5 days agoSan Francisco Giants outfielder
Jerar Encarnacion (hand) underwent successful surgery on Friday and is targeting a return to the lineup in eight weeks. Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay noted that while Encarnacion is sidelined, Wilmer Flores will likely operate as the primary designated hitter. Encarnacion suffered a fracture in his left hand earlier in camp. He was expected to serve as a top option at designated hitter at the start of the campaign. Last season, Encarnacion appeared in career-high 36 contests and posted a .248/.277/.425 slash line. However, under the hood, he generated an elite .275 xBA with a .501 xSLG, which suggests he should have positive regression when he returns to the lineup. For now, fantasy managers should expect Flores to be the primary DH in San Francisco.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Alex Pavlovic
5 days agoPittsburgh Pirates catcher/first baseman
Endy Rodriguez is not in the starting lineup on Saturday afternoon against the Miami Marlins. Rodriguez started the first two games of the season at first base. Instead, the Pirates will turn to
Jared Triolo to cover first base and will bat seventh. Across his first two games of the season, Rodriguez has gone 0-for-6 with a 2:4 BB:K. Fantasy managers should expect Rodriguez to return to the starting nine on Sunday afternoon, for the final game of the four-game set against the Marlins. Triolo held a .216/.296/.315 slash line across 125 MLB contests last season in Pittsburgh. He went deep 10 times and went deep nine times. Given his offensive inconsistencies, he is not worth targeting in DFS facing Miami right-hander
Valente Bellozo.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoCleveland Guardians second baseman
Gabriel Arias will take a seat on Saturday afternoon when the Guardians face the Kansas City Royals and right-handed pitcher
Seth Lugo. Arias got the nod at the keystone on Opening Day, facing a southpaw in
Cole Ragans. However, facing a right-hander, the Guardians will turn to left-handed bat
Daniel Schneemann on Saturday. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor this situation as the Guardians may keep Arias on the weak side of a platoon. Last season, Arias posted a .222/.255/.353 across 53 MLB contests. Last season, Schneemann made his MLB debut and held a .218/.303/.368 slash line across his first 73 MLB contests. Schneemann is best to fade in DFS facing Lugo, who held a strong 3.00 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP across 206 2/3 innings.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoPittsburgh Pirates outfielders
Andrew McCutchen and
Tommy Pham are not in Saturday's starting lineup. Instead,
Bryan Reynolds will serve as the designated hitter, which will open right field for
Jack Suwinski. With Pham sitting out, Ji-Hwan Bae will cover left field. Through the first two games of the season, McCutchen has gone 1-for-7 with a double, an RBI, and a walk. Pham has also had a modest output in the batter's box, going 1-for-8 at the plate. However, Pham has swiped a bag in each of the first two games and added a double. Last season, Suwinski posted a .182/.264/.324 slash line with nine home runs and nine stolen bases. Bae struggled across his brief 29-game stint in the majors last season, holding a .189 AVG. Neither player should be targeted in DFS facing Miami right-hander
Valente Bellozo.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoTampa Bay Rays first baseman
Curtis Mead is not in the starting nine on Saturday afternoon for the second game of their series against the Colorado Rockies. Mead got the nod in the series opener on Friday and even batted in the leadoff spot. Instead, facing right-handed pitcher
Antonio Senzatela, the Rays will opt to have
Jonathan Aranda cover first base and bat cleanup. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Mead's status as he may only be in the lineup against southpaws. In the opener, he went 0-for-4 at the plate with two strikeouts. Mead was able to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster thanks to his impressive performance during camp when he posted a stellar .524 AVG. Given his potential to have a limited role, Mead should only be rostered in deeper 15+ team formats.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoBaltimore Orioles first baseman
Ryan Mountcastle and outfielder
Tyler O'Neill will not play on Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays. Both players were in the starting lineup for their first two contests. Instead,
Ryan O'Hearn will cover first base and bat third, and
Heston Kjerstad will cover right field and bat sixth. Mountcastle has gone 1-for-9 with a double over his first two games. O'Neill has enjoyed an impressive start to his Baltimore tenure as he has gone 3-for-6 with a long ball and four RBI. O'Hearn enjoyed great success against right-handers last summer as he posted a .264/.338/.439 slash line with 15 home runs. Kjerstad has flashed elite upside at times at Triple-A but has yet to see it translate to the big leagues. O'Hearn is worth a look in DFS, but Kjerstad carries more risk given his lack of consistent production.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoThe Houston Texans are signing former Indianapolis Colts linebacker E.J. Speed to a one-year, $5 million deal on Saturday, sources tell FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. Speed will head to Houston after spending six seasons with the Colts. The 29-year-old former fifth-rounder (164th overall) in 2019 out of Tarleton State had a career year in 2024 in Indy, totaling 142 tackles (93 solo), seven tackles for loss, his first career interception and five passes defensed in 15 starts. Last year was the second straight season that Speed had 100-plus combined tackles, making him a staple in IDP fantasy leagues as he heads into his first year in Houston. Speed hasn't excelled in pass coverage, but he's proven to be a tackling machine and will be a notable addition to the middle of a Texans defense that was quite good overall last year.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
