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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Michael Conforto Pulled After Outfield Collision

New York Mets outfielder Michael Conforto came out of Thursday's game in the fifth inning after colliding with second baseman Robinson Cano on a popup. Cano's shoulder hit Conforto in the face. Conforto brought a .268/.404/.500 line into the contest and hit a three-run homer, his ninth, earlier in the game. If Conforto and Jeff […]

Leury Garcia Returns, Tim Anderson Off

Chicago White Sox outfielder Leury Garcia, after missing games on Monday and Tuesday with a back issue, and an off day Wednesday, is back in the lineup at his usual leadoff spot. Garcia is batting .286/.329/.364 with one home run and five steals in 36 games in 2019, making him a decent asset in deeper […]

Jeff McNeil Pulled With Abdominal Tightness

New York Mets outfielder/infielder Jeff McNeil was removed from Thursday's game in what the team is calling a precautionary measure over abdominal tightness. Juan Lagares replaced McNeil in the lineup. McNeil has produced a surprise .352 batting average this season with 20 runs scored, two home runs, and 14 RBI. The Mets and McNeil's fantasy […]

Carlos Gonzalez In, Oscar Mercado Out of Lineup Thursday

Cleveland Indians outfielder Carlos Gonzalez is the designated hitter and batting cleanup on Thursday while outfielder Oscar Mercado sits. Despite calling up Mercado on Tuesday and immediately inserting him in the lineup over Gonzalez, it does not appear the Indians are completely ready to give up on the veteran yet. Mercado struck out three times […]

Mallex Smith Recalled From Triple-A

Seattle Mariners outfielder Mallex Smith was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday. Smith was a popular player in draft season but only posted a .165/.255/.247 slash line before being demoted. He hit .333/.375/.467 at Tacoma in 48 plate appearances and now finds himself back with the big league club. If Smith was dropped in your […]

Anibal Sanchez Pulled From Start

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez was pulled from his start on Thursday after just 1 1/3 innings due to an apparent injury. Sanchez was animated in his frustration, so this may not be a minor injury, but it won't be apparent until after the game what exactly went wrong. After a successful 2018 campaign, […]

Jason Vargas to Make Rehab Start

New York Mets starting pitcher Jason Vargas is set to make a rehab start on Sunday at Double-A Binghamton as he recovers from a hamstring injury. Vargas has struggled this season to a 1-2 mark with a 5.92 ERA and 5.73 FIP in 24 1/3 innings. Vargas has not been good for the Mets since […]

Richard Bleier Activated, Jimmy Yacabonis Optioned

The Baltimore Orioles did some bullpen shuffling Thursday, activating relief pitcher Richard Bleier from the 10-day injured list and sending pitcher Jimmy Yacabonis to Triple-A Norfolk. Bleier earned his first career save on April 1, but only has a 14.54 ERA in 4 1/3 innings this season. Even if he works his way into more […]