Gregory Polanco Back In Lineup Thursday Amid Struggles

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco rejoins the starting nine for Thursday’s tilt against Cincinnati and right-handed pitcher Anthony DeSclafani. Polanco has been in a deep slump at the plate to begin 2020 having collected just two hits in 29 at-bats. But aside from his gaudy K% numbers (45.5), Polanco is actually tagging the ball when […]

Amed Rosario Gets Backing As He Remains Sidelined

New York Mets shortstop Amed Rosario will be absent from the starting nine Thursday against Washington for the third consecutive game as he battles the after-effects of a stomach flu. While he has been sidelined, Andes Gimenez has blossomed and made the case to become the team’s everyday shortstop, but manager Luis Rojas reiterated Thursday […]

Austin Slater Scratched From Wednesday’s Lineup

San Francisco Giants outfielder Austin Slater was set to hit third Wednesday against the Astros and right-hander Zack Greinke, but he was scratched just before first pitch, allowing Wilmer Flores to enter the lineup and hit third. Slater has amassed an impressive 201 OPS+ over his first 14 games, leading the Majors with five stolen […]

Frankie Montas Aims To Bolster Cy Young Campaign Friday

Oakland Athletics right-handed pitcher Frankie Montas began to put it all together during 2019 before he was sidelined with an 80-game suspension due to testing positive for a banned substance. To kick off 2020, Montas has compiled a 1.57 ERA through his first four starts and now has a favorable matchup Friday against the Giants. […]

Eric Hosmer Gets Day Off Wednesday, Jake Cronenworth Starts

San Diego Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer was planned to have the day off Wednesday with Dodgers left-handed pitcher Julio Urias projected to start, but even after right-hander Tony Gonsolin was swapped in instead, Hosmer will remain out of the starting nine. Rookie Jake Cronenworth, who has forced his way into the lineup with his […]

Rougned Odor Sits Wednesday, Derek Dietrich Makes 2020 Debut

Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Mariners and right-handed pitcher Taijuan Walker due to what manager Chris Woodward deemed a “mental break.” Odor’s absence paves the way for Derek Dietrich to make his season debut, having been signed last week after being released by the Cubs. While […]

Robinson Chirinos Out Of Lineup Wednesday With Sore Ankle

Texas Rangers catcher Robinson Chirinos will be out of the starting nine Wednesday against the Mariners and right-handed pitcher Taijuan Walker due to left ankle soreness. Chirinos’ absence paves the way for Jeff Mathis to make his second consecutive start behind the dish. The start of the 2020 year has not been kind to Chirinos, […]

Bryan Reynolds Stuck In Rut To Begin 2020

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds was such a steady bat in the heart of his club’s lineup last season that he not only forced his way onto most season-long rosters by the end of the year, but he earned himself considerable pomp heading into 2020. But things have not broken his way yet, entering Wednesday […]

Yu Darvish Seeks To Right Ship Against Brewers Thursday

Chicago Cubs right-handed pitcher Yu Darvish wasn’t long for his first start of 2020, in which he allowed six hits and three runs against Milwaukee back on July 25; he gets a second crack at the lineup Thursday with the Brewers not yet having announced a starter of their own. The .331 slugging percentage that […]

Jed Lowrie To Receive More Injections In Injured Knee

New York Mets infielder Jed Lowrie has had his career hit a full stop due to left knee discomfort that has limited him to eight plate appearances since signing with the Mets ahead of 2019. The next step in his rehab is for him to receive another round of injections in his knee in an […]

Jose Quintana Has No Issues Stemming From Sim Game

Chicago Cubs left-handed pitcher Jose Quintana tossed three innings during a simulated game Tuesday and did not report back any issues with the left thumb that has kept him sidelined thus far in 2020. Manager David Ross noted that there was still no timeline for when Quintana would join the club, but it sounds as […]

Rich Hill, Homer Bailey Progressing In Rehab Work

Minnesota Twins left-handed pitcher Rich Hill (shoulder) and right-hander Homer Bailey (biceps tendinitis) are continuing to make progress in their attempts at rejoining the starting rotation. Hill threw a bullpen session Tuesday and will face live hitting when the team returns to Minnesota after its current road trip; Bailey is slightly behind Hill, only now […]

Jose Iglesias Back In Lineup Wednesday, Mans Shortstop

Baltimore Orioles shortstop Jose Iglesias is back among the starting nine for Wednesday’s contest against the Phillies and right-hander Zach Eflin. Iglesias entered late in Tuesday’s game as he continues to battle a sore left quad which manager Brandon Hyde has termed a day-to-day ailment moving forward. A staple in the No. 3 spot of […]

Aroldis Chapman Set To Face Hitters Again, Recall On Horizon

New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman is set to face live hitters either Thursday or Friday, his last warmup session before being activated to the Major League roster. Chapman has yet to debut in 2020 after a positive COVID-19 test earlier in the summer. Zack Britton has primarily served as the club’s closer in Chapman’s […]

Justin Verlander Aiming To Resume Throwing Next Week

Houston Astros right-handed pitcher Justin Verlander has disputed that he will be shut down for the remainder of the 2020 season due to a right forearm injury that has kept him out since Opening Day. The next step in that process is for Verlander to begin throwing as soon as next week, per Brian McTaggart […]

