Jake McCarthy DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Arizona Diamondbacks optioned center fielder Jake McCarthy to Triple-A Reno during their day off on Monday. Due to McCarthy's slow start to the 2025 season at the plate, Alek Thomas is now the team's go-to option in center field. The 27-year-old former first-rounder will surely be back up with the D-backs this year, but for now he'll head to the farm to work on his hitting after going 3-for-41 (.073) with a double, three RBI, one stolen base, two runs scored, four walks and six strikeouts in his first 14 games played for Arizona. Meanwhile, Thomas, who played in only 39 games in his third big-league season in 2024 due to injuries, has hit .283/.350/.415 with a career-best .765 OPS, three doubles, two triples, 10 RBI, three steals and seven runs scored in 17 games over his first 60 plate appearances. Thomas' stock in deep-mixed and NL-only leagues is certainly on the rise.

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Jake McCarthy (hand) will return to the team's lineup on Friday for their road outing against the Chicago Cubs. The Virginia product had been on the shelf since Sunday, when he took a pitch off the hand in Arizona's win over the Milwaukee Brewers. McCarthy has had a tough go to start 2025 -- batting an abysmal .091 (3-for-33) with one double, one run scored, three RBI, and a 5:3 K:BB ratio. Despite dropping his strikeout rate for the fifth straight season and raising his walk percentage from 2024, the 27-year-old holds a ghastly .184 OBP with a lone theft. McCarthy's leash may be shortening, particularly with teammate Alek Thomas being a far more efficient bat at the start of the year.

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno and outfielder Jake McCarthy are not in the starting nine when the Diamondbacks continue a series in the Bronx against the New York Yankees. Moreno has only taken a seat once during the campaign so far. Across five games this season, Moreno has tallied six hits and held a 3:4 BB:K. He will cede catching duties to Jose Herrera, who will bat in the nine-hole. Jake McCarthy has started in center field in four games this season. Across the start of his campaign, the 27-year-old has not tallied a hit but has held a 2:3 BB:K and swiped a bag. Alek Thomas will start in center field this evening instead. Fantasy managers should expect Moreno and McCarthy to return to the starting lineup on Friday when they travel to D.C. to face the Nationals. Both Herrera and Thomas are worth considering as value options in DFS facing veteran pitcher Carlos Carrasco.