Brandon Marsh Absent On Sunday
Brandon Marsh is out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Cleveland Guardians. It's a bit odd to see Marsh getting the day off against a right-handed starting pitcher. However, Marsh did recently return from the injured list, so possibly the Phillies are just being cautious. In his place, Johan Rojas will cover center field and bat ninth versus right-hander Luis L. Ortiz on Sunday. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups accordingly, but Marsh hasn't done enough to warrant rostering in most formats.Source: mlb.com
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Lance McCullers Jr. Receiving Threats After Saturday's Start
Lance McCullers Jr. was reportedly receiving threats following a horrendous outing during Saturday's game. The right-hander received threats to himself and his family after McCullers struggled on Saturday. McCullers allowed seven runs and was only able to record one out before being taken out of the game. Afterwards, the Astros needed to notify the police department and Major League Baseball about the threats towards McCullers. The MLB is currently looking into the threats, but haven't said much more about the situation. There should be zero tolerance for this in baseball, so hopefully the MLB is able to do something about the situation.Source: New York Times
Houston Astros starting pitcher Luis Robert Jr. Drawing Interest From Mets
Luis Robert Jr. is reportedly drawing interest from around the league. The New York Mets are taking a look at Robert as a possible mid-season addition to their roster. The slash line hasn't been pretty, but Robert does lead the American League with 15 steals this season. He figures to be one of the bigger bats available at this year's trade deadline. The White Sox are reportedly interested in Mets' pitching prospect Blade Tidwell. He recently made his MLB debut and could be someone that could be an immediate impact arm in Chicago. It remains to be seen if the two sides will be able to come up with a deal.Source: USA Today
Chicago White Sox outfielder Lane Thomas Nearing Rehab Assignment
Lane Thomas (wrist) appears to be making good progress in his recovery from a bone bruise in his right wrist. Thomas was ramped up his baseball activities and is currently pain-free, according to manager Stephen Vogt. He is working on getting his strength back, but Thomas is hopeful to begin a rehab assignment soon. The Guardians are likely to continue using a committee approach in center field until Thomas returns. The hope is that Thomas can get back on the field in the middle or late May.Source: mlb.com
Cleveland Guardians outfielder Teoscar Hernandez Begins Hitting In The Cage
Teoscar Hernandez (groin) is reportedly making progress in his recovery from a Grade 1 adductor strain. Hernandez was placed on the injured list earlier in the week, but will hopefully be able to return when first eligible. The right-handed slugger has begun hitting in the batting cage and is expected to take live at-bats at some point during the next homestand. Fantasy managers should hold Hernandez through the injury. Before going down, Hernandez was hitting .315/.333/.600 with nine home runs and 34 RBI in 33 games. In his absence, Andy Pages should see more time in right field while James Outman could see extra playing time as well.Source: mlb.com
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Shohei Ohtani Completes Up-Down Bullpen Session
Shohei Ohtani (elbow) completed his first up-down bullpen session on Saturday. This was a significant step in his recovery process as Ohtani has yet to simulate a break between innings during his previous sessions. The right-hander is working his way back from Tommy John surgery. During the entire 2024 season, Ohtani was only able to see time as a DH, but that did not slow him down as he ran away with the NL MVP Award and established the 50/50 club. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Ohtani's progression as the 30-year-old could be cleared to begin facing live hitters. However, given his slow progress, fantasy managers should not expect him back on the mound for at least a few months. However, while he remains a DH, fantasy managers should continue to view him as a high-end fantasy asset in all formats. Through 38 games this season, Ohtani has held a .305/.410/.649 line with 12 home runs and 10 stolen bases.Source: MLB.com
Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed pitcher Shawn Dubin Activated From 15-Day Injured List
Shawn Dubin (shoulder) off the 15-day injured list. Dubin has been on the injured list since the start of the campaign. During his rehab assignment, Dubin logged five innings and allowed four hits and a run. He struck out nine batters and allowed just one free pass. In a corresponding move, the Astros sent right-handed pitcher Logan VanWey to Triple-A Sugar Land. Last summer, Dubin logged a career-high 45 1/3 innings at the major league level and held a 4.17 ERA with a 1.57 WHIP. During this stint, he struck out 49 batters and was deployed primarily out of the bullpen. Fantasy managers should expect Dubin to begin his 2025 season operating in a middle-relief role in the Houston bullpen.Source: Houston Astros
The Houston Astros have activated right-handed pitcher Ryan Yarbrough Slated To Start On Sunday
Ryan Yarbrough will get the starting nod on Sunday when the Yankees conclude a series against the Athletics. Through the early part of the season, the southpaw has been deployed typically out of the bullpen but has been given one start. In his lone start, Yarbrough tossed four innings of one-run ball against the Tampa Bay Rays. In this start, Yarbrough allowed one hit and held a 2:3 K:BB. Through 19 1/3 total innings of work this season, Yarbrough has posted a 3.72 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP. He has struck out 18 batters but has shown weak command, serving up nine free passes. As a result, this will set Clarke Schmidt, Max Fried, and Will Warren to pitch their upcoming series against the Seattle Mariners. Given his minimal strikeout upside, Yarbrough is best to fade in DFS this afternoon.Source: Chris Kirschner
