May 29, 2025
X-rays were negative on Atlanta Braves shortstop
Nick Allen (hand), according to David O'Brien of The Athletic. Braves fans held their breath after a pitch hit Allen's right knuckles, but it sounds like he avoided any broken bones. With that said, he could still miss time, especially given that he was removed from Thursday's game after being hit by the pitch. The 26-year-old has played solid defense in his first season with Atlanta, serving as their everyday shortstop with 46 appearances at the position. He owns a 68 wRC+ but has contributed six stolen bases and 9.8 dWAR.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: David O'Brien
May 29, 2025
Washington Nationals third base prospect
Brady House went 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBI, and two walks against Triple-A Columbus. House pounced on a first pitch fastball and drilled it for a 111 MPH home run in the bottom of the first inning. The 21-year-old displayed good discipline tonight as he drew two walks for the first time in a game since April 26. House has enjoyed a strong month of May with an .824 OPS and five homers. He should be expected to debut at some point in the summer and would make for an intriguing speculative add.
--Kyle McCarthySource: MiLB.com
May 29, 2025
Atlanta Braves right-handed pitcher
AJ Smith-Shawver (elbow) likely suffered a season-ending injury on Thursday, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman. The young hurler "heard his right elbow pop just moments after getting hit on the right heel by
Bryson Stott's line-drive comebacker," according to Bowman. Manager Brian Snitker was pessimistic about Smith-Shawver's status postgame, pointing out that "it doesn't look good." Atlanta has already placed him on the 15-day injured list, but he'll presumably miss the full season if testing confirms the severity of his injury. It would be a crushing end to a promising rookie campaign from the 22-year-old. The NL Rookie of the Year candidate owned a 3.55 FIP with 8.86 K/9 and 4.32 BB/9 through 41.2 innings (eight starts) this year.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Mark Bowman
May 29, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher
Zack Wheeler had his worst start of the season in Thursday's 9-3 loss to the Braves in Game 2 of a doubleheader. He allowed six runs on four hits and four walks with six strikeouts over 5 ⅓ innings. This is the second time this season that he has allowed at least five runs in a start, and also the second time he has walked at least three batters. Coincidentally, the first instance for both of those feats was also against the Braves on April 8. Something about the matchup does not play in Wheeler's favor, but he remains one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball. He'll carry a 2.96 ERA into his next start, which is lined up to be on the road in Toronto.
--Jeremy Heist - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May 29, 2025
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher
Chris Sale was excellent in Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader, striking out eight over six scoreless innings in a 9-3 win over the Phillies. He allowed two hits and three walks. After a bit of a rocky start to the season, the veteran hasn't allowed more than two runs in a start since April 13, which is a span of eight straight outings. He hasn't lost a step since winning the National League Cy Young Award last season, posting a 3.06 ERA with 86 strikeouts in 67 ⅔ innings in 2025. He'll look to keep things rolling in his next start, which is scheduled to be against the Diamondbacks.
--Jeremy Heist - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May 29, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher
Jordan Romano recorded his eighth save of the season in Thursday's 5-4 win over the Braves in Game 1 of a doubleheader. It wasn't a clean inning by any means, as he gave up one hit and walked three batters. He still managed to escape without giving up a run thanks to
Ozzie Albies getting caught stealing. The 32-year-old has been shaky of late but still effective overall since gaining more responsibility in Philadelphia's bullpen after
Jose Alvarado's 80-game suspension. Five of his eight saves have come since May 11, and there isn't much danger of him losing save chances with
Matt Strahm and
Orion Kerkering also struggling recently.
--Jeremy Heist - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May 29, 2025
Miami Marlins third baseman
Graham Pauley was optioned back to Triple-A on Thursday. With
Connor Norby back as the starting third baseman, there wasn't much opportunity for Pauley to get in the lineup. He only tallied 20 at-bats in the month of May. He'll head to the minors with a disappointing slash line of just .210/.261/.284, but could find himself in the majors again if the Marlins suffer more injuries.
--Jeremy Heist - RotoBallerSource: Isaac Azout
May 29, 2025
Los Angeles Angels outfielder
Matthew Lugo was optioned to Triple-A on Thursday. The move is in preparation for
Mike Trout to return to the team on Friday. He showed some promise in his brief time in the majors, hitting three home runs in 15 games, but ultimately will head to the minors with a .231/.250/.564 slash line. The 24-year-old didn't have much fantasy relevance anyway, especially after
Chris Taylor joined the team, which took any chance of regular playing time out of the equation.
