Yordan Alvarez (OF, HOU) - Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 31% of leagues ANALYSIS: Yordan Alvarez continues to demolish Triple-A. With another two-homer game on Thursday (he also doubled), the 21-year-old now has a ridiculous 17 bombs in 36 games. He's hitting .410/.497/.903. We're running out of superlatives for his performance at this point. The question now is when […]

Keston Hiura (2B, MIL) - Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 47% of leagues ANALYSIS: In most competitive leagues with daily moves, with the possible exception of extremely shallow formats, you may well have already missed your chance to add Keston Hiura. If not, however, he's worthy of strong consideration. The top prospect in the Brewers' system - and one […]

Brendan Rodgers (SS, COL) - Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 35% of leagues ANALYSIS: Just when you thought there couldn't possibly be any more prospects called up to the majors this week, here comes Brendan Rodgers. The Rockies' newest rookie has hit a blistering .356/.421/.644 at Triple-A this year, with nine home runs and 55 R+BI in 35 games. […]

Roenis Elias (RP, SEA) - Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 32% of Yahoo! leagues ANALYSIS: The Mariners have rotated through a handful of different closers ever since Hunter Strickland went on the injured list after the third game of the season. The one who has impressed the most is journeyman left-hander Roenis Elias, who is sporting a […]

Felix Pena (SP/RP, LAA) - Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 9% of Yahoo! leagues ANALYSIS: Los Angeles Angels pitcher Felix Pena has continued to thrive in LA's new "bulldog" role, where he comes in after an opener throws the first inning or two. Since converting into a bulldog, Pena has gone 2-0 with a 2.95 ERA and […]

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 […]

Logan Forsythe (1B/2B/3B, TEX) - Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 6% of Yahoo! leagues ANALYSIS: Elvis Andrus' injury has freed up veteran infielder Logan Forsythe for a full-time job, at least for the time being. Forsythe has crushed the ball so far this season, posting a .320/.418/.534 slash line along with three home runs, 21 RBI and […]

Anthony Rizzo Returns Friday

Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (back) is returning to the starting lineup on Friday and is hitting third against Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer. Rizzo has been out since last Saturday with a stiff back, but you'll want to return him to your lineups on Friday, even in the tough matchup against Mad Max. […]

Dawel Lugo (2B, DET) - Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 0% of Yahoo! leagues ANALYSIS: The Detroit Tigers made a surprise move earlier this week, demoting struggling third baseman Jeimer Candelario to Triple-A Toledo. That allowed them to recall the hot-hitting Dawel Lugo, who manager Ron Gardenhire stated would be the team's primary third baseman going forward. […]

Ronny Rodriguez (1B/2B/SS/3B, DET) - Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 30% of Yahoo! leagues ANALYSIS: The Tigers have gotten quite a performance out of Ronny Rodriguez, an unheralded utility infielder who didn't do much with the bat last year. 2019 has been a different story however, as the shortstop is slashing a tidy .294/.337/.671 with six home […]

Matt Beaty, Kyle Garlick Coming Up For Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers are calling up utility player Matt Beaty and outfielder Kyle Garlick from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday with starting pitcher Kenta Maeda (thigh) going on the injured list. It's Beaty's second call-up, while it's the first for Garlick. Beatty, the team's No. 29 prospect per MLB Pipeline, was hitting .299 in […]

Nelson Cruz Placed On Injured List

The Minnesota Twins placed designated hitter Nelson Cruz (wrist) on the 10-day injured list on Friday with a sore left wrist and recalled second baseman Luis Arraez from Triple-A Rochester in a corresponding move. Cruz missed the last five games after aggravating his left wrist on Saturday, but an MRI exam showed no serious damage. […]

Jesse Winker Out Against Lefty

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jesse Winker is not in the starting lineup on Friday against Dodgers left-handed starting pitcher Rich Hill. Jose Peraza is starting in left field and is hitting eighth, while Kyle Farmer is at the keystone and batting sixth. Neither Peraza nor Farmer have done much of anything at the plate this year […]

Twins Calling Up Luis Arraez

The Minnesota Twins are calling up second baseman Luis Arraez from Triple-A Rochester on Friday. The 22-year-old, ranked as the team's No. 17 prospect by MLB Pipeline, is a two-time minor league batting champion. He went 5-for-14 at Rochester but hit .344 with no homers, six doubles and a triple in 160 at-bats for Double-A […]

