
On Tuesday, the Atlanta Braves designated relief pitcher Jesse Chavez for assignment, and in a corresponding move, they selected the contract of reliever Zach Thompson. Chavez signed on with the Braves last week and had his contract selected March 31, pitching two innings for Atlanta that day, only to be DFA'd the next day as the Braves' bullpen had been taxed and long-relief reinforcements were needed. Thompson will provide that, however, it remains to be seen how effective he will be. The 31-year-old missed all of 2024 recovering from flexor tendon surgery, and hasn't pitched at the major league level since 2022. In his limited major league action, the 6-foot-7 hurler owns a 4.44 ERA (4.42 FIP), 1.40 WHIP, and a 9.6 percent K-BB% over 196 2/3 IP. The righty is best left unrostered for fantasy, and as for Chavez, if he clears waivers, don't be surprised to see him back with the Braves soon.

St. Louis Cardinals backup catcher Pedro Pages will draw the start on Tuesday against the Angels, and Ivan Herrera will be on the bench. Both have had success early on this season, but it is Pages who has left the yard between the two of them. Pages is 3-for-6 with a home run, three RBI, three runs scored, and no walks or strikeouts thus far. The 26-year-old backstop has faced opposing pitcher Kyle Hendricks twice in the past, going 0-for-2 against the veteran pitcher. The righty was solid this spring, but last season the 35-year-old pitched to a 5.92 ERA, 1.45 ERA, and a 7.8 percent K-BB% -- all career worsts. Pages would appear to be in play as a viable and cheap DFS play, although there are hopefully better options available for season-long fantasy.

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (personal) is back in the lineup on Tuesday and batting leadoff. The 4x All-Star was absent from Monday's contest for the birth of his son. The switch-hitter is 0-for-11 to begin 2025 with a 0:3 BB:K and will look to collect his first hit of the season against former NL Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara, whom he has had some success against in the past. For his career, the 31-year-old is 7-for-25 (.280) with two doubles, a home run, and a 3:4 BB:K. The Mets are favored in this game, so Lindor could be on the DFS radar, however, with a 7.5 o/u, there aren't a lot of runs expected.

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand (hand) is not in the lineup for Tuesday's matchup against the Rangers. The right-handed slugger was hit by a pitch on the right hand in Monday's game and had to be removed from the contest. The X-rays on his hand came back negative, however, it appears the Reds will give him a day off anyway; he is considered day-to-day. Jeimer Candelario will take over at first for Cincinnati while Santiago Espinal will man third against the Rangers' Nathan Eovaldi. Candelario is 2-for-7 with a 1:3 BB:K against the veteran righty, and Espinal is 1-for-9 with a 0:3 BB:K. Candelario, who is batting fifth, carries a much higher barrel rate in his career compared to Espinal, who is batting sixth, so the switch-hitting Candelario may be the better option in DFS formats.

The Houston Astros have acquired right-handed pitcher Nick Robertson from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for right-handed pitcher Edinson Batista. In a corresponding move, the Astros transferred Christian Javier (elbow) to the 60-day injured list. Robertson has reported to Triple-A Sugar Land. Fantasy managers should expect Robertson to join Houston at some point during the season as a depth option in the bullpen. Last season, Robertson logged 13 1/3 innings at the major league level, split between time in St. Louis and Toronto. Across this stint, Robertson held a modest 4.05 ERA with a 1.28 WHIP. Across 35 2/3 innings in the major leagues, the 26-year-old has posted a 5.30 ERA with a 1.57 WHIP. When Robertson does make his Houston debut, he will likely have a low-leverage role in the bullpen and carry minimal fantasy value.
