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Can Jalen Hurts Bounce Back as a Rusher in 2026?
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts turned in another strong statistical season in 2025, throwing for 3,224 yards and 25 touchdowns while adding another 454 yards and eight scores as a rusher. Still, Hurts shouldered significant criticism for the Eagles' overall struggles as an offense and is under pressure to up his game in 2026. Philadelphia will have a new play-caller in Sean Mannion and added pass-catching talent in the 2026 NFL Draft in first-round wideout Makai Lemon and second-round tight end Eli Stowers, all of which should help Hurts. However, Hurts' best asset in fantasy has always been his rushing production. While the 27-year-old still added value with his legs in 2025, it was his first season without at least 600 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns since his rookie year in 2020. If Hurts' rushing production continues to decline, his fantasy value could be in major trouble.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chandler Simpson Back in Leadoff Spot for Rays on Wednesday
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson (leg) is starting in left field and is batting leadoff for Wednesday's game in Toronto against the hosting Blue Jays and right-hander Dylan Cease, according to MLB.com. Simpson only ended up missing one game after dealing with cramps in his left leg on Monday. The 25-year-old speedster should be returned to starting lineups in traditional fantasy leagues, although he's more of a fade in DFS against Cease, who has looked much better in his first year with the Blue Jays in 2026. Simpson returns to the lineup sporting a strong .314/.339/.359 slash line, although he's still searching for his first major-league home run and has a weak .698 OPS in 156 at-bats. He had 44 stolen bases for the Rays in just 109 games played in his rookie campaign in 2025, and Simpson currently has 14 steals in 18 attempts through 40 games this season. Simpson has a hit in his only career at-bat against Cease.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Robby Snelling Placed on 15-Day Injured List with Elbow Sprain
According to MLB.com, the Miami Marlins have placed left-handed pitcher Robby Snelling (elbow) on the 15-day injured list with a left elbow UCL sprain. The team's budding pitcher earned the call last week to make his MLB debut, but he will now shift to the injured list for a potentially lengthy stint. In his debut, the southpaw showed some growing pains as he allowed five hits and three runs over five frames while striking out just two hitters. However, earlier in the campaign, the lefty looked quite dominant at Triple-A, holding a stellar 1.86 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, and a 44:15 K:BB over 29 innings of work. With Snelling now in danger of missing an extended period on the shelf, managers should consider stashing Braxton Garrett, who currently resides at Triple-A, or the team's No. 1 pitching prospect, Thomas White, as both could earn the call in the near future.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Zach Charbonnet's Dynasty Value in Question Entering 2026
Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (knee) had his 2025 season come to an unfortunate end when he tore his ACL during his team's NFC Divisional Round win over the San Francisco 49ers. After undergoing surgery in late February, Charbonnet's status for the start of the 2026 season is questionable at best. Without the injury, Charbonnet may have been in a prime position to take over the Seahawks backfield following the departure of former Seattle back Kenneth Walker III in free agency. Instead, the Seahawks used their first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price and added former Green Bay Packers back Emanuel Wilson in free agency. Charbonnet was a productive player while splitting touches with Walker III, recording just over 1,300 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns over the past two seasons. Still, his knee injury and Seattle's addition of Price put Charbonnet's dynasty value in question heading into 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
DeVonta Smith Poised to Reach a New Level of Production in 2026?
