Brayan Bello, SP, BOS (CBS: 42% rostered, ESPN: 7% rostered)
The rehab program has concluded, and Bello will be returning next week, probably facing off against the Mariners early in the week. The fastball velocity was tracking on his rehab assignment in the mid-nineties, but he struggled with control. I’d probably let him knock the rust off on the bench, but wouldn’t shy away from acquiring him this week.
Osvaldo Bido, SP, ATH (CBS: 22% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered)
Osvaldo Bido is scheduled to go up against Patrick Corbin and Davis Martin this coming week. That would seem to be two favorable matchups, especially with Bido sporting a 2.87 ERA over his last three starts. Let’s hope for better success this coming week, as Taijuan Walker clearly didn’t get it done last week.
Caleb Durbin, 2B, MIL (CBS: 24% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered)
Oliver Dunn couldn’t get it done, so the Brewers have called upon former Yankee Caleb Durbin to man the hot corner. He brings a little pop, good wheels, stolen base potential, and a great hit tool. He has the potential to be a very good player and one that we should be prepared to dig a bit deeper into our FAAB spending this week.
Logan Henderson, SP, MIL (CBS: 9% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered)
Let’s turn Logan Henderson over to Rich for his always stellar analysis. “Logan Henderson was the Brewers’ fourth-round pick in 2021. He missed the season’s first month with an oblique injury but had a strong season once he started pitching. The fastball has taken a tick up and is now sitting 93 to 94 (T 95) with a bit more spin and ride through the zone. His change-up is a money pitch. It has unusual movement, and hitters do not pick up the pitch well. He also throws a cutter and slider, with the cutter being the better option.
Most importantly, he pounded the strike zone, and if he continues to do that, he could be a number three or four starter. I wish he were taller (5-foot-10), as that could prove to make him homer-prone as he continues to play against better competition.”
Austin Hays, OF, CIN (CBS: 30% rostered, ESPN: 7% rostered)
Austin Hays got off to a late start this year, spending time on the IL while dealing with a left calf strain. He was activated on April 15 and has been in the five games since, going 8-for-22 with three homers and seven RBI. He’s making up for lost time in a hurry.
Cade Horton, SP, CHC (CBS: 16% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered)
Justin Steele is lost for the year, having undergone UCL revision surgery on his left elbow. There is a need for an everyday starter on the Cubs, and it’s not a question of if Cade Horton arrives, but simply when he arrives. He worked five innings for the first time this year in his last start. The clock is ticking!
Heston Kjerstad, OF, BAL (CBS: 35% rostered, ESPN: 4% rostered)
Kjerstad has gone 6-for-19 with three home runs and eight RBI over his past seven outings and looks to be at the worst, sharing the good side of a platoon. With Colton Cowser tentatively looking at a late-May/early June return from the broken left thumb, Kjerstad should have no problems finding a steady diet of short-term at-bats in which to boost his power numbers.
Lance McCullers, SP, HOU (CBS: 14% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered)
McCullers is in the process of wrapping up his Minor League rehab and is scheduled to return by the end of April. There is no doubt about the stuff; it has always been great. His health, as evidenced by his last start occurring in 2022, has been far from great. Tread carefully, but still tread.
Connor Norby, 3B, MIA (CBS: 40% rostered, ESPN: 9% rostered)
Norby hit nine homers last year in 178 at-bats. He was activated on Thursday, and with 20+ home run potential, the Marlins have sorely missed his bat in the everyday lineup.
Tirso Ornelas, OF, SDP (CBS: 3% rostered, ESPN: not rostered)
Ornelas was very quietly doing what he does down on the farm, amassing 13 walks in his first 79 PA with 17 runs scored, a homerun, and seven RBI. Jason Heyward was placed on the 10-day IL with left knee inflammation, giving Ornelas a window to demonstrate he’s ready to contribute at the big-league level. He’s best left for NL-only and deeper 20-team mixed formats.
Quinn Priester, SP, MIL (CBS: 23% rostered, ESPN: 2% rostered)
The Brewers desperately need arms and have turned to one-time Pirate and Red Sox, Quinn Priester. He shut down the Tigers on one hit over five innings in gaining his first victory of the 2025 campaign. So far, so good, but be very cognizant of the fact that walking five batters in his first 10 innings pitched is not a recipe for long-term success.
Edgar Quero, C, CWS (CBS: 9% rostered, ESPN: 1% rostered)
The future at catcher, or at least 50% of it, has arrived in Chicago. Catchers, especially 22-year-old catchers, have a lot on their plates, but this kid can hit and should be around for the long haul. If you’re currently rostering a weak #2 type in two-catcher sets, he should prove to be an upgrade right out of the gate.
Chandler Simpson, OF, TBR (CBS: 37% rostered, ESPN: 13% rostered)
“Rays manager Kevin Cash said Tuesday that DeLuca (shoulder) is likely to miss 2-to-4 weeks” “Manager Kevin Cash indicated earlier Friday that Simpson will play regularly while with the big club.” The only options currently on the roster who can play in centerfield are Jose Caballero, who bats right and hasn’t played a single game in CF this year, and Christopher Morel, who isn’t a CF. Richie Palacios has no timeline for a return. Josh Lowe is supposedly heading out on a rehab assignment and might be an option in a couple weeks assuming all goes well.
Based on all the above, I think Simpson has two to four weeks to prove he can hit at the big league level. If he can, he’ll put an easy 60 stolen bases in the bank over the balance of 2025—and quite possibly more. I saw him last Fall, and as I’ve mentioned numerous times, the only player I’ve personally seen with that level of speed is a young Billy Hamilton. Go get him!
Alex Verdugo, OF, ATL (CBS: 5% rostered, ESPN: 3% rostered)
Desperate times require desperate measures, and that phrase fits the Braves’ fate early in 2025. Yesterday, Verdugo went 4-for-5, hitting in the leadoff spot, and that performance should guarantee at-bats until, at the very least, Ronald Acuna is ready to return and maybe longer. Jarred Kelenic, the Braves’ everyday right fielder, is struggling and currently sporting a dreadful .170 BA.
Gage Workman, 3B, CHC (CBS: 1% rostered, ESPN: not rostered)
Matt Shaw struggled badly and was sent to Triple-A Iowa to get his mechanics in order, and the Cubs turned to Gage Workman to hold down the fort. The speed potential is intriguing, as he stole 30 bases twice on his road to Wrigley. A small bid is in order.
The Closer Report
Liam Hendriks, BOS (CBS:16% rostered, ESPN: 6% rostered)
The rehab is done and the Red Sox activated Liam Hendriks today. He’s not moving into the ninth inning right away, as Aroldis Chapman is more than getting the job done, but he will be working the 8’th inning readying himself for future save opportunities down the road.
