We have an eight-game MLB DFS main slate on Tuesday, May 21st and you can find the Fantasy Alarm breakdown here as Howard Bender and Jon Impemba break down the main slate by going game-by-game and discussing each team's rotation, top plays, values, and fades. Be sure to check out our MLB DFS projections, powered by FanJections, MLB DFS Lineup Generator, MLB DFS Ownership to see who the most popular plays of the day are, and all of the rest of our MLB DFS content and tools.
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Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo of MLB Pipeline report the Nationals have narrowed their draft board down to three players – Ethan Holliday, Kade Anderson and Eli Willits – for the top pick in the 2025 MLB Draft.
With just a few hours remaining before Washington officially goes on the clock, the consensus industry-wide is that Holliday, Anderson and Willits will likely be the top picks in the 2025 MLB Draft. Holliday — the younger brother of Orioles standout Jackson Holliday and son of former big-league star Matt Holliday — has been universally-regarded as the likely top pick for months. The 18-year-old prep shortstop out of Oklahoma is bigger than his brother and packs some serious power upside. Anderson, a collegiate southpaw from LSU, would likely reach the majors at some point next year, if that’s the most important variable to the Nationals. Meanwhile, Willits — the son of former major-leaguer Reggie Willits — is only 17 years old and might end up being the best player in the entire class if he continues on his current trajectory.
Max Kranick will visit orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister this week to determine whether he’ll undergo Tommy John surgery.
Kranick was diagnosed with a flexor strain in his right elbow back in late June and could be facing season-ending surgery. The 27-year-old reliever is facing an extended absence, even if he opts for the rest and rehabilitation route, but it sounds like surgery is on the table. It would be a significant loss for New York’s relief depth if he’s sidelined until the late stages of the 2026 season.
Cardinals activated C Iván Herrera from the 10-day injured list.
Herrera is back at DH and batting second for Sunday’s first-half finale against Atlanta following a three-week absence recovering from a left hamstring strain. The 25-year-old slugging backstop has been pummeled by leg injuries this season and is unlikely to spend too much time, if any, behind the plate over the final two-plus months of the year. He’s some some serious over-the-fence pop with eight homers in 42 games and should be rostered in all fantasy formats as a potential upper-echelon catcher, if he can stay on the field.
SportsGrid’s Craig Mish reports an MRI on Edward Cabrera’s right elbow didn’t reveal any structural damage.
Mish adds that there’s optimism Cabrera won’t require a trip to the injured list, thanks to next week’s extended All-Star break. The 27-year-old righty isn’t completely out of the woods yet, but it’s an extremely encouraging outcome that he isn’t dealing with any structural damage that likely would’ve resulted in surgery. There should be a more definitive update from the Marlins at some point in the coming days.
Athletics activated INF Luis UrÃas from the 10-day injured list.
UrÃas rejoins the Athletics’ second base mix prior to Sunday’s first-half finale against the Blue Jays following a minimum stay on the injured list with a right hamstring strain. The 28-year-old will likely occupy a bench role behind rookie Max Muncy.
Athletics optioned 2B Zack Gelof to Triple-A Las Vegas.
Gelof could use some extra at-bats during next week’s All-Star break out of the spotlight after going 2-for 25 with zero extra-base hits and 13 strikeouts in eight games since making his season debut back on July 4. The Athletics will likely roll with some combination of Max Muncy and Luis UrÃas at the keystone while he’s back in the minors.