25 seconds agoMinnesota Twins infielder/outfielder
Willi Castro (oblique) remains sidelined on Saturday due to his oblique injury. The utility man has been kept out of the starting nine since exiting Wednesday's game early. Fantasy managers should continue to keep an eye on his status leading up to Sunday's game. Before his injury, Castro held a .227/.292/.364 slash line with six doubles and one home run. He has generated a modest .286 xwOBA, .235 xBA, and a .340 xSLG, which are all slightly below the average marks of qualified hitters. With the 27-year-old sitting out, prospect
Luke Keaschall will get another opportunity and start at the keystone, while
Jonah Bride will cover the hot corner. The Twins are not worth targeting in DFS facing Atlanta left-hander
Chris Sale.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
11 mins agoNew York Yankees catcher
Austin Wells (illness) will start behind the dish and bat third on Saturday afternoon when the Yankees continue a series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Wells was unable to suit up Friday evening due to food poisoning. However, this illness was quite minor as Wells will make a quick return to the starting nine just a day later. Wells has been in a bit of a slump over his last nine contests. During this stretch, the 25-year-old has held a .185/.214/.407 slash line with one double and one home run. However, over the first seven games of the campaign, Wells hit two long balls and held a strong .833 OPS. This evening, he will face Tampa Bay right-hander
Shane Baz. Baz enters this game holding a stellar 1.42 ERA, and fantasy managers should avoid targeting Wells in DFS.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
20 mins agoCleveland Guardians shortstop
Gabriel Arias and outfielder
Lane Thomas are not in the starting lineup on Saturday afternoon when they continue a series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Arias has been in the starting nine in each of the last seven contests. During this stretch, he has posted a stellar .385/.429/.769 slash line with three long balls and eight RBI. Thomas has been in a bit of a slump. Over his last eight contests, the 29-year-old held a .154/.179/.192 slash line with just one extra-base hit. Fantasy managers should expect Arias and Thomas to both rejoin the starting lineup on Sunday. As a result,
Brayan Rocchio and
Angel Martinez will enter the starting nine and cover shortstop and center field, respectively. Neither player is worth targeting in DFS facing Pittsburgh ace
Paul Skenes.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
33 mins agoTexas Rangers infielder
Josh Smith (thumb) is returning to the starting lineup on Saturday afternoon when they continue a series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Smith has been held out of the starting lineup in each of the previous four contests due to a bruised thumb. However, Smith has been cleared for action and is slated to bat third and cover first base on Saturday afternoon. Before his minor injury, the 27-year-old was enjoying an impressive start to the campaign with a .342/.432/.500 slash line with three doubles and a home run. He also flashed speed upside as he swiped three bags and held an 11:6 K:BB. Last summer, Smith held a .258/.337/.394 line with 13 long balls and 11 stolen bases. Smith remains a solid depth option in all formats. He is worth a look in DFS as well, facing Dodger right-hander
Roki Sasaki, who enters Saturday with a 3.29 ERA.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
46 mins agoThe Chicago White Sox have placed left-handed pitcher
Martin Perez (elbow) on the 15-day injured list due to left elbow inflammation. The 34-year-old exited Friday's contest due to soreness and will now miss at least the next two weeks of action. Before exiting, the southpaw struggled against the Boston Red Sox as he allowed five hits, four runs, and two walks in just three innings of work. However, over his first three starts of the campaign, Perez looked quite sharp as he tossed 17 innings to the tune of an impressive 1.59 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP. He struck out 18 batters and served up nine free passes. In a corresponding move, the White Sox promoted
Jared Shuster from Triple-A Charlotte to provide depth on their pitching staff. Shuster could contend for starting opportunities while Perez is sidelined.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Chicago White Sox
56 mins agoThe Colorado Rockies have recalled outfielder
Jordan Beck from Triple-A Albuquerque. In a corresponding move, the Rockies officially placed outfielder
Brenton Doyle on the bereavement roster effective April 17. Beck was able to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster but was later optioned to Triple-A after he struggled during the early part of the campaign. Through nine games this season, the 24-year-old posted a disappointing .150/.261/.150 slash line with just three total hits (all singles). He generated a low .193 xwOBA with a .122 xBA, which were both well below the average marks. Beck carried these struggles into Triple-A as he held a .143/.189/.286 line with one triple and one home run across nine contests. Beck is starting in left field on Saturday afternoon and could find a part-time role in the outfield while Doyle remains sidelined.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Colorado Rockies
