April 29, 2025
New York Mets outfielder
Brandon Nimmo had a career day at the plate on Monday but finds himself on the bench for Tuesday's contest against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks with left-hander
Eduardo Rodriguez on the bump.
Jose Azocar will start in left field and will bat ninth against Rodriguez. Nimmo went 4-for-6 with two home runs and nine RBI in the 19-5 thrashing of the Washington Nationals on Monday. It was a nice offensively explosion for the 32-year-old veteran, who is still hitting only .218 (24-for-110) on the season with 21 RBI and 13 runs scored. He ranks tied for 14th in MLB with his 21 RBI. Expect to see Nimmo back in the Mets' starting lineup on Wednesday. Azocar has four hits in his first 10 at-bats this year but will be a low-upside DFS play in the nine-hole on Tuesday against a pitcher he has never faced.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
April 29, 2025
After signing left-handed reliever
Brooks Raley (elbow) to a one-year major-league deal earlier this month with a team option for the 2026 season, the New York Mets placed him on the 15-day injured list. The Mets also moved left-hander
Sean Manaea (oblique) to the 60-day IL to open up a 40-man roster spot for Raley. The 36-year-old Raley is recovering from Tommy John surgery and probably isn't going to be a relief option for New York's bullpen until the second half of the season. He spent the last two seasons with the Mets but only appeared in eight games out of the bullpen in 2024 before being shut down with his elbow injury. Raley was a key member of the bullpen in 2023, when he had a 2.80 ERA (3.68 FIP), a 1.26 WHIP, three saves, 61 strikeouts and 25 walks in 54 2/3 innings. He will continue to build up his arm after TJ surgery.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Newsday - Tim Healey
April 29, 2025
New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said that right-handed reliever
Dedniel Nunez's post-spring ramp-up if finished and he can be recalled to the major leagues whenever he's needed. Nunez was eligible to be called up from Triple-A Syracuse on April 11, but he remains on the farm for now after missing the majority of the second half of last season with right-forearm issues. When the Mets deem the 28-year-old read to rejoin the big-league bullpen, he will be one worth rostering in fantasy leagues that reward points for holds. The Dominican hurler was a key member of New York's bullpen in his rookie season in 2024 before his late-season injury, as he went 2-0 with a 2.31 ERA (2.22 FIP), a 0.91 WHIP, one save, 48 strikeouts and only eight walks in 35 relief innings. Nunez should make his 2025 debut at some point in May.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Tim Britton
April 29, 2025
Cleveland Guardians shortstop
Brayan Rocchio is out of the lineup on Tuesday against the Twins. The 24-year-old has been cold at the plate to start the year, but more so as of late, going 1-for-17 (.059) over his last five games. Gabriel Arias will slide over and man short while
Daniel Schneemann will occupy the keystone, with Arias batting second and Schneemann batting seventh.
Chris Paddack takes the mound for the Twins, who has been better since allowing nine earned runs in his first start of the year, but Cleveland has one of the higher implied run totals of the early games, so Guardians hitters could be an appealing group to stack. Arias specifically is 1-for-3 off of Paddack in his career, with the lone hit going down as a double.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Cleveland Guardians
April
29,
2025
Arizona
Diamondbacks
first
baseman
Josh
Naylor
will
take
his
first
day
off
of
the
season
in
Tuesday's
contest
against
the
New
York
Mets
at
Citi
Field.
Pavin
Smith
is
getting
the
read more...
