Bubba Chandler’s call-up to Pittsburgh signals the Pirates are leaning into youth with a high-upside starter who can annually touch triple digits. His major-league debut window comes with a soft Friday matchup against Colorado, but fantasy managers should temper expectations given recent rough stretch in the minors. A deeper, rosters-up perspective points to keeping an eye on his development and keeping a spot warm for a potential breakout late in the season.

Meanwhile, Nolan McLean’s Mets debut is a reminder that the pipeline of young arms is real. McLean impressed in his first big-league outing, while Chandler offers elite upside if he can command his stuff. On the Yankees side, Ben Rice and Jose Caballero have been surging, adding a useful multi-position angle and sprint-speed threat to a lineup that’s heating up. Brooks Lee and Owen Casey are also drawing attention as mid-late-season risers with real multi-positional upside for dynasty and deep-league managers.

Across the league, the wave of call-ups includes Jameson Taillon’s return’s impact in Chicago and Luis Hill’s return in New York, with Hill showing strikeout upside in a supportive Yankees environment. The waiver-wire landscape remains dynamic, with matchups driving the best streaming options—Colorado, Atlanta, Boston, and Washington stand out for the immediate weeks left in fantasy ball.

As the MLB season approaches its second month, recent performances have sparked debate among fantasy baseball enthusiasts. Sandy Alcantara, once a beacon of reliability, is struggling with an 8.31 ERA, raising concerns about his command, as he averages nearly six walks per nine innings. Despite his talent, many analysts suggest benching him for his next start against the White Sox, citing his recent inconsistency. Meanwhile, the Yankees and Red Sox are making headlines with explosive offensive displays, each scoring over 15 runs in their recent games. Ben Rice of the Yankees remains a key player despite concerns about his playing time, while the Red Sox's Willie Abreu is starting to garner significant attention for his impressive stats and consistent performance. In pitching news, the promotion of Noah Cameron and Chase Petty has intrigued fantasy players, but they are not must-adds yet. Other players like Jacob deGrom and Carlos Rodón are regaining their form, showcasing potential for a strong season ahead.

Ben Rice's stellar performance this season showcases his improved contact skills, with 36 batted balls and 10 barrels, positioning him as a key asset for the Yankees, particularly with Giancarlo Stanton sidelined. Meanwhile, Pete Alonso continues to dominate at the plate with a slugging percentage of .673, backed by a strong expected slugging of .753, indicating even more potential. As the weather improves, both players are likely to elevate their stats further, making them essential picks for fantasy managers.

Injuries are impacting many teams, leading to a crowded waiver wire in fantasy baseball. A recent episode highlights ten must-add players to bolster rosters. Jacob Wilson of the Athletics, currently just 17% owned, is having an impressive start with a .351 batting average, two home runs, and a solid OPS of .919, showing potential to be a game-changer. Ben Rice of the Yankees, with a 28% ownership, is also on fire, hitting .320 with significant power numbers, but with some caution advised due to past inconsistencies. Shawn Murphy from the Braves, who’s recovering from an injury, could provide valuable catcher production if he regains form. Byron Buxton remains a high-risk, high-reward player at 40% ownership, while TJ Friedl of the Reds seems to be undervalued at 36% ownership, showcasing a promising start this season.