Daily Fantasy Baseball News and Notes I First Pitch Podcast 5/5/26

Tarek Skubal’s season-ending elbow surgery has sent shockwaves through fantasy baseball, with the Tigers’ ace set to miss two to three months—possibly up to four—after undergoing a procedure to remove loose bodies from his elbow. This devastating blow not only derails Skubal’s Cy Young campaign but also devastates owners who drafted him in the first round. Meanwhile, rookie Ty Madden made a strong debut in relief, tossing five shutout innings with seven strikeouts, while Trevor McDonald delivered a dominant seven-inning performance with a 36% CSW, though his luck and lack of a deep arsenal suggest it may not be sustainable. On the transaction front, the Giants called up top prospect Bryce Eldridge and catcher Jesus Rodriguez, while the Red Sox activated Jackson Churio after a fractured hand, who immediately went four for four. Fantasy managers are advised to buy low on Jaron Duran, whose 244 BABIP is absurdly low for a player with elite exit velocities and 11% barrel rate. The episode also highlights key streaming options like Jamison Toney against the Reds and Luis Severino in Philadelphia, with strong hitter targets against struggling pitchers like Brian Baio and Elmer Rodriguez. With a full 15-game slate on Tuesday, the focus is on exploiting matchups, managing injuries, and capitalizing on short-term hot streaks. The episode underscores the volatility of fantasy baseball, where a single injury can reshape entire rosters.