

Boston Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman said he used a torpedo bat in the batting cages and on the field during batting practice on Wednesday before the game in Baltimore against the division-rival Orioles, but he's unsure yet if he'll use it in the game. Bregman is batting third against Orioles right-hander Zach Eflin. The 31-year-old veteran could be looking to get his bat going early on in his first year in Boston after a number of high-profile MLB players have seen rousing success, especially in the power department, while using torpedo bats so far this season. In his first five contests with the BoSox heading into Wednesday's contest, Bregman has gone 5-for-22 with a stolen base, one walk and five strikeouts in 23 plate appearances. If Bregman does start using the torpedo bat in games, fantasy managers will be hoping it will lead to more power for the two-time All-Star.


Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (ankle) will miss his third straight game on Wednesday evening at Dodger Stadium against the winless Atlanta Braves. With Freeman out again after aggravating his right-ankle injury during a slip in the shower on Sunday, Enrique Hernandez will make another start at the cold corner and will hit eighth against Braves right-hander Bryce Elder. The Dodgers have the day off on Thursday, so the earliest we'll see the 35-year-old Freeman again for the Blue will be for Friday's series opener in Philadelphia against the Phillies. Fantasy managers will want to check back then to see if Freeman is feeling good enough to play. Kike has gone just 2-for-15 in the early going through four games for L.A., but both of his hits have gone over the fence and he's driven in four runs. Hernandez will be a boom/bust DFS power option on Wednesday against a pitcher he's never faced.


With the Atlanta Braves looking to shake things up on Wednesday against the hosting Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium after starting the year 0-6, second baseman Ozzie Albies will move up to the leadoff spot to face left-hander Blake Snell. It will be Albies' first time batting leadoff in the early going for the struggling Braves, but he could occupy the spot more often moving forward with outfielder Jurickson Profar suspended 80 games for PEDs. Like most of the rest of the Braves hitters so far in 2025, the switch-hitting Albies has been cold at the plate early on, as the three-time All-Star heads into Wednesday's contest with a .136 average (3-for-22) with a homer, three RBI, two walks and three strikeouts in 24 trips to the plate over six games. Albies has hit .143 in his career against Snell in a small sample size of seven at-bats.


Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta certainly pitched well enough to get a win on Wednesday against the visiting Kansas City Royals at American Family Field, but instead he picked up a no-decision in a 3-2 extra-innings win despite allowed just one earned run on two hits while walking none and striking out eight in eight innings of work. The 28-year-old Dominican allowed his only run in the second inning and then retired the last 19 batters that he faced in his second outing of 2025. Peralta's eight innings pitched tied a career high, and he's looked excellent in the early going in 2025, as he now sports a 2.08 ERA with 16 strikeouts and only one walk in 13 innings pitched. He's essentially a must-start in fantasy lineups when he takes the ball, but he could be more volatile in his next scheduled outing in Colorado against the Rockies at hitter-friendly Coors Field.



Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed reliever Dennis Santana was handed the first save chance for the Pirates on Wednesday against the hosting Tampa Bay Rays since they demoted former closer David Bednar to the minors this week, and Santana capitalized by closing the door to earn his first save of 2025. The 28-year-old didn't allow a hit while walking one in his fourth appearance of the season. Colin Holderman pitched the eighth frame in the 4-2 victory and allowed a run. While things could change quickly in the back end of Pittsburgh's bullpen, Santana has to be considered the favorite for most of the team's save opportunities moving forward, so fantasy managers scrounging for saves in deeper leagues should take notice. After struggling to begin last year with the Yankees, Santana altered his approach and showed much better control in Pittsburgh.
