Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider (oblique) is scheduled to come off the 15-day injured list to make his first start of the 2026 season on Sunday against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. Strider looked good in his three minor-league rehab starts, allowing only two earned runs on six hits while walking five and striking out 18 in 12 2/3 innings, but most importantly, his velocity was up after it was down in spring training before injuring his left oblique. It's not an ideal location for Strider's first start of the year, but he should be rostered in most fantasy baseball leagues with his return just a few days away. The 27-year-old former fourth-rounder in 2020 out of Clemson led the league with 20 wins, 281 strikeouts, and a 2.85 FIP in 32 starts in his breakout season in 2023, but he only made two starts the following year before requiring elbow surgery. Strider wasn't the same in 23 starts for the Braves last year, but if his velocity is back and he's fully healthy, he'll become much more interesting.

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New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (forearm) said his forearm injury is progressing, but he doesn't have a target date to return to the outfield, according to Jorge Castillo of ESPN. Soto said he would play catch again on Wednesday and stretch out to a longer distance. The 27-year-old has dealt with some forearm tightness since returning from the injured list due to his calf injury, but he continues to serve as the team's designated hitter. Soto doesn't appear to be too bothered by his forearm at the plate, though, as he's gone 3-for-3 with a solo home run and a double in the team's current game against the Washington Nationals on Wednesday. The four-time All-Star and six-time Silver Slugger came into Wednesday's game hitting an even .300 (15-for-50) with two home runs, seven RBI, and four runs scored. Soto's counting stats are down after spending time on the IL recently with a calf injury, but now that he's back, he's an obvious must-start every day in traditional fantasy leagues, even if he's just serving as the DH for a while longer.

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Seattle Mariners right-handed reliever Matt Brash (side) left his outing in Wednesday's game against the Minnesota Twins early with side discomfort, manager Dan Wilson told Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times. Brash left his appearance after just two pitches to begin the eighth inning when it looked like he experienced discomfort on a changeup that was well off the plate and in the dirt. It remains to be seen what exactly the 27-year-old is dealing with, but at least it doesn't appear to be an injury to his right arm. The good news for Brash is that the Mariners have Thursday off before they begin a series on Friday against the Kansas City Royals. Although Brash is a high-leverage setup man in front of closer Andres Munoz, he's been excellent so far in 2026, having not allowed an earned run with two walks and eight strikeouts in 11 1/3 relief innings. Despite not being in line for saves, Brash is useful in leagues that count holds, and he's rostered in 12% of Yahoo leagues.

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Texas Rangers outfielder Brandon Nimmo (hamstring) left Wednesday's 3-0 shutout win over the visiting New York Yankees early with right-hamstring tightness, according to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. Nimmo went 1-for-2 at the plate with a walk before being pulled in the bottom of the fifth inning at Globe Life Field. The severity of Nimmo's hamstring injury is unknown, so fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day. If Nimmo's injury isn't very serious, he could be ready to roll for the team's next game on Friday in Detroit against the Tigers after a scheduled day off on Thursday. If Nimmo is forced to the 10-day injured list and misses extended time, Sam Haggerty, who replaced Nimmo on Wednesday, could be in line to see the biggest playing-time boost in Texas' outfield. Nimmo, 33, is a multi-category contributor as a table-setter, making him valuable in all fantasy formats. If he's forced to the IL, he should remain stashed in an IL spot. Nimmo came into Wednesday's game against the Yanks with a .287 average (35-for-122) with four home runs, 12 RBI, 14 runs, and a stolen base in 30 games played.

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The Baltimore Orioles announced on Wednesday that they placed left-hander Trevor Rogers (illness) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to April 26) with an illness and recalled right-hander Cameron Foster from Triple-A Norfolk in a corresponding move. The 28-year-old left-hander clearly wasn't right of late, with an ERA of 9.53 with a 2.12 WHIP over his last three starts across 11 1/3 innings pitched. The veteran lefty is 2-3 on the year with a 4.75 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, and 27 strikeouts in 30 1/3 innings pitched over his six starts. He began the year strong, allowing two earned runs in his first 13 innings over two starts, so hopefully Rogers can get back to being an asset for the Orioles and fantasy managers after he recovers from his illness. It remains to be seen who will fill in for Rogers in Baltimore's starting rotation for at least the next two turns. Rogers is rostered in 80% of Yahoo leagues, and he's worth stashing in those formats to see if he can bounce back with better health.