For the majority of his five NFL seasons to this point, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith has filled his team's WR2 role behind star wideout A.J. Brown. Smith has managed to be productive despite his secondary role, finishing 2025 with 77 catches for 1,008 yards and four touchdowns on 113 targets across 16 games. While Brown currently remains a member of the Eagles, there is widespread anticipation across the NFL that Philadelphia will trade him away before the start of 2026. Should that come to pass, Smith could be in line to set a new career-high in target share. The Eagles did add to their wide receiver room over the offseason, selecting USC wideout Makai Lemon in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft and trading for former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks. Still, Smith has an established track record in Philadelphia and has always flashed high-end production upside. In dynasty formats, Smith's stock is soaring ahead of an anticipated Brown trade.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Francisco Alvarez Needs Knee Surgery, Expected to Miss 6-8 Weeks
In the latest injury blow for the last-place New York Mets, manager Carlos Mendoza told Jorge Castillo of ESPN that catcher Francisco Alvarez (knee) will undergo surgery to fix a torn meniscus in his right knee. The team won't know exactly how long he'll be out until after the procedure, but Mendoza said the hope is that it will only be six to eight weeks. If the damage to Alvarez's knee is more extensive, he could face a multi-month absence and could miss the rest of the 2026 season. With the Venezuelan backstop now out for the foreseeable future, Luis Torrens will take over as the Mets' primary catcher, with Hayden Senger backing him up. The oft-injured Alvarez can now be dropped in single-catcher leagues where he was rostered. The 24-year-old was hitting .241 (27-for-112) with four home runs, 10 RBI, and 12 runs scored in his first 37 games (128 plate appearances) before yet another injury. Injuries have been the story of Alvarez's career to this point, unfortunately.
Source: ESPN.com - Jorge Castillo
Source: ESPN.com - Jorge Castillo
Chris Olave Facing Increased Target Competition in New Orleans Entering 2026
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave put together arguably his best NFL season in 2025, recording 100 receptions for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns on 156 targets across 16 games. Olave showed off encouraging chemistry with Saints quarterback Tyler Shough down the stretch of the season. He also finished the year with at least 90 more targets than any other wide receiver on the team, which was a key factor in his consistent fantasy production. While Olave still projects as the WR1 in New Orleans heading into 2026, he will unquestionably see more competition for targets after the Saints used the eighth overall pick in the 2026 Draft on Arizona State wideout Jordyn Tyson. The overall offensive ecosystem in New Orleans is improving as Shough enters his second season, which could help make up for any production Olave surrenders to Tyson. Still, Olave's dynasty outlook is a bit less certain following the Saints' addition of another high-profile wideout in Tyson.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
James Tibbs III Remains on Stash Radar Despite Cold Spell
Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect James Tibbs III has had a season of peaks and valleys at Triple-A Oklahoma City, and he's currently in a bit of a valley. After a four-hit game last week, the Dodgers' 10th-ranked prospect has gone 2-for-16 (.125) with zero extra-base hits in the four games since. All in all, the former first-rounder has put together a .288/.385/.596 slash line with 11 home runs, and although a 26.9 percent strikeout rate is on the high side, the 23-year-old has drawn walks at a strong 13.2 percent clip. The left-handed slugger will likely continue to see ups and downs, but has flashed some tantalizing upside, which makes him an intriguing stash for fantasy. There is no opening in the big league outfield at the moment, but that could change quickly, and Tibbs could provide exposure to a potent L.A. lineup, so fantasy managers should still consider the Florida State product as a high-end stash option for power in deep leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Elmer Rodriguez Nearing a Return to Majors After Injury in Yankees Rotation?
