The New York Yankees announced that they optioned right-handed pitching prospect Elmer Rodriguez to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre following Tuesday's game against the Texas Rangers. In his second major-league start on Tuesday night against the Rangers, Rodriguez, the team's No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, picked up a no-decision by allowing three earned runs on six hits while walking four and striking out two in 4 2/3 innings of work in the Bronx. The 22-year-old Puerto Rican also faced the Rangers in his MLB debut on April 29, taking the loss while giving up two earned runs while walking four, and striking out three in four frames. Through his first two starts with the Yankees, Rodriguez has a 5.19 ERA and 2.08 WHIP in 8 2/3 innings. He will head back to the farm to work on his control with left-hander Carlos Rodon (elbow) expected to come off the 15-day injured list soon to make his 2026 season debut. Rodriguez should be back up in the big leagues at some point later this year, and he's one of the better young pitching stashes in deeper fantasy leagues.

Cincinnati Reds right-handed closer Emilio Pagan (hamstring) will have imaging on Wednesday morning, but he will go on the 15-day injured list, according to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic. Pagan threw just one pitch before injuring his left hamstring in Tuesday's game against the Chicago Cubs, and he had to be carted off the field. It's not the first time this year that Pagan has dealt with an injury to the same hamstring, but this time it's much worse. It's unclear exactly what his timetable for a return will be, but fantasy managers should expect a lengthy absence. The 34-year-old veteran has six saves in his 14 relief appearances for the Reds this year, but it hasn't been pretty otherwise, as he came into Tuesday's game with a 6.43 ERA (5.86 FIP) and 1.43 WHIP with 11 strikeouts and six walks in 14 innings pitched. Right-hander Tony Santillan will most likely be the favorite for saves in Cincy moving forward, making him a priority waiver-wire addition for fantasy managers in search of saves. Graham Ashcraft could also be involved. Santillan is currently rostered in 19% of Yahoo leagues.

Cincinnati Reds closer Emilio Pagan (hamstring) was carted off from his team's game against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night after one pitch and was clutching his left hamstring, according to Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Wittenmeyer notes that Pagan has been dealing with tightness in the hamstring this season but has avoided a trip to the injured list to this point. Entering play on Tuesday, Pagan had pitched to a 6.43 ERA and 1.43 WHIP with 11 strikeouts, six saves, and three blown saves across 14 innings in 2026. He may have been in danger of losing the ninth-inning role in Cincinnati for performance reasons anyway, but it seems as though Pagan could now miss time due to injury. If Pagan does end up on the injured list, Reds right-handers Tony Santillan and Graham Ashcraft could be the favorites to assume the closer role in Cincinnati.

Houston Astros closer Josh Hader (biceps) threw a scoreless inning with a walk and a strikeout in his rehab appearance with Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday. The 32-year-old is on the 60-day injured list due to a biceps injury, which means he is not eligible to make his return to Houston until late May. Still, it's a positive sign that Hader is taking steps in his progression back to the big leagues. Hader was dominant for the Astros in 2025, pitching to a 2.05 ERA and 0.85 WHIP with 76 strikeouts and 28 saves across 52 2/3 innings. Houston has struggled to fill the closer role in Hader's absence, with right-hander Enyel De Los Santos currently leading the team with three saves. Upon his return, Hader should immediately re-assume the ninth-inning role for the Astros.