Houston Astros designated hitter/outfielder Yordan Alvarez has been locked in at the plate over the last few weeks and is posting some of the best offensive numbers in baseball. Alvarez has 11 homers, just one off the MLB lead, and he has hit safely in 13 straight games, coming into Thursday's doubleheader in Baltimore. Alvarez is 21-for-54 (.389) over that hitting streak with five doubles, five homers, a .502 wOBA, a 52.9% hard-hit rate, and a 15.7 barrel rate. He has a 14.9% walk rate and just a 8.2% strikeout rate, showing elite plate discipline and almost always putting the ball in play. He has proven in the past that he can get hot and carry the Astros' offense and post great fantasy numbers, and he's in the middle of another very productive stretch after putting last year's injuries squarely behind him.

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New York Mets right-handed pitching prospect Jonah Tong is emerging as a sneaky stash option following the injury to Kodai Senga (back). Earlier this week, Senga was shifted to the 15-day injured list, opening up a spot in the starting rotation. While Christian Scott was recalled from Triple-A, Tong is a name to watch closely, as he could be the next man up if Scott struggles. Since allowing six runs on April 14 at Triple-A, Tong has found his footing, striking out 15 hitters over his last 10 innings while allowing only four earned runs. Last summer, Tong logged 113 2/3 innings (split between Double-A and Triple-A) and held an elite 1.43 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP with 179 punchouts. While Tong was unable to find much success in his first MLB stint, he is worth monitoring given the current state of their rotation.

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Atlanta Braves right-handed pitching prospect Didier Fuentes was recalled to the MLB roster in a modified relief role prior to Tuesday's contest. In Tuesday's game, Fuentes entered the game out of the bullpen and logged two no-hit frames with one walk and one punchout, earning his first career hold. Fuentes was promoted to the majors earlier on April 22 and was given his first start of the MLB season, but stumbled in this outing, allowing four runs and seven hits over three innings of work. While he has yet to see his skills translate to the starting rotation, he has flashed high upside at Triple-A, which makes him a worthy stash option in deeper leagues. Earlier in April, Fuentes logged 16 2/3 innings with a strong 2.16 ERA and a 20:6 K:BB. While he appears set for a long relief role for now, Fuentes could return to the rotation if he continues to find his footing against MLB hitters.

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Philadelphia Phillies infield prospect Aidan Miller (back) has yet to take the field this season and is quickly losing stash value. According to a recent report by Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, the team's top infield prospect is "nearing" a return to swinging a bat. While the infielder has been able to participate in other baseball activities, he has yet to begin swinging, which remains a major hurdle in his recovery. Early in camp, Miller was in contention to compete for a starting job, but this injury prevented him from making a strong case. Last season, the former 27th overall pick from the 2023 MLB Draft spent most of his time with Double-A before earning a short taste with Triple-A. With Double-A (108 games), Miller posted a .259/.382/.427 line with 13 home runs and 52 stolen bases. Over his short eight-game stint with Triple-A, Miller stole seven bags while holding a .333 AVG. While he still has a potential length recovery ahead of him, Miller remains in play for a second-half MLB debut.

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New York Mets outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (back) had an MRI on Wednesday, and while the results have not been released, reports are that the injury will cause him to be placed on the injured list this Thursday. Robert played in the first game of Sunday's doubleheader but was out of the lineup Tuesday after the off-day due to lower back tightness. He missed Tuesday and Wednesday's game and still isn't ready to return. Robert is hitting .224 on the season but is only 7-for-46 (.152) in his last 12 games with three doubles and no homers. With Robert likely landing on the IL along with Francisco Lindor (calf) and Jorge Polanco (wrist), the Mets' lineup will be stretched thin with MJ Melendez and Tyrone Taylor likely to pick up most of Robert's playing time.

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Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson is still hitting just .214 and usually bats near the bottom of the lineup in his 30 games this year. However, he continues to get on base and post excellent run-production numbers, and his average is starting to come around as well. Swanson has 23 RBI and 23 runs scored, which place him in the top 15 in the MLB in each category. Swanson also has six homers this season, five of which have come in his last 16 games, while he's batting .275 with a .433 wOBA over that span. He sat out Wednesday's game after cramping up and leaving Tuesday's contest early, but the injury isn't expected to be anything long-term, and he should be back in the lineup on Friday as the Cubs return to Wrigley to face the Arizona Diamondbacks.

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Athletics relief pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. came on to close out the Royals on Wednesday night, earning his third save of the season by getting Jac Caglianone to strike out swinging to end the game. He came in to replace Joel Kuhnel, who got five outs but gave up a run on a sacrifice fly and left a runner on third base. Leiter walked Isaac Collins to bring the tying run to the plate before securing the win with the strikeout. Leiter is 3-for-5 in save opportunities this season with a 6.23 ERA and 4.35 FIP. The back end of the bullpen is still unsettled for the AL West-leading A's, with Kuhnel leading the team in saves with four, while Jack Perkins and Hogan Harris are also in the mix, along with Leiter. Kuhnel is probably still the best option of the committee for fantasy, but Perkins could be an interesting solution if he starts getting more chances as well.

