Cleveland Guardians outfielder Angel Martinez is making the start in center field and will bat seventh in Friday's series opener against the division-rival Kansas City Royals and left-hander Kris Bubic at Progressive Field. Nolan Jones has been starting in center the last few days with Lane Thomas (wrist) out of the lineup, but he'll take a seat on Friday with a southpaw on the mound in favor of Martinez. The 23-year-old switch-hitting Dominican will be making his 2025 debut after slashing .232/.298/.338 with three home runs, seven doubles, 11 RBI, three stolen bases, 15 walks and 33 strikeouts in his first 43 big-league games in Cleveland in 2024. Without much speed or power, Martinez lacks a ton of fantasy upside, but he'll likely remain with the Guardians while Thomas heals up after being hit by a pitch on Tuesday.

With struggling St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras on the bench on Friday, outfielder Jordan Walker is being bumped up to the No. 2 spot in the batting order against Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola in the series opener. The Cardinals are considering moving Contreras down in the batting order moving forward after his slow start tot he 2025 season, and Walker could be the beneficiary up in the two-hole. The 22-year-old former top prospect was a big disappointment in his first two big-league seasons for the Cards and was sent back to the minors multiple times. However, he will have plenty of opportunities to prove himself this year, and so far, he's looked good. In the first 11 games, he's gone 11-for-39 with a homer, four RBI and two steals. The matchup isn't a great one on Friday, but a permanent move to the two-hole would be great news for Walker's fantasy value going forward.

Cleveland Guardians outfielder Lane Thomas (wrist) remains out of the starting lineup for Friday's series opener at Progressive Field against the division-rival Kansas City Royals. Thomas will miss a third straight start for Cleveland after being hit by a pitch on his right wrist in the team's home opener on Tuesday. The 29-year-old has reportedly been feeling better, so hopefully he'll be able to return to the starting lineup before the end of the series against the Royals this weekend. If he cannot, the Guardians will likely consider placing him on the injured list. Thomas was struggling offensively before his wrist injury, going 5-for-30 with a double, two RBI, one stolen base and eight strikeouts in his first eight games in 2025. Jhonkensy Noel is making another start in right field on Friday and will bat fifth against Royals left-hander Kris Bubic. Noel is hitless in just two career at-bats versus Bubic.

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that outfielder/infielder Spencer Steer (shoulder) will take his throwing program to the next step and will start working on throws from first base over the next few days. Steer battled a right-shoulder injury in spring training and has only served as a designated for the Reds early in the season while he rehabs his arm. The 27-year-old is the DH and is batting cleanup on Friday against the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates. It's very possible his shoulder is responsible for his slow start at the plate in 2025 as well, as Steer comes into Friday's series opener against the Bucs hitting just .143 (5-for-35) with one home run, two doubles, three RBI, four runs scored, three walks and nine strikeouts in 38 trips to the plate over 10 games played. The good news is that it sounds like his shoulder is feeling better.

San Francisco Giants outfielder Mike Yastrzemski has been moved up to the leadoff spot for Friday's series opener against the New York Yankees and right-hander Marcus Stroman in the Bronx after hitting a two-run, walk-off shot against the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday. Not only was Yastrzemski the hero the other day, but he's hitting .344 (11-for-32) with two homers, fix RBI, five runs scored and two stolen bases early on this season. Before moving up to the top spot in the batting order on Friday, Yaz had hit near the bottom half of the lineup this year. If he stays hot, he could stay in the leadoff spot against right-handed pitchers. First baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. will move down to sixth for the Giants on Friday. Yastrzemski now becomes a much more attractive DFS play despite the fact he's hit just .214 with one RBI in 14 career at-bats against Stroman.