MLB News
Jackson Merrill Ramping Up
San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill (hamstring) is ramping up to baseball activity, according to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. He was on the field for early batting practice and practiced bunting, but wasn't doing any running yet. There's still no definite timetable for Merrill, who is recovering from a right hamstring strain that he suffered during the first week of April. At the time, he had already racked up three home runs and 10 RBI with a .378 batting average through his first 10 games.
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Michael Toglia Absent On Tuesday
Colorado Rockies first baseman Michael Toglia is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Dodgers. He'll take a breather for the first time this season after starting each of the team's first 16 games. Hopefully, the rest can give him time to reset and break out of his early-season slump, as he's batting just .167 with no home runs. Kyle Farmer will get the start at first base in his place.
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Brenton Doyle Still Sitting On Tuesday
Colorado Rockies outfielder Brenton Doyle (quadriceps) is missing from Tuesday's lineup against the Dodgers. This is now his fifth straight missed game with a sore left quad, with Mickey Moniak picking up another start in center field. Despite the lengthy absence, Doyle isn't expected to require an IL stint and remains day-to-day. He's carried over his breakout performance from 2024 into this season so far, batting .321 with three homers through 12 games.
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Carson Kelly Sitting Again On Tuesday
Chicago Cubs catcher Carson Kelly (hand) is out of the lineup for the second straight day on Tuesday against the Padres. He was hit in the hand by a pitch on Sunday, and while the x-rays came back negative, he's yet to see the field since. Miguel Amaya will get the start instead, who has handled the majority of the catching duties this year for Chicago. Kelly remains day-to-day, with manager Craig Counsell hoping he will be available again sometime this week. Despite the limited plate appearances, he's launched four homers with a .417 batting average in the nine games he has played.
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Seiya Suzuki Out Again On Tuesday
Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (wrist) is out for his third straight game on Tuesday. He suffered the injury after being hit in the wrist by a pitch on Saturday and was deemed as day-to-day by manager Craig Counsell. There have been no updates on his timetable since so it will be something to continue to monitor over the next few days. Suzuki will hope to avoid a trip to the injured list after getting off to a hot start at the dish, slashing .292/.390/.538 with four home runs through 17 games.
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Paul Blackburn To Throw Another Live BP Session On Tuesday
New York Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn (knee) was scheduled to throw a second live batting practice session on Tuesday as he rehabs from inflammation in his right knee, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. The skipper said the goal is for Blackburn to build up to 65 to 70 pitches before he returns from the 15-day injured list. The 31-year-old veteran tossed his first live BP session last Friday and could be cleared to start a minor-league rehab assignment if he doesn't suffer a setback on Tuesday. Blackburn should be expected to need at least a couple rehab starts before rejoining the big-league roster. When he's activated, Blackburn won't be a lock for a starting rotation spot after struggling to a 5.18 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 21:7 K:BB in his five starts for the Mets to close out 2024. He won't be of much use in fantasy in a long-relief role.
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Francisco Alvarez Shifting Rehab To Double-A On Tuesday
New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (hand) will shift his minor-league rehab assignment from Single-A St. Lucie to Double-A Binghamton on Tuesday, instead of Triple-A Syracuse, because of weather concerns, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. In three rehab games with St. Lucie, the 23-year-old backstop went 1-for-10 with a run scored, two walks and three strikeouts. He is recovering from surgery to fix a broken hamate bone in his left hand, but if he can continue to avoid any setbacks, he could be ready to come off the injured list to make his season debut at some point next week. The Venezuelan catcher hit a disappointing 11 home runs in 2024 and played in only 100 games due to injury after clubbing a career-high 25 round-trippers in 2023. With better health once he returns, Alvarez could bounce back in the power department at a position that lacks power.
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Jeff McNeil Moving Rehab To Triple-A Later This Week
New York Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil (oblique) will remain with Single-A St. Lucie on his minor-league rehab assignment from a strained right oblique until Thursday before heading to Triple-A Syracuse, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. If McNeil doesn't suffer a setback with his oblique over the weekend at Syracuse, he should come off the 10-day injured list at some point next week to make his season debut. In his first two rehab starts with St. Lucie, the 33-year-old former batting champion went 2-for-5 with a walk and a run scored. When he's back in New York with the Mets, McNeil is expected to take over primary duties at second base in Queens. Until then, Brett Baty and Luisangel Acuna have been platooning at the keystone. Since winning a batting title in 2022, McNeil has mostly been an empty batting average contributor in fantasy.
