Shohei Ohtani Moves up in Batting Order

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani has moved up one spot in the batting order for Friday's game against the Royals. Ohtani has hit eighth so far this season, but will hit seventh on Friday against right-hander Jason Hammel, with Andrelton Simmons dropping down to eighth. Ohtani was intentionally walked on Thursday, which forced […]

Charlie Blackmon Out Of Lineup

Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon is sitting once again on Friday night. Blackmon continues to sit with quad tightness, but reporters saw him testing it on the field with trainers before the game. He's expected to be a day-to-day decision moving forward, but all indications are that he will avoid a disabled list stint at […]

Jason Vargas To Throw Another Simulated Game

New York Mets starting pitcher Jason Vargas will throw another simulated game next Tuesday. After that, he’ll be set to throw in a minor league rehab game. Thus, assuming all goes well it looks as though we’re roughly two weeks away from Vargas’ Mets debut after injuring his hand during spring training. Perhaps most notably, […]

Michael Brantley Out of the Lineup on Friday

Cleveland Indians outfielder Michael Brantley is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Brantley was always expected to get more days off than a usual outfielder thanks to his injury history and the fact that he's returning from a major ankle procedure. Rajai Davis is in left, Bradley Zimmer is […]

Braves Waiting For Johan Camargo and Ronald Acuna To Heat Up A Bit

Both Atlanta Braves third baseman Johan Camargo and outfielder Ronald Acuna are healthy. That's not why the front office is balking at calling them up right away from Triple-A Gwinnett - they have struggled at the plate thanks to being in a nine-day lull between spring training and the minor league season. All their timing […]

Brandon McCarthy Looks To Make Next Start On Tuesday

When you hear the words partially dislocated shoulder, you tend to think of time missed. Fortunately for Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy, it was his non-throwing shoulder. McCarthy did his usual workout routine Friday and hopes to make his scheduled start on Tuesday. That would be at home against the Phillies. McCarthy is more […]

Travis d’Arnaud To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

On Thursday, New York Mets catcher Travis d’Arnaud (elbow) was diagnosed with a partially torn UCL. There had been some thought that d’Arnaud may opt for rehab instead of Tommy John surgery, but alas, that is not the case. d’Arnaud has elected to undergo the surgery, which will sideline him for the rest of the […]

Blue Jays Placing Josh Donaldson On DL, Teoscar Hernandez Coming Up

The Toronto Blue Jays placed third baseman Josh Donaldson (shoulder) on the 10-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation on Friday and recalled outfielder Teoscar Hernandez from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. Donaldson also dealt with shoulder problems this spring, so it's a troubling development for the power hitter. However, it's unclear how long […]

Ian Kennedy Continues To Baffle

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Ian Kennedy only allowed one run through six innings on Thursday against the Angels, and that helped bring his ERA to a paltry 1.00 through three starts this season. He only has one win to show for the effort, but he has no power over his offense's performance. The good […]

Brandon Maurer Optioned To Triple-A

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Brandon Maurer got his chance to shut down Japanese phenom Shohei Ohtani in a big situation, and instead he served up a meatball on Thursday. Maurer gave up a bases-clearing triple to Ohtani that put the game out of reach, and afterward, he was quickly demoted to Triple-A Omaha in […]

DJ LeMahieu Has Offensive Explosion

Colorado Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu may be known for his singles, but he channeled some serious power on Thursday. LeMahieu filled in as the leadoff hitter as Charlie Blackmon sat out the game, and he filled in admirably by popping two home runs and two doubles in the game. LeMahieu finished 4-for-5, and the […]

Michael Pineda Throwing Up To 120 Feet

Minnesota Twins right-hander Michael Pineda (elbow) is making progress in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. After throwing at 90 feet earlier in the week, Pineda is now up to 120 feet in his throwing drills. He will continue with his throwing drills for another week, then take two weeks off before continuing with his […]

Chad Bettis Mows Down Nationals

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Chad Bettis continued his hot start on Thursday by flying through the Washington Nationals. The cancer survivor made quick work of the Nats as he turned in seven innings while only allowing one run on three hits and two walks. Bettis struck out five and lowered his ERA to 2.04. Owners […]

JC Ramirez to Undergo Tommy John Surgery on Tuesday

As has been expected, Los Angeles Angels right-hander JC Ramirez (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery on Tuesday. He will miss the rest of the 2018 season. This is a big blow to LA's rotation that is expected to have six pitchers throughout the year. With Matt Shoemaker on the disabled list as well, the […]

David Dahl Placed On Disabled List

Colorado Rockies outfielder and popular fantasy sleeper David Dahl was placed on the seven-day disabled list at Triple-A Albuquerque with "an illness." Dahl is once of a host of stud prospects the Rockies refuse to call up while instead stocking their roster with veterans like Ian Desmond, Gerardo Parra, and Carlos Gonzalez. While Dahl has […]

