Cincinnati Reds right-hander Rhett Lowder (shoulder) avoided any structural damage in his right shoulder after being pulled from his start early on Thursday against the Chicago Cubs, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. He received an injection in his AC joint, though, and the Reds will monitor him before deciding if he needs to go on the 15-day injured list. The odds are that Lowder will go on the IL, with manager Terry Francona saying that the team wants to err on the side of caution. It will all depend on how the former first-rounder feels in a couple of days following his injection, and there's a chance he'll throw a bullpen session on Sunday. Fantasy managers should know by Sunday whether Lowder will have to miss a few turns in the starting rotation. The 24-year-old Wake Forest product missed all of 2025 due to various injuries and has a 5.40 ERA (3.82 FIP) and 1.41 WHIP with 27 strikeouts and 18 walks in 38 1/3 innings across his first eight starts with the Reds in 2026 in his first full season in the majors. Lowder is only rostered in 13% of Yahoo leagues right now.

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The Chicago Cubs are one of the teams the New York Mets have talked to about acquiring right-hander Freddy Peralta, industry sources told Bruce Levine of the Marquee Sports Network. June 1 is a target date for the Mets to either get back into the race or move the soon-to-be veteran free agent. Peralta and Cubs manager Craig Counsell share a mutual bond from their time together with the Milwaukee Brewers, and the decimated Cubs' pitching staff could use a boost to their starting rotation for the rest of the season. The Mets are currently 14-23 and in last place in the National League East division, so they could be sellers at this year's trade deadline. The Cubs, meanwhile, despite their injury woes at pitcher, sit in first place in the NL Central right now with a record of 26-12. The Mets sent pitcher Brandon Sproat and infielder Jett Williams to the Brewers for Peralta over the winter, but he could be heading back to the NL Central this year. The two-time All-Star has pitched well with a 3.12 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 43:18 K:BB in 43 1/3 innings over his eight starts with the Mets to begin the 2026 season. His fantasy value wouldn't change all that much if he's moved back to the NL Central.

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The Cincinnati Reds officially announced on Friday that they reinstated left-hander Nick Lodolo (finger) from the 15-day injured list and optioned right-hander Jose Franco to Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move. Lodolo will make his season debut at home on Friday against the visiting Houston Astros at Great American Ballpark. While the 28-year-old southpaw makes for more of a risky fantasy option on Friday in his season debut, the former first-rounder out of TCU should be rostered in most leagues for his high-strikeout upside. Injuries, most recently blister issues on his left index finger, have kept Lodolo from reaching his true potential. In 76 big -league outings (75 starts) since making his MLB debut with the Reds in 2022, Lodolo has a 24-22 record, 4.06 ERA (4.04 FIP), 1.21 WHIP, 26.2% strikeout rate, and a 6.7% walk rate over 409 2/3 innings pitched. He's currently rostered in 89% of Yahoo leagues.

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Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Gregory Soto is off to a terrific start on the mound this season, and he's getting onto the fantasy radar as he starts to rack up save opportunities. Soto has earned a save on back-to-back days, and each of his last three outings has either been a save or a win. Across 19 appearances (19.0 innings) this year, he owns a 1.42 ERA with 11.84 K/9, 3.32 BB/9, and 0.47 HR/9. The 31-year-old lefty also has three saves this season, tying his highest single-season mark since 2022, when he recorded 30. It seems like Soto is firmly established in the closer's role for now, so as long as the Pirates keep their winning percentage above .500, he'll have the potential to rack up saves in fantasy baseball. Rostered in just 28% of leagues, Soto represents an intriguing target for managers seeking a leverage bullpen arm on the waiver wire. He currently ranks #26 among relievers in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings.

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San Francisco Giants infielder Casey Schmitt is off to an impressive start to the season at the plate, and his defensive versatility makes him a particularly appealing waiver wire option in fantasy baseball. After posting a mere .706 OPS last year, he's slashing .296/.344/.539 with six homers and 146 wRC+ in 2026. There are still some holes in his game, such as his 4.0% walk rate and 20.8% strikeout rate. He's also not very fast, swiping just two bags. Still, his potential to launch home runs (and deliver extra-base hits in general) bodes well for his fantasy outlook. He's also getting into the lineup on an everyday basis because of how well he's hitting. The 27-year-old is finally living up to his second-round draft capital, and it comes at a perfect time for fantasy managers looking for reinforcements in their lineup. In RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings for 2026, Schmitt is the #21 first baseman, #11 second baseman, and #16 third baseman. There's a good chance he's available for you on the waiver wire, because he's rostered in just 30% of leagues right now.

