Emmanuel Rodriguez Has Quiet Start To 2025
Emmanuel Rodriguez has had an inconsistent start to the 2025 campaign, logging five multi-hit performances and eight hitless efforts over his first 17 games, resulting in an uninspiring .231 AVG with no home runs and a 34.6 percent strikeout rate. A bright spot has been the Dominican's ability to draw walks, logging 13 of them thus far (16.7 percent). The Twins' second-ranked prospect (MLB No. 34) is expected to make his major league debut this season, but has played just 24 games at Triple-A, without much success. If the left-handed slugger can get on a roll, look for a call-up around midseason, especially with Minnesota's offense sputtering and in need of a boost. Source: MiLB.com
Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Jeff McNeil Hitting Eighth In Season Debut
Jeff McNeil is starting at second base and is hitting eighth in his 2025 season debut on Friday against the division-rival Washington Nationals and right-hander Jake Irvin. McNeil was activated from the injured list on Thursday night and will make his first start for the Mets this year after missing the first four weeks of the year due to a right-oblique strain. The 33-year-old former batting champion went 11-for-28 (.393) with two home runs and three RBI in his eight minor-league rehab games with Single-A St. Lucie, Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse. He will see most of his starts at the keystone in New York, but fantasy managers in 12-team leagues will want to see more from McNeil after he hit just .238 with 12 homers and 44 RBI in 129 games a year ago. In seven career at-bats against Irvin, he's hit .143 with a .393 OPS.Source: MLB.com
New York Mets infielder Brandon Sproat Coughs Up Six Earned Runs In Latest Start
New York Mets pitching prospect Brandon Sproat was tagged for six earned runs on Thursday for Triple-A Syracuse, allowing six hits and two walks while striking out just one batter over 2 1/3 innings pitched. That's twiceread more...
Eury Perez To Start Rehab Assignment On Saturday
Eury Perez (elbow) will take the next step and start a minor-league rehab assignment on Saturday with Single-A Jupiter, where he's expected to throw one inning for the Hammerheads. Perez appears to be ahead of schedule in his rehab from Tommy John surgery in April of last year, but the Marlins are surely going to take things slow with his rehab assignment on the farm. Still, barring setbacks, the 22-year-old Dominican could make his 2025 season debut in late May or early June for the Fish. Perez turned heads in his major-league debut in 2023 when he went 5-6 with a 3.15 ERA (4.11 FIP) and 1.13 WHIP with 108 strikeouts and 31 walks in 91 1/3 innings over his first 19 starts. He'll probably be a much better fantasy investment next year, but he also shouldn't be ignored when he returns this year. However, he might be a little rusty, and the Marlins figure to limit his innings.Source: Sports Grid - Craig Mish
Miami Marlins right-hander Bailey Falter Good To Go To Start On Sunday Against Dodgers
Bailey Falter (back) has been cleared to make his next start on Sunday on the road against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Falter was pulled after four innings in his last start on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Angels due to back tightness, but the 28-year-old southpaw was able to recover and will pitch again this weekend. We would recommend that fantasy managers looking for streamers on Sunday avoid Falter against one of the best teams in baseball on the road. Falter has shown strong control (only seven walks in 26 innings), but he's allowed 17 runs (15 earned) on 24 hits (one homer) while striking out 20 for a 5.19 ERA (4.40 FIP). This is not the time to get cute and roll Falter out there against the best lineup in baseball, especially coming off a back injury in his last start.Source: MLB.com
Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Clayton Kershaw Has Successful Second Rehab Outing
Clayton Kershaw (knee, toe) looked good again in his second minor-league rehab start on Tuesday for Double-A Tulsa, allowing one earned run on four hits while walking one and striking out four in three innings of work. Kershaw tossed three scoreless innings with Triple-A Oklahoma City in his first rehab start and now has six strikeouts and one walk in his six innings of work on the farm as he recoveries from knee and toe surgeries in the offseason. Because the 37-year-old future Hall of Famer is on the 60-day injured list, he won't be able to make his season debut until May 17, so fantasy managers holding him in deeper leagues need to remain patient. The Dodgers aren't going to rush Kershaw back in what will likely be his final season. The three-time Cy Young winner has shown flashes of brilliance in recent seasons, but injuries have been the primary story near the end of his career.Source: Milb.com
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Tyler Glasnow Will Start On Sunday Against Pirates
