Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (hand) has been scratched from the starting lineup on Saturday against the hosting Chicago White Sox due to inflammation in his right hand, according to manager Joe Espada. Alvarez hit in the cages earlier on Saturday and his hand didn't feel right, Espada said. Fantasy managers will be keeping their fingers crossed that this doesn't end up being a serious injury that forces Alvarez to the injured list. It could help explain why the 27-year-old Cuban slugger has been a disappointment early in 2025, though. Through his first 96 at-bats, he's slashing .219/.316/.354 with a below-average .670 OPS, only three home runs, 18 RBI, seven runs scored and one stolen base over 28 games. For now, remove the three-time All-Star from your lineups and check back on Sunday for more updates. If Alvarez misses more time, Zach Dezenzo and Chas McCormick could see more action.

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The Baltimore Orioles are promoting third base prospect Coby Mayo, who is set to join the major league roster before Saturday's contest against the Kansas City Royals. Mayo made his MLB debut last season but struggled during his first stint. Across 17 games, Mayo posted an underwhelming .098/.196/.098 slash line with just four hits (all singles). He posted a 22:4 K:BB. However, at the Triple-A level, Mayo has flashed elite upside. Earlier this season, the No. 2-ranked prospect in the Baltimore system posted an impressive .252/.346/.523 slash line with seven doubles, six home runs with a 27:16 K:BB. Last summer, Mayo held a .287/.364/.562 line across 89 games at Triple-A. Fantasy managers should monitor his status in the majors as he could eventually carve out a full-time role in the Baltimore starting nine. Given his power upside, he should be added to all standard leagues for the time being.

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St. Louis Cardinals infielder Nolan Gorman is not in the team's starting lineup Saturday's contest against the visiting New York Mets at Busch Stadium. Alec Burleson will draw into the lineup at first base and will hit sixth against Mets right-hander Tylor Megill. Gorman has been awful at the plate to start the 2025 season, slashing just .185/.292/.333 with a home runs, eight RBI, nine runs scored, nine walks and 19 strikeouts in 18 games played. The 24-year-old left-handed hitter has gone hitless in his last 13 at-bats with three walks and five strikeouts in his last five games. If he doesn't pick it up soon, he could find himself on the bench more often. Burleson is a mediocre DFS sleeper consideration on Saturday against a pitcher he has never faced. The 26-year-old lefty is still searching for his first homer of the season while slashing .256/.304/.291 with six RBI, two steals and seven runs scored.

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Tampa Bay Rays first baseman/designated hitter Jonathan Aranda and rookie outfielder Chandler Simpson will not start on Saturday in the Bronx against the New York Yankees and left-hander Ryan Yarbrough. Righty Clarke Schmidt (side) was originally scheduled to start for the Yanks, but he was scratched due to a side issue. Curtis Mead is now starting at first base and batting fifth, while Kameron Misner will start in center field and bat seventh. Jose Caballero is in right field and in the six-hole. Aranda is hitting over .300 so far in 2025 but has gone 2-for-14 with five strikeouts against left-handed pitching, so he'll take a seat. Simpson, who also bats from the left side, is hitting .318 (14-for-44) in his first 11 big-league games, but he hasn't homered while driving in three and stealing three bases. He's just 3-for-15 against lefties.

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Chicago White Sox catching prospect Edgar Quero is not in the team's starting lineup on Saturday against the visiting Houston Astros. Matt Thaiss will do the catching for right-hander Davis Martin and will bat seventh against Astros right-hander Hunter Brown. Since being recalled from the minors early this season, Quero has held his own at the plate, going 12-for-40 (.300) with two doubles, five RBI, four runs scored, six walks and five strikeouts in his first 14 MLB games. The team's No. 6 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, will continue to see most of the starts behind the dish for the Pale Hose moving forward. The 22-year-old is coming off a 2-for-3 performance on Friday night with two RBI against the Astros. Thaiss will be a low-upside DFS play at catcher on Saturday. He's hitting .208 (10-for-48) with a homer and seven RBI and is also batting .200 in five career at-bats against Brown.

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New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez and second baseman Jeff McNeil are both resting on Saturday in St. Louis against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Luis Torres is catching and batting eighth, while Luisangel Acuna is at the keystone and is hitting seventh against Cardinals right-hander Erick Fedde. Both Alvarez and McNeil recently made their season debuts after beginning the 2025 season with injuries. Alvarez has gone just 4-for-21 with a homer, double, three RBI, two walks and eight strikeouts in his first five games of the year. McNeil has been better, going 6-for-19 with a homer, three RBI and a run scored in his first five games played. Of the two replacements on Saturday, Acuna is the better DFS sleeper pick. The 23-year-old Venezuelan infielder has yet to homer in his 73 at-bats this year, but he's batting .288/.342/.356 with seven stolen bases.