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Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jared Jones (elbow) is currently on the 60-day injured list, but he's an intriguing player to stash in fantasy baseball leagues ahead of his eventual activation. Although he must remain on the IL through May 26, he has started his rehab assignment in the minors, suggesting that he'll be activated as soon as he's eligible (barring a setback). Jones was highly impressive as a rookie in 2025, posting a 3.78 xFIP with 9.78 K/9, 2.88 BB/9, and an average fastball velocity of 97.4 mph. That type of production is worthy of a roster spot in fantasy leagues, so managers who can afford to stash Jones for a few weeks should add him while he's still available. He currently ranks #68 among starters in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings, and his stock will only rise as his return gets closer.

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Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Chase Dollander has looked sharp in his second MLB season, emerging as a very intriguing rotation option for fantasy baseball managers. Dollander was roughed up as a rookie last year, but he's 3-2 with a 3.14 xERA, 10.13 K/9, and 2.89 BB/9 through eight appearances in 2026. Those numbers would be even better if not for a six-run outburst at home in his last outing on May 2. He has also managed to induce a career-high 51.5% ground ball rate despite making three of his eight appearances at the hitter-friendly Coors Field. Dollander is definitely benefiting from being in his second MLB season, but we might also attribute some of the credit to his role and usage. The Rockies have been deploying him after an opener, so typically, he doesn't face the top of the order his first time through. It's a small sample size, but he has allowed a staggering .385 BA to opposing No. 2 hitters, so perhaps using him after the opener is a wise decision. He currently ranks #65 among starters in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings, but he's rostered in just 33% of leagues. He'll return to the mound for his next outing on Friday afternoon in Philadelphia.

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Cincinnati Reds reliever Tony Santillan appears to be getting the bulk of the save situations, making him an intriguing closer option in fantasy baseball. The Reds continue to use Santillan in leverage scenarios, and while it has backfired with a blown save and a loss in his last two games, he still appears to be the frontrunner for the role. The Reds used Graham Ashcraft in a save situation on Wednesday, but he blew it, too. Outside of a minor rough patch, Santillan has been effective, posting a 2.87 ERA with 9.19 K/9. He does need to work on limiting walks (5.17 BB/9) and loud contact (1.72 HR/9 and 35.9% GB%). With Emilio Pagan out until late June, it seems like the Reds will just roll with Santillan as their de facto closer. He has jumped to #32 among relievers in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings.

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Chicago Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga continued his masterful 2026 season in Thursday's 8-3 victory over the division-rival Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field to win his fourth game of the season. Imanaga allowed just one earned run on six hits (one homer) while walking three and striking out 10 in six innings of work. It was the second time this year that he reached double-digit strikeouts. With the strong effort against the Reds on Thursday, the 32-year-old Japanese native is 4-2 with a 2.28 ERA (2.82 FIP), a 0.93 WHIP, and a 53:13 K:BB in 47 1/3 innings pitched. The only run that Imanaga allowed in the outing was a solo shot by infielder Sal Stewart, who has been one of the best all-around hitters in the majors so far in 2026. Imanaga will have a difficult test his next time out against the Atlanta Braves on the road, but he's become a must-start for fantasy managers with the way he's been pitching so far this year.

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Boston Red Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet (shoulder), who was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 29 with left-shoulder inflammation, has resumed throwing from 60 feet and is continuing to make progress in his strength program, interim manager Chad Tracy told Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald. Crochet is eligible to come off the IL on Tuesday, but the Red Sox want to make sure he's fully built back up before activating him. Whether or not Crochet requires a minor-league rehab assignment will depend on how long he's out, according to Tracy. The talented southpaw should return by mid-May, but it won't be by next Tuesday. Despite an inconsistent start to the 2026 season, Crochet should be held in all fantasy leagues. Rookie left-hander Jake Bennett has made his first two big-league starts in Crochet's place so far. The 26-year-old Crochet has gone 3-3 with a 6.30 ERA (4.34 FIP) and 1.47 WHIP with 37 strikeouts and 11 walks across 30 innings over his first six starts with the BoSox this year. He was an All-Star each of the last two seasons and finished second in the American League Cy Young voting in 2025.

