Detroit Tigers first baseman/designated hitter Spencer Torkelson is getting a breather in Wednesday's game against the visiting Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park. Torkelson will take only his second day off of the season despite clubbing his 11th home run in the extra-inning win over Boston on Tuesday night. The former first overall pick in 2020 out of Arizona State is currently hitting a career-best .240 (37-for-154) and ranks first among all MLB first basemen so far in 2025 with his 11 long balls. He's also added 34 RBI in his 43 games played and has earned everyday playing time for the first-place Tigers. Expect him to be back in action after Thursday's off day for Friday's series opener against the Toronto Blue Jays. Kerry Carpenter is serving as the DH and is batting leadoff on Wednesday, with Colt Keith at first and hitting third against Red Sox right-hander Hunter Dobbins.

Houston Astros infield/outfield prospect Shay Whitcomb went 3-for-5 with two home runs, five RBI, and two runs scored on Wednesday for Triple-A Sugar Land. The 26-year-old has been on a tear recently, with five home runs in his last three games and four straight multi-hit performances. With 13 home runs, he stands alone atop the minor league home run leaderboard, and with a .277/.362/.613 slash line, it shouldn't be long before he gets another shot in the majors. In 20 games in the big leagueslast year, the right-handed hitter had better-than-league-average strikeout and walk rates along with a solid 83.3 percent contact rate, but it didn't translateto production as he hit .220 (.278 xBA) with a .272 wOBA (.342 xwOBA) and 76 wRC+. Look for the results to be a bit better next time he gets a chance, and the 6-foot-1 slugger would be worthyof a roster spot in most 12-team leagues when that happens.

The Miami Marlins announced on Wednesday that they reinstated left-hander Ryan Weathers (forearm) from the 15-day injured list and optioned left-hander Anthony Veneziano to Triple-A Jacksonville in a corresponding move. Weathers will be making his first start of 2025 on Wednesday versus Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The 25-year-old southpaw will be quite risky in starting fantasy lineups in his first start of the year against a Cubs offense that ranks fourth in all of baseball with a .768 OPS, but Weathers should be plucked off the waiver wire in any formats where he's still available. He had a sharp 1.69 ERA in 10 2/3 minor-league rehab innings, but he only threw 57 pitches during his final rehab start and will probably be on a short leash on Wednesday. Injuries have held Weathers back early in his career, but he looked good in 2024 with career-best strikeout and walk rates.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz (back) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against the New York Mets. Cruz is set to miss his fourth game in a row due to back soreness that he suffered over the weekend. It doesn't sound like the Pirates want to place him on the injured list, but they might be forced to if he doesn't start getting better. In his absence, Ji Hwan Bae will cover center field and bat eighth versus right-hander Clay Holmes. The Pirates are off on Thursday, so fantasy managers will need to check back on Friday for another update on Cruz.

Chicago Cubs catcher Moises Ballesteros is out of the starting lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against the Miami Marlins. Ballesteros will head to the bench after going 0-for-4 during his MLB debut on Tuesday. The rookie catcher is likely out of the lineup due to the fact the Cubs are facing left-hander Ryan Weathers in this one. Ballesteros figures to see regular playing time at designated hitter against right-handed pitching. Carson Kelly will serve as the designated hitter and bat cleanup versus Weathers on Wednesday. Ballesteros should be back in the lineup after this one and is worth an add in deep leagues.