Minnesota Twins right-hander Chris Paddack was the latest starting pitcher to shut down the Baltimore Orioles in Thursday's series finale at Camden Yards in a 4-0 shutout victory. Paddack picked up his second win of the season by tossing seven shutout innings with three hits allowed, one walk and three strikeouts. With the strong effort, Paddack lowered his ERA on the season to 4.05 through nine starts. In the process, the Twins stayed hot by sweeping the struggling O's and winning their 11th straight game after a slow start in April. Fantasy managers would have liked more punchouts from Paddack, but they'll take the strong start nonetheless. Keep in mind that nine of the 23 runs that Paddack has allowed so far in 2025 came in his first start back on March 31 against the Chicago White Sox. He's allowed four earned runs in 19 1/3 innings over three starts in May.

From RotoBaller

San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish (elbow) made his first minor-league rehab start on Wednesday with Triple-A El Paso and worked four innings, allowing two earned runs on two hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out four. Although Darvish was hit with the loss for the Chihuahuas against Triple-A Las Vegas, all in all, it was a solid first rehab outing for the 38-year-old veteran. He was sitting at 94.5 mph on the radar gun with his four-seam fastball as he works his way back from inflammation in his right elbow that he began experiencing in spring training in mid-March. Darvish is expected to need a couple more rehab outings before he's a candidate to come off the injured list, meaning he could make his 2025 debut for the Friars by the end of May. When healthy, the Japanese All-Star will be an option for the back end of fantasy rotations in mixed leagues.

From RotoBaller

Chicago White Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi (calf) will be re-evaluated in a week or two. "If it's up to me, I'd be back right now," Benintendi said on Wednesday. "But there's obviously a long way to go, so there's certain steps I've got to take." Benintendi was placed on the 10-day injured list on May 7 with a left-calf strain and has a ways to go before rejoining the big-league roster. When the 30-year-old is cleared to resume baseball activities, he'll eventually need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment as well, so we may not see him again until early June. The former seventh overall pick by the Boston Red Sox in 2015 out of Arkansas still has some power (five homers in 85 at-bats) but he does little else for fantasy managers and is likely on the waiver wire in most mixed leagues. Michael Taylor should continue to see extra playing time in Chicago until Benintendi is ready to return.

From RotoBaller

Atlanta Braves right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver continued to look good in his start in Thursday's series finale against the division-rival Washington Nationals. Smith-Shawver picked up his third win of the year by allowing an unearned run on two hits while walking two and striking out six in six solid innings of work at Truist Park in the 5-2 win. The 22-year-old has quickly become a must-start in fantasy in 2025 in his third season in the big leagues dropping his ERA on the year to 2.33. In 19 2/3 innings in the month of May, he has allowed just one earned run with a 0.47 ERA. Smith-Shawver is lined up for a rematch against the Nationals on the road in D.C. early next week, where he should be in all starting fantasy lineups as one of the best rising young arms in baseball.

From RotoBaller

Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker said that right-hander Spencer Strider (hamstring) will come off the 15-day injured list and start during next week's series against the division-rival Washington Nationals that starts next Monday. There was some concern that Strider's velocity was down in the low-90s during his simulated game on Wednesday, but the 26-year-old said he was more focused on throwing strikes and working on his secondary pitches, so it's really nothing to be concerned about. Strider will have a solid matchup for just his second start of the season against the Nats in D.C., but the Braves could choose to ease him back into the starting rotation since he didn't go on a minor-league rehab start. He threw 65 total pitches during his sim game on Wednesday. An All-Star in 2023, Strider should be rostered in all fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop prospect Carson Williams continues to struggle mightily at Triple-A. The former first-round draft pick had a two-homer game on May 7, but since then, he's gone 2-for-18 (.111) with 10 strikeouts. Forthe season, the Rays' top prospect (MLB No. 24) is hitting .175 with an ugly 39.9 percent strikeout rate, and if not for a solid 14.2 percent walk rate, his .297 OBP would look even worse. On the bright side, the 21-year-old has five home runs and seven stolen bases, but for a player who was potentially going to get a call-up to the majors later this season, that probably won't cut it. Hopefully the youngster can heat up with the weather, but for now, it looks like he'll remain at Triple-A, so there's no reason for redraft managers to stash him.

From RotoBaller

Cincinnati Reds corner infielder Jeimer Candelario (back) played catch on the field on Thursday at Great American Ball Park before the series finale against the visiting Chicago White Sox as he begins to ramp up his throwing progression, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer's Charlie Goldsmith. Candelario is recovering from a lumbar spine strain after landing on the injured list in late April, and the 31-year-old veteran isn't exactly close to a return. It's good news that he's beginning to throw again, but he'll eventually need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment and might not be ready to return to the big-league roster until late May or early June. With Candelario, Christian Encarnacion-Strand (back) and Noelvi Marte (oblique) all on the shelf, Santiago Espinal has been afforded everyday playing time for the Reds.

