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Anthony Volpe Worth a Look on the Waiver Wire in his Return to Yankees
The New York Yankees are calling up shortstop Anthony Volpe on Tuesday from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, sources told MLB reporter Francys Romero. Volpe will rejoin the major-league squad with infielder Jose Caballero (finger) going on the injured list. The 25-year-old former first-rounder got a late start to the 2026 season after having left-shoulder surgery in the offseason. He has played in 18 games in the minors this year with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Double-A Somerset, going 15-for-68 (.221) with a homer, eight RBI, 11 runs scored, and four stolen bases across 76 plate appearances. Fantasy managers with a need in the middle infield should consider adding Volpe, who is rostered in just 5% of Yahoo leagues, off the waiver wire now that he'll be New York's starting shortstop going forward. Depending on how Volpe is playing when Caballero is ready to return from his finger injury, he could stick around at the 6 in the Bronx. Volpe has hit just .222 in his three years in the big leagues with the Yanks, but he's also added 52 homers, 192 RBI, and 70 stolen bases in 472 games played.
Source: Francys Romero
Source: Francys Romero
A.J. Ewing Batting Eighth in MLB Debut
New York Mets outfield prospect A.J. Ewing is starting in center field and will hit eighth in the batting order in his major-league debut on Tuesday against the visiting Detroit Tigers and right-hander Jack Flaherty, according to MLB.com. The Mets are calling on their second-ranked prospect (per MLB Pipeline) to inject some life into their struggling offense with Luis Robert Jr. (back) still on the injured list. The 21-year-old got the call to the majors after hitting .339/.447/.514 with a .961 OPS, two homers, 11 RBI, 17 stolen bases, and 25 runs scored in 30 games with Triple-A Syracuse and Double-A Binghamton this year. At least until Robert returns, Ewing should play regularly in center field in New York against right-handed pitching. Ewing's power stroke is still developing, so fantasy managers shouldn't count on many home runs. He's a contact-oriented outfielder with plus speed. Ewing is only rostered in 13% of Yahoo leagues currently. He's an easy fade in DFS in his MLB debut while hitting in the eight-hole.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Willson Contreras Still Nursing Hand Injury, Out on Tuesday
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (hand) remains out of the starting lineup for Tuesday's series opener at Fenway Park against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies after he was hit by a pitch on his right hand on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays, per MLB.com. Imaging came back negative on Contreras' hand, though, so he could be back in the starting nine for the BoSox as soon as Wednesday. Mickey Gasper is making the start at first base and will hit in the two-hole on Tuesday against Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler. The struggling Red Sox could use Contreras back in the lineup as soon as possible. In his first year with the team in 2026, he's hitting .259 (35-for-135) with eight home runs, 23 RBI, 19 runs scored, and a stolen base across 39 games and 166 plate appearances. Gasper made his season debut on Sunday for Boston and went 3-for-4 at the plate with two doubles and an RBI, but he'll be a deep DFS sleeper on Tuesday against Wheeler.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Samuel Basallo Returns to Tuesday's Lineup as the DH
Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo (knee) will return to the starting lineup as the designated hitter and bat fifth for the O's for Tuesday's game against the visiting New York Yankees and right-hander Will Warren, according to MLB.com. Baltimore scratched Basallo out of an abundance of caution in the series opener on Monday due to discomfort in his left knee, but he's back in the lineup a day later. The 21-year-old should be returned to fantasy lineups in traditional leagues against Warren, whom he has hit .286 against in his seven career at-bats. The left-handed-hitting backstop is having a strong 2026 season so far, too, slashing .270/.333/.470 with an .803 OPS, five home runs, 15 RBI, and 14 runs scored in 115 at-bats. Although he has yet to clear the fences in May, Basallo has gone 12-for-33 (.364) with four doubles, a triple, six RBI, and four runs scored in 10 games to begin the month.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Parker Messick Fueling Guardians' Division Lead
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Parker Messick has emerged as a bright spot in the rotation, posting a 4-1 record with a spectacular 2.30 ERA so far. In his first full season, the southpaw has been an anchor in the back half of the rotation by racking up strikeouts while limiting hits, walks, and runs. The Guardians are just a game above .500, but they're in first place in the AL Central, and Messick is a main reason why. Fans and fantasy managers can breathe a sigh of relief when he pitches, largely due to his 2.82 FIP, 9.77 K/9, and 2.11 BB/9. He's also limiting loud contact with 0.77 HR/9, and he's allowing fewer than one walk plus hit per inning. As long as Messick continues to pitch at this level, he'll rack up fantasy points while earning some All-Star consideration. Rostered in 89% of fantasy leagues, Messick is perhaps still a little undervalued. He's an intriguing target in dynasty leagues, where he could be a fantasy staple for many years to come.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brewers Reinstate Christian Yelich From Injured List
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich (groin) has been reinstated from the 10-day injured list, according to an announcement from the team. To create room for Yelich on the 26-man roster, outfielder Tyler Black was optioned to Triple-A Nashville. Yelich is set to return from a month-long absence that was caused by a left groin strain. He'll offer a major boost to the Brewers' lineup as they look to build on their 22-16 start this season. Before Yelich landed on the IL, he had been slashing .314/.375/.451 with one homer, 10 RBI, three steals, an 8.9% walk rate, a 25.0% strikeout rate, and 127 wRC+. In addition to strengthening Milwaukee's lineup, his return also helps out fantasy managers who have been patiently waiting to get him back. The Brewers haven't posted Tuesday's lineup yet, but we'd expect to see Yelich batting third as the designated hitter.