Alex Gordon Leaning Toward Playing In 2020

Kansas City Royals outfielder Alex Gordon said that he's currently 60-40 toward returning for another season in 2020. He has a $23 million mutual option for the 2020 season that will certainly be declined for a $4 million buyout. The 35-year-old has had a renaissance this year so far after switching to a more upright, […]

Sandy Leon Goes On Paternity Leave

The Boston Red Sox placed catcher Sandy Leon on the paternity list on Friday and called up catcher Oscar Hernandez from the minors in a corresponding move. Pitcher Chandler Shepard was designated for assignment to open a spot on the 40-man roster for Hernandez. Leon could be out a maximum of three games on the […]

Clayton Richard To Go On Rehab Assignment

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Clayton Richard (knee) will not start for the Blue Jays on Saturday but will instead make at least one rehab start in the minor leagues before making his season debut. The 35-year-old left-hander has yet to pitch in the majors this year. He went 7-11 with a 5.33 ERA, 1.38 […]

Keon Broxton Unhappy With Playing Time

New York Mets outfielder Keon Broxton expressed his frustration with his lack of playing time on Thursday. He struck out swinging as a pinch-hitter to end the game to drop his average to .143 and OPS to .371. "I’m not here to make excuses or anything," Broxton said afterward. "I think everybody in this game […]

Kenta Maeda Going On Injured List With Thigh Injury

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Kenta Maeda (thigh) is going on the injured list as a precaution after he fouled a ball off his thigh in his last at-bat on Wednesday night. Maeda struck out 12 Padres in the win on Wednesday and is 5-2 with a 3.51 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 52 strikeouts in […]

Jordan Zimmermann Out At Least A Month

Detroit Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said that starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann (elbow) is also dealing with a muscle strain in addition to his elbow injury. The veteran right-hander is on schedule for a gradual rehab. "We're still looking at probably a month here," Gardenhire said. Zimmermann is 0-4 on the season with a dreadful 5.93 […]

Tyler Naquin Dealing With Knee Issue

Cleveland Indians outfielder Tyler Naquin (calf, knee), who is on the injured list, is also dealing with swelling behind his knee after undergoing an MRI exam. Manager Terry Francona said it will be around two weeks before he can resume baseball activities. Naquin had performed admirably in limited playing time for the Tribe, hitting .278 […]

Merrill Kelly Gets Juicy Matchup on Friday

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly could be a diamond in the rough in terms of starting pitchers on Friday night. Kelly will take on the San Francisco Giants in his home park, pitcher-friendly Chase Field. The Giants have been one of the worst offenses in all of baseball this season, ranking 26th in the league […]

Dustin Pedroia Expected To Begin Rehab Assignment Friday

Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (knee) is expected to restart his rehab assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket on Friday. He'll give it another try after being pulled off his last rehab assignment with lingering knee soreness, although he thankfully didn't have any structural damage. The 35-year-old just doesn't seem to have much left in […]

Jacob deGrom Looks to Keep it Rolling Friday

New York Mets right-hander Jacob deGrom will look to replicate his performance from last start on Friday against the Miami Marlins. DeGrom dominated Miami in his last outing, tossing seven innings of one-run ball to go along with eight strikeouts. In two starts against Miami this year, the righty is 2-0 with a 0.64 ERA […]

Aramis Garcia Optioned, Buster Posey Expected Back Friday

The San Francisco Giants optioned catcher Aramis Garcia back to Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday, meaning Buster Posey (concussion) is expected to return from the concussion injured list on Friday. The 32-year-old Posey isn't an elite offensive player like he was in his prime, but he's still valuable in single-catcher leagues with his .245/.308/.406 slash line, […]

J.D. Davis To Start In Left Field Friday

New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway said that third baseman J.D. Davis will start in left field on Friday night against the Marlins and starting pitcher Trevor Richards. It will be Davis' first start in the outfield this year and just the fourth of his career. Keon Broxton has one hit in his last 25 […]

Max Scherzer Faces Difficult Test on Friday

Washington Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer will toe the rubber on Friday against the Chicago Cubs at home. Scherzer has not gotten off to a great start, at least in terms of ERA. The veteran sports a 2-4 record with a 3.64 ERA, but his advanced stats paint a more optimistic picture. Scherzer's FIP sits at […]

Carlos Gomez To Join Mets

The New York Mets are expected to select the contract of Carlos Gomez from Triple-A Syracuse on Friday. Gomez is hitting .270 with six home runs and 22 RBI in 35 games thus far with the Syracuse Mets. The veteran outfielder should see playing time right away with the injuries to Michael Conforto (concussion) and […]