From RotoBaller

The Minneapolis Star Tribune's Bobby Nightengale reports that Minnesota Twins right-hander Zebby Matthews is expected to be recalled from Triple-A St. Paul to start on Sunday versus the Milwaukee Brewers on the road for his first outing in 2025. It comes after the Twins announced on Thursday that they sent right-hander Simeon Woods-Richardson to St. Paul. The 24-year-old Matthews has looked good for the Saints this year in the minors, posting a 1.93 ERA with 38 strikeouts and nine walks in 32 2/3 innings over his seven starts, and the red-hot Twins are hoping he can keep that up in his second go-around in the big leagues. Matthews struggled in his MLB debut in 2024, going 1-4 with a 6.69 ERA and 1.65 WHIP with 43 K's and 11 walks in 37 2/3 frames over nine starts. The Brewers have been a solid matchup for starters this year, and Matthews is certainly worth a look in deep-mixed leagues.

From RotoBaller

Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa (head) is in the league's concussion protocol after a scary third-inning collision with teammate Byron Buxton in Thursday's series finale against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. Correa backpedaled into shallow center field before Buxton slammed into the back of him and jarred his head and neck drastically. The 30-year-old veteran appeared to absorb the worst of the impact, although Buxton was also removed from the game. Correa went 0-for-1 in the game before Brooks Lee shifted from second base to shortstop to replace him. It's a pretty good bet that Correa will be out for Friday's series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers, and he could be headed for the seven-day concussion list. Lee, a former first-round pick, figures to see most of the starts at the 6 for however long Correa is out.

From RotoBaller

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (head) was forced to leave Thursday's series finale against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards after a scary collision in the third inning with teammate Carlos Correa in shallow center field, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune's Bobby Nightengale. The good news for Buxton's fantasy managers is that he went 1-for-2 with a solo home run before departing and being placed in MLB's concussion protocol. It's a good bet that the 31-year-old won't play in Friday's series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers, and if he does have a concussion, he'll be placed on the seven-day concussion injured list. DaShawn Keirsey Jr. moved from left field to center field after Buxton's injury. With Harrison Bader (groin) injured on Wednesday, Keirsey could be in line for regular playing time moving forward.

From RotoBaller

Tampa Bay Rays infielder/outfielder Jose Caballero is starting in right field and batting sixth in Thursday's series finale against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays and right-hander Kevin Gausman. Caballero has been playing regularly for the Rays all over the diamond, as he's started four games in right field, one at third base, one at second and one at shortstop in the last eight games. However, the 28-year-old's playing time could start to dry up somewhat now that Josh Lowe (oblique) is back from the injured list. It's not like he's been outstanding on offense so far in 2025, as the Panamanian utility man enters Thursday's game with a .239/.327/.352 slash line with a homer, 12 RBI, eight runs scored and nine stolen bases. Caballero is primarily valuable in deeper fantasy leagues for his positional versatility and his speed.

From RotoBaller

The Tampa Bay Rays placed outfielder Travis Jankowski (groin) on the 10-day injured list on Thursday with a left-groin strain and reinstated outfielder Josh Lowe (oblique) from the 10-day IL in a corresponding move. Jankowski was forced from Wednesday's game early against the Toronto Blue Jays in the seventh inning with his groin injury and will now be forced to miss at least the next 10 days. The 33-year-old veteran will be eligible to return to Tampa's big-league roster on May 25. However, now that Lowe is back after straining his oblique on Opening Day, Jankowski won't have a clear path to playing time for the Rays when he's able to return. He wasn't all that attractive in AL-only leagues to begin with aside for his speed. Jankowski is hitting .244 (11-for-45) on the season in 21 games with the Rays and White Sox, adding no homers, two RBI and two steals.

From RotoBaller

Texas Rangers infield prospect Sebastian Walcott went 2-for-4 with a walk, a solo home run, and three runs scored on Wednesday for Double-A Frisco. It was the second straight game with a home run for the Rangers' top prospect (MLB No. 9), now with four home runs on the season, and after a 10-game skid with zero extra-base hits, the right-handed hitter has four extra-base hits in his last six games. The 6-foot-4 slugger is hitting .252 thus far, but with a 13.3 percent walk rate, he's logged a solid .360 OBP, which has also helped the Bahamian to eight steals. Look for a promotion to Triple-A later this year, and despite his young age, the 19-year-old has an ETA of 2026 per MLB.com's top prospect list, with the makings of a big-time fantasy producer in the power department.

