April 27, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder
Victor Scott II is not in the starting lineup on Sunday as the Milwaukee Brewers send out veteran left-hander
Jose Quintana in the series' finale. While Scott sits,
Brendan Donovan,
Lars Nootbaar, and
Jordan Walker will occupy the three spots in the outfield. Scott has gone 9-for-33 with two walks, four stolen bases, six runs scored, and three RBI over his last 10 games and is now slashing .264/.323/.379 on the season. Scott remains a viable outfielder in deeper league formats. Next up for Scott and the Cardinals is a four-game series on the road in Cincinnati to take on the Reds.
--Nicho Roessler - RotoBallerSource: St. Louis Cardinals
April 27, 2025
New York Mets relief pitcher
A.J. Minter has been placed on the 15-Day IL with a left lat strain. Minter was removed in the eighth inning of Saturday's 2-0 loss to the Nationals due to what was initially reported as left triceps tightness. After further evaluation, testing revealed a left lat strain, and the left-hander will now be shut down from throwing for the short term. The Mets selected
Jose Urena's contract from Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move. Minter was second on the team in holds with seven on the season, and in the meantime,
Danny Young and
Huascar Brazoban are the most likely candidates to see an uptick in their relief work leading up to closer
Edwin Diaz.
--Nicho Roessler - RotoBallerSource: New York Mets
April 27, 2025
Minnesota Twins outfielder
Byron Buxton is sitting on Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels with right-hander
Jose Soriano toeing the rubber for the Angels. Buxton has been productive lately, with three home runs, six RBIs, and a stolen base in the last seven days. On the season, he is now slashing .237/.269/.505 with six home runs, 22 runs scored, and 15 RBI with six stolen bases. This figures to be a planned off day for Buxton, as the Twins go for the sweep on Sunday. Filling in for Buxton will be
DaShawn Keirsey Jr. in left field, as
Harrison Bader shifts over to center field. Next up for Buxton and the Twins will be a four-game series against the Cleveland Guardians on the road.
--Nicho Roessler - RotoBallerSource: Minnesota Twins
April 27, 2025
Cincinnati Reds' second baseman
Matt McLain will take a seat on Sunday against the Colorado Rockies, with right-hander
Ryan Feltner starting for the Rockies. McLain has had a tough week, going 1-for-22 with 11 strikeouts. It was disappointing for fantasy managers to see McLain's production level this week, as the Reds had a smash spot for their hitters with a weekend series in Coors. This is an opportunity for McLain to reset after a tough week. In the meantime,
Gavin Lux will play second base and
Noelvi Marte will play third base, with
Jeimer Candelario occupying the designated hitter spot in the lineup. Next up for the Reds is a seven-game home stand against the St. Louis Cardinals and the Washington Nationals.
--Nicho Roessler - RotoBallerSource: Cincinnati Reds
April 27, 2025
According to New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone, relief pitcher
Luke Weaver will get most of the Yankees' save opportunities moving forward. Boone didn't rule out using Weaver earlier in games in a prominent spot and then leaning on other relievers in the ninth, though. This news broke shortly after Boone announced that
Devin Williams has been removed from the closer role for now. Williams has been struggling mightily in 2025, with an 11.25 ERA in 10 appearances. On the other hand, Weaver has not allowed an earned run in 13 innings pitched. Weaver immediately gets a short-term fantasy boost in both points and category leagues. It's still unclear what the plan will be in a month or two, but for now, Weaver will be used in closing situations, or at the very least, the highest leverage opportunities. He is a must-add in all formats that value saves and relief pitching.
--Nicho Roessler - RotoBallerSource: Max Goodman
April 27, 2025
Boston Red Sox outfielder
Wilyer Abreu (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Cleveland Guardians. This appears to be a rest day for Abreu who smacked a three-run home run during Saturday's contest. He has been off to an excellent start to the season, so this is a well-deserved rest day for Abreu. In his absence,
Rob Refsnyder will cover right field and bat fifth versus left-hander Logan Allen. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups accordingly with Abreu on the bench.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
April 27, 2025
New York Yankees starting pitcher
Luis Gil (lat) has started his throwing program on Sunday. This is a good step forward for Gil who is working his way back from a high-level lat strain that he suffered during spring training. The right-hander is going to need to build up his stamina before he begins a minor league rehab assignment. That being said, Gil still appears to be at least a month or so away from returning to the Yankees rotation. Fantasy managers might have to wait until around June before getting anything from Gil.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Meredith Marakovits
April 27, 2025
Los Angeles Angels first baseman
Nolan Schanuel (knee) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Minnesota Twins. This comes as little surprise after Schanuel was removed from Saturday's game after fouling a ball off his knee. The team hasn't placed him on the injured list, but the Angels are likely waiting to do anything until the testing comes back. For now, fantasy managers should consider Schanuel as day-to-day.
