Jeurys Familia Records Four-Out Save

Throughout spring training, new New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway consistently communicated that the team would play the ninth inning by matchup, and not necessarily have a set closer. We never expected that to last, but even this early on, through two games Jeurys Familia has pitched the ninth inning on both occasions. On Sunday, […]

Yoenis Cespedes Hits First 2018 Homer

After battling a minor shoulder issue during spring training, health was just about the only thing fantasy owners were concerned about when it came to New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. After two games thus far, Cespedes looks pretty darn healthy. In a 6-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday, Yo finished 1-for-2 […]

Jacob DeGrom Effective In Debut

New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom had an effective, albeit not an extended, outing in his 2018 debut. DeGrom threw five 2/3 innings, allowing only one earned run on four hits and a walk while striking out seven in a 6-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. DeGrom found himself with a bit of […]

Ian Kinsler Hits the DL

Los Angeles Angels second baseman Ian Kinsler (groin) was placed on the 10-day DL, retroactive to March 30. Angels General Manager hopes it will only be a minimum stay for the veteran second baseman. In his stead, Luis Valbuena will man third base and Zack Cozart will slide over to second base and bat leadoff. […]

Jorge Soler Out Of Saturday's Lineup

Kansas City Royals outfielder Jorge Soler is sitting on Saturday versus the White Sox. Soler is tagged to be the team's starting right fielder, but he'll be replaced by Paulo Orlando in the second game of the season. While Orlando isn't much competition, Soler's track record doesn't buy him a very long leash as a […]

Tyler Anderson Lit Up By DBacks

Colorado Rockies starter Tyler Anderson was battered by the Arizona offense on Friday, surrendering seven earned runs in just 2 and 1/3 innings. Anderson gave up five runs in the first, and he would fail to make it out of the third inning as he was replaced by Antonio Senzatela. Though the Rockies would mount […]

Ian Desmond Goes Yard

Friday night, Colorado Rockies first baseman/outfielder Ian Desmond knocked one out of the park for the first time in 2018. Desmond is coming off a lost season due to injury, but he looks to be fully healthy so far this year as he's already smacked three hits in his first two games. While top prospects […]

DJ LeMahieu Quickly Filling Stat Sheets

Colorado Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu has been the epitome of an empty-average player for the last few years. He's only stolen more than 11 bases or topped eight home runs once in the last four years, but he's off to a quick start in 2018. A day after cracking his first homer on Opening […]

Javier Baez Out Of Saturday’s Lineup

The Chicago Cubs will rest second baseman Javier Baez on Saturday. Utilityman Ben Zobrist will start in place of Baez and bat seventh. Zobrist started last night’s thriller and went 3-for-7. He is worth a look in daily leagues tonight, but figured to be in and out of the Cubs lineup this year and is […]

Charlie Blackmon Knocks First Homer

Colorado Rockies center fielder and MVP-candidate Charlie Blackmon hit his first homer of the season on Friday. Blackmon's 3-run blast tied the game at 7-7 after Colorado had to dig out of a 5-run hole in the first inning. Blackmon is coming off an incredible year in 2017, and he'll be looking to put up […]

Kyle Lohse Signed By Royals To Minor-League Deal

The Kansas City Royals announced that they have signed starting pitcher Kyle Lohse to a minor-league deal. Lohse is now 39-years-old and hasn't pitched in the majors since 2016, but the Royals desperately need starting pitching depth. It remains to be seen whether Lohse will make an appearance in the majors, but fantasy owners should […]

Nate Karns To The Bullpen When He Returns

The Kansas City Royals still have pitcher Nate Karns on the shelf for elbow inflammation, but manager Ned Yost revealed that once he does return, Karns will likely be heading to the bullpen. Karns has usually worked as a starter in the past, but after the team has had great success with converting previous starters […]

Juan Centeno to Start Behind the Plate for the Rangers Saturday

Texas Rangers backup catcher Juan Centeno will start in place of Robinson Chirinos on Saturday against the Astros. The journeyman is a capable receiver, but less so at the plate. A career .254/.304/.348 hitter, Centeno doesn't bring any upside to fantasy and is just there to be a good defensive player when their starter needs […]

Elvis Andrus to Lead Off Saturday

With Texas Rangers outfielder Delino Deshields sitting Saturday against the Astros, the Rangers will slot shortstop Elvis Andrus into the leadoff role. Andrus has started the season on an absolute tear, hitting .571/.625/.714 in his first seven at-bats. It's early obviously, but he's crushing at the moment. Bringing good speed to the table, Andrus is […]

Delino DeShields Has Broken Hamate Bone

Texas Rangers outfielder and lead-off man Delino DeShields (hand) has a fracture in his hamate bone. He injured it in his last at-bat on Friday night. DeShields will miss significant time, likely 6-8 weeks, and was seen as a potentially huge source of runs and steals. The team will spell Ryan Rua and Drew Robinson […]

