San Diego Padres

Jackson Merrill is missing from the lineup for the San Diego Padres against the Los Angeles Dodgers Saturday. (Source: San Diego Padres on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Merrill will receive the night off for manager Mike Shildt with a left-hander on the mound for the Dodgers, with Jose Azocar batting eighth and starting in center field Saturday.

Joe Cronenworth is absent from the lineup for the San Diego Padres against the Los Angeles Dodgers Saturday. (Source: San Diego Padres on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Cronenworth will sit out against a left-handed starting pitcher, with Luis Arraez sliding over to first base and batting leadoff for manager Mike Shildt against the Dodgers Saturday.

Luis Campusano is out of the lineup for the San Diego Padres against the Los Angeles Dodgers Saturday. (Source: San Diego Padres on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Campusano will take a seat on the bench for routine rest, with Kyle Higashioka filling in behind the plate at catcher and batting ninth against the Dodgers Saturday.

Michael King delivered a masterclass performance against the Dodgers, tossing seven scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and three walks while striking out 11.

Fantasy Impact: This gem of a game showcased King's ability to dominate a lineup, even though it frustratingly didn't translate into a win due to minimal run support. Despite a solid season ERA of 3.67 and a commendable 9.9 K/9 rate, his FIP of 5.18 and WHIP of 1.31 suggest some underlying struggles, possibly inflated by a low .244 BABIP indicating some good fortune on balls in play. Fantasy managers should be cautiously optimistic; while the high strikeout numbers are enticing, the peripheral metrics hint at potential volatility. King's performance in high-leverage situations will be critical in determining his fantasy viability as the season progresses.

Joe Musgrove (elbow) played catch on Friday. (Source: Jeff Sanders on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Musgrove continues to work his way back from right elbow inflammation. The veteran underwent an MRI and it came back clean. The Padres hope that he will be able to return after the minimum 15 days.

Robert Suarez notched a save in a flawless outing as the Padres shut out the Cubs 3-0.

Fantasy Impact: He threw 11 pitches, striking out one and allowing no hits or walks in his inning of work. This performance continues a stellar season for Suarez, who now boasts a 0.55 ERA and 13 saves without a single blown save. His ability to suppress hits, evidenced by a minuscule 0.167 BABIP, and maintain a strong 3.75 strikeout-to-walk ratio makes him a reliable option for fantasy managers in need of saves. Given his consistent performance, Suarez should remain a top-tier closer in all fantasy formats, especially with his knack for locking down games without drama.

Dylan Cease was nearly untouchable Wednesday, allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out 12 over seven scoreless innings in a 3-0 win against the Padres.

Fantasy Impact: This performance is a testament to his dominance this season, characterized by a sparkling 2.19 ERA and a 0.75 WHIP. His ability to maintain a high strikeout rate (10.9 K/9) while keeping his walks in check enhances his value in fantasy leagues, especially those that reward strikeouts heavily. The low BABIP (.181) might suggest some luck, but his excellent FIP (2.39) indicates that his success is well-deserved. Fantasy managers should continue to view Cease as a top-tier starting option, capable of anchoring any rotation.

Kyle Higashioka is in the Padres lineup on Tuesday against the Cubs.

Fantasy Impact: Higashioka is starting behind the plate and hitting No. 9 in the lineup on Tuesday against the Padres. He is hitting .207 with one home run so far this season.

Jose Azocar is in the Padres lineup on Tuesday.

Fantasy Impact: Azocar is starting in center field and hitting No. 8 in the lineup. He is hitting .300 with two RBI so far this season.

Luis Arraez is not in the Padres lineup on Tuesday.

Fantasy Impact: Arraez gets the day off for San Diego. Manny Machado is back and serving as the designated hitter on Tuesday.

Manny Machado is back in the Padres lineup on Tuesday.

Fantasy Impact: Machado makes his return after getting the day off on Monday. He is hitting cleanup and serving as the designated hitter.

Yu Darvish delivered a stellar performance, allowing no earned runs on three hits and one walk while striking out five over five innings in Monday's 6-3 win over the Cubs.

Fantasy Impact: This outing continues a strong season for Darvish, who now boasts a 2.94 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP through eight starts. His consistent strikeout numbers (8.0 K/9) and solid control (2.73 K/BB ratio) remain appealing for fantasy managers. Fantasy managers should feel confident keeping Darvish active in their lineups, as he continues to be a reliable option in all formats.

Fernando Tatis Jr. went 1-for-5 with a run scored and a stolen base in the Padres' 6-3 win over the Cubs.

Fantasy Impact: This performance was a mixed bag for fantasy managers, as Tatis Jr. managed to contribute in runs and steals but was otherwise quiet at the plate. His season batting average remains a modest .248, and while his power numbers are decent with 7 homers, his overall production has been less than stellar. The stolen base in this game is a positive sign, suggesting he's finding ways to utilize his speed, but fantasy managers might be growing impatient with his inconsistency at the plate. His current stats reflect a player with potential yet to fully capitalize on his abilities this season.

Matt Waldron allowed eight runs (seven earned) on eight hits over three innings on Sunday against the Diamondbacks.

Fantasy Impact: Waldron allowed four runs right away in the first inning before another two scored on him in the second inning. He remains off the fantasy radar.

The Padres recalled Randy Vasquez from Triple-A El Paso. (Source: San Diego Padres on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Vasquez is expected to take the spot of Joe Musgrove in the Padres starting rotation after he was placed on the injured list. He should get at least a couple of starts before Musgrove returns.

The Padres optioned Eguy Rosario to Triple-A El Paso. (Source: San Diego Padres on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Rosario figures to see more at-bats in the minors. Donovan Solano was called up as the corresponding move.

The Padres called up Donovan Solano from Triple-A El Paso. (Source: San Diego Padres on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Solano signed a minor league with the Padres in April. He'll add some depth in the infield off the bench.

Jurickson Profar had a standout performance in the Padres' dominant 13-1 victory over the Diamondbacks, going 3-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored, two RBI, and a stolen base.

Fantasy Impact: This game is a clear indicator of Profar's current hot streak, elevating his season batting average to an impressive .347. His ability to contribute across multiple categories, including power and speed, makes him a valuable asset in fantasy lineups. Given his consistent performance and the high-caliber play he's been maintaining, Profar should be considered a must-start in all fantasy formats. His blend of contact, power, and speed, highlighted by a .417 wOBA, offers a solid foundation for sustained fantasy relevance.

Ha-Seong Kim went 1-for-5 with a home run and four RBI in the Padres' dominant 13-1 victory over the Diamondbacks.

Fantasy Impact: Despite a generally sluggish start to the season with a .211 batting average, Kim's performance in this game showcased his potential for power and run production. His season totals now include 21 RBI and five home runs, indicating that while his average may be low, he can still contribute significantly in the RBI and power categories. Fantasy managers should consider Kim's potential for sporadic bursts of productivity, particularly in deeper leagues or formats that reward power numbers, despite his batting average woes.

Xander Bogaerts returns to the lineup for the San Diego Padres against the Arizona Diamondbacks Friday. (Source: San Diego Padres on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Bogaerts is back after sitting out for manager Mike Shildt, batting fifth and starting at second base against the Diamondbacks Friday.