April 29, 2025
Athletics starting pitcher
JP Sears continued his strong start to the season in Monday's 2-1 win over the Rangers. Sears pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing one run on five hits and no walks with seven strikeouts. The 29-year-old has been effective through his first six starts, going 4-2 with a 2.94 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP, and an 8.02 K/9 rate in 33 2/3 IP. He has been a useful fantasy streamer throughout his career, but his middling floor has limited his fantasy value in roto leagues. That being said, he is rostered in just 29 percent of leagues and draws a favorable matchup in his next scheduled start, which is at the Marlins.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
April 29, 2025
Houston Astros closer
Josh Hader picked up his eighth save of the season in Monday's 8-5 win over the Tigers. Hader came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by three. He got the first two outs on a fly-out and a strikeout, allowed a double, and ended the game with another strikeout. The 31-year-old has been excellent so far even by his standards, converting all of his save opportunities with a 0.64 ERA, a 12.21 K/9 rate, and a 1.93 BB/9 rate. Free passes and home runs have been issues for Hader at times throughout his career, but he has done a great job limiting free passes and has yet to allow a homer.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
April 29, 2025
Houston Astros second baseman/left fielder
Jose Altuve had a nice game at the plate in Monday's 8-5 win over the Tigers. Batting second, Altuve went 2-for-4 with a single, a two-run home run, and three RBI. The 34-year-old turned on a sixth-inning
Jack Flaherty fastball, launching it off the left-field signage to put the Astros up by one. Altuve had been scuffling at the plate recently, so this performance will hopefully jump-start things again. Overall, he is slashing a respectable .282/.316/.409 with four HR, 12 RBI, and three stolen bases in 117 plate appearances.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
April 29, 2025
Colorado Rockies third base/outfield prospect
Charlie Condon (wrist) will visit a hand specialist on Monday in Arizona and is looking to get cleared in order to begin strengthening exercises. If he does get clearance, there is a chance he can "return to action" by mid-to-late May if all goes to plan. The 2024 third-overall draft pick played 25 games at High-A Spokane last year, but hit just .180 with a 31.2 percent strikeout rate and 3.7 percent walk rate over 109 plate appearances. The 22-year-old could very well start at that level upon his return, but he'll have to show well and start earning promotions in order to meet MLB.com's major league ETA of 2026. He's certainly got the talent to do it, especially the power, and dynasty managers should keep tabs on his progression.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
April 29, 2025
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher
Bailey Ober continued to turn things around in Monday's 11-1 win over the Guardians. Ober pitched 7 2/3 innings, allowing one run on eight hits and no walks with two strikeouts. The 29-year-old managed just 6 2/3 IP combined in his first two starts, but he has turned in four consecutive quality starts since. Ober is now 3-1 with a 4.13 ERA, a 1.35 WHIP, and a 6.89 K/9 rate in 32 2/3 IP. His peripherals are still relatively bloated, but he has looked much better since his disastrous first start. He will look to extend his quality start streak in his next start, which will be a tough matchup at the Red Sox.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
April 29, 2025
Cincinnati Reds third baseman
Noelvi Marte continued his stellar offensive performance in Monday's 3-1 win over the Cardinals. The 23-year-old went 1-for-2 with an RBI triple and two walks. The former fantasy prospect got called up in the second week of April and has been on a tear, slashing .370/.431/.696 with three home runs, 16 RBI, and four stolen bases in 51 plate appearances. He is currently rostered in just 49 percent of leagues. While it is unrealistic to expect any hitter to maintain production at this level, there may not be much more opportunity for fantasy managers to add Marte if he keeps things up.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
April 28, 2025
Minnesota Twins pitching prospect
Zebby Matthews lasted 4 2/3 innings in his latest start on Sunday for Triple-A St. Paul, and although he allowed only two runs and two hits while striking out five, he was uncharacteristically erratic, walking four batters and throwing two wild pitches. The righty had just three walks total over his previous four starts heading into Sunday and owns a pristine 3.2 percent walk rate during his minor-league career. Hopefully the lack of control was a one-game hiccup that he can shake off in his next start. With a 1.93 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP, and a 23.4 percent K-BB%, the 6-foot-5 hurler is once again standing on the doorstep to the majors after making nine starts for the club last season. He's expected to get the call within the next month or so, and although he isn't a must-stash, fantasy managers in deeper leagues should consider him as a waiver-wire pickup whenever he's recalled.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
April 28, 2025
Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect
Bubba Chandler tossed five shutout innings in his latest start at Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, allowing just one hit and no walks while striking out four. Worth noting, the righty got up to 70 pitches, and is about as stretched out as he needs to be in order to get that call to the majors. Pittsburgh's current fifth man in the rotation, reliever-turned-starter
Carmen Mlodzinski, has allowed three or more earned runs in four of his five starts and hasn't gone longer than five innings in any of them. Chandler owns a 1.33 ERA, 0.64 WHIP, and a 28.4 percent K-BB%, and although Triple-A competition is not the same as the major leagues, MLB's 14th-ranked prospect would be an upgrade for the Pirates' rotation. Those in need of pitching help with an available roster spot should consider stashing the 6-foot-3 hurler ahead of his eventual call-up, which is expected to happen by the end of May.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
April 28, 2025
Arizona Diamondbacks infield prospect
