Josh Smith Returns For Rangers
Josh Smith (back) is starting at shortstop and is batting leadoff in Wednesday's contest at home against the visiting Colorado Rockies and right-hander Antonio Senzatela. A sore lower back had kept Smith out of the lineup for the first two games of the series against Colorado, but he'll be back in there on Wednesday and will be a nice low-cost DFS sleeper out of the leadoff spot against the worst team in baseball. The 27-year-old utility man will also see his fantasy stock in deeper formats increase in the short term with Corey Seager (hamstring) going back on the injured list on Tuesday. Smith has limited power and speed, but he's currently slashing an impressive .310/.389/.466 with an .855 OPS, four homers, 10 RBI, 18 runs and four steals in 116 at-bats. He has never faced Senzatela in his career.Source: MLB.com
Texas Rangers infielder/outfielder Ryan Weathers Activated And Starting On Wednesday
Ryan Weathers (forearm) from the 15-day injured list and optioned left-hander Anthony Veneziano to Triple-A Jacksonville in a corresponding move. Weathers will be making his first start of 2025 on Wednesday versus Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The 25-year-old southpaw will be quite risky in starting fantasy lineups in his first start of the year against a Cubs offense that ranks fourth in all of baseball with a .768 OPS, but Weathers should be plucked off the waiver wire in any formats where he's still available. He had a sharp 1.69 ERA in 10 2/3 minor-league rehab innings, but he only threw 57 pitches during his final rehab start and will probably be on a short leash on Wednesday. Injuries have held Weathers back early in his career, but he looked good in 2024 with career-best strikeout and walk rates.Source: Miami Marlins
The Miami Marlins announced on Wednesday that they reinstated left-hander TJ Friedl Not Ready To Return
Cincinnati Reds outfielder TJ Friedl (wrist) is not in the team's starting lineup on Wednesday against the visiting Chicago White Sox at Great American Ball Park after suffering a right-wrist bone bruise when he fell onread more...
Alejandro Kirk Back Behind The Plate On Wednesday
Alejandro Kirk (head) is back behind the plate and is batting sixth on Wednesday against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays and right-hander Ryan Pepiot at Rogers Centre. Kirk was hit by a bat while catching on Sunday against the Seattle Mariners and was held out for Tuesday's series opener against Tampa despite clearing concussion testing. The 26-year-old has helped fantasy managers with a strong batting average (.286) by going 34-for-119 this year, but the Mexican backstop is lacking in counting stats with only two home runs, 13 RBI and six runs scored as Toronto's primary catcher. Still, you can't discount how hot Kirk has been in May, going 13-for-31 (.419) with a double and three RBI in eight games played. He has never faced Pepiot in his career.Source: MLB.com
Toronto Blue Jays catcher Jace Jung Optioned To Triple-A
The Detroit Tigers optioned third base prospect Jace Jung to Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday and recalled outfielder Akil Baddoo from Toledo in a corresponding move, according to the Detroit Free Press'read more...
Spencer Torkelson Resting Against Red Sox
Spencer Torkelson is getting a breather in Wednesday's game against the visiting Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park. Torkelson will take only his second day off of the season despite clubbing his 11th home run in the extra-inning win over Boston on Tuesday night. The former first overall pick in 2020 out of Arizona State is currently hitting a career-best .240 (37-for-154) and ranks first among all MLB first basemen so far in 2025 with his 11 long balls. He's also added 34 RBI in his 43 games played and has earned everyday playing time for the first-place Tigers. Expect him to be back in action after Thursday's off day for Friday's series opener against the Toronto Blue Jays. Kerry Carpenter is serving as the DH and is batting leadoff on Wednesday, with Colt Keith at first and hitting third against Red Sox right-hander Hunter Dobbins.Source: MLB.com
Detroit Tigers first baseman/designated hitter Shay Whitcomb Hits Two More Home Runs On Wednesday
Shay Whitcomb went 3-for-5 with two home runs, five RBI, and two runs scored on Wednesday for Triple-A Sugar Land. The 26-year-old has been on a tear recently, with five home runs in his last three games and four straight multi-hit performances. With 13 home runs, he stands alone atop the minor league home run leaderboard, and with a .277/.362/.613 slash line, it shouldn't be long before he gets another shot in the majors. In 20 games in the big leagues last year, the right-handed hitter had better-than-league-average strikeout and walk rates along with a solid 83.3 percent contact rate, but it didn't translate to production as he hit .220 (.278 xBA) with a .272 wOBA (.342 xwOBA) and 76 wRC+. Look for the results to be a bit better next time he gets a chance, and the 6-foot-1 slugger would be worthy of a roster spot in most 12-team leagues when that happens.Source: MiLB.com
Houston Astros infield/outfield prospect Chayce McDermott Making Spot Start In Game 2 Of Doubleheader
