MLB News
Bryan Woo Picks Up Third Win, Strikes Out Eight On Thursday
Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo had a quality start and picked up his third win of the season in the team's 4-3 victory over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Thursday. Woo went six strong innings and gave up two earned runs on three hits (one homer) while walking only one and striking out a season-high eight batters. This makes four quality starts for Woo in his first five outings of the 2025 season, and he dropped his season ERA to 3.09 with the strong performance in Thursday's series finale in Beantown. The 25-year-old has been sharp with a 0.97 WHIP, 30 strikeouts and seven walks in the early going in 2025. Fantasy managers will want to keep him in their starting lineups when he faces the division-rival Los Angeles Angels next week.
2 hours ago
Cade Cavalli Moving Rehab Assignment To Double-A
Washington Nationals right-hander Cade Cavalli (elbow) is moving his minor-league rehab assignment to Double-A Harrisburg and will make his next start on Thursday. In his first rehab start while recovering from Tommy John surgery, Cavalli threw four shutout innings with one hit allowed, two walks and three strikeouts for Single-A Fredericksburg. The former first-rounder made his major-league debut back in 2022 with the Nationals but allowed seven earned runs in 4 1/3 innings in his lone start before missing most of the last two seasons due to right-elbow issues. Because of his extended layoff, the 26-year-old is likely going to spend all 30 days on his rehab assignment before the Nationals decide what to do with him. When he's ready to come off the 15-day injured list, there's a good chance Cavalli will be sent to Triple-A Rochester.
2 hours ago
Paul DeJong Having Surgery On His Nose
Washington Nationals infielder Paul DeJong (nose) saw an eye specialist on Thursday who found no issues. However, DeJong will undergo surgery to fix his broken nose. Manager Dave Martinez didn't offer a timetable for DeJong's eventual return after he was hit by a pitch back on April 15. In addition to his injury, the 31-year-old veteran has had a rough start at the plate in his first year with the Nats, going 11-for-54 (.204) with no home runs, four doubles, two RBI, two stolen bases, two walks and 24 strikeouts in his 16 games played. Until DeJong is able to return from surgery on his nose, veteran Amed Rosario and Jose Tena will split playing time for Washington at the hot corner. Fantasy managers in deep-mixed leagues don't really have any reason to hang onto DeJong while he recovers from a scary hit-by-pitch.
2 hours ago
Royce Lewis Starting His Rehab Assignment On Friday
The Athletic's Dan Hayes reports that Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis (hamstring) will begin his minor-league rehab assignment on Friday with the Triple-A St. Paul Saints. Things were trending this way after Lewis didn't have any setbacks after sprinting on Monday and running the bases on Tuesday. Because the oft-injured 25-year-old has been out of action since the middle of March in spring training with a left-hamstring strain, his rehab assignment could be longer than normal, but there's also a chance he'll come off the injured list to rejoin the big-league roster at some point later next week. When Lewis does make his 2025 debut for Minnesota, young infielder Brooks Lee will head back to a bench role for the Twins. Lewis, the former first overall pick in 2017, has yet to reach the 20-homer mark since debuting in 2022, but he also hasn't played in more than 82 games in a season due to injuries.
2 hours ago
Tyler O'Neill Out On Thursday With Sore Neck
Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that outfielder Tyler O'Neill (neck) is out of Thursday's starting lineup against the hosting Washington Nationals with the same neck soreness that he dealt with last week. Hyde is hoping that O'Neill will be available off the bench on Thursday. Ramon Laureano is drawing the start in right field and is hitting seventh against Nationals left-hander MacKenzie Gore, who he has hit .833 against with three RBI in six career at-bats. The 29-year-old O'Neill missed two games last week with the neck injury, and it could turn into an injured-list situation if it doesn't clear up by the weekend. For now, though, fantasy managers should consider the Canadian outfielder to be day-to-day. O'Neill has gotten off to a poor start in his first year in Baltimore, hitting .215 (14-for-65) with two homers, 10 RBI and 21 K's in 74 trips to the plate. He's gone 1-for-20 with 11 K's in his last five games.