Source: Milwaukee Brewers
Source: Milwaukee Brewers
Corey Seager in the Lineup Every Day Despite Disastrous Stats
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager continues to play on an everyday basis, mostly due to his reliable defense and his track record as a proven veteran. However, the temptation to make a shortstop change may be growing in Texas, as Seager is slashing just .189/.299/.372 with -3.1 WAR at the plate. It's the first time he has posted negative WAR on either side of the ball since 2018, and the first time he's ever posted negative WAR at the plate. His seven home runs have helped keep his wRC+ afloat at 88, but it's still not very encouraging. He had an .860 OPS last year, so to see that mark fall nearly 200 percentage points doesn't bode well for his fantasy value. As one might expect based on the poor stats, he's also striking out far more than normal. His 27% strikeout rate this year drastically exceeds his previous career-worst mark of 21.4% back in 2017. The power makes Seager a fine fantasy option every now and then, and he's been able to hang around as the #7 shortstop in RotoBaller's latest fantasy rankings. However, we don't blame fantasy managers (or the Rangers) if they start to lose patience with the 32-year-old soon.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Paul Skenes Rides Momentum Into Start vs. Rockies
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes has found his stride on the mound once again. After an anomalous Opening Day performance in which he was pulled during the first inning, Skenes has bounced back and lowered his FIP to 2.81. Through eight starts, he is 5-2 with 9.86 K/9 and 1.50 BB/9. His blend of control and velocity continues to suit him well, leading to great results for the Pirates and fantasy managers. Skenes went five perfect and eight scoreless in his last outing, so he'll look to keep that momentum going Tuesday against the Rockies. It's a favorable matchup for the Cy Young favorite, since the Rockies' offense has the second-most strikeouts and the sixth-fewest walks in baseball. The game is also in Pittsburgh, meaning that Skenes doesn't have to worry about Coors Field, and the Rockies' batters will have to adjust to a less favorable environment.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
David Bednar Remains a Steady Option for Saves
New York Yankees closer David Bednar continues to rack up saves while handling leverage opportunities out of the bullpen. He did experience a minor blip on Sunday when he surrendered one run over 0.2 innings and was hit with the loss, but for the most part, he has been productive. He's now 1-3 with a 2.47 FIP, 11.12 K/9, 2.65 BB/9, a 56.3% ground ball rate, and 10 saves over 17 games (17.0 innings). No other Yankees pitcher has earned a save this season, so Bednar's job remains safe despite an occasional subpar outing. Given that the Yankees have the second-best record in the American League, save situations should continue to present themselves to Bednar quite often. He remains a steady option for saves, and he ranks as the #9 reliever in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Braves Place Sean Murphy Back on Injured List With Fractured Finger
The Atlanta Braves announced on Tuesday that they placed catcher Sean Murphy (finger) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to May 11) with a fractured left middle finger. In a corresponding move, the Braves signed free-agent veteran catcher Sandy Leon to a major-league contract. Murphy got a late start to the 2026 regular season while recovering from offseason hip surgery, and now he's back on the shelf after playing in only four games for Atlanta. In those four contests, he went 1-for-14 at the plate with a run scored and six strikeouts. The 31-year-old veteran was one of the better power-hitting catchers in the big leagues from 2021 to 2023, but he hasn't played in more than 100 games the last couple of seasons with the Braves as he's struggled with injuries. Murphy is now only rostered in 1% of Yahoo leagues. Drake Baldwin will now see more work behind the plate (in addition to DH duties), with Leon backing him up in Atlanta.