From RotoBaller

Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark went 2-for-5 with a solo home run on Wednesday for High-A West Michigan. The former third-overall draft pick played 34 games at High-A last year and registered a .264/.344/.421 slash line, but this year through 30 games, he's fully settled in at the plate, slashing .310/.441/.440 with three home runs, four steals, and 27 walks compared to just 19 strikeouts. It certainly looks like the Tigers' top-ranked prospect (MLB No. 7) is well on his way to a promotion to Double-A, and if all goes well, he could be knocking on the door to the big leagues by the end of next season.

From RotoBaller

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop prospect Konnor Griffin went 3-for-4 on Wednesday with an RBI, two runs scored, and two steals for Single-A Bradenton. The ninth-overall pick in last year's draft has been hitting well all year, but especially so as of late, going 13-for-26 (.500) over his last six games with a double, two home runs, four RBI, nine runs scored, and four stolen bases. For the season, the 19-year-old is slashing .296/.350/.528 with seven home runs and 15 steals, providing plenty of support for a promotion to High-A later this year. The Pirates' second-ranked prospect (MLB No. 37) looks like a potential multi-category producer and could fly through the organization. MLB.com gives him an ETA of 2028, but with his tools, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him arrive sooner, and the 6-foot-4 sluggershould be all over dynasty managers' radar.

From RotoBaller

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Josh Lowe (oblique) was activated from the 10-day injured list on Thursday and is starting in Thursday's series finale against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays and right-hander Kevin Gausman. Lowe is serving as the designated hitter and will bat leadoff for the Rays in his first game back since he strained his oblique on Opening Day. In a corresponding move, Tampa placed outfielder Travis Jankowski (groin) on the IL. The 27-year-old Lowe had two home runs in his six minor-league rehab games, so fantasy managers are hoping he can continue swinging the bat well in his return to the majors. If he can stay healthy, which has been an issue in his career, Lowe will play regularly for the Rays in right field and offers fantasy managers an intriguing mix of power and speed. In 2023 and 2024, Lowe had a combined 30 home runs, 117 RBI and 57 stolen bases in 241 games played.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Matt Sauer will start the team's bullpen game in Thursday's series finale against the visiting Athletics, according to manager Dave Roberts. Sauer, a former second-round pick by the New York Yankees in 2017 will be making his first career "start" in the big leagues after debuting with the Kansas City Royals in 2024. The 26-year-old has allowed three runs (two earned) on nine hits while walking one and striking out eight in 11 2/3 innings over four relief appearances for the Blue so far this year. He made three starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City earlier this year, though, and worked as many as five innings in relief against the Miami Marlins back on April 29. Sauer has the ability to go deeper than most typical openers, but he still won't be a recommended fantasy streamer against an A's team that isn't all that bad.

From RotoBaller

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho will retreat to the bench for Thursday's series finale against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre. Myles Straw will start in center field and bat eighth versus Rays right-hander Zack Littell. In 11 games since returning from offseason shoulder surgery on April 29, Varsho has gone 9-for-40 (.225) with five home runs, a double, 11 RBI, seven runs scored and a stolen base for the Blue Jays. He's had four built-in off days along the way to help ease him back into the fold. The 28-year-old isn't going to provide much in terms of average -- he has a career .225 average in 588 big-league games -- but it's been nice to see him go deep five times in his first 11 games. Straw is hitting a strong .290 (20-for-69) early on, but he'll be a low-upside DFS option with limited power down at the bottom of the order. He's never faced Littell.

From RotoBaller

Chicago Cubs rookie right-hander Cade Horton is scheduled to make the start for Friday's series opener at Wrigley Field against the crosstown-rival Chicago White Sox. It will be Horton's first major-league start after he made his big-league debut on May 10 in a relief role against the New York Mets, yielding three earned runs on four hits (one homer) while walking none and striking out five in four innings for his first career win. While the 23-year-old pitching prospect's first MLB outing wasn't ideal, he did strike out five batters in a bulk-relief role and should remain in Chicago's starting rotation until left-hander Shota Imanaga (hamstring) returns from the injured list. In a matchup against a White Sox team that is dead-last in OPS (.620) on the season, fantasy managers should have Horton in their starting lineups on Friday.

From RotoBaller

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that outfielder TJ Friedl (wrist) was just available to pinch run or go in for defense on Wednesday against the Chicago White Sox, and that will likely be the case again for Thursday's series finale. Friedl is going to grab a bat again to see how he feels, but Francona said the team is hoping he'll be ready to return for Friday's series opener against the Cleveland Guardians. The 29-year-old is dealing with a bone bruise in his right wrist that he suffered on a collision with teammate Elly De La Cruz on Tuesday. Will Benson is starting in center field again on Thursday and will hit sixth against White So right-hander Bryse Wilson. In his third start of 2025 on Wednesday, Benson went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk in the 4-2 loss. The left-handed hitter has faced Wilson eight times in his career and is hitting .125 with a homer and two RBI.

From RotoBaller