May 18, 2025
The Los Angeles Dodgers have designated infielder/outfielder
Chris Taylor for assignment. Taylor has been with the Dodgers since the 2016 campaign. Through the opening part of the 2025 campaign, Taylor has gotten off to a slow start, holding a .200 AVG across 28 games. Taylor tallied just two doubles, with no home runs. He struck out at a high 37.1% rate and did not draw a walk. Last season, Taylor struggled at the plate too, posting a modest .202/.298/.300 slash line with just seven doubles and four round-trippers across 87 contests. Taylor enjoyed his best season during the 2017 campaign, tallying 34 doubles, 21 home runs, and swiping 17 bags. Given his ability to play multiple positions, the 34-year-old could draw interest on waivers. However, given his slow start, he should remain on waivers in all formats.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Fabian Ardaya
May 18, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder
Chandler Simpson (hand) is dealing with a sore right hand. Ryan Bass of the FanDuel Sports Network reported that the young outfielder has his right hand wrapped. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status leading up to their next contest on Monday evening against the Houston Astros. Simpson suffered this injury during Saturday's contest when sliding into home plate. Through his first 25 games at the MLB level, the No. 7-ranked prospect in the Tampa Bay system has posted an impressive .301/.327/.344 slash line. Simpson has flashed his elite speed as he has swiped 11 bags. While he remains sidelined, fantasy managers should expect
Kameron Misner and
Jose Caballero to see most of the opportunities in center field.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Ryan Bass
May 18, 2025
The Baltimore Orioles have designated starting pitcher
Kyle Gibson for assignment. Gibson has had a rough start to the campaign. Through his first 12 1/3 innings of work, the veteran right-hander has posted a hefty 16.78 ERA with a 2.92 WHIP. He has tallied just 10 punchouts and served up walks at a high 9.6% rate. In his most recent outing on Saturday against the Washington Nationals, Gibson tallied just two outs and allowed six hits, six runs, and one walk. Last season, the 37-year-old held his own with St. Louis, posting a 4.24 ERA with a 1.35 WHIP across 169 2/3 innings of work. However, given his disappointing start to the 2025 campaign, the struggling Orioles decided to cut ties with him. This could open a path for
Charlie Morton or
Keegan Akin to return to the rotation.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Bob Nightengale
May 18, 2025
The Miami Marlins have activated infielder
Otto Lopez (ankle) off the 10-day injured list prior to their contest against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday. In a corresponding move, the Marlins placed shortstop
Xavier Edwards (back) on the 10-day injured list. Lopez has been kept out of action since May 2 with a Grade 2 right ankle sprain. Through his first 30 games of the campaign before his injury, Lopez posted a .229/.294/.330 slash line with five doubles, two home runs, three stolen bases, and a 17:10 K:BB. However, under the hood, Lopez has generated an elite .294 xBA, which suggests he should see positive regression when he returns to action. This afternoon, Lopez will get the start at the keystone and will bat in the seven-hole.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Miami Marlins
May 18, 2025
Miami Marlins shortstop
Xavier Edwards (back) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Sunday due to left mid-back strain. This move was retroactive to May 15. The Marlins activated infielder
Otto Lopez (ankle) from the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move. Edwards has been held out of the starting nine for each of the past two games and will now miss at least the next week of action. Prior to his injury, Edwards was beginning to heat up at the plate, posting a .313/.389/.313 slash line with three stolen bases over his last nine contests. Through 42 total games this season, the 25-year-old has posted a .263/.337/.292 slash line with 11 swiped bags. While Edwards remains out of action, fantasy managers should expect
Javier Sanoja to see most of the opportunities at shortstop.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Miami Marlins
May 18, 2025
Kansas City Royals infielder/outfielder
Jonathan India (knee) was scratched from Sunday's lineup due to knee soreness. Jaylon T. Thompson of The KC Star noted that India is currently considered day-to-day. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status leading up to their next game on Monday evening against the San Francisco Giants. Over his last nine games, India has been performing quite well, posting a .270/.325/.351 slash line with three doubles, five RBI, with a 3:2 K:BB. This afternoon,
Michael Massey will cover the keystone for India instead. Through his first 43 games in Kansas City, India holds a modest .238/.330/.311 line, but his recent production suggests he is beginning to turn the corner on his slow start. If he were to miss more time, Massey should have close to an everyday role in the starting nine at second base, and
Drew Waters should see more time in left field.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jaylon Thompson
May 18, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher
Jose Alvarado has been suspended for 80 games. The left-hander has tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance. According to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, this suspension is effective immediately. Through the early part of the campaign, the left-hander has been a very effective option in the Philadelphia bullpen, holding a 2.70 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP. He has struck out 25 batters across 20 innings and tallied seven saves. The 29-year-old has generated a strong 2.77 xERA (86th percentile) and a 47.3% ground-ball rate (71st percentile). He has also shown a strong command of his pitches, tallying strikeouts at an elite 29.8% rate and serving walks at a 4.8% rate. While Alvarado is sidelined, fantasy managers should expect
Jordan Romano to see most of the save opportunities in Philadelphia.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Todd Zolecki
May 18, 2025
The Minnesota Twins have placed left-handed pitcher
