

Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker is not in Saturday's lineup as the Astros continue a three-game set against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Tucker returned from the 60-day IL on Friday but will take a day off on Saturday as he continues to be built back up. The Astros will likely be cautious with Tucker as the team would prefer for their star outfielder to be a full-go for the playoffs in October. As a result, Chas McCormick will cover right field and bat in the nine-hole. Tucker should be expected to return to the starting nine on Sunday night. McCormick has tallied four hits in his past four games and could be worth a look in DFS as he will face Arizona southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez, who enters Saturday with a hefty 5.33 ERA.


San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Robbie Ray (hamstring) is set to throw another simulated game on Saturday afternoon, according to MLB.com. The southpaw logged his first simulated game (two innings) last week and will now look to stretch out further on Saturday by tossing three frames. Ray hit the 15-day IL with a hamstring strain on August 27. If the 32-year-old progresses well, he may only require one rehab assignment before returning to the big leagues. Before the injury, Ray held a 4.70 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP across 30 2/3 innings of work this summer, as his 2024 campaign began much later due to undergoing Tommy John surgery last year. Ray could be worth stashing in deeper leagues as he should be able to log a handful of starts during the final weeks of the season and possess a high strikeout upside.


New York Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil (wrist) is done for the season, according to Laura Albanese of Newsday, due to a fractured wrist. The 32-year-old exited Friday's game early after being hit by a pitch in his wrist. The second baseman will now have to wait until next spring to return to the diamond. As a result, the Mets will likely give Jose Iglesias the majority of starts at the keystone down the stretch. McNeil held a career-worst .238/.308/.384 slash line this season with 12 home runs and five swiped bags this summer. Iglesias is worth picking up in all leagues available as he currently sits with a stellar .312 AVG and should continue to see plenty of at-bats down the stretch, providing an excellent batting average with decent counting stats.


Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (knee) remains out of the lineup on Saturday afternoon as the Phillies continue a series against the Miami Marlins. The backstop left Friday's game early in the second inning after taking a foul ball to his left knee. As a result, Garrett Stubbs will be behind the plate and bat in the nine-hole. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to the Phillies lineup ahead of their game on Sunday. Stubbs has made just three starts since August 25 and is not worth putting in your DFS lineup as he will face Miami right-hander Darren McCaughan.


Chicago White Sox infielder Miguel Vargas (eye) is returning to the starting nine on Saturday afternoon and will bat in the eight-hole. Vargas has been kept out of the lineup for the past two games with an eye abrasion that was caused by a collision on September 3. In his past eight games, the 24-year-old has held a .200/.333/.300 line with just four total hits. Fantasy managers should expect Vargas to continue to serve as the everyday second baseman for the remainder of the regular season on the Southside. Vargas does have a favorable matchup this afternoon against Boston right-hander Cooper Criswell who carries a 4.14 ERA but is best to leave off your DFS lineup.
