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Juan Soto Doesn't Have Firm Date for a Return
The New York Mets still expect All-Star outfielder Juan Soto (calf) to return from the 10-day injured list during their upcoming homestand, which begins Tuesday against the Minnesota Twins and runs through next Thursday, April 30, but they don't have an exact date in mind for the slugger's return, according to Max Ralph of MLB.com. "Yes, he's still on track," manager Carlos Mendoza said Sunday. "Not sure which day, but as of right now, the plan is for him to start playing for us at some point in the next homestand." The Mets, losers of 11 games in a row, could really use Soto's bat back in the lineup. The 27-year-old Dominican began a running progression last Tuesday, but the team now wants to see him increase the intensity of his running program while adding elements such as side-to-side shuffling and starting/stopping. Friday would represent the three-week mark from when Soto originally went on the IL. Soto was hitting a cool .355/.412/.516 with a homer and two doubles before his injury. Without him, the Mets have scored just 1.9 runs per game, including three scoreless outings.
Source: MLB.com - Max Ralph
Source: MLB.com - Max Ralph
Can Blake Treinen Pick Up Saves in New-Look Dodgers Bullpen?
Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star closer Edwin Diaz (elbow) is expected to miss around three months now that he needs surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow, and veteran right-handed reliever Blake Treinen could benefit at the back end of the team's bullpen with save opportunities going forward. The 37-year-old veteran has 82 career saves in his 11-plus MLB seasons, although he has only had three saves since the start of the 2024 campaign. With Diaz sidelined for the foreseeable future, manager Dave Roberts could get creative in the ninth inning with Treinen and left-handers Tanner Scott and Alex Vesia. Scott figures to get the first crack at save chances going forward, but don't be surprised if Treinen is involved as well. Treinen is only rostered in 4% of Yahoo leagues currently, but that number should rise as fantasy managers desperate for saves scoop him up. He has allowed three earned runs with three walks and six strikeouts in his 6 2/3 innings pitched for L.A. so far in 2026.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Dalton Rushing Worth an Add Despite Shaky Playing Time?
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing is the backup to All-Star catcher Will Smith, but he might be worth a pickup off the waiver wire after his two-homer performance in the team's 12-3 win over the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Monday night. Rushing went 2-for-5 on the night with three RBI and two strikeouts while batting out of the nine-hole. He got the start at first base for the Dodgers with Freddie Freeman (personal) still away from the team while on the paternity list. The 25-year-old former second-rounder in 2022 out of Louisville only has 27 at-bats so far on the season, but he's recorded 12 hits (seven home runs) and has driven in 13 and scored 10 runs for the Blue. In 53 games in 2025 in his rookie season in the majors, Rushing slashed .204/.258/.324 with four homers and 24 RBI in his 155 plate appearances. He's currently rostered in only 17% of Yahoo leagues, but that number could continue to climb in the coming days and weeks if Rushing gets more at-bats and continues to produce at the plate.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Nick Lodolo to Increase Workload in Sim Game on Tuesday
Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo (finger) threw 31 pitches in two simulated innings in batting practice on April 17 and is scheduled to bump up to three innings on Tuesday, according to MLB.com. Lodolo is still working his way back from a blister on his left index finger that landed him on the 15-day injured list on March 25 before the start of the 2026 regular season. His timetable for a return is still to be determined, although he could be cleared to go on a minor-league rehab assignment soon if he gets through his sim game on Tuesday with flying colors. Injuries have kept the 28-year-old southpaw from reaching his true potential in the big leagues, but the former seventh overall pick in 2019 out of TCU remains worth stashing in fantasy baseball leagues because of his strikeout upside when he's healthy. The 6-foot-6, 216-pounder has struck out 26.2% of the batters he's faced in his four MLB seasons and sports an ERA just above 4.00 in 409 2/3 total innings.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Dylan Cease Continues Strong Start With 12-Strikeout Performance
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Dylan Cease continued his strong start to the 2026 season in his first year with the team in his outing on Monday in Anaheim in a 5-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels, allowing two earned runs on five hits while walking two and striking out 12 in five innings to pick up his first win of the year. Cease induced 18 swings and misses among his 110 pitches on the night. He's pitched much better than his 1-0 record indicates through his first five starts with Toronto, as he's posted a career-best 2.10 ERA (1.46 FIP) and 1.29 WHIP with a league-high 44 strikeouts and 14 walks in 25 2/3 frames. Cease currently sits in the 82nd percentile in xwOBA and in the 98th percentile in strikeout rate (39.6%). His 1.46 FIP shows he's not just getting lucky early in 2026, though fantasy managers would like to see his 12.6% walk rate come down a bit. It's the first time his walk rate has been in double digits since the 2023 season, his last with the Chicago White Sox.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Robert Suarez a Must-Add Candidate Following Major Injury in Bullpen
Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Robert Suarez is expected to take on closer duties following the injury to primary closer Raisel Iglesias. On Tuesday morning, the Braves shifted Iglesias to the 15-day injured list with right-shoulder inflammation, opening up the ninth inning for Suarez. Suarez joined the Braves in free agency but was the top closer in San Diego for each of the past two seasons. In 2024, Suarez tallied 36 saves while holding a 2.77 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. In the following campaign, Suarez tallied a career-best 40 saves for the Padres while carrying a similar 2.97 ERA with a 0.90 WHIP. This season, Suarez has operated in a set-up role in the bullpen, tallying four holds while posting a near-perfect 0.93 ERA, pitching primarily in the eighth inning. While southpaw Dylan Lee should see occasional save opportunities against left-handed lineups, Suarez projects to see the bulk of the opportunities for the foreseeable future, making him a priority waiver wire candidate in all standard formats.
Source: Atlanta Braves
Source: Atlanta Braves
Raisel Iglesias Placed on 15-Day Injured List with Shoulder Inflammation
The Atlanta Braves are placing closer Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list with right-shoulder inflammation. Iglesias was unable to pitch earlier on the weekend due to a shoulder injury, but was cleared to take the bump on Sunday, suggesting this was a minor injury. However, the Braves have shifted their top-ninth-inning option to the injured list earlier this morning, which will keep him sidelined for at least the next 15 days. Iglesias has enjoyed a dominant start to the season and was re-establishing himself as an elite reliever in fantasy. Through 8 2/3 innings, Iglesias did not allow a run, tallied five saves, and carried a stellar 0.69 WHIP. He struck out hitters at a 35.5% rate while walking just 3.2% of the batters he faced. With Iglesias on the shelf, fantasy managers should expect set-up man Robert Suarez to slide into the ninth-inning role and carry high-end value in all standard leagues.
Source: Atlanta Braves
Source: Atlanta Braves
Payton Tolle Viewed as "Top Candidate" to Enter Boston Rotation
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Payton Tolle is one of the team's top options to replace Sonny Gray (hamstring) in the rotation. Gray was forced to leave his start on Monday after 2 2/3 innings on Monday when he felt a "grab" in his right hamstring. The issue is not thought to be serious, but he will miss at least a couple of turns through the rotation, potentially opening the door for Tolle. In his three starts in Triple-A this season, Tolle has allowed five runs in 15 innings with 19 strikeouts. His most recent outing was his strongest one of the year, as he worked five scoreless innings with six strikeouts against the Columbus Clippers. Tolle has high strikeout upside, and the 23-year-old lefty will be a name to watch on the waiver wire if he does get the call to fill a spot in the rotation in the coming weeks.
Source: Chris Cotillo
Source: Chris Cotillo
Jac Caglianone Snaps Lengthy Power Skid with Solo Shot, Time to Buy Back in?
Kansas City Royals outfielder Jac Caglianone smashed his first home run of the season on Monday night in the second inning against Kyle Bradish. He added a walk later in the game and finished 1-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI. Caglianone was one of the top hitting prospects in baseball when he got to the majors, but he hit only .157 with a .239 wOBA and seven homers in his 62 games in the majors last season. This year, his batting average is much better at .269 with a .340 wOBA. His strikeout rate has been up to almost 30%, but his hard-hit rate of 55.6% gives him good upside when he makes contact. The Royals could definitely use a boost from his bat, and with a current six-game hitting streak, there are signs that the 23-year-old prospect is starting to turn things around. If you can snag him off the waiver wire, he could be a move that pays off if he can build on his current momentum and get the breakout many expected when he came up through the Royals' farm system.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Matt Strahm Emerging as Must-Stash Closer Handcuff in Royals Bullpen
Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Matt Strahm could be on the verge of taking over at the end of the game for the Royals, so he's worth considering in leagues where you have to be very aggressive looking for saves. Strahm could take over from Lucas Erceg, who has blown his last two save opportunities, including on Monday, when he issued three walks to the Orioles. Erceg doesn't typically strike many batters out, so his control has to be excellent for him to be successful, and it hasn't been in his last two outings. Strahm worked a perfect eighth inning with three strikeouts to earn his sixth hold of the year before giving the ball to Erceg in the ninth. In his eight games this season, Strahm has allowed three runs with nine strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings. The 34-year-old lefty has never had more than six saves in a season, but he is an experienced high-leverage reliever who could help the team as a bridge option until Carlos Estevez (foot) is ready to return from the injured list.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Joel Kuhnel Earns Fourth Save, Emerging as Athletics Primary Closer?