2 hours ago
Cole Ragans Pulled Early On Thursday With Groin Tightness
The Kansas City Royals announced that left-hander Cole Ragans (groin) was pulled from his outing in Game 1 of a doubleheader against the visiting Colorado Rockies on Thursday due to groin tightness. Ragans only made it three innings in the eventual 7-4 win, giving up four earned runs on three hits (two homers allowed) while walking two and striking out four for a no-decision. The 27-year-old southpaw will most likely go for additional testing, and fantasy managers should probably prepare for the worst, which would mean Ragans landing on the 15-day injured list. If his groin injury is minor, Ragans is lined up to make his next start next week against the Tampa Bay Rays. The former first-rounder came into Thursday's outing with a 3.58 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 42:7 K:BB in 27 2/3 innings over his five starts. Check back on Friday morning for an update on the severity of his groin injury.
2 hours ago
Jackson Holliday Retreats To Bench Against Southpaw
Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday will take a seat on the bench with the team facing a left-handed pitcher on Thursday against the hosting Washington Nationals. Jorge Mateo will take over at the keystone and will bat ninth against Nationals left-hander McKenzie Gore. Holliday has just two hits in 11 at-bats with two walks and five strikeouts against southpaws so far in 2025. The 21-year-old former top prospect has picked things up at the plate lately with four hits in 13 at-bats over the last seven days to raise his season average to .234 (15-for-64). It hasn't been the best start for the former first overall pick, but Holliday isn't going anywhere as Baltimore's starting second baseman. Mateo is a low-upside DFS play in the nine-hole, especially since he's gone just 1-for-17 with three steals as a bench player for the O's so far in 2025.
2 hours ago
Rays Place Jake Mangum On 10-Day Injured List With Groin Strain
The Tampa Bay Rays placed rookie outfielder Jake Mangum (groin) on the 10-day injured list on Thursday with a left-groin strain and recalled infielder Coco Montes from Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move, according to Bally Sports Florida's Ryan Bass. Mangum strained his groin in Wednesday's win over the Arizona Diamondbacks and will now have to miss at least the next 10 days. It's a tough break for the 29-year-old, who has taken advantage of his opportunities early in his rookie year, going 23-for-68 (.338) with four doubles, seven RBI, a league-leading eight stolen bases and seven runs scored in his first 21 contests. Fantasy managers that scooped him up off waivers can only hope he's able to pick up where he left off when he returns from the IL. Jonny De Luca, Josh Lowe and Richie Palacios are also on the IL, so Kameron Misner should play every day for Tampa with Mangum now sidelined.
3 hours ago
Jacob Young, Jose Tena Sitting Out On Thursday
Washington Nationals outfielder Jacob Young and third baseman Jose Tena will start on the bench for Thursday's contest against the visiting Baltimore Orioles at Nationals Park. Dylan Crews is starting in center field and will bat eighth, Alex Call is in right field and in the two-hole, and Amed Rosario is starting at third base and batting sixth versus Orioles left-hander Cade Povich. Young went 0-for-3 on Wednesday to snap a three-game hitting streak and is hitting just .220 (11-for-50) with no homers, one RBI, two steals and six runs scored as a platoon outfielder in D.C. Tena has hits in both of his at-bats against lefties this year with two RBI, but the left-handed hitter will take a seat in favor of Rosario. Although Call has yet to clear the fences in 42 at-bats in 2025, he'll be the better DFS sleeper play in the second spot. The 30-year-old is hitting .310 (13-for-42) with eight RBI and seven runs scored.
4 hours ago
Kyle Gibson Dealing With Minor Back Tightness
Baltimore Orioles right-hander Kyle Gibson (back) said he dealt with some back tightness in his last minor-league rehab start with High-A Aberdeen on Sunday, but it's nothing serious and he's still ready to join the big-league rotation in Baltimore. Gibson allowed two runs (one earned) on one hit while walking two and striking out five in five innings of work for Aberdeen on Easter Sunday. In his three rehab outings to this point (two with Triple-A Norfolk), the 37-year-old veteran has given up six runs (five earned) on 10 hits (one homer) while walking two and striking out 13 in 12 innings pitched. Although Gibson feels ready to make his 2025 debut in the majors, it's unclear if the Orioles want to see him make one more rehab start in the minors first. Gibson has been durable the last three years, but he won't offer much fantasy upside outside of AL-only formats when he's back with Baltimore.
