Miguel Castro Locks Down First Save Of 2020

Baltimore Orioles right-hander Miguel Castro worked the ninth inning of Saturday's win over the Nationals, picking up his first save of the season. While it’s unclear if Castro has permanently supplanted right-hander Cole Sulser, he has now compiled 10 strikeouts across 7 ⅓ scoreless innings out of relief this season. A stalwart of the Baltimore […]

Huascar Ynoa Set To Make First Major League Start Sunday

Atlanta Braves right-handed pitcher Huascar Ynoa has been tabbed to start the first game of Sunday’s doubleheader against the Phillies, which will mark the first big league start of his career. Atlanta’s pitching staff has been in flux since ace Mike Soroka went down earlier in the week with an Achilles tear, ending his season. […]

Ryan O'Hearn Exits Early Due To Shin Injury

Kansas City Royals first baseman Ryan O'Hearn departed Saturday’s contest against the Twins early due to a right shin contusion, having been replaced by Franchy Cordero in the lineup. O’Hearn reached base in all three of his plate appearances Saturday, bringing his on-base percentage on the season up to .359 with eight RBI to his […]

Ryan Braun Won’t Be Activated Sunday, Need For AB’s Cited

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder/designated hitter Ryan Braun is continuing to progress from the index finger infection on his right hand that landed him on the injured list, but he will not be activated ahead of Sunday’s game against Cincinnati. Manager Craig Counsell cited Braun’s lack of at-bats dating back to Summer Camp as a reason for […]

Max Muncy Playing Through Fractured Finger

Los Angeles Dodgers first/second baseman Max Muncy revealed Saturday that he sustained a fractured ring finger on his left hand during Summer Camp, an ailment that he has played through up to this point. Muncy’s 67 plate appearances entering play Saturday leads the Majors, but his .182 batting average has been vastly below expectations. Muncy […]

Jesse Winker Exits Saturday Following HBP On Elbow

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jesse Winker departed Saturday’s contest against Milwaukee after having been hit in the right elbow by a pitch. Travis Jankowski entered the game to take his place in the outfield, while also serving as a candidate to see increased playing time should Winker’s absence last beyond Saturday. After having reached base on […]

Giancarlo Stanton Likely Headed To IL With Hamstring Injury

New York Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton left the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader against the Rays due hamstring tightness. Manager Aaron Boone said after the game that he believes a stint on the 10-day injured list is in Stanton’s future. Stanton served as the designated hitter for both legs of the DH, having been replaced […]

Ken Giles Feeling Better, But Still Hasn’t Played Catch

Since July 26, Toronto Blue Jays closer Ken Giles has been shut down to right elbow soreness. Manager Charlie Montoyo said Saturday that while Giles hasn’t progressed enough to even play catch, he indicated that the right-hander was feeling vastly better as he does arm and running exercises. Still, that update indicates that if Giles […]

Trevor Rosenthal Pushing Ian Kennedy For Closer’s Role

The Kansas City Royals appear to be utilizing the duo of Trevor Rosenthal and Ian Kennedy as their closer to begin the 2020 year. Manager Mike Matheny has demurred as it pertains to naming one man to the role after Rosenthal locked down the save Friday, his second of the year. If owners are in […]

Steven Brault To Start Sunday, Joe Musgrove Scratched

Pittsburgh Pirates left-handed pitcher Steven Brault will get pushed up to start Sunday against the Tigers due to a sore ankle that has been bothering right-hander Joe Musgrove, who has been scratched. Brault appeared out of relief Friday, but threw just 32 pitches without recording an out. In three appearances (two starts) in 2020, Brault […]

Oscar Mercado Not A Feasible Fantasy Asset In 2020

Cleveland Indians outfielder Oscar Mercado was a top 150 draft choice in most formats entering the 2020 season, but after his treacherous 13-game start, he can no longer be rostered in any sized format. It’s tough to have seen such a precipitous drop off coming from a player that hit 15 home runs and stole […]

Wade Miley Expected To Make Return Next Week

Cincinnati Reds left-handed pitcher Wade Miley is slated to rejoin the starting rotation for either Tuesday or Wednesday’s contest against the Royals, per manager David Bell. Miley has made just one start this season before hitting the injured list with a groin strain. Not much went right in that one outing, as he yielded six […]

Jake Diekman Picks Up Fourth Hold

Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Jake Diekman allowed one hit and picked up one strikeout while earning his fourth hold of the season Saturday vs Houston. Diekman has been the A's primary setup man for closer Liam Hendriks and has been stellar thus far in 2020. Diekman has a 36 percent strikeout rate and is among […]

Eduardo Escobar Has Seen Extra-Base Power Zapped In 2020

Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eduardo Escobar was an extra-base-hitting savant last season, amassing 74 such hits in 158 games. But through his first 14 games of 2020, he has just two extra-base hits, with his OPS+ sitting at a paltry 39. Of the 39 batted balls that he has put into play this season, Escobar […]