Athletics relief pitcher Joel Kuhnel gave up a run and two hits in the ninth inning against the Mariners on Monday, but he was still able to secure the 6-4 win for his team. He entered with a three-run lead and gave up an RBI double to Leo Rivas before getting J.P. Crawford to foul out and Cal Raleigh to fly out to end the game. Kuhnel has converted each of his four save chances and also earned a hold. The run he allowed on Monday was his first given up this season, and his 1.29 ERA and 0.57 WHIP are still very strong. He doesn't typically get a ton of strikeouts, but the 31-year-old righty has been very solid to start the season for the A's and has stepped up as the team's primary closer at this point early in the season.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Justin Wrobleski Carrying Sneaky Value on the Waiver Wire
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Justin Wrobleski earned his third win of the season by allowing just one run in seven innings against the Rockies at Coors Field on Monday night. The 25-year-old lefty lowered his ERA to 1.88 with a 3.01 FIP and 0.88 WHIP. Wrobleski gave up eight hits in that outing and struck out only three, but he continues to be effective despite a 9.8% K%. While he isn't going to be an elite source of strikeouts, he can still have definite fantasy value while limiting damage so well and getting the backing of the Dodgers power-packed lineup. Wrobleski will make another start to finish out the week at home against the Cubs, and he's a nice addition if he's available in a league where you need quality innings and potential wins.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jeff Hoffman Bounces Back to Earn Third Save, Strikes Out the Side
Toronto Blue Jays reliever Jeff Hoffman gave up multiple runs in each of his last two appearances, but he was much more effective on Monday, closing out the Angels in a 5-2 win. Hoffman gave up a leadoff single to Jo Adell, but then fanned Josh Lowe, Logan O'Hoppe, and Adam Frazier in succession to end the game. Hoffman has allowed 10 runs (eight earned) in his 11 games this season and has a 6.97 ERA and 1.94 WHIP, despite a 2.94 FIP. He has three saves and three blown saves after Monday's performance, but since the Blue Jays are sticking with him at closer, he remains a strong fantasy option, especially if he is able to build on Monday's successful outing.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Lucas Erceg Blows Second Straight Save, No Longer Must-Start Closer?
Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Lucas Erceg came into a 1-0 game in the ninth inning on Monday night, but he wasn't able to close out the Orioles, who eventually won 7-5 in extra innings. Erceg walked three batters and gave up an RBI single to Samuel Basallo that tied the game. After earning five saves in his first five chances, Erceg has blown back-to-back opportunities and has a very tenuous hold on the closer role. If the Royals were to go with another option, Matt Strahm and Daniel Lynch IV could get chances while they wait for the return of regular closer Carlos Estevez, who could begin a rehab assignment soon. Erceg still has potential if he gets a few more chances, but he's no longer an option you have to hold if other closers are available.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Max Muncy With Another Two-Homer Game, Becoming Must-Add Off Waiver Wire
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy's power game hasn't gone away early in the 2026 campaign, and fantasy managers should be plucking him off the waiver wire due to his hot start. Muncy had another two-homer performance while going 4-for-4 with four runs scored and a walk in the team's 12-3 blowout win over the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Monday night in the series finale. Catcher Dalton Rushing also went deep twice for the Blue in this contest. Muncy has eight home runs on the year, but somehow he only has nine RBI to show for it. The 35-year-old left-handed slugger still swings and misses plenty, and he won't be an asset for your fantasy team's batting average, but he deserves to be rostered in more than the 51% that he's currently rostered in Yahoo leagues due to his power bat and on-base skills in an elite Dodgers lineup. RBI opportunities will continue to be plentiful for Muncy as long as he stays healthy.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