Jordan Lawlar went 2-for-5 on Sunday for Triple-A Reno, collecting a hit in 12 straight games in which he's started (he was 0-for-1 as a pinch hitter during that stretch). In those 12 games alone, the 22-year-old is 24-for-51 (.471) with seven doubles, two triples, four home runs, 17 RBI, 17 runs scored, eight stolen bases, and a 10:10 BB:K. Now slashing a robust .356/.451/.644 on the year, the team has played him at second base the most, along with starts at third base, shortstop, and once at designated hitter. The versatility will serve him well with
Ketel Marte,
Geraldo Perdomo, and
Eugenio Suarez blocking a full-time role for him at those defensive spots. MLB's 10th-ranked prospect is going to force his way onto the roster in the near future, though, and should be a strong five-category producer, so fantasy managers should be stashing him away ahead of time.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
April 28, 2025
Chicago White Sox infielder
Nick Maton cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Charlotte on Monday, according to MLB.com's Scott Merkin. Maton will remain with the White Sox despite recently being designated for assignment and losing his spot on the 40-man roster. The 28-year-old will continue to serve as infield depth in the minors for the Pale Hose. He appeared in 23 games for Chicago to open the 2025 season and went 9-for-52 (.173) with two home runs, two doubles, four RBI, five runs scored, nine walks and 18 strikeouts. The former seventh-round selection by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2017 out of Lincoln Land Community College is well off the fantasy radar and has a .202/.302/.354 career slash line with a .655 OPS, 17 home runs and 67 RBI in 207 games played.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Scott Merkin
April 28, 2025
Chicago White Sox infielder
Josh Rojas (toe) will start a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday, according to MLB.com's Scott Merkin. Rojas will be playing in his first game since suffering a hairline fracture in his right big toe back in the middle of March during spring training. When the 30-year-old veteran is fully cleared from his toe injury and is activated from the injured list, he's expected to serve as Chicago's primary second baseman. The left-handed-hitting infielder is useful in AL-only leagues due to his multi-position eligibility, but he offers little fantasy upside with his bat. Rojas hit .225/.304/.336 with eight home runs, 31 RBI and 10 stolen bases in 142 games last year with the Seattle Mariners and holds a .685 career OPS with only 34 long balls and 189 RBI in six MLB seasons. Defense at second and third base is Rojas' primary calling card.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Scott Merkin
April 28, 2025
Chicago White Sox left-hander
Tyler Gilbert will serve as the team's opener for Tuesday's contest against the Milwaukee Brewers, according to MLB.com's Scott Merkin. This will be Gilbert's third straight appearance in the opener role for the White Sox, with the 31-year-old southpaw throwing two shutout innings with a walk and three strikeouts his last two times out, both against the Athletics. Gilbert hasn't been good outside of his two opening assignments, surrendering five earned runs on five hits (one homer) while walking three and striking out eight in 5 2/3 relief innings. Right-hander
Bryse Wilson is expected to be Chicago's bulk reliever on Tuesday against Milwaukee. Neither Gilbert, nor Wilson should be considered by those looking for sleeper streamers this week.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Scott Merkin
April 28, 2025
Miami Marlins left-hander
Ryan Weathers (forearm) had a successful first minor-league rehab start on Sunday at Single-A Jupiter, tossing three scoreless and hitless innings with no walks and six strikeouts. Weathers looked good in his first rehab outing and will now likely be moved up to Double-A or Triple-A for his next rehab start. The 25-year-old southpaw has been on the 15-day injured list since the 2025 regular season started, but he might need only one or two more rehab outings before the Marlins look to activate him and return him to their starting rotation. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues should think about scooping Weathers up if he's available on your waiver wire. He has breakout potential if he can stay healthy after going 5-6 with a 3.63 ERA (4.11 FIP) and 1.18 WHIP with 80 strikeouts and 24 walks in 16 starts covering 86 2/3 innings pitched.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Milb.com
April 28, 2025
The Detroit Tigers sent right-hander
Keider Montero back to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday after his spot start in a doubleheader on Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles. In his third start of the year over the weekend, Montero gave up only one earned run on four hits while walking two and striking out two in 4 1/3 innings for a no-decision. It was the 24-year-old's best start of the season against a tough opponent, but he'll now head back to the farm to serve as rotation depth for the big-league squad. Montero fanned eight hitters in five innings in his season debut on April 16 against the Milwaukee Brewers but also allowed five earned runs. He has so far been up and down in three starts in 2025 after going 6-6 with a 4.76 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 77:31 K:BB in 98 1/3 innings in his rookie year in 2024. Montero will be a streamer for those in AL-only leagues if/when he makes another start in Detroit.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
April 28, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals left-hander
Steven Matz will draw the start in Wednesday's game against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. It will be Matz's second start of the year, and he'll be pitching on three days of rest after getting two outs out of the bullpen on Saturday against the Milwaukee Brewers. The 33-year-old veteran southpaw has pitched well for the Red Birds early on in 2025 -- he's allowed four earned runs on 15 hits (no homers) while walking only three and striking out 14 in 20 innings, but he'll still be a pretty volatile streaming option in a hitter-friendly ballpark this week. In his lone start this year on April 16 against the Houston Astros, Matz got the win by giving up just one earned run in five innings while walking none and striking out five.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Daniel Guerrero
RADIO