Will Harris On Track To Be Activated Thursday

Washington Nationals right-handed pitcher Will Harris (groin) is progressing toward being activated from the injured list for the club’s contest Thursday against the Mets. Manager Davey Martinez confirmed before Wednesday’s game so long as Harris was feeling strong Thursday, he would join the team’s bullpen. Inked to a $24 million deal during the off-season to […]

Aaron Judge Out Of Yankees’ Lineup Wednesday

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge was not among the starting nine for Wednesday’s contest against the Braves and right-hander Huascar Ynoa. Manager Aaron Boone confirmed that Judge was dealing with “lower body tightness,” which included his hips, hamstrings, and calves. The list of maladies is not reassuring for Judge’s status as soon as this […]

Andrew Benintendi Headed For IL Stint With Rib Cage Ailment

Boston Red Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi will be placed on the 10-day injured list after sustaining a strained right rib cage during Tuesday’s contest versus the Rays. The move comes amidst a treacherous start to the 2020 season for the outfielder who is batting just .103 (4-for-39) through his first 14 games with a stunningly […]

Chris Owings Departs Early Wednesday With Hamstring Injury

Colorado Rockies utilityman Chris Owings left Wednesday’s contest against the D-backs early due to left hamstring tightness. Sam Hilliard took over in Owings’ stead, with Garrett Hampson shifting to second base. Owings has seen a solid amount of playing time early in 2020, hitting .250/.308/.444 through 14 contests. The veteran has made it his calling […]

FanDuel NBA DFS Lineup Picks (8/12/20): Daily Fantasy Basketball Advice

The NBA regular season is nearing its apex later in the calendar than ever before in 2020. So with that in mind, it’s not surprising to see things completely falling off the rails from a DFS perspective in a unique manner.  Wrapping up the regular season during a traditional year usually involves swaths of up-and-coming […]

Ildemaro Vargas Acquired By Twins, Willians Astudillo Activated

Utility infielder Ildemaro Vargas has been claimed off of waivers by the Minnesota Twins, after having been DFA’d by the D-backs. Vargas played in 92 games all over the diamond last season and put together a .269/.299/.412 slash line in what was primarily a pinch-hitting role. He could factor in in the short-term if Josh […]

Mike Moustakas Aiming For Return From IL Sunday

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Mike Moustakas was last in the lineup last Tuesday when he sustained a left quad strain and severe bruising to the leg. He has since been placed on the IL, although Moustakas doesn’t sound concerned about the issue being a long-term ailment, already professing that he expects to be back in […]

Nick Pivetta Demoted To Alternate Training Site

Philadelphia Phillies right-handed pitcher Nick Pivetta has been optioned off of the club’s 28-man roster, paving the way for righty relievers Connor Brogdon and Blake Parker to join the bullpen. Pivetta, who made 71 starts for Philadelphia over the past three seasons, has scuffled during his time in the bullpen. In 21 career relief appearances, […]

Brendan McKay Shut Down Due To Shoulder Injury

Tampa Bay Rays left-handed pitcher/first baseman Brandon McKay will be sidelined for the foreseeable future due to an injury to his pitching shoulder. The two-way prospect showed flashes of his potential last season across 13 appearances (11 starts) on the mound, striking out 56 batters in 49 innings. The Rays did not use McKay’s bat […]

Jose Altuve Will Be Absent From Wednesday’s Lineup Amid Slump

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve already knows that he’ll have the day off for Wednesday’s series finale against the Giants, as manager Dusty Baker announced so prior to Tuesday's game. Altuve has been ice cold at the dish to open 2020 by his standards, having recently taken over the leadoff spot in the order […]

Donovan Solano, Pablo Sandoval Out Of Tuesday’s Lineup

The San Francisco Giants will be without both second baseman Donovan Solano and first baseman/designated hitter Pablo Sandoval for Tuesday’s contest against Houston. Solano is being held back due to abdominal soreness, while Sandoval is dealing with “family concerns.” It’s been a breakout 2020 campaign for Solano, a 32-year-old journeyman who has quickly barreled his […]

Ronald Acuna Jr. Scratched From Lineup Due To Injury

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. has been removed from Tuesday’s lineup against the Yankees and left-hander Jordan Montgomery due to a sore left wrist. Ender Inciarte has entered the starting nine in Acuna’s place, with Dansby Swanson shifting to the leadoff spot. Acuna’s absence will be his first of the season, having smashed three […]

Blake Snell Plans To Ramp Up To Five IP Wednesday

Tampa Bay Rays left-handed pitcher Blake Snell has been handled with extreme caution thus far in 2020, although the plan for his start Wednesday may deviate, as the former Cy Young winner is eyeing at least five innings against Boston. Snell has seen his pitch count increase across each of his first three starts, capping […]

Joe Musgrove Placed On Injured List With Triceps Ailment

Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitcher Joe Musgrove initially had his weekend start pushed back, but Tuesday, manager Derek Shelton announced that the right-hander would need a stint on the injured list due to inflammation in his right triceps. With Musgrove unavailable, righty Trevor Williams has been bumped up to start Thursday’s contest against Cincinnati. Musgrove was […]

George Springer Absent From Lineup For Fifth Straight Game

Houston Astros outfielder George Springer will not be among the starting nine for Tuesday’s contest against the Giants and left-handed pitcher Tyler Anderson. Springer has been making his way back from a wrist ailment that came just as he was beginning to heat up during the 2020 campaign, having driven in 11 runs in his […]