Tyler Glasnow (leg) has officially been cleared to make his next start on Sunday against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium. As a precaution, the Dodgers removed Glasnow from his last start on Sunday against the Texas Rangers due to cramping in his right leg. The hard-throwing 31-year-old is fine after resting up this week and shouldn't be limited in any way when he takes the mound this weekend in L.A. in a strong matchup against the Bucs. He'll enter that contest with a 1-0 record this year to go with a 3.71 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 23 strikeouts and 10 walks in 17 innings over his four starts. Glasnow hasn't been as sharp as his fantasy managers would have hoped in terms of control, but there's nothing else to really complain about. Get him back in your starting lineups on Sunday.Source: MLB.com
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Francisco Alvarez Reinstated From Injured List, Starting On Friday
Francisco Alvarez (hand) from the 10-day injured list and optioned catcher Hayden Senger to Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move. Alvarez is making his 2025 debut for the Mets on Friday against the division-rival Washington Nationals and right-hander Jake Irvin, doing the catching and batting seventh. The 23-year-old backstop is getting a late start to the 2025 season after having surgery to fix a fractured hamate bone in his left hand. In his 10 minor-league rehab games, Alvarez went 7-for-39 at the plate with one home run. The Venezuelan catcher also missed extended time due to injuries in 2024 and hit just 11 home runs, but he clubbed a career-high 25 round-trippers and drove in 63 in 2023 in his first full big-league season. Alvarez is New York's starting catcher with high-end power at the catching position.Source: New York Mets
The New York Mets announced on Friday that they have reinstated catcher Merrill Kelly To Make His Next Start On Saturday
Merrill Kelly (leg) has been cleared to toe the rubber on Saturday against the visiting Atlanta Braves at Chase Field. Cramping in Kelly's right leg caused him to be lifted in the sixth inning of his last start on Easter Sunday in Chicago against the Cubs, but he's been cleared to take his next turn through the D-backs' starting rotation this weekend in a plus matchup against a struggling Braves offense. The 36-year-old veteran pitcher allowed a whopping nine earned runs in 3 2/3 innings of work in his second start of the year on April 3 at the New York Yankees, but since that rough outing, he's bounced back nicely. He has allowed four earned runs while walking four and fanning 18 in 17 2/3 innings in his last three starts and will look to keep that going on Saturday. Fantasy managers should reinsert Kelly into their starting lineups this weekend.Source: MLB.com
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Jeffrey Springs Cleared To Start On Saturday Against White Sox
Athletics left-hander Jeffrey Springs (hamstring) has been cleared to make his next start on Saturday in Sacramento against the visiting Chicago White Sox. Springs' last start on Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers was cut short inread more...
Ryan Jeffers To See More Work Behind The Plate
The Minnesota Twins have essentially split the catching duties down the middle with Ryan Jeffers (152 starts) and Christian Vazquez (172) starts the last two seasons, but with Vazquezread more...
Pablo Lopez Reinstated From Injured List And Starting On Friday
Pablo Lopez (hamstring) has been reinstated from the 15-day injured list and will make the start on Friday against the Los Angeles Angels in Minnesota. Lopez is recovered from a right-hamstring strain that kept him out for the last two weeks. The 29-year-old should immediately be returned to starting fantasy lineups against an Angels team that has come back down to Earth after a surprisingly hot start to the season. In his lone minor-league rehab start for Triple-A St. Paul, Lopez made it through 63 pitches and 4 2/3 innings. It means that he might not go quite as deep on Friday night as fantasy managers might hope, but the matchup is still too good to ignore. Before his hamstring injury, the Venezuelan hurler looked good with a 1.62 ERA and 1.02 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and only two walks in 16 2/3 innings over three starts.Source: Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins right-hander Taijuan Walker Starting On Friday Against Cubs
Taijuan Walker (shoulder) has been cleared to start Friday's series opener at Wrigley Field against the hosting Chicago Cubs. Walker is fine after dealing with some stiffness in his right shoulder during his last start on Saturday against the Miami Marlins, when he gave up an earned run in four innings of work for a no-decision. The 32-year-old veteran has been a pleasant surprise while opening the year in Philly's starting rotation due to injuries, as he's gone 1-1 with a 2.29 ERA (4.24 FIP), a 1.17 WHIP and 16:8 K:BB in 19 2/3 innings over four starts against the Rockies Braves, Giants and Marlins. His lone bad outing came against San Fran, when he gave up four earned runs in five innings. Walker has exceeded expectations to this point, but we wouldn't recommend streaming him against a Cubs offense that has been one of the best in baseball early on.Source: MLB.com
