Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena will receive his first day off of the season on Sunday when they conclude a series against the Texas Rangers. Pena has been in the starting nine in each of their first 45 games of the 2025 campaign. Through this stretch, the 27-year-old has been effective at the plate, posting a .301/.356/.451 slash line with eight doubles, six home runs, and six stolen bases. He has tallied 23 RBI and scored 23 runs. Under the hood, he has generated an elite .294 xBA (94th percentile) and struck out at an impressive 14.6% rate (88th percentile). This afternoon, Mauricio Dubon will cover shortstop and bat in the nine-hole. Fantasy managers should expect Pena to return to the starting nine on Monday when they begin a series against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Cincinnati Reds infielder/outfielder Gavin Lux (back) is returning to the starting nine on Sunday to face the Cleveland Guardians. Lux is slated to cover left field and will bat in the five-hole. Lux was scratched from Saturday's lineup with lower back spasms. However, this injury was relatively minor as he was cleared to return the following day. Through his first 42 games with Cincinnati, Lux has posted a solid .297/.368/.407 slash line with one home run and one stolen base. He has generated a .270 xBA, which places him in the 68th percentile among active hitters. Lux has also shown a strong eye at the plate, drawing walks at a 12.7% rate and striking out at a 22.3% rate. This afternoon, he is a strong play in DFS, facing Cleveland right-hander Luis L. Ortiz.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitching prospect Mick Abel was officially promoted ahead of his MLB debut on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. In a corresponding move, the Phillies optioned right-handed pitcher Daniel Robert to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Abel is set to be the temporary replacement in the rotation for Aaron Nola (ankle), who was placed on the 15-day IL earlier this week. However, veteran Taijuan Walker is expected to take Abel's spot in the rotation next week. Through his first 46 1/3 innings this season at Triple-A, Abel has posted a solid 2.53 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP. He has struck out 51 batters and served up 19 free passes. Facing a struggling Pittsburgh offense, the No. 8-ranked prospect in the Philadelphia system does have deep-league streaming appeal this afternoon.

The Baltimore Orioles are expected to place outfielder Tyler O'Neill (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list prior to their contest against the Washington Nationals on Sunday. O'Neill was scratched from Friday's contest due to shoulder soreness. He was also unable to play on Saturday. Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner reported that the Orioles will promote outfielder Dylan Carlson in a corresponding move. Over his last seven contests, O'Neill has posted a modest .067/.263/.067 line with a 6:4 K:BB and two stolen bases. Through his first 24 games in Baltimore, O'Neill has struggled, posting a .188/.280/.325 slash line with two home runs and two stolen bases. Under the hood, he has generated a strong 16.4% barrel rate. While he is sidelined, Heston Kjerstad and Carlson should split time in right field.

The Minnesota Twins have officially promoted right-handed pitcher Zebby Matthews from Triple-A St. Paul ahead of his season debut on Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Twins also promoted outfielder Carson McCusker. In a corresponding move, the Twins shifted infield prospect Luke Keaschall to the 60-day injured list and placed left-handed pitcher Danny Coulombe on the 15-day injured list with a left forearm extensor strain. Fantasy managers should consider adding Matthews in all standard formats as he could carve out a permanent role in the rotation going forward, with Simeon Woods Richardson now in Triple-A. Through 32 2/3 innings at Triple-A this season, Matthews has posted a 1.93 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP.