May 4, 2025
Chicago White Sox infielder
Bobby Dalbec has been designated for assignment. Dalbec inked a minor-league contract with the White Sox in January but was only able to appear in seven games. During this brief stint with the White Sox,, Dalbec held a modest .222/.333/.278 slash line with one double and a 6:3 K:BB. Under the hood, Dalbec generated a modest .258 xwOBA but was able to draw walks at an impressive 14.3 percent rate. Last season, Dalbec held a .133/.217/.193 slash line across 37 games with the Boston Red Sox. Fantasy managers should expect Dalbec to report to Triple-A Charlotte if he goes unclaimed on waivers. With Dalbec on waivers,
Josh Rojas should have a full-time role in the infield going forward.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Chicago White Sox
May 4, 2025
Miami Marlins outfielder
Jesus Sanchez (back) remains sidelined on Sunday when the Marlins conclude a series against the Athletics. Sanchez was scratched from Saturday's lineup due to back tightness and will remain sidelined on Sunday. The 27-year-old has only appeared in 14 games this season and has posted a modest .200/.310/.300 slash line with two doubles and one home run. Under the hood, Sanchez has generated a solid .360 xwOBA and an 11.4 percent barrel rate, which suggests he should see some positive regression when he returns to the starting nine. However, this afternoon, the Marlins will give
Dane Myers the start in center field, and
Ronny Simon and
Kyle Stowers will cover the corners.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Miami Marlins
May 4, 2025
Athletics first baseman/outfielder
Tyler Soderstrom is not in Sunday's lineup when the Athletics look to clinch a series victory over the Miami Marlins. Soderstrom has been in the starting nine in each game through the opening month. Soderstrom has enjoyed an impressive start to the campaign, posting a .277/.340/.523 slash line with five doubles and nine long balls. In addition, the Athletics have begun to give Soderstrom opportunities in left field as well as time at first base. Fantasy managers should expect the former 26th overall pick to return to the starting nine on Monday evening when they begin a series against the Seattle Mariners. As a result, this afternoon, prospect
Nick Kurtz will cover first base and
Miguel Andujar will cover left field.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May 4, 2025
Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitcher
Dennis Santana has been activated from the bereavement list prior to Sunday's contest against the San Diego Padres. In a corresponding move, the Pirates have optioned right-handed pitcher
Kyle Nicolas to Triple-A Indianapolis. Through his first 12 1/3 innings of the season, Santana has been a reliable high-leverage option out of the bullpen, holding a stellar 1.46 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP. Across this stint, Santana has struck out just seven batters but has tallied three saves. While Santana was sidelined,
David Bednar returned to the closer role, but given Bednar's early-season struggles, Santana could still be in the mix to see the majority of save situations. However, given the potential for a timeshare, he should only be started in deeper 12+ team formats.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Pittsburgh Pirates
May 4, 2025
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher
Cole Ragans (groin) is slated to start Monday's game against the Chicago White Sox. Ragans was unable to pitch this week due to a groin strain. However, it appears the southpaw will be making a quick return to the bump. This past week, the Royals promoted left-handed pitching prospect
Noah Cameron to make his MLB debut as a replacement. He carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning but was sent back to Triple-A Omaha following this outing, suggesting Ragans would be clear to make his next start. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on Ragans in case he faces a setback leading up to Monday's contest. Through his first 30 2/3 innings of work this season, Ragans has posted a 4.40 ERA but flashed elite strikeout potential, tallying 46. If he gets the starting nod on Monday, he will be a popular play in DFS facing the White Sox.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jaylon Thompson
May 4, 2025
Chicago White Sox infielder
Josh Rojas (toe) was activated off the 10-day injured list prior to Sunday's contest against the Houston Astros. Rojas is slated to cover the hot corner and bat in the eight-hole. This will be Rojas' season debut. The 30-year-old has been sidelined with a fracture since March. Last season, Rojas had a full-time role in the Seattle offense, appearing in 143 games. During this stint, Rojas held a .225/.304/.336 slash line with 19 doubles, eight home runs, and swiping 10 bags. Under the hood, Rojas generated a weak .293 xwOBA and a .223 xBA, which were both well below the average marks. Fantasy managers should expect Rojas to have close to an everyday role in the Chicago offense. However, given his low offensive upside, he should only be targeted in deeper AL-only formats.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Chicago White Sox
May 4, 2025
Houston Astros designated hitter
Yordan Alvarez (hand) is "feeling better" but will remain sidelined on Sunday. Manager Joe Espada noted that Alvarez will likely not need imaging on his hand. This is a positive sign as it appears Alvarez is dealing with a minor injury. Fantasy managers should monitor his status leading up to their next game on Monday evening against the Milwaukee Brewers. This afternoon,
Yainer Diaz will shift to the DH spot, which opens a spot for
Victor Caratini to be behind the dish. Before his injury, Alvarez was having a slow start to the campaign, holding a modest .210/.306/.340 slash line with three home runs and one stolen base. However, under the hood, the slugger has generated an elite .495 xSLG and a .364 xwOBA, which are both well above the average marks. The Astros are worth targeting in DFS this afternoon, facing Chicago right-hander
Bryse Wilson.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Chandler Rome
May 4, 2025
The Miami Marlins have placed infielder
Otto Lopez (ankle) on the 10-day injured list prior to Sunday's game against the Athletics. In a corresponding move, the Marlins activated catcher
Nick Fortes (oblique) from the 10-day injured list. Lopez was diagnosed with a Grade 2 ankle sprain after exiting Friday's contest early. As a result, fantasy managers should expect Lopez to spend longer than the minimum time on the injured list. This afternoon, the Marlins will give
Javier Sanoja the nod at the keystone, and he will bat ninth. Before the injury, Lopez had posted a modest .229/.294/.330 slash line with two home runs and three stolen bases. Sanoja should see a majority of the opportunities at the keystone while Lopez is sidelined, with
Ronny Simon mixing in.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Miami Marlins
May
4,
2025
New
York
Mets
third
baseman
Mark
Vientos
is
not
in
the
starting
lineup
for
Game
1
of
a
doubleheader
on
Sunday
at
Busch
Stadium
against
the
hosting
St.
