Yoán Moncada DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Los Angeles Angels infielder Yoan Moncada (thumb) is making his season debut for the Angels at third base and is batting fifth on Saturday against his former team, the Chicago White Sox, and right-hander Jonathan Cannon at Rate Field. The Cuban switch-hitter has never faced Cannon in his MLB career. The 29-year-old was held out of the team's Opening Day loss on Thursday in Chicago due to a minor thumb injury that was bothering him at the end of spring training, but after an off day on Thursday, Moncada is feeling good enough to give it a go. He should see most of the starts at third base for the Halos moving forward, but Moncada is mostly just a fantasy option in AL-only leagues and isn't guaranteed consistent playing time if he scuffles early on. Moncada did hit 25 home runs back in 2019, but he's struggled to stay healthy and hasn't played over 100 games in a season since 2022.

Los Angeles Angels third baseman Yoan Moncada (thumb) is on the team's Opening Day roster but is not in the starting lineup on Thursday versus the Chicago White Sox and right-hander Sean Burke at Rate Field. Instead, Luis Rengifo will start at third base and bat sixth for the Halos. Moncada dealt with a right-thumb injury at the end of training camp and isn't quite ready to make his regular-season debut with the Angels, but he could be back in the lineup on Saturday in Chicago after a scheduled day off on Friday. When the former White Sox third baseman is healthy, he should see regular playing time at the hot corner, with Rengifo shifting over to second base. The 29-year-old Cuban hit just .190 (4-for-21) with a double, home run and two RBI in 10 spring training games, though, after playing in just 12 games in 2024 in Chicago due to injury.

Los Angeles Angels third baseman Yoan Moncada (thumb) will be with the team on Opening Day on Thursday against the Chicago White Sox after recovering from a right-thumb injury, sources tell MLB.com's Francys Romero. Despite the fact that Moncada hasn't played in a game in two weeks due to his thumb injury, the 29-year-old Cuban is expected to be in the Opening Day lineup on Thursday versus White Sox right-hander Sean Burke. After yet another injury to Anthony Rendon (hip), Moncada will open the 2025 season as the Halos' primary third baseman, giving him some fantasy appeal in AL-only leagues. Moncada had 25 home runs and 79 RBI back in 2019 with the White Sox, but he hasn't had more than 14 home runs in a season since then and only played in 12 games in 2024 in his final season in Chicago.