Chicago Cubs DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Chicago Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya (undisclosed) was forced to exit early during Saturday's game against the Cincinnati Reds. Amaya was taken out of the contest after attempting to throw out Elly De La Cruz on a steal attempt. There is no official word on the injury yet, but it does sound like an oblique strain. That being said, Amaya is probably headed towards a stint on the injured list. If that happens, Carson Kelly would probably take over as the primary catcher. Also, Moises Ballesteros would probably be recalled and get a chance behind the plate in Chicago. Fantasy managers should check back for another update, but the loss of Amaya would give Kelly a boost in fantasy value.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki went 3-for-5 with a three-run home run in his team's 13-6 road victory against the Cincinnati Reds. The 30-year-old added a single, a double, and scored three runs in the huge effort. It's the second time in three outings he's had a nearly identical stat line, with the only difference being an extra RBI and a walk from his matchup with the Marlins on Tuesday. Suzuki is well on his way to smashing the personal best mark of 21 homers he set in 2024. In fact, he could do it by the All-Star break if he keeps up this pace. Whether that comes to fruition remains to be seen. Regardless, he and fellow outfielders Kyle Tucker and Pete Crow-Armstrong have formed quite the formidable trio for Chicago. All three rank in the top ten of RBI producers and top 15 of home run hitters in the league.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong feasted on Cincinnati Reds pitching Friday in a 13-6 blowout win. Crow-Armstrong went 3-for-6 with two home runs (including a grand slam), a double, and six RBI to help lead the Cubs to victory over their division rivals. PCA's first homer was a 410-foot, two-run shot off right-hander Hunter Greene in the fourth inning. The grand slam, a 350-footer, came in the sixth inning against righty Tony Santillan. The Cubs were trailing then, but they took an 8-6 lead on the blast and ultimately rolled to victory. Chicago is leading the NL Central thanks in no small part to Crow-Armstrong, who's thriving in his age-23 campaign. Despite a lack of walks (4.2%), he's hitting a terrific .287/.319/.589 with 14 homers, 45 RBI, and 14 steals through 216 plate appearances. The lefty swinger has struggled against southpaws (.216/.231/.471 vs. LHP), though, and he's due to face lefty Andrew Abbott on Saturday.

Chicago Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga (hamstring) continues to progress, and the team is targeting next Tuesday for his first bullpen session since landing on the 15-day injured list, according to Watch Marquee's Taylor McGregor. The 31-year-old Japanese southpaw suffered a strained hamstring in his last start back on May 5 against the Milwaukee Brewers but is making progress. The fact that he has yet to throw off a mound, though, likely means that fantasy managers shouldn't expect him back in the Cubs' big-league starting rotation until around mid-June, barring any setbacks when he ramps up. In the meantime, Imanaga should remain stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues after opening the year with a 3-2 record, 2.82 ERA (4.53 FIP) and 1.09 WHIP with 34 strikeouts and 14 walks in his eight starts covering 44 2/3 innings.

New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger is getting a rest day in Friday's series opener at Coors Field against the hosting Colorado Rockies. Bellinger lost his 15-game hitting streak with an 0-for-4 performance at the plate in Thursday's 1-0 win over the Texas Rangers in the Bronx, and he'll now get a day of rest in the first game this weekend in Denver. Jasson Dominguez will start in left field and bat fifth, while Ben Rice is the designated hitter and is batting third against Rockies right-hander Tanner Gordon. Fantasy managers will want to get Bellinger back in their starting lineups when he returns to action on Saturday against lefty Kyle Freeland, who he has hit .344 against with a homer and five RBI in 32 career at-bats. At hitter-friendly Coors Field against the worst team in baseball, both Dominguez and Rice will be popular DFS plays on Friday night.