MLB News
Alejandro Kirk Not In Sunday's Lineup
Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk is not in Sunday's lineup when the Blue Jays conclude a series against the Baltimore Orioles. Kirk has started behind the dish in each of the first three games of the campaign. The 26-year-old has gone 2-for-11 at the plate with one run, one RBI, and two strikeouts. As a result, Tyler Heineman will get the nod behind the dish and bat in the eight-hole. Fantasy managers should expect Kirk to return to the starting nine on Monday when the Blue Jays play host to the Washington Nationals. Heineman appeared in just eight MLB contests last season and posted a mere .083 AVG and should not be targeted in any DFS competitions this afternoon.
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TJ Friedl, Jake Fraley Sitting Against Southpaw
Cincinnati Reds outfielders TJ Friedl and Jake Fraley are not in the starting lineup on Sunday as the Reds will face San Francisco southpaw Robbie Ray. Friedl has started in each of the first two games of the series in center field. Serving as the leadoff man, he went 2-for-9 at the plate with an RBI. As a result, Blake Dunn will cover center field, but Matt McLain will move up to the top of the order. Fraley has also started in each of the first two contests but did not tally a hit. He will be replaced by Santiago Espinal in right field, and he will bat second. Fantasy managers should expect both Fraley and Friedl to return to the starting nine on Monday when they face Texas right-hander Kumar Rocker. Espinal and Dunn are best to fade in DFS this afternoon, facing Ray.
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Max Scherzer Hits 15-Day Injured List
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Max Scherzer (thumb) was placed on the 15-day IL with right thumb inflammation. Scherzer was removed early from Saturday's contest after throwing just three innings. Initial reports suggested that it was due to a lat injury, but it appears a previous thumb injury has resurfaced. He dealt with this injury during camp as well and will now miss at least the next 15 days. In a corresponding move, the Blue Jays promoted left-handed pitcher Easton Lucas from Triple-A Buffalo. Earlier in the winter, the Blue Jays signed Scherzer to a one-year contract worth $15.5 million. While Scherzer remains sidelined, fantasy managers should expect Yariel Rodriguez to see opportunities in the rotation.
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Rhys Hoskins Not In Sunday's Lineup
Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Rhys Hoskins is not in Sunday's lineup when the Brewers conclude their opening series against the New York Yankees. Hoskins started at first base in each of the first two games of the series and went 1-for-6 with one RBI and a 2:2 BB:K. As a result, Jake Bauers will get the nod at first base and face right-hander Marcus Stroman. Bauers has yet to receive a start this series. Across two plate appearances as a pinch-hitter, Bauers has drawn a walk and tallied a double. Fantasy managers should expect Hoskins to return to the starting nine on Monday when they face the Kansas City Royals. Bauers does have streaming appeal in this matchup facing Stroman, who allowed a high 4.31 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP across 154 2/3 innings of work last summer.
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Oneil Cruz Getting Sunday Off
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz is not in Sunday's lineup when the Pirates conclude a series against the Miami Marlins. Cruz has started in each of the first three games of the series in center field. Across these games, the 26-year-old has gone 2-for-10 with three runs, two RBI, a long ball, four stolen bases, and a 6:2 BB:K. As a result, Jack Suwinski will get the nod in center field and bat fifth. Fantasy managers should expect Cruz to return to the starting nine on Monday evening when the Pirates travel to face the Rays. On Saturday, Suwinski went 1-for-5 with a double and a stolen base during his first start of the campaign and is worth a look in DFS this afternoon facing Miami right-hander Max Meyer, who held a 5.68 ERA across 57 innings last season.
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Trea Turner, J.T. Realmuto Sitting On Sunday
Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner (back) and catcher J.T. Realmuto (foot) are not in Sunday's lineup when the Phillies conclude a series with the Washington Nationals. Turner was scratched from Saturday's lineup due to back spasms, and Realmuto was removed from Saturday's game after fouling a ball off his foot. His X-rays came back negative, but the team will exercise caution with both of their key players. As a result, Edmundo Sosa will get the nod at shortstop for the second-straight day and bat sixth. Rafael Marchan will play behind the plate and bat ninth. Fantasy managers should monitor their status leading up to their next contest on Monday against the Colorado Rockies. Both Sosa and Marchan are worth a look as budget plays in DFS facing Washington southpaw Mitchell Parker.
1 hour ago
J.T. Realmuto Exits With Foot Contusion On Saturday
Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (foot) was removed from Saturday's game in the seventh inning due to a left-foot contusion, but the move was considered precautionary. The veteran backstop fouled a ball off of his foot in the sixth inning, which was the cause of the injury. It doesn't appear to be significant, but fantasy managers will want to double-check his status for Sunday's game when the lineup comes out. The 34-year-old was 0-for-4 before being removed from the game and is now 1-for-9 (.111) to start the year with no home runs and a 0:4 BB:K. Rafael Marchan would be in line for the start if Realmuto doesn't give it a go.
