MLB Player News

Ballesteros went 2-for-4 with a walk, a two-run home run and an additional run scored in Sunday's 8-4 win over the Diamondbacks.

Ballesteros snapped an 0-for-16 slump across his previous four games with a strong performance Sunday. Even following the mini cold spell, the 22-year-old is having a tremendous season with a .317/.380/.598 slash line, six home runs and 18 RBI across 30 contests. The Cubs also announced recently that Ballesteros would begin to see more playing time behind the plate, which should elevate his fantasy appeal once he gains eligibility at catcher in most formats.

Peterson will pitch in bulk relief behind an opener in Monday's series opener against the Rockies in Colorado, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Peterson will follow an opener for the second time this season after last doing so April 19 against the Cubs, when he tossed 3.2 scoreless innings while allowing three hits in the team's 2-1 loss to Chicago. The southpaw has posted a disappointing 6.53 ERA and 1.71 WHIP with 29 strikeouts over 30.1 innings in seven appearances (five starts) with New York this season.

Lovelady notched a save Sunday against the Brewers, allowing no runs on one hit and no walks in two-thirds of an inning. He struck out one.

Lovelady was brought in for matchup-related reasons Sunday in his first save opportunity of the year. The southpaw faced a pair of left-handed hitters in Jake Bauers and Garrett Mitchell, retiring Mitchell before striking out Brandon Lockridge for the final out. Since coming over from the Mets via trade, Lovelady has a 1.29 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 7:5 K:BB over seven innings for Washington.

Littell (1-4) earned the win Sunday against the Brewers, allowing one run on one hit and one walk in 3.2 innings. He struck out one.

Working behind opener PJ Poulin on Sunday, Littell quietly gave the Nationals one of his better performances of 2026 in long relief. It was just the right-hander's second appearance of the year with fewer than three runs allowed, and he kept the ball in the yard for just the second time in seven outings this season. Littell still has a rough 7.24 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 17:12 K:BB over 32.1 innings, so fantasy managers can likely find more appealing streaming options.

Henderson (0-1) took the loss Sunday against the Nationals, allowing two runs on three hits and zero walks in six innings. He struck out eight.

Henderson hardly deserved the loss Sunday, throwing 56 of his 76 pitches for strikes in a quality start. It was somewhat surprising to see the right-hander get pulled with a fairly low pitch count, but it was just his second major-league start of 2026 after he worked as a swingman for Triple-Nashville earlier this year. Henderson is set to see at least a handful of turns in Milwaukee's rotation due to Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) being on the injured list, next lining up for a tough test versus the Yankees.

Paddack (0-5) took the loss Sunday against the Phillies, allowing seven runs on six hits and three walks in 2.2 innings. He struck out one.

The Phillies ambushed Paddack on Sunday, throttling the hurler for six runs in the opening frame. The right-hander remains with just one quality start in 2026, and he's been unable to get through five innings in his other six outings. Still winless on the season, Paddack won't be a recommended fantasy option when he takes a 7.63 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 27:10 over 30.2 frames into his next scheduled outing versus the division-rival Nationals.

Luzardo (3-3) earned the win Sunday against the Marlins, allowing two runs on eight hits and no walks in 6.1 innings. He struck out 10.

The hard-throwing left-hander worked aggressively Sunday, tallying double-digit strikeouts for the second time this year while throwing 66 of his 102 pitches for strikes. Although the eight hits allowed were his second most of the year, Luzardo also registered an impressive 16 whiffs on the afternoon. He's been inconsistent overall in 2026, as evidenced by a 5.09 ERA and 1.28 WHIP over 40.2 frames, but Luzardo is set to carry a stellar 51:9 K:BB into a favorable home matchup versus the Rockies his next time out.

Iglesias (shoulder) is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Iglesias has been sidelined since being placed on the 15-day IL on April 21 with right shoulder inflammation, but manager Walt Weiss said following Sunday's 11-6 win over the Rockies that he expects the closer to join Atlanta's major-league squad on the road Tuesday in Seattle. The right-hander appears to be set to return to action after the minimum 15 days on the injured list while also not having to go on a minor-league rehab assignment. Iglesias will likely immediately push Robert Suarez back into a set-up role upon his activation.

Ashcraft took a no-decision Sunday against the Reds, allowing no runs on four hits and two walks in 7.2 innings. He struck out six.

Sunday was the longest start of Ashcraft's career, and he worked very efficiently while tossing 82 pitches. The right-hander has been consistent for the Pirates and fantasy managers alike thus far, pitching at least five innings while giving up two runs or fewer in six of his seven starts. Ashcraft will bring a strong 3.02 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 45:14 K:BB over 41.2 frames into his next scheduled appearance versus the Giants.

Burns took a no-decision Sunday against the Pirates, allowing no runs on three hits and one walk in seven innings. He struck out seven.

The hard-throwing right-hander turned in arguably his strongest showing of the campaign so far. Burns generated an impressive 18 whiffs and scattered three singles Sunday, spinning a season-high seven innings during his third scoreless start of the year. He'll take an outstanding 2.20 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 46:13 K:BB over 41 frames into his next start, which is slated to come against the Astros.