Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll will take a seat on the bench in Friday's series opener against the hosting Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark with a left-hander on the mound. With Carroll resting, veteran Randal Grichuk will start in right field and bat fifth against Reds southpaw Nick Lodolo. Grichuk has typically been a lefty killer in his career, but he's hit .224 (15-for-67) with two of his three home runs against them this year and he's also gone hitless in three career at-bats against Lodolo. Carroll is one of the best all-around players in the game and rarely takes a day off, so we should see him back in there for Game 2 of the series in Cincy on Saturday. The 24-year-old former first-rounder is hitting .259 but with an xBA of .275, and he's already clubbed 18 long balls, driven in 39, scored 49 runs and stolen 10 bags.

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Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (wrist) is dealing with a sore right wrist and is being considered day-to-day at this point, according to manager Rob Thomson. It explains why Harper is out of the starting lineup on Friday in Pittsburgh against the Pirates. Alec Bohm is at first and is hitting third, while Edmundo Sosa is playing third base and batting sixth against Pirates left-hander Bailey Falter. The 32-year-old Harper has been banged up of late and also missed a week of action after being hit by a pitch on his elbow early last week. As of right now, it looks like the two-time MVP will avoid a stint on the injured list, but fantasy managers will want to remove him from their lineups and check back on Saturday to see if he's feeling good enough to return. If Harper were to need an extensive absence due to his wrist injury, Sosa would be the regular third baseman with Bohm moving to first.

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Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (groin) is returning to the starting lineup for Friday's contest against the hosting Pittsburgh Pirates and left-hander Bailey Falter, doing the catching for right-hander Joe Ross and hitting fifth. Realmuto took a foul ball off his groin late in Wednesday's game and was held out of Thursday's game as a result. Now that the 34-year-old veteran backstop is back in the lineup, he'll try to break out of a current slump that has seen him record only four hits in his last eight games played. Realmuto's .254 expected batting average point to some positive regression coming for the three-time All-Star, but so far in 2025, he's been a disappointment for his fantasy managers. He enters Friday's game slashing .226/.297/.358 with five home runs, 22 RBI, 18 runs and four stolen bases.

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Chicago White Sox catching prospect Kyle Teel is doing the catching and is batting sixth in his major-league debut on Friday against the division-rival Kansas City Royals and right-hander Seth Lugo. Fellow catching prospect Edgar Quero will head to the bench, and he figures to lose playing time going forward if Teel asserts himself immediately with the lumber. Quero is still searching for his first homer while batting .256/.343/.306 in 121 at-bats. Teel, the club's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, had an .886 OPS with eight home runs and seven stolen bases at Triple-A Charlotte to earn the big-league promotion. The 23-year-old left-handed hitter was the former 14th overall pick by the Boston Red Sox in 2023 out of Virginia. Teel hits from the left side and has a higher offensive ceiling than most catchers, making him worth an immediate waiver-wire pickup in single-year fantasy leagues.

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The Colorado Rockies are promoting infield prospect Ryan Ritter to the major leagues. In a corresponding move, the Rockies are placing shortstop Ezequiel Tovar (oblique) on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain. Ritter is currently considered the No. 12-ranked prospect in the Colorado system on MLB.com. The 24-year-old made his Triple-A debut at the start of the campaign and has performed at a high level. Through 52 total games, the infielder has posted a stellar .302/.413/.635 slash line with 13 doubles, 16 home runs, and three stolen bases. He has tallied 45 RBI and scored 44 runs. He was riding an 18-game hitting streak at Triple-A, where he posted an elite .443/.489/.987 line. With Tovar hitting the IL, fantasy managers should expect Ritter to see close to an everyday role in the starting nine. Given his high power upside, he is worth adding in all standard leagues.

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Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (head) is back in center field and is hitting seventh for Friday's contest against the division-rival Kansas City Royals and right-hander Seth Lugo. Robert was given Tuesday and Wednesday off for a mental break. He also missed Thursday's contest after being hit in the head during batting practice on a ricochet. The 27-year-old is back now, though, and will be hoping to break out of his slump against a pitcher that he hasn't recorded a hit against in seven career at-bats. Outside of his league-best 21 stolen bases, the Cuban slugger and former All-Star has been a disappointment, hitting just .177 (34-for-192) with five home runs, 20 RBI and 24 runs scored in 55 games played. Robert has a strikeout rate just shy of 33% in his last 25 games. Perhaps fantasy managers will want to keep him benched until he shows signs of turning it around.

