May 8, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays rookie outfielder
Chandler Simpson will start Thursday's series finale against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies on the bench.
Kameron Misner is starting in center field for the Rays and is hitting eighth against Phillies left-hander
Jesus Luzardo. The left-handed-hitting Simpson will get the day off against a tough southpaw. The 24-year-old former second-rounder in 2022 has gone 16-for-60 (.267) with a double, five RBI, six stolen bases and nine runs scored for the Rays in his first 16 major-league games. As long as he remains in the big leagues with Tampa, he'll provide plenty of speed for fantasy managers in deeper formats. Misner, who debuted in the majors last year in just eight games, is batting .271 (26-for-96) with three homers and 11 RBI in 31 games in 2025. He has yet to face Luzardo in his career and should be faded in DFS.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May 8, 2025
San Diego Padres right-hander
Yu Darvish (elbow) has been throwing bullpen sessions and recently traveled to the team's spring training complex in Arizona, where he's expected to face live hitters for the first time on Thursday. Darvish is working his way back from right-elbow inflammation that has kept him out all season so far, but barring a setback as he builds up his arm, he could return to the Padres' starting rotation at some point this month. Since the 38-year-old Japanese veteran hasn't started a minor-league rehab assignment, his return probably won't come until late May, at the earliest. The five-time All-Star is no longer in his prime and also dealt with injuries that limited him to 16 starts in 2024, but when healthy, he still has fantasy value. Darvish went 7-3 for the Friars last year with a solid 3.31 ERA and 1.06 WHIP, but also with a career-low 23.6% strikeout rate and a 6.6% walk rate.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May 8, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander
Freddy Peralta (groin) threw on flat ground on Wednesday and said that he expects to make his next start, potentially on one extra day of rest. The Brewers mentioned the possibility of Peralta needing an extra day of rest earlier this week. Barring a change of plans, the 28-year-old will most likely make his next outing in Tampa against the Rays this Sunday. Peralta left his last start early on Sunday against the Chicago Cubs due to soreness in his groin, but the team never sent him for testing, signaling that the injury wasn't very serious at all. As long as the Dominican pitcher is cleared to start this weekend, fantasy managers should return him to their starting lineups in all formats. Peralta has been great so far in 2025, going 4-2 with a sharp 2.18 ERA and 1.04 WHIP while striking out 48 and walking 15 in 45 1/3 innings over his eight starts.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May
8,
2025
Houston
Astros
general
manager
Dana
Brown
said
that
designated
hitter
Yordan
Alvarez
(hand)
is
feeling
a
lot
better
while
dealing
with
a
muscle
strain
in
his
right
hand
that
he's
experienced
before.
The
Astros
don't
think
read more...
May 8, 2025
The Minnesota Twins announced on Thursday that right-hander
Joe Ryan (illness) will make his next start on Saturday against the San Francisco Giants at Target Field in Minnesota. Right-hander
Chris Paddack will get the ball for the series opener on Friday night. Ryan was originally scheduled to start Thursday's series finale against the Baltimore Orioles, but he was scratched due to an illness. The 28-year-old is obviously feeling better now and he'll take his next turn through the rotation this weekend. Although the matchup against the Giants isn't as good as the one against the struggling Orioles would have been, Ryan is still deserving of being in starting fantasy lineups on Saturday. In his seven starts so far in 2025, Ryan has an ERA under 3.00, a 0.90 WHIP, 47 strikeouts and only five walks in 40 innings pitched. He's allowed just one earned run with 19 K's in his last 13 innings pitched.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
May 8, 2025
Cincinnati Reds outfielder
Jake Fraley (calf) remains out of the starting lineup for Thursday's series finale on the road against the Atlanta Braves.
Rece Hinds is starting in right field and will bat in the nine-hole versus Braves right-hander
Spencer Schwellenbach. Fraley entered Tuesday's game off the bench for the Reds before injuring his left calf. The 29-year-old will miss his second straight game, and it's uncertain if he'll be feeling good enough to return for Friday's series opener in Houston against the Astros. Fraley typically finds himself on the bench against left-handed pitchers and is hitting just .205 (16-for-78) with three home runs, nine RBI, 12 runs and three stolen bases for Cincy. Hinds will be making his second straight start after getting called up from the minors this week. He went 0-for-3 in his first big-league game of the season on Wednesday with two strikeouts. He has never faced Schwellenbach.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May 8, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies catcher
J.T. Realmuto (foot) is back behind the dish to catch left-hander
Jesus Luzardo and is hitting seventh on Thursday against the hosting Tampa Bay Rays and right-hander
Ryan Pepiot. Realmuto will surprisingly be back in the lineup a day after fouling a ball off his left foot and suffering a bruise in Wednesday's contest against Tampa. The 34-year-old veteran is looking for his first hit of the series against the Rays in the finale on Thursday. Realmuto hasn't done much for fantasy managers in general so far in 2025, slashing .235/.307/.374 with a below-average .681 OPS, three home runs, 12 RBI, 12 runs scored and four stolen bases in 31 games played. So far in five games in May, Realmuto has gone 4-for-18 with a homer, double, four RBI and three runs scored. He has never faced Pepiot in his big-league career.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May 8, 2025
Chicago White Sox outfielder
Mike Tauchman (hamstring) is set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Saturday. Tauchman has been held out of action since early April with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. Given the time he missed, Tauchman may need a somewhat lengthy rehab assignment. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as he increases his workload. Before his injury, the 34-year-old tallied four hits and held a 2:2 K:BB over his first three games of the campaign. When he is cleared to return, fantasy managers should expect Tauchman to be the everyday left fielder on the Southside. Last summer, Tauchman spent his season with the Cubs and held a .248/.357/.366 slash line with 12 doubles and seven long balls. Given his everyday role, he will have value in deeper AL-only formats.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Scott Merkin
May
8,
2025
The
Chicago
Cubs
are
expected
to
promote
top
pitching
prospect
Cade
Horton
to
the
MLB
roster
for
their
weekend
series
against
the
New
York
Mets.