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Sean Manaea Resumes Throwing After Layoff
New York Mets left-hander Sean Manaea (oblique) has resumed throwing after a two-week layoff following a recent MRI exam, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. Manaea will still need a full spring training buildup, though, after suffering a right-oblique strain in camp. It means that fantasy managers shouldn't expect the 33-year-old veteran to make his 2025 debut until late May or early June. When healthy, he's expected to be locked into a rotation spot in New York after a career resurgence in 2024 after dropping his arm slot. The former first-rounder of the Kansas City Royals back in 2013 out of Indiana State University went 12-6 last year in his first year with the Mets, posting a 3.47 ERA (3.83 FIP) and 1.08 WHIP with 184 K's and 63 walks in 32 regular-season starts. Manaea was able to play catch from 60 feet on Monday.
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Jose Siri To Miss Time With Fractured Tibia
New York Mets outfielder Jose Siri (leg) will miss extended time after tests on Monday showed he is dealing with a fractured left tibia, according to the New York Post's Mike Puma. Siri underwent an MRI exam and a CT scan on his shin after initial X-rays came back negative following a foul ball off his leg on Saturday. He has been unable to put weight on his leg and has been on crutches since. Although Siri doesn't think it's a serious fracture, he hasn't received a timetable for recovery. Tyrone Taylor had been splitting time in center field with Siri, so he stands to see the bulk of playing time now, although Luisangel Acuna could be a possibility in center. Siri has struggled offensively for most of his big-league career and was hitting just .050 in 24 plate appearances in his first season with the Mets before his injury. Taylor's stock in NL-only leagues is on the rise.
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Griffin Canning Scratched From Wednesday's Outing Due To Illness
New York Mets right-hander Griffin Canning (illness) has been scratched from his scheduled start on Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins due to an illness, according to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. The Mets have yet to announce a replacement, but it's unlikely to be pitching prospect Brandon Sproat on short rest. If Canning is feeling better in a few days, he could be asked to make his next start this Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals. After making some mechanical tweaks in the offseason, the 28-year-old has opened his first year in New York by going 1-1 with a 4.20 ERA with 13 strikeouts and eight walks in 15 innings over his first three starts. His last outing against the Athletics was his worst, as he allowed four earned runs on seven hits while walking three and fanning three. Canning will be a middling fantasy streamer in deeper formats whenever he makes his next start.
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Teoscar Hernandez Missing Another Game
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez (illness) will miss his second straight game on Tuesday as the team continues a series against the division-rival Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. The good news, though, is that Hernandez is feeling good enough to be at the ballpark, which means there's a good chance he'll be back in there on Wednesday. Michael Conforto is in left field and is batting fifth, while Andy Pages is starting in right field and is hitting ninth against Rockies right-hander Ryan Feltner. Hernandez is a must-start in fantasy when he's active in one of the best lineups in baseball, and he's off to a .281/.309/.563 slash line with an .871 OPS, five home runs, 16 RBI and nine runs scored in the early portion of the season. Conforto is the more attractive DFS play on Tuesday night than Pages, but he's gone hitless in five career at-bats against Feltner.
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Josh Smith Out Again Versus Angels
Texas Rangers utility man Josh Smith (thumb) is out of the starting lineup again on Tuesday against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels at Globe Life Field due to a thumb bruise, according to The Dallas Morning News' Shawn McFarland. The Rangers moved Smith to left field after Wyatt Langford (oblique) landed on the injured list over the weekend, but he'll now miss his second straight game with a minor thumb injury. Veteran Kevin Pillar is starting in left field on Tuesday and will hit fifth against Angels left-hander Yusei Kikuchi. While Smith doesn't stand out in any one category, he's useful in deep-mixed leagues for his multi-position eligibility, and he's also hitting .342 (13-for-38) early on with a homer, eight runs, three RBI and three steals. Pillar lacks daily upside but is hitting .313 (5-for-16) in a small sample size and has hit a solo home run in his two career at-bats against Kikuchi.
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Chayce McDermott Will Face Hitters Next Week
Baltimore Orioles pitching prospect Chayce McDermott (lat) is expected to face live hitters next week and could return before the end of May. McDermott has been sidelined since the start of the campaign due to a right lat strain. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression, but it appears the Ball State product is nearing a return to action. Last summer, McDermott made his MLB debut and logged four innings in the major leagues. He spent most of the season with Triple-A Norfolk, where he logged 100 innings of work to the tune of a 3.78 ERA with a 1.41 WHIP. He struck out an impressive 144 batters but served up a high 60 free passes. When McDermott returns to action, he should contend for a return to the big leagues later in the summer.