1 hour agoColorado Rockies infielder
Ezequiel Tovar (hip) was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a left hip contusion. This transaction was retroactive to April 16. Through the first 16 games of the season, Tovar has posted a .212/.257/.303 slash line with four doubles, one triple, and two stolen bases through the first 16 games of the regular season. The 23-year-old has been held out of the starting lineup since Wednesday and was considered day-to-day. However, with Tovar now on the injured list, fantasy managers should expect him to miss at least the next week of action. In a corresponding move, the Rockies promoted infielder
Aaron Schunk to the major league roster. He will also get the starting nod on Sunday and bat in the nine hole. While Tovar is out, Schunk and
Kyle Farmer should share time at shortstop.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 hour agoBoston Red Sox infielder
Vaughn Grissom has been swinging a hot bat at Triple-A. On Friday, Grissom went 5-for-6 with four doubles and one home run. Over his last eight contests, Grissom has posted a .441/.486/.735 slash line with seven doubles and a 9:2 K:BB. Through the first 16 contests of the Triple-A campaign, Grissom has held a stellar .359/.414/.609 line with seven doubles, three round-trippers, and one stolen base. Grissom was competing for a spot on the major league roster during spring training but fell short in the competition. However, given his strong start to the Triple-A regular season, the 24-year-old could be in the mix to return to the major leagues. Across 31 games with Boston last summer, Grissom held a modest .190/.246/.219 line with three doubles. He is worth monitoring in deeper formats for the time being.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
1
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Jordan
Walker
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catcher
Pedro
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2 hours agoThe Arizona Diamondbacks have placed left-handed pitcher
A.J. Puk (elbow) on the 15-day injured list due to left elbow inflammation. The 29-year-old last appeared in a contest on April 17 and did not show any signs of an injury. Through his first eight innings of the campaign, Puk has posted a 3.38 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP. He has tallied four saves, two holds, and held a 12:2 K:BB. Puk has typically alternated save opportunities with right-hander
Justin Martinez. However, with Puk hitting the injured list, fantasy managers should expect Martinez to be the clear top ninth-inning option in the desert. In addition, this will likely open eighth-inning duties for
Shelby Miller and
Jalen Beeks. Both relievers are viable targets in deeper formats that reward holds.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Arizona Diamondbacks
2 hours agoPhiladelphia Phillies outfielder
Brandon Marsh (knee) remains out of the starting lineup on Saturday, when the Phillies continue a series against the Miami Marlins. Marsh suffered this knee injury on Wednesday. Initially, this injury was not viewed as serious, but it appears Marsh could hit the injured list if he remains sidelined. Fantasy managers should monitor his status leading up to Sunday's contest. Through the first 15 games of the campaign, Marsh tallied just one hit (a single) and held a 12:7 K:BB. Under the hood, he generated a low .259 xwOBA with a .287 xSLG. With Marsh sitting out again,
Johan Rojas will get the starting nod in center field. Rojas is worth a look as a value play in DFS facing Miami right-hander
Cal Quantrill, who enters Saturday carrying a 5.79 ERA.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 hours agoBaltimore Orioles first baseman
Ryan Mountcastle is not in the starting nine on Saturday afternoon when the Orioles continue a series against the Cincinnati Reds. Mountcastle has been in the starting lineup in each of the past seven contests. During this stretch, he has held a modest .167/.200/.333 line. He will get a chance to recover and will likely rejoin the lineup on Sunday. Instead, the Orioles will give
Ryan O'Hearn the starting nod at first base. He will bat in the cleanup spot. Mountcastle has held an overall .242/.227/.339 slash line. However, he has generated an elite 55.3 percent hard-hit, which suggests he should see positive regression. O'Hearn is not worth targeting in DFS this afternoon as he will face Cincinnati ace,
Hunter Greene.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 hours agoTampa Bay Rays outfield prospect
Chandler Simpson is batting leadoff in his MLB debut on Saturday afternoon against the New York Yankees. Simpson will cover center field and face New York right-hander
