Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes bounced back from his rough outing on Opening Day in his second start of the season on Wednesday. The 23-year-old threw five innings on one-run ball to log his first win in his team's 8-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds, recording five strikeouts while allowing three hits and two walks. While Skenes wasn't quite his usual dominant self, his relative return to form was still a welcome sight for fantasy managers after Skenes failed to get out of the first inning in his first outing of the year against the New York Mets. Skenes' command has been a little bit off to start the year, as he's allowed four walks in 5 2/3 innings. However, the hard-throwing right-hander owns a K-BB% of 24.8% and a WHIP of 0.96 across 321 1/3 career MLB innings. As long as he's healthy, Skenes profiles as an elite starting pitcher option for fantasy managers.

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Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Justin Crawford had the best game of his young career in his team's 6-5 extra-inning win over the Washington Nationals on Wednesday. Crawford went three-for-five with a trio of singles, including the game-winning RBI knock in the bottom of the 10th inning. Through his first 18 MLB plate appearances, Crawford is hitting .412 with an RBI and three runs scored. The 22-year-old made his bones as an elite average hitter in the minors as well, slashing .334/.411/.452 with seven home runs, 47 RBI, 88 runs scored, and 46 stolen bases across 506 plate appearances at Triple-A in 2025. Power is the main question mark in Crawford's profile, and just one of his seven MLB hits has gone for extra bases so far. Still, if Crawford can continue to rack up base hits, he should start stealing bases at a high rate and could easily move up from the bottom of the Philadelphia batting order.

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Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz continued his hot start to the season in his team's 8-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday, going two-for-five with a home run, three RBI, and an additional run scored. Perhaps most importantly for Cruz's fantasy outlook, his home run came against Reds left-handed starter Andrew Abbott. The lefty-swinging Cruz has traditionally struggled against same-handed pitching throughout his career and has often been platooned, but he got the start against Abbott on Wednesday and delivered. Through his first 24 plate appearances of 2026, Cruz is hitting .304 with three home runs, six RBI, and seven runs scored. The 27-year-old has also struck out 10 times, so his batting average is likely to regress closer to his career mark of .233 over a larger sample. Still, if Cruz can do enough damage against lefties to earn everyday playing time, he could post monster power and speed totals for fantasy managers in 2026.

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Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers was one of the lone bright spots of his team's 5-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday, going two-for-four with a solo home run. The 28-year-old is off to a torrid start to 2026, as he's hitting .375 with five home runs and eight RBI across his first 25 plate appearances. Langeliers has been one of the better power-hitting catchers in baseball in recent years, as he's now racked up 65 home runs since the start of the 2024 season. He put together his most well-rounded season at the plate in 2025, hitting .277 and lowering his strikeout rate to a career-best 19.7%. Langeliers' strikeout rate is back up to 32% in a very small sample size in 2026, but his power output more than makes up for any batting average concerns. With a career barrel rate of 12.2%, Langeliers could be on the verge of threatening the 40-homer mark in 2026.

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Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara dominated the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday, pitching nine scoreless innings with seven strikeouts and zero walks while allowing just three hits. The 30-year-old right-hander struggled through a down year in 2025 in his first season back from Tommy John surgery, pitching to a 5.36 ERA and 1.27 WHIP across 174 2/3 innings (31 starts). However, Alcantara is off to an excellent start in 2026, recording 16 shutout innings with 12 strikeouts while allowing just seven hits and two walks. While Alcantara has never generated a tremendous amount of swing-and-miss, his ability to work efficiently and pitch to contact allows him to work deep into games consistently. Against the White Sox, he needed just 93 pitches to go the distance. Alcantara's first two starts of the season have come against lowly offenses in the White Sox and Colorado Rockies, so he'll face a tougher test in his next start against the Cincinnati Reds. Still, Alcantara's hot start is a welcome sign for fantasy managers who bought low on him coming off a down year.

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Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Blake Snell (shoulder) is likely to start facing hitters once the team returns from its upcoming road trip, per David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports. Snell is currently on the 15-day injured list as he works his way back from left shoulder fatigue and was originally given a target return date of late May. Based on this most recent update, it appears Snell remains on track for that target. A left shoulder injury limited Snell to just 61 1/3 innings (11 starts) in 2025, but he was effective in his time on the mound, recording a 5-4 record with a 2.35 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 72 strikeouts. When healthy, the 33-year-old has typically been one of the better pitchers in baseball. However, Snell has made more than 24 starts just twice in 10 MLB seasons entering 2026. Snell profiles as a high-end fantasy starting pitcher upon his return, but how long he can avoid another injury is an open question.