New York Yankees right-handed pitching prospect Elmer Rodriguez could be primed to rejoin the big-league rotation after left-hander Max Fried (elbow) left his start early on Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles with an elbow injury. Rodriguez, 22, made his major-league debut with the Yanks earlier this season and struggled to a 5.19 ERA (5.43 FIP) and 2.08 WHIP with eight walks and five strikeouts in 8 2/3 frames, with both of his starts coming versus the Texas Rangers. The team's No. 3 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, was sent back to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to make room for lefty Carlos Rodon, but now that Fried could be heading to the injured list, Rodriguez might get another shot in the Bronx. Savvy fantasy managers may want to scoop him up now. The 6-foot-4, 177-pounder from Cuba has looked much better at Triple-A, sporting a 1.38 ERA and 1.04 WHIP with 26 K's and nine walks in 26 innings across five starts. Rodriguez must show better command in the big leagues for fantasy managers in most mixed leagues to take notice.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Chris Bell's Dynasty Stock Rising Following NFL Draft
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chris Bell (knee) had his final collegiate season at the University of Louisville cut short after tearing his ACL in late November. Despite the injury, Miami selected Bell in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and he has a chance to be ready for the start of his rookie season. The 21-year-old was having an excellent year at Louisville before getting injured, hauling in 72 receptions for 917 yards and six touchdowns across 11 games. Once he's healthy, Bell should have a chance to play a big role in the Miami passing game right away. The Dolphins' wide receiver corps is currently led by the uninspiring veteran trio of Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell, and Malik Washington, with 2026 third-rounder Caleb Douglas and fifth-rounder Kevin Coleman Jr. in the mix as well. While Bell's injury situation adds some uncertainty to his profile, he has a golden opportunity to establish himself as a key part of Miami's future. RotoBaller currently ranks Bell as its 57th-best wide receiver in dynasty formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Grayson Rodriguez Could be Activated to Start on Sunday
Los Angeles Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said the team has considered activating right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to have him make his debut with the team on Sunday against the crosstown-rival Los Angeles Dodgers, according to Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register. Right-hander Ryan Johnson is another candidate to make the start in the series finale against the Dodgers on Sunday. Rodriguez pitched in a rehab game last Sunday at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga and was scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday. The 26-year-old looked good at Rancho Cucamonga, allowing two runs while striking out 11 over 4 2/3 innings, and most importantly, he threw 94 pitches. Right-shoulder inflammation has kept the former Orioles top prospect out all year, and he hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2024 with Baltimore. Rodriguez is a major question mark for fantasy purposes, and he'll be an easy fade if he makes his 2026 debut against L.A. He's currently rostered in just 15% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Orange County Register - Jeff Fletcher
Source: The Orange County Register - Jeff Fletcher
Ted Hurst Facing Uphill Battle for Playing Time in Tampa Bay
After racking up nearly 2,000 receiving yards over his final two collegiate seasons at Georgia State, wide receiver Ted Hurst was selected in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hurst is thought of as a true X receiver, which could make him the long-term replacement for former Bucs wideout Mike Evans. However, Hurst's immediate path to playing time could be blocked off in Tampa Bay. Entering training camp, Buccaneers wide receivers Chris Godwin Jr., Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, and Tez Johnson could all be ahead of Hurst on the team's depth chart. If there's a positive for fantasy managers to take away from Hurst landing in Tampa Bay, it's that the organization has done an excellent job of developing young receivers in recent seasons. Hurst carries some upside in dynasty leagues, but dynasty managers should temper their expectations for his 2026 production following the NFL Draft.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Nathan Eovaldi Playing Catch on Wednesday
Texas Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (side) was seen playing catch in the outfield on Wednesday, according to Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News. It's a good sign after the Rangers scratched Eovaldi from his scheduled start on Monday against the Arizona Diamondbacks with left-side tightness. Eovaldi is currently considered day-to-day and could still make his next turn in the starting rotation this weekend in a plus matchup against the Houston Astros if he can make his normal between-starts bullpen this week. The 36-year-old veteran hurler has a history of side/oblique issues, but fantasy managers should start him this weekend if he makes a start against the struggling Astros. Through his first eight starts of the 2026 campaign in his 15th year in the big leagues, Eovaldi is 4-4 with a 4.15 ERA (4.69 FIP) and 1.17 WHIP with 47 strikeouts and only 10 walks across 47 2/3 innings pitched. After a rough start on April 24 against the A's, in which he gave up a season-high six earned runs in six innings, Eovaldi has allowed just one earned run in 15 innings over his last two starts with 15 combined K's. UPDATE: Eovaldi threw a bullpen on Wednesday and said he feels fine. He thinks he is good to pitch on Sunday in Houston against the Astros.