1 hour ago
Orioles Acquire Cody Poteet From Cubs
The Baltimore Orioles have acquired pitcher Cody Poteet from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for cash. Poteet was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after the swap was made. The 30-year-old was in camp with the Cubs but did not make the Opening Day roster and had been with Triple-A Iowa to begin the year. The righty spent the 2024 campaign with the New York Yankees and held a 2.22 ERA with a 1.07 WHIP across 24 1/3 innings, working as both a reliever and as a starter. He'll probably be one of the first names called when the Orioles need help out of the bullpen or a spot start, but isn't on the fantasy radar at this point.
2 hours ago
Oneil Cruz Draws Four Walks, Steals Two Bases In Loss
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz went 0-for-2 on Saturday, but was able to coax four walks in the 5-4 loss to the Marlins in extra innings. The 26-year-old also swiped two bases in the contest, now with four total and at least one in each of the three games so far this season, and he also scored once. The 6-foot-7 slugger is 2-for-10 through three games with a 6:2 BB:K, and will look to keep getting on base on Sunday against Marlins starter Max Meyer, who pitched in just 11 games last season after working his way back from Tommy John. Meyer pitched to a 5.58 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and 14 home runs allowed in those 11 starts. Redraft managers will, of course, keep starting Cruz in lineups, but he could be in play for DFS as well.
2 hours ago
Adolis Garcia Homers, Tallies Three RBI In Three-Hit Day
Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia led his team to victory on Saturday, doing most of the damage in the 4-3 win over the Red Sox. After going hitless in the first two games of the season, the 32-year-old went 3-for-3 with two doubles and his first home run of the season, while also reaching base once after being hit by a pitch, collecting three RBI and scoring once in the process. The 2x All-Star is now 3-for-9 (.333) on the young season, and encouragingly, he has yet to strike out through the first three games. Garcia played in 154 games last season but muddled his way through to a .224/.284/.400 slash line and a 92 wRC+, so he'll be looking to improve upon that in 2025.
2 hours ago
Roki Sasaki Struggles With Command Again On Saturday
Los Angeles Dodgers rookie starting pitcher Roki Sasaki couldn't get through two full innings of work on Saturday, getting only five outs before being pulled. However, the Dodgers would still prevail 7-3 over the Tigers. Sasaki allowed two runs on three hits and four walks while striking out two batters, throwing just a hair over half of his 61 pitches for strikes. For the season, the 23-year-old has allowed three earned runs on four hits and owns an ugly 9:5 BB:K over 4 2/3 innings pitched. He'll need to clean that up, or his next start on the road in Philadelphia could be a rough one as well.
3 hours ago
Ryan Pressly Secures Save Despite Shaky Ninth
Chicago Cubs closer Ryan Pressly notched his first save of the season in Saturday's 4-3 victory over the Diamondbacks, but it wasn't without drama. The righty came on in the bottom of the ninth with a three-run lead, but after a leadoff single, Eugenio Suarez belted his fourth home run of the season, and the lead quickly evaporated to one run. Two more batters would reach before pinch runner Garrett Hampson would bail Pressly out by overrunning third base on Corbin Carroll's infield single, with Hampson getting tagged out to end the game. Pressly finished with two earned runs allowed on four hits and one walk while striking out one. In his first appearance during the Tokyo Series, the 36-year-old walked three batters, and on Thursday, he allowed two hits and a run, so we've yet to see a clean inning from the veteran. We'll see how long the Cubs give him to right the ship, but more of this and it could be time to turn to Porter Hodge, who was the Cubs' closer down the stretch last season.
3 hours ago
Kyle Tucker Launches First Long Ball As A Cub
Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker went 3-for-4 with a home run during their 4-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday evening. After tallying just two hits across his first four games of the season, the 28-year-old broke out of his slump in a big way. In the opening frame, he would hit a ground-rule double. In the third inning, he would hit a single on a soft ground ball. Then in the fifth, Tucker would hit a home run to right field, which also scored infielder Jon Berti. In the offseason, the Cubs acquired Tucker in a blockbuster trade that sent top prospect Cam Smith, infielder Isaac Paredes, and right-handed pitcher Hayden Wesneski to the Houston Astros. Tucker remains a must-start option in all formats and a top play in DFS in all matchups. He will look to stay hot on Sunday, facing Arizona left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez.
4 hours ago
Eugenio Suarez Extends Home Run Streak To Three Games
Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run during their loss to the Chicago Cubs on Saturday evening. Suarez went deep in the final inning off Chicago closer Ryan Pressly. This home run also scored first baseman Josh Naylor. Through the first three games of the season, Suarez has gone deep at least once in all of them and has launched four total. During this stretch, he has tallied seven RBI and held a 1:1 BB:K. The 33-year-old had a slow start to his Arizona tenure last season but swung a hot bat in the second half. After the All-Star break, Suarez posted an elite .307/.341/.602 slash line, and it appears he is picking up right where he left off. Fantasy managers should continue to view the 33-year-old as a must-start option in all formats. He is also worth a look in DFS facing Chicago southpaw Matthew Boyd.