Angels Add Ben Revere on Minor League Deal

The Los Angeles Angels have added outfielder Ben Revere on a minor league deal. Revere spent 2017 with the Angels, stealing 21 bases and hitting .275 in a part time role. He is not likely to see the field much this season however, with Chris Young locked in as the fourth outfielder. If injuries strike […]

Blake Parker Earns Save

The question has been finally resolved, as Los Angeles Angels reliever Blake Parker was used in LA's first save situation of the year. He was very strong in the role last year, but struggled this spring leading to questions about his ability to stay in the role. He struggled in his first save opportunity, giving […]

Tyler Skaggs Masterful in First Start

Los Angeles Angels starter Tyler Skaggs was masterful in his first start of the season, firing 6 1/3 scoreless innings. He surrendered three hits and no walks, while striking out five. Skaggs got a couple boosts from his stellar defense, but overall looked like the pitcher the Angels hoped he could be when they acquired […]

Ian Kinsler Sitting on Saturday

Los Angeles Angels second baseman Ian Kinsler (fatigue) was removed from Friday's game. He is not in the lineup for Saturday's contest, although that was pre-planned as the team wants to give him plenty of rest as he recovers from a groin injury. Once again, Zack Cozart will bat leadoff and play second base in […]

Shelby Miller Aiming For June Return

Injured Diamondbacks starter Shelby Miller is aiming to return to the rotation in June following Tommy John surgery last season. Miller hasn't pitched a regular season game since last April, when he tore his UCL in a game against the Dodgers. His rehab is reportedly going well, as he threw his sixth bullpen session on […]

Kenley Jansen Throws Slower Cutter, Gives Up Go-Ahead Home Run

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen, (like fellow top-ranked closers Brad Hand and Felipe Rivero) had a no-good Friday by giving up a solo home run to Joe Panik in the ninth inning. Perhaps most troubling was the diminished velocity on Jansen's signature pitch, the cutter. His 12 pitches averaged 89.3 mph and the fastest […]

Josh Donaldson To DH A Few More Days

Toronto Blue Jay third baseman Josh Donaldson served as the team’s designated hitter on Friday; he’s expected to remain in that role for at least a few more days in an attempt to recover from the “dead arm” he’s currently suffering from. In comical fashion, Donaldson short-armed several throws from third base on Opening Day, […]

Alex Wood Throws One-Hitter Out Of The Stretch

Los Angeles Dodgers starter Alex Wood threw eight excellent innings on Friday night, giving up only one hit and striking out seven. He walked no batters. Normally such an outing would guarantee a win, but Giants starter Johnny Cueto matched Wood, giving up only one hit himself in seven innings. The game marked the first […]

Michael Taylor And Ryan Zimmerman Sit Out Saturday

Washington Nationals outfielder Michael Taylor and first baseman Ryan Zimmerman will sit out Saturday's contest against right-hander Luis Castillo and the Cincinnati Reds. Brian Goodwin will man center field and bat seventh, while Matt Adams will play first and bat cleanup. The move is designed to give both Taylor and Zimmerman some rest and keep […]

A.J. Pollock Drives in Two Runs Friday

Diamondbacks outfielder A.J. Pollock went 2-for-4 with a double, triple two RBI and a stolen base in Friday's 9-8 win over the Rockies. Days like these show the kind of upside owners dream of when they draft Pollock. When healthy, Pollock is a five category contributor who can provide first round value. His injury risk […]

Brad Boxberger Picks Up First Save

Newly minted Diamondbacks closer Brad Boxberger picked up his first save of the season on Friday night. In his inning of work, Boxberger struck out two batters and walked one. It was a great start for the former Ray, who shut the door against one of the leagues most potent offenses. With the Arizona offense […]

Nick Ahmed Drives in Five Runs In Victory

Diamondbacks shortstop Nick Ahmed was the catalyst in Friday's 9-8 win over the Rockies, going 3-for-4 with a home run and five RBI. Known more for his defense than his hitting, Ahmed surprised everyone with a career day at the plate. This type of offense isn't something owners should expect from Ahmed on a regular […]

Robbie Ray Wins Despite Poor Outing

Diamondbacks starter Robbie Ray picked up his first victory of 2018 despite a very poor outing. Ray surrendered seven runs (six earned) on seven hits and three walks over five innings pitched. Just like Patrick Corbin before him, Ray was hurt by the long ball, as the three home runs accounted for all of the […]

Wil Myers is Day-to-Day with a Sore Back

The Athletic's Padres beat writer Dennis Lin reports that Wil Myers will be day-to-day with a sore back. Myers was pinch-run for in the seventh inning after hitting a leadoff single. It doesn't appear that this will cause him to miss a significant amount of time, but owners should keep an eye on his playing […]

Doug Fister Throws Five Strong Innings in Win

Texas Rangers starter Doug Fister threw five innings of one-run ball in the Rangers first win of the season. That he was so effective against the vaunted Houston Astros lineup is not insignificant. Fister went from unheralded free agent to the Rangers No. 2 starter thanks to injury and lack of talent in the rotation, […]