Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick is off to a rough start to the 2026 season, hitting .210/.315/.321 with three home runs, nine RBI, 17 runs scored, and one stolen base across his first 130 plate appearances. Frelick put together a breakout campaign in 2025, logging a .756 OPS with 12 home runs and 19 stolen bases across 594 trips to the plate. While he hasn't been able to replicate the same success so far in 2026, there may be reason to believe that a hot streak could be coming. With an 11.5% walk rate and just a 10% strikeout rate, Frelick's plate skills remain elite. His subpar batting average is likely a symptom of poor batted-ball luck, as his current batting average on balls in play of .221 is significantly below his career mark of .300. Frelick also dealt with a side injury in early April that may be impacting his performance. As Frelick gets further removed from the injury, his power and speed output may start to gradually improve. In leagues where he may have been dropped, Frelick could be worth adding off the waiver wire.

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Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark has been hitting the ball well ever since his promotion to Triple-A, and his top-tier run tool could get him to the majors sooner rather than later. The former No. 3 pick is a four-tool prospect, with power grading out as his only average trait. At Triple-A this year, he's slashing .276/.355/.390 with one home run, nine steals, an 11.3% walk rate, a 14.9% strikeout rate, and 102 wRC+. He's been a steal and on-base threat at every level, and he also tapped into a little more power last year with 14 homers. Between the elite draft capital, an impressive statistical track record, and a well-rounded set of skills, Clark's MLB debut seems to be a matter of "when" and not "if." We fully expect him to get the call at some point this season, and while we know the Tigers won't rush his development, they could also benefit from his presence in the majors. Clark is a must-stash prospect in fantasy baseball ahead of his anticipated promotion.

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Entering play on Thursday, Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger had logged just seven hits in his last 49 plate appearances. The 30-year-old is now hitting .218/.253/.380 with six home runs, 21 RBI, and 14 runs scored across his first 150 plate appearances of 2026. Burger's 28.7% strikeout rate is his worst mark since 2022, and he's started to slide from the middle of the Rangers batting order to the bottom. However, Burger still owns strong underlying batted-ball metrics with a 10% barrel rate and a 50% hard-hit rate. He's recorded 85 home runs over his last 1,645 MLB plate appearances, so he remains a power threat for fantasy managers to deploy in a corner infield spot. Burger's profile comes with plenty of risk, but he could be a worthy buy-low target off the waiver wire amidst his current cold spell.

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Arizona Diamondbacks outfield prospect Ryan Waldschmidt (head) had an impressive month of April at the plate, and he could be due for a promotion to the majors very soon. When he does get called up, he'll be making his MLB debut. The 31st overall pick in the 2024 draft, Waldschmidt is slashing .285/.400/.480 with three home runs, six steals, a 12.6% walk rate, a 24.5% strikeout rate, and 117 wRC+ at Triple-A this year. He's also a talented defender who has the ability to play any of the three outfield spots, although 93.5% of his defensive innings this season have come in center field. The biggest concern with Waldschmidt right now is that he took a pitch to the head on Tuesday, and he didn't play on Wednesday. Depending on the severity, he could be due for a stint on the injured list. Once he returns to action, though, he'll continue his push for a spot on the major league roster. Regarded as a power and speed threat, Waldschmidt is worth stashing in many fantasy baseball leagues.

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New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez (shoulder, head) was removed in the first inning of his team's game on Thursday against the Texas Rangers after colliding with the left field wall. Per MLB.com's Bryan Hoch, Dominguez has been placed in concussion protocol and will also undergo an MRI on his left shoulder. The 23-year-old began the year in Triple-A but earned a promotion to the big leagues after Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (calf) was placed on the 10-day injured list on April 25. Across 32 plate appearances with New York, Dominguez hit .200/.250/.367 with one home run, four RBI, and three runs scored. The former top prospect offers the potential for five-category fantasy contribution, but he's struggled to log an extended run of everyday MLB playing time due to injuries and defensive concerns. Should Dominguez require a trip to the injured list, Yankees outfield prospect Spencer Jones could be the next man up in New York.