5 days agoBaltimore Orioles catcher
Gary Sanchez will make his Orioles debut on Saturday afternoon against the Toronto Blue Jays. Sanchez was riding pine during the opening two games of the series but will make his first start as an Oriole behind the dish. As a result,
Adley Rutschman will serve as the designated hitter. The Orioles signed Sanchez to a one-year $8.5 million contract in the winter. Last season, Sanchez appeared in 89 contests for the Milwaukee Brewers and posted a .220/.307/.392 slash line with seven doubles and 11 long balls. He generated a modest 10.5 percent barrel rate with a 44.5 percent hard-hit rate. Fantasy managers should expect Sanchez to continue to see a limited role in the Baltimore offense, operating as the No. 2 backstop. He should not be targeted in DFS this afternoon, facing
Max Scherzer, who will make his Toronto debut.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoColorado Rockies outfielder
Mickey Moniak is not in the starting lineup on Saturday afternoon. Instead,
Nick Martini will cover right field. The Rockies signed Moniak to a one-year contract worth $1.25 million earlier this week after he was released by the Angels. However, Moniak is still not ready to make his Colorado debut. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as he could eventually become the everyday option in right field over Martini. Last season, Moniak posted a .219/.266/.380 slash line with 17 doubles and 14 long balls. He generated a weak .289 xwOBA with a .221 xBA. However, he flashed solid upside on the basepaths as he placed in the 84th percentile in sprint speed. When he does return to the lineup, he could have value in deeper NL-only leagues.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoSan Francisco Giants outfielder
Mike Yastrzemski and first baseman
LaMonte Wade Jr. are not in the starting lineup on Saturday afternoon as the Giants will face left-handed pitcher
Nick Lodolo. Instead,
Luis Matos will enter the outfield and bat sixth, and
Wilmer Flores will shift to first base. This opens up the designated hitter spot for
Casey Schmitt. Yastrzemski did not see many opportunities against southpaws last season, either. Across 140 total games, Yastrzemski posted a .231/.302/.437 slash line with 16 doubles and 18 round-trippers. Wade also saw limited opportunities against southpaws last season but was productive in his limited stint, as he slashed a .324/.429/.412 line across 43 plate appearances. Both Flores and Matos are worth a look in DFS while facing Lodolo, who held a 4.76 ERA in 2024.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoKansas City Royals outfielder/first baseman
Hunter Renfroe is not in the starting lineup on Saturday afternoon. Instead,
MJ Melendez will shift to right field, which will open first base for
Cavan Biggio. On Opening Day, Renfroe went 0-for-4 at the plate with one strikeout. Last season, Renfroe appeared in 120 games for the Royals. Across this stint, Renfroe held a .229/.297/.392 slash line with 18 doubles and 15 round-trippers. He was an elite defender in right field as he placed in the 87th percentile in arm value and 91st percentile in arm strength. However, in the batter's box, he generated an underwhelming .291 xwOBA and .223 xBA, which placed him in the 18th and 13th percentile, respectively. Given his lack of consistent production, he should only be rostered in deeper AL-only formats.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoWashington Nationals second baseman
Luis Garcia Jr. is not in the starting lineup on Saturday as the Washington Nationals will face Philadelphia Phillies left-handed pitcher
Ranger Suarez. Instead,
Amed Rosario will get the starting nod at the keystone. Garcia was in the starting lineup on Opening Day when the Nationals faced a right-handed pitcher. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his deployment in the starting lineup, as he took a seat against left-handed pitchers last season as well. In 2024, Garcia appeared in a career-high 140 contests and posted a .282/.318/.444 slash line with 25 doubles and 18 home runs. Last summer, Garcia posted a modest .235/.300/.235 slash line against southpaws. Garcia will likely return to the starting nine on Sunday when the Phillies send
Aaron Nola to the mound.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoThe Buffalo Bills and cornerback Christian Benford reached an agreement on a four-year, $76 million contract extension on Saturday, according to Benford's management. Benford will stick around in Buffalo for another four years after Buffalo made him a sixth-round selection (185th overall) in the 2022 NFL draft out of Villanova. The 24-year-old defensive back has continued to improve in each of his first three seasons in the NFL, culminating in a strong performance in 2024 in which he had a career-high 64 tackles (50 solo), his first career sack, two interceptions, 10 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 15 regular-season starts. The Bills are hoping that Benford will continue to improve as a key member of their secondary for years to come. In his three NFL seasons, he has 142 tackles (110 solo), one sack, seven tackles for loss, five interceptions and 25 pass breakups in 39 games (34 starts).