4 hours ago
Small Mechanical Tweak Working For Triston Casas
After slumping to open the 2025 regular season, Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas worked with hitting coach Pete Fatse this week to move the positioning of his hands further away from his body. The early results have been encouraging after Casas hit a three-run home run for the second straight day in Wednesday's loss to the Seattle Mariners. In his first 23 games, the 25-year-old left-handed slugger had a 39 wRC+ while batting .171 with a .570 OPS, which was the worst month of his career. As a result, manager Alex Cora recently moved him down from his customary fourth spot in the batting order. Both of his homers the last two days were just over 105 mph off the bat, and fantasy managers will be hoping Casas' adjustment with his stance will continue to mean more production after a slow start. Now he just needs to be moved back up the batting order.
4 hours ago
CJ Abrams Reinstated From 10-Day Injured List
The Washington Nationals announced on Thursday that they reinstated shortstop CJ Abrams (hip) from the 10-day injured list and optioned infielder Trey Lipscomb to Triple-A Rochester in a corresponding move. Fantasy managers will want to check back a bit later to see if Abrams is back in the starting lineup for Thursday's contest against the visiting Baltimore Orioles at Nationals Park. The 24-year-old will be rejoining the big-league roster since landing on the IL back on April 12 due to a right hip-flexor strain. In two minor-league rehab games with Triple-A Rochester, Abrams went hitless in four at bats with two walks. Before tweaking his hip stealing a base, Abrams was hitting .244 (10-for-41) in the early going in 2025 with four home runs, two doubles, seven RBI and four stolen bases in 11 games. Get Abrams back into all starting fantasy lineups if he's active on Thursday, which he should be. UPDATE: Abrams is at shortstop and batting leadoff on Thursday against Orioles left-hander Cade Povich.
4 hours ago
Eli Morgan Shut Down From Throwing For 2-3 Weeks
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that right-handed reliever Eli Morgan (elbow) is dealing with right-elbow neuritis. Morgan is heading to the team's spring training facility in Arizona and will be shut down from throwing for two to three weeks. The 28-year-old Morgan landed on the 15-day injured list with his right-elbow injury last week and won't be ready to come off the IL when he's eligible. Before getting injured, the former eighth-round selection by the Cleveland Guardians in 2017 out of Gonzaga University appeared in seven games for Chicago out of the bullpen and allowed 10 earned runs on 12 hits (three home runs) while walking three and striking out four. It has been a rough start to 2025 for Morgan, and now he probably won't be able to return to the big leagues for at least a couple weeks.
5 hours ago
Javier Assad Heading To Chicago To Be Examined
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that right-hander Javier Assad (oblique) felt discomfort in his side during his minor-league rehab outing with Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday and is on his way to Chicago to be examined by the team's medical staff. The 27-year-old injured his left oblique in spring training and opened the 2025 season on the 15-day injured list. Just when the Mexican hurler was getting close to a debut in the big leagues, he suffered a setback this week. In two rehab games with Iowa, Assad allowed three earned runs on seven hits while walking four and striking out nine over 7 1/3 innings. He did a respectable job in his transition to being a full-time start for the Cubbies in 2024, but Assad lacks a ton of fantasy upside because of a below-average strikeout rate. There's no timetable for his potential return to the majors, and when he is back, there's no guarantee he'll have a rotation spot waiting for him.
5 hours ago
Jake Bauers In Starting Lineup Against Giants
Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Jake Bauers is making the start at first base and is batting fifth for Thursday's series finale against the San Francisco Giants and right-hander Landen Roupp at Oracle Park. With Jackson Chourio getting the day off, Christian Yelich is in left field and Rhys Hoskins is serving as the designated hitter, opening up first base for Bauers. The 29-year-old Bauers will be making only his sixth start of the season for the Brew Crew in the matinee affair. Although he hasn't seen much playing time so far in 2025, Bauers has swing the bat well, going 7-for-25 (.280) with two home runs, five RBI, five runs scored and a stolen base. The former seventh-rounder of the San Diego Padres in 2013 has one hit in just two career at-bats against Roupp.
