May 17, 2025
Cincinnati Reds second baseman/outfielder
Gavin Lux (back) was scratched on Saturday due to lower back spasms. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status leading up to Sunday's contest in case he needs additional time to recover. This afternoon,
Will Benson moved over to left field. Over his last three games, Lux has been quite productive at the plate, posting three-straight multi-hit games. Over his last nine contests, Lux has posted a stellar .303/.361/.394 slash line with three doubles. Through his first 42 games in Cincinnati, Lux has been quite impressive, as he has held a .297/.386/.407 line with one home run and one stolen base. If Lux were to remain sidelined, this could open up more opportunities in the starting nine for
Rece Hinds and
Connor Joe.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Charlie Goldsmith
May 17, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher
Clayton Kershaw (toe/knee) was officially activated off the 60-day injured list ahead of his season debut on Saturday evening against the Los Angeles Angels. The 37-year-old has been sidelined since August with toe and knee injuries. Through the early part of the campaign, the left-hander logged 21 innings of rehab work within the Dodger system. Across this stint, the future Hall of Famer held a strong 2.57 ERA with a stellar 0.81 WHIP. He struck out 16 batters and served up five free passes. Last season, Kershaw logged 30 innings in the big leagues and held a 4.50 ERA with a 1.150 WHIP. However, in 2023, Kershaw was quite effective, holding a 2.46 ERA with a 1.06 WHIP. He is a strong play in all formats this evening, facing the Angels.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Los Angeles Dodgers
May 17, 2025
The Minnesota Twins have placed outfielder
Byron Buxton (concussion) on the 7-day concussion injured list on Saturday. Earlier this week, Buxton appeared to have cleared concussion protocol, but has apparently faced a setback. Fantasy managers should continue to keep an eye on his status next week, as Buxton may only need the minimum stay on the injured list. Prior to suffering this concussion, Buxton was beginning to find his power swing, as he launched four home runs, a double, and a triple over his last 10 contests. Through 41 games this season, Buxton has posted a solid .261/.312/.522 slash line. Under the hood, he has generated an impressive 16.3% barrel rate and a 55.8% hard-hit rate. While he is sidelined, fantasy managers should expect
DaShawn Keirsey Jr. to see time in the starting nine.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Minnesota Twins
May 17, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder
Chandler Simpson (undisclosed) exited early during Saturday's contest. Simpson suffered this injury when sliding at home plate. Fantasy managers should monitor his status leading up to Sunday's contest against the Marlins, in case the team opts to give him an extra day off. Over his last five games, the No.7-ranked prospect in the Tampa Bay system has been very productive at the plate, posting a .450/.450/.600 slash line with three doubles, three RBI, and one stolen base. Through his first 25 games at the MLB level, Simpson has posted a strong .301 AVG. He has posted an elite 12.6% rate with a .292 xBA. If Simpson were to sit out on Sunday, fantasy managers should expect
Kameron Misner to get the nod at center field.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Marc Topkin
May 17, 2025
The Kansas City Royals have placed starting pitcher
Cole Ragans (groin) on the 15-day injured list with a left groin strain. Ragans exited his start on Friday due to groin tightness and will now be held out of action for at least the next two weeks. The 27-year-old has enjoyed a strong start to the season, holding a 4.53 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP across 45 2/3 innings. Ragans has tallied an impressive 72 strikeouts, which is the second-highest total in the American League. Under the hood, Ragans has generated a 2.29 xERA and a .190 xBA, which place him in the 95th and 93rd percentile, respectively. Earlier on Saturday, the Royals also placed
Seth Lugo (finger) on the 15-day IL. While
Noah Cameron is set to replace Lugo, the team has yet to announce who will replace Ragans in the rotation. Fantasy managers should stash Ragans in all formats, given his elite strikeout potential.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May 17, 2025
The Kansas City Royals have placed starting pitcher
Seth Lugo (finger) on the 15-day injured list due to a finger sprain. Lugo was initially expected to get the starting nod on Saturday, but saw his start pushed back. However, Lugo will now be held out of action for at least the next two weeks. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status while he is sidelined. This afternoon, the Royals promoted
Noah Cameron from Triple-A to take his spot in the rotation. If he performs well, Cameron should be the favorite to remain in the rotation for the next two weeks. Through 56 2/3 innings this season, the 35-year-old has posted a strong 3.02 ERA with a 1.09 WHIP. While he has only struck out 42 batters, he has provided excellent ratios. Fantasy managers in standard formats should stash Lugo while he is sidelined.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May 17, 2025
Baltimore Orioles outfielder
Colton Cowser (thumb) was able to take live batting practice on Saturday. Cowser has been sidelined since late March due to a fractured left thumb. However, seeing him increase his baseball activities is a positive sign. If Cowser continues to progress well, he could be cleared to embark on a rehab assignment in the coming weeks. Last summer, the 25-year-old appeared in a career-high 135 games with the Orioles. Across this stint, he held a .242/.321/.447 slash line with 24 doubles, 24 home runs, and nine stolen bases. When Cowser returns to action, he should have an everyday role in left field. While he remains out, fantasy managers should expect
Ramon Laureano,
Heston Kjerstad, and
Tyler O'Neill to see most of the opportunities in left field.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Andy Kostka
May 17, 2025
Baltimore Orioles first baseman
Ryan Mountcastle is not in Saturday's lineup when the Orioles continue a series against the Washington Nationals. Mountcastle has started in each of the past 18 games. Fantasy managers should expect the 28-year-old to return to the starting nine on Sunday. Over his last 18 contests, Mountcastle has posted a .239/.263/.366 slash line with six doubles, one home run, and nine RBI. During this stretch, he has held an 18:3 K:BB. Under the hood, Mountcastle has generated an above-average .264 xBA and a .456 xSLG, which suggest he should continue to see positive regression later this season. He has also generated an elite 50.9% hard-hit rate. This afternoon,
