Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (thumb) is returning to the starting lineup on Wednesday evening against the New York Mets. Alvarez was scratched from Tuesday's lineup due to this minor injury. However, as expected, Alvarez is set to return to action just 24 hours later. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status in case he faces a setback. Earlier in the offseason, the team has expressed that they will have Alvarez serve as their designated hitter more often to keep him healthy. Last season, the 27-year-old slugger made 53 starts in the outfield, but fantasy managers should expect that number to decline in 2025. In the batter's box, he posted an elite .308/.392/.567 slash line with 35 home runs and an elite .411 xwOBA. He should be viewed as a high-power upside No. 1 outfielder in all formats.

Cleveland Guardians right-handed pitcher Tanner Bibee will get the nod on Opening Day against the Kansas City Royals. Last season, Bibee logged a career-high 173 2/3 innings to the tune of a 3.47 ERA with a 1.12 WHIP. He tallied strikeouts at a strong 26.3 percent rate (74th percentile) and showed excellent control as he served up walks at a 6.2 percent rate (78th percentile). Under the hood, Bibee generated a modest 3.78 xERA with a .237 xBA. He also generated an above-average 36.9 percent hard-hit rate and a 7.0 percent barrel rate. In this matchup, he will face Kansas City ace Cole Ragans. During his two outings in Kansas City last season, Bibee logged 12 innings with a solid 2.25 ERA with a stellar 0.75 WHIP. He should be viewed as a solid play in DFS and a No. 2 SP in all season-long formats.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have optioned right-handed pitcher Drey Jameson to Triple-A Reno. Jameson was unable to pitch during the 2024 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery in September 2023. During the 2023 season, Jameson logged 40 2/3 innings to the tune of a 3.42 ERA with a 1.43 WHIP. He tallied 37 punchouts and held a 10.3 percent walk rate. Across 142 career innings at the Triple-A level, Jameson has posted a 6.72 ERA with a 1.56 WHIP across 142 innings. During this stretch, Jameson made 26 starts (27 games) and tallied 133 punchouts with a high 53 walks. Fantasy managers should expect the Ball State product to operate in the bullpen at Triple-A. If he performs well, he should push for an early return to the big leagues.

Athletics right-handed pitcher Joey Estes will begin the season in the starting rotation. Estes was competing alongside Mitch Spence for the final spot in the rotation. Estes has held a 4.63 ERA during camp with a 1.20 WHIP across 11 2/3 innings. He tallied eight punchouts and served up only one free pass. During the 2024 campaign, the 23-year-old logged a career-high 172 2/3 innings in the major leagues. He posted a 5.01 ERA with a 1.23 WHIP. Estes showed elite control as he allowed walks at a stellar 5.0 percent rate. However, he generated a high 9.7 percent barrel rate and ground balls at a low 24.9 percent rate. Fantasy managers in AL-only formats should consider stashing Estes, as he could have value as a streaming option in favorable matchups. Given his low strikeout upside, he should not be targeted in standard formats.

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said on Wednesday that infielder Zach Dezenzo (jaw) is expected to play in the team's Grapefruit League game on Thursday versus the Miami Marlins. Dezenzo is being seen by team doctors to make sure he doesn't have a concussion, but the 24-year-old appears to be fine after he was hit in the head by a ground ball in camp on Tuesday. He was officially diagnosed with a TMJ sprain on the left side of his jaw. The former 12th-round selection in 2022 out of Ohio State is currently hitting .378 (14-for-37) with two home runs, three doubles, six RBI, one steal and seven runs scored in 15 spring training games as he competes for a bench spot to begin the 2025 season. Dezenzo was a below-average hitter in his first 19 big-league games a year ago and probably would benefit from more time in the minors to begin the season.