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Javier Assad Dealing With Grade 2 Oblique Strain
Javier Assad (oblique) suffered a Grade 2 left-oblique strain after reinjuring the same side that flared up on him during spring training. Assad will be shut down and will essentially have to start rehab/throwing program from scratch again. The 27-year-old suffered the new injury during his minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday and is now out indefinitely. It's a tough break for a pitcher who was getting close to being able to make his 2025 debut in the big leagues. With Assad having to start from scratch, fantasy managers in NL-only leagues shouldn't plan on having him available until sometime in June. Assad held his own in his transition to being a full-time starter in 2024, but his lack of strikeout stuff limits his fantasy upside to mainly NL-only formats. There's also no guarantee a rotation spot will be open for him when he's ready to return.Source: MLB.com - Jordan Bastian
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that right-hander Ryan Pressly's Status TBD For Friday's Game
Porter Hodge is the likely next man up -- he picked up the save on Wednesday when Pressly was unavailable -- but Hodge has also worked in two of the team's last three games. If both Pressly and Hodge are unavailable on Friday, it could be Julian Merryweather getting the nod in a save situation for the Cubbies if one arises.Source: MLB.com - Jordan Bastian
Chicago Cubs right-handed reliever Ryan Preslly (kne) played catch on Thursday and is doing so again on Friday before the series opener at Wrigley Field against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies. However, Pressly's availability for Friday's game is still to be determined, according to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian. It's good news that Pressly has played catch the last two days after having his right knee drained on Tuesday, but he might not be available to pitch in a save situation against the Phillies on Friday. Seiya Suzuki Returns For Series Opener Against Phillies
Seiya Suzuki (wrist) is back in the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the Philadelphia Phillies at Wrigley Field. Suzuki will serve as the designated hitter and bat third against Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker. A wrist injury has bothered Suzuki of late, causing him to be scratched from Wednesday's game. But the 30-year-old is back in action to kick off the weekend series against the Phillies, and he should be returned to all starting fantasy lineups. The Japanese outfielder has three hits in six career at-bats against Walker with two RBI. He's also hitting a nice .276 (24-for-87) on the year with six home runs, 20 RBI, a steal and 14 runs scored. Suzuki has cooled off at the plate a bit of late, going 5-for-24 in his last six games, but he should still be returned to starting lineup in a solid matchup.Source: MLB.com
Chicago Cubs outfielder Willy Adames Knocks In Go-Ahead Run In Win
Willy Adames went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a sac fly in his team's 6-5 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday. He added a single and a walk. San Francisco was trailing 5-4 entering the bottom of the eighth, but was able to force Brewers pitcher Tyler Alexander into long at-bats and eventually scratched out the game-winning run on an Adames sac fly to shallow left -- scoring teammate Christian Koss. He's had trouble getting going at the dish, hitting .202 (21-for-104) with four doubles, one home run, 12 RBI, 13 runs scored, and one steal. The 29-year-old has picked it up as of late, though, registering at least one hit in five of his last six appearances.Source: ESPN
San Francisco Giants shortstop Wilyer Abreu Cools After Hot Start
Wilyer Abreu went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in his team's 4-3 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Thursday. Aside from a 3-for-4 effort on Tuesday, Abreu has been scuffling at the plate a bit. After a blistering start to the season in which he hit .636 over four appearances in March, he's gone just 16-for-74 (.216). The Venezuela native is still making quality contact and drawing walks at the highest rate of his career (15.8%), so he should be able to break out of his rut soon. However, it's worth noting that he's notched only six free passes in 74 at-bats after recording five over his first 11. Abreu has always struggled hitting left-handed pitching, and that's continued in 2025 (1-for-9).Source: ESPN
Boston Red Sox outfielder Vinnie Pasquantino Continues Dismal Start
