Philadelphia Phillies DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Austin Hays (hamstring) remains out of the starting lineup for Game 2 of a doubleheader on Wednesday against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park. It's the third straight game that Hays has been sidelined due to a minor hamstring strain that hopefully won't require a stint on the injured list. If Hays doesn't play in Thursday's series finale against St. Louis, his next chance to play will come in Friday's series opener against the visiting Washington Nationals. If the 29-year-old cannot play by the end of the weekend, an IL stint would probably be likely at that point. Gavin Lux is starting in left field and batting seventh for Game 2 on Wednesday against Cardinals left-hander Steven Matz. As a left-handed hitter that has never faced Matz in his career, DFS gamers should be looking to avoid Lux, who went hitless in Game 1.

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said the team is trying to buy outfielder Austin Hays' hamstring some time after his MRI exam showed some minor results. The Reds are "exploring" not having Hays go on the injured list and seeing how his symptoms are. Hays is out of the lineup for the first game of a doubleheader on Wednesday against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals, with prospect Tyler Callihan taking his place in left field and batting ninth against Cardinals right-hander Miles Mikolas in his major-league debut. For now, fantasy managers should consider the 29-year-old Hays to be day-to-day for now, but he could land on the IL if he's unable to play by the end of the weekend series against the visiting Washington Nationals. It would be bad timing for Hays to land on the IL, as he's been one of the hottest hitters early on, slashing .365/.431/.712 with five homers and 13 RBI in his 52 at-bats for the Reds.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler was strong in Tuesday's start against the Washington Nationals, going 6 innings of two-run ball while taking a no-decision. Wheeler allowed five hits and a walk while striking out seven in this one. He was in line for the win when he exited the game, but a four-run ninth from the Nats erased that, even though the Phillies did end up winning 7-6. After a few shaky starts in mid-April, Wheeler has returned to his usual self in his last three starts. He now has a (2-1) record with a 3.48 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 57 strikeouts in 44 IP on the season. Wheeler's next start is scheduled for Tuesday on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Brandon Marsh (hamstring) is expected to resume his rehab at some point this week, reports Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Marsh left his rehab game on Sunday with a cramp in his injured right hamstring and is seeing a doctor. Even though it's an issue with the injury he is rehabbing, it was just a cramp, and the Phillies don't seem to be concerned. The outfielder will be looking to turn his season around once he does get activated, since he was batting just .095 through 17 games before being placed on the injured list.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suarez (back) could possibly rejoin the rotation this weekend, reports Matt Gelb of The Athletic. That would line him up to make his season debut against the Diamondbacks. He has yet to pitch this season while recovering from a back injury, but will be looking to build on his breakout 2024 season, where he posted a 3.46 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 27 starts for Philadelphia. He was one of the best pitchers in baseball in the first half of 2024 before fading down the stretch, but he has enough potential to be worth adding in any fantasy league where he is available.