Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez turned in his second disappointing start of the season in Monday's 8-3 loss to the Cardinals. Valdez pitched four innings, allowing seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits and a walk with three strikeouts. The 31-year-old has been uncharacteristically inconsistent in his first four starts of the season, allowing no combined runs in two of them and 11 combined earned runs in his other two. Overall, he is now 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA, a 9.82 K/9 rate, and a 3.27 BB/9 rate in 22 IP. Valdez's next matchup will be a tough one against the Padres. While fantasy managers may have drafted Valdez as high as their rotation ace, they may consider sitting him if they have other options, at least in roto leagues.

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado continued his strong offensive start to the season in Monday's 8-3 win over the Astros. Arenado went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a solo home run, and two RBI. The 33-year-old punished a seventh-inning Luis Contreras middle-middle fastball, launching it into the left-field bullpen. Arenado seems to have left his awkward off-season with the Cardinals' front office in the past, slashing .316/.409/.526 with two HR and nine RBI in his first 66 plate appearances. His slugging percentage has been up after last season's disappointing production, although, like last season, he has not hit the ball very hard.

San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. delivered a standout performance on Monday, going 3-for-5 with two home runs, three runs scored, and three RBI in a 10-;4 victory over the Chicago Cubs. Tatis launched a solo shot in the third inning and followed up with a two-run homer in the eighth as he continued to torch the ball early in the season. This performance elevated Tatis' season stats to a .361 average, six home runs, 16 runs scored, 12 RBI, and six stolen bases. Tatis is a five-category stud, and with the way he is playing right now, he could end up being one of the best players for fantasy this season.

New York Yankees closer Devin Williams picked up his second save of the season in Monday's 4-1 win over the Royals. Williams came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by three. He allowed a leadoff single to Bobby Witt Jr., got the first out on a pop-out, allowed a walk, and got the final two outs on another pop-out and a line-out. Things have not gone smoothly for the 30-year-old in his first season with his new team, as he has converted both of his save opportunities but has a 7.20 ERA, seven strikeouts, and six walks in just five innings of work. Williams has been one of fantasy's most reliable relief pitchers throughout his career and was traded for to fill a closing void for the Yankees, so fantasy managers should remain patient with him early on.

San Francisco Giants second baseman Tyler Fitzgerald got the hard parts done but could not hit for the cycle in Monday's 10-4 win over the Phillies. Fitzgerald went 3-for-4 with a double, a triple, a three-run home run, and a strikeout. The 27-year-old took a second-inning Taijuan Walker cutter over the left-field wall for his first long ball of the season. Fitzgerald has continued to flash the power-speed combo that garnered fantasy attention in 2024, slashing .286/.333/.476 with four RBI and four stolen bases in 47 plate appearances. He has also cut down on the strikeouts, posting a 21.3% strikeout rate after striking out at a poor 31.7% clip in 2024. He has hit at the bottom of the lineup, but the Giants have gotten off to a hot start, helping boost Fitzgerald's fantasy appeal in at least all roto leagues.