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
5 days agoSan Francisco Giants outfielder
Heliot Ramos, who homered out of the fifth spot in the batting order on Opening Day on Thursday, is starting in left field and batting leadoff on Saturday against the Cincinnati Reds and left-hander
Nick Lodolo at Great American Ball Park. Left-handed hitters
Mike Yastrzemski and
LaMonte Wade Jr. will start on the bench for this one with a southpaw on the mound. In addition to Ramos' two-run homer against the Reds on Thursday, he struck out three times. The 25-year-old Puerto Rican will be an everyday outfielder for the Giants in 2025 after he made his first All-Star team in 2024 by slashing .269/.322/.469 with a .792 OPS, 22 home runs, 72 RBI, six stolen bases and 54 runs scored in 121 games in his first full MLB season. Ramos will certainly be in play in DFS lineups in the leadoff spot. He's gone hitless in just two career at-bats versus Lodolo.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoCincinnati Reds outfielder/corner infielder
Spencer Steer is out of the team's starting lineup on Saturday against the visiting San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park. Despite an off day on Friday, Steer will take a seat for Game 2 of the regular season following an 0-for-4 performance on Opening Day on Thursday in which he went down on strikes three times. The 27-year-old was dealing with a shoulder issue in spring training that limited him to just seven plate appearances in the Cactus League, so the Reds aren't going to push him early on in 2025. With Steer sitting against San Fran,
Jeimer Candelario will serve as the designated hitter for the Reds and
Santiago Espinal will start at third base against Giants veteran right-hander
Justin Verlander. Candelario and Espinal have a combined 14 career at-bats against Verlander, and they've both taken him deep once.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoDetroit Tigers second baseman
Gleyber Torres (rib) said that he's had some rib pain over the last few days and felt more sore than normal on Friday, especially on his home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers, which was an unusual swing on a pitch way inside, according to MLive's Evan Woodbery. Torres tried to play through the discomfort for a few innings on Friday night at Dodger Stadium for a few innings before deciding to call it a day on Day 2 of the regular season. He said he's already feeling much better after a round of post-game treatment, although it remains to be seen if he'll be back in the starting lineup on Saturday. It sounds like the 28-year-old's injury isn't all that serious, but fantasy managers will want to check to make sure Torres is playing this evening. If he misses some time, Zack McKinstry,
Colt Keith and
Andy Ibanez are all candidates to play second base.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLive - Evan Woodbery
5 days agoSt. Louis Cardinals outfielder
Lars Nootbaar is starting in left field and is back in the leadoff spot for the team's second game of the season on Saturday against the visiting Minnesota Twins and right-hander
Joe Ryan at Busch Stadium. As a result, shortstop
Masyn Winn will hit ninth for the second game in a row to begin the season. Nootbaar will see a notable boost in fantasy value if he sticks atop St. Louis' batting order in 2025 against right-handed pitchers. The 27-year-old got a good start on Opening Day on Thursday by going 2-for-4 with a two-run home run to help beat the Twins, and he'll hope to keep it going this weekend. Although he has only faced Ryan three times in his career, he has taken him deep once and driven in two runs. Nootbaar has struggled to stay on the field since 2023 due to injuries, but if he can stay healthy in 2025, a breakout campaign could be coming.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoLos Angeles Angels infielder
Yoan Moncada (thumb) is making his season debut for the Angels at third base and is batting fifth on Saturday against his former team, the Chicago White Sox, and right-hander
Jonathan Cannon at Rate Field. The Cuban switch-hitter has never faced Cannon in his MLB career. The 29-year-old was held out of the team's Opening Day loss on Thursday in Chicago due to a minor thumb injury that was bothering him at the end of spring training, but after an off day on Thursday, Moncada is feeling good enough to give it a go. He should see most of the starts at third base for the Halos moving forward, but Moncada is mostly just a fantasy option in AL-only leagues and isn't guaranteed consistent playing time if he scuffles early on. Moncada did hit 25 home runs back in 2019, but he's struggled to stay healthy and hasn't played over 100 games in a season since 2022.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoThe Tampa Bay Rays placed outfielder