Charlie Blackmon Still Expected To Avoid DL

Though he missed his third game in a row with quadriceps tightness on Thursday, Colorado Rockies center fielder Charlie Blackmon is still not expected to hit the disabled list. Both Blackmon and Rockies trainers reported that he had shown great improvement and is expected back in the lineup any day now. Blackmon should get right […]

Bruce Maxwell Pleads Guilty To Disorderly Conduct

Oakland Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell pled guilty to disorderly conduct, according to the San Francisco Chronicle staff. On June 4, he will be sentenced to probation and community service. Maxwell was indicted by a grand jury Nov. 7 on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and disorderly conduct. Maxwell could still face discipline […]

Mets and Marlins Have Talked J.T. Realmuto

Given the injuries to catchers Travis d’Arnaud and Kevin Plawecki, this isn’t surprising news, but the 10-1 New York Mets have spoken to the rebuilding Miami Marlins about catcher J.T. Realmuto. Mike Puma of the New York Post says it would take a “haul” to land Realmuto, but keep in mind the Marlins didn’t land […]

Aaron Blair Will See Dr. James Andrews

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Aaron Blair, who was pitching in Triple-A Gwinnett, was put on the disabled list there due to a shoulder injury. He's going to see Dr. James Andrews on Monday. That usually tends to not bode well for a fast recovery, and the words "Tommy John" are often bandied around. We'll have […]

Jose Martinez Drives in Six Runs on Thursday

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Jose Martinez had an outstanding game on Thursday, going 4-for-5 with a run scored and six RBI. He also drew a walk on the evening. Martinez had a home run, two doubles, and a single in the excellent effort. He's now hitting .364 with a 1.056 OPS and 14 RBI. […]

Anthony Rizzo Expected To Return Monday

Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (back) is expected to return from the disabled list Monday versus the Cardinals. Rizzo has been sidelined since last Friday with back stiffness, and manager Joe Maddon believes that Rizzo would be able to play Friday if he was eligible. Get ready to plug Rizzo back into all fantasy […]

Albert Almora Scratched From Friday’s Lineup

Chicago Cubs outfielder Albert Almora (illness) has been scratched from Friday’s lineup with an illness. It’s a shame for Almora, who rarely draws starts versus right-handed pitching and would have Friday. Outfielder Ian Happ will replace Almora and bat first. Almora is day-to-day.

Bradley Zimmer Gets Three Hits on Thursday

Cleveland Indians outfielder Bradley Zimmer recorded three hits on Thursday, finishing 3-for-4 with a run scored. All three of Zimmer's hits were singles, raising his batting average to .250. Everyone on the Cleveland roster has had a slow start offensively, but Thursday's 15-hit outburst may have been the start of something good.

Bryce Harper Goes Hitless

Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper went 0-for-4 against the Rockies on Thursday, striking out three times. It's a sharp reversal of fortune for Harper, who hit six home runs in seven days just last week. He's now gone 2-for-14 over his last four games. Two of the strikeouts were on changeups, so it's possible that […]

Jason Kipnis Records Three Hits on Thursday

Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis had a great game on Thursday, finishing 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored. Kipnis had a double and two singles on the evening, lifting his batting average to .160. It's been a slow start to the season for the entire Cleveland offense, but especially for Kipnis. Perhaps […]

Anthony Swarzak Still A Few Weeks Away

New York Mets relief pitcher Anthony Swarzak has missed about two weeks with a left oblque strain, but according to assistant general manager John Ricco, he’s still “weeks away” from getting back. This isn’t totally unexpected, as oblique injuries tend to be on the trickier side of things. You’d never know the Mets were hurting […]

Mike Trout Homers Again

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout stayed red-hot at the plate, blasting another home run in Thursday's win over the Royals. Trout is 8-for-17 with three home runs in his last few games. The Angels are the league's hottest-hitting team, and Trout is right in the middle of it. Enjoy it while it lasts, which […]

Francisco Lindor Scores Three Times and Drives in Three Runs on Thursday

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor had a strong game on Thursday, finishing 2-for-4 with three runs scored and three RBI. Lindor cranked a home run to start the game and a two-run double later on. It's been a slow start to the season for Lindor, but Thursday's game could be the start of a hot […]

Ian Kinsler Homers in Return

Los Angeles Angels second baseman Ian Kinsler led off Thursday's game with a home run, his first of the year. It was his 47th career leadoff home run, fourth all time. Kinsler just returned from a groin injury but looks all set to go and contribute across all categories. He's a strong second base option […]

Mike Mayers Earns His First Career Save on Thursday

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Mike Mayers picked up the first save of his career on Thursday. There's nothing to worry about here for Greg Holland owners, though, as Mayers' save was of the three-inning variety. He was called up to finish up a 13-4 win for St. Louis and did so by tossing three […]