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New York Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler dominated the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday, recording his second win of the season by throwing 6 1/3 scoreless innings. The 25-year-old struck out seven while allowing just two hits and zero walks. Across his first two starts of 2026, Schlittler has now logged 11 2/3 scoreless frames with 15 strikeouts while allowing just three hits. Schlittler made his MLB debut in 2025, recording a 4-3 record with a 2.96 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 84 strikeouts across 73 innings (14 starts). The young right-hander posted an elevated 10.2% walk rate, but he's yet to allow a free pass in his small sample of work so far in 2026. If Schlittler's early-season work is any indication, he could be on the verge of a full-scale breakout campaign.

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Miami Marlins catcher Liam Hicks continued his hot start to the 2026 season on Wednesday, going three-for-four with a home run, four RBI, and two runs scored in his team's 10-0 win over the Chicago White Sox. Across his first 19 plate appearances of the year, Hicks is hitting .467 with three home runs, 12 RBI, and six runs scored. The 26-year-old made his MLB debut in 2025, posting a .247/.346/.346 slash line with six home runs, 45 RBI, 37 runs scored, and two stolen bases across 390 plate appearances. While he posted a minuscule 3.5% barrel rate, Hicks demonstrated a solid plate approach with a 11% walk rate and just a 14.4% strikeout rate. If Hicks can make some marginal gains in the power department in 2026, he could be worth targeting off the waiver wire in two-catcher fantasy formats.

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Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Griffin Jax got pummeled by the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, allowing three hits and five runs (three earned) without recording an out in his team's 8-2 defeat. Jax is off to a brutal start to 2026, as he's allowed five earned runs while recording just one strikeout across two innings of work in three appearances. With fellow Rays reliever Edwin Uceta (shoulder) on the injured list, Jax looked like the favorite to see the majority of the ninth-inning work in Tampa Bay. However, the 31-year-old has already blown two saves, and his overall ineffectiveness is clearly a concern for fantasy managers. With Jax struggling, Rays relievers Garrett Cleavinger and Bryan Baker could be worth targeting on the waiver wire and rostering until Uceta returns.

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Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Gregory Soto was on the mound to finish off his team's 8-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday, throwing a scoreless ninth inning while recording two strikeouts and not allowing a base runner. The 31-year-old is off to an excellent start to the season, as he's struck out eight and allowed just one hit across 4 1/3 scoreless innings (four games). While Wednesday's appearance came in a non-save situation, Soto's usage in the ninth inning could indicate that he's in the mix with Pirates right-hander Dennis Santana for saves. Soto has prior closing experience, recording 30 saves for the Detroit Tigers in 2022. If he keeps producing, Soto could be a player worth targeting on the waiver wire for deeper-league fantasy managers.

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Houston Astros relief pitcher Bryan Abreu recorded his first save of 2026 on Wednesday, allowing a solo home run but also striking out three in the ninth inning of his team's 6-4 win over the Boston Red Sox. With star Astros reliever Josh Hader (biceps) currently on the injured list, Abreu has opened the year as Houston's primary closer. However, the 28-year-old has not been sharp to start the season, allowing four walks and five earned runs across 2 1/3 innings (three appearances). Before 2026, Abreu had established himself as one of the best high-leverage arms in baseball, recording a 2.28 ERA with a 35.5% strikeout rate across 71 innings in 2025. Even amidst his struggles in a small sample size this season, he's still recorded six strikeouts. Abreu should be able to hold down the closer role in Houston while Hader is injured, but the Astros could be forced to go in a different direction if Abreu continues to falter.

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Cleveland Guardians outfielder Chase DeLauter (foot) is not in the lineup for his team's matchup on Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 24-year-old exited Tuesday's contest early after fouling a ball off his left foot. Initial X-rays on the injury came back negative, so DeLauter will hopefully avoid missing serious time. However, DeLauter has already broken that same left foot twice before, and he has an extensive track record of injuries throughout his professional career. The top prospect is off to an excellent start to the 2026 season, collecting four home runs in his first 23 plate appearances. If DeLauter does end up missing any significant time, Guardians' utility man Daniel Schneeman could be his primary replacement in right field.

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Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Quinn Priester (wrist) has been cleared to face live hitters, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. Priester opened the regular season on the injured list due to symptoms related to thoracic outlet syndrome, but is slated to make the next major step in his progression. Fantasy managers should monitor his status in this live session, as he could be nearing the start of a potential rehab stint. However, he likely still has several steps to clear in his recovery, as he was unable to take the mound at all during spring training. Last season, Priester looked quite comfortable pitching for the Brewers, logging a career-high 157 1/3 innings to the tune of a 3.32 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, with a 132:50 K:BB. When active, the former 18th overall pick would carry intriguing SP4/SP5 upside in standard 12-team formats. His return would likely push Brandon Sproat to a long relief role or to Triple-A.

