MLB Player News

Simpson went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Wednesday's 6-2 loss to the Cubs.

Simpson has hit safely in 11 of 12 games so far this season, and he's been in the starting lineup for every game after being on the bench Opening Day. He's bounced around the lineup but has seemingly settled into the No. 5 hole over the last three games, though he could hit lower in the lineup if he gets consistent time against southpaws. So far, he's earned the starting job in left field, batting .391 with five stolen bases, one triple, one RBI and five runs scored over 49 plate appearances. He hasn't hit a home run in his career, so he's purely a speed option in fantasy. Simpson stole 44 bases on 56 attempts as a rookie in 2025.

Uceta's (shoulder) minor-league rehab assignment is expected to transfer to Triple-A Durham next week, per MLB.com.

The Rays are planning for Uceta to make more than just a couple of rehab appearances in order to simulate spring training. The right-hander, who's working his way back from a right shoulder impingement that cropped up in February, had his first outing with Double-A Montgomery on Tuesday and is set for two more appearances there before moving up to the Triple-A level. The hope initially was that Uceta would have a chance to join Tampa Bay in mid-April and battle for save opportunities, but now it sounds like his season debut is likelier to come later in the month.

DeLuca went 1-for-3 with a stolen base and a run scored in Wednesday's 6-2 loss to the Cubs.

DeLuca notched his first steal of the season on his second attempt. He's been in a short-side platoon role to begin the campaign, going 6-for-21 (.286) with one home run, four RBI, five runs scored and a double over nine contests. DeLuca provides depth around the outfield for the Rays, though he could push Cedric Mullins, who is batting .122 through 11 games, for playing time in center field.

Brito started at second base and went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 10-2 win over the Royals.

Brito made a second straight start at second base and logged two hits in each contest. He's getting a chance with Gabriel Arias (hamstring) sidelined for 4-to-8 weeks. Brayan Rocchio, who moved from second to cover shortstop for Arias, is hitting just .216 over 13 games. If Brito maintains the hot bat, he could replace Rocchio as starter when Arias returns.

Julien went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, two RBI and a walk Wednesday against the Astros.

Julien served as Colorado's leadoff hitter for the third consecutive game. He's performed well in that span, going 5-for-12 with four RBI and three runs scored. Julien began the season as a part-time player, though his strong performance could earn him additional playing time, at least the short term.

Boyle (0-1) took the loss versus the Cubs on Wednesday, allowing six runs (five earned) on four hits and three walks while striking out three over 4.1 innings.

Boyle was in trouble right from the start as Nico Hoerner led off the game with a home run. More trouble arose in the fifth inning, though Boyle was let down by his defense as the Cubs cobbled together a five-run rally before Jesse Scholtens came on for a long-relief assignment. This was the worst of Boyle's three outings so far this season, and he's now at a 5.17 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 16:6 K:BB through 15.2 innings. He's walked three batters in back-to-back starts, so he'll need to display better control to get the rest of his numbers to improve. Boyle is not certain to get another turn through the rotation, as team off days Thursday and Monday could allow the Rays to get by with a four-man rotation until Ryan Pepiot (hip) is ready to make his season debut.

Wheeler (shoulder) struck out six over 4.1 innings in his third rehab start Wednesday for Triple-A Lehigh Valley, allowing one run on three hits and one walk.

The All-Star right-hander built up to 61 pitches Wednesday, although it was fairly discouraging to see his fastball velocity average 92.9 mph after it averaged 96.1 mph last year. It remains to be seen if Wheeler will be able to regain the form he displayed before last year's venous thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, but he'll make at least one more rehab appearance to try and tune up before the Phillies consider reinstating him from the injured list, per Todd Zolecki of MLB.com.

Rea (1-0) allowed one run on two hits, two walks and a hit-by-pitch while striking out two over five innings to earn the win over the Rays on Wednesday.

Rea had worked in long relief for his first two outings of the season, allowing three runs on eight hits and a walk over 6.1 innings. The right-hander has started at least 22 games in three straight seasons, so it shouldn't take him long to adjust, though it's unclear if he'll be the Cubs' long-term solution at the back of the rotation. He threw 51 of 79 pitches for strikes in this outing. Rea doesn't have great strikeout rates in his career, though he has a 10:3 K:BB through 11.1 innings so far this season. Assuming he remains in the rotation for another turn, he's tentatively lined up for a tough road start versus the Phillies.

Torres went 2-for-5 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's 8-6 loss to the Twins.

Torres tallied his second two-hit effort of the season as he put together a strong fantasy performance. The veteran infielder is batting only .227, but he has a strong .393 on-base percentage due to his good eye at the plate. Torres has a 21.4 percent walk rate so far this year, which would easily represent a career high. His ability to get on base gives him plenty of run-scoring potential moving forward.

Goodman went 1-for-2 with a solo home run, two walks, a stolen base and three runs scored Wednesday against the Astros.

Goodman reached base three times for the second time this season, with the highlight being a solo home run in the fourth inning. He's had a slow start to the 2026 campaign, with the long ball being only his third extra-base hit and second homer across 49 plate appearances. Goodman is also striking out at a 34.7 percent clip, though he has scored nine runs across 12 contests.