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Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz and second baseman Gavin Lux are both out of the starting lineup for Friday's contest against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks. De La Cruz remains on the bereavement list after his sister passed away earlier this week, while Lux will sit with left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez on the mound. Matt McLain is moving to shortstop and will bat eighth, while Garrett Hampson is starting at second base and batting ninth against Rodriguez. McLain has never faced E-Rod, while Hampson has a hit and an RBI against him in just three career at-bats. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect De La Cruz to return to Cincy's lineup until Monday's series finale in Cleveland against the Guardians. Lux has hit well in his first season with the Reds, but he's batting just .133 (4-for-30) against lefties in 25 games.

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Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Josh Naylor (hand, shoulder) is not in the team's starting lineup for Friday's series opener in Cincinnati against the Reds at Great American Ballpark. Rookie Tim Tawa is starting at first base and will hit eighth against Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo. Naylor was pulled from Thursday's come-from-behind win over the Atlanta Braves with soreness in both his hand and shoulder, and the D-backs will hold him out a day later against a left-handed pitcher. The 27-year-old is being considered day-to-day and could be back as early as Game 2 of the series in Cincy on Saturday. Tawa, who has never faced Lodolo in his career, will be a low-upside DFS dart throw as a sleeper on Friday. He's hitting just .218 (24-for-110) in a utility role and has six home runs and six RBI in his first 40 major-league games.

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The Washington Nationals optioned rookie outfielder Daylen Lile to Triple-A Rochester on Friday and activated outfielder Jacob Young (shoulder) from the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move, according to the team. Lile, the team's No. 9 prospect per MLB Pipeline, will head back to the minors for more seasoning after going 6-for-31 (.194) with three doubles, a triple, two RBI and four runs scored in his first 11 major-league contests. With some of Washington's outfielders banged up, Lile was playing nearly every day. It was good experience for the 22-year-old youngster, but he'll now return to Rochester and hope for another promotion late in the season. The former second-rounder in 2021 will return to a .361/.432/.514 slash line in 18 games played for Rochester. Lile could develop 15-homer pop in time and certainly has the speed to steal 20-plus bases.

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Washington Nationals first baseman/designated hitter Josh Bell, catcher Keibert Ruiz and second baseman Luis Garcia Jr. are all sitting for Friday's game in D.C. against the visiting Texas Rangers. Outfielder Alex Call is serving as the designated hitter and is batting fifth, Riley Adams is doing the catching and hitting sixth, and Nasim Nunez is starting at the keystone and in the nine-hole of the batting order against Rangers left-hander Patrick Corbin. Nathaniel Lowe is starting at first base and batting cleanup for the Nats. While Ruiz is a switch-hitter, both Bell and Garcia bat from the left side and will get the day off against the left-handed pitcher. Call, Adams and Nunez have never faced Corbin before in their careers. Call has hit over .300 in 48 plate appearances versus southpaws this year, but he's still searching for his first homer.

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The Washington Nationals activated outfielder Jacob Young (shoulder) from the 10-day injured list on Friday and optioned outfielder Daylen Lile to Triple-A Rochester in a corresponding move, according to the team. Young will return to the big leagues for the first time since being placed on the IL on May 23 with an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder. The Nationals haven't released their lineup for Friday's contest against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates, so it's unclear if Young is back in the starting lineup right away. Before his injury, the 25-year-old had gone 25-for-110 (.227) with no home runs, six RBI, 15 runs scored and five stolen bases in 41 games. Young will now be an option in center field again for the Nats, which could lead to fewer at-bats for both Alex Call and rookie Robert Hassell III.

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The Cincinnati Reds announced on Friday that they activated infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand (back) from the 10-day injured list and designated catcher Austin Wynns for assignment in a corresponding move. Encarnacion-Strand is returning for the first time since being placed on the IL back on April 17 with lower-back inflammation. It's unclear yet if the 25-year-old will be in the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks, but he'll be an option at third base, first base and designated hitter for the Reds now that he's back. He was hitting just .158 (9-for-57) with two homers and 13 strikeouts in 15 games before his injury, and he just hasn't been the same since fracturing his right wrist in 2024. When Encarnacion-Strand is right, he has high-end power upside for fantasy managers.

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The Minnesota Twins announced on Friday that they recalled right-handed pitching prospect Travis Adams from Triple-A St. Paul and optioned left-hander Kody Funderbunk to St. Paul in a corresponding move. Adams will get his first big-league call-up after going 3-1 with a 3.43 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 37 strikeouts, three saves and 10 walks in 42 innings pitched over 13 outings (two starts) with the Saints. The 25-year-old served mostly as a bulk reliever on the farm, although he could make starts in Minnesota with Pablo Lopez (shoulder) out for an extended period of time. He's considered Minnesota's No. 21 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, but he should only be considered for a pickup in deep AL-only leagues. The 6-foot-1, 197-pounder is a strike-thrower but lacks high-end fantasy upside because his arsenal isn't all that overpowering.

