April 16, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander
Gregory Soto worked a scoreless eighth inning with two strikeouts in his team's 2-0 win over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday. Pirates reliever
Dennis Santana followed Soto in the ninth inning and picked up his second save of the season. While Soto also has a save in 2026, he has four holds and appears to be settling in to a setup role ahead of Santana. The 31-year-old's overall line is excellent, as he's recorded a 0.93 ERA and 0.72 WHIP with 15 strikeouts across 9 2/3 innings, so he could be in line to take over the ninth if Santana gets injured or struggles. Still, Soto's value in standard fantasy leagues is fading as the roles in Pittsburgh's bullpen start to become defined.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com
April 16, 2026
Atlanta Braves pitching prospect
Didier Fuentes ran into some trouble in his latest start at Triple-A Gwinnett, yielding four runs in the first inning alone, but settled in and tossed six shutout innings after that. Outside of that one inning of trouble, the Braves' third-ranked prospect has thrown 15 2/3 innings of scoreless ball and has produced a 20:6 K:BB overall. The right-hander has already made one appearance earlier this season with the Braves and made his MLB debut in June last year, days after he turned 20 years old. Veteran
Martin Perez appears to be the current placeholder in the fifth spot of the rotation for now, but having been DFA'd once already this season, his hold on the job is tenuous. So long as Fuentes continues to pitch well, the Colombian should be the next name the team turns to. With major league experience already and strikeout upside that is paired with solid control (7.3 percent career walk rate in the minors), Fuentes is a strong stash option in deeper leagues ahead of his eventual return to the big leagues.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
April 16, 2026
Houston Astros starting pitcher
Spencer Arrighetti recorded the win in his 2026 season debut on Wednesday, allowing one run and two hits while striking out 10 across six innings of work in his team's 3-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies. Arrighetti was expected to play a significant role in the Astros rotation heading into the 2025 season, but elbow and thumb injuries limited him to just 35 innings pitched. He opened 2026 in Triple-A, but was recalled on Wednesday after fellow Astros starter
Cody Bolton (back) was placed on the injured list. Arrighetti posted an impressive 27.1% strikeout rate across 145 innings with the Astros in 2024 and demonstrated his ability to miss bats in his first start of 2026. However, control remains an issue for the 26-year-old, as he owns a career walk rate of 10.9% and issued four free passes against Colorado. Still, if Arrighetti locks down a regular role in the Houston rotation, he could be a cheap source of strikeouts for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com
April 16, 2026
Boston Red Sox pitching prospect
Payton Tolle is biding his time in Worcester until it is his turn to get the call to the majors, which shouldn't be long now. Boston's top-ranked prospect was roughed up in his first start at Triple-A this year, but has been very effective in his last two turns through the rotation, allowing one earned run on seven hits and two walks while striking out 13 in 11 innings of work in those two outings. After breezing through three levels of the minors in 2025, recording a 3.04 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 133 strikeouts in 91 2/3 innings pitched, the southpaw made his big league debut at the end of August. Despite some growing pains, the former second-round draft pick displayed the strikeout potential, tallying 19 strikeouts in 16 1/3 IP. With some more seasoning under his belt, the 23-year-old should fare better this time around once a spot opens up in the big league rotation, and he remains a must-stash in deeper leagues; he could even be a viable waiver add in shallower formats for managers looking for help.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
April 16, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher
Dennis Santana picked up his second save of the season on Wednesday by pitching a scoreless ninth inning in his team's 2-0 win over the Washington Nationals. Santana has now logged saves in two out of his last three appearances and appears to be reclaiming the lead closer role in Pittsburgh. Across nine innings overall in 2026, Santana owns a 1.00 ERA and 0.67 WHIP with six strikeouts. Santana has struck out just 18.8% of the batters he's faced this season and posted a 22.2% strikeout rate in 2025, so he does not carry typical ninth-inning swing-and-miss stuff. Still, he's been highly effective since being acquired by the Pirates midway through the 2024 season, recording a 2.18 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, and 19 saves across 123 2/3 innings with the club. In leagues where Santana may have been dropped, he profiles as a priority waiver wire target.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
April 16, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays third baseman/outfielder