Chayce McDermott is being called up from Triple-A Norfolk to make a spot start in Game 2 of a doubleheader on Wednesday against the visiting Minnesota Twins. It will be McDermott's second major-league start after making his big-league debut on July 24 of last year, when he allowed three earned runs with two walks and three strikeouts in four innings in a no-decision against the Miami Marlins. The 26-year-old is considered the team's No. 4 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, but he's thrown only 9 2/3 innings for the Tides in the minors due to a strained right lat that sidelined him to begin the 2025 campaign. McDermott went four innings and threw 65 pitches in his last start for Norfolk, so fantasy managers should expect him to have a short leash in his first MLB appearance this year.Source: The Baltimore Banner - Andy Kostka
Baltimore Orioles pitching prospect J.P. Crawford Scratched From Wednesday's Lineup
J.P. Crawford (undisclosed) has been scratched from the starting lineup for Wednesday's series finale against the visiting New York Yankees at T-Mobile Park, according to Seattle Sports' Shannon Drayer. It's unclear why exactly Crawford is being scratched, but Drayer notes that he looked fine in the clubhouse and was seen playing catch early. Leo Rivas is drawing into the starting lineup at shortstop and will hit ninth against Yankees right-hander Will Warren. Miles Mastrobuoni is also hitting out of the leadoff spot. Fantasy managers need to pull Crawford from their starting lineups on Wednesday and check back for an update on a possible injury or illness that he may be dealing with. The 30-year-old Crawford has hit a solid .271 in 140 at-bats this year but with just three homers, 18 RBI, 18 runs and two steals.Source: Seattle Sports - Shannon Drayer
Seattle Mariners shortstop Dodgers Calling Up Dalton Rushing
The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya reports that the Los Angeles Dodgers are calling up prized catching prospect Dalton Rushing from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday, according to sources. Rushing will get his first big-league promotion after tearingread more...
Juan Soto Sitting For First Time This Year
Juan Soto will get his first day off of the season on Wednesday against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates with a left-hander on the mound. Jose Azocar will replace him in right field and will bat ninth against Pirates left-hander Bailey Falter. Given all the expectations surrounding Soto, the 26-year-old Dominican has been a disappointment from a fantasy standpoint with a .255 average (40-for-157), but he still has a .380 on-base percentage and .845 OPS in 192 plate appearances, adding eight home runs, 20 RBI and 31 runs scored. He's been heating up of late, too, going 13-for-45 (.289) with five home runs, two doubles, an RBI and 10 runs scored in 12 games in the month of May. Azocar has five hits in his first 17 at-bats with the Mets this year but will be a low-upside DFS option in the nine-hole for the Mets against a pitcher he has never faced.Source: MLB.com
New York Mets outfielder Ian Seymour Leading Triple-A In Strikeouts
Ian Seymour allowed two earned runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out nine in his latest start at Triple-A Durham this past Saturday. The southpaw leads Triple-A pitchers in strikeouts with 55 on the season, good for a 32.5 percent strikeout rate. Paired with good command -- walking batters at just a 5.9 percent rate -- the 26-year-old boasts a 26.6 percent K-BB% with a 1.96 ERA and 1.09 WHIP through seven starts (eight appearances, 41 1/3 IP). Owning a 2.42 career ERA in the minors with ever-present strikeout stuff (career 31.2 percent), the lefty appears to be closer than ever to a major league debut. Managers looking for ratio help should consider picking up the Rays' 19th-ranked prospect whenever he gets the call.Source: MiLB.com
Tampa Bay Rays pitching prospect Ty France Injures Foot In Game 1 Of Doubleheader
Ty France (foot) left Game 1 of the team's doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday early with a left-foot contusion, the team announced. France left the game after grounding out in the fifth inning and was replaced by Kody Clemens at first base. Before leaving, France went hitless in three at-bats in the eventual 6-3 victory. It's unclear how serious the 30-year-old veteran's injury is, but he'll almost certainly sit out the second game of the twin bill on Wednesday. There's also a good chance he won't be ready to return for Thursday's series finale with the O's. Heading into Wednesday's doubleheader, France was hitting .260/.325/.373 with a below-average .699 OPS, three homers and 21 RBI in 41 games. A long-term injury for France could push Clemens and Jonah Bride into a platoon at first base.Source: The Minnesota Star Tribune - Bobby Nightengale
Minnesota Twins first baseman Alan Trejo Getting A Breather Against Rangers
Colorado Rockies infielder Alan Trejo will retreat to the bench for Wednesday's series finale against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Kyle Farmer will start at shortstop and will hitread more...
Paul Goldschmidt, Austin Wells Starting On Bench On Wednesday
New York Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and catcher Austin Wells are not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's series finale against the hosting Seattle Mariners. Benread more...