April 29, 2025
Despite the Tennessee Titans selecting former Miami quarterback
Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the team is in no rush to trade former second-round pick
Will Levis. According to general manager Mike Borgozini, Levis has "a lot of value" as a signal-caller to compete with Ward. "There is going to be competition in every room, and he elevates the competition in that room," Borgonzi said. "That is what we're trying to do here as we get into training camp, to have the best 90-man roster, best competition in every room, and Will certainly provides that." While it sounds like Tennessee wants to make Cam Ward earn the starting role, it would be a shocker if he's not the Week 1 starter in 2025. Levis might stick around through the offseason and training camp, but he could be traded near the start of the regular season.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: TennesseeTitans.com
April 29, 2025
The Toronto Blue Jays announced on Tuesday that they reinstated outfielder
Daulton Varsho (shoulder) from the 10-day injured list and optioned right-hander
Paxton Schultz and infielder
Will Wagner to Triple-A Buffalo in corresponding moves. Varsho is making his 2025 debut on Tuesday in center field while batting sixth against Boston Red Sox left-hander
Garrett Crochet. While Varsho should be avoided for DFS purposes in a tough matchup in his return, the 28-year-old will resume his role as Toronto's everyday starting center fielder with an elite glove. He missed the first month of the season after having right-shoulder surgery last September. Varsho went 3-for-25 with seven strikeouts in seven minor-league rehab games, so fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if he gets out to a slow start in 2025. He hit just .214/.293/.407 with a .700 OPS, 18 homers, 58 RBI and 10 steals in 136 games a year ago.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Toronto Blue Jays
April
29,
2025
There
have
been
questions
surrounding
whether
or
not
Minnesota
Vikings
quarterback
J.J.
McCarthy
(knee)
was
prepared
to
start
in
2025,
but
the
2024
first-round
pick
out
of
Michigan
has
no
doubts,
saying,
"I
know
I'm
ready
read more...
April
29,
2025
Cincinnati
Reds
catcher
Jose
Trevino
will
take
a
seat
on
the
bench
for
the
start
of
the
second
game
of
the
series
on
Tuesday
against
the
division-rival
St.
Louis
Cardinals
at
Great
American
Ball
Park.
read more...
April 29, 2025
Minnesota Twins infielder
Jonah Bride will get the start at third base in Tuesday's matchup against the Guardians. Bride, who was acquired earlier this month from the Marlins, recorded a three-hit effort on Monday and is 6-for-11 (.545) over his last three games. The Twins have a low implied run total for this one as they take on RHP
Tanner Bibee, so Bride doesn't offer too much appeal for DFS, but if you are looking for a cheap bat that has been hitting well recently, Bride could fit the bill. Brooks Lee, who has also played third base for the Twins, is also in the lineup but will man second base and bat seventh.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Minnesota Twins
April 29, 2025
Cincinnati Reds outfielder
Jake Fraley (quadriceps) is starting in right field and will bat seventh on Tuesday against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals and right-hander
Miles Mikolas at Great American Ball Park. A right-quadriceps bruise caused Fraley to be scratched from the series opener against St. Louis on Monday, but he's back in action a day later and will face off against Mikolas, a pitcher he's gone hitless against with one RBI in 10 career at-bats. The 29-year-old Fraley hasn't had a hit in any of his last four games and is now hitting .206 (14-for-68) on the season with two home runs, eight RBI, three stolen bases and 10 runs scored in the early going. Fraley does hit much better against right-handed pitchers, but he's not going to be a very attractive DFS option out of the seven-hole for the Reds on Tuesday.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
April 29, 2025
Minnesota Twins catcher
Ryan Jeffers is getting the day off on Tuesday as the team faces the division-rival Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field.