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Texas Rangers relief pitcher Jacob Latz worked two shutout innings on Wednesday night to help his team close out a 3-0 win over the visiting Yankees. Latz allowed one hit and had one strikeout, lowering his ERA for the season to 1.08 with a 0.48 WHIP in his 16 2/3 innings over 13 appearances. While the Rangers continue to use a committee to close out games, Latz has been their best reliever for fantasy this season, posting two saves and two holds. He isn't an elite closer option due to his undefined role, but he does have good upside and is worth considering for a roster spot in some formats since he has been so effective wherever the Rangers decide to deploy him.

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Washington's SP Cade Cavalli recorded 10 strikeouts in 6 innings with the win in a 14-2 win over the Mets on Wednesday, Apr. 29.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Payton Tolle was electric in his MLB debut on April 23 against the New York Yankees, striking out 11 over six innings of one-run ball. However, the 23-year-old had a much tougher time of it in his second start against the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday, allowing three hits, three earned runs, and four walks across 4 2/3 innings. Per Zach Worden of MLB.com, Tolle's fastball velocity was down over two miles per hour from his first start. While Tolle does not appear to be dealing with an injury, the velocity drop should still be at least a small red flag for fantasy managers. The young left-hander remains a high-upside fantasy starting pitcher, but his fastball velocity will be something for managers to monitor in his next start, which will likely be in Detroit against the Tigers.

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Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that third baseman/designated hitter Eugenio Suarez (oblique) is still dealing with a tender oblique, per Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. Goldsmith reports that the team is hoping Suarez "progresses to the point where he can get scanned on (the team's) upcoming road trip and then really ramp up baseball activities." Suarez's oblique strain was characterized as low-grade when he was placed on the injured list retroactive to April 23, but it appears as though the veteran slugger will require more than the minimum 10 days on the IL. Suarez was off to a slow start to 2026 before getting injured, hitting .231/.300/.363 with three home runs, 11 RBI, and 10 runs scored across 100 plate appearances. With Suarez on the shelf, Reds first baseman Nathaniel Lowe has stepped in as the team's primary designated hitter.

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Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jared Jones (elbow) was sharp in his rehab outing on Wednesday with Single-A Bradenton, throwing three perfect innings with five strikeouts. Jones threw 41 pitches, 30 of which went for strikes. The 24-year-old is working his way back from an elbow injury, which required internal brace surgery and caused him to miss the entirety of 2025. Across 121 2/3 innings (22 starts) in 2024, Jones pitched to a 6-8 record with a 4.14 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 132 strikeouts. Given how much time he has missed due to injury, Jones will likely require multiple rehab appearances. He's also currently on the 60-day injured list, which means he will not be eligible to return to the big leagues until late May. Still, Jones has major fantasy upside if he can make it back to full strength and could be worth stashing off the waiver wire ahead of his eventual return.

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Kansas City Royals general manager J.J. Picollo said that the team expects first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (back) to avoid the injured list, per Cody Tapp of 96.5 The Fan. Pasquantino was held out of the team's lineup on Wednesday with a back injury and is currently considered day-to-day. The 28-year-old is off to a slow start to the 2026 season, hitting .167/.276/.324 with three home runs, 14 RBI, and 11 runs scored across 123 plate appearances. His barrel rate is down from 10.8% to 7.3%, while his hard-hit rate currently sits at a career-worst 34.1%. While Pasquantino is apparently expected to avoid the injured list, this current back ailment could be part of the reason for his struggles at the plate. Fantasy managers may want to stash Pasquantino on their bench until he proves he is fully healthy.

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Miami Marlins reliever Calvin Faucher earned his first save of the season on Wednesday, working around three walks in a scoreless ninth inning in his team's 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. With Marlins closer Pete Fairbanks (thumb) on the injured list due to nerve irritation in his thumb, Faucher could be emerging as the name for fantasy managers to know in the Miami bullpen. Across 11 innings so far this season, Faucher has pitched to a 4.91 ERA and 1.82 WHIP with 13 strikeouts. Command has been a major issue for the 30-year-old, who currently owns a 22.6% walk rate. Still, Faucher recorded 15 saves across 65 appearances for Miami in 2025. For deeper-league managers in need of saves, Faucher could be a name to target on the waiver wire.

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Chicago Cubs left-hander Hoby Milner picked up his first save of the season on Wednesday, coming on to record the final out of his team's 5-4 win over the San Diego Padres. Milner has been effective out of the Chicago pen in the early-going of 2026, pitching to a 2.40 ERA and 0.93 WHIP with five strikeouts across 15 innings pitched. With Cubs closer Daniel Palencia (lat) currently on the injured list due to a lat strain, Milner could be part of the group Cubs manager Craig Counsell relies upon for saves. However, Palencia could return to the mound as soon as Friday, which could mean Milner's chance to work in the ninth inning is short-lived. In leagues with daily moves or if Palencia's return ends up being delayed, Milner could be worth targeting on the waiver wire.

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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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