Paul Goldschmidt DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

New York Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (back) will return to the lineup on Saturday for the team's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies. The veteran was pulled from a game on March 17 due to back soreness but the team was hopeful he'd return this weekend. The 37-year-old will lead off for the Yankees on Saturday, a role he could see regularly this season when the team faces left-handed pitching according to manager Aaron Boone. The Phillies will deploy left-handed pitcher Jesus Luzardo on Saturday. The 7x All-Star owns a career .323/.423/.586 slash line against LHP, compared to a .279/.368/.488 against RHP. The former MVP has seen a dwindling batting average and power numbers the last couple of seasons with a corresponding increase in strikeout and chase rate but has been solid this spring, slashing .313/.389/.688 with three home runs. He's still a viable fantasy option as long as he's healthy and is expected to be ready for Opening Day at this point, although the days of being an elite producer are likely over.

New York Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (back), who was previously expected to return to Grapefruit League action on Friday, said he now plans to return on Saturday. Goldschmidt's back is close to 100 percent, and he's not concerned about missing Opening Day next Thursday. As long as Goldy returns this weekend and doesn't have a setback with his back, fantasy managers with drafts early next week should feel comfortable taking him as a source of power as a corner infielder in mixed leagues. The 37-year-old former MVP is highly unlikely to return to the form he showed in St. Louis several seasons ago, but he could be in for a decent bounce-back campaign in the Bronx in 2025 if he can stay healthy. However, a back injury at the end of spring training and the fact that his strikeout and walk rates were both career-worst marks clearly show an aging slugger.

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that Friday is the target for first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (back) to return to a Grapefruit League game against the Detroit Tigers. He will go through baseball activities in camp on Thursday. Goldy has been dealing with a tight back this week, but it's not believed to be anything serious, and as long as he doesn't have a setback this weekend in his return to game action, he should be ready to roll next Thursday for Opening Day. After two straight seasons of a decline offensively, fantasy managers that have already rolled the dice on the 37-year-old former MVP have to be pleased by him going 10-for-32 with three home runs and 10 RBI in 13 Grapefruit League games to this point. Goldy may no longer be an elite fantasy first baseman, but if he stays healthy in 2025, he could easily bounce back in the Bronx.