Carlos Carrasco. The Rays promoted Simpson from Triple-A Durham before Friday's contest. Simpson carries elite speed upside. Last summer in the minor leagues, the 24-year-old swiped an impressive 104 bags across 110 contests between High-A and Double-A. He made his Triple-A debut this season and needed only 17 games to prove he was ready for the majors. In his brief stint with the Durham Bulls, Simpson posted a .301/.325/.329 slash line with eight stolen bases. Simpson should be viewed as a must-start option in category formats given his elite speed. However, he does not carry any power upside.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 hours agoDetroit Tigers right-handed pitcher
John Brebbia (triceps) was placed on the 15-day injured list due to a right triceps strain. In a corresponding move, the Tigers promoted left-handed pitcher
Bailey Horn from Triple-A Toledo. Brebbia has enjoyed a strong start to the campaign. Pitching out of the bullpen, the right-hander has logged nine innings to the tune of a 1.00 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP. He has held a 9:5 K:BB and allowed just three total hits. The Tigers have typically deployed Brebbia in the eighth and ninth innings in high-leverage situations. With Brebbia sidelined, fantasy managers should expect
Tommy Kahnle to continue to operate as the go-to option for saves while
Will Vest and
Tyler Holton operate as the setup options.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Detroit Tigers
2 hours agoSeattle Mariners outfielder
Julio Rodriguez will get his first day off the season on Saturday afternoon when the Mariners continue a series against the Toronto Blue Jays. Rodriguez has gone just 1-for-16 over his last four contests with a 20.0 percent strikeout rate. Fantasy managers should expect the star outfielder to return to the starting nine on Sunday. Through the first 20 games of the campaign, the former top prospect has held an underwhelming .179/.304/.359 slash line with three home runs. However, a look under the hood suggests Rodriguez should see significant positive regression throughout the season. He has generated a strong .352 xwOBA with a 93.7 mph average exit velocity and a 75.3 mph bat speed, which are all well above the average marks. With Rodriguez sitting out,
Luke Raley will cover center field, and
Miles Mastrobuoni will enter the starting nine. The Mariners are a viable stack in DFS facing Toronto right-hander
Jose Berrios.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 hours agoESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Houston Texans have re-signed former Kansas City Chiefs tight end
Irv Smith Jr. to a one-year contract. The financial details have not been disclosed. Smith Jr., a former second-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2019, came into the league with much excitement surrounding him. However, he could never get it going as many injuries hampered his playing time early on. The last time he saw in-game action was back in 2023, and he's only played one full season in his six years in the league. Currently, he'll compete with teammates
Brevin Jordan and
Cade Stover for playing time behind the incumbent starter,
Dalton Schultz. Besides deep dynasty formats, Smith Jr. can likely be left off fantasy rosters.
--Alex CiullaSource: Adam Schefter
2 hours agoThe Miami Marlins have promoted left-handed pitcher
Pat Monteverde to the major league roster prior to Saturday's contest against the Philadelphia Phillies. In a corresponding move, the Marlins optioned right-handed pitcher
George Soriano to Triple-A Jacksonville. Monteverde has yet to appear in an MLB contest. Through the start of the Triple-A regular season, Monteverde has logged nine 1/3 innings to the tune of a 4.82 ERA and a strong 1.07 WHIP. He has struck out six batters and served up four walks. Last season, the southpaw spent most of the season with Jacksonville and held a high 5.66 ERA with a 1.51 WHIP. Soriano has posted a 6.94 ERA through his first 10 innings of the season with Miami. Fantasy managers should expect Monteverde to operate in a low-leverage role in the Miami bullpen.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Miami Marlins
3 hours agoThe Kansas City Royals have optioned outfielder
MJ Melendez to Triple-A Omaha. This transaction opened a spot on the roster for
Mark Canha (hip), who was activated off the injured list in a corresponding move. Melendez has had a rough start to the campaign and will look to find his footing in the minor leagues. Through the first 16 contests, Melendez has posted a .085/.173/.170 slash line with just one double and one home run. He has held a low 5.8 percent walk rate and a high 38.5 percent strikeout rate, which placed him in the first percentile among qualified hitters. In addition, Melendez generated a weak .224 xwOBA. With Melendez heading to Triple-A, fantasy managers should expect
Jonathan India, Mark Canha, and
Drew Waters to share time in left field.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Kansas City Royals
3 hours agoThe Kansas City Royals have activated outfielder
Mark Canha (hip) from the injured list. In a corresponding move, the Royals optioned outfielder
