If you somehow managed to escape this week without putting any of your guys on the IL, consider yourself lucky.  In fact, perhaps it’s your week to play the lottery.  I mean, what a week.  We hope you find some names on our waiver wire list that can help.  Most importantly, don’t give up and continue to play aggressive as keeping dead spots in your lineups usually is not the best move.

Enjoy the list and please click on the baseball card to visit our partner amazon.com to explore additional information on each player.

Nick Anderson, RP, MIA (CBS: 4% owned)

In 9 2/3 IP Anderson is sporting a 20/2 K/BB ratio. Toss in the fact that the Marlins bullpen is in a state of flux, with no clear cut closer emerging thus far and Anderson should have your attention.

Michael Chavis, 3B, BOS (CBS: 20% owned)

The on-going knee problems suffered by Dustin Pedroia, combined with an Eduardo Nunez back sprain has moved up the arrival date for Michael Chavis. The power is certainly intriguing, but with only a handful of games at second base is he ready for the rigors of the middle-infield?  We’ll find out in short order as he’s starting today. Could Chavis be the spark that the Red Sox need to get them going?

Hunter Dozier, 1B/3B, KC (CBS: 40% owned)

The nine extra-base hits, of which five went deep, are some impressive. The 11 walks are equally as impressive. It’s time to get the Dozier that hasn’t fallen asleep at the wheel rostered.

Danny Duffy, SP, KC (CBS: 10% owned)

In what was probably his one and only rehab start, Duffy allowed four hits and one unearned run while striking out seven, over 5 1/3 innings for Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Saturday.  He appears to be on track to make his debut this coming weekend against the anemic Angels offense.

Steven Duggar, OF, SF (CBS: 8% owned)

Duggar is off to a solid start, with three homers and 11 RBI, hitting at the top-of-the-order for the Giants. The four walks and 29 strikeouts in his first 86 at-bats is a bit concerning, but his Minor League history (.377 OBP over four years in the Minors) suggests that better days are ahead.

Avisail Garcia, OF, TAM (CBS: 31% owned)

Avi is heating up. In his past five games he has three homers and 6 RBI and with Austin Meadows hitting the 10-day IL with a right thumb sprain, should have no problems in securing regular at-bats in the immediate future.

Mitch Garver, C, MIN (CBS: 37% owned)

Two two-homer games and 14-for-33 at the dish in the first three weeks of the season is some impressive? Is it sustainable? Of course not, but at a 37% ownership level, there are a lot of teams that could use him in a second catcher role and taking advantage of that hot start.

Howie Kendrick, 2B, WAS (CBS: 10% owned)

Brian Dozier heading into today’s action is batting a paltry .169 in 59 at-bats. Howie Kendrick has been tearing it up and now has three homers and is sporting a .458 BA in 24 at-bats. Someone is about to get a serious boost in his playing time.

Jordan Lyles, SP, PIT (CBS: 40% owned)

We mentioned Lyles last week when he was 17% owned. With another successful start under his belt, it’s now or never time to get onboard the Lyles train.

Renato Nunez, 3B, BAL (13% owned)

Nunez has been flexing his muscles and is now up to five homers on the young season. He’s also the O’s leader with 16 RBI.  The four walks in his first 79 at-bats indicate a correction is going to occur in the .304 BA, but the power is definitely real.

Hector Neris, RP, PHI (CBS: 24% owned)

Hector Neris is definitely proof that what goes around, comes around. In 2017 he led the Phillies with 26 saves. He struggled badly in 2018 but looks to have regained his form this season. He’s now up to nine consecutive scoreless outings and with a pair of saves in the past week looks to have secured the ninth inning role in Philadelphia. David Robertson might not get his closer job back when he returns from the Grade 1 flexor strain.

Alex Reyes, RP/SP, STL (CBS: 32% owned)

Remember when the plan was to have Alex Reyes working out of the bullpen at Triple-A Memphis? That plan has changed, no doubt as a result of the struggles of Dakota Hudson. They’re currently stretching out Reyes and if the three shutout innings of one hit, one walk, and four strikeout ball tossed yesterday is any indication, we could see a return to the Cards rotation in relatively short order.

Mike Soroka, SP, ATL (CBS: 46% owned)

In the course of one week, Touki Toussaint played himself into and out of a job in the Braves rotation. Soroka’s last outing, a solid effort against the DBacks, puts him back in the mix. The SP merry-go-round in Atlanta keeps going around.

Cole Tucker, SS, PIT (CBS: 6% owned)

The collision between Erik Gonzalez and Starling Marte has sent both to the IL, with Gonzalez suffering a broken collar bone that will sideline him for the next several months. In a surprising move, the Pirates have turned to top-prospect Cole Tucker to fill the void. The two-run homer, his first MLB hit, will endear him to the Pittsburgh faithful, but it’s that huge speed potential that will endear him to us Fantasy folk. In 2017 he swiped 47 bases. In 2018 he stole 35 bases. In 2019 he had five stolen bases in 59 at-bats. If you want to procure his services, be prepared to dig deep into your FAAB budget this week.

Five Under 5%

Oscar Mercado, OF, CLE (CBS: 3% owned)

Greg Allen is 2-for-32 with no stolen bases and 11 strikeouts. Oscar Mercado is sporting a .435 OBP at Triple-A Columbus in 52 at-bats with seven stolen bases. It’s only a matter of time.

Roman Quinn, OF, PHI (CBS: 3% owned)

In the words of the great Manfred Mann, “You’ll see nothing like the mighty Quinn”

Mike Shawaryn, SP, BOS (CBS: 1% owned)

Here’s one for those playing in Dynasty formats. Nathan Eovaldi has hit the 10-day IL with loose bodies in his right elbow and has no defined timetable for a return. Surgery could well be the option. This brings us to Mike Shawaryn. The 24-year old righty is sporting a 3.12 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 17 1/3 IP at Triple-A Pawtucket and will see time in Boston at some point in 2019. A cheap early investment is in order.

Mike Tauchman, OF, NYY (CBS: 2% owned)

When you lose Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Hicks, and now Aaron Judge to injury, there has to be an opportunity for someone. That someone is Mike Tauchman, and he has been up to the challenge smacking homers in three-of-his-past five games.

Nick Wittgren, RP, CLE (CBS: 1% owned)

Since getting called up on April 9, Wittgren has appeared in five games and is yet to allow a run. In those 7 IP, he’s allowed only two hits and struck out nine. This past week he converted a two-inning save against the Mariners and is quickly gaining the trust of the Cleveland hierarchy.