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The San Diego Padres announced on Thursday that they transferred right-hander Joe Musgrove (elbow) to the 60-day injured list. Musgrove had Tommy John surgery late in the 2024 season and missed the entire 2025 campaign as a result. The 33-year-old veteran was working his way back in the offseason for a potential return to San Diego's starting rotation for the start of this season, but he just has not recovered as expected, and now he won't be eligible to make his 2026 season debut until at least late May. It's unclear exactly where he's at in his throwing program to build his arm strength back up, but we'd be surprised to see Musgrove back with the Padres in the first half of the season at this point. It's becoming harder and harder to recommend holding Musgrove in single-year fantasy leagues. He's currently rostered in 22% of Yahoo leagues. The Padres could really use the rotation boost, but Musgrove's return to a big-league mound is not imminent.

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Arizona Diamondbacks outfield prospect Ryan Waldschmidt (head) had an injury scare while at Triple-A Reno on Tuesday when he was hit square in the helmet by a pitch. Waldschmidt initially stayed in the game before eventually being pulled, and he was held out of Wednesday's lineup as a precaution. The 23-year-old was back on the field for Thursday's game at Triple-A, though, and he went 2-for-5 at the plate with an RBI for the Aces. Arizona's top prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has struggled at the dish of late, hitting just .105 with two doubles, two RBI, five runs scored, and two stolen bases in his last five games, but overall, he's still hitting a strong .289/.400/.477 with an .877 OPS, three home runs, 22 RBI, six stolen bases, and 30 runs scored in 34 games on the farm. Despite being rostered in only 4% of Yahoo leagues, Waldschmidt remains one of the top young outfield stashes in fantasy baseball, and he should be up in the big leagues in 2026 sooner rather than later. The 6-foot, 205-pounder is intriguing for his above-average raw power from the right side of the plate.

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New York Yankees outfield prospect Spencer Jones is set to join the MLB roster ahead of Friday's contest against the Milwaukee Brewers. With Giancarlo Stanton on the injured list and Jasson Dominguez slated to join him on the shelf with a shoulder injury, the team's top outfield prospect is set to make his MLB debut. Throughout his time in the minor leagues, the slugger has showcased high-end power but has often struggled to make consistent contact. This season, across 33 games at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Jones has launched 11 home runs while holding a .258/.366/.592 line. However, he has struck out a hefty 46 times. Last summer, Jones went deep 35 times while swinging 29 bags over a 116-game stint. While his strikeout tendencies do hinder his upside in points leagues, Jones is a priority stash option in standard leagues given his five-category skill set. He could carve out a starting role in the short term, given the numerous injuries in the Yankees' starting nine.

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Baltimore Orioles right-hander Rico Garcia locked down his second save of the season on Wednesday against the Miami Marlins and continues to be a high-end short-term option for the Orioles while Ryan Helsley (elbow) remains on the injured list. Garcia has been one of the go-to Orioles late-inning, high-leverage relievers coming into the season, as he has six holds on the season, and is 3-0 with a 0.53 ERA and 0.41 WHIP with 19 strikeouts in 17 innings pitched. The two saves Garcia has picked up this season have been the first two saves in his six-year career, and through 18 appearances on the season, Garcia is pitching the best he has in his entire career. The underlying metrics are supporting Garcia's breakout, with a 1.91 xERA, .156 xBA, and 33.3 percent strikeout rate. While Garcia's value as someone to pick up saves will be short-lived, in deeper, head-to-head formats, Garcia should be looked at as a top option. Helsley is tentatively expected back on May 15, so fantasy managers have a chance to secure a few more saves from Garcia until then.

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Boston Red Sox left-hander Connelly Early has been inconsistent so far this season after getting called up on March 29 to replace Johan Oviedo (elbow), pitching to a 3.79 ERA and 1.32 WHIP with 31 strikeouts in 35 2/3 innings pitched. He entered the 2026 season as a consensus top-65 MLB prospect, and although his surface stats look acceptable, the underlying metrics do not support them (5.33 xERA, 4.72 xFIP, and 4.64 SIERA). In addition to the expected numbers, his strikeout rate (20.5 percent) and walk rate (11.3 percent) are the worst marks of his career, dating back to his five starts with the Red Sox in 2025 and his career Minor League stats. All that being said, the season is still early, and the young left-hander is still only 24 years old and has the upside to turn it around quickly. At this time, Early remains a must-roster player in deeper formats or points leagues, but not necessarily in shallower category formats.