Christian Vazquez will do the catching for right-hander
Chris Paddack while batting ninth against Guardians right-hander
Tanner Bibee. The Twins announced last weekend that Jeffers would be their primary backstop over Vazquez going forward after the two essentially split the catching duties down the middle the previous two seasons. While Jeffers is by no means an offensive superstar, he definitely provides more thump with the bat than Vazquez and is hitting .257 (19-for-74) on the year with a homer, 10 RBI and seven runs scored. Meanwhile, Vazquez has gone 5-for-36 (.139) and has yet to homer in 2025. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere at catcher for DFS lineups than Vazquez.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
April 29, 2025
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Cincinnati Bengals are picking up the fifth-year option on defensive back Dax Hill. This locks Hill into a projected $12.7 million salary for 2026. The former first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Michigan has played in 37 games (24 starts) for the Bengals, compiling 151 tackles (103 solo), two interceptions, 13 pass deflections, 2.5 sacks, and seven tackles for loss. Despite Hill suffering a torn ACL in Week 5 of the 2024 campaign, the organization is clearly optimistic about his recovery and potential in the future.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Jeremy Fowler
April 29, 2025
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder
Matt Gorski will make his second career start Tuesday, manning first base and hitting sixth in the team's matchup with the Cubs. The former second-round draft pick debuted on April 24, hitting a solo home run for his first career hit. The 6-foot-2 slugger offers a little pop and speed, hitting 23 home runs and stealing 15 bases in 113 games at Triple-A last year. He'll have a tough test against lefty
Shota Imanaga on Tuesday, but he could be a cheap DFS dart throw in hopes he hits another home run.
Enmanuel Valdez will take a seat after starting the last three games at first base for the Pirates.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Pittsburgh Pirates
April 29, 2025
The Los Angeles Chargers placed the unrestricted free-agent tender on running back
J.K. Dobbins on Tuesday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The veteran remains eligible to sign with any team, but the Chargers will retain his exclusive negotiating rights if he does not. If he doesn't sign with a new team, he would be due $3.428 million in 2025. After coming back from a torn Achilles last season, Dobbins rushed for 905 yards and nine touchdowns. Surely, the former Baltimore Ravens second-round pick would prefer to play somewhere else after the team added
Najee Harris via free agency and former North Carolina running back
Omarion Hampton in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. This is a situation worth monitoring for fantasy football purposes.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Adam Schefter
April 29, 2025
The Seattle Seahawks waived quarterback
Jaren Hall on Tuesday, according to Ari Meirov of the 33rd Team. After the Seahawks selected former Alabama quarterback
Jalen Milroe in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Hall became expendable. The BYU product was a fifth-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings and posted 13 competitions on 20 attempts for 168 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception in three career game appearances in his rookie campaign. He signed with Seattle last offseason and spent the majority of the season on the practice squad. Now, Seattle's quarterback room consists of
Sam Darnold,
Drew Lock, and Milroe. Anyone holding out hope for Hall in deep dynasty leagues can cut him loose.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Ari Meirov -- 33rd Team
April 29, 2025
Cincinnati Reds outfielder/designated hitter
Austin Hays is not in the lineup for Tuesday's matchup against the Cardinals. The 29-year-old has been swinging a hot bat since his return from the injured list, hitting .365 with five home runs, 13 RBI, 15 runs scored, a stolen base, and a 6:13 BB:K over just 58 plate appearances. The right-handed hitter had collected at least two hits in three straight games before going hitless on Monday. The 5-foot-11 slugger will get a chance to take a breather, but should be back in the lineup on Wednesday against
Steven Matz, whom he is 4-for-14 off of during his career, including a double. Gavin Luz will DH and bat fourth on Tuesday, while
Santiago Espinal will man left field and bat eighth.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Cincinnati Reds
April 29, 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs selected former Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons with the No. 32 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Chiefs have had a weakness at tackle over the last few seasons and evidently took their shot at fixing it on Day 1. On Monday, Chiefs director of player personnel and college scouting Ryne Nutt compared Simmons to Minnesota Vikings tackle Christian Darrisaw and Los Angeles Chargers tackle Rashawn Slater. Darrisaw and Slater were the No. 13 and No. 23 overall picks in the 2021 Draft, respectively, and both are widely viewed as some of the best blindside protectors in the NFL. If Kansas City can get that kind of play out of Simmons early in his career, it would go a long way in helping the Chiefs recapture their downfield passing attack.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
April 29, 2025
Atlanta Braves pitcher
AJ Smith-Shawver was recalled from Triple-A and will start Tuesday's game against the Rockies. The righty made three starts for the team earlier this season, posting a 4.61 ERA (3.56 xFIP), a 1.98 WHIP, and a 13.8 K-BB% across 13 2/3 innings pitched. The former seventh-round pick debuted back in 2023, but was just 20 years old at the time. The now-22-year-old will make his next attempt to stick in the Braves' rotation and although the venue (Coors Field) doesn't do him any favors, the Rockies are 4-24 with one of the worst team batting averages in baseball and have struck out the most in the majors over the first month of the season. The Braves are heavy favorites in this game, so Smith-Shawver could be a viable DFS play who could manage to pick up a win in this one.
