Rowdy Tellez (1B/DH, TOR) - Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 5% of Yahoo! leagues ANALYSIS: Tellez has now played 24 games this season, just one more than he played last season when he caught a lot of people's attention as a hot-hitting September call-up. The immediate numbers don't look great. Tellez hit .314/.329/.614 in 23 games last […]

Sergio Romo (RP, MIA) - Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 35% of leagues ANALYSIS: Perhaps unsurprisingly, Sergio Romo - not trendier upside plays like Adam Conley, Drew Steckenrider, Nick Anderson, or Taysom Guerrero - has emerged as the primary ninth-inning option for Miami. He's locked down their last three save situations, with clean innings in all of those games. […]

Ty Buttrey (RP, LAA) - Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 21% of Yahoo! leagues ANALYSIS: It may be hard to believe, but it appears that manager Brad Ausmus has actually learned from previous mistakes. Known for leaving closers in the ninth inning role for far too long, Ausmus pulled the plug on the struggling Cody Allen in late-April, giving the […]

Franmil Reyes (OF, SD) - Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 34% of leagues ANALYSIS: Obviously nobody's happy with a batting average hovering around the Mendoza line, but fantasy owners ought to remain patient with Franmil Reyes. The 23-year-old slugger is clearly the favored option over Hunter Renfroe in right field and continues to regularly man the cleanup spot in […]

Michael Chavis (3B, BOS) - Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 13% of Yahoo! leagues ANALYSIS: As if you needed any more ammunition to pick up this kid, he hit another home run while I'm writing this post. As of now, Chavis is slashing a robust .250/.419/.667 with three home runs, five RBI, one stolen base and nearly […]

Rich Hill Activated, Starting on Sunday

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Rich Hill (knee) has been activated from the 10-day injured list on Sunday. This marks Hill's first start of the season as he's been sidelined all year with a lingering knee issue. He's not exactly the most reliable fantasy option out there. Fantasy owners should have a couple other options […]

Francisco Cervelli Won't Play on Sunday

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli (rest) is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. It's Sunday, so plenty of the starters around the league are getting the day off. Elias Diaz will bat sixth and draw the start behind the plate versus lefty Rich Hill. Diaz doesn't have much […]

Ben Zobrist is Resting on Sunday

Chicago Cubs infielder/outfielder Ben Zobrist (rest) is out of the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Cubs will give their veteran utility player the day off. Kris Bryant will slide over to right field and bat second versus righty Luke Weaver. Bryant is always a threat to do damage for fantasy […]

Mitch Haniger is Out on Sunday

Seattle Mariners outfielder Mitch Haniger (rest) is out of the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Texas Rangers. Haniger will get the day off to rest, so Jay Bruce will fill in over at right field. Bruce will bat fifth against righty Lance Lynn. He's going to be a solid DFS option against Lynn […]

Mitch Garver (C, MIN) - Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Two-Catcher Leagues OWNED IN: 33% of leagues ANALYSIS: Coming into the 2019 season, many expected veteran backstop Jason