April 26, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher
Jesus Luzardo continued his strong start to the season during Saturday's outing against the Chicago Cubs. Luzardo threw four scoreless innings before an error would extend the inning and eventually give the Cubs two runs. Outside of that, Luzardo really didn't have many issues on the mound during this game. He tossed six innings, allowing two unearned runs, and striking out five batters in the win. He'll take a 1.73 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 41/10 K/BB ratio into his next start against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Luzardo has allowed two earned runs or less in five of his first six starts to begin the season.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
April 26, 2025
Chicago Cubs outfielder
Seiya Suzuki put together a nice day at the plate during Saturday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. He started off with a two-RBI single in the fifth inning. After that, Suzuki drove in another run with another single in the seventh inning. The 30-year-old went 2-for-4 with three RBI as he seemed to be the only source of offense considering the Cubs scored four total runs. Suzuki has registered six hits over his last three games. He's slashing .292/.361/.552 with six home runs and 23 RBI this season. Suzuki has proven to be a reliable option in the middle of the Cubs lineup.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
April 26, 2025
New York Mets relief pitcher
Edwin Diaz bounced back nicely on the mound during Saturday's game against the Washington Nationals. Diaz was forced to exit early on Wednesday due to a hip cramp, but had no lingering effects on the mound here. The right-hander took over on the mound with a two-run lead on Saturday. Diaz did walk a batter, but then he struck out the side to record his seventh save of the season. The right-hander has struck out multiple batters in six straight outings. During that span, Diaz has only allowed one earned run in 6 1/3 innings of work. He remains a must-have and must-start fantasy player in all formats.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
April 26, 2025
New York Mets starting pitcher
Clay Holmes had little issues on the mound during Saturday's start against the Washington Nationals. The right-hander didn't get too far into the game before it was sent into a delay. Despite that, Holmes still pitched extremely well in this game once the weather cleared up. He tossed five scoreless innings, allowing four hits, and striking out two batters in the win. Holmes only threw 70 pitches during this outing, but that was likely because of the delay. He'll take a 2.64 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 36/13 K/BB ratio into his next start against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Holmes has allowed two earned runs or less in every outing besides one this season. He should be rostered and started in most fantasy formats going forward.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
April 26, 2025
Los Angeles Angels first baseman
Nolan Schanuel (knee) was forced to exit early during Saturday's game against the Minnesota Twins. Yikes, Schanuel needed to be helped off the field after fouling a ball off his knee during Saturday's contest. The team is calling it a knee contusion, but the assumption is that Schanuel will undergo further testing to determine the severity of the issue. Fantasy managers should consider Schanuel as day-to-day until more information is revealed.
J.D. Davis took over at first base and could see more time over there if Schanuel is forced to miss time.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Jeff Fletcher
April 26, 2025
Houston Astros infielder/outfielder
Cam Smith is out of the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Kansas City Royals. The rookie slugger will get a breather here after going 0-for-2 during Friday's contest. The Astros are hopeful for big things from Smith, but he has started slowly out of the gate. He's slashing .219/.306/.391 with three homers and 10 RBI in 20 games this season.
Zach Dezenzo will take his place in right field and bat seventh versus right-hander
Michael Wacha. The assumption is that Smith will be back in the lineup following this contest.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
April 26, 2025
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher
Logan Evans will take the mound for his MLB debut against the Miami Marlins on Sunday. Evans is one of the top pitching prospects in the Mariners system, so there is plenty of hype surrounding him. He posted a 3.86 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 23/4 K/BB ratio across five starts in Triple-A this season. Before those five outings, Evans had only pitched as high as Double-A, but it appears the Mariners believe he's ready for the big leagues. He'll get a favorable matchup against the Marlins offense on Sunday. That being said, Evans is worth a look as a streaming choice against Miami. He could very well stick in the rotation for a few weeks with
Logan Gilbert (elbow) heading to the injured list.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Adam Jude
April 26, 2025
Atlanta Braves outfielder
Jarred Kelenic (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Kelenic will remain on the bench for the second straight game, which shouldn't come as a surprise given how his season has gone. Over his last six games, Kelenic has four hits with only one homer and four strikeouts to go along with it.