4 hours ago
Jesus Luzardo Strikes Out 11 In Philadelphia Debut
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo tallied 11 strikeouts across five innings of two-run ball en route to earning the victory over the Washington Nationals on Saturday. He allowed two hits, two walks, and two runs. Most of his damage came in the second frame when backstop Keibert Ruiz launched a two-run shot. This was an impressive Philadelphia debut for Luzardo as he battled numerous injuries last season. He was only able to log 66 1/3 innings of work and held a high 5.00 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP. He enjoyed a strong campaign in 2023 when he tallied 208 strikeouts across 178 2/3 innings and posted a 3.58 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. Given his impressive debut and high strikeout upside, he is worth adding in shallow formats. However, he does have a tough task ahead of him, facing the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday evening.
5 hours ago
Brandon Marsh Hits Three-Run Shot On Saturday
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Brandon Marsh went 3-for-5 with a home run during their 11-6 victory over the Washington Nationals on Saturday afternoon. Marsh would first hit two singles in the fifth and sixth innings. In the seventh, Marsh would take Orlando Ribalta deep on a three-run shot. This home run scored outfielder Nick Castellanos and second baseman Bryson Stott. After going 0-for-4 with four strikeouts on Thursday, the 27-year-old enjoyed a nice bounce-back showing on Saturday. Last season, Marsh posted a .249/.328/.419 slash line with 16 round-trippers and 19 stolen bases. Fantasy managers should expect Marsh to continue to have a significant role in the Philadelphia lineup this season when facing right-handers, seeing time in left and center field. On Sunday, the Phillies will face a southpaw in Mitchell Parker, which may keep Marsh on the bench.
5 hours ago
Andres Gimenez Launches Second Long Ball Of The Season
Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Andres Gimenez went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and a walk during their loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday afternoon. Gimenez went deep in the bottom of the third off Baltimore right-hander Dean Kremer. His two-run shot scored shortstop Bo Bichette. After going deep just nine times last season, Gimenez is off to a hot start in Toronto, launching two long balls in his first three contests. During this hot start, he has gone 3-for-12 at the plate with four RBI and a 2:3 BB:K. Gimenez has been batting cleanup during the first series, which has provided him with ample RBI opportunities. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring his production as he could eventually become a must-start option. On Sunday, he will face Tomoyuki Sugano in his MLB debut.
5 hours ago
Jazz Chisholm Jr. Goes Deep On Saturday
New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. went 2-for-5 with two runs and an RBI during their demanding 20-9 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday afternoon. In the second inning, Chisholm hit a line drive single to left field. He would eventually score on an Anthony Volpe home run. Later in the third, Chisholm would go deep for his first time this season. After not tallying a hit in the season opening on Thursday, the 27-year-old enjoyed a nice bounce-back showing in the second game of the season. After being traded to the Yankees last season, Chisholm saw his offensive production soar as he posted a .273/.325/.500 slash line with 11 home runs and 18 stolen bases. He remains a must-start option batting in the heart of a potent Yankee lineup. He will look to stay hot on Sunday facing Milwaukee right-hander Aaron Civale.
5 hours ago
Kenley Jansen Picks Up First Save With The Angels
Los Angeles Angels reliever Kenley Jansen allowed one walk while striking out two over a scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 1-0 win over the Chicago White Sox. Jansen entered the ninth inning to protect a one-run lead. The veteran right-hander needed 19 pitches to notch his first save with the Angels this season. Jansen signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Angels this offseason to be the team's primary closer. The 37-year-old notched 27 saves with Boston last season while posting a 3.29 ERA and 1.06 WHIP. Jansen is currently fourth on the all-time list for saves with 448 and is only 31 saves away from surpassing Lee Smith for third all-time.
12 hours ago
Chris Martin Secures First Save Of The Season
Texas Rangers reliever Chris Martin struck out two over a scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Boston Red Sox. Martin entered the ninth inning to protect a one-run lead. The 38-year-old quick work of the Red Sox, retiring all three batters he faced on 13 pitches to earn his first save of the season. The Rangers used Luke Jackson for the team's save opportunity on Friday but opted to utilize Martin after Jackson pitched in the team's first two games. Martin has yet to allow a run with a 0.41 WHIP and four strikeouts over 2 1/3 innings in 2025. The Rangers will likely use a closer-by-committee approach between Martin and Jackson to handle ninth-inning duties. Fantasy managers searching for saves or playing in leagues that count holds as a category can add Martin off the waiver wire.
13 hours ago
Alejandro Kirk
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Blue Jays
