Billy Hamilton Returns to Lineup Friday

Kansas City Royals outfielder Billy Hamilton returns to the lineup Friday against the New York Yankees, with Kansas City at home after a two-game trip to St. Louis. Hamilton bats ninth, as usual. Without a designated hitter, the Royals kept Hamilton out of both games of a doubleheader Wednesday, and with Hamilton hitting just .224/.300/.288,... Read More

Wander Suero Allows Home Run in Latest Washington Bullpen Meltdown

Washington Nationals relief pitcher Wander Suero allowed an eighth inning three-run home run to Carlos Gomez Thursday that made the difference in a 6-4 loss to the New York Mets. Suero now has a 7.17 ERA in 21 1/3 innings, even though it was Suero's first blown save of the season. Reliever Matt Grace sits... Read More

Yoan Moncada Leading Off, Tim Anderson Second Thursday

Chicago White Sox third baseman Yoan Moncada is leading off Thursday as the White Sox are using the same nine players from Wednesday in a different batting order. Among the other shakeups, Tim Anderson bats second and Leury Garcia fifth. Chicago is facing the Houston Astros and Corbin Martin, making the third start of his... Read More

Jordan Luplow Hitting Cleanup Thursday

Cleveland Indians outfielder Jordan Luplow is batting fourth and playing right field against the Tampa Bay Rays Thursday. Luplow has hit in that spot a few times before this season. He has a .242/.301/.500 slash line in 73 plate appearances in 2019 with five home runs, demonstrating cleanup-capable power. Luplow is probably best faded in... Read More

Ryan Yarbrough Now Starting Thursday

Updating a previous report, Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Ryne Stanek is no longer listed as the opener for Thursday's game. Instead, pitcher Ryan Yarbrough, who was called up in light of Yandy Diaz's placement on the injured list, will be the starter. Presumably he will pitch the bulk of the innings, as has been his... Read More

Yandy Diaz Heads to Injured List

The Tampa Bay Rays placed infielder Yandy Diaz on the injured list Thursday. Pitcher Ryan Yarbrough was called up and is now starting the game, despite previous reports and Stanek appearing to be listed as the starter. Yarbrough, whose 2019 MLB peripherals are better than his 8.10 ERA and who has been very successful in... Read More

Ryne Stanek Opening Again Thursday

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Ryne Stanek will serve as the team's opener for a second straight game on Thursday against the Cleveland Indians. Pitcher Ryan Yarbrough is expected to get called up as a follower. The opener-follower model is a typically difficult one for DFS. Yarbrough succeeded in the follower role in 2018, winning 16... Read More

Adam Plutko Facing Full Rays Lineup

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Adam Plutko will have a tough matchup Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays, who are starting all their regulars. Plutko is making just his second start of the season after going 4-5 with a 5.28 ERA and 6.10 FIP in 2018. He allowed just one run on one hit in his... Read More

Byron Buxton Sitting Thursday

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton is not in the lineup for Thursday afternoon's game against Matt Harvey and the Los Angeles Angels. It's Buxton's first game off since the early game of a May 11 doubleheader. Max Kepler is in center field at his usual leadoff spot with Marwin Gonzalez in right field, batting third... Read More

Lewis Brinson Hits Third Triple-A Home Run

Miami Marlins outfielder Lewis Brinson is hitting .273/.377/.485 in 19 games for Triple-A New Orleans after going 2-for-4 with his third home run Wednesday. It's a good line, but not clear how much it matters after Brinson began his 2019 MLB season .197/.247/.263 prior to demotion. Additionally, the Pacific Coast League is notorious for inflating... Read More

Lucas Giolito Faces Tough Test

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Lucas Giolito has a 0.93 ERA in his last three starts but faces a difficult Houston Astros lineup on Thursday night. During this recent run from Giolito, one start against Cleveland followed by two against Toronto, he has gone 3-0 and allowed just 10 hits and six walks in 19... Read More

Sean Doolittle Blows Save Wednesday

Washington Nationals closer Sean Doolittle could not convert a four-out save on Wednesday, blowing his second attempt in 10 opportunities in Washington's 6-1 loss to the New York Mets. Doolittle was brought in with two on and none out in the eighth, but did not retire a single batter, allowing both runners to score plus... Read More

Max Scherzer Dominant Wednesday

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer tossed six shutout innings in Washington's 6-1 loss to the New York Mets Wednesday. Scherzer threw 109 pitches, striking out nine and walking two while allowing just four hits. He left with a 1-0 lead, but his bullpen could not hold it, which is becoming a common refrain in... Read More

Adam Eaton Hits Fourth Home Run

Washington Nationals outfielder Adam Eaton homered off of Jacob deGrom in the first inning on Wednesday, his fourth home run of the season and first since May 6. It was the only run Washington would score all night in a 6-1 loss to the New York Mets. Eaton also walked in the contest while going... Read More

Austin Meadows Out Against Left-Hander

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Austin Meadows is not in the lineup, one of several changes as the team faces the Los Angeles Dodgers and left-handed starting pitcher Rich Hill. Avisail Garcia is at designated hitter and leads off for the first time this season. Left-handed hitting second baseman Brandon Lowe has been dropped to ninth... Read More