J.D. Davis will take over at first base and bat seventh versus right-hander
Joe Ryan on Sunday. Fantasy managers will need to check back for another update on Schanuel.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
April 27, 2025
New York Yankees relief pitcher
Devin Williams has been removed from the closer role for now, according to manager Aaron Boone. This news comes a few days after Williams blew a three-run lead to the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday. The Yankees had to make this move given nothing is going right for Williams right now. He holds a 11.25 ERA, allowing 12 hits, 10 earned runs, and has walked seven batters in 10 games. It's best for the Yankees to pull him from the closer role and give him low-leverage situations to build up his confidence. The Yankees haven't named another closer, but the assumption is that
Luke Weaver will be the favorite right now. Fantasy managers looking for bullpen help might want to snag Weaver before it's too late. As for Williams, fantasy managers should hold him for now as he'll hopefully return to the closer role after getting back on track.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Michael Kay
April 27, 2025
New York Mets infielder
Jeff McNeil (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Washington Nationals. McNeil recently returned from the injured list on Friday and went 2-for-7 during the first two games of this series. However, McNeil will take a seat here with left-hander
Mitchell Parker on the mound for the Nats.
Luisangel Acuna will take over at second base and bat eighth versus Parker in this one. Acuna is more of a deep league option right now and isn't an ideal streaming option against Parker who has been strong to start the year.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
April 27, 2025
New York Mets catcher
Francisco Alvarez is on the bench ahead of Sunday's game against the Washington Nationals. Alvarez started the first two games of this series after being activated off the injured list on Friday. In those two games, Alvarez has gone 2-for-8 with a home run and two RBI. His power ability alone makes Alvarez worth a look in 12-team formats. It's not always easy to find a productive option at catcher, but Alvarez has plenty of potential with the bat. On Sunday,
Luis Torrens will cover behind the plate and bat seventh against left-hander
Mitchell Parker.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
April 27, 2025
Detroit Tigers infielder
Colt Keith is out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Baltimore Orioles. Keith has been in a slump lately with just three hits in his last 10 games. That being said, Keith finds himself on the bench for the fourth time in the last five games. The Tigers were hopeful for big things from Keith heading into the season. He figured to operate as the primary option at first base, but
Spencer Torkelson is playing much better than Keith right now. Keith has solid potential, but is probably only worth holding in deep leagues or AL-only formats right now. Torkelson will cover first base and bat fifth versus right-hander
Dean Kremer on Sunday.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
April 27, 2025
Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher
Cade Smith was called upon in the ninth inning of the first game of Saturday's doubleheader with the Boston Red Sox. Fellow relief pitcher
Emmanuel Clase (shoulder) has been banged up and struggled in the early part of the season. That being said, Smith has been given more chances in the ninth inning lately. On Saturday, Smith tossed a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one hit, one walk, and struck out a batter to earn his third save of the season. Smith figures to remain in the mix for saves throughout the season, so fantasy managers should keep an eye on him.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
April 27, 2025
Detroit Tigers relief pitcher
Will Vest was called upon in the eighth inning to hold a one-run lead against the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday. The right-hander struck out two batters over 1.1 scoreless innings to record his third save of the season. Vest has tossed an impressive 11 straight scoreless innings as he's looking like the best option in the Tigers bullpen right now. He holds a 0.75 ERA, 0.58 WHIP, and 14/4 K/BB ratio across 12 innings this season. Vest is worth snagging in fantasy formats where saves matter as he appears to be the top closer option right now.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
April 27, 2025
Cincinnati Reds closer
Emilio Pagan picked up his seventh save of the season on Saturday, securing the 6-4 victory over the Rockies. The righty struck out the first two batters he faced before allowing a walk and a double that would result in one run scored, but would get the final batter to strike out as well to end the game. The 33-year-old has filled in admirably as the Reds' closer this season, with Saturday being just the third time in 14 games that he's allowed a run to score, producing a 2.70 ERA, 0.53 WHIP, and a 2:14 BB:K (25.5 percent K-BB%).
Alexis Diaz pitched the eighth inning, so Pagan should be the closer so long as he remains effective.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
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