Josh Lowe (oblique) on the 10-day injured list on Saturday with a right-oblique strain and recalled outfielder
Jake Mangum from Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move, according to the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin. Lowe strained his oblique on a single up the middle in the team's Opening Day win over the visiting Colorado Rockies on Friday and will probably not be ready to return from the IL when he's eligible. The 27-year-old is worth stashing in fantasy leagues where he's rostered while he heals, mainly for his stolen base prowess while he's healthy, but this is another reminder that in addition to a strikeout rate that spiked at 31.8 percent in 2024, Lowe's durability at the major-league level has been a big issue. Rookie
Kameron Misner, who hit a walk-off homer on Friday for his first career long ball, is likely to start in right field in Tampa in Lowe's absence.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
5 days agoNew York Yankees outfielder/designated hitter
Giancarlo Stanton (calf, elbows), who is dealing with torn tendons in both of his elbows, has resumed hitting indoors following several rounds of platelet-rich plasma treatments, according to manager Aaron Boone. "It's been a good couple of weeks," Boone said. It's good news and a step in the right direction for the 35-year-old veteran right-handed slugger, but Boone also said this week that Stanton still has a ways to go. The Yankees have yet to give any kind of specific timetable for when Stanton might be able to make his 2025 debut, either, so those that have been stashing the power hitter have to continue to sit tight and hope he continues to make progress with his rehab. The oft-injured slugger can still be a big boost to your team's power numbers, but we have no idea when he'll return for the Yankees. In the meantime,
Ben Rice should benefit against right-handers.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
5 days agoBrooklyn Nets guard
D'Angelo Russell (ankle) won't play on Saturday against Washington. The veteran had only five points in 18 minutes in Friday's loss to the Clippers. With that in mind, the Nets can't earn a Play-In berth, so Russell along with
Nicolas Claxton (rest), who also suit up, and
Cameron Johnson could see less work for the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign. As a result,
Keon Johnson should handle things at the one, with
Reece Beekman also in line for more work.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
5 days agoNew York Yankees first baseman
Paul Goldschmidt is starting at first base and batting leadoff for the team's second game of the regular season on Saturday at Yankee Stadium against the Milwaukee Brewers and left-hander
Nestor Cortes. Catcher
Austin Wells was the team's leadoff hitter on Opening Day against Milwaukee on Thursday, but Goldy will sit atop the order on Saturday with a lefty on the mound. Outfielder
Jasson Dominguez is at designated hitter, which will push the lefty-hitting
Ben Rice to the bench with a southpaw starting. Goldschmidt went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts on Opening Day in his Yankees debut. The 37-year-old veteran has shown obvious signs of decline as a hitter the last few seasons before coming to the Bronx, although there is bounce-back potential with the Yankees, and hitting leadoff against lefties will help. Goldy has one hit in four career at-bats against Cortes.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoBrooklyn Nets center
Nicolas Claxton (rest) won't play in Saturday's game against Washington. He logged only 19 minutes in Friday's loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, finishing with six points, five rebounds, and two blocks. But with the Nets unable to earn a Play-In berth, Claxton could see less work for the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign.
Day'Ron Sharpe (knee) is also out, meaning
Trendon Watford could find himself in the middle on Saturday night.
Drew Timme, who had a double-double in the first appearance of his career on Friday night, should also see some action.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
5
days
agoMemphis
Grizzlies
guard
Ja
Morant
(hamstring)
remains
questionable
heading
into
Saturday's
matchup
with
the
Los
Angeles
Lakers
after
missing
the
last
six
games
because
of
a
hamstring
strain.