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New York Yankees right-hander Clarke Schmidt (side) has been scratched from his scheduled start on Saturday against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays due to left-side soreness, according to The Athletic's Chris Kirschner. Schmidt said it's minor, though, and expects to make his next start in the Bronx on Tuesday against the visiting San Diego Padres. In his place on Saturday, left-hander Ryan Yarbrough will make the start. The 29-year-old had a promising 2025 campaign but missed three months due to a lat strain, and he also opened the 2025 season on the injured list. The former first-rounder (16th overall) in 2017 out of South Carolina has an intriguing fantasy profile, but injuries continue to get in the way. In his three starts this year, he's been uneven with a 5.52 ERA and 1.43 WHIP with 15 strikeouts in 14 2/3 innings. Schmidt will be a risky fantasy starter his next time out against the Padres, if he makes the start.

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The Los Angeles Dodgers are calling up infield prospect Hyeseong Kim on Saturday, sources tell The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya. The infielder is on his way to Atlanta after posting an .801 OPS in 127 plate appearances for Triple-A Oklahoma City to begin the season. The 26-year-old South Korean prospect hit .257 (29-for-113) with five home runs, eight doubles, a triple, 19 RBI, 13 stolen bases and 22 runs scored in his 27 games for OKC. Kim hits from the left side and will provide infield depth for the Dodgers for the remainder of their series against the Braves this weekend. He signed a three-year, $12.5 million deal in early January. Kim doesn't have a lot of power at the plate and probably won't play regularly in a loaded Dodgers lineup, but he does have speed to spare and has an excellent glove on the infield, making him worth stashing in NL-only formats for now.

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The Toronto Blue Jays signed free-agent right-handers Spencer Turnbull and Jose Urena to major-league deals on Saturday, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman. Turnbull will be the more attractive fantasy option for desperate managers looking for a potential starter. The 32-year-old veteran should get a chance in Toronto's starting rotation sooner than later after posting a career-best 2.65 ERA (3.85 FIP) and 1.05 WHIP with 58 strikeouts and 20 walks in 54 1/3 innings over 17 outings (seven starts) before a lat injury suffered last June prematurely ended his season. There could be short-term upside, but his injury history is extensive. Urena, 33, was recently designated for assignment by the Mets after allowing five earned runs in just three relief innings in 2025. He has worked primarily as a reliever in recent seasons and holds a 4.80 career ERA and 1.40 WHIP with six saves in 11 MLB seasons.

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Detroit Tigers infielder/outfielder Javier Baez went 2-for-4 with a home run during their 9-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday evening. Baez went deep in the ninth inning with a two-run shot that also scored Jace Jung. This home run was off Los Angeles closer Kenley Jansen. The 32-year-old has been swinging a hot bat over his last seven contests. During this stretch, Baez has posted an impressive .417/.400/.917 slash line with three doubles, three home runs, 10 RBI, and five runs. He also swiped one bag and held a 6:1 K:BB. Before this surge, Baez posted a .258/.300/.303 slash line with three doubles and no home runs. While Baez is enjoying an impressive run at the plate, his .288 xwOBA and 32.8 percent hard-hit rate suggest it may not be sustainable. However, he does have a favorable matchup on Saturday evening, facing Angels right-hander Kyle Hendricks.

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Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz swiped two bags during their loss to the San Diego Padres on Friday evening. Cruz also scored two runs and drew two walks. Through the first month of the campaign, the 26-year-old has flashed elite five-category upside. Through his first 30 contests, Cruz has held a .245/.364/.519 slash line with eight home runs and 14 stolen bases. Under the hood, he has generated an elite .422 xwOBA with a .580 xSLG, which places him in the 96th and 94th percentile, respectively. In addition, Cruz has shown a strong eye at the plate, drawing walks at a 15.5 percent rate and showing high speed upside, placing in the 88th percentile in sprint speed. Given his ability to hit for power and make an impact on the basepaths, he remains a must-start option in all standard formats.

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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Robbie Ray tossed seven shutout innings on Friday evening en route to picking up the victory over the Colorado Rockies. Ray allowed just two hits and two walks. He struck out eight batters. This was another impressive showing for the southpaw, as he has struggled through the first month of the season. In his most recent outing, Ray also logged seven innings of work, but allowed five hits and two runs. Prior to these two outings, the left-hander carried a modest 4.07 ERA with a high 1.56 WHIP across his first 24 1/3 innings of work this season. During this rough start, Ray struck out just 25 batters and allowed five long balls. However, the 33-year-old has been able to turn the corner and is flashing high upside. Given his recent two starts, he should be viewed as a must-start option in all standard formats going forward.

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New York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo went 3-for-3 with three runs, a home run, and two walks during their victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Nimmo enjoyed a perfect day at the plate. Nimmo would go deep in the seventh inning with a solo shot off St. Louis reliever John King. Nimmo was dealing with an illness earlier in the week but appears to have found his footing. Over his last 12 contests, Nimmo has posted a solid .283/.320/.500 slash line with one double, three long balls, and 13 RBI. Through 31 total games, Nimmo sits with a modest .229/.279/.441 line. However, his .350 xwOBA and .274 xBA suggest he should continue to see positive regression throughout the campaign. He remains a strong option in all formats on Saturday, facing St. Louis right-hander Erick Fedde.

