RADIO
Trevor Rogers Throws Bullpen, Hopes to Return Soon
Baltimore Orioles left-hander Trevor Rogers (illness) said he threw more of a "simulated bullpen" session on Saturday, according to Jake Rill of MLB.com. Rogers doesn't expect to need a minor-league rehab start and hopes to return to the team's starting rotation in the "near future." The O's should reinstate Rogers from the 15-day injured list to make a start during the team's three-game series against the division-rival New York Yankees that starts on Monday. Although Rogers has been sidelined due to a bad case of the flu and not any injury, fantasy managers should be hesitant to throw him right back out there next week against a Yankees team that ranks third in baseball with a .778 team OPS. In addition to the bad matchup, Rogers will most likely be a bit limited from a pitch-count perspective since he's been on the IL since April 29. The 28-year-old southpaw had three straight quality starts to begin the 2026 season before giving up 13 runs (12 earned) on 19 hits (three homers) while walking five and striking out 13 in 11 1/3 innings in his three most recent starts before falling ill.
Source: MLB.com - Jake Rill
Source: MLB.com - Jake Rill
Hunter Greene Throwing Up to 150 Feet
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene (elbow) is throwing up to 150 feet of long toss in his rehab program in Arizona, according to Mike Petraglia of MLB.com. Greene has yet to get back on the mound after having surgery on his right elbow back in spring training in March, but it's good news that he's stretching his throws out as he builds his arm back up. In a best-case scenario, the 26-year-old hard-throwing ace will be ready to rejoin the Reds' starting rotation at some point at the end of May when he's eligible to come off the 60-day injured list. But because he's not throwing off a mound yet, we'd be surprised if he is activated in May. Despite not having pitched yet in 2026 due to injury, Greene should be rostered in most fantasy baseball leagues for his high-end strikeout upside when he's healthy. Right now, he's only rostered in 62% of Yahoo leagues. Greene was a first-time All-Star in 2024, when he had a 2.75 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 169:57 K:BB across 26 starts. He has a strong 11.2 K/9 in his four-year big-league career.
Source: MLB.com - Mike Petraglia
Source: MLB.com - Mike Petraglia
Miguel Vargas Continues to Hit the Ball Hard in Two-Homer Game
Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas led the charge in the team's 6-1 win over the visiting Seattle Mariners on Saturday, going 2-for-3 at the plate with two home runs, three RBI, a walk, and a strikeout to raise his season average to .228 and his OPS to .840. Vargas' two home runs came against Luis Castillo and Josh Simpson. It was the 26-year-old's first multi-homer game of the season. Although the Cuban infielder is still hitting just .228 (31-for-136) on the year, he's making more consistent contact at the plate than he ever has before. He's up to nine home runs on the season and has added 21 RBI, 28 runs scored, and six stolen bases in his 38 games played in his second full season with the Pale Hose. In 11 games since April 27, Vargas has gone 11-for-38 (.289) with four long balls, eight RBI, eight runs scored, and a stolen base across 47 plate appearances. He's heating up and remains a useful corner-infield power bat in deep-mixed fantasy leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Bryce Harper Returns to Sunday's Lineup After Migraine Issues
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (head) is back in the starting lineup and is hitting third for Sunday's series finale against the visiting Colorado Rockies and right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano, according to MLB.com. Harper was pulled from Saturday's win over Colorado before even making a plate appearance due to a migraine, but he's feeling much better on Sunday and will return to action. Fantasy managers will want to get him back into their lineups in traditional leagues. The 33-year-old two-time MVP and eight-time All-Star is hitless in three career at-bats against Sugano, but he's been hot so far in May with a .357 average (10-for-28) with three home runs, three doubles, four RBI, eight runs scored, and a stolen base in 34 plate appearances across nine games. Overall, it's been a productive season for Harper, as he's slashing .282/.380/.549 with a .929 OPS, nine home runs, 23 RBI, 24 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 142 at-bats.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Carlos Rodon Activated for Season Debut on Sunday
The New York Yankees announced on Sunday that they activated left-hander Carlos Rodon (elbow) from the 15-day injured list and optioned right-hander Kervin Castro to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in a corresponding move. Rodon will make his 2026 season debut for the Yanks in Sunday's series finale in Milwaukee against the Brewers. The 33-year-old veteran southpaw got a late start to the year after recovering from left-elbow surgery that he had last October to remove a loose body from his arm. Now that he's back, though, Rodon should be rostered in the majority of fantasy leagues. He's currently rostered in 87% of Yahoo leagues. In three minor-league rehab starts with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Double-A Somerset, and High-A Hudson Valley, Rodon allowed seven runs (six earned) on 13 hits (three homers) while walking three and striking out 16 in 16 innings. He shouldn't have any restrictions on Sunday after throwing 83 pitches in his final rehab start, and he'll be facing a Brewers team that ranks 23rd in the league with a .689 team OPS.
