May 9, 2025
Colorado Rockies designated hitter
Kris Bryant (back) had a successful ablation surgery on his back on Friday and will rest for the next 72 hours. The Rockies expect him to be back in Denver next Saturday, and he will begin activities to build up strength in his back on Sunday. The 33-year-old oft-injured outfielder is hoping to return this season, but he's going to at least be recovering for the next several weeks before he can even think about resuming baseball activities. The four-time All-star and former MVP had gone 6-for-39 (.154) with no home runs and 13 strikeouts in 11 games before landing on the injured list in the middle of April with his back injury. Based on Bryant's last few years in Colorado, we're not banking on him returning before the All-Star break in mid-July or returning to be much of a fantasy asset in mixed leagues in the second half.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: DNVR Sports - Patrick Lyons
May 9, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander
Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) will make one more minor-league start with Triple-A Nashville on Sunday. Barring a setback, Woodruff will be activated from the injured list to make his 2025 debut during the team's series at home against the Minnesota Twins that starts next Friday, May 16, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy. The 32-year-old veteran has looked good in five rehab starts, posting a 2.70 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with seven walks and 22 strikeouts with High-A Wisconsin (two starts) and Nashville (three starts). He is making his way back from right-shoulder in September of 2023. Woodruff was a fantasy ace before his injury and should be stashed in all fantasy formats, but you might want to temper your expectations initially as Milwaukee looks to ease him back into their starting rotation.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
May 9, 2025
The Baltimore Orioles announced that they optioned infield prospect
Coby Mayo to Triple-A Norfolk after Thursday's game to make room for the return of outfielder
Tyler O'Neill (neck) from the 10-day injured list. Although Mayo played in just four games in his second stint in the big leagues after a disappointing debut performance in 2024, he had just one hit in 12 at-bats with a walk and six strikeouts, and he also didn't endear himself to the coaching staff with his play on defense. In his first 21 big-league games, the team's No. 2-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline, has gone 5-for-53 (.094) with no homers or RBI, five walks and 28 strikeouts. Mayo will head back to Norfolk for the time being but should rejoin Baltimore sooner than later as he looks to finally break through at the major-league level this year. Fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues are getting frustrated.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Baltimore Orioles
May 9, 2025
Houston Astros outfielder
Cam Smith is out of the team's starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the visiting Cincinnati Reds at Daikin Park.
Zach Dezenzo will man right field and will hit seventh against Reds right-hander
Nick Martinez. This will be the second straight game and the fourth out of the last six contests that Smith has started on the bench for Houston. After dominating in spring training, the 22-year-old former 14th overall pick last year by the Chicago Cubs out of Florida State is hitting just .212 (18-for-85) with three homers, 10 RBI, nine runs and a steal in his first 26 MLB regular-season games. He's struck out 29 times and walked only nine times. If Smith's struggles continue, fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if the Astros send him back to the farm to make some adjustments. Dezenzo has a hit and two RBI in three career at-bats against Martinez.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May 9, 2025
The Chicago Cubs have placed right-handed pitcher
Caleb Thielbar (paternity) on the paternity list. In a corresponding move, the Cubs have recalled
Tom Cosgrove from Triple-A Iowa. Thielbar has been deployed as a high-leverage option out of the bullpen through the opening month of the campaign. Across his first 13 2/3 innings of work, Thielbar has held a 3.29 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP. Across this stint, he has struck out 14 batters and served up seven walks. Thielbar has typically been deployed in the seventh inning and has tallied three holds and one save. He has also blown two save opportunities. While he is sidelined, fantasy managers should expect
Ryan Pressly to continue to operate as the go-to option in the ninth inning, with
Porter Hodge being the setup man. When Thielbar does return, he will only hold value in NL-only formats that reward holds.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Maddie Lee
May 9, 2025
Boston Red Sox first infielder
Romy Gonzalez (back) remains out of the team's starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the hosting Kansas City Royals and right-hander
Michael Lorenzen at Kauffman Stadium.
Abraham Toro will make another start at the cold corner and will bat seventh. Gonzalez has missed a few games now due to a minor back injury, but he's expected to avoid a trip to the injured list and return at some point this weekend against the Royals. The 28-year-old has yet to go deep in 52 at-bats this year, but he's hitting over .300 and has plenty of appeal in AL-only leagues now that we know
Triston Casas (knee) is done for the rest of the season. Toro makes for an unattractive DFS sleeper while hitting .111 (1-for-9) early on in his tenure with Boston. He's also gone hitless in three career at-bats against Lorenzen.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May 9, 2025
The Baltimore Orioles have activated outfielder
Tyler O'Neill (neck) from the 10-day injured list prior to Friday's contest against the Los Angeles Angels. In a corresponding move, the Orioles have optioned third baseman
Coby Mayo to Triple-A Norfolk. O'Neill is also in the starting nine this evening. He will bat sixth and cover right field. Before his injury, O'Neill held a modest .215/.284/.385 slash line with three doubles, one triple, and two home runs across his first 19 games of the campaign. He has tallied 10 RBI and scored eight runs. Under the hood, O'Neill has generated an impressive 17.4% barrel rate but has held a high 28.4% strikeout rate, which lowers his value in points leagues. This evening, he has a favorable matchup against Angels right-hander
Kyle Hendricks, who enters this game with a 5.28 ERA.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Baltimore Orioles
May 9, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies catcher
J.T. Realmuto and outfielder
Brandon Marsh will both start on the bench for Friday's series opener versus the hosting Cleveland Guardians.