Eli White will take over right field and bat eighth versus right-hander
Merrill Kelly. Fantasy managers should be able to find a better streaming option than White for Saturday's slate.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
April 26, 2025
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher
Logan Gilbert (elbow) has been placed on the 15-day injured list on Saturday. Gilbert was forced to exit early during Friday's start due to an elbow issue. Gilbert will now officially head to the injured list due to a right elbow flexor strain. The right-hander will miss at least two starts, but fantasy managers should expect him to be out a little longer than that. This is a tough break for the Mariners considering how well Gilbert has been pitching for them. So far this season, Gilbert has allowed two earned runs or less in every start, but one. It's unclear at the moment who is going to replace Gilbert in the Mariners rotation. The expectation is that
Logan Evans could see a few starts while Gilbert is sidelined.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Adam Jude
April 26, 2025
Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher
Emmanuel Clase was asked to come on a little early during the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox. The right-hander tossed a perfect eighth inning with two strikeouts as he needed only 14 pitches in this one. Manager
Stephen Vogt said that Clase would be available as the closer for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader. Clase has been off to a rough start to the season, so the Guardians wanted to give him a lower leverage situation to build up some confidence. It sounds like he'll be back in the closer role for now, but
Cade Smith should also be in the mix for saves.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Brian Dulik
April 26, 2025
Chicago Cubs first baseman
Michael Busch is absent from the lineup for Saturday's matchup with the Phillies as Philadelphia sends lefty
Jesus Luzardo to the mound. Busch is off to a good start at the plate, slashing .295/.386/.568 with a .414 wOBA and 167 wRC+ over 101 plate appearances, but will give way to
Justin Turner on Saturday. The veteran, on the other hand, has been atrocious at the plate, hitting .154 without a single extra base hit on the year so far, and even worse lately, going 1-for-18 (.056) over his last seven games. Although Turner is batting fourth, the Cubs have a low implied run total in this one, and Turner is 1-for-10 in his career off of Luzardo, so DFS users will likely want to look elsewhere for options at first base.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Chicago Cubs
April 26, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher
Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) made a 61-pitch rehab start at Triple-A Nashville on Thursday, but felt "really tired" afterward, according to manager Pat Murphy. Murphy also indicated that, although Woodruff experienced tiredness, there were no physical setbacks, so a return to the major league mound in May still appears to be on track. Despite not pitching in a game since 2023, the righty owns a career 3.10 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 22.4 percent K-BB%, so for those in need of pitching help, the 32-year-old is a worthwhile bench or IL stash in most fantasy leagues.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Todd Rosiak
April 26, 2025
San Francisco Giants second baseman
Tyler Fitzgerald was scratched from Saturday's game against the Rangers with a chest contusion. The injury happened when attempting to make a diving play on a ground ball during Friday's contest, but he remained in the game, so consider him day-to-day for now. The 27-year-old is off to a good start to the year, slashing .289/.341/.447 with seven extra-base hits (two HR), seven RBI, 13 runs scored, and five stolen bases, along with a .347 wOBA and 123 wRC+. Fantasy managers should continue to use the former fourth-round draft pick once he returns to the lineup; in the meantime,
Christian Koss will fill in at second base and bat eighth on Saturday.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Susan Slusser
April 26, 2025
Athletics outfielder
Lawrence Butler is not in Saturday's lineup against the White Sox, who will send
Jonathan Cannon to the mound. Cannon is a righty, so it doesn't appear to be matchup or injury-related, simply a day of rest. It could be good for the young slugger who has slumped a bit over the past week, going 3-for-22 (.136) in the last five games, although two of those three hits were home runs.
Brent Rooker will bat second and man right field on Saturday for the A's.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Athletics on X
April 26, 2025
Colorado Rockies shortstop
Ezequiel Tovar (hip) is still at least a week away from returning from the injured list according to manager Bud Black.
Aaron Schunk had been filling in as of late for the injured Tovar, but has now been placed on the IL as well.
Kyle Farmer will man shortstop in Saturday's game against the Reds, but has not recorded a hit in his last 17 at-bats. So, needless to say, the 4-21 Rockies will hope to get Tovar back as soon as possible to hopefully breathe some life into the offense, although he was struggling to begin the year, slashing .212/.257/.303 with no home runs, a .251 wOBA, and 44 wRC+. In contrast, Tovar put together a .269-26-78-83-6 line last season with a .324 wOBA and 95 wRC+.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Patrick Lyons
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