However,
on
a
wider
scale,
with
the
team
relieving
Taylor
Jenkins
of
his
head
coaching
duties,
read more...
5 days agoPittsburgh Pirates closer
David Bednar recorded the save in Friday's 4-3 win over the Marlins, although it wasn't a clean one. In a 4-1 game in the ninth, the 30-year-old walked the first batter he faced, then gave up a two-run home run on the very next pitch before eventually getting the next three batters out (one strikeout). It was the righty's second appearance of the season, with the first coming on Thursday when he came on in a tie ballgame only to surrender two hits, a walk (no strikeouts), and a run, taking the loss in the contest. Bednar had been on shaky ground as it was after posting a 5.77 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and seven blown saves that cost him the closer role late last year, so we'll see if another reliever is given the next opportunity. The Pirates don't have another great closer option waiting in the wings, however, so Bednar's job may be safe for now.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
5 days agoSan Diego Padres second baseman
Jake Cronenworth went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Friday's 4-3 win over the Braves. The home run was his first of the season and couldn't have come at a better time, as the solo shot broke a 3-3 tie in the eighth and would eventually prove to be the game-winner. Cronenworth came in second in NL Rookie of the Year voting back in 2020 and earned All-Star nods the next two seasons, but from 2022-24, he's owned a .237/.323/.387 slash line with a .312 wOBA and 103 wRC+. We'll see if he gets back to the earlier version of himself this season. The 31-year-old still makes good contact, registering a career 85.6 percent Contact%, so another double-digit home run, 70-plus RBI, 70-runs scored campaign should at least be in store.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
5 days agoAthletics designated hitter
Brent Rooker went 2-for-5 with a home run, two RBI, and one run scored in Friday's 7-0 win over the Mariners. The home run was his first of the young season after smacking 39 of them in 2024. The former All-Star belted 30 HR in 2023 as well, but hit only .246, so last season's improved .293 average helped earn him a 2024 Silver Slugger award. Rooker and the A's will take on
Bryce Miller and the Mariners again on Saturday, a pitcher who the right-handed slugger is 2-for-8 off of in his career with three strikeouts.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
5 days agoAthletics starting pitcher
Jeffrey Springs was stellar in his first start of 2025, tossing six shutout innings in Friday's 7-0 victory over the Mariners. The lefty allowed just three hits and one walk while striking out nine batters en route to picking up the win. Springs underwent Tommy John surgery in 2023 after just three starts, and finally returned late last season, compiling seven starts down the stretch for the Rays with a 3.27 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and an 11:37 BB:K over 33 innings pitched. The 31-year-old owns a strong career 21.9 percent K-BB% as a starter and a 10.12 K/9. The southpaw will be a popular waiver wire addition, and rightfully so; he should be rostered in most leagues. His next start lines up with Chicago at home next Wednesday.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
5 days agoChicago Cubs outfield prospect
Owen Caissie (groin) went 1-for-3 with a solo shot during their victory over Triple-A Omaha. Caissie was on a slower ramp-up program during camp after undergoing offseason core-muscle surgery. He was experiencing groin tightness and was in danger of missing the start of the Triple-A season. However, the No. 3 prospect in the Chicago system covered right field and batted in the two-hole in the season opener. He launched a 426-foot solo blast in the seventh inning. Last season, Caissie spent the entire campaign with Triple-A Iowa. Across 127 contests, the former second-round pick posted a .278/.375/.472 slash line with 29 doubles and 19 long balls. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his production at Triple-A, as he should be in the mix for a promotion early in the 2025 season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
5 days agoDetroit Tigers catcher
Dillon Dingler went 2-for-5 with a triple and a solo home run, collecting three RBI and scoring once in Friday's 8-5 loss to the Dodgers. The home run was a 410-foot blast that came in a two-strike count off of starter
Yoshinobu Yamamoto that put the Tigers up 1-0 at that point in the game. The 6-foot-1 backstop hit at least 12 home runs or more in four consecutive seasons in the minors, but managed just one last year for the Tigers in 84 at-bats, so it's good to see him get the first one of 2025 out of the way early. The 26-year-old will split catching duties with veteran
Jake Rogers, and whoever draws the start Saturday will have a tough task ahead of them with pitching phenom
Roki Sasaki set to take the hill for Los Angeles.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
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