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Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark has hit a bit of a skid at Triple-A, which could slightly delay his MLB debut. Over his last 13 games, the team's top-ranked prospect has posted a modest .140/.232/.160 line with a low .392 OPS. During this stretch, Clark has yet to go deep while swiping three bags with an 11:6 K:BB. However, over his first 19 games of the campaign, Clark looked like a completely different hitter, posting an elite .351/.416/.519 line with a stellar .935 OPS. He launched one home run while adding eight doubles, six stolen bases, and a strong 10:10 K:BB. Last season, Clark spent most of his time with High-A before moving up to Double-A in the second half. While Clark's track record at Triple-A is not overly lengthy, a hot stretch could push him to the majors ahead of the All-Star break.

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Athletics right-handed reliever Jack Perkins picked up his third save of the season on April 30 and his fourth save opportunity on May 6. He appears to be the front-runner for the closer role for the Athletics for the time being. It is worth noting that Perkins blew his save opportunity on May 6, and this season, he has converted three of his four save opportunities. The Athletics do not have a true closer on their roster, and given the opportunities Perkins has gotten, he appears to be the guy to own out of this bullpen. Especially in deeper leagues where save opportunities are scarce in a season where a handful of relievers have been inconsistent or injured. Perkins overall has been solid on the season, with a 3.68 ERA (3.42 xERA) and 1.16 WHIP with 19 strikeouts in 14 2/3 innings pitched. Prior to his first blown save against the Phillies on May 6, he had a 2.70 ERA. Fantasy managers in deep leagues struggling to compete for saves should take a look at Perkins based on his opportunities over the past few weeks.

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Colorado Rockies first base prospect Charlie Condon remains an elite hitting prospect to stash in all standard leagues ahead of Week 7 despite his cold stretch at the plate. Over his last eight games with Triple-A Albuquerque, Condon has posted a low .188/.333/.219 line with just one extra-base hit and 10:6 K:BB. However, prior to this short skid, Condon was enjoying a strong start to his Triple-A career, carrying a .269/.410/.462 line with three doubles, four home runs, and a 19:17 K:BB, over his first 21 contests of the campaign. Condon was given an opportunity to nearly claim the first base job out of camp but was sent to Triple-A to put the finishing touches on his development. Even though the current starting first baseman, TJ Rumfield, has been able to snap out of his cold skid, Condon possesses far more upside and could be in the mix to debut in the near future, once he finds his footing. His high-end raw power upside makes him a top stash option in all 12-team leagues.

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Minnesota Twins infield prospect Kaelen Culpepper has begun to climb the stash rankings following an impressive power surge at Triple-A St. Paul. Over his last eight games, the No. 2-ranked prospect in the system, according to MLB.com, has gone deep five times while carrying an impressive .294/.390/.794 slash line. During this dominant stretch, Culpepper has also swiped two bags while holding a 4:5 K:BB. Overall, across 31 games, Culpepper has looked quite comfortable at the Triple-A level, posting a .250/.345/.484 line with an .829 OPS. Last season, the infielder split time between High-A and Double-A and carried an overall .289/.375/.469 slash line with 20 home runs and 25 stolen bases. His five-category upside has made him a priority stash option in all 12-team leagues heading into Week 7 of the fantasy baseball season.

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Miami Marlins left-handed pitching prospect Robby Snelling holds must-stash value ahead of his MLB debut on Friday evening against the Washington Nationals. The southpaw is slated to earn the call to earn the call to the big leagues ahead of their tilt on Friday evening. Snelling has been among the game's top pitchers at the Triple-A level since the 2025 campaign and will make his long-awaited MLB debut. Through 29 innings with Triple-A Jacksonville this season, Snelling has struck out 44 hitters while carrying an elite 1.86 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP. During his first stint with Triple-A during the second half of the 2025 campaign, Snelling looked just as sharp, posting a 1.27 ERA with a 0.99 WHIP over a much larger 63 2/3-inning stint. While Snelling's long-term position in the rotation is not guaranteed, a strong debut could earn him several more opportunities, making him a priority stash target on the waiver wire.

From RotoBaller