Marcus Semien Has Big Afternoon Saturday

Oakland Athletics shortstop Marcus Semien filled the stat-sheet Saturday with a big game vs the Astros. Semien went 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored, and a stolen base in the all-around strong performance. Semien has gotten off to a slow start this season but has had back-to-back multi-hit games and still bats leadoff […]

Rafael Montero (RP, TEX) - Week 4 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 3% of leagues ANALYSIS: Rafael Montero was activated off the injured list on Friday and promptly added his name to the seemingly never-ending list of pitchers who have recorded a save in 2020, striking out two in a clean ninth inning. The Texas Rangers are more likely […]

Eric Hosmer Activated Off IL, Rejoins Lineup Saturday

San Diego Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer has been activated from the injured list ahead of Saturday’s contest against the D-backs and right-hander Merrill Kelly. Hosmer has been out of the lineup since July 28 as he has battled gastritis, but he rejoins the starting nine to hit fifth Saturday, allowing rookie Jake Cronenworth to […]

Matt Chapman Stays Hot Vs Houston

Oakland Athletics third baseman Matt Chapman went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in a win vs the Astros Saturday. After a slow start, Chapman has been hot lately with eight hits in his last seven games and six runs scored in that span. Chapman is still batting just .211, but he's making […]

Gerrit Cole Strikes Out 10 On Saturday

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole allowed three runs over 4.2 innings while striking out 10 against the Rays on Saturday. A two-run home run from Jose Martinez bruised what was otherwise an excellent outing from Cole, in which the pitcher posted an impressive 21.5% swinging-strike rate, including a 20% swinging-strike rate on his […]

Yusei Kikuchi (SP, SEA) - Week 4 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 14% of leagues ANALYSIS: The Seattle Mariners signed Yusei Kikuchi prior to the 2019 season and his debut year was a disappointment, ending with a 6-11 record and a 5.46 ERA in 161.2 IP. You may be forgiven for thinking this year is going to be similar with a 5.28 […]

Rhys Hoskins Off To Ice Cold Start In 2020

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins has gotten off to an underwhelming start during the shortened 2020 campaign. While his walk rate remains terrific (29%), Hoskins amassed just one extra-base hit in his first seven games, still searching for his first home run. The .167 xBA is a concern, as is the 68 OPS+. His […]

Liam Hendriks Picks Up Fifth Save

Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Liam Hendriks allowed a run, but picked up his fifth save of the season Saturday vs Houston. Hendriks was called on to protect a three-run lead and allowed two of the first three batters faced to reach base, one of them scoring. That was all the Astros could muster, however, as […]

Yordan Alvarez Ropes Two Doubles In Intrasquad Game

Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez has yet to make his 2020 debut as he works his way back at the team’s alternate training site. While manager Dusty Baker stated that Alvarez’s arrival was not immediate, his bat appears to be rounding into game form as he socked a pair of doubles during an intrasquad […]

Isiah Kiner-Falefa (C, 3B, TEX) - Week 4 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 15% of leagues ANALYSIS: Isiah Kiner-Falefa has catcher eligibility despite having not caught a game for the Texas Rangers in 2020. All ten of his appearances this year have come at third base but being able to start him in the catcher position of your fantasy lineups as an […]

Frankie Montas Sharp Again Vs Astros

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Frankie Montas had another strong outing Saturday as he dominated the Astros to pick up his second win of the season. Montas spun seven shutout innings with five strikeouts and only allowed two hits and no walks. Last season, Montas upped his swinging-strike rate to over 11 percent and has carried […]

Alec Bohm Promotion A Possibility In 2020

Philadelphia Phillies first/third base prospect Alec Bohm is the next major name that fans and owners are wondering about making the jump to the big league roster after Spencer Howard’s promotion for Sunday’s contest. Ranked as the No. 31 prospect in the Majors, Bohm showcased his advanced hitting tools during the Arizona Fall League in […]

Aaron Hicks (OF, NYY) - Week 4 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 13% of leagues ANALYSIS: Aaron Hicks has featured in 11 (ten starts) of the New York Yankees 13 games so far with a somewhat unsightly .188/.366/.344 slash line. Hicks has just the one home run with three RBI, four runs scored and has yet to steal a base. When […]

Phillip Evans Carted Off Field Saturday After Collision

Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Phillip Evans made his first Major League start at first base Saturday and was carted off the field after colliding with outfielder Gregory Polanco in the sixth inning. Evans caught an elbow from Polanco while the two were chasing a popup. Traditionally used as a pinch-hitter, Evans had gotten off to […]

Brian Anderson (3B, OF, MIA) - Week 4 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 24% of leagues ANALYSIS: The Covid-19 hit Miami Marlins returned to action this week and have yet to lose since their return. Despite having lots of new faces, Brian Anderson has continued to be a mainstay for the NL East surprise package. In just eight games, Anderson has […]

Pedro Strop Facing Extended Absence With Groin Injury

Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitcher Pedro Strop left Friday’s contest against Milwaukee early due to a groin ailment. Manager David Bell announced Saturday that Strop could miss an extended period of time due to the injury, zapping the little season-long fantasy intrigue that he possessed. After years of being a stalwart in the Cubs’ bullpen, Strop […]