Orioles Acquire Keon Broxton

The Baltimore Orioles acquired former New York Mets outfielder Keon Broxton in exchange for international bonus slots on Wednesday. Baltimore also acquired pitcher Chandler Shepherd off waivers and optioned him to Triple-A, transferred pitcher Alex Cobb (back) to the 60-day injured list and designated pitcher Yefry Ramirez for assignment. Broxton had only received 53 plate appearances... Read More

Jordan Hicks Has No Save Opportunities in May

St. Louis Cardinals closer Jordan Hicks has only pitched in four games in May and none of them in a save situation. The Cardinals have mostly reserved Hicks for save situations, but with the team scuffling to a 5-13 record in that time and no win of less than four runs, it's been a struggle... Read More

Gordon Beckham Leads Off In New Tigers Lineup

Detroit Tigers infielder Gordon Beckham is playing shortstop and leading off on Wednesday against the Miami Marlins while infielder/outfielder Niko Goodrum is batting second for the first time all year and playing first base. Although Detroit faces pitcher Jose Urena and his 4.44 ERA/4.67 xFIP, the top of this lineup is best faded in DFS.... Read More

Gerrit Cole Gets Good Strikeout Matchup Wednesday

Houston Astros starting pitcher Gerrit Cole gets to face the struggling Chicago White Sox on Wednesday. Cole's 38.3% strikeout rate leads MLB and Chicago's 26.1% rate is the third-worst in baseball, so the potential exists for him to rack up the strikeouts. (Cole's teammate Justin Verlander just struck out 12 White Sox Tuesday night in... Read More

Thyago Vieira Recalled

The Chicago White Sox recalled relief pitcher Thyago Vieira from Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday. Relief pitcher Jose Ruiz had been optioned Tuesday. Vieira has pitched in parts of the last three seasons, compiling just 20 2/3 innings with the Seattle Mariners and the White Sox. In that time, he has a 6.10 ERA and 5.50... Read More

Luke Gregerson Clears Waivers

Former St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Luke Gregerson cleared waivers and has been unconditionally released, making him a free agent. It is difficult to see the 35-year-old Gregerson catch a significant role with someone else given his struggles (7.94 ERA in just 5 2/3 innings this year) and the fact that no team put a... Read More

Willie Calhoun Placed on Injured List

Texas Rangers outfielder Willie Calhoun was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a left quad strain. The Rangers recalled outfielder Delino DeShields to take Calhoun's place on the roster. DeShields has hit just .211/.318/.421 at Triple-A Nashville since his demotion, which was brought on by a .182/.321/.284 MLB line. Only fantasy owners with... Read More

Power Hitting Risers & Fallers for Week 8 - Buy or Sell?

Welcome to this week's Power Hitting Risers & Fallers. All stats are full season through Monday, May 20th (unless otherwise noted). It's that time of year when in-season trends become apparent and full-season numbers may not tell the best story. (They may be most accurate, but they may not tell the best story.) Fortunately, the... Read More

Jeremy Hellickson To Injured List With Shoulder Strain

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson was placed on the injured list on Tuesday with a strained right shoulder. Pitcher Javy Guerra takes his place on the active roster. The Nationals are now without two-fifths of their Opening Day rotation with Anibal Sanchez out as well. Hellickson just pitched Sunday but the Nationals will soon... Read More

Patrick Corbin Figured Out by Mets

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Patrick Corbin, one start after dominating the New York Mets, was less successful against the same club on Monday. In five innings, he allowed four runs on six hits and three walks, striking out seven. You win some, you lose some, but on the whole, Corbin has been about all the... Read More

Ryan Zimmerman, Matt Adams Nearing Return

Washington Nationals first basemen Ryan Zimmerman (plantar fasciitis) and Matt Adams (shoulder) both appear close to returning from injury. Zimmerman's foot remains sore but feels better than expected, while Adams took full batting practice on the field Monday. Zimmerman and Adams make up not quite a platoon at first base, as when both are healthy... Read More

The Cut List (Week 8) - Time to Let Go?

May is half over. That's scarcely believable, but it's true. Much more believable but equally true: there are plenty of players that should be axed. April showers can't bring May flowers for everyone, and some players even got that proverb mixed up: they are following up April flowers with damp May production. This analogy is... Read More

Anibal Sanchez Placed on Injured List

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez was officially placed on the 10-day injured list on Friday with a left hamstring strain, as expected. Pitcher Kyle McGowin was called up from Triple-A Fresno to replace him. Pitcher Erick Fedde is expected to take Sanchez's spot in the rotation. Despite a 3.38 ERA in 10 2/3 relief... Read More

Trea Turner Activated

As expected, Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner was activated from the 10-day injured list on Friday. Infielder Wilmer Difo was optioned to Triple-A to make room. Turner only played in four games before breaking his finger, but had already posted two home runs and four stolen bases in that span. He should be inserted back... Read More

Anibal Sanchez Headed to Injured List

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez, who was lifted from Thursday's start with a left hamstring injury, is going to the injured list. The possible extent of his stay will be better known after a scheduled MRI. Erick Fedde appears to be the likely replacement in the rotation, but neither pitcher is a fantasy asset... Read More