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The Los Angeles Dodgers announced on Friday that they optioned right-hander Landon Knack to Triple-A Oklahoma City and recalled left-hander Justin Wrobleski in a corresponding move. Knack will head back to the minors after allowing four earned runs on four hits (three homers) while walking five and striking out only one in 3 1/3 innings in a no-decision in the win over the New York Mets on Wednesday. The 27-year-old has gone 3-2 this year with the Dodgers with a 5.12 ERA (6.18 FIP) and 1.47 WHIP with 35 strikeouts and 18 walks in 38 2/3 innings over nine appearances (seven starts). Home runs have been an issue for Knack, as he allowed 14 in just 69 innings last year, and he's already allowed 10 this year in just 38 2/3 frames. If/when Knack returns to the big-league level, it may not be in a starting role, depending on the health of L.A.'s rotation.

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The Los Angeles Dodgers announced on Friday that they recalled left-hander Justin Wrobleski from Triple-A Oklahoma City and optioned right-hander Landon Knack to Oklahoma City in a corresponding move. Wrobleski will make the start in Friday's series opener at Busch Stadium against the St. Louis Cardinals in what will be just his eighth start in the big leagues since debuting in 2024. Fantasy managers should be looking to stay away from the 24-year-old southpaw as a streamer in St. Louis. He had a 5.09 ERA in 40 2/3 innings at OKC in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League and allowed eight earned runs on nine hits (two homers) while walking three and striking out eight in nine innings over his two outings (one starts) for L.A. earlier this year. Wrobleski's strikeout rate leaves plenty to be desired, and he could head right back to the minors after this spot start.

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Miami Marlins manager Clayton McCullough reports that outfielder Kyle Stowers (hand) will miss his second straight outing due to "lingering hand soreness." McCullough noted that the Stanford product will be available to pinch-hit. It was strange that Stowers would miss two games so recently after a routine day off, and now we have some clarity on the situation. It's good news that the injury doesn't appear to be serious, and he was already able to pinch-hit in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Rockies. He can be considered day-to-day as of now, but it is still a situation to monitor. Stowers has had a strong season through 58 appearances, boasting a .282 average (.836 OPS) with ten home runs, eight doubles, 33 RBI, and 24 runs scored.

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Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Kameron Misner will take a seat for Friday's home meeting with the Miami Marlins. Teammate Jake Mangum will bat fifth and occupy center field in his stead against right-handed pitcher Edward Cabrera. Misner had two days off last weekend, though he technically picked up at-bats in both games and hasn't had an actual off day in nearly a month, so it's likely just that for him. The 27-year-old has been solid against righties this season (.248), but not as good as the switch-hitting Mangum (.322). Misner is an excellent defender, but poor plate discipline and quality of contact have held him back at the plate. He's sporting a .224/.290/.376 triple slash with five home runs, seven steals, 25 runs scored, and 18 RBI (57 appearances).

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Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz will be out of the team's lineup on Friday for their series opener against the visiting Miami Marlins. It's just a routine day off for the 33-year-old, who's started 18 of the previous 19 outings. Teammate Brandon Lowe will act as the Rays' designated hitter, while Jonathan Aranda is at first base. Despite a middling .244/.291/.397 slash line, Diaz is underperforming his xBA (.285) and xSLG (.474) by quite a bit. In fact, his quality of contact metrics are closer to where they were in 2023 when he hit .330 with 22 homers. He appears due for some positive regression, considering an uncharacteristically low .255 BABIP that would qualify for the lowest of his career by 30 points if it holds.

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Chicago Cubs third base prospect Matt Shaw went 3-for-5 with two runs and two stolen bases during their victory over the Nationals on Thursday. Over his last 11 games, the Maryland product has begun to heat up at the major league level. During this stretch, Shaw has posted a stellar .333/.381/.410 slash line with three doubles and five stolen bases. During his first stint in the majors, Shaw posted a modest .172/.294/.241 slash line across 18 games. However, after a brief stint in Triple-A, Shaw has begun to turn the corner in the big leagues. Given his five-category upside, fantasy managers should view Shaw as a strong corner infielder in all standard formats. Shaw will look to stay hot at the plate on Friday, facing Detroit ace Tarik Skubal.

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Miami Marlins outfielder Kyle Stowers will not be in the team's lineup on Friday for the first game of their series with the Tampa Bay Rays. Teammate Eric Wagaman is occupying left field and batting sixth for the Marlins. Stowers wasn't in Miami's lineup on Tuesday when they squared off against left-handed pitcher Kyle Freeland. However, he was available off the bench to pinch-hit. The 27-year-old has hit lefties well this season, so it appeared to be a peculiar decision to bench him -- especially after he received a day off on Saturday. He may be working through a minor injury, though; nothing has been reported. Look for him to return to the starting nine over the weekend.

From RotoBaller