New York Yankees left-handed pitcher Anthony Santander Remains Out On Sunday
Anthony Santander (shoulder) remains out of the starting nine on Sunday when the Blue Jays conclude their series against the Seattle Mariners. Santander was unable to start on Saturday as well. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Santander's status leading up to their next game on Tuesday evening against the Tampa Bay Rays. Before his injury, the 30-year-old had begun to find his swing as he had held a strong .250/.333/.500 slash line with a double, three long balls, and eight RBI across his past 10 games. This afternoon, George Springer will shift to the DH spot with opens center field for Myles Straw. Jonatan Clase and Nathan Lukes will cover the corners. The Blue Jays are best to fade in DFS facing Seattle right-hander Bryce Miller.Source: MLB.com
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Zach Eflin Cleared To Start On Sunday
Zach Eflin (lat) was officially cleared to start Sunday's contest against the Los Angeles Angels. Eflin has been sidelined for nearly a month due to a lat strain. The southpaw made his last start on April 7. Through his first three starts of the campaign, the left-hander logged 18 innings of work to the tune of a 3.00 ERA and a stellar 0.83 WHIP. During this stint, he struck out just eight batters but only allowed one walk. Under the hood, the 31-year-old has generated a modest 3.43 xERA and a .257 xBA, which place him in the 56th and 43rd percentile among qualified pitchers. Given his elite control, Eflin remains a strong SP3/SP4 when looking to boost your WHIP ratio. This afternoon, he has an excellent matchup against the Angels and should be viewed as a strong play in all DFS competitions.Source: MLB.com
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Freddy Fermin Not In Sunday's Lineup
Freddy Fermin is not in the starting lineup on Sunday when the Royals conclude a series against the Boston Red Sox. Fermin has been in the lineup in each of the past three games. During this stretch, Fermin went 2-for-13 with three strikeouts. Fantasy managers should expect the 29-year-old to return to the starting lineup on Monday when they begin a series against the Houston Astros. Through 26 games this season, Fermin has held a .247/.284/.299 slash line with one double and one round-tripper. This afternoon, Luke Maile will enter the starting nine and will be behind the dish. Maile has appeared in just two games this season and should not be targeted in any DFS competitions this afternoon.Source: MLB.com
Kansas City Royals catcher Jackson Merrill Scratched Due To Illness
Jackson Merrill (illness) was removed from Sunday's lineup due to an illness. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on his status leading up to their next contest on Monday evening against the Los Angeles Angels. Merrill recently returned from the 10-day injured list earlier this week and has picked up right where he left off, holding a stellar .579/.600/.842 slash line with two doubles, one home run, and six RBI. Before his injury, the former top prospect posted a strong .378/.415/.676 slash line with two doubles and three long balls during his first 10 games of the season. This afternoon, Merrill will be replaced by Tyler Wade, who will cover center field and bat in the nine-hole. The Padres are a strong team to target in DFS, facing Colorado right-hander German Marquez, who carries a high 9.90 ERA.Source: Kevin Acee
San Diego Padres outfielder Miguel Vargas Dealing With Ankle And Calf Injuries
Miguel Vargas (calf/ankle) is dealing with a calf and ankle issue. Vinnie Duber noted that the infielder is available off the bench. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring his status as Vargas could be cleared to return to the starting nine prior to Tuesday's contest against the Cincinnati Reds. Before going 0-for-6 over his last two contests, the 25-year-old was enjoying a productive surge at the plate. Over his last 14 contests, Vargas posted an impressive .360/.448/.540 slash line with three doubles, two home runs, and six RBI. However, under the hood, the infielder has generated a low .297 xwOBA with .221 xBA, which suggests he could face some regression later in the season. This afternoon, Josh Rojas will cover the hot corner and bat in the two-hole.Source: Vinnie Duber
Chicago White Sox infielder Edgar Quero Sitting On Sunday
Edgar Quero is not in Sunday's lineup when they conclude a series against the Miami Marlins. Quero was in the starting nine on Saturday afternoon and went 0-for-4 at the plate. Fantasy managers should expect the young backstop to return to the starting nine on Tuesday when they begin a series against the Reds. The 22-year-old made his MLB debut earlier this summer and has held his own through his first taste. Across 20 games, the 22-year-old has posted a strong .274/.375/.323 slash line with three doubles and an 11:8 K:BB. Matt Thaiss will be behind the dish and bat this afternoon in the cleanup spot. He is worth a look in DFS facing Miami Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara, who enters this game with a high 8.42 ERA.Source: MLB.com
Chicago White Sox catching prospect Dane Myers Not In Sunday's Lineup
Dane Myers is not in Sunday's lineup when the Marlins conclude a series against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday afternoon. Myers has been in the starting nine in each of the past eight games. During this stretch, the 29-year-old has been swinging a hot bat, posting a strong .308/.379/.462 slash line with one double, one home run, and four stolen bases. Through 29 games this season, the 29-year-old has posted an impressive .337/.375/.482 slash line with three round-trippers and seven stolen bases. Under the hood, he has generated an elite .397 xwOBA and a .343 xBA, which are both well above the average of the marks. This afternoon, Kyle Stowers will shift to center field and bat in the five-hole. Stowers is worth a look in DFS facing Sean Burke, as he enters this game with a 4.35 ERA.Source: MLB.com
Miami Marlins outfielder