Philadelphia Phillies DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Austin Hays continued to produce in the team's 5-4 win over the visiting Cleveland Guardians at Great American Ball Park on Friday night, going 2-for-4 with his sixth home run of the season and his second stolen base of 2025. Hays' home run in the third inning of the ballgame opened the Reds' lead up to five runs, and it was his first long ball since he came off the injured list last week. The 29-year-old former third-round pick by the Baltimore Orioles in 2016 out of Jacksonville University has produced for Cincy as their regular left fielder when healthy this year, going 24-for-76 (.316) with six homers, 16 RBI, 16 runs scored and two steals. Since returning from the IL on May 9, Hays has gone 5-for-24 (.208) with a homer, double, three RBI, one steal and one run scored while striking out nine times in 25 plate appearances.

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker will return to the team's starting rotation for the series in Colorado against the Rockies that begins next Monday after the team placed right-hander Aaron Nola (ankle) on the 15-day injured list on Friday with a sprained right ankle, according to The Athletic's Matt Gelb. In the meantime, pitching prospect Mick Abel will make his big-league debut and start on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. While a start at hitter-friendly Coors Field isn't ideal for his return to a starting role, Walker certainly deserves fantasy consideration off the waiver wire in deeper fantasy leagues after his strong bounce-back campaign so far for the Phils. The 32-year-old veteran has made eight appearances (six starts) and has only allowed 10 earned runs with 14 walks and 31 strikeouts in 34 1/3 innings. Walker should be in line for at least two more starts before Nola returns.

Philadelphia Phillies right-handed pitching prospect Moises Chace (elbow) is set to undergo Tommy John surgery. The 21-year-old is currently ranked as the No. 5 prospect in the system on MLB.com. Through the opening month of the regular season, Chace logged 16 2/3 innings at Double-A. Through this stint, Chase held a 3.24 ERA with a 1.62 WHIP. He struck out 19 batters but struggled to command his pitches as he served up 16 free passes. Last season, Chace logged 60 2/3 innings between High-A and Double-A and posted an overall 3.56 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP. Fantasy managers should expect Chace to remain sidelined through at least the first half of the 2026 season. When he does return, the Phillies will likely keep him at Double-A given his early-season struggles.

Philadelphia Phillies right-handed pitching prospect Mick Abel is set to make his MLB debut on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Earlier on Friday, the Phillies placed starting pitcher Aaron Nola (ankle) on the 15-day IL. However, Abel is only expected to receive one start as veteran Taijuan Walker will replace Abel in the rotation next week. The former 15th overall pick is viewed as one of the top prospects in the Philadelphia system. Through his first 46 1/3 innings of work this season, the right-hander has performed well at Triple-A, holding a 2.53 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP. During this stint, he has struck out 51 batters and served up 19 walks. Last season at Triple-A, Abel struggled as he held a high 6.46 ERA. Given his progress this season, he will have streaming appeal in deeper formats facing the struggling Pirates.

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola (ankle) is headed to the 15-day injured list on Friday with a sprained right ankle that he suffered before his last start against the Cleveland Guardians. Mike Abel will make his big-league debut in place of Nola on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, but it will just be a spot start. After that, right-handed veteran Taijuan Walker will rejoin Philly's rotation when the team heads to Colorado to face the Rockies. It helps explain Nola's last two rough outings, when he allowed a combined 13 earned runs on 18 hits (five homers) while walking three and striking out seven in 8 2/3 innings against Cleveland and St. Louis. It's currently unclear if he'll be able to return from the IL on May 30 when he's eligible. It's been a tough year so far for the former All-Star, as he's gone 1-7 with a 6.16 ERA and 1.51 WHIP with 52 K's and 16 walks in 49 2/3 innings over nine starts. Don't drop him just yet.