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Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo tossed six 1/3 innings of one-hit ball en route to earning the victory over the Texas Rangers on Friday evening. Woo did not allow a run or a walk. He struck out eight batters for the second straight outing. This was Woo's first scoreless start of the young campaign. His lone hit came in the fifth inning when Texas backstop Jonah Heim hit a line drive to center field. Through Woo's first 38 1/3 innings of the campaign, the Cal Poly product has posted an impressive 2.58 ERA with a strong 0.83 WHIP. Woo has flashed elite command as he has held a 38:7 K:BB. Last season, Woo logged a career-high 121 1/3 innings and showed similar control as he served up walks at a 2.8 percent rate. Given his strong command, Woo remains a must-start option in all formats as he should continue to boost your team's WHIP ratio. In addition, he is showing higher strikeout upside, which could open the door for him to enjoy a career year.

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Chicago Cubs right-handed pitcher Chris Flexen earned his first save of the season during their demanding victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday evening. Flexen was called on to log the last three innings of work after starter Ben Brown tossed six shutout frames. With the Cubs holding a sizeable lead throughout the evening, they did not call on their typically high-leverage options. Flexen allowed just one hit and two walks across his three innings of work. He did not allow a run and struck out four. This was the 30-year-old's first appearance for the Cubs this season. He opened the campaign with Triple-A, but given the season-ending injury to Justin Steele (elbow), the Cubs may opt to keep Flexen on the MLB roster. Last summer, the veteran tossed 160 innings of work to the tune of a 4.95 ERA with the White Sox, operating primarily as a starting pitcher. He could eventually earn spot starts, but for now, he should not be targeted in any formats, serving in a bulk relief role.

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Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto continued his impressive start to the campaign with another brilliant outing on Friday evening against the Atlanta Braves. Yamamoto logged six scoreless innings en route to earning his fourth victory. Yamamoto struck out six batters and allowed just one hit and two walks. His only hit came in the sixth inning when third baseman Austin Riley hit a double. Both of his free passes were served up to designated hitter Marcell Ozuna. Through his first 40 innings of the season (seven starts), Yamamoto has posted a 4-2 record with a stellar 0.90 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP. During this stretch, the right-hander has posted a 49:13 K:BB and allowed just two home runs. Under the hood, he has generated a 61.5 percent ground-ball rate and sits in the 89th percentile in xERA. He remains a must-start option in all formats..

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New York Yankees outfield prospect Spencer Jones hit his ninth home run of the Double-A regular season on Friday during their contest against Richmond. Jones went 1-for-4 at the plate with two walks and two punchouts. This outing also extended his current hitting streak to five games. During this stretch, he has gone deep twice and held a 9:6 K:BB. After an underwhelming season at Double-A last summer, the No. 3-ranked prospect in the Yankee system appears to be taking the next step in his development. Through the first 25 games of the 2025 campaign, Jones has held a .236/.382/.573 slash line, which is a strong improvement compared to the .259/.336/.452 line he held across 122 games at Double-A last summer. If Jones continues to hit for power, he could earn the call to Triple-A.

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Cincinnati Reds starting pitching prospect Chase Burns posted the best start of his professional career on Friday evening against Double-A Montgomery. The former second overall pick from last year's MLB Draft tossed five innings of one-run ball. He allowed five hits and no walks. He tallied a season-high eight punchouts. This was his second start at the Double-A level, and the Wake Forest product has looked quite comfortable. In his first nine frames at this level, Burns has struck out 13 batters and allowed just two runs and one free pass. The top pitching prospect opened the campaign at the High-A level, where he tossed 11 2/3 innings to the tune of a 3.09 ERA and a stellar 0.86 WHIP. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on the hard-throwing right-hander as he should be in the mix to make his MLB debut in the second half of the season.

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Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene went 3-for-5 with two home runs and four RBI in Friday's 9-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels. Greene crushed a solo shot off Angels closer Kenley Jansen in the top of the ninth inning to give the Tigers a 2-1 lead. The 24-year-old got another at-bat in the ninth frame and crushed a two-run shot off Jake Elder for his second home run of the game. Greene became the 62nd player to homer twice in one inning. He made history, becoming the first player to ever hit two long balls in the ninth. Greene has now homered four times over his last five games. Overall, he is slashing .276/.324/.504 with eight home runs, 20 RBI, and 19 runs across 136 plate appearances. Greene should be in all fantasy lineups while he continues to wield a hot bat.

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Seattle Mariners outfield prospect Lazaro Montes went 2-for-4 with a home run during their contest against High-A Eugene on Friday. Montes entered this contest riding a seven-game home run drought. During this power slump, Montes posted a .250/.400/.417 slash line with two doubles and one triple. This was Montes' sixth home run of the young season. Through his first 25 games of the campaign, the No. 2-ranked prospect in the Seattle system has held a solid .270/.411/.596 line with an elite 26:21 K:BB. Last season, the No. 40-ranked prospect in the sport earned a taste of High-A, where he posted a .260/.378/.427 slash line across 51 games. Given his steady progression at this level, Montes should be in the mix for an early Double-A promotion this season.

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