San Diego Padres DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (elbow) said there is no definitive target date for his return to being 100 percent recovered from offseason elbow surgery. It's been 220 days he last played third base in a game and 187 days since the extensor tendon in his right elbow was fixed. Manager Mike Shildt said the end of April was a "loose" goal, but "there's not really a timetable on it," Machado said. The All-Star third baseman said his shoulder isn't 100 percent, and he entered Sunday's finale against the Giants hitting just .190 with a .673 OPS. The 31-year-old has been told by doctors that he might not feel 100 percent until next year. Fantasy managers shouldn't panic yet, but it's fair to wonder if Machado's slow start this year at the plate is related to his elbow injury.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King cruised to his second win of the season on Saturday in a 4-0 win over the Giants. Jurickson Profar staked him four runs in the top of the first inning with a grand slam, then King went seven strong innings allowing just four hits and one walk while striking out four. It was certainly cleaner than his last outing in which he also faced the Giants, when the 28-year-old lasted just four innings and walked seven batters. King came over from the Yankees in the offseason and was somewhat of a sleeper pick in fantasy drafts after posting some great numbers as a starter down the stretch in 2023, twirling a 2.23 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and a 25.8% K-BB% over 40 1/3 IP. Hopefully this start gets him back on track for 2024 and the command issues are behind him.

San Diego Padres third basemanManny Machado (elbow) is ahead of schedule but weeks away from returning to the field. Recently, Machado threw from further distances and came out feeling good. At minimum, he is still weeks away from playing the field. In the short term, continue to expect Machado to get at-bats every day as San Diego's primary designated hitter as he continues to recover and rehab his elbow injury. Machado is off to a slow start this season, slashing .184/.295/.395 with two home runs, seven RBI, and several runs scored over 44 plate appearances. Despite the slow start, fantasy managers should continue to roll with Machado in all league formats.

San Diego Padres right-hander Dylan Cease is in search of his first win as a member of the club when he takes on the rival Giants on the road. The former White Sox ace surrendered three runs (two earned) on two hits and two walks against six strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings in his Padres debut against the very same Giants on March 30, taking the loss in the process. The 28-year-old endured a down 2023 season after finishing second in AL Cy Young voting in 2022, tossing a 4.58 ERA across a career-high 33 starts. He should be able to bounce back if his 3.87 ERA ATC projection holds but he also has a history of control issues as evidenced by his 10.4% career BB%, putting a cap on his fantasy value.

San Diego Padres catcher Luis Campusano is getting the day off in the series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday. With Campusano getting the breather, Kyle Higashioka will catch right-hander Joe Musgrove and bat ninth in the order against Cardinals left-hander Zack Thompson. It's not a surprise to see Campusano starting on the bench in a day game after a night game. The 25-year-old backstop has been great so far this year in his first season as San Diego's primary catcher, going 12-for-30 (.400) with a home run, three doubles, seven RBI and five runs scored in the first seven games. Higashioka, who is known more for his work on defense behind the plate, should be avoided in DFS contests. He has never faced Thompson in his career.