Teoscar Hernandez (OF, TOR) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ team leagues OWNED IN: 5% of leagues ANALYSIS: Hernandez played in a total of 134 games for Toronto in 2018 and while he came out of the gates hot after an April call-up, he finished by slashing .239/.302/.468 with 22 home runs, 57 RBI and 163 strikeouts in 476 at-bats. He swung […]

Brewers Unlikely To Sign Craig Kimbrel

The Milwaukee Brewers are unlikely to sign free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel, as they don't have enough room in the 2019 payroll to take on another contract of at least $18 million this year. Kimbrel turned down a $17.9 million one-year qualifying offer from the Red Sox over the winter. The hard-throwing right-hander would be a […]

Orioles Won't Have Set Closer For A While

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said it might be a while before the team has a set closer in 2019. Reliever Mychal Givens, who was expected to be the primary closer for the O's, pitched in the eighth inning of Saturday's win over the Yankees. Richard Bleier started the ninth inning but Mike Wright came […]

Dellin Betances Throws Off Mound Saturday

New York Yankees relief pitcher Dellin Betances (shoulder) threw off a mound on Saturday in Florida. "Another good day for Dellin. I feel like he's moving in the right direction. It's coming out better," manager Aaron Boone said. Barring any setbacks, the hard-throwing reliever could make his season debut in mid-April. Betances probably won't see […]

Alex Wood's Return May Be Delayed

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell has no timetable for starting pitcher Alex Wood's (back) return, but the skipper said the original mid-April timeline might have been "a little aggressive." The left-hander still has to build up his innings and won't be back anytime soon, which means that Tyler Mahle will stick around in the rotation […]

Garrett Cooper Out A Few Weeks

Miami Marlins outfielder Garrett Cooper (calf) said he will be out a few weeks with a left calf strain. He was placed on the injured list on Sunday and the Marlins called up outfielder Peter O'Brien in a corresponding move. The Marlins don't have many players that are extremely fantasy relevant, and Cooper wasn't an […]

Clayton Richard Out Two Weeks, Sean Reid-Foley Starting

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Sean Reid-Foley will make the start on Monday against the Orioles in place of starter Clayton Richard, who is dealing with a knee issue and won't throw for at least two weeks, according to manager Charlie Montoyo. Reid-Foley was 2-4 with a 5.13 ERA in 33 1/3 innings over seven starts […]

Carlos Correa Making Season Debut Sunday

Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (neck) is making his season debut on Sunday against Rays starter Yonny Chirinos. Correa is hitting cleanup. Correa missed the first three games with a stiff neck, but the injury obviously wasn't too serious. His fantasy owners might be a little worried after back issues plagued the All-Star shortstop in […]

Danny Jansen Hitting Leadoff Sunday

Toronto Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen is serving as the designated hitter and is batting leadoff against Tigers starter Matt Moore on Sunday. Jansen has hit all over the lineup so far in his three games of the season with Toronto and is 1-for-7 with a strikeout to begin the year. He's a promising young […]

Ian Kennedy An Option For Saves In KC

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Ian Kennedy entered the regular season having started 277 straight games since his most recent relief outing in the majors. That run ended on Opening Day when he pitched the eighth inning for his first relief outing since Sept. 23, 2009. Kennedy then earned his first professional save on Saturday. […]

Evan Longoria Pulled With Calf Injury

San Francisco Giants third baseman Evan Longoria left the game early on Saturday because he fouled a ball off his calf and was feeling sore. He'll receive the day off on Sunday, but it doesn't sound like a serious injury. Longoria had a single, run, RBI and strikeout in three plate appearances and has four […]

Rich Hill To Throw Bullpen Next Week

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Rich Hill (knee) will throw a bullpen session next week. Hill threw off flat ground on Thursday and should be able to return in mid-April, barring any setbacks. The 39-year-old left-hander went 11-5 with a 3.66 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 150 strikeouts in 132 2/3 innings last year. He's certainly […]

Clayton Kershaw Throws Simulated Game

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) threw 50 pitches in a three-inning simulated game on Saturday and then a fourth inning in the bullpen. Manager Dave Roberts said the left-hander will throw his standard side session in a couple days before going to Triple-A Oklahoma City or Double-A Tulsa for a four- or […]

X-Rays Negative On Miguel Cabrera

Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera was hit by an Aaron Sanchez fastball on the hand and suffered a contusion on Saturday after X-rays came back negative. Cabrera is considered day-to-day for now and the team will see how he feels on Sunday. The veteran slugger missed most of last year due to injury but […]

Carlos Correa Expected To Play Sunday

Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (neck) is expected to make his season debut against the Rays on Sunday. Correa injured his neck in spring training last week and was held out of the lineup for the first three games of the regular season. It's not a serious ailment, but the Astros are being extra cautious […]