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New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez (elbow) said that X-rays were inconclusive after he suffered a left-elbow contusion in Wednesday's game against the Texas Rangers, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. Dominguez will undergo a CT scan on Thursday in New York. The switch-hitting Dominican was hit by a pitch from right-hander Nathan Eovaldi and finished 0-for-1 at the plate in the eventual 3-0 shutout loss. He was replaced in left field by Max Schuemann. Until we know more about the severity of Dominguez's elbow injury, fantasy managers will want to consider him day-to-day. The 23-year-old former top prospect recently became an option off the waiver wire due to Giancarlo Stanton (calf) landing on the 10-day injured list. Dominguez was playing in just his third game of the season for the Yanks after being called up earlier this week. In his first two games, he went 1-for-8 at the plate with two strikeouts. Dominguez's fantasy value going forward will be determined by whether he's forced to miss more time with his elbow injury. He's currently rostered in just 20% of Yahoo leagues.

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The Detroit Tigers announced on Wednesday that they placed infielder Javier Baez (ankle) on the 10-day injured list with a right-ankle sprain and recalled infielder Jace Jung from Triple-A Toledo in a corresponding move. Jung is getting the start right away on Wednesday night against the Atlanta Braves and rookie right-hander JR Ritchie, serving as the designated hitter and batting ninth. Baez injured his ankle in Tuesday's game in Atlanta and had to be carted off the field. We don't have an official timeline for when the utility man can return from the IL, but fantasy managers in deeper leagues shouldn't expect him to be back when he's eligible to come off the IL. In addition to Jung, both Matt Vierling and Wenceel Perez could see some more at-bats for the Tigers with Baez sidelined. Baez, a three-time All-Star, had a bounce-back year in Motown last season, but it still amounted to only 12 home runs, 57 RBI, and five steals in 126 games. The free-swinging right-handed hitter has hit .256 (20-for-78) so far in 24 games in 2026 with two homers, six RBI, 10 runs, and a steal. He's only rostered in 6% of Yahoo leagues these days.

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Atlanta Braves right-handed reliever Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) could rejoin the big-league bullpen when he's eligible to come off the 15-day injured list on Tuesday, May 5, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. Manager Walt Weiss said that Iglesias is unlikely to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before being activated next week. The 36-year-old veteran landed on the IL with right-shoulder inflammation, but he threw off a mound on Tuesday and has been feeling good. Right-hander Robert Suarez has converted both of his save opportunities since Iglesias went on the shelf, but given Iglesias' strong start before his shoulder injury, he should return to primary closing duties in Atlanta. He's still rostered in 92% of Yahoo leagues for a reason. The Cuban hurler has 258 saves in his 12-year MLB career and has yet to allow a run in 8 2/3 innings of work with five saves, 11 strikeouts, and only one walk before his shoulder injury.

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Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (back) is not in the team's starting lineup for Game 3 of their series against the hosting Athletics on Wednesday after aggravating a back injury on Tuesday night, according to MLB.com. Catcher Salvador Perez will get off his feet and play first base while batting cleanup for the Royals against A's right-hander Luis Severino, with Carter Jensen doing the catching for right-hander Michael Wacha and batting third for KC. Pasquantino admitted that he's been bothered by a back injury for a while in the first month of the 2026 season, which helps explain why he's been quiet offensively after hitting over 30 home runs and driving in over 100 runs in 2025. The 28-year-old lefty slugger has hit just .167 (17-for-102) with three home runs, 14 RBI, and 11 runs scored. It's an injury that fantasy managers will want to monitor, as it could end up sending the Pasquatch to the injured list. With Pasquantino out, Jac Caglianone is serving as the Royals' DH on Wednesday.

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The Detroit Tigers announced on Wednesday that they placed right-hander Casey Mize (groin) on the 15-day injured list with a right-adductor strain and recalled left-hander Enmanuel DeJesus from Triple-A Toledo in a corresponding move. Mize will be on the shelf for the next two weeks after injuring his groin during his start on Tuesday against the Atlanta Braves. The good news is that the 28-year-old could be ready to rejoin the starting rotation in Detroit when his 15 days are up, as he's reportedly dealing with a Grade 1 strain, which is the least severe. It's unclear who the Tigers will use to replace Mize in the rotation, but the best bets are Drew Anderson and Sawyer Gipson-Long. Mize's next turn in the rotation is set to come this Sunday against the Texas Rangers. Mize, the former first overall pick in 2018 out of Auburn, has looked good in his first six starts in 2026, going 2-2 with a 2.90 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 35 strikeouts in his 31 innings of work.