Ian Anderson, who the Braves recently claimed off waivers, was designated for assignment to make room.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Atlanta Braves
April
29,
2025
Denver
Broncos
head
coach
Sean
Payton
says
that
rookie
wide
receiver
Pat
Bryant,
who
the
team
took
at
No.
74
overall
in
the
third
round
in
last
week's
NFL
draft,
reminds
him
of
former
New
Orleans
read more...
April 29, 2025
Denver Broncos rookie running back
RJ Harvey, who was taken 60th overall in last week's NFL draft in the second round, could end up doing it all for the Broncos as a runner and pass-catcher, even though he caught only 20 passes in 2024 in his final season at UCF. "This was kind of our pet cat throughout the process," general manager George Paton said. "His running style — we feel he's dynamic. He has really good vision, really good instincts, really good contact balance. Highly explosive. We thought maybe he had the best vision in the draft." Harvey wasn't used a lot as a pass-catcher in college, but that's going to change in Denver with head coach Sean Payton. In addition to his potential as a pass-catcher, Harvey had 1,577 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns in 2024. With home run ability and a three-down skill set, expect Harvey to be the team's RB1 come the fall.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: DenverBroncos.com - Aric DiLalla
April
29,
2025
Carolina
Panthers
first-round
rookie
wide
receiver
Tetairoa
McMillan
is
likely
to
man
the
X
spot
and
be
an
immediate
fixture
of
the
Panthers'
offense
in
2025,
according
to
The
Charlotte
Observer's
Mike
Kaye.
read more...
April 29, 2025
The Green Bay Packers and cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) continue to talk about a possible resolution this offseason, which could include a reconciliation to where Alexander plays for the Packers again in 2025, a source tells ESPN's Rob Demovsky. All options remain on the table, including a release, trade or re-signing. Despite the fact that the 28-year-old defensive back could still be released, Alexander took part in the team's virtual offseason program last week, potentially signaling that he's leaning toward returning. The two-time Pro Bowler has played in only 14 regular-season games the last two years due to injuries and missed the final eight games in 2024 due to a knee injury that required surgery in December. The Packers could use the former first-rounder (18th overall) back, but he's unlikely to return to his Pro Bowl form given all of his recent injuries.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky
April 29, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
George Pickens' name was tossed around in trade discussions last week during the 2025 NFL draft, according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, and the Dallas Cowboys were one of the teams that talked about bringing him in, according to sources. Nothing went down with Pickens, though, and now that the draft is over, it's expected that trade buzz surrounding Pickens will cool off. While the 24-year-old wideout was the subject of some trade talks, the Steelers never really seemed adamant about moving him and are excited about the possibilities in 2025 with a 1-2 receiver punch of Pickens and
DK Metcalf. Pickens' long-term future with the team is in question, though, as he heads into the final year of his rookie deal. The former second-rounder came short of the 1,000-yard mark for a second straight season, and his fantasy arrow is pointing down after the addition of Metcalf.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Dianna Russini
April 29, 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs plan to pick up the fifth-year option of cornerback Trent McDuffie and pass-rusher George Karlaftis for the 2026 season, a source tells ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. McDuffie, who was the 21st overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft out of Washington, was a first-time All-Pro in his second year in 2023 and had 59 tackles (45 solo), half a sack, six tackles for loss, his first two career interceptions, 13 pass breakups and a forced fumble in 16 regular-season starts for the Chiefs in 2024. The 24-year-old has started all 43 games that he's appeared in since entering the league in 2022 and will continue to be a staple for KC's secondary. Karlaftis, the 30th overall pick in 2022 out of Purdue, has 24.5 sacks in his three seasons, with his best year coming in 2023, when he had 10.5 sacks in 16 starts. The 24-year-old added four sacks in the team's three playoff games this past season.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