--Jeremy Heist - RotoBallerSource: Jeff Fletcher
May 29, 2025
The Arizona Diamondbacks optioned right-handed reliever
Kevin Ginkel to Triple-A Reno on Thursday and selected the contract of right-hander
Jeff Brigham from Reno in a corresponding move. Ginkel has been a mainstay in Arizona's bullpen over the last few years, but he opened the 2025 season on the injured list with a shoulder injury and hasn't been the same key setup man since his return in late April. The 31-year-old veteran has allowed 14 earned runs on 14 hits (two home runs) with one save, seven walks and 15 strikeouts in his 10 innings of relief so far this year. Ginkel surrendered five runs to both the Dodgers on May 9 and the Pirates on Tuesday in two stunning losses for the club. The veteran reliever will probably be back in the desert sooner than later, but the D-backs are choosing to shake things up after having lost seven of their last eight games.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Arizona Republic - Nick Piecoro
May 29, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander
Ryan Burr (shoulder) received a cortisone injection to treat inflammation/impingement in his right shoulder, and he'll be shut down from throwing for a few days, according to Sportsnet's Arden Zwelling. Additionally, reliever
Nick Sandlin (lat) is scheduled to throw live batting practice in Dunedin on Friday. Burr experienced a setback with his right shoulder while on his minor-league rehab assignment on Monday, and now it's unclear when he might be able to rejoin the big-league bullpen. The 31-year-old veteran made six rehab appearances (one start) and had allowed five earned runs on six hits (one homer) while walking three and striking out 11 in seven innings at the rookie-level Florida Complex League and with Single-A Dunedin and Triple-A Buffalo. Burr tied a career-high with 34 appearances in Toronto last year and held a 4.13 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 47:12 K:BB in 32 2/3 frames.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Sportsnet.ca - Arden Zwelling
May 29, 2025
Chicago White Sox right-handed reliever
Miguel Castro (knee), who was recently acquired in a trade with the Houston Astros, will miss the rest of the season with a right-knee injury, a source told ESPN's Jesse Rogers. Castro injured his knee while covering first base on Wednesday against the New York Mets. It's unclear if the 31-year-old Dominican hurler will need surgery on his knee or if he'll have a chance to be ready for the start of the 2026 season next April. He only made six appearances out of the bullpen for the White Sox after the trade and allowed five earned runs on five hits (one homer) while walking five and striking out four. Castro appeared in a league-high 75 games with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2023 and held a 4.31 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP and career-high seven saves in 64 2/3 innings that year. He has a 4.24 ERA and 1.39 WHIP with 14 saves in 11 MLB seasons.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
May 29, 2025
Atlanta Braves outfielder
Stuart Fairchild (finger) was forced to exit early during Thursday's Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Philadelphia Phillies. He exited the contest after suffering a dislocated finger while sliding into second base on a steal attempt in the fourth inning. Despite that, Fairchild is reportedly available as a pinch-runner for the night cap of this doubleheader. It was initially believed that Fairchild suffered a broken finger, although it's still possible he'll land on the injured list with his dislocated digit. The 29-year-old has struggled with the bat in a bench role, as he's slashing .182/.250/.273 in 21 games with the Braves.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Justin Toscano
May 29, 2025
The Chicago Cubs have officially signed free-agent relief pitcher
Genesis Cabrera to an undisclosed major-league contract. Cabrera was designated for assignment by the New York Mets after posting a 3.52 ERA across six appearances. The Cubs are in desperate need of left-handed help out of the bullpen. It sounds like Cabrera will be available out of the Cubs bullpen as early as Friday. In a corresponding move, right-hander
Brooks Kriske was designated for assignment by the organization.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Patrick Mooney
May 29, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays catcher
Danny Jansen is absent from the starting lineup ahead of Thursday's game against the Houston Astros. This appears to be a routine rest day for Jansen who went 1-for-6 with a homer and two RBI during their previous series. He was starting to heat up with the bat, but has mostly put together a fairly disappointing 2025 campaign.
Matt Thaiss will start behind the plate and bat ninth against right-hander
Ryan Gusto. Neither hitter is worth rostering in most fantasy formats at the moment.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
May 29, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays catcher
Alejandro Kirk is back in the starting lineup ahead of Thursday's game against the Athletics. Kirk will make his way back into the lineup after receiving a rest day on Wednesday. He did come into Wednesday's game as a pinch-hitter, but went hitless in his lone at-bat. Now, Kirk will return behind the plate and bat in the cleanup spot against left-hander
Jacob Lopez. Fantasy managers can go ahead and get Kirk back in their lineup ahead of first pitch.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
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