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Shawn McFarland
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Shawn McFarland
Garrett Crochet Throwing a Bullpen Session on Wednesday
Boston Red Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet (shoulder) said he is throwing a bullpen session on Wednesday, according to Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. It's a big step in his return from left-shoulder inflammation that landed him on the 15-day injured list back on April 29. While Crochet is making progress, he's unlikely to return right when he's eligible to come off the IL, and he could require one or two minor-league rehab starts before he rejoins Boston's starting rotation. It's been a rather disappointing 2026 season to this point for one of the best left-handed pitchers in the game after he finished second in the American League Cy Young voting a year ago. Crochet went 3-3 before landing on the IL with a 6.30 ERA (4.32 FIP) and 1.47 WHIP with 37 strikeouts and 11 walks in 30 innings across his six starts. Despite his underwhelming numbers early on and an IL stint, Crochet should be stashed in all fantasy leagues.
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Ronald Acuna Jr. Sprints Up to 90 Feet on Wednesday
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (hamstring) tested his strained left hamstring on Wednesday by sprinting up to 90 feet, and everything looked good, according to Grant McAuley of 929 The Game. Acuna has shown good progress, but he's not ready to be reinstated from the 10-day injured list on Wednesday on the first day that he's eligible to return. It doesn't seem that the 28-year-old is far off from returning to the major-league lineup, although the Braves could be cautious and send the former MVP and five-time All-Star on a short minor-league assignment this weekend. Acuna was put on the IL on May 3 with a Grade 1 hamstring strain. There's absolutely no way that he should be available on the waiver wire in any fantasy leagues, even though he had posted underwhelming numbers by his standards before his injury with a .252/.362/.378 slash line, .740 OPS, two homers, nine RBI, seven stolen bases, and 17 runs scored in his first 34 games played in 2026. The left-handed-hitting Mike Yastrzemski has been on the strong side of a platoon in Atlanta's outfield since Acuna has been sidelined.
Source: 929 The Game - Grant McAuley
Source: 929 The Game - Grant McAuley
Reds Hopeful That Brady Singer Will Make his Next Start
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Brady Singer (foot) came out of Tuesday night's 107 mph comebacker off his right foot better than expected, and the Reds are hopeful that he will make his next start, according to Charlie Clifford of NBC 5 Cincinnati. The 29-year-old former 18th overall pick by the Kansas City Royals in 2018 out of the University of Florida only lasted 3 2/3 innings in a loss to the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night, allowing three earned runs on six hits (three homers) while walking one and striking out two. If Singer is still feeling fine going into the weekend, we would recommend staying away from him in DFS in a matchup against the first-place Cleveland Guardians. Singer hasn't had more than six strikeouts in any of his nine starts on the year and is currently sporting a 5.79 ERA (6.19 FIP) and 1.67 WHIP with only 28 strikeouts and 11 walks across 42 innings pitched for the Reds. His 6.0 K/9 mark is currently the lowest in his seventh year in the big leagues.