The
23-year-old
is
considered
the
No.
49-ranked
prospect
in
the
sport
read more...
May 8, 2025
Colorado Rockies infielder/outfielder
Tyler Freeman (oblique) is set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque this weekend. Freeman has been on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain since mid-April. However, it appears the 25-year-old is nearing a return to action. Freeman appeared in just seven games before suffering the injury. During this brief stint, Freeman held a .091/.313/.091 line with just one hit and a 3:2 K:BB. He swiped one bag. Under the hood, he generated a modest .169 xBA with a .292 xwOBA, which are both well below the average marks. Last season in Cleveland, Freeman held a .209/.305/.321 line with seven home runs and swiped 11 bags. He should have close to an everyday role despite his limited offensive upside, given his defensive versatility.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Patrick Lyons
May 8, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher
Max Scherzer (thumb) completed a bullpen session on Wednesday. This was a significant step for the right-hander as he has been sidelined since his first start with a right thumb injury. He was initially placed on the 15-day IL but was recently shifted to the 60-day IL earlier in May. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression, but it is an excellent sign to see him facing live hitters. Currently, the 40-year-old would be eligible to return from the IL in late May. However, given the time he has missed, Fantasy managers should not expect Scherzer to return until June, as he would likely need a lengthy rehab assignment. Last summer, Scherzer was also limited by numerous injuries, but was productive when on the bump, logging a 3.95 ERA with a 1.15 WHIP. Given his unclear timetable, he should only be stashed in deeper 12+ team formats.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Andres Soto
May
8,
2025
The
Pittsburgh
Pirates
have
fired
manager
Derek
Shelton.
The
Pirates
have
had
a
disappointing
start
to
the
season,
holding
a
12-26
record,
which
puts
them
at
the
bottom
of
the
NL
Central.
He
is
being
replaced
by
read more...
May 8, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays right-handed pitching prospect Trey Yesavage tossed five innings of three-run ball (one earned) on Wednesday to pick up his second-straight victory. Yesavage allowed just two hits and no walks. He struck out seven. Through his first taste of professional baseball, last year's 20th overall pick has flashed elite strikeout upside. Through his first 28 1/3 innings of work in Low-A, Yesavage has struck out 43 batters and served up just eight walks. During this stretch, he has held a 2.22 ERA with a stellar 0.81 WHIP. He has allowed just one long ball. Fantasy managers should expect the East Carolina product to be in contention to move up to High-A in the coming weeks, given his elite production at Low-A. Dynasty managers should continue to monitor his progression as he appears to be developing into one of the top arms in the lower levels of the minor leagues.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
May 8, 2025
Detroit Tigers catcher
Dillon Dingler will take a seat for Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader at Coors Field versus the hosting Colorado Rockies.
Tomas Nido will do the catching for right-hander
Casey Mize and will hit eighth against Rockies left-hander
Kyle Freeland. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should expect Dingler to return to the starting lineup for Game 2 of the twin bill. The 26-year-old backstop has swung the bat well for the upstart Tigers so far this year, slashing .292/.313/.479 with a .792 OPS, four home runs, 15 RBI and 10 runs scored in 96 at-bats. Although the 31-year-old Nido has hit .360 (9-for-25) for Detroit, he'll be a low-upside DFS play in the eight-hole, even at hitter-friendly Coors Field. Nido is still searching for his first homer of the year and is hitless in four career at-bats against Freeland.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May 8, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect
Zyhir Hope went 2-for-3 with a double and a home run during Wednesday's contest against High-A Dayton. This outing snapped a 15-game power drought for the 20-year-old outfielder. Hope spent his 2024 campaign at Low-A and posted a strong .287/.415/.490 slash line and was rewarded with a promotion to High-A to begin the 2025 season. Through his first 29 games with High-A Great Lakes, Hope has held a .282/.368/.518 slash line with nine doubles, five home runs, and four stolen bases. He has held a 31:15 K:BB. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring Hope's production at High-A as he continues to climb prospect boards. He currently sits as the No. 6-ranked in the Dodger system and the No. 72-ranked in the sport on MLB Pipeline.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
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