Source: Atlanta Braves
Source: Atlanta Braves
Trevor Rogers Reinstated and Starting on Tuesday
The Baltimore Orioles announced that they reinstated left-hander Trevor Rogers (illness) from the 15-day injured list, and he will start Tuesday's game against the division-rival New York Yankees. In a corresponding move, the O's optioned right-hander Jose Espada to Triple-A Norfolk. Rogers is back after missing the last couple of weeks due to a bad case of the flu. The 28-year-old southpaw gave up only four earned runs while walking five and striking out 14 in 19 innings in his first three starts of the year before surrendering 13 runs (12 earned) on 19 hits (three homers) while walking five and fanning 13 in 11 1/3 innings in his three most recent appearances. Rogers wasn't rehabbing any kind of injury, so he didn't require a minor-league rehab assignment. Tuesday's start will be his first game since April 25, though, so we would not recommend starting him, especially against a Yankees team that ranks third in baseball with a .771 OPS.
Source: Baltimore Orioles
Source: Baltimore Orioles
Robby Snelling to Make Second MLB Start on Thursday Against Twins
Miami Marlins left-handed pitching prospect Robby Snelling is slated to make his second start in the big leagues this Thursday on the road at Target Field against the Minnesota Twins, according to MLB.com. In his major-league debut last Friday against the division-rival Washington Nationals, Snelling allowed three earned runs on five hits (one homer) while walking four and striking out two in five innings pitched to take the loss, so it wasn't the most effective first outing for the highly-regarded pitching prospect. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder was brought up to Miami after going 3-1 with a 1.86 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 44:15 K:BB in 29 innings over six starts at Triple-A Jacksonville. Although Snelling walked more than he struck out in his MLB debut, he did generate 12 whiffs on 86 pitches, and he remains an intriguing young arm to stash in deeper fantasy leagues for his strikeout upside. It also appears that he is going to get an extended run in the Marlins' starting rotation. Snelling is currently rostered in 26% of Yahoo leagues. He'll be facing a Twins ballclub that ranks in the middle of the pack in baseball this year in team OPS.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ben Brown Earns Another Start, Taking on Braves on Thursday
The Chicago Cubs have rewarded right-hander Ben Brown with another start, which will come on Thursday at Truist Park against the first-place Atlanta Braves and veteran lefty Chris Sale, per MLB.com. Brown, who is filling in for Chicago's banged-up starting rotation, earned a second start after tossing four shutout innings with no hits allowed, one walk, and three strikeouts in a no-decision against the Texas Rangers last Friday. On the year, the 26-year-old former 33rd-round pick by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2017 has been excellent for the Cubbies, recording a 1.82 ERA (2.65 FIP), 0.91 WHIP, one save, 27 strikeouts, and nine walks in 29 2/3 frames across 13 appearances (one start). Because Brown could stick around for the long term in Chicago's rotation, he's certainly worth a look off the waiver wire -- he's rostered in just 9% of Yahoo leagues. However, we wouldn't recommend starting him this week against a Braves team with the best OPS (.784) in the big leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
James Wood a Reliable Source of Elite Raw Power
Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood is only 23 years old, but he's already one of the best sources of raw power production in the big leagues. The 6-foot-6, 234-pounder was a first-time All-Star in 2025 in his first full year in the majors despite leading the league with 221 strikeouts in 689 plate appearances. He hit 31 homers, drove in 94 runs, and even stole 15 bases in 157 games. So far in 41 games in 2026, the former second-round selection by the San Diego Padres in 2021 has gone 38-for-156 (.244) with 11 home runs, 11 doubles, 28 RBI, 35 runs scored, seven stolen bases, a league-leading 35 walks, and 60 strikeouts across 41 games and 194 plate appearances. Wood is hitting .265 (9-for-34) with a homer, four doubles, four RBI, five runs, and two steals in nine games so far in May and remains a must-start in all traditional fantasy formats as a high-upside power bat with excellent on-base skills. He currently ranks in the 99th percentile in hard-hit rate and the 97th percentile in walk rate, which is a recipe for success long term.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Bubba Chandler's Lack of Control Making him Hard to Trust
Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Bubba Chandler has plenty of long-term upside, but so far in his first full season in the big leagues, he has struggled to control the baseball, allowing a league-high 27 free passes in his 39 innings over his first eight starts in 2026. Chandler has gone 1-4 in the early going with a 4.62 ERA (5.53 FIP) and 1.46 WHIP with 34 strikeouts. The 23-year-old former third-round pick in 2021 walked 13 batters in three starts from April 23 to May 5. In his most recent outing, though, Chandler went five innings against the punchless San Francisco Giants, giving up two earned runs on five hits while walking just one and striking out three for a no-decision. It was encouraging that he only walked one batter his last time out, but until he can show us that he can command his arsenal more consistently, Chandler is going to be a volatile fantasy starter. His next start will come against the underperforming Philadelphia Phillies at home. Start Chandler at your own risk.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
