Sonny Gray DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Sonny Gray (illness) is making the Opening Day start on Thursday against the visiting Minnesota Twins at Busch Stadium. Gray dealt with flu-like symptoms at the end of spring training that sapped him of his strength, so there was some concern that the Cardinals might push his first start of the season back. That won't be the case, although fantasy managers should be very hesitant to throw him into their starting lineups right away after he showed diminished velocity and was hit around in Grapefruit League action. The 35-year-old veteran allowed 20 earned runs on 23 hits (eight homers allowed) while walking six and striking out 17 in 14 1/3 innings over his four starts. At least in DFS lineups, the safe play would be to avoid Gray as he works to get his strength back following a bout with the flu recently.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold reports that St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Sonny Gray (illness) has been dealing with a flu-like illness that has sapped him of his strength and left him not feeling great. However, Gray said he felt better on Monday. A report surfaced recently that the 35-year-old veteran's velocity has been down this spring, which could be explained by his illness. Either way, it's something to watch with Gray after he got a late start on his offseason throwing program. Gray is scheduled to start on Opening Day this Thursday against the visiting Minnesota Twins, but even if he's cleared to toe the rubber to open the year, fantasy managers may want to consider benching him if he's not quite at full strength. In 14 1/3 innings over four Grapefruit League starts, Gray allowed a whopping 20 earned runs on 23 hits (eight homers) while walking six and fanning 17.

St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Sonny Gray (forearm) admitted that he received a pain-killing injection in the flexor tendon of his right forearm late last season -- he ended the year on the injured list -- and the injury delayed his offseason program. Gray said the injury hasn't been an issue during spring training, but the delay in his throwing program could explain his diminished velocity in Grapefruit League games. The 35-year-old veteran has really struggled in spring games, allowing 18 earned runs on 21 hits (seven homers) while walking six and striking out 14 in 11 1/3 innings over four starts. Gray's velocity was down nearly two mph in his Grapefruit League start against the Houston Astros, which should be a cause for concern for the Cards and fantasy managers alike. If his velocity doesn't rebound, it's unlikely he'll have a strikeout rate north of 30% like he had in 2024. It's something to keep a close eye on.