Vinnie Pasquantino went 1-for-8 with an RBI and a run scored across two wins over the Colorado Rockies in his team's doubleheader on Thursday. He added one walk and struck out twice. Pasquantino has been disappointing to start 2025. After a solid season last year, he's yet to find his groove at the plate -- hitting a paltry .181 (17-for-94) with six extra-base hits (two home runs), six runs scored, and 15 RBI. The Old Dominion alum has seen his batted ball metrics decline while also striking out quite a bit more (19%) than he had previously. Pasquantino still has some time to turn it around, as he started off relatively slowly last season before turning it on in the summer months.Source: ESPN
Kansas City Royals first baseman Will Levis Could Be Traded Soon
Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft on Thursday night, former second-round QB Will Levis could be traded soon after going 5-16 a a starter with more turnovers (26 interceptions and fumbles lost combined) than touchdown passes (21). General manager Ran Carthon, who traded up for Levis in 2023, has already been fired, and Levis was benched in 2024. The Titans have insisted that Levis will be given a chance to compete with Ward, but the Titans still lack a third-round pick in this year's draft, and trading Levis could get them back into that round. The 25-year-old's dynasty stock has already taken a big hit after he looked terrible as Tennessee's starter last year, and now with Ward in town, the best hope for his long-term value is a trade out of town.Source: The Associated Press and Terry McCormick
Now that the Tennessee Titans officially took Miami quarterback Josh Naylor Drives In Run In Loss
Josh Naylor went 1-for-4 with a single, an RBI, and a strikeout in his team's 7- 4 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday. Naylor collected RBI No. 17 in the bottom of the first inning, driving in teammate Corbin Carroll on a 102 MPH exit velocity single. It's been a strong start to the season for him, as he's now batting a scorching .323 (.904 OPS) with four home runs, six doubles, and 14 runs scored. Not only has Naylor raised his average exit velocity from 2024, but he's also bumped up his hard hit percentage and holds an xBA of .296. Perhaps most impressively, he's cut his strikeout rate to 9.2%, while drawing walks at a double-digit rate for the first time in his career (11.0%).Source: ESPN
Arizona Diamondbacks designated hitter Bryce Young Wanted Panthers To Take Tetairoa McMillan
Tetairoa McMillan said that quarterback Bryce Young told head coach Dave Canales and general manager Dan Morgan that the team needed to draft him. Young vouched for McMillan, and the Panthers listed and selected the 22-year-old Arizona product with the eighth overall pick of the 2025 NFL draft on Thursday night. The 6-foot-4 pass-catcher excels on contested catches down the field and should immediately be a starter in three-wide sets for the team in 2025 next to Xavier Legette and veteran Adam Thielen. McMillan will give Young a wide catch radius, but there are questions about how much separation he will be able to get on a consistent basis at the next level. If it's true that Young was adamant about the team drafting McMillan, the two could quickly form a strong connection that helps McMillan become fantasy relevant in Year 1.Source: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Jaguars Plan To Start Travis Hunter In The Receiver Room
Travis Hunter start out in their wide receivers room, but they also plan to have him meet with the defensive backs and practice on the defensive side of the ball. Jacksonville pulled off a blockbuster trade with the Cleveland Browns (that included a first-round pick in 2026) to move up to second overall on Thursday night to take the 21-year-old Heisman Trophy winner. The Jags are looking to make a splash under first-year general manager James Gladstone and head coach Liam Coen, and Hunter should help them do that. First and foremost, they want Hunter to work on offense as they look to help quarterback Trevor Lawrence rebound from a disappointing and injury-plagued 2024. It's unclear how big of a role Hunter will have on offense initially, but this is an early good sign for his rookie fantasy value.Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero says that the Jacksonville Jaguars plan to have rookie two-way star Garrett Crochet Dealt Second Loss
Garrett Crochet allowed five hits and four earned runs over five innings in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Seattle Mariners. The left-handed hurler struck out nine batters and walked five while falling to 2-2 on the season. All the damage against Crochet came in the first two innings, where the Mariners would push four runs across on a double, a sac fly, and a groundout, though he'd settle in after. The 25-year-old was a little wild in this one, but still threw 65 of his 110 pitches for strikes. Despite nearly doubling his walk percentage from 2024 (10.1%), he's been superb -- compiling a tidy 1.95 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 37 innings pitched. Crochet's strikeout rate is also down a bit, but he's letting up hard contact less often and allowing batters an xBA of .214 against him. He'll square off against the Toronto Blue Jays next week.Source: ESPN
