The Cincinnati Reds announced on Thursday that they optioned right-handed reliever Alexis Diaz to Triple-A Louisville and recalled right-hander Luis Mey from Louisville in a corresponding move. Diaz's 2025 season has gone from bad to worse after he surrendered five earned runs on four hits while walking one in his inning of work in the 6-0 loss in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals. The 28-year-old's slider was flat, and he allowed back-to-back-to-back homers in the disastrous outing. Through six relief innings for the Reds this year, the Puerto Rican hurler has surrendered eight earned runs on eight hits (four homers) while walking five and striking out three. Diaz also struggled with his mechanics in spring training and opened the season on the injured list, so nothing has really gone right. Emilio Pagan will continue on in Cincy's closer role for the foreseeable future.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Austin Hays (hamstring) remains sidelined for Thursday's series finale against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park. Santiago Espinal is starting in left field and will hit fifth against Cardinal left-hander Matthew Liberatore. Hays injured his left hamstring while running the bases on Monday and will now miss his third straight game as a result. The Reds remain hopeful that the 29-year-old can avoid a trip to the injured list, but that stance could change if he's unable to return during a three-game weekend series against the visiting Washington Nationals. Fantasy managers want Hays back in the lineup as soon as possible, as he's gone 19-for-52 (.365) early on with five homers, 13 RBI and 15 runs scored for the Reds. Espinal is also hitting over .300 in 64 at-bats in 2025 but has yet to homer. He's hitless in just three career at-bats against Liberatore.

Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers is getting the day off on Thursday in the series finale against the division-rival Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Jhonny Pereda will do the catching for left-hander Jeffrey Springs and will hit ninth against Rangers right-hander Tyler Mahle. Langeliers will get a normal day of rest after catching each of the last four games. The 27-year-old right-handed power bat has hit .243 (25-for-103) with six home runs, 14 RBI, 14 runs scored and a stolen base in his first 27 games of 2025. After a stretch of three straight hitless appearances, Langeliers is currently carrying a three-game hitting streak. He's gone 5-for-23 with a homer, two RBI, a walk and six strikeouts in his last six games going into Thursday. Pereda will be a DFS sleeper to ignore against a pitcher that has looked great in the early going in 2025. Pereda has gone 4-for-17 on the season with no homers and one RBI.

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich is getting the day off for Thursday's series finale in Chicago against the hosting White Sox. Catcher William Contreras will get a day off his feet and serve as the designated hitter while batting cleanup, and Eric Haase will do the catching and hit ninth against White Sox right-hander Sean Burke. Coming off offseason back surgery, Yelich has struggled at the plate so far in 2025, batting .220/.333/.385 but he does have five home runs, 23 RBI, 14 runs scored and six stolen bases in his 109 at-bats. He's gone hitless in his last two outings and has six hits in his last 29 plate appearances with four RBI, a steal and a run scored in his last six games. While Yelich's average is down compared to what we've come to expect of him, he's still producing. Expect him back in action for Friday's series opener versus the division-rival Chicago Cubs.

Miami Marlins infield prospect Deyvison De Los Santos went 2-for-4 with a home run during Wednesday's contest against Triple-A Durham. This was De Los Santos' second home run over his last three games and second multi-hit game during this stretch. Over his last 13 games, De Los Santos has posted a .327/.375/.577 slash line with two doubles, one triple, three home runs, and one stolen base. However, prior to this stretch, the infielder held a modest .245/.321/.286 line with just two doubles over his first 14 games of the Triple-A campaign. Last summer, the 21-year-old flashed elite power upside at the Triple-A level and appears to be turning the corner after his slow start. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on his progression as he should be in the mix to make his MLB debut in the coming weeks.