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Seattle Mariners shortstop prospect Colt Emerson went 3-for-5 with two singles, one home run, and three RBI during a Triple-A game on Wednesday. It's been a relatively modest year at the plate for Emerson, who is slashing .241/.336/.463 with five homers, seven steals, and a 100 wRC+. Still, he represents the future in Seattle, especially after signing an eight-year extension earlier this spring. Because of that enormous contractual commitment, the Mariners may feel incentivized to call him up for his MLB debut sooner rather than later. Even though the numbers at the plate haven't been amazing, his performance on Wednesday -- coupled with above-average defense all year long -- could be enough to move the needle within the Mariners' front office. J.P. Crawford has shortstop locked down, but Emerson could presumably play a healthy dose of games at second or third base in the majors. Because he's getting closer to his MLB debut, managers should strongly consider stashing Emerson in fantasy baseball.

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New York Yankees outfield prospect Spencer Jones turns 25 years old in mid-May, but he's still awaiting an opportunity to make his MLB debut. That opportunity may soon present itself, as Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (calf) is currently on the injured list, and Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez (shoulder, head) may soon be joining him after colliding with the left field wall on Thursday. Per MLB.com's Bryan Hoch, Dominguez has been placed in concussion protocol and will also undergo an MRI on his left shoulder. Jones hit 35 home runs across 506 minor league plate appearances in 2025 and is off to another strong start at Triple-A in 2026, hitting .258/.366/.592 with 11 home runs, 41 RBI, 25 runs scored, and seven stolen bases. Batting average is a major concern for Jones, as he owns a 32.4% strikeout rate this season and struck out in 36.6% of his Triple-A plate appearances in 2025. Still, he offers significant power and speed upside if he gets a shot with the Yankees. Fantasy managers should monitor for updates on both Dominguez and Jones in the coming days.

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After struggling to a .607 OPS across his first 257 MLB plate appearances in 2025, Seattle Mariners second baseman Cole Young appears to have turned a corner in his sophomore campaign. Across 149 plate appearances in 2026, the 22-year-old is hitting .276/.342/.403 with three home runs, 20 RBI, 20 runs scored, and two stolen bases. Young has raised his barrel rate from 5.6% to 8.1%, and his hard-hit rate from 31.3% to 41.4%. The lefty-swinging Young has also more than held his own against same-handed pitching, hitting .283/.306/.478 against southpaws. Young's batting average could be at risk of regression, as his strikeout rate is up from 18.3% in 2025 to 24.2% in 2026. He's also currently benefiting from an elevated.354 batting average on balls in play. Still, Young has taken over as the unquestioned everyday second baseman in Seattle and offers a well-rounded profile that makes him an appealing waiver wire target for fantasy managers.

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Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers (paternity) is back with the team on Thursday, per Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. Langeliers was placed on the paternity list by the Athletics on Monday and has been out of the lineup for each of his team's last two games as a result. The 28-year-old is off to a scorching start to the 2026 season, hitting .336/.390/.627 with 10 home runs, 18 RBI, and 24 runs scored across 146 plate appearances. Langeliers appears likely to be back in the Athletics' lineup for their game on Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies and profiles as a must-start catcher across all fantasy formats.

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Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal's left-elbow surgery was such a success on Wednesday that he could start working out within days, and a two-month timetable is even seen as a conservative estimate for the two-time Cy Young winner to return, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Skubal returning in four to six weeks is now possible after he had one relatively small loose body removed from his elbow. The 29-year-old All-Star had arthroscopic surgery with Dr. Neal ElAttrache. We should have a more concrete timetable for when Skubal might rejoin Detroit's starting rotation once he resumes a throwing program, but this is great news all around for the Tigers and fantasy managers. Even though Skubal will miss over a month after going under the knife, he must be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy baseball leagues. Skubal wasn't striking out batters at an elite rate in his first seven starts of 2026, but he still had a nice 2.70 ERA and 0.95 WHIP with 45 strikeouts and only six walks in 43 1/3 innings pitched.

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Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro is unsure if catcher Salvador Perez (hip) will catch this weekend in the series against the division-rival Detroit Tigers because he's still nursing a sore hip, according to Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star. "I don't think so. I think we want to take it cautiously. But we're talking to him every day. But for right now, that wouldn't be my plan," Quatraro said. Perez's hip soreness isn't serious enough to keep him out of the lineup, though, as he's serving as the designated hitter and is batting cleanup for Thursday's series finale against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians and right-hander Slade Cecconi. The 35-year-old veteran is hitting just over the Mendoza Line on the year, but of late, he's gone 13-for-44 (.295) with two home runs, two doubles, 11 RBI, and eight runs scored in his last 11 games since April 25. Durability is going to be an issue for the aging Venezuelan, and he could require more DH days throughout the year in his 15th year in the big leagues.

