New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice (hand) is back in the team's starting lineup for Friday's series opener in Milwaukee against the Brewers and right-hander Jacob Misiorowski, hitting second in the batting order, according to MLB.com. A left-hand contusion suffered last weekend kept Rice out for the last four games, but he's good to go and will be back in action for a primetime matchup against the hard-throwing Misiorowski. With Rice back in the lineup, veteran Paul Goldschmidt will return to the bench against a right-handed pitcher. Fantasy managers will want to get Rice back into their lineups immediately in all traditional formats despite the tough matchup. After a breakout 2025 campaign, the 27-year-old former 12th-rounder in 2021 out of Dartmouth College is slashing an impressive .343/.455/.759 with a 1.214 OPS, 12 homers, 27 RBI, 30 runs scored, and two steals in his first 108 at-bats in 2026.

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Kansas City Royals left-hander Noah Cameron (back) will return to the team's starting rotation for Sunday's series finale against the division-rival Detroit Tigers, manager Matt Quatraro told Anne Rogers of MLB.com. Cameron has been cleared to pitch this weekend after throwing a successful bullpen session on Thursday. The Royals pulled the 26-year-old southpaw as a precaution from his last start on Tuesday against the Cleveland Guardians due to back tightness, but it turned out to be nothing serious. It's good news for the Royals after they just put lefty starter Cole Ragans (elbow) on the 15-day injured list on Friday. Cameron will be a risky fantasy streamer in his start this weekend against a Tigers offense that has cooled off considerably of late. The former seventh-rounder in 2021 out of Central Arkansas has gone 2-2 through his six starts this year with a bloated 5.40 ERA (4.46 FIP) and 1.61 WHIP with 28 strikeouts and 11 walks in 31 2/3 innings pitched. After allowing two earned runs in 10 2/3 innings in his first two starts, Cameron has given up at least three earned runs in each of his last four appearances.

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Washington Nationals infielder Luis Garcia Jr. (wrist) remains out for Friday's series opener against the division-rival Miami Marlins, according to MLB.com. Curtis Mead will make another start at first base and will bat second against Marlins rookie left-hander Robby Snelling, who is making his major-league debut. Garcia will miss a fourth straight game due to a wrist/hand sprain. He said earlier this week that he would avoid a trip to the injured list, but that could change quickly if he cannot return to the field this weekend in Miami. The 25-year-old left-handed-hitting infielder is not a must-hold in fantasy leagues while he tries to overcome his wrist injury. In his first 107 at-bats this year, Garcia has 25 hits (.234 average) with just one home run, 16 RBI, 14 runs scored, and two stolen bases. Mead is a low-upside DFS sleeper in the two-hole. He's gone 4-for-19 (.211) in six games in May and is hitting just .220 on the year in a part-time role for the Nats.

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Toronto Blue Jays third baseman/outfielder Addison Barger (ankles) is traveling on Friday and will "most likely" be activated from the 10-day injured list on Saturday, manager John Schneider told Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. The Blue Jays want to give Barger a day to reset and envision a busy workload for him once he's back in the big leagues. The 26-year-old left-handed hitter only played in three minor-league rehab games with Single-A Dunedin, going 2-for-9 at the plate, with both of his hits leaving the yard. The former sixth-rounder in 2018 went just 1-for-19 (.053) with two RBI, three walks, and six strikeouts in 23 plate appearances over eight games to begin the 2026 season with the Jays, but he's worth a look in deeper fantasy formats for outfield depth now that he's on the cusp of his return. Barger hit the ball hard consistently in his first full season in the majors in 2025, slashing .243/.301/.454 with a .756 OPS, 21 homers, 74 RBI, 61 runs scored, and four steals in 135 regular-season games played. He's rostered in only 28% of Yahoo leagues on the verge of his activation.

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Toronto Blue Jays veteran right-hander Max Scherzer (forearm, ankle) received a cortisone shot in his right forearm and will be shut down from throwing for five days, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet. Scherzer went on the 15-day injured list at the end of April with right-forearm tendinitis and left-ankle inflammation. He said he's no longer worried about his ankle, but his right arm continues to give him problems while trying to build himself back up. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer is most likely going to need a lengthy minor-league rehab assignment at some point before Toronto feels comfortable having him rejoin the major-league starting rotation, so fantasy managers in AL-only leagues shouldn't expect Scherzer back until June, at the earliest. The three-time Cy Young winner is running out of steam and has struggled to stay healthy in recent years, making just 26 starts over the last two seasons. In his five starts with the Jays before going on the IL this year, Scherzer struggled to a 9.64 ERA and 1.61 WHIP with only 10 K's and eight walks in 18 2/3 innings. He should no longer be rostered in the majority of fantasy leagues, and he's currently rostered in just 5% of Yahoo leagues.

