Mitch Garver Getting Breather Sunday

Minnesota Twins catcher Mitch Garver is on the bench for Sunday's tilt versus Royals right-hander Brady Singer. Alex Avila is batting ninth and calling signs behind the plate in the series finale. Garver is off to a sluggish start, hitting .094 with one homer and 15 strikeouts in 40 plate appearances. After cranking 31 bombs... Read More

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Back In Sixth Spot

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is batting sixth for the second consecutive game as the team faces Red Sox right-hander Nathan Eovaldi. The former top prospect is off to a sluggish start, hitting .239 with one homer and three RBI through 12 games this season. He's having difficulty getting under the baseball... Read More

Nick Senzel Feeling "Fine", Expected Back Tuesday

According to manager David Bell, Cincinnati Reds outfielder Nick Senzel (groin) is feeling "fine," but is sitting in Sunday's game versus Brewers ace Brandon Woodruff. He exited Friday's game early with the ailment, and has now missed back-to-back games, but is expected to return to the lineup Tuesday. Senzel has had difficulty with health as... Read More

Elvis Andrus Bumped To Seventh Spot

Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus is batting seventh in the team's matchup versus Angels left-hander Andrew Heaney on Sunday. Andrus has hit out of the top two spots in the order primarily, but with a .163 BA to start the season, the club is electing to use Isiah Kiner-Falefa in the two-hole on Sunday. Andrus... Read More

Max Scherzer Aiming To Start Tuesday

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (hamstring) is feeling good after tweaking his hamstring during his latest start on Wednesday, and is aiming to start Tuesday versus the Mets. GM Mike Rizzo says it's not set in stone, but it's encouraging to see the ace ready to take the mound again. The veteran holds a... Read More

Justin Upton Absent Again Sunday

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Justin Upton is sitting for the second consecutive game as the club takes on Rangers right-hander Lance Lynn Sunday. Brian Goodwin and Jo Adell are occupying the corner outfield spots in a difficult matchup against a hot pitcher. Upton has seen his playing time reduce since Adell's promotion, and is becoming... Read More

Jose Martinez Hitting Third Against Yankees

Tampa Bay Rays first baseman/outfielder Jose Martinez is hitting third and playing DH in the team's series finale versus Yankees lefty James Paxton. It's an excellent matchup for Martinez, who's slashed .326/.399/.570 versus southpaws over his career and has recorded hits in four of his last five games. Paxton has struggled early with six earned... Read More

Red Sox Stick With Alex Verdugo At Leadoff Sunday

Boston Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo is back in the leadoff spot Sunday versus Blue Jays right-hander Matt Shoemaker in an excellent DFS matchup. Andrew Benintendi has struggled mightily this season and is batting seventh in the rubber match, a place where he might stick to for the remainder of the year. Verdugo is bringing... Read More

Eric Sogard Leading Off Again Versus Reds

Milwaukee Brewers infielder Eric Sogard is leading off and playing shortstop in the team's Sunday matchup versus Reds righty Sonny Gray. The veteran has frequently been used in the leadoff spot for the team this season, and with Lorenzo Cain opting out this year, he'll likely remain to get most of his starts there. Sogard... Read More

Mike Ford At DH Sunday

New York Yankees first baseman Mike Ford is in the lineup at DH and batting sixth versus Rays right-hander Charlie Morton in the series finale Sunday. With Giancarlo Stanton hitting the injured list, Ford will get more playing time versus righties, although Mike Tauchman will also benefit from the slugger's absence. Stanton isn't expected to... Read More

Oliver Drake Hits IL With Biceps Tendinitis

Tampa Bay Rays have placed reliever Oliver Drake on the 10-day IL with right biceps tendinitis, and have recalled right-hander Ryan Thompson in a corresponding move. Drake converted two early saves for the Rays this season before giving up runs in three-straight outings, raising his ERA to 3.38 on the year. Nick Anderson owners can... Read More

Marcus Stroman To Throw Sim Game Tuesday

New York Mets starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (calf) is set to throw a simulated game on Tuesday as he's drawing nearer to a return to the club. It is likely his last tune-up before joining the starting rotation after throwing four innings in a sim game last Thursday. An opening has become available with Michael... Read More

Michael Wacha Lands On IL

New York Mets starting pitcher Michael Wacha was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday with shoulder inflammation. The right-hander struck out nine Marlins in Saturday's start but gave up four runs in the fourth inning before getting lifted in the fifth. The Mets don't know who will fill his immediate spot in the rotation,... Read More

Brandon Nimmo Leading Off Versus Marlins

New York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo is leading off and playing center field in the team's series finale versus Pablo Lopez and the Marlins. Lopez looked sharp in his regular-season debut, but Nimmo has hit right-handers to a .280 BA with 11 walks and two strikeouts this season. He makes an excellent DFS play ahead... Read More

J.T. Realmuto, Andrew McCutchen Absent In First Game

Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto and outfielder Andrew McCutchen will sit for the team's first game of a doubleheader Sunday versus Braves right-hander Huascar Ynoa. Adam Haseley gets the nod in right field and is batting leadoff, while Andrew Knapp will bat ninth and call signs behind the dish. Realmuto is hot at the plate... Read More