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Preston Salisbury of AZSnakePit.com reports that Arizona Diamondbacks outfield prospect Ryan Waldschmidt (head) was hit square on the side of the helmet by a fastball during Tuesday's game with Triple-A Reno. Waldschmidt stayed in the game initially before being removed, and he was held out of Wednesday's contest as a precaution. It's unclear if Waldschmidt is in the league's concussion protocol or if he's dealing with concussion-like symptoms, but it's an injury to follow up on for fantasy managers already stashing the outfield prospect in dynasty/keeper leagues. In redraft leagues, the D-backs' top-ranked prospect, per MLB Pipeline, is also a stash candidate with his MLB debut expected to come at some point in 2026. Before his head injury this week, the 23-year-old former first-rounder in 2024 out of Kentucky was hitting .285/.400/.480 with an .880 OPS, three homers, 21 RBI, 30 runs scored, and six steals in 33 games for Reno. Waldschmidt is currently rostered in only 4% of Yahoo leagues.

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Kansas City Royals left-hander Noah Cameron (back) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Thursday, and how he responds/recovers from it will determine his readiness for a potential start on Sunday against the division-rival Detroit Tigers, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. The Royals have Sunday's starter against Detroit currently listed as TBA. The 26-year-old southpaw was scratched from his last start on Tuesday against the Cleveland Guardians with back tightness, but it's not considered a serious injury. If he can get through his bullpen session on Thursday without any further issues, he should be cleared to take the ball next on Sunday against the Tigers. If Cameron makes the start on Sunday, fantasy managers should be looking to fade him after his back injury. The Tigers rank 10th in baseball with a team OPS of .718, and Cameron hasn't exactly been great so far in his six starts for KC this year, posting a 5.40 ERA and 1.61 WHIP with 28 strikeouts and 11 walks in 31 2/3 innings pitched.

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Chicago Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd (knee) had a successful partial left-knee menisectomy on Thursday, according to the team. Jesse Rogers of ESPN reports that there's no official timetable for Boyd yet, but he could return in the range of around a "month or so." The Cubs placed the veteran left-hander on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday after it was announced he needed a full repair of his meniscus. It's unclear as of now who will take Boyd's spot in Chicago's starting rotation, but right-handers Javier Assad and Ben Brown, and lefty Jordan Wicks (elbow) are all options. None of them are particularly intriguing for fantasy purposes outside of deeper leagues for desperate managers in need of starting depth. Boyd is having a rough go of it so far in 2026 in his 12th year in the big leagues. He's 2-1 to begin the season with a 6.00 ERA, although his 2.39 FIP suggests he's been dealt some bad luck. Boyd also has a 1.29 WHIP with 31 strikeouts and only six walks in 24 innings pitched over his five starts. He's currently rostered in 63% of Yahoo leagues.

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Miami Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said that right-handed closer Pete Fairbanks (hand) had a "very encouraging" bullpen session on Wednesday and that Fairbanks was surprised at how well the ball came out of his hand, according to Marlins reporter Jeremy Tache. "It's a very, very, very good day for us," McCullough said. It was the first time that Fairbanks threw off a mound since the Marlins placed him on the 15-day injured list with nerve irritation in his right hand on April 28. It's something that caused him to miss three weeks back in 2024, but Fairbanks doesn't think the issue is as serious this time around. Because he should return as the team's primary closer when he's healthy, Fairbanks deserves to be stashed in most fantasy baseball leagues. He's currently rostered in 70% of Yahoo leagues. As of now, the Fish are hoping that Fairbanks can return around when he's eligible to be reinstated from the IL. The 32-year-old veteran has struggled so far in 2026 in his first year in South Beach, allowing 10 earned runs on nine hits while walking four, striking out 13, and picking up five saves in nine innings pitched.