Addison Barger (ankles) has resumed baseball activities at the team's spring training complex in Florida, according to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. Barger played catch over the last two days and is expected to resume swinging on Friday or Saturday. The goal is for Barger to resume running by Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. The 26-year-old was a hero during the team's World Series run last fall, but he got off to a rough start in 2026 before landing on the 10-day injured list with sprained ankles. In a small sample size of just eight games, Barger went 1-for-19 (.053) at the plate with a double, two RBI, a run scored, three walks, and six strikeouts in 23 plate appearances. Barger will not come off the IL when he's eligible on Friday, but depending on how his rehab goes, he could be an option to rejoin the big-league roster for the start of their next homestand on Friday, April 24.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sportsnet - Arden Zwelling
April 16, 2026
The Los Angeles Angels could shake things up with the closer's role going forward after right-handed reliever
Jordan Romano has blown saves against the New York Yankees in two of the last three games, according to Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register. When asked about the closer's role in the wake of Romano's recent struggles, manager Kurt Suzuki said, "Obviously, with Jordan the last couple days, tough outings, but there's no panic," Suzuki said. "He's been so good for us to start the year, and he had two rough outings. You look at it, and you say you could be reactionary or you could just keep going. We started the year with Jordan as our closer, and we'll see how it goes. Right now, he's still going to be in those high-leverage spots, and you know, if the opportunity comes for him to close, we'll see what we've got." It remains to be seen what the Angels do for their next save chance, but if Suzuki does opt to go away from Romano, it could be
Chase Silseth with the next opportunity. He has a 2.84 ERA in his first nine games in 2026 and has experience closing in the minors.
Kirby Yates (knee) and
Ben Joyce (shoulder) are still on the injured list.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Orange County Register - Jeff Fletcher
April 16, 2026
San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello said on Thursday that catchers
Daniel Susac and
Patrick Bailey might start splitting time and alternating behind the plate, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Bailey got the start in Thursday's series finale against the Cincinnati Reds after Susac started on Wednesday night for the Gigantes. Bailey is the superior defensive catcher in San Fran, but Susac has earned more playing time by starting his MLB career 9-for-16 (.563) at the plate with a double, triple, five RBI, and a run scored in his first eight games played. Bailey, meanwhile, is just 6-for-44 (.136) with an RBI, a stolen base, three runs scored, three walks, and six strikeouts in 14 games played. Susac is the one to target in deep two-catcher leagues, although his fantasy upside will be limited due to what will likely be a 50/50 split with Bailey. The 24-year-old was a former 19th overall pick by the Athletics in 2022 out of the University of Arizona.
--Keith HernandezSource: San Francisco Chronicle - Susan Slusser
April 16, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates head athletic trainer Todd Tomczyk said that right-hander
Jared Jones (elbow) will enter the simulated-game phase of his rehab soon, according to Pirates reporter Alex Stumpf. Generally, pitchers have three to six simulated games/live batting practice sessions before a club will consider sending them on a minor-league rehab assignment. Jones started the year on the 60-day injured list, so he won't be eligible to be activated to make his 2026 season debut until May 25. The 24-year-old reportedly looked "amazing" in his most recent live BP session, but he still has a ways to go before he'll be of use to fantasy baseball managers. The Pirates will most likely ease Jones back into their rotation when he's ready, too, so patience must be exercised in fantasy. The former second-rounder in 2020 showed enough in his MLB debut in 2024 to be worth stashing in mixed leagues, going 6-8 with a 4.14 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with 132 strikeouts and 39 walks in 121 2/3 innings over 22 starts.
--Keith HernandezSource: Alex Stumpf
April 16, 2026
Detroit Tigers veteran right-hander
Justin Verlander (hip) threw a bullpen session on Wednesday, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. However, Verlander's recovery is "going a little slower than I think he anticipated or we anticipated," manager A.J. Hinch said. The Tigers will continue to take the 43-year-old future Hall of Famer's recovery on a day-by-day basis. Verlander is currently on the 15-day injured list with a left-hip injury, and his return to Detroit's starting rotation doesn't appear to be on the horizon. In his lone start this year in his return to the Tigers, Verlander gave up five runs on six hits while walking two and striking out just one in 3 2/3 innings versus the Arizona Diamondbacks on March 30.
