full-time closer job. He recently took over for the struggling Jeff Hoffman and has looked fantastic in the ninth-inning role. Varland tossed a scoreless frame on Friday to notch his fifth save of the season. The right-hander has allowed one earned run across 19.2 innings of work this season. He owns a 1.07 WHIP with 29 strikeouts and only seven walks to his name. Given how well he's pitching, Varland should remain the favorite for saves in Toronto going forward. Fantasy managers looking for a source of saves or need a reliable relief pitcher should check the waiver wire to see if Varland is available.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Christian Scott is Gaining Value After Another Solid Outing
New York Mets starting pitcher Christian Scott is beginning to settle in at the big league level. He struggled during his first outing of the year, when he issued five walks across 1.1 innings of work on April 23. Since then, Scott has cleaned up his act on the mound and is putting together quality numbers. During his most recent outing, Scott tossed 4.2 innings, allowing one earned run on three hits while striking out six batters in a no-decision against the Colorado Rockies. The right-hander has walked only two batters since his rough outing to begin the season. He's currently lined up to face the Detroit Tigers in his next start. He should be considered a possible deep league streaming option for that one.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Cole Young is Emerging as Waiver-Wire Target
Seattle Mariners second baseman Cole Young is off to an impressive start to the 2026 season. Young got a taste of the MLB last year, but struggled to find much consistency at the plate. This season has gone much better for Young at this dish so far. Through 38 games, Young is slashing .276/.342/.403 with three home runs, 20 RBI, and 12 walks. Over the last two weeks, Young has collected 16 hits with nine RBI, which ranked him in the top 100 value over the span. Fantasy managers who are seeking a bat in deep leagues should consider adding Young. He does a little bit of everything, which can help fantasy managers in category formats.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Dodgers Put Tyler Glasnow on Injured List With Back Spasms
The Los Angeles Dodgers announced on Friday that they placed right-hander Tyler Glasnow (back) on the 15-day injured list with lower-back spasms and recalled right-hander Paul Gervase from the minors in a corresponding move. Glasnow will have to miss at least a couple turns through the starting rotation despite his MRI exam not showing anything serious. The 32-year-old hard-throwing veteran was pulled from his last start early on Wednesday in Houston against the Astros after just one inning after he felt his back give out on him while throwing warmup pitches before the second inning. It's a tough break for Glasnow, who has struck out 49 batters in 39 2/3 innings of work so far in his seven starts for the Dodgers in 2026 while allowing more than two earned runs in a start just once. He's gone 3-0 with a 2.72 ERA and 0.83 WHIP and will need to be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues. Hopefully, it ends up being a short stay on the shelf for Glasnow. In his absence, right-hander Roki Sasaki could be tasked with taking Glasnow's rotation spot.
Source: Los Angeles Dodgers
Source: Los Angeles Dodgers
Ketel Marte Scratched on Friday Due to Illness
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (illness) was scratched from Friday's game against the visiting New York Mets due to an illness, according to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. With Marte under the weather, Ildemaro Vargas is making the start at second base at Chase Field and will hit in the two-hole against Mets right-hander Nolan McLean. Jose Fernandez will enter the lineup at first base. It continues what has been a rough start to the 2026 season for Marte, who came into Friday's action hitting a lowly .209/.262/.353 with a .614 OPS, five home runs, 13 RBI, and 19 runs scored in his 139 at-bats for the Snakes. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Saturday to see if he's feeling good enough to return to the D-backs' starting nine. Hopefully, the day off will help Marte get his head right so he can begin turning things around at the plate. Vargas has been one of the best storylines of the 2026 campaign early on, finding regular playing time in Arizona and hitting an impressive .360/.381/.614 in his 120 plate appearances.
Source: MLB.com - Steve Gilbert
Source: MLB.com - Steve Gilbert
Shane Bieber to Face Live Hitters on Tuesday
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Shane Bieber (elbow) is scheduled to face live hitters on Tuesday, according to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. Bieber returned from Tommy John last year to make seven regular-season starts for Toronto before helping them advance to the World Series against the Dodgers. The 30-year-old former American League Cy Young winner developed right-elbow inflammation in the offseason, though, and was not ready for the start of the 2026 campaign. His session on Tuesday will be the first time that he has thrown off a mound since the World Series last October. Because of how slow the Blue Jays are bringing him along, even without a setback, Bieber probably will not be an option for the team's starting rotation until June. The two-time All-Star should have a rotation spot waiting for him when he's ready, so he'll be worth a look for fantasy managers seeking rotation help in about a month. Bieber is rostered in 45% of Yahoo leagues currently.
