Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal was excellent on the mound during Friday's outing against the Texas Rangers. The southpaw retired the first 15 batters he faced before giving up a single in the sixth inning. The Rangers would evenutally push across a run, but it was still an incredible performance by Skubal. The reigning CY Young award winner tossed seven innings, allowing one earned run on two hits, while striking out 12 batters. The left-hander has now struck out 11 batters or more in two of his last three starts. He'll take a 2.08 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and 60/5 K/BB ratio into his next start against the Boston Red Sox. Yes, that is correct, Skubal has only five walks on the season and hasn't walked in a batter in three straight starts. He obviously needs to be rostered and started in all fantasy formats.

The San Diego Padres have traded outfielder/first baseman Connor Joe to the Cincinnati Reds on Friday. In exchange, the Padres will receive right-hander Andrew Moore and cash considerations. The 32-year-old outfielder was hitless in nine plate appearances before getting traded. Joe doesn't have great career stats, but is someone who could be a contributor off the bench. The Reds are in need of some depth with Jake Fraley (calf) and Tyler Callihan (forearm) both injured right now. The move to Cincinnati should hopefully give Joe more playing time, but he's still unlikely to be a viable fantasy option.

Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk is out of the starting lineup ahead of Friday's game against the Seattle Mariners. Kirk saw his six-game hitting streak come to an end when he went 0-for-4 during Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Angels. Now, Kirk will get the night off on Friday and fantasy managers are hopeful he'll begin a new hitting streak on Saturday. In the meantime, Tyler Heineman will do the catching and bat eighth versus right-hander Luis Castillo on Friday. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups accordingly ahead of first pitch.

New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells is out of the starting lineup ahead of Friday's game against the Athletics. Wells will get a rest day here after starting in all three games during their most recent series against the San Diego Padres. He went 3-for-12 with a home run and five RBI during that series. In his absence, J.C. Escarra will cover behind the plate and bat seventh versus right-hander Osvaldo Bido on Friday. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups ahead of first pitch.

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor went 3-for-5 with a home run in his team's 7-2 victory against the Chicago Cubs. The superstar switch-hitter singled and scored twice, adding his fifth stolen base of the campaign. Lindor started the scoring for New York with a 388-foot shot off Cubs pitcher Jameson Taillon to lead off the bottom of the first inning. The long ball was his eighth, and second in his last four outings, as he continues to enjoy a fantastic start to 2025. He's up to a .297 average to go along with seven doubles, 26 runs scored, and 25 RBI. If the former first-round pick is set to take off in the summer months as he usually does, he could be in store for a monster season. Friday marked his second straight multi-hit effort and third in his last five.