April 29, 2025
Veteran free-agent kicker
Matt Gay signed a one-year deal worth over $4.25 million fully guaranteed with the Washington Commanders on Tuesday, according to his agents. It's the most fully guaranteed money for a kicker on a one-year deal in NFL history. Gay can earn up to $5 million with reachable incentives in 2025 in D.C. In a corresponding move, the Commanders are releasing kicker
Zane Gonzalez. In a Commanders offense that ranked fifth in the NFL in points per game (28.5), Gay should immediately be in play as a lower-end fantasy kicking option for the 2025 season. The 31-year-old booter went 31-for-37 (83.8%) on his field-goal tries in 16 games with the Indianapolis Colts last year, but he made just three of nine attempts from 50-plus yards out. He was a perfect 33-for-33 on extra points and has made 85.5% of his 193 career field-goal attempts in six years in the NFL.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
April 29, 2025
Six-time Pro Bowl tight end
George Kittle signed a four-year, $76.4 million contract extension with the San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday that includes $40 million guaranteed, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Now that the two sides were able to work out a contract extension, Kittle should show up for the team's voluntary offseason program, while the Niners can now turn their full attention to getting an extension done with quarterback
Brock Purdy. Despite being on the wrong side of 30 -- he'll turn 32 in October, Kittle finished as the TE2 in half-PPR scoring last year, behind only Las Vegas Raiders rookie
Brock Bowers. He finished 2024 with 78 catches on 94 targets for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns in only 15 games played. Kittle is a high-end fantasy tight end, but he's also injury-prone and relies more on efficiency than volume, as he hasn't had triple-digit targets since 2019.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
April 29, 2025
New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said that outfielder
Jose Siri's (leg) absence should be around eight to 10 weeks from the time of his injury, which makes it possible that he could return sometime in June. It's a more optimistic timeline that what The Athletic's Tim Britton had based on other players who fractured their tibias and typically required four to five months to return. With the 29-year-old sideline,
Tyrone Taylor has been a regular in center field for the Mets but hasn't really taken advantage of the playing time, hitting just .178 (13-for-73) with no homers, three RBI, one steal and seven runs scored. Siri had been even worse to open up his first year in Queens with just one hit in 20 at-bats before fracturing his left tibia. When the Dominican outfielder returns in June, he's going to need to hit a lot better to steal playing time away from Taylor.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Tim Britton
April
29,
2025
The
Athletic's
Tim
Britton
guesses
that
New
York
Mets
left-hander
Brandon
Waddell
could
start
or
pitch
bulk
innings
for
the
team
on
Wednesday
against
the
Arizona
Diamondbacks.
Two
other
potential
options
for
Wednesday
include
read more...
April 29, 2025
Baltimore Orioles right-handed pitching prospect Michael Forret (back) was removed from his outing on Tuesday due to low back discomfort. Forret logged two innings of work and struck out three before exiting the game. The 21-year-old is currently ranked as the No. 8-best prospect in the Baltimore system on MLB Pipeline. Fantasy managers should monitor Forret's status as he could face an extended absence if this injury begins to linger. He has enjoyed an impressive start to the High-A regular season, as he has logged a stellar 0.92 ERA with a 0.66 WHIP across 19 2/3 innings of work. During this stint, he has held a 26:6 K:BB and did not allow a long ball. This is an excellent sign for the 21-year-old as he posted a 4.35 ERA across his first 60 innings at High-A last season. If he continues to pitch well, he could earn a Double-A promotion later this summer.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jake Rill
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