Source: Sportsnet.ca - Arden Zwelling
Source: Sportsnet.ca - Arden Zwelling
Luis Arraez Back From Hand Soreness on Friday Against Pirates
San Francisco Giants second baseman Luis Arraez (hand) is hitting second for Friday's series opener at Oracle Park against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates and right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski, per MLB.com. Arraez developed some hand soreness in Monday's series opener against the San Diego Padres and was held out as a precaution for the final two games of the series. After another scheduled day off on Thursday, the veteran left-handed hitter is back in action for Game 1 of the series against the Bucs. Fantasy managers in traditional leagues can now plug Arraez back into their starting lineups for Friday's action. The 29-year-old Venezuelan is still searching for his first home run of the year, but he continues to be a reliable source of batting average, going 42-for-133 (.316) with seven doubles, two triples, 11 RBI, 14 runs scored, and four stolen bases in his first 34 contests with San Fran. Arraez has never faced Mlodzinski in his career.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jeremy Pena on the Verge of a Rehab Assignment?
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (hamstring) will "hopefully" run the bases in Cincinnati on Saturday or Sunday, manager Joe Espada told the Houston Chronicle's Matt Kawahara. It will be Pena's final hurdle before being cleared to start a minor-league rehab assignment. It's been almost four weeks since Pena landed on the 10-day injured list with a hamstring strain, but he's nearing his return to Houston's starting lineup. That's great news for a struggling Astros team that recently lost veteran infielder Carlos Correa (ankle) for the rest of the 2026 season. Pena recovered from a fractured finger just in time for Opening Day in late March, and he played in just 10 games before injuring his hamstring. The 28-year-old Dominican infielder nearly had his first 20-20 season as a first-time All-Star in 2025 and hit above .300 in 125 games played, which is why he's rostered in 80% of Yahoo leagues despite being on the IL. If he can avoid a setback on his rehab assignment, Pena could be back with the Astros by the end of next weekend.
Source: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
Source: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
Hunter Brown Throws Successful Bullpen on Friday
Houston Astros right-hander Hunter Brown (shoulder) threw an encouraging first bullpen session on Friday in his recovery from a right-shoulder strain, manager Joe Espada told Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. "Hunter is very anxious to get back on the mound. He is constantly texting, calling, 'What's next? What's next?' So he's doing well," Espada said. The 27-year-old is working his way back from a Grade 2 shoulder strain that landed him on the 15-day injured list in early April. Expect Brown to throw off a mound another couple of times before the Astros look to send him on a minor-league rehab start. Barring a setback, we think Brown should return to Houston's starting rotation by the end of May. In the meantime, the former fifth-rounder out of Wayne State in 2019 should be held in all fantasy formats. After being named an All-Star in 2025 for the first time in his career, Brown allowed just one earned run with six walks and 17 strikeouts in 10 2/3 innings across his first two starts in 2026.
Source: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
Source: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
Noah Cameron Will Start on Sunday Against Tigers
Kansas City Royals left-hander Noah Cameron (back) will return to the team's starting rotation for Sunday's series finale against the division-rival Detroit Tigers, manager Matt Quatraro told Anne Rogers of MLB.com. Cameron has been cleared to pitch this weekend after throwing a successful bullpen session on Thursday. The Royals pulled the 26-year-old southpaw as a precaution from his last start on Tuesday against the Cleveland Guardians due to back tightness, but it turned out to be nothing serious. It's good news for the Royals after they just put lefty starter Cole Ragans (elbow) on the 15-day injured list on Friday. Cameron will be a risky fantasy streamer in his start this weekend against a Tigers offense that has cooled off considerably of late. The former seventh-rounder in 2021 out of Central Arkansas has gone 2-2 through his six starts this year with a bloated 5.40 ERA (4.46 FIP) and 1.61 WHIP with 28 strikeouts and 11 walks in 31 2/3 innings pitched. After allowing two earned runs in 10 2/3 innings in his first two starts, Cameron has given up at least three earned runs in each of his last four appearances.
Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