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Boston Red Sox left-hander Ranger Suarez (hamstring) will start "sometime in the Philly series" next week between Tuesday and Thursday, interim manager Chad Tracy told Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. Suarez was pulled from his last start early on Sunday against the Houston Astros with tightness in his right hamstring, and the team will give the veteran lefty a little bit more time to recover before making his next appearance. Lefty Payton Tolle will start on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park, with right-hander Brayan Bello going in the series finale on Sunday. While Suarez might be a bit more risky in his next outing next week after tweaking his hamstring, he'll also be facing a struggling Phillies lineup that currently ranks 27th in baseball with a .682 team OPS. In his first year with the BoSox, the Venezuelan hurler has been solid, going 2-2 with a 2.77 ERA (3.27 FIP) and 0.95 WHIP with 32 strikeouts and 10 walks in 39 frames across his seven starts. Against his former team in a revenge matchup, Suarez should be returned to fantasy lineups.

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Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell (shoulder) will be reinstated from the 15-day injured list to make his 2026 season debut on Saturday at home against the visiting Atlanta Braves instead of making a final minor-league rehab appearance for Single-A Ontario, a source told Jack Harris of The California Post. The Dodgers could put right-hander Tyler Glasnow (back) on the IL in a corresponding move. The 33-year-old veteran southpaw has been out all season to this point due to left-shoulder fatigue after the Dodgers made a deep playoff run last fall that culminated in a second straight World Series championship. The two-time Cy Young winner also dealt with shoulder injuries in 2025 in his first year in L.A., being limited to just 11 starts during the regular season. Snell had a nice 2.35 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with 72 K's and 26 walks in his 61 1/3 innings, though, and he remains a must-roster pitcher in fantasy baseball because of his swing-and-miss stuff. With that said, Snell will be a volatile fantasy play this weekend against the first-place Braves in his first start in 2026. Snell threw only 55 pitches in four innings in his final rehab start, so expect him to be limited from a pitch-count perspective on Saturday.

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The Arizona Diamondbacks have called up top prospect Ryan Waldschmidt from Triple-A Reno on Friday to make his major-league debut, according to MLB Pipeline. In a corresponding move, outfielder Alek Thomas was optioned to Reno. The 23-year-old outfielder is ranked as MLB Pipeline's No. 49 prospect in baseball, and he has earned his first MLB promotion after slashing .289/.400/.477 with an .877 OPS, three home runs, nine doubles, three triples, 22 RBI, six stolen bases, 30 runs scored, 19 walks, and 38 strikeouts in 34 games across 156 plate appearances with the Aces. Waldschmidt should play regularly for the Snakes in center field now that Thomas is being sent to the minors, and he'll absolutely be worth a look in single-year fantasy leagues now that he's up in the majors. The former first-rounder in 2024 out of Kentucky is currently rostered in only 5% of Yahoo leagues, so he's widely available. The 6-foot, 205-pounder has lots of fantasy upside for his above-average raw power from the right side of the plate in a hitter-friendly home environment at Chase Field.

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The Kansas City Royals announced on Friday that they placed left-hander Cole Ragans (elbow) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to May 7) with a left-elbow impingement and recalled right-handers Stephen Kolek and Steven Cruz from Triple-A Omaha in corresponding moves. The Royals said on Thursday that Ragans was pulled from his last outing early on Wednesday against the Cleveland Guardians due to a valgus extension overload in his left elbow. Even though Ragans said he was feeling better on Thursday, he will be forced to miss at least the next two weeks. Kolek figures to get the first crack at replacing Ragans in the team's starting rotation in the short term. Ragans, 28, was a first-time All-Star in 2024, when he went 11-9 with a 3.14 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 223:67 K:BB in 186 1/3 innings pitched across a career-high 32 starts for KC. He made only 13 starts in 2025 due to injury, though, and now he's hurt again after just eight starts in 2026. Ragans has gone 1-4 with a 4.84 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with 45 strikeouts and 23 walks in 35 1/3 frames, also allowing a league-high 10 home runs. He's rostered in 95% of Yahoo leagues and is worth holding to see if he can rediscover his 2024 form once he's healthy.

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Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez's oblique injury is around 50% better, according to FOX 19's Charlie Goldsmith. He took 50 swings on Thursday and will now cool it down for the next few days. Goldsmith mentions that Suarez's injury is one that you have to be patient with. The veteran right-handed slugger is dealing with a left-oblique strain and isn't exactly close to returning to the major-league roster after being placed on the 10-day injured list. The 34-year-old Venezuelan infielder is still 89% rostered in Yahoo leagues, though, for his power stroke in a hitter-friendly home ballpark in Cincy. The two-time All-Star tied a career high with 49 home runs while driving in a career-high 118 runs in 159 games last year with the Reds and Seattle Mariners. Before his oblique injury this year, Suarez was hitting .231 (21-for-91) with three homers, 11 RBI, and 10 runs scored in 25 games. Suarez won't boost your batting average, but the 13-year veteran is still capable of being a power- and run-producing asset in mixed fantasy leagues when he's healthy and playing every day. Left-handed-hitting first baseman Nathaniel Lowe should continue to benefit from regular playing time in Cincy between first and designated hitter with Suarez on the shelf.

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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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