Keider Montero has pitched well early on in 2026 and will continue to make starts for the Tigers in Verlander's place. Verlander isn't the dominant arm that we've come to know from the peak of his career, and his ability to stay healthy the rest of the way is a big question mark.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
April 16, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder/designated hitter
George Springer (toe) is hitting off a tee and doing flips in the batting cage, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. "Looked pretty normal, which is good. He's feeling better," manager John Schneider said. Springer still needs to run to test out his fractured toe, but the Blue Jays are targeting a return for Springer when they get back to Toronto for a homestand that begins on Friday, April 24, against the Cleveland Guardians. As of right now, the 36-year-old veteran isn't expected to require a minor-league rehab assignment before being activated from the 10-day injured list. Springer, who had a late-career resurgence in 2025 while helping Toronto get to the World Series, was off to a rough start in his first 54 at-bats this year before injuring his toe. The four-time All-Star will be returning to a weak .185/.290/.370 slash line later this month. Springer has two home runs, six RBI, one steal, four runs scored, eight walks, and 14 strikeouts in his 14 games played.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
April 16, 2026
San Diego Padres manager
Craig Stammen said on Wednesday that right-hander
Nick Pivetta (elbow) is dealing with a flexor strain in his right elbow, according to Annie Heilbrunn of The San Diego Union-Tribune. The Padres think it will be "weeks, maybe months" before Pivetta can return to the team's starting rotation after rest and rehab. The 33-year-old kind of gave us the bad news on Wednesday, when he said he was confident that he'd return at some point in 2026. Pivetta will rest and rehab for now, but there's also a scenario where that doesn't go well, and he eventually needs surgery, which would knock him out for the rest of this season and likely the start of 2027. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Pivetta to return from the 15-day injured list until at least the second half of the season. For now, right-hander
Matt Waldron (lower body) is expected to fill Pivetta's spot in the rotation and make his season debut in Friday's series opener in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels.
--Keith HernandezSource: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Annie Heilbrunn
April 16, 2026
Texas Rangers shortstop
Corey Seager is out of the starting lineup for Thursday's series finale against the division-rival Athletics at Sutter Health Park with a lefty on the mound, according to MLB.com.
Ezequiel Duran will make the start at shortstop for the Rangers and will hit ninth against southpaw
Jacob Lopez. Seager has five home runs on the season in his first 18 games, but otherwise, he's gone just 13-for-64 (.203) with 12 runs scored, 12 walks, and 20 strikeouts in 78 plate appearances. The veteran left-handed slugger and former World Series MVP should be back in action for Friday's series opener on the road in Seattle against the division-rival Mariners. Duran will be a low-upside deep sleeper for DFS lineups on Thursday out of the nine-hole for the Rangers. The 26-year-old Dominican has gone 8-for-36 (.222) at the plate so far in 2026 with a homer, four RBI, and two steals in 15 games played. He has never faced Lopez in his career.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
April 16, 2026
Detroit Tigers infielder
Zach McKinstry (hip) is "not moving around well" on Thursday, and "we're going to continue to get him looked at," manager A.J. Hinch told Evan Woodbery of MLive.com. McKinstry is beat up right now, also dealing with an arm/shoulder injury and a scraped chest after he collided with Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder
Jac Caglianone in Wednesday's contest. He is not in Detroit's starting lineup for Thursday's tilt against the Royals, and he could be forced to the 10-day injured list, depending on what his test results show. In addition to his injuries, the 30-year-old is hitting just .209 (9-for-43) with a homer, five RBI, two runs, three walks, and 10 strikeouts in his first 14 games of the 2026 season. McKinstry was a first-time All-Star in 2025, slashing .259/.333/.438 with a .771 OPS, 12 home runs, 49 RBI, 19 stolen bases, and 68 runs scored in 144 games played. With infield prospect
Kevin McGonigle now in Detroit to stay, McKinstry's opportunities at the 6 will be less frequent.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLive.com - Evan Woodbery
April 16, 2026
Houston Astros left-handed closer
Josh Hader (biceps) said he's "feeling strong" after throwing 20 pitches to teammates
Taylor Trammell and
Brice Matthews on Tuesday at Daikin Park, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Hader missed the final two months last year with a left-shoulder capsule strain and was then diagnosed with biceps tendinitis at the start of February. He's been working his way back ever since and landed on the 15-day injured list to begin the 2026 regular season. Hader was sitting at 91-93 mph with his fastball on Tuesday. Barring a setback, he's about a month away from making his season debut for the Astros. With Hader on the shelf, right-handed reliever
Bryan Abreu has not taken advantage of the opportunity to lock down Houston's closing role, which has led to
Enyel De Los Santos picking up some saves in the last couple of days. Even though Hader is getting older and is more of an injury risk now, he was dominant when healthy in 2025 and should still be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
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