Source: New York Yankees
Source: New York Yankees
Moises Ballesteros is Mashing his Way into Must-Have Catcher Territory
Chicago Cubs catcher Moises Ballesteros is quickly making a name for himself with the way he has been swinging the bat. Through 35 games this season, Ballesteros is slashing .277/.340/.521 with six home runs, 19 RBI, and 10 walks. He has fallen into a cold spell recently, going 3-for-36 over the last two weeks. Despite some struggles, Ballesteros is worth rostering in deep leagues at the minimum. He offers offensive upside at the plate that other catchers can't match. Fantasy managers might have to go through some growing pains, but his overall upside will be worth it.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Carter Jensen Remains a Stash Option at Catcher
Kansas City Royals catcher Carter Jensen came into the season swinging a hot bat, but he has cooled off since then. Jensen has smashed six home runs with 17 RBI and 15 walks through his first 37 games this season. He has hit a cold spell recently, but could still be someone worth stashing in fantasy formats. Over the last two weeks, Jensen is 4-for-39 at the plate with one RBI and six walks. He's still showing good vision at the plate, so eventually his numbers should bounce back. It's tough to find a catcher who is both good defensively and offensively. Jensen has 20-homer upside that makes him worth stashing despite his recent struggles.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
JR Ritchie has Promising Upside
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher JR Ritchie turned in an excellent debut when he got the call against the Washington Nationals on April 23. Since then, Ritchie has struggled to replicate similar results due to his lack of command over his last two starts. Ritchie has walked 10 batters across 10.1 innings of work. The rookie right-hander has the swing-and-miss stuff to be a consistent option at the big league level. He needs to get his command in line, but could be a solid stash option going forward. Fantasy managers in deep leagues that are seeking pitching help should consider adding Ritchie.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Bryce Eldridge is a Top Power Source on the Waiver Wire
San Francisco Giants first baseman Bryce Eldridge could be an interesting option for fantasy managers seeking help in the power category. Eldridge was recently called up to The Show after mashing five home runs across 30 games in Triple-A this season. The 21-year-old has smashed 20-plus home runs in each of his last two seasons in the minor leagues. He's a legitimate threat to go deep every at-bat, but he still has a ton of swing-and-miss in his game. Eldridge hit his first career home run on Saturday, but that was only his second hit since receiving the call to the big leagues. Eldridge offers good power upside, but fantasy managers will need to be patient with him.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Graham Ashcraft is Priority Handcuff Closer Stash
Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Graham Ashcraft is likely to be in the mix for the saves going forward. The Reds need a new ninth-inning option after Emilio Pagan (hamstring) went down with an injury. Ashcraft got the first crack at the closer role, but was unable to shut down the Chicago Cubs during Wednesday's game. He pitched in a setup role on Saturday, with Pierce Johnson getting the ball in the final frame. The assumption is that the Reds will stick with a committee approach in the ninth inning while Pagan is out. Ashcraft could be an interesting stash option with him almost certainly getting more chances at the closer role.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Spencer Miles is Named Opener for Sunday
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Spencer Miles will operate as the opener for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Angels. The plan is for Miles to pitch an inning or two before handing the ball over to Eric Lauer. The southpaw should pitch the bulk of the innings, but is likely being used this way due to his lackluster results lately. Miles has been mostly solid this season with a 3.50 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and a 16:5 K/BB ratio across 18 innings this season. Neither pitcher is an ideal streaming option given the situation. Lauer owns a 6.15 ERA in his last six starts, so he'll be avoidable on Sunday.
Source: Keegan Matheson
Source: Keegan Matheson
Mariners Intend to Piggyback Luis Castillo, Bryce Miller
Seattle Mariners starting pitchers Luis Castillo and Bryce Miller will piggyback each other after a full turn through the rotation. Miller is set to return from the Injured List on Wednesday after missing the start of the season due to an oblique issue. The Mariners plan to use a six-man rotation for one full turn through, but will shake it up after that. The Mariners don't want to disrespect Castillo, who has been a starter throughout his big league career. However, Castillo has been horrible with a 6.29 ERA through seven starts this season. The hope is that putting Castillo and Miller together will end up offering better results for both pitchers. Between the two, Miller is the more desirable fantasy option, but he won't be an ideal streaming choice if he doesn't pitch deep into games.
Source: Ryan Divish
Source: Ryan Divish
Pierce Johnson Earns Save, Climbing the Closer Depth Chart?
Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Pierce Johnson was called upon to hold a two-run lead against the Houston Astros on Saturday. The Reds are without closer Emilio Pagan (hamstring), so they'll need to find a new ninth-inning option. Johnson has put himself in the mix after tossing a clean inning to earn his first save of the season on Saturday. He needed only 12 pitches to retire the side in order during Saturday's 3-1 victory. He owns a 3.38 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and a 15/5 K:BB ratio across 16 innings this season. Johnson could be the favorite for saves in Cincinnati with Tony Santillan and Graham Ashcraft in the mix as well.
Source: mlb.com
Source: mlb.com
Payton Tolle is Named Sunday's Starter
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Payton Tolle will take the mound for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Tolle was supposed to start on Saturday, but the contest was rained out. Brayan Bello was slated to start on Sunday, but he'll have his start pushed back. The Red Sox have a scheduled off day on Monday, so they'll evaluate the starting rotation after that. It's possible that Bello has his next start pushed back further than Tuesday. Fantasy managers who have Tolle rostered should make sure he's in their lineups ahead of first pitch on Sunday.
Source: Chris Cotillo
Source: Chris Cotillo
Kerry Carpenter Exits Early with Shoulder Injury
Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter (shoulder) was forced to make an early exit from Saturday's game against the Kansas City Royals. Carpenter injured his left shoulder when he slammed into the wall attempting to make a play in the first inning. He remained in the game but was ultimately taken out in the third inning due to left shoulder soreness. Before exiting, Carpenter was 1-for-1 during his lone plate appearance on Saturday. Wenceel Perez replaced him in the ballgame and figures to see more starts if Carpenter is forced to miss time. Fantasy managers should consider Carpenter as day-to-day until more information is revealed.
Source: Evan Petzold
Source: Evan Petzold