Source: NBC 5 Cincinnati - Charlie Clifford
Source: NBC 5 Cincinnati - Charlie Clifford
Luis Lara Emerges as Appealing Stash Candidate with Multi-Category Potential
Milwaukee Brewers outfield prospect Luis Lara continues to make his case for a promotion to the big leagues, going 3-for-5 with a walk and two steals in his latest game for Triple-A Nashville. The effort pushed his batting average to .329 on the season, with a strong 13.7 percent walk rate contributing to a robust .429 on-base percentage. Impressively, the Brewers' 11th-ranked prospect's walk rate is higher than his strikeout rate (11.9 percent), he's already swiped 15 bags after a 44-steal season in 2025, has scored 35 runs in 38 games, and has seven home runs after hitting two in 136 games at Double-A last year. There is plenty to like in the 21-year-old's profile for fantasy, and an MLB debut could happen in the coming weeks, so fantasy managers in deeper leagues should consider picking up the switch-hitter ahead of a call-up.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Mets Place Francisco Alvarez on Injured List With Torn Meniscus
The New York Mets announced on Wednesday that they placed catcher Francisco Alvarez (knee) on the 10-day injured list due to a right meniscus tear and recalled catcher Hayden Senger from Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move. Alvarez tore the meniscus in his right knee on a swing in the sixth inning of Tuesday's win over the visiting Detroit Tigers. If Alvarez requires surgery on his knee, which is likely, he'll probably be out for around four to six weeks in a best-case scenario, another major blow to the last-place Mets. Before his injury, the 24-year-old Venezuelan backstop was hitting .241 (27-for-112) with four home runs, 10 RBI, and 12 runs scored in his first 37 games of 2026. Injuries continue to be the story for Alvarez, who hasn't played in more than 123 games in his four seasons in the majors. Luis Torrens will now be New York's primary catcher with Alvarez injured, with Senger serving as the backup in Queens. Alvarez is not a must-hold in fantasy baseball leagues, and he's only rostered in 22% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: New York Mets
Source: New York Mets
Max Fried Dealing With Left Elbow Posterior Soreness
Updating a previous report, New York Yankees left-hander Max Fried (elbow) left his start early on Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards with left elbow posterior soreness, the team announced. Fried will be looked at by team physician Dr. Chris Ahmad and will undergo imaging in New York on Thursday. The 32-year-old three-time All-Star just did not look like himself before leaving, allowing five hits and three earned runs while walking one and striking out two in three frames before departing. He threw 61 pitches in the outing. It's unclear exactly how serious Fried's injury is, but it doesn't sound good. At the very least, fantasy managers should expect Fried to miss a couple of starts going forward. The good news for the Yankees is that former Cy Young winner, right-hander Gerrit Cole (elbow), is nearing a return to the team's starting rotation and could be ready in a couple of weeks. Fried, who has been an All-Star in each of the last two seasons, is a must-start in fantasy lineups when he's healthy, so he should be stashed everywhere if he lands on the injured list. Stay tuned for an update on him on Thursday.
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
With Potential June Return, Time to Consider Stashing Jordan Lawlar?
Arizona Diamondbacks infielder/outfielder Jordan Lawlar (wrist) has yet to start swinging a bat as part of his rehab from a fractured right wrist, but with a potential return in June, fantasy managers need to start considering snatching him back up off the waiver wire ahead of time. The former sixth-overall draft pick had a strong season at Triple-A in 2025 (.313/.403/.564) and was off to a good start for the D-backs this season, going 6-for-18 (.333) with a home run and a stolen base in his first six games before going down with injury. While staying on the field has been an issue for him, the fractured wrist was a result of getting hit by a pitch, so it is not a recurring type of injury, and hopefully, he can remain healthy for the remainder of the season once he returns. The former top prospect has decent pop, plenty of speed, and should be able to hit for a decent average, giving him some all-around fantasy appeal to go along with positional versatility on Yahoo!, where he is rostered in just six percent of leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Willson Contreras Back From Hand Injury on Wednesday
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (hand) is back in the starting lineup and is batting cleanup for Wednesday's game at Fenway Park against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies and right-hander Andrew Painter, according to MLB.com. Contreras was held out of the last couple of games due to a bruised right hand, but he's back in there and in the heart of the order. The 34-year-old Venezuelan is returning to a .259/.380/.467 slash line with an .846 OPS, eight home runs, 23 RBI, 19 runs scored, and a stolen base in his first 39 games of the 2026 season. In nine games so far in May, Contreras has been pretty average, batting .250 (7-for-28) with a homer, a double, three RBI, three runs scored, one stolen base, six walks, and 11 strikeouts. In traditional fantasy setups, get Contreras back into your starting lineups now that he's active again. Contreras has never faced Painter in his MLB career.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Alex Bregman Homers Tuesday, Getting Out of Skid?
Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman has been struggling at the plate lately, but he could be getting back on track with a home run Tuesday and an active three-game hitting streak. In his first season with the Cubs, Bregman is slashing .233/.326/.350 with four home runs, an 11.8% walk rate, and a career-worst 16.6% strikeout rate. His power and run creation have also hit new career-low marks, as he owns a .117 ISO and 94 wRC+. Tuesday's solid performance could be a sign that he's finding his groove at the plate, and while the counting stats still aren't great, it's worth noting that he has managed to reach base safely in eight consecutive games. As it stands, he ranks #12 among third basemen in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Edwin Arroyo Entering Stash Territory with Torrid Stretch at Triple-A
Cincinnati Reds infield prospect Edwin Arroyo is one of the hottest hitters in the minors right now, with four multi-hit games in his last five games, including two four-hit performances. During this recent five-game stretch, he is 14-for-25 (.560) with two doubles, a triple, and four home runs, but the Reds' sixth-ranked prospect has been hitting well all season, recording 15 multi-hit efforts out of his 39 games played. The former second-round draft pick is now the author of a robust .342/.408/.590 slash line with eight home runs and five steals, along with a low 15.2 percent strikeout rate. Despite having logged time at second base, third base, and shortstop so far in 2026, there is no room for the switch-hitter at the major league level at the moment (although there are some glaring underperformers on offense), so hopefully he can continue to rake until the Reds decide to give him a chance. The 22-year-old offers a little pop and plenty of speed to go along with a decent bat (.301 AVG, 16.8 percent K% between Double and Triple-A), so he is a name for fantasy managers in deep leagues to consider stashing as he could offer plenty of fantasy appeal with positional versatility (2B, SS) to boot.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Is Charlie Condon Still Worth Stashing Amid Power Outage?
Colorado Rockies corner infield/outfield prospect Charlie Condon has slowed considerably from his hot early-season start, seeing his batting average fall from .339 on April 17 down to where it currently stands at .234. Even while his bat was cooling, though, he was still drawing walks, with 13 of them in a 13-game span from April 19 to May 5. However, those have dried up, too, now with zero walks and 10 strikeouts (41.7 percent K%) in the five games since then. The former third-overall draft pick seemed to be making strides in that respect this season, but seeing such a large spike in strikeouts may push his MLB debut out a bit further, especially since there is also no sign of his main fantasy attribute, now having gone 22 consecutive games without a home run. Still, with power potential like his, managers in deeper leagues who are in dire need of home runs should consider stashing the 6-foot-5 slugger, as once he gets going again, a quick call to the majors could be in store, and Coors Field should give him an additional power boost.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Josh Naylor Enjoying Success at the Plate in May
Seattle Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor has been hitting the ball quite well in the month of May. He has registered a base hit in 10 of 11 games this month, and he owns an impressive .333/.362/.444 slash line with one home run, four steals, and just six strikeouts. This hot streak has helped to improve his season-long stats, which weren't in the best place at the end of April. Now, through 40 games this year, he's slashing .247/.306/.367 with five home runs, eight steals, a 7.5% walk rate, a 15.6% strikeout rate, and 95 wRC+. His advanced metrics indicate that he's still slightly below average at the plate, but trending in the right direction. That should be refreshing news for fantasy managers, who have been patiently waiting for Naylor to regain his steady fantasy relevance. As it stands, he ranks #11 among first basemen in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings for 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jackson Merrill Remains a Stolen Base Threat