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Jake Burger Under The Weather On Tuesday
Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger (illness) is out of the starting lineup for Tuesday's series opener against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels at Globe Life Field, but he might be available to come off the bench if needed, according to manager Bruce Bochy. Ezequiel Duran is starting at the cold corner and is hitting eighth against Angels left-hander Yusei Kikuchi. The fact that Burger could be available off the bench means that his illness isn't all that serious, and fantasy managers should expect him to return for Game 2 of the series on Wednesday. Burger is off to a slow start in 2025 in his first year in Texas, batting .151 (8-for-53) with two home runs, two doubles, seven RBI and 15 punchouts in his first 15 games played. Duran has gone hitless in his first 11 at-bats this year and will be a low-upside DFS option at the bottom of the batting order. He's gone hitless in two career at-bats versus Kikuchi.
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Logan O'Hoppe Getting A Day Off To Rest After Illness
Los Angeles Angels catcher Logan O'Hoppe (illness) was sick during Monday's off day with stomach issues, according to MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger. Although O'Hoppe feels better on Tuesday, he will get the day off for the series opener in Texas against the division-rival Rangers. He expects to be back in the lineup on Wednesday as the series continues. With O'Hoppe out on Tuesday, Travis d'Arnaud will catch left-hander Yusei Kikuchi and will hit fifth against Rangers right-hander Tyler Mahle. Fantasy managers will want to get O'Hoppe back in their starting lineups on Wednesday, as the 25-year-old starting backstop is off to a great start with the bat in 2025, going 16-for-48 (.333) with five home runs, nine RBI and seven runs scored for the Halos. d'Arnaud has gone 2-for-18 with no homers early on, but he'll be a DFS sleeper at the shallow catching position against Mahle.
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Samuel Basallo Could Return To DH Duties Later In April
Baltimore Orioles catching prospect Samuel Basallo (elbow/hamstring) is expected to return to DH duties later in April and could return to catching in May. The top catching prospect in the sport is dealing with a mild left hamstring and right elbow inflammation. The 20-year-old was placed on the 7-day injured list after the first seven games of the Triple-A regular season. During the opening week, Basallo held a .250/.318/.550 slash line with two round-trippers. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression as he could push for an MLB debut later in the summer. Last season, Basallo spent most of the campaign with Double-A before earning a brief taste of Triple-A. In 106 games with Double-A Bowie, Basallo posted a strong .289/.355/.465 line. He remains a high-end asset in all dynasty formats.
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Victor Scott II Out Against Astros
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Victor Scott II is out of the starting lineup for Game 2 of the series against the visiting Houston Astros at Busch Stadium on Tuesday. Michael Siani will get the nod in center field and will bat ninth against Astros right-hander Hunter Brown. Scott is St. Louis' primary center fielder, but he'll get a day to rest after going 3-for-17 with six strikeouts in his last five games to drop his season line to .259/.328/.389 with a .717 OPS. The 24-year-old has one homer, seven RBI, seven runs scored and five stolen bases in his first 54 at-bats. Scott should be back in there on Wednesday as he looks to get back on track with the bat. Siani, who has never faced Brown in his career, will be a low-upside DFS play out of the nine-hole on Tuesday. He has gone just 2-for-9 with two runs scored early on in 2025 as a bench player for the Cards.
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Enrique Bradfield Jr. Targeting Mid-May Return
Baltimore Orioles outfield prospect Enrique Bradfield Jr. (hamstring) has a mild left hamstring strain and could return to action in mid-May. Bradfield hit the Double-A injured list earlier in April. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, but it appears the former 17th overall pick appears to have avoided a significant injury. During his first six games of the Double-A campaign, Bradfield was swinging a hot bat as he posted a stellar .389/.476/.556 slash line with one double and two stolen bases. Last summer, Bradfield spent most of the season with High-A before receiving a brief look at Double-A. Across 81 games with High-A, Bradfield held a .267 AVG with an impressive 59 stolen bases. Fantasy managers should expect the 23-year-old to spend most of the season with Double-A Chesapeake when he returns to action.
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Cooper Hjerpe Undergoes Tommy John Surgery
St. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect Cooper Hjerpe (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery and has been transferred from the 7-day injured list to the full-season injured list. According to the team, the left-hander is expected to return mid-season 2026. The 24-year-old was limited to just 52 innings of work last season due to numerous innings and will now face an extended absence. Across his 52 innings, Hjerpe spent time with High-A and Double-A. With High-A Peoria, the former 22nd overall pick posted a 3.35 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP. Then, during his first 14 2/3 innings with Double-A, the Oregon State product posted a strong 3.07 ERA with a 0.95 WHIP. Hjerpe is currently considered the No. 6 prospect in the system on MLB Pipeline and will likely not make his MLB debut until 2027 due to the injury.
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Jackson Merrill
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Padres