Ryan O'Hearn will shift to first base and will bat in the two-hole.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May 17, 2025
Baltimore Orioles outfielder
Tyler O'Neill (shoulder) remains out of the starting lineup on Saturday when they continue a series against the Washington Nationals. O'Neill was scratched from the lineup on Friday due to discomfort in his left shoulder. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status leading up to Sunday's game, in case the Orioles continue to hold him out of action. Over his last seven games, O'Neill has tallied just one hit and swiped two bags. This afternoon,
Heston Kjerstad will cover right field, which opens left field for
Ramon Laureano. Through 24 games this season, O'Neill has held a modest .188 AVG with a hefty 29% strikeout rate. The Orioles are worth targeting in DFS facing Washington right-hander
Jake Irvin.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May 17, 2025
Miami Marlins catcher
Agustin Ramirez and outfielder
Derek Hill are not in the starting lineup on Saturday when they continue a series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Since being promoted to the major leagues, Ramirez has taken the starting job behind the dish. Over his last 10 games, Ramirez has been productive at the plate, holding a .297/.381/.596 slash line with five doubles and two home runs. In addition, outfielder Derek Hill will take a seat. Hill has started in each of the past four games since returning from the injured list. Over his last four, Hill has held a .214 AVG with two RBI. As a result,
Nick Fortes will be behind the dish and
Liam Hicks will serve as the DH. The Marlins are best to fade in DFS this afternoon, facing Tampa right-hander
Drew Rasmussen.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May 17, 2025
Miami Marlins shortstop
Xavier Edwards (back) remains out of the starting lineup on Saturday when they continue a series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Edwards was held out of action on Friday due to lower back tightness. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status leading up to Sunday's game, in case he needs additional time off. With Edwards sitting out,
Javier Sanoja will get the starting nod at shortstop and bat in the nine-hole. Through his first 42 games of the season, Edwards has posted a .263/.337/.292 slash line with 11 stolen bases. He has drawn walks at a 9.8% rate and struck out at a 17.5% rate, which are both above the average marks. Given his elite speed upside, he should remain stashed in all category formats while he is sidelined.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May 17, 2025
Detroit Tigers shortstop
Trey Sweeney is not in Saturday's lineup when they continue a series against the Toronto Blue Jays. Sweeney has been in the starting nine in each of the past four games. During this stretch, Sweeney has held a strong .294 AVG with a home run and six RBI. Over his last 14 contests, Sweeny has been one of the most productive hitters in the sport, as he posted an impressive .357/.362/.536 slash line with one double, three home runs, and 13 RBI. This afternoon,
Zach McKinstry will get the starting nod at shortstop and will bat in the nine-hole. Fantasy managers should expect Sweeney to return to the lineup on Sunday. McKinstry and the Tigers are a viable target in DFS facing Toronto left-hander
Eric Lauer, who has only served in a bulk relief role this season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May 17, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays third baseman
Junior Caminero is not in Saturday's lineup when they continue a series against the Miami Marlins. Caminero has been in the starting nine in each of the past 10 games. Over this stretch, the former top prospect has posted a .243/.268/.405 slash line with two home runs and seven RBI. Instead,
Jose Caballero will get the nod at the hot corner and is set to bat in the six-hole. Fantasy managers should expect Caminero to return to the lineup on Sunday. Through 42 games this season, Caminero has posted a .241/.272/.426 slash line with eight home runs and two stolen bases. He has generated an elite 50.8% hard-hit rate with a .460 xSLG, which suggests he should see positive regression. The Rays are a viable target in DFS facing
Sandy Alcantara, who enters this game holding an 8.10 ERA.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Ryan Bass
May 17, 2025
Arizona Diamondbacks catching prospect
Adrian Del Castillo (shoulder) recently began his throwing program. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as he could be cleared to begin a rehab assignment in the coming weeks. The backstop is currently considered the No. 6 prospect in the Arizona system. Del Castillo made his MLB debut last season and performed quite well, posting a .313/.368/.526 slash line across 25 games. He went deep four times, added five doubles, and tallied 19 RBI. Before reaching the majors, Del Castillo spent his 2024 season with the Reno Aces, where he performed at an elite level, posting a .312/.399/.603 slash line across 105 games. When Del Castillo is cleared to return to action, he should push for an early return to the big leagues.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Alex Weiner
May 17, 2025
Chicago White Sox left-handed pitcher
Tyler Gilbert (knee) was placed on the 15-day injured list due to a sprained MCL in his left knee. In a corresponding move, the White Sox have promoted left-handed pitcher
Jared Shuster from Triple-A Charlotte. Through 13 games this season, Gilbert has been deployed both as an opener and out of the bullpen. In 13 innings of work, the southpaw has struck out 16 batters and posted a 4.85 ERA with a 1.15 WHIP. However, under the hood, Gilbert has generated an impressive 3.62 xERA and a strong .206 xBA, which are both well above the average marks. While Gilbert remains sidelined, fantasy managers should expect Shuster to serve in a similar middle-relief role in the bullpen. Fantasy managers should continue to expect
Jordan Leasure and
Cam Booser to see most of the high-leverage opportunities.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Chicago White Sox
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