Victor Robles, Howie Kendrick Sit Sunday

Washington Nationals outfielder Victor Robles and infielder Howie Kendrick are both getting the day off versus Orioles right-hander Asher Wojciechowski. Carter Kieboom enters the lineup playing third and batting seventh, while Michael A. Taylor will bat ninth and play center field. Kendrick is off to a decent start this season despite battling a minor back... Read More

Anthony Bass Nails Down Third Save

Toronto Blue Jays reliever Anthony Bass pitched a clean ninth inning in the team's 2-1 win over the Red Sox Saturday, earning his third save of the year. He only needed eight pitches for the save, and he's now gone 6 1/3 scoreless innings to start the season. The right-hander doesn't have a prototypical power... Read More

Bo Bichette Leads Jays To Victory Saturday

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette went 2-for-4 in Saturday's contest versus the Red Sox, helping the team to a 2-1 victory. He stole his second base of the year while chipping in with a single, walk, and an RBI double that tied the game in the seventh inning. Bichette now has five extra-base hits... Read More

Cavan Biggio Launches Leadoff Homer Friday

Toronto Blue Jays second baseman/outfielder Cavan Biggio led off for the club in the team's 5-3 loss to the Red Sox Saturday, and took advantage of his opportunity. He cranked his third homer of the year to lead off the ballgame and added a single and a walk to finish the game going 2-for-4. His... Read More

Zach Plesac A Risky Play Saturday

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Zach Plesac is off to a terrific start to his 2020 campaign, but he'll face a tough task Saturday versus the White Sox. The Pale Hose lead the majors in batting average versus righties (.268) and have posted a stellar .750 OPS and 116 wRC+ against these hurlers so far as... Read More

Merrill Kelly Faces Tough Test Saturday

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly will have his hands full versus a formidable Padres lineup on Saturday. The Friars offense has tagged right-handers to a top three rank in OPS (.808) and wRC+ (126), and are playing in their home confines where they were a much better hitting team a year ago. Kelly has... Read More

Anthony DeSclafani Looking To Extend Shutout Streak

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani will make his second start of the season versus the Brewers on Saturday in an intriguing matchup. The Brew Crew are coming off a game where Reds pitchers struck them out 16 times, including 14 by right-handers. They entered the night with the second-highest K-rate in the league versus... Read More

Twins To Activate Jake Odorizzi For Saturday Start

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi (intercostal) will make his 2020 debut on Saturday versus the Royals. He'll take Josh Donaldson's place on the roster and is in a favorable matchup for his first start of the season. Odorizzi was placed on the injured list before Opening Day after straining his right intercostal in summer... Read More

Patrick Sandoval Getting The Nod Saturday

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Patrick Sandoval will make his second start of the season versus the Rangers on Saturday. With Shohei Ohtani unable to pitch, a spot has opened up in the rotation after Sandoval was optioned to their alternate site at the end of July. The left-hander was decent in his 2020 debut,... Read More

Ryan Helsley Tests Positive For COVID-19

St. Louis Cardinals reliever Ryan Helsley has tested positive for COVID-19 as announced by the team on Friday. Fellow reliever Austin Dean also tested positive, pushing the Red Birds to nine positives this week and forcing the league to postpone their weekend series versus the Cubs. Helsley was a candidate for saves entering the season,... Read More

Nick Senzel Removed With Groin Tightness

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Nick Senzel left Friday's game versus the Brewers early after experiencing tightness in his left groin. He was lifted after his third at-bat in the fourth inning, but since the team jumped out to a large lead early, it may have been precautionary. Senzel led off in the contest and recorded a... Read More

Nate Pearson Allows Three Runs In Loss

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Nate Pearson picked up his second no-decision in as many outings during the team's 4-3 loss to the Braves on Thursday. The rookie tossed five innings, allowing three earned runs on two hits and three walks while also striking out five. Pearson threw just 79 pitches as the team continues... Read More

Michael Brantley Will DH Thursday

Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley (quad) is expected to DH in the team's series finale versus the Diamondbacks on Thursday. Manager Dusty Baker initially wanted to keep the veteran out until Friday, but apparently changed his mind after the club's 14-7 loss on Wednesday. Brantley has missed the last two games with a quad injury... Read More

Tyler Chatwood Riding Momentum Into Thursday Start

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Tyler Chatwood is off to a surprisingly terrific start to the 2020 season, and he'll have a favorable matchup against the Royals on Thursday. The right-hander has struck out 19 batters over 12 2/3 IP this season, allowing just one run and four walks on his way to a 2-0 record.... Read More

Franchy Cordero Battling Minor Wrist Ailment

Kansas City Royals outfielder Franchy Cordero was scratched ahead of Wednesday's game versus the Cubs after injuring his wrist in batting practice. Manager Mike Matheny said his wrist "tightened up" during the pregame, but he doesn't believe there is any structural damage. Cordero is off to a sluggish start with his new team with four... Read More