The Tampa Bay Rays are borrowing the New York Yankees' spring training facility due to damage at Tropicana Field from Hurricane Milton. Rays reliever Pete Fairbanks humorously suggested on the Foul Territory podcast that they checked for hidden microphones left behind by the Yankees. His quip added a playful layer to the ongoing rivalry between the two teams. As they prepare to face off in the Bronx this weekend, the timing of Fairbanks' joke is particularly poignant, highlighting the strange dynamics of this competitive matchup.

While Fairbanks sidestepped whether any surveillance devices were discovered in the Yankees' locker room, his comment reflects the heightened tension and drama that characterizes their rivalry. As the Yankees gear up to face the Rays, the stakes are elevated, setting the stage for a thrilling series.

The upcoming MLB slate features nine games kicking off at 6:35 p.m. ET. Pitching options are limited, leading to a key decision regarding Nathan Eovaldi ($9,200), who faces a competent Athletics lineup. While Eovaldi presents a safe floor, there are more favorable alternatives. Drew Rasmussen's ($8,800) high strikeout rate against the Royals is appealing, and Cristopher Sanchez ($8,200) offers potential despite recent forearm issues. Matthew Boyd ($8,400) faces the strikeout-prone Pirates, making him an intriguing choice. For value, consider Tobias Myers ($7,200) against the White Sox.

Key hitters include Ryan O'Hearn ($4,300) who stands out in the Orioles' batting order, alongside Jarren Duran ($5,200) and Alex Bregman ($5,000) who could shine against a weak Toronto pitching staff. Willson Contreras ($3,300) is another name to watch, as he could leverage a favorable environment at Great American Ballpark. The Yankees and Cubs are both stack-worthy with their respective matchups against Cade Povich and Carmen Mlodzinski.

The 2025 MLB season has seen significant injuries affecting key players early on. Shane McClanahan, the ace for Tampa Bay, is currently dealing with an inflamed nerve in his left triceps after being removed from a Grapefruit League game. He opened the season on the 15-day injured list and has since been moved to the 60-day IL, missing at least a month.

Spencer Arrighetti of Houston was a breakout candidate but fractured his thumb in batting practice after a strong start to the season. Thankfully, he won't require surgery and is expected to begin throwing again in a few weeks, putting him on track for a potential return shortly.

Lastly, Ketel Marte of Arizona has been sidelined with a left hamstring strain but is progressing well. After participating in live games and activities, he is anticipated to return soon, possibly for an upcoming series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Fantasy baseball managers are eagerly awaiting the returns of Shohei Ohtani, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Josh Lowe in the 2025 MLB season. Ohtani, recovering from Tommy John surgery, is making significant strides in his recovery and is expected to pitch by the summer. His impressive stats from previous seasons make him a valuable stash in fantasy leagues. Acuña is also close to returning after recovering from a second torn ACL and could be back in early May, though his running may be limited post-injury. Josh Lowe is in a more challenging position, as he is recovering from a Grade 2 oblique strain and is projected to be out until June. As each player approaches their return, fantasy managers must weigh the risks and rewards of keeping them on their rosters.