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Athletics first baseman/outfielder Tyler Soderstrom (head, shoulder) is not in the team's starting lineup on Wednesday against the visiting Kansas City Royals at Sutter Health Park, per MLB.com. Carlos Cortes is making the start in left field and will bat third for the A's against Royals veteran right-hander Michael Wacha. Soderstrom injured his head and shoulder while diving for a ball in left field in Tuesday's game versus KC and was removed early. The good news is that Soderstrom hasn't shown any concussion symptoms, so it sounds like he's just a little sore and banged up. The A's aren't going to take any chances with their young left-handed slugger. Fantasy managers will want to check back to see if Soderstrom is back in action for the series finale on Thursday against the Royals. Cortes has been money for the A's in just his second season, hitting .387 (24-for-62) with four home runs, 13 RBI, and eight runs scored in 23 games.

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New York Mets outfielder Luis Robert Jr.'s back pain hasn't improved much, which is why he's undergoing an MRI exam on Wednesday, manager Carlos Mendoza told Jorge Castillo of ESPN. There's a chance that Robert will need a trip to the injured list. The 28-year-old Cuban slugger will miss a third straight game on Wednesday against the division-rival Washington Nationals. With Juan Soto still serving as the designated hitter, MJ Melendez is making another start in left field on Wednesday and will bat third for the Mets against Nationals right-hander Cade Cavalli. Given Robert's lengthy history of injuries, fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if he lands on the IL this week. If that comes to pass, both Melendez and Tyrone Taylor, who is starting in center field on Wednesday, will benefit from more playing time. Robert remains an intriguing power/speed threat in fantasy, but he's now injured after a slow start at the plate. He's gone 19-for-85 (.224) with only two homers and eight RBI in his first 24 games with the Mets.

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Colorado Rockies infielder Willi Castro (knee) is back in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cincinnati Reds, starting at second base and batting fifth against left-hander Brandon Williamson, according to MLB.com. It's the first time that Castro will be part of the team's starting nine since last Thursday, when he was removed from the game against the San Diego Padres with right-knee soreness. The 29-year-old has mostly been a regular for the Rockies between second and third base when he's been healthy, although he's contributed little for fantasy managers in deeper leagues. The Puerto Rican switch-hitter has gone 17-for-69 (.246) with a homer, nine RBI, 10 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 22 games played. He could eventually lose out on playing time to both Edouard Julien and Tyler Freeman in Denver. Castro is rostered in just 11% of Yahoo leagues, and he's never faced Williamson in his career.

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Kansas City Royals catcher/designated hitter Salvador Perez could be turning things around after a slow start to the season. The veteran backstop is 6-for-15 (.400) over his last three games, including a pair of home runs, four RBI, and four runs scored. The nine-time All-Star is hitting just .196 through 28 games, even after the recent hot streak, and with just a 3.4 percent walk rate, his on-base percentage sits at a paltry .229. With a .254 wOBA and 52 wRC+ on the season, the 35-year-old has been a disappointment for fantasy, and with a noticeable dip in bat speed, from 64th percentile in 2025 to 39th percentile in 2026, there may be cause for concern, but he's coming off a 30-home run campaign while producing similar contact, strikeout, and barrel rates, so fantasy managers should exercise patience with the five-time Silver Slugger award winner.

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Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (ankle) is back at the 6 and is batting leadoff for the Snakes in Wednesday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers and right-hander Brandon Sproat at American Family Field, according to MLB.com. Perdomo missed the team's last two games after suffering a left-ankle sprain in Saturday's contest in Mexico City against the San Diego Padres. The 26-year-old switch-hitting Dominican should be returned to fantasy lineups in traditional leagues against Sproat, who has struggled early on in his first year with the Brew Crew. Perdomo hasn't really stood out offensively yet in 2026, slashing .250/.350/.393 with a .743 OPS, one home run, three doubles, three triples, six RBI, six stolen bases, and 11 runs scored in 25 games across 102 plate appearances. He's been much better of late, though, going 13-for-30 (.433) with a double, three triples, two RBI, two steals, and four runs scored in his previous eight games, dating back to April 14.