Louis
Cardinals.
Luisangelread more...
May 4, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder
Daulton Varsho (back) has been scratched from Sunday's starting lineup against the visiting Cleveland Guardians due to lower-back tightness, according to MLB.com's Keegan Matheson.
Nathan Lukes will now patrol center field in the series finale at Rogers Centre against Guardians right-hander
Tanner Bibee. Varsho has only played in five games in 2025 after getting a late start to the season due to offseason right-shoulder surgery. The 28-year-old has gone 3-for-14 with two home runs, three RBI, a steal and three runs scored. For now, fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day. Toronto has an off day on Monday before beginning a series in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday, so hopefully Varsho will be feeling better by then. He's a Gold Glover and the Jays' starting center fielder when he's healthy. Lukes will be a poor DFS choice in the eight-hole.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
May 4, 2025
Cleveland Guardians third baseman
Jose Ramirez (ankle) is back at third base and in the three-hole for Cleveland in Sunday's series finale on the road in Toronto against the Blue Jays and right-hander
Bowden Francis. Ramirez is back in there following a one-game absence on Saturday after he sprained his ankle landing on a base in Friday's game at Rogers Centre. Fantasy managers will want to get the six-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger back in their lineups in all formats on Sunday. The 32-year-old Dominican switch-hitter has been good but not great so far in 2025, slashing .274/.323/.451 with a .774 OPS, five long balls, 15 RBI, 14 runs scored and eight stolen bases in his first 113 at-bats. J-Ram has only faced Francis two times in his career and has one hit and one RBI.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May
4,
2025
Boston
Red
Sox
shortstop
Trevor
Story
will
take
a
seat
on
the
bench
for
Sunday's
series
finale
at
Fenway
Park
against
the
visiting
Minnesota
Twins.
With
Story
sitting,
David
Hamilton
will
read more...
May
4,
2025
The
Tampa
Bay
Rays
are
giving
a
handful
of
their
regular
starters
a
rest
in
Sunday's
series
finale
against
the
division-rival
New
York
Yankees
in
the
Bronx,
as
third
baseman
Junior
Caminero,
utility
man
read more...
May 4, 2025
Baltimore Orioles outfielder
Ramon Laureano is on the bench for the team's game on Sunday against the visiting Kansas City Royals at Camden Yards. Catcher
Adley Rutschman is serving as the designated hitter and is batting third, while
Ryan O'Hearn is in right field and hitting cleanup for the O's against Royals right-hander
Michael Lorenzen. Laureano will take a seat after starting each of the team's last six games. The 30-year-old veteran Dominican probably is going to need to pick things up at the plate to stay in the lineup consistently, as he enters Sunday's action hitting just .189/.241/.415 with a .656 OPS, three home runs, six RBI, four runs scored and one stolen base in 53 at-bats. When
Colton Cowser (thumb) and
Tyler O'Neill (neck) return from the injured list, Laureano will be relegated to a bench role in Baltimore.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May 4, 2025
Baltimore Orioles prospect
Coby Mayo is starting at third base and is batting seventh for Sunday's series finale against the visiting Kansas City Royals and right-hander
Michael Lorenzen. Mayo, the team's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, was promoted from Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday and came off the bench in the 4-0 loss to go 0-for-2 with a strikeout. The 23-year-old should see regular playing time at the hot corner for Baltimore with both
Jordan Westburg (hamstring) and
Ramon Urias (hamstring) on the injured list, making him attractive in deep-mixed fantasy leagues for the short-term. In his MLB debut in 2024, Mayo was overmatched, going 4-for-41 with 22 strikeouts. He had an impressive .869 OPS with Norfolk before his promotion, though, so those that have him in dynasty/keeper leagues will be hoping he'll fare better this time around.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
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