MJ Melendez to Triple-A Omaha. Canha has been sidelined since April 9 due to a left abductor strain. Before the injury, Canha was swinging a hot bat in Kansas City, as he held a stellar .357/.471/.500 line with two doubles across the first seven games of the campaign. Under the hood, Canha generated a stellar .299 xBA, which suggests he could see stable production. Last season, the 36-year-old spent time with the Tigers and Giants and held a .242/.344/.346 line across 125 contests. With Melendez being sent to Triple-A, fantasy managers should expect Canha to have a consistent role in the starting nine, either seeing time in left field or at the DH spot.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Kansas City Royals
6 hours agoSan Diego Padres second baseman
Jake Cronenworth (ribs) is progressing well in his recovery and is optimistic that he could return to action earlier than expected. The infielder was placed on the 10-day injured list on April 11 due to a rib fracture. His initial timeline suggested he would miss at least 4-to-6 weeks. However, the infielder has begun taking groundballs and dry swings, which could open the door for an earlier return. Fantasy managers should continue to keep an eye on his progression as he slowly increases his workload. Before the injury, Cronenworth held a .257/.409/.486 slash line with two doubles and two home runs across 12 contests. He drew walks at an elite 18.2 percent rate. While the 31-year-old remains out,
Jose Iglesias should see most of the work at the keystone.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Kevin Acee
6 hours agoBoston Red Sox relief pitcher
Liam Hendriks (elbow) is expected to be activated off the 15-day injured list prior to Saturday's contest against the Chicago White Sox. Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com noted that
Hunter Dobbins is likely heading back to Triple-A in a corresponding move. Hendriks signed a two-year deal with the Red Sox before the 2024 campaign but has yet to make an appearance for them. He underwent Tommy John in 2023 and then hit the 15-day IL at the start of the 2205 campaign due to elbow inflammation. He has made three rehab appearances and fired three shutout frames. He has struck out five batters, served up two walks, and has allowed just one hit. Even though
Aroldis Chapman and
Justin Slaten have been the go-to options in the ninth inning, fantasy managers should expect Hendriks to see save situations throughout the campaign.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Chris Cotillo
6 hours agoSan Diego Padres outfielder
Jackson Merrill (hamstring) will likely not return to action next week. According to manager Mike Shildt, it is "a little aggressive" to expect the budding star back in the starting nine next week. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression, but it appears the former top prospect will have to wait at least another week before returning. Merrill was enjoying an impressive start to the campaign as he posted a .378/.415/.676 slash line across 10 contests. During this hot start, he tallied two doubles, hit three home runs, and swiped a bag. Before the injury, the Padres signed the 22-year-old to a massive nine-year extension, suggesting he will be the everyday center fielder in San Diego for the next decade. While he remains sidelined, fantasy managers should expect
Tyler Wade and
Connor Joe to share time in center field.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Kevin Acee
7 hours agoChicago White Sox starting pitcher
Martin Perez (forearm) is set to undergo an MRI on Saturday. The southpaw was lifted from Saturday's contest in the third inning after feeling soreness in his forearm. Before exiting the contest, Perez allowed five hits, two walks, and four earned runs. Despite his struggles on Friday, Perez was enjoying an impressive start to the young season. In his first three outings, the left-hander tossed 17 innings to the tune of a 1.59 ERA and an impressive 1.06 WHIP. He struck out 18 batters and served up nine walks. However, he already began to see some regression on Friday as he has generated a hefty 6.54 xERA and a .293 xBA. If the 34-year-old were to miss time, fantasy managers should expect the White Sox to promote a pitcher from Triple-A to fill his spot in the rotation.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Kyle Williams
7 hours agoSan Francisco Giants infielder
Casey Schmitt (oblique) is expected to be placed on the injured list. Schmitt sustained this injury in the batting cage shortly before Friday's contest against the Los Angeles Angels. He was a late scratch to the starting nine as well. Fantasy managers should monitor his status leading up to Saturday's contest in case he makes progress. Through the early part of the 2025 campaign, Schmitt has seen time at first base and the keystone. Through eight games, Schmitt posted a .174/.208/.261 slash line. However, under the hood, the 26-year-old should be in line to see some positive regression as he has generated a much higher .278 xBA with a stellar 21.4 percent barrel rate. If Schmitt were to hit the injured list, fantasy managers should expect
Wilmer Flores to see more time at first base and
Christian Koss to see more time at the keystone.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Susan Slusser
7 hours agoMinnesota Twins relief pitcher