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Minnesota Twins right-hander Mick Abel (elbow, triceps) felt soreness in his triceps muscle after throwing a simulated game on Saturday and received a cortisone shot, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. Abel is currently on the 15-day injured list due to right-elbow inflammation. The Twins plan to re-evaluate him on Tuesday. It's a setback that will push the 24-year-old's return back. Before his injury, Abel had joined the Twins' starting rotation and had gone 1-2 with a 3.98 ERA (2.79 FIP), 1.57 WHIP, and 23:10 K:BB in 20 1/3 innings pitched over four appearances (three starts). After allowing nine earned runs in his first 7 1/3 innings pitched in his first two outings of 2026, Abel had cleaned things up with 13 scoreless innings over his two most recent starts, with 16 strikeouts to earn some consideration off the waiver wire in fantasy baseball formats. Abel is currently rostered in 19% of Yahoo leagues, but a serious setback could ruin his chances of a potential breakout this year. Check back next week for an update on the former Phillies prospect.

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Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jorge Soler is only rostered in 49% of Yahoo leagues right now. Fantasy managers in need of power should definitely give him a look. The 34-year-old power hitter is never going to be an asset in batting average -- he's currently hitting .238 (29-for-122) -- but he's also sporting an .818 OPS with eight long balls, a team-high 28 RBI, and 19 runs scored in his first 34 games for the Halos. Since April 24 (a span of 12 games), Soler has gone 12-for-43 (.279) with three home runs, two doubles, nine RBI, and six runs scored with a 13:6 K:BB. Additionally, he has a strong .373 on-base percentage and .535 slugging percentage during this span. Soler has struggled to stay healthy during his career and tends to be streaky, but right now, he's been pretty consistent, and he deserves to be rostered in more than half of fantasy baseball leagues. If you need power, look no further than Soler.

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Los Angeles Angels left-hander Reid Detmers is coming off a quality start in his last outing in a win over the New York Mets on May 2 and deserves some attention off the waiver wire from fantasy managers looking for a boost in strikeouts. The 26-year-old southpaw is 1-2 on the season with a 4.28 ERA (2.81 FIP) and 1.15 WHIP with 44 strikeouts and only nine walks in 40 innings pitched over his seven starts. He was cruising through six innings in his last outing against the Mets before allowing two runs and leaving with the bases loaded. Still, he threw 68 of his 95 pitches for strikes and induced 16 swings and misses. Detmers has the swing-and-miss stuff to be successful if he can command the baseball as he has so far in 2026. He has gone into the seventh inning in four of his seven outings as well, providing plenty of length for fantasy managers. You should certainly consider at least streaming him in his next scheduled outing this weekend versus the Toronto Blue Jays, a team with a .690 OPS, which ranks 25th in baseball.

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Detroit Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty struck out a season-high 10 batters on Wednesday night against the visiting Boston Red Sox, but he was still handed his third loss of the season in the team's 4-0 shutout loss at Comerica Park. Flaherty went five innings, allowing four runs (two earned) on three hits while also walking just one. The 30-year-old veteran is winless on the campaign so far, but his outing on Wednesday evening was an encouraging one after he allowed 10 earned runs in 5 2/3 innings in his previous two starts versus the Cincinnati Reds and Texas Rangers. Flaherty now holds a 5.56 ERA (5.32 FIP) and 1.65 WHIP with 42 strikeouts and a league-high 26 walks in 34 innings pitched across his eight starts to begin the 2026 season. He also leads the league with five hit-by-pitches, so clearly, control has been an issue for Flaherty early on. He'll be in play as a streaming option for fantasy managers his next time out against the struggling New York Mets.

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Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams has been punishing baseballs this year, and that continued in the team's 15-2 blowout win over the visiting Minnesota Twins. Abrams went 3-for-5 at the plate with a grand slam, two doubles, five RBI, and two runs scored to boost his season average to .299 and his OPS to .960. The 25-year-old hit the second grand slam of his career in the bottom of the eighth inning. The 25-year-old former sixth overall pick by the San Diego Padres in 2019 now has a .401 on-base percentage in 36 games this year and has added nine home runs, a league-high 33 RBI, seven stolen bases, and 21 runs scored across 152 plate appearances. Abrams has been even better of late, going 12-for-30 (.400) with two home runs, three doubles, 12 RBI, six runs scored, and two stolen bases in eight games since April 28. Keep riding his hot bat while it lasts.

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