Daniel Murphy Has Fractured Finger

Colorado Rockies infielder Daniel Murphy's X-rays on Saturday revealed a fracture on the tip of his left index finger, and he will see a hand specialist on Monday before a timetable for his return is revealed. The soon-to-be 34-year-old could be out for an extended period of time, so his fantasy owners need to plan […]

Alex Cobb To Start Home Opener

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde confirmed that starting pitcher Alex Cobb (groin) will come off the injured list to start next week's home opener on Thursday. He reported no issues after throwing in a minor league game on Friday. A minor groin injury kept Cobb from starting on Opening Day against the Yankees, which was […]

Todd Frazier To Play In Games Soon

New York Mets corner infielder Todd Frazier (oblique) will start playing in minor league games in Florida in the next few days, according to manager Mickey Callaway. Frazier began the season on the injured list but should be able to join the team at some point in April, barring setbacks. The 33-year-old hit just .213/.303/.390 […]

Matt Kemp Making First Start In 2019

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Matt Kemp is making his season debut in left field and is hitting fifth in the lineup on Saturday against Pirates starter Trevor Williams. As a result, Jesse Winker will start the game on the bench. Kemp had a resurgent season in 2018, hitting .290 with 21 home runs and 85 RBI […]

Hunter Strickland Was Dealing With Tight Shoulder

Seattle Mariners closer Hunter Strickland said he "had some tightness in the back of the shoulder" during his blown save against the Red Sox on Friday night. "I was all over the place. Everybody saw it. It wasn’t good at all. I just wasn’t comfortable. But that’s no excuse, I still have to make pitches […]

Michael A. Taylor, Howie Kendrick Rehabbing In Florida

Washington Nationals outfielder Michael A. Taylor (hip, knee) and second baseman Howie Kendrick (hamstring) continue to rehab at the team's spring training complex in Florida. Kendrick has taken at-bats in a minor league game without running, while Taylor is taking part in light baseball activities such as hitting off a tee, soft toss, light throwing […]

Francisco Lindor Seeking Second Opinion

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (ankle) is seeking a second opinion on his acute left ankle sprain from Dr. Robert Anderson in Wisconsin before the team releases an official timetable for his return. Lindor suffered the ankle sprain on Tuesday in a minor league game and will miss more time now. The All-Star shortstop was […]

Jake Bauers, Tyler Naquin To Be Outfield Regulars

Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona has decided that outfielders Jake Bauers and Tyler Naquin will open the season as regulars in the corner outfield spots. Still, both left-handed bats could see time off occasionally against southpaw pitchers, and Naquin could see more time hitting in the No. 3 spot until the team is back to […]

Carlos Martinez Throwing More Aggressively

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Carlos Martinez (shoulder) has been playing "more aggressive, longer catch" on flat ground this week, according to manager Mike Shildt. The right-hander's next step will to resume throwing off a mound. The Cardinals are expected to decide whether Martinez will return as a starter or reliever by mid-April. Martinez has […]

Jedd Gyorko Expected To Be Ready Next Thursday

St. Louis Cardinals infielder Jedd Gyorko (calf) has declared himself healthy and ready to return, but he isn't eligible to come off the injured list until next Thursday ahead of the home opener. Gyorko was out for the final three weeks of spring training but has been getting at-bats in minor league games in Florida. […]

Astros Targeting Sunday Return For Carlos Correa

The Houston Astros are targeting a Sunday return for shortstop Carlos Correa (neck) in the series finale against the Rays. The All-Star was out for the second straight regular season game on Friday due to a neck strain suffered a week ago. Correa did pre-game drills on Friday but didn't swing a bat. He will […]

Lorenzo Cain's Thumb Is Fine

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Lorenzo Cain jammed his left thumb when he was caught stealing in Friday's loss to the Cardinals, but he is OK and no X-rays were required. The injury doesn't seem serious at all, so Cain should be back in the lineup on Saturday. He's a must-start in all season-long leagues and is […]

Maikel Franco (3B, PHI) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ team leagues OWNED IN: 23% of leagues ANALYSIS: Franco hit .270/.314/.467 with 22 home runs and 68 RBI in 131 games for the Phillies in 2018. After a 25-homer, 88-RBI campaign in 2016, the young slugger was expected to take a step forward, but he has been stuck in neutral the last […]

Hunter Renfroe The Odd-Man Out?

San Diego Padres outfielder Hunter Renfroe has remained on the bench for the team's first two games of the season against Giants left-handers Madison Bumgarner and Derek Holland, even though Renfroe has excellent career numbers against both southpaws. Wil Myers and Franmil Reyes have started at the corners, with Manuel Margot in center field. Manager […]

Giants Being Mindful Of Buster Posey's Workload

The San Francisco Giants are being mindful of catcher Buster Posey's early-season workload after he underwent major hip surgery last year. He didn't catch in back-to-back games in spring training, but manager Bruce Bochy said Posey has been cleared to do so. Posey caught all nine innings on Opening Day but was at first base […]