Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe did his best to help his team against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies at PNC Park on Friday, but it was not enough in a 10-inning, 11-9 loss. Lowe went 2-for-5 at the plate with two home runs, three RBI, and two strikeouts to raise his season average to .252 and his OPS to .915. Lowe now has four home runs in 12 games in May and 12 home runs overall in 39 games to begin his first year in the Steel City with the Bucs. The veteran left-handed-hitting second baseman came into Friday's series opener with a .247/.351/.527 slash line, an .878 OPS, 28 RBI, and 24 runs scored in 171 total plate appearances. The two-time All-Star reached the 30-homer mark for the second time in 2025 in his final year with the Tampa Bay Rays, and he's on pace to get there again in 2026 if he can stay healthy. Lowe brings above-average pop to the second base position for fantasy managers, but he also has a lengthy injury history. So far, he's been an excellent value pick for fantasy managers.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder/designated hitter Kyle Schwarber is on another planet right now. The veteran slugger went 3-for-5 at the plate in Friday night's 11-9 win in extra innings over the hosting Pittsburgh Pirates with two more home runs, five RBI, a walk, and a strikeout to raise his season average to .237 and his OPS to 1.010. The 33-year-old veteran is as hot as they come and now has the major-league lead with 20 home runs and has also driven in 35 in his first 45 games of the 2026 season. Schwarber is seeing the ball really well right now and has homered nine times in his last eight games despite hitting just .237 overall on the year. Strikeouts will continue to be a big part of his game, but as long as he continues to send balls over the fence with regularity, his fantasy managers won't care too much. In his last seven games, he has a 1.133 slugging percentage, and he pulls the ball in the air more than any hitter in baseball. He's a sight to behold right now.

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (oblique) is being shut down for a week, according to Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times. Raleigh's MRI exam came back better than the previous one, which is obviously good news, but he will be re-evaluated in another week. The 29-year-old left-handed slugger was placed on the 10-day injured list on Thursday with an oblique strain, but it sounds like he could miss minimal time. It's the best-case scenario for Raleigh and his fantasy managers. Until he's able to return, the M's will mix and match behind the plate with veteran Mitch Garver and Jhonny Pereda. On top of his injury, Raleigh's start to the 2026 has been a rough one, as he is currently slashing a dreadful .161/.243/.317 with a .560 OPS, seven home runs, 18 RBI, 16 runs scored, and two stolen bases in his first 41 games played. It's not what his fantasy managers were expecting at all after Raleigh destroyed baseballs last year and led the league with 60 home runs and 125 RBI in 159 games played in the regular season. Despite the terrible start in his sixth year in the majors, Raleigh must be stashed in all fantasy leagues.

San Francisco Giants outfielder Heliot Ramos (quadriceps) was pulled from Friday's game early against the Athletics on the road with right-quadriceps tightness, according to the team. Before leaving the game early, Ramos went 1-for-3 at the plate with a strikeout. He was replaced in left field by infielder Casey Schmitt. Ramos apparently injured his quad in the sixth inning during a swing and was replaced in the outfield the next half inning. For now, fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day, but don't be surprised if he's held out of the starting nine for Game 2 of the series in Sacramento against the A's on Saturday. If Ramos' injury is serious enough to send him to the injured list, Drew Gilbert would likely be the primary beneficiary in San Fran's outfield going forward. The 26-year-old Puerto Rican outfielder came into Friday's contest hitting .265/.306/.426 with a .732 OPS, four home runs, 20 RBI, and 19 runs scored in 43 games played for the Gigantes.