San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill is off to a subpar start to the season at the plate, but he has been able to salvage his fantasy value by stealing bases. The 23-year-old has swiped eight bags this year, so he's already halfway to his career-high mark of 16. He's also taking more free passes, as his walk rate has jumped from 6.8% in 2025 to 8.7% in 2026. The bad news is that he's slashing just .221/.294/.351 with four home runs, a career-high 23.8% strikeout rate, and a career-low 84 wRC+. The steals can only help him so much in fantasy baseball, and managers would love to see him get back on track at the plate. There's hope that he'll be able to bounce back, as the Padres' everyday center fielder still checks in as the #24 outfielder in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Max Fried Exits After Just Three Innings
New York Yankees starting pitcher Max Fried (undisclosed) exited early during Wednesday's start against the Baltimore Orioles. He lasted just three innings but threw a total of 61 pitches. Bryan Hoch of MLB.com speculated that Fried could be dealing with a blister because his command was shaky. The star pitcher had thrown just 55.7% strikes before departing, and he was hit around for three runs on five hits. Fried has dealt with blisters in the past, but there wasn't any clear indication that he was experiencing discomfort until he exited on Wednesday afternoon. Presumably, the Yankees will provide an update on his status this afternoon or evening. Fans and fantasy managers will hope for good news, as losing Fried for any period of time is problematic. The 32-year-old southpaw entered today with an impressive 2.73 FIP, 7.36 K/9, 2.76 BB/9, and 0.15 HR/9 across nine starts.
Source: Bryan Hoch
Source: Bryan Hoch
Max Clark Still a Solid Stash Option Despite Cooling at Triple-A
Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark has cooled off at Triple-A, but he is still holding his own, having hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games. In a sign that perhaps he's about to get hot again, the Tigers' second-ranked prospect belted his first extra-base hit this past Saturday after going nine games without one. His extra-base hit on Saturday was nearly a grand slam but was ruled a double after the umpires determined there was fan interference. Nevertheless, the left-handed slugger is hitting a solid .268 with a .342 on-base percentage thanks to a 10.6 percent walk rate, while he's still putting the bat on the ball at a good clip with just a 14.9 percent strikeout rate. With nine stolen bases as well, the former third-overall draft pick can be a multi-category producer at the major league level whenever he gets the call. His time will likely come by midseason, so managers in deeper leagues should consider stashing the 21-year-old ahead of his call-up, as there aren't many prospects on the verge of a debut that can match his potential to contribute across categories.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Austin Riley Finding His Stride at the Plate
Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley got off to a relatively slow start at the plate this season, but he has turned the corner lately with improved contact and power production. Riley has put together a four-game hitting streak, during which he is 6-for-16 with one home run, one double, three RBI, one walk, and four strikeouts. He has improved his season-long slash line to .220/.290/.377 with six homers, an 8.0 walk rate, a 26.7% strikeout rate, and 88 wRC+. Those walk and strikeout rates are essentially on par with his previous single-season marks, so now we'd just like to see him produce more base hits and find a little power. His 2026 ISO has fallen to a career-low .157, which is nearly 100 points lower than his career-best .255 mark in 2022. Given his recent success at the plate, Riley could be an intriguing buy-low candidate in fantasy baseball trades going forward.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Max Muncy Still Not Doing Baseball Activities
Athletics third baseman Max Muncy (hand) is still being held out of all baseball activities, and there is no timetable for his return, per MLB.com. Muncy was placed on the 10-day injured list on April 26 with a left-hand fifth metacarpal fracture. The 23-year-old third baseman was originally hit by a pitch on his hand on April 23. Before landing on the IL, the former 25th overall pick in 2021 had gone 22-for-92 (.239) at the plate with two home runs, seven RBI, 15 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 26 games in 2026. In his first taste of big-league pitching last year, Muncy slashed .214/.259/.379 with a .638 OPS, nine home runs, 23 RBI, 17 runs scored, and a stolen base across 63 contests and 220 plate appearances. Since he has yet to resume baseball activities, Muncy might not be ready to return to the A's lineup until June. Recently, Zack Gelof has taken advantage of the open playing time at the hot corner in Sacramento for the A's. Muncy is currently rostered in only 12% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