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Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman (toe) is back in the starting lineup for Wednesday's series finale against the hosting San Diego Padres and right-hander Matt Waldron, playing third base and batting third, according to MLB.com. Meanwhile, shortstop Dansby Swanson (glute) will sit this one out after leaving Tuesday's win early with glute cramps. Bregman fouled a ball off his toe in Sunday's series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and he was held out of the starting lineup on Tuesday, although he did later enter the game as a pinch-hitter. Nico Hoerner will start at shortstop on Wednesday and bat leadoff, with Matt Shaw getting the start at second base. With an off day scheduled on Thursday, it seems likely that Swanson will return for Friday's series opener in Chicago against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Bregman went 2-for-2 at the plate on Tuesday night after entering the game as a pinch-hitter, and he should be returned to all starting lineups in traditional fantasy formats against the knuckleballer Waldron.

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Chicago Cubs right-handed closer Daniel Palencia (lat) has made enough progress that the Cubs are considering activating him from the 15-day injured list on Friday for the start of a three-game series at Wrigley Field against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks, according to Patrick Mooney of The Athletic. With Chicago's pitching staff decimated by injuries early in 2026, the Cubs could have Palencia return to their major-league bullpen without going on a minor-league rehab assignment. When active, the hard-throwing right-hander should immediately return to closing duties in Chicago, especially with Caleb Thielbar (hamstring) and Hunter Harvey (triceps) on the IL. The 26-year-old Venezuelan high-leverage reliever had a career-best 22 saves in 52 2/3 regular-season innings last year in his third year with the Cubs, and he had tossed five scoreless innings with a save and five strikeouts in five relief appearances for Chicago this year before injuring his lat. Pick Palencia up immediately if he's available in your league with his return on the horizon. Palencia is rostered in 81% of Yahoo leagues.

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Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (oblique) was expected to begin a rehab assignment this weekend, but on Wednesday, he stated that he felt some soreness in his oblique recently while taking batting practice on the field, so the team backed off his rehab a bit. Since then, the veteran has been hitting in the cage and has said he's "turned a corner," with the expectation that he'll try to take batting practice on the field again. It sounds like a minor setback that should still allow the eight-time All-Star to begin a rehab assignment soon and potentially be back with the team sometime in early May if all goes well. The former MVP was 5-for-28 (.179) before going down with the injury, but two of his five hits were home runs, and he was making good contact (90.7 percent) while recording a 3:4 BB:K, so expect the 33-year-old to put up Betts-like numbers when he returns.

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Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi (shoulder) was removed after two innings in Wednesday's game against the White Sox with what is being described as shoulder tightness. The southpaw came out to warm up before the third inning but left with the trainer. The extent of the injury is not yet known, but fantasy managers should have a backup plan in the event he needs to miss time. The 34-year-old has had a rough go of it so far in 2026, coming into Wednesday's game with a 6.21 ERA (3.71 FIP) and a 1.59 WHIP, although he was generating more than a strikeout per inning with 32 punchouts in 29 innings pitched. His next start would line up with the White Sox again next week, which could make whoever replaces him a potential streaming option.

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Miami Marlins outfielder Jakob Marsee has been a fantasy disappointment in the early going of 2026 after a breakout 2025. The left-handed hitter slashed .292/.363/.478 with five home runs and 14 steals in 55 games after his promotion to the big leagues last year, but so far in 2026, he's slashing just .184/.304/.272 through 30 games. On the bright side, the former sixth-round draft pick has continued to get on base thanks to a strong 13.2 percent walk rate, which has in turn allowed him to leverage his baserunning abilities, swiping 10 bags already, which is tied for fourth-most in the majors. There have also been signs he could be breaking out of his slump, going 8-for-27 (.296) over his last seven contests, with three of his six extra-base hits coming during that stretch (two doubles, one home run). Though not known for exit velocities (EV), the 24-year-old had an average EV of 87.0 mph earlier in the year, but it has popped up to 91.6 in this recent seven-game turnaround, so he could be locking in. If he can get going, fantasy managers will once again have a multi-category contributor on their hands, so patience is warranted with Marsee.

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