Cam Smith Off to a Hot Start, Becoming a Must-Add in All Leagues: Houston Astros outfielder Cam Smith is off to a scorching start this season. He is slashing .297/.422/.595 with three home runs, six RBI, nine runs, and three stolen bases across nine games. The 23-year-old is currently on a seven-game hitting streak and has homered twice in the last three contests. His wOBA has increased from .298 to .399 compared to last season, while his hard-hit percentage has gone up from 40.8% to 47.8%, and his K% has decreased from 27.8% to 25%. Smith is Houston's starting right fielder, and his hot start has kept his bat in a potent Astros lineup that includes Yordan Alvarez, Jeremy Pena, and Jose Altuve. He has moved to the No. 1 spot on the RotoBaller waiver wire rankings list for Week 2 and has become a must-add due to his hot start. Only rostered in 37% of Yahoo Fantasy leagues, Smith should be a priority for fantasy managers searching for outfield help. - as of Tue, 07 Apr 2026 06:06:45
Shane McClanahan Shaky in Second Outing, Cause for Concern Warranted?: Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane McClanahan made his second start of 2026 on Monday, pitching four innings and allowing two earned runs, one hit, and four walks while striking out five in his team's 6-4 win over the Chicago Cubs. The talented lefty is trying to revitalize his MLB career after missing all of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery and the entirety of 2025 due to a nerve issue in his triceps. Thus far, command has been a major issue for McClanahan, as he's issued seven walks across 8 2/3 innings pitched. Before his injury troubles, McClanahan had never recorded a walk rate above 8.7% in any of his three big-league seasons. While his control of the strike zone could return as he gets more reps under his belt in 2026, his current control issues will limit his ability to work deep into games. Fantasy managers may be forced to go in a different direction in their starting rotation, at least in the short term. - as of Mon, 06 Apr 2026 22:33:42
Kevin McGonigle Hitting Leadoff for Tigers Against Twins: Detroit Tigers rookie shortstop Kevin McGonigle is making the start at the 6 and will bat leadoff for Monday's series opener against the Minnesota Twins and right-hander Joe Ryan at Target Field, per MLB.com. Infielder Colt Keith will drop to third in the batting order. McGonigle, a 21-year-old former first-rounder, came into the 2026 season as the No. 2 overall prospect in all of baseball, and so far, he has delivered after impressing enough in spring training to make the Opening Day roster. He went 10-for-33 (.303) with three doubles, a triple, five RBI, five runs scored, six walks, and five strikeouts in his first nine major-league contests. McGonigle has proven to be mature beyond his years and should now be rostered in all fantasy leagues as a regular for Detroit. All signs point to the infield phenom hitting near the top of Detroit's batting order for many years to come. - as of Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:48:54
Isaac Paredes Back From Bereavement List, Not Starting on Monday: The Houston Astros announced on Monday that they reinstated infielder Isaac Paredes from the bereavement list. Paredes missed the entire weekend series with the Athletics, but he's back with the squad now. However, the 27-year-old is not in the starting lineup for Monday's series opener at Coors Field against the Colorado Rockies and right-hander Ryan Feltner. Veteran Carlos Correa will start at the hot corner and will bat cleanup for the Astros. Paredes has gone 5-for-22 (.227) with four doubles, five RBI, and four runs scored in his first six games played this year, but his playing time figures to be sporadic now that Jeremy Pena appears to have completely recovered from a fractured finger that he suffered in March while preparing for the World Baseball Classic. He was a second-time All-Star in 2025 in Houston, when he hit 20 homers in 102 games, but unless he's traded this year, there will be limited upside as he tries to find at-bats in a crowded Houston infield. - as of Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:17:33
Blue Jays to Make a Decision on Addison Barger Soon: Sportsnet's Shi Davidi reports that a decision is coming on Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Addison Barger (ankles), who left Sunday's game early against the Chicago White Sox with discomfort in both of his ankles. "We'll probably figure it out today, just to see what he can or can't do," said manager John Schneider. Barger has been walking with a limp since being pulled early, and he's not in Monday's starting lineup at the Rogers Centre in a World Series rematch against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Schneider said on Monday that the 26-year-old is "trending in the right direction," but the team isn't ruling out a stint on the injured list. If Barger is forced to the 10-day IL, infielder Tyler Fitzgerald could take his place on the active roster after Toronto recently acquired him in a trade with the San Francisco Giants. It's been a rough go in 2026 so far for Barger, who was a postseason hero for the Jays, as he has just one hit in 23 plate appearances with two RBI, three walks, and six strikeouts in his first eight games played. - as of Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:58:08
Sal Frelick Back in Action on Monday for Brewers: Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick (side) is back in the starting lineup on Monday, playing right field and batting seventh against the hosting Boston Red Sox and right-hander Brayan Bello at Fenway Park, according to MLB.com. The 25-year-old injured his left side during a doubleheader on Saturday against the Kansas City Royals and was then held out of the series finale on Sunday. He's back in action now, though, and will look to get going at the plate in 2026. Frelick, a first-rounder in 2021 out of Boston College, has gone 5-for-26 (.192) early on for the Brew Crew in eight games played with a homer, two RBI, and three runs scored. He has faced Bello only twice in his career and has two hits. Frelick has minimal power, but he can be useful as outfield depth in fantasy baseball leagues for his speed and counting stats as a lineup regular in Milwaukee. - as of Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:39:42