5 hours ago
Brandon Marsh Starting Rehab Assignment On Thursday
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Brandon Marsh (hamstring) is starting his minor-league rehab assignment on Thursday with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer's Lochlahn March. Marsh is recovering from a strained right hamstring but could be activated from the 10-day injured list when he's eligible on Sunday as long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks in a few games at Lehigh Valley this weekend. When the 27-year-old outfielder rejoins the big-league roster, he'll be returning to a nightmarish .095/.220/.167 slash line after going 4-for-42 with a homer, five RBI, seven walks and 16 strikeouts in his first 17 games this year. It's still early, but this is about as bad of a starter as you can get. Before going on the IL, Marsh was hitless in his last 31 at-bats with two RBI, five walks and 11 strikeouts. If he continues to struggle when he's back, Marsh could see more time on the bench.
5 hours ago
Brendan Donovan Expected To Return On Friday
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold reports that infielder/outfielder Brendan Donovan (rib) is expected to return to the team's starting lineup on Friday for the series opener against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers. A displaced rib kept Donovan out of the starting lineup for the final two games of this week's series against the Atlanta Braves, but with a scheduled day off on Friday, the 28-year-old should be good to go to return on Friday. Fantasy managers will want to check to make sure Donovan is back in there, but if he is, he should be returned to your lineups after his strong start to the 2025 campaign. He's among the league leaders in batting average (.356) in the early going with 32 hits in 90 at-bats, three home runs, 13 RBI, three steals and 14 runs scored. The Cards are scheduled to face Brewers right-hander Chad Patrick in the series opener on Friday at Busch Stadium.
5 hours ago
Patrick Bailey Getting Breather In Series Finale
San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey will start Thursday's series finale against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers at Oracle Park on the bench while Sam Huff does the catching for right-hander Landen Roupp and hits eighth against Brewers right-hander Tobias Myers, who is coming off the injured list to make his 2025 season debut. Bailey, 25, has gotten off to a rough start to the season at the plate, batting just .167 (11-for-66) with no home runs, eight RBI, seven runs scored, five walks and 26 strikeouts in 72 plate appearances over 22 games. He has just two multi-hit games and five extra-base hits as San Fran's primary catcher. Huff has been slightly better with five hits in 22 at-bats, including a home run, but fantasy managers in DFS should be able to find better low-cost options at catcher for Thursday's slate.
5 hours ago
Jackson Chourio, William Contreras, Caleb Durbin All Sitting On Thursday
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio, catcher William Contreras and rookie infielder Caleb Durbin are all getting a breather in Thursday's series finale against the San Francisco Giants. Christian Yelich is in left field and batting third, Rhys Hoskins is the designated hitter and batting cleanup, and Jake Bauers will start at first and hit fifth against Giants right-hander Landen Roupp. Vinny Capra is starting at third and hitting eighth, and Eric Haase is catching and in the nine-hole. Chourio has been slumping lately, going 6-for-42 in his last 10 games going into Thursday, so he'll receive a mental day. Contreras has been hot, picking up hits in 15 of his last 16 games. This will be only the second day off of the season for the 27-year-old backstop. Durbin made his MLB debut last Friday and has gone 6-for-23 with three RBI and four runs in his first six games with the Brewers.
5 hours ago
Trent Grisham Activated From Paternity List
New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham was activated from the paternity list prior to their contest on Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays. The outfielder was held out of action during their entire three-game set against the Cleveland Guardians at the start of the week. However, Grisham will be back in action for their weekend series in the Bronx against the Blue Jays. Grisham has enjoyed a productive start to the campaign, holding a stellar .320/.393/.700 slash line with two doubles and six long balls. Grisham has tallied 13 RBI and scored 12 runs. Even though he may occasionally sit against southpaws, he appears to have a significant role in the Yankee lineup, given his hot start. Fantasy managers should expect the 28-year-old to return to the starting nine on Friday to face Toronto right-hander Jose Berrios.
7 hours ago