Rafael Marchan is doing the catching and batting ninth, while
Johan Rojas will start in center field and bat eighth against Guardians right-hander
Gavin Williams. Realmuto fouled a ball off his foot on Wednesday but returned to the lineup on Thursday, so there shouldn't be any concerns about his health. The 34-year-old has yet to really get going offensively and has gone 5-for-21 with a homer and four RBI in six games in May. Given his slow start to the year -- .170 (9-for-53) with a homer and seven RBI and a trip to the injured list -- Marsh isn't even guaranteed regular playing time against righties. Neither Marchan nor Rojas are very attractive DFS sleepers
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May 9, 2025
The Kansas City Royals have pulled right-handed pitcher
Kyle Wright (shoulder) from his rehab assignment due to shoulder fatigue. The team noted that Wright is tentatively set to miss at least two starts before returning to action. Wright is currently on the 15-day injured list as he is working his way back from a torn capsule in his right shoulder. He missed the entire 2024 campaign but was nearing an early return to the big leagues. However, given this setback, Wright could be in danger of missing an extended period of time. Through his first six innings of rehab work with Double-A Northwest Arkansas, Wright has allowed seven hits and six runs. If the 29-year-old is able to progress well, he could be in line to return to Kansas City in early June.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Kansas City Royals
May 9, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder
Sal Frelick (knee) is starting in right field and is hitting sixth in Friday's series opener in Tampa against the Rays and right-hander
Zack Littell. Frelick will return to the field after missing the team's last three games due to inflammation in his left knee. The 25-year-old former 15th overall pick in 2021 out of Boston College has seven stolen bases and has hit .297 (35-for-118) in his first 35 games this season, but his counting stats for fantasy managers have left a lot to be desired. He's gone deep just once and added five doubles, two triples, nine RBI and 16 runs scored for the Brew Crew. Frelick has only one hit in eight at-bats so far in the month of May and will be going up against a pitcher in Littell on Friday that he has never faced.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May
9,
2025
Texas
Rangers
shortstop
Corey
Seager
and
outfielder
Evan
Carter
are
both
out
of
Friday's
series
opener
in
Detroit
against
the
Tigers
and
tough
left-hander
Tarik
Skubal.
read more...
May 9, 2025
The Pittsburgh Pirates have placed infielder
Enmanuel Valdez (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list with left shoulder inflammation. The team did not specify when the 26-year-old suffered this injury. Over his last six contests, Valdez has held a .136/.136/.182 slash line with just one extra-base hit (a double). However, prior to this recent skid, Valdez was enjoying a solid start to the campaign, where he held a .232/.338/.420 slash line with three doubles, two triples, two home runs, and a 13:11 K:BB. During this 25-game stretch, he tallied 11 RBI and scored seven runs. Under the hood, he has generated a solid .340 xwOBA with a .264 xBA, which are both above the average marks. While he is sidelined, fantasy managers should expect
Jared Triolo to see an uptick in playing time.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Kevin Gorman
May 9, 2025
Cincinnati Reds outfielder
Jake Fraley (calf) is starting in right field and batting eighth for the Reds in Friday's series opener against the hosting Houston Astros and right-hander
Hunter Brown at Daikin Park. Fraley will return to the starting lineup for the first time since suffering a minor calf injury on Tuesday against the Atlanta Braves. The 29-year-old left-handed hitter hasn't really gotten going so far in 78 at-bats in 2025, hitting just .205/.319/.359 with three home runs, nine RBI, 12 runs scored and three stolen bases. He's gone 2-for-22 in his last 10 games, making him pretty unattractive in his return to the starting lineup for DFS purposes. Fraley has faced Brown just once in his career and has recorded a hit. When healthy, Fraley rests regularly against lefty pitchers, limiting his upside in deep-mixed and NL-only leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May 9, 2025
The Los Angeles Angels have placed outfielder
Gustavo Campero (ankle) on the 10-day injured list due to left ankle inflammation. This transaction was retroactive to May 7. In a corresponding move, the Angels promoted outfielder
Matthew Lugo from Triple-A Salt Lake. The 27-year-old suffered this ankle injury during Tuesday's contest against the Toronto Blue Jays. Campero joined the MLB on April 30 and has gone 2-for-10 through his first week of the season. He has swiped one bag and held a 2:2 K:BB. Last season, Campero made his MLB debut and held a .239 AVG across his first 13 games in the majors. While he is sidelined, fantasy managers should expect
Taylor Ward and
Jo Adell to remain the top options at left and right field. Lugo is the No. 13-ranked prospect in the system and could eventually earn a role in the outfield.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Los Angeles Angels
May 9, 2025
With right-hander
Hunter Greene (groin) going on the 15-day injured list on Friday, the Cincinnati Reds are recalling right-handed pitching prospect
Chase Petty from Triple-A Louisville, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer's Charlie Goldsmith. Petty will return to the big leagues and fill in for Greene in Cincy's starting rotation for a few turns. The 22-year-old didn't fare so well in his big-league debut on April 30 in a start against the St. Louis Cardinals, surrendering nine earned runs on seven hits (two homers) while walking two and striking out three in 2 1/3 innings. The former first-rounder and No. 7-ranked Reds prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has a 2.79 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 35 K's and 12 walks in six starts for Louisville. Petty will get a slightly longer look this time and has plenty of strikeout upside as primarily a fastball, slider and cutter pitcher.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Charlie Goldsmith
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