MLB Player News

Abel will make his major-league debut on Sunday with a favorable matchup against the Pirates at Citizens Bank Park. His prospect stock has rebounded this season as he’s pitched to an encouraging 2.53 ERA and 26.6 percent strikeout rate across 46 1/3 innings (eight starts) at the Triple-A level. The 23-year-old former first-round selection from the 2020 MLB Draft is still handing out too many free passes, which amplifies the immediate risk for fantasy managers as he faces major-league hitters. He’s talented enough to make an impact in deeper mixed leagues, but he’s a risky streaming option right out of the gate, despite a tasty home matchup against Pittsburgh’s lineup, which has scored the fewest runs in baseball this season through 46 games.

Wagaman, who hit .250/.296/.378 in 514 plate appearances for the Marlins last year, never got a real shot with the Twins as Austin Martin cut him off at the pass. He’s hit .159/.284/.254 for Triple-A St. Paul this year in 74 plate appearances. We’re guessing he’ll clear waivers.

The Astros DFAed Roa on Tuesday and he finds a new home on Thursday. Roa had a 5.19 ERA in seven appearances for the Astros this season, allowing runs in each of his last three appearances before being sent down, and walked seven batters against six strikeouts. The Twins continue to churn their pen and look for finds, we’ll see what they do with Roa in Triple-A.

He’s been dealing with a sore back and now misses his second game in row. Masataka Yoshida is DHing and batting third for the Red Sox against the Yankees in Anthony’s absence.

Rivera threw 3.1 scoreless innings in his one appearance last night, but the usage made him the obvious pitcher to send down as the Red Sox called up Peyton Tolle to start on Thursday. Rivera should make a return engagement to the Red Sox in the near future.

He’ll grab the start against the Yankees and, despite the tough matchup, should be an interesting streamer in shallow leagues. Tolle had a 3.00 ERA in three starts in Triple-A, striking out 19 and walking four in 15 innings. He hasn’t started since April 12, so he should be well-rested for this assignment.

Jorge Barrosa is playing in his stead. Gurriel Jr. had started each of the first four games since being activated from the injured list. The early results are an .063/.118/.063 line with no extra base-hits or steals. Not ideal, but not a surprising slow start after missing seven months with a torn ACL.

Quero has seen his playing time dry up a bit, and has now sat three of the last five games in favor of Reese McGuire. That’ll happen when you hit .161/.273/.179 in your first 19 games. Outside of dynasty leagues, Quero isn’t a must-hold — and he probably should be benched at this point in most fantasy formats.

Dalton Rushing has now started two of the last three games at catcher, and Smith has missed three of the last six games as Rushing tears the cover off the ball. It’s not ideal for either’s mixed league value, but it looks like Rushing has been given a little more of a foothold than he’d had earlier in April as the Dodgers try to get him involved.

Cole broke his toe after being hit by a pitch in late March. This is his first game activity since. He’ll likely move back up to Triple-A and resume being useful depth for the Astros by the end of April or in early May.

Goodman is off to a .264/.340/.540 start with six homers in his first 24 games. Brett Sullivan will draw a day-game-after-a-night-game start at catcher against RHP Matt Waldron.