Brock Stewart (hamstring) is expected to return to action on Sunday against the Atlanta Braves. Stewart has been on the 15-day injured list through the early part of the campaign with a hamstring injury. He suffered this injury during a spring training contest in March. Stewart has made two rehab outings with Low-A for Myers and is on the verge of returning to the major leagues. In his rehab appearances, Stewart tossed one 2/3 shutout innings while striking out five batters. Last summer, Stewart struggled in Minnesota, posting a 5.17 ERA with a 1.42 WHIP across 15 2/3 innings of work. However, in 2023, the right-hander was a dominant high-leverage arm as he held a near-perfect 0.65 ERA with a 1.08 WHIP. He could be a viable source for holds if he is given high-leverage opportunities.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Phil Miller
7 hours agoMinnesota Twins first baseman/second baseman
Luke Keaschall was busy in his MLB debut on Friday evening. At the plate, he went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI, and a stolen base. He also scored a run. Keaschall would tally his RBI in the second frame on a single that scored catcher
Ryan Jeffers. This was a promising debut for Keaschall, and this outing should keep him in the starting nine for the time being. Earlier in the season, Keaschall posted a strong .261/.379/.348 line across 14 games with Triple-A St. Paul. Keaschall would hit one double, one home run, and swiped four bags across this stint. Last season, the former second-round pick spent time with High-A and Double-A and held a cumulative .303/.420/.483 line. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should target Keaschall on the waiver wire this weekend.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
7 hours agoHouston Astros pitching prospect
Jose Fleury continued his strong start to the campaign on Friday. He tossed six 2/3 shutout innings en route to earning his second victory over Double-A Midland. He allowed just two hits, one walk, and struck out six. Over his first 17 1/3 innings (three starts), Fleury has not allowed a run and held an impressive 19:4 K:BB. Fleury has allowed just six hits over this stretch. This is an excellent sign for the 23-year-old as he struggled at times during his first taste of Double-A action last summer. Across 68 1/3 innings, Fleury held a modest 3.82 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP. Fantasy managers should expect Fleury to remain with Double-A through the first half of the campaign, but he should push for a taste of Triple-A later in the season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
8 hours agoAtlanta Braves pitching prospect
AJ Smith-Shawver tossed five 2/3 innings of three-run ball in his first start at Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday. While Smith-Shawver took the loss in this contest, he flashed high strikeout upside as he struck out eight batters. The top prospect in Atlanta was able to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster with
Spencer Strider (elbow) sidelined. However, with Strider back in action, Smith-Shawver was sent back to Triple-A to further his development. During his stint in the majors this season, he logged 13 2/3 innings to the tune of a 4.61 ERA with a 1.98 WHIP. He held a 17:8 K:BB and allowed two home runs. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Smith-Shawver's production at Triple-A as he could be in the mix to replace
Bryce Elder in the major league rotation.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
8 hours agoBoston Red Sox infield prospect
Marcelo Mayer went 2-for-7 with a home run and seven RBI during their contest against Triple-A Rochester on Friday evening. Mayer would tally most of his RBIs on a grand slam in the second frame. Through his first taste of Triple-A, Mayer has struggled to find consistency. Through the first 15 games of the campaign, the former fourth overall pick has held a modest .203/.239/.344 slash line with just 13 total hits and a 3:15 BB:K. However, Mayer has tallied at least one hit in three of his past four games and could be turning the corner. Last summer, the No. 11-ranked prospect in the sport spent most of his summer with Double-A and held an excellent .307/.370/.480 line across 77 games. While he got the call to Triple-A, he could not take the field due to injuries. Mayer should be in the mix for his MLB debut later this summer.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
8 hours agoLos Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect
Zyhir Hope went 2-for-4 with two home runs during their contest against High-A Great Lakes. Hope would hit his first home run against former No. 2 overall pick,
Chase Burns. Through his first 13 games at the High-A level, Hope has looked quite comfortable as he has posted a strong .363/.450/.706 slash line with four doubles and four home runs. He has swiped four bases, tallied 17 RBI, and scored nine runs. Last summer, the 20-year-old spent most of his time with Low-A. He began the campaign in the Rookie league but needed just seven games to earn the call to Low-A Rancho. At Low-A, the former 11th-round selection has posted a .287/.415/.490 slash line with 14 doubles and nine round-trippers. Hope is a budding star in the Dodger system but remains several seasons away from his MLB debut.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
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