Danny Coulombe (forearm) on the 15-day injured list with a forearm strain. The 35-year-old has not appeared in a game since Wednesday. Through his first 16 2/3 innings of work this season, the left-hander has been one of the most effective relief pitchers in the sport. He has not allowed a run and posted a stellar 0.60 WHIP. He has struck out 19 batters and served up walks at an impressive 3.3% rate. Under the hood, he has generated a 1.69 xERA (100th percentile) and a .187 xBA (95th percentile). He has tallied two holds and two saves, pitching primarily in the seventh and eighth innings. While he is sidelined, fantasy managers should expect
Jhoan Duran to serve as the primary closer, with
Griffin Jax and
Cole Sands being the primary setup options.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Minnesota Twins
May 18, 2025
The Minnesota Twins have officially promoted right-handed pitcher
Zebby Matthews from Triple-A St. Paul ahead of his season debut on Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Twins also promoted outfielder
Carson McCusker. In a corresponding move, the Twins shifted infield prospect
Luke Keaschall to the 60-day injured list and placed left-handed pitcher
Danny Coulombe on the 15-day injured list with a left forearm extensor strain. Fantasy managers should consider adding Matthews in all standard formats as he could carve out a permanent role in the rotation going forward, with
Simeon Woods Richardson now in Triple-A. Through 32 2/3 innings at Triple-A this season, Matthews has posted a 1.93 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Minnesota Twins
May 18, 2025
Houston Astros shortstop
Jeremy Pena will receive his first day off of the season on Sunday when they conclude a series against the Texas Rangers. Pena has been in the starting nine in each of their first 45 games of the 2025 campaign. Through this stretch, the 27-year-old has been effective at the plate, posting a .301/.356/.451 slash line with eight doubles, six home runs, and six stolen bases. He has tallied 23 RBI and scored 23 runs. Under the hood, he has generated an elite .294 xBA (94th percentile) and struck out at an impressive 14.6% rate (88th percentile). This afternoon,
Mauricio Dubon will cover shortstop and bat in the nine-hole. Fantasy managers should expect Pena to return to the starting nine on Monday when they begin a series against the Tampa Bay Rays.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Brian McTaggart
May 18, 2025
Cincinnati Reds infielder/outfielder
Gavin Lux (back) is returning to the starting nine on Sunday to face the Cleveland Guardians. Lux is slated to cover left field and will bat in the five-hole. Lux was scratched from Saturday's lineup with lower back spasms. However, this injury was relatively minor as he was cleared to return the following day. Through his first 42 games with Cincinnati, Lux has posted a solid .297/.368/.407 slash line with one home run and one stolen base. He has generated a .270 xBA, which places him in the 68th percentile among active hitters. Lux has also shown a strong eye at the plate, drawing walks at a 12.7% rate and striking out at a 22.3% rate. This afternoon, he is a strong play in DFS, facing Cleveland right-hander
Luis L. Ortiz.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Cincinnati Reds
May 18, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitching prospect
Mick Abel was officially promoted ahead of his MLB debut on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. In a corresponding move, the Phillies optioned right-handed pitcher
Daniel Robert to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Abel is set to be the temporary replacement in the rotation for
Aaron Nola (ankle), who was placed on the 15-day IL earlier this week. However, veteran
Taijuan Walker is expected to take Abel's spot in the rotation next week. Through his first 46 1/3 innings this season at Triple-A, Abel has posted a solid 2.53 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP. He has struck out 51 batters and served up 19 free passes. Facing a struggling Pittsburgh offense, the No. 8-ranked prospect in the Philadelphia system does have deep-league streaming appeal this afternoon.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Philadelphia Phillies
May 18, 2025
The Baltimore Orioles are expected to place outfielder
Tyler O'Neill (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list prior to their contest against the Washington Nationals on Sunday. O'Neill was scratched from Friday's contest due to shoulder soreness. He was also unable to play on Saturday. Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner reported that the Orioles will promote outfielder
Dylan Carlson in a corresponding move. Over his last seven contests, O'Neill has posted a modest .067/.263/.067 line with a 6:4 K:BB and two stolen bases. Through his first 24 games in Baltimore, O'Neill has struggled, posting a .188/.280/.325 slash line with two home runs and two stolen bases. Under the hood, he has generated a strong 16.4% barrel rate. While he is sidelined,
Heston Kjerstad and Carlson should split time in right field.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Andy Kostka
May 18, 2025
Chicago Cubs shortstop
Dansby Swanson continued his hot month of May against the Chicago White Sox on Saturday. Swanson started off his day with a single, steal, and a run scored in the second inning. He would later smack a solo home run off
Sean Burke in the fifth inning. Swanson would finish this game 2-for-3 with a solo homer, one RBI, two steals, and two walks in the win. The veteran shortstop is hitting .389 with three homers and eight RBI over his last 11 games. Fantasy managers should keep him in their starting lineups going forward.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
May 18, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies second baseman
Bryson Stott came into this game in a bad slump, but was able to have a productive game on Saturday. Stott connected on a solo home run off right-hander
Carmen Mlodzinski in the third inning. He did a little bit of everything in this game as he went 2-for-5 with a homer, three RBI, two runs scored, and a stolen base in the win. Hopefully this nice performance will help Stott get back on track. Despite his slump, Stott is still worth rostering and starting in most 12-team formats.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
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