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Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Kirby Yates (knee) completed a bullpen session on Wednesday, according to Jeff Fletcher of the SoCal News Group. Yates has been on the injured list with a knee injury since the beginning of the regular season, but appears to be making steady progress in his recovery. The veteran reliever was slated to be a favorite to earn save opportunities in the Los Angeles bullpen, but has since ceded the work to Jordan Romano while he has been on the shelf. In 2025, Yates logged just 41 1/3 innings and struggled, posting a 5.23 ERA. However, in the previous season, Yates was among the most dominant ninth-inning options in the sport, tallying 33 saves with a 1.17 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP with the Texas Rangers. Given that Romano has looked quite comfortable in the ninth-inning role, Yates may begin his season operating as the setup man once cleared for action.

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The Pittsburgh Pirates are currently in "deep" contract discussions with top infield prospect Konnor Griffin. Griffin is the No. 1 prospect on MLB.com and nearly broke camp with the MLB roster despite not taking a single at-bat at the Triple-A level. Buster Olney of ESPN reported that the current contract proposals are "close to the range" of the eight-year, $111 million contract the Diamondbacks signed former top prospect Corbin Carroll to in 2023. During spring training, the former ninth overall pick from the 2024 MLB Draft launched four home runs but carried a modest .184 AVG, which resulted in his move to Triple-A. However, Griffin has wasted little time making an impact in his first taste with Indianapolis, going 6-for-13 with three doubles and two stolen bases over his first four games. Griffin remains a must-stash prospect in all formats as he would possess elite five-category upside once he reaches the major leagues.

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According to Anne Rogers of MLB.com, the Kansas City Royals have placed relief pitcher Carlos Estevez (foot) on the 15-day injured list due to a left-foot contusion. Additionally, Rogers noted that this stint will provide Estevez with an opportunity to build his velocity, as that was a major concern during spring training and in his lone regular-season outing. During spring training, Estevez saw his velocity significantly decline, and this lingered into his season debut as he logged just 1/3 of an inning while allowing four hits and six earned runs en route to blowing his lone save opportunity. Shortly after, the Royals kept Estevez on the sidelines before placing him on the injured list on Wednesday. In 2025, Estevez led the major leagues in saves (with 42) but has been a major disappointment in the early going. While he remains on the shelf, Lucas Erceg should see most of the save opportunities in Kansas City.

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San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames will hit leadoff for a third straight game on Wednesday following his four-hit performance at the top of the order on Tuesday. The right-handed slugger is now riding a three-game hit streak and is 6-for-20 (.300) through five games, including a double, a home run, two RBI, and two runs scored. He's also struck out six times (30 percent) and has yet to draw a walk. The Dominican has three 30-home run seasons in his last four and posted a career-best 127 wRC+ last year, so hopefully he can keep up the hot hitting, as there should be plenty of RBI and runs scored coming behind it, although the high strikeout rate tends to limit his batting average. Even so, he should be rostered in all fantasy leagues.

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Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler (shoulder) will make his second start of his rehab assignment on Friday in Durham, and is expected to throw about four innings or 50 to 55 pitches total. While that was expected, his third start was originally scheduled to be in Reading, but that has now been changed to next week with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, per Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. Whether or not he'll get a fourth rehab start is still up in the air. Wheeler has been working his way back from thoracic outlet decompression surgery he had last September. The right-hander was his usual dominant self in 2025 before the surgery, posting a 2.71 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and a 27.7 percent K-BB% in 24 starts. Hopefully the 35-year-old can return to form, and assuming he can, the three-time All-Star should continue to be stashed in all fantasy leagues.

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Tampa Bay Rays second baseman/outfielder Gavin Lux (shoulder) will head to Triple-A Durham to begin a rehab assignment. The left-handed hitter has been on the 10-day injured list with a shoulder impingement since the beginning of the season. Per manager Kevin Cash, the former first-round draft pick will make a few consecutive starts with Durham and they'll "see how it goes." Presumably, if all goes well, then the 28-year-old should be able to make his major league debut sometime next week. Once he returns, Lux will likely take over as the team's second baseman, although for fantasy, he's also eligible at third base and outfield in Yahoo! leagues. While that is appealing, he offers little power and speed with a career batting average of .256, so there is not much use for fantasy except in very deep or AL-only leagues.

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Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas (knee) has encountered a setback in his recovery from a ruptured left patellar tendon that he suffered back in 2025. The former first-rounder is now dealing with sore ribs, per manager Alex Cora. At least the setback is not related to his knee, but Cora stated that they need to "shut it down for a while... we have to slow it down." Casas was placed on the 10-day injured list to begin the season, and a mid-to-late-May return to the majors was the original estimate, however, a return closer to midseason seems more realistic at this point. The team acquired Willson Contreras in the offseason to man first, but he is just 2-for-17 (.118) to begin the season, and if he doesn't pick it up at the plate, there could be a real competition for playing time whenever Casas returns. The 6-foot-4 left-handed slugger has legit power, belting 40 home runs over his last 224 games (~29 home runs per 162 games), but will be waiver wire fodder until he is getting regular at-bats.

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