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Lions Pick Up Aidan Hutchinson's Fifth-Year Option
Source: ESPN.com - Field Yates
The Detroit Lions exercised defensive end Aidan Hutchinson's (leg) fifth-year option for the 2026 season on Friday, a source told ESPN's Field Yates. This was the expected move, even though Hutchinson only played in five games in 2024 in his third year in the league due to a fractured tibia and fibula in his left leg. The 24-year-old was a first-time Pro Bowler in 2023 and finished second in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting back in 2022. Hutchinson has proven to be one of the best young pass-rushers in the NFL and has recorded 28.5 sacks in his first 39 starts for the Lions. He posted a video of himself sprinting at the team's facilities back in February, so barring a setback this offseason, he should be ready to go for Week 1 of the 2025 regular season this fall. If Hutchinson is all systems go, he should be one of the first defensive linemen off the board in IDP fantasy drafts.Lions Exercise Jameson Williams' Fifth-Year Option
Jameson Williams' fifth-year option for the 2026 season on Friday, a source tells ESPN's Field Yates. This was a no-brainer move for the Lions after Williams broke out with his first 1,000-yard receiving season in 2024. The 24-year-old former first-rounder out of Ohio State is projected to make $15.49 million in 2026 on his fifth-year option. Williams played in only 18 games (10 starts) in his first two years in the NFL due to recovery from a torn ACL in his final year in college and a suspension for gambling last year. In 15 games (11 starts) during the regular season a year ago, he caught 58 of 91 targets for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns. He also added 11 carries for 61 yards and a TD. Williams has big-play ability every time he touches the ball, but his lack of volume in a loaded Detroit offense is worrisome and makes him a boom-or-bust fantasy commodity.Source: ESPN.com - Field Yates
The Detroit Lions exercised wide receiver Rhett Lowder To Throw A Bullpen Session On Saturday
Rhett Lowder (forearm), who has been on the IL since March with a strained forearm, is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday, April 26. This should keep him on track for a return sometime in May, although it isn't clear whether he'll be assigned to Triple-A or join the major league rotation when he is ready to go. The Reds' second-ranked prospect (MLB No. 32) began 2024 at High-A and worked his way all the way up to the majors by August, making six starts for Cincinnati, posting a 1.17 ERA (3.10 FIP), 1.27 WHIP, and a 6.3 percent K-BB% in 30 2/3 innings of work. The 23-year-old should get another shot in the majors this season, and with last year's success, fantasy managers should be on the lookout for any developments regarding his return.Source: MLB.com
Cincinnati Reds pitching prospect Aidan Miller Showing Well At Double-A Of Late
Aidan Miller has picked it up at the plate recently after beginning the Double-A season 3-for-29 (.103) over the first seven games. The Phils' top offensive prospect has gone 11-for-36 (.306) in the nine games since, with a pair of doubles, a home run, and two steals. Last season between Single and High-A, he slashed .265/.373/.460, including 28 doubles, six triples, 11 home runs, and 22 stolen bases in just 97 games, earning him a brief five-game cameo at Double-A Reading. He may not see the majors until 2026, but with his ability to be a multi-category producer, fantasy managers will want to keep an eye on the 20-year-old's progression.Source: MiLB.com
Philadelphia Phillies infield prospect Carlos Prates Looks To Remain Undefeated In The UFC
Source: UFC
On Saturday, Carlos Prates will look to extend his win streak when he takes on Ian Machado Garry in the main event of UFC Kansas City. Prates earned a UFC contract on The Contender Series back in 2023. He is currently on an 11-fight win streak, four of those being in the UFC. The last time Prates was seen in action was at UFC Vegas 100, where he defeated Neil Magny via first-round knockout. DraftKings sees Prates as the underdog with a salary of $7,700.Ian Machado Garry Set For UFC Kansas City Main Event
Source: UFC
Ian Machado Garry will look to get back in the win column when he faces off against Carlos Prates in the main event of UFC Kansas City on Saturday. Machado Garry was last seen in action back in December at UFC 310, where he lost to Shavkat Rakhmonov via unanimous decision. Prior to that bout, Machado Garry was undefeated with a record of 15-1. Overall, he's 8-1 inside the Octagon. DraftKings sees Machado Garry as the favorite with a salary of $8,500.