Welcome back to another week of Rumor Roundup where we dive into all the recent talk, transactions, and trends from around the league balancing both fantasy baseball implications and real-world baseball analysis through the lens of a front office.
Injury Updates
The following players have started rehab assignments this week:
- RHP Zack Wheeler (PHI)
- LHP Sam Hentges (SF)
- INF Anthony Volpe (NYY)
- RHP Gerrit Cole (NYY)
The following players have been placed on the IL this week:
- OF Tyler O’Neill (BAL) — concussion
- OF Harrison Bader (SF) — left hamstring strain
- RHP Zach Pop (PHI) — right calf strain
- INF Jeremy Peña (HOU) — hamstring strain
- LHP Ken Waldichuk (WSH) — elbow tightness
- RHP Ben Casparius (LAD) — right shoulder inflammation
- RHP Tatsuya Imai (HOU) — arm fatigue
- RHP Nick Pivetta (SD) — right elbow inflammation
- C Gabriel Moreno (AZ) — left oblique strain
- OF Christian Yelich (MIL) — left groin strain
- RHP Daniel Palencia (CHC) — left oblique strain
- INF Jorge Polanco (NYM) — right wrist contusion
Finally, the following players have seen their IL status change this week:
- RHP Hunter Gaddis (CLE) — activated off IL
- RHP Reynaldo López (ATL) — activated off IL
- RHP Shane Bieber (TOR) — transferred to IL60
- RHP Johan Oviedo (BOS) — transferred to IL60
- RHP Ryan Pepiot (TB) — transferred to IL60
- LHP Josh Hander (HOU) — transferred to IL60
Recent Transactions
The following players have been DFA’d this week:
- RHP Luis García Jr. (NYM) — The 39-year-old posted a 7.11 ERA with just a 6% K-BB rate in 6.1 IP in 2026. The FIP (2.84) is surprisingly good and his pitch mix — notably the secondaries — can still rack up whiff%. He should find a new team soon.
- LHP Martín Pérez (ATL) — Perez has posted a 2.21 ERA through 20.1 IP to start the year. He’s back with the team after getting DFA’d, however.
- RHP J.P. France (HOU) — Frances owns an 8.10 ERA in 6.2 IP to start the year. More walks (5) than Ks (4).
Trades from the following week:
- White Sox trade INF Lenyn Sosa to Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for OF Jordan Rich and cash considerations — Sosa posted a wRC+ of 100 last year but has seen that mark drop off (49) to start 2026. He’ll provide a massive lineup boost for the Jays against LHPs (career .728 OPS vs. southpaws).
- Reds traded 1B Christian Encarnacion-Strand to the Orioles for cash considerations
Promotions/demotions:
- RHP George Klassen (LAA) optioned to Triple-A
- RHP Nick Sandlin (LAA) promoted to MLB
- OF Eloy Jiménez (TOR) joins MLB squad
- 1B Christian Encarnacion-Strand (BAL) optioned to Triple-A
- INF Ronny Mauricio (NYM) optioned to Triple-A
- OF Noelvi Marte (CIN) optioned to Triple-A
- 1B CJ Kayfus (CLE) optioned to Triple-A
- RHP Ryan Fernandez (STL) promoted to MLB
- LHP Cade Povich (BAL) optioned to Triple-A
- LHP Hunter Barco (PIT) optioned to Triple-A
- LHP Tyler Samaniego (BOS) optioned to Triple-A
Feature image by Michael Packard (@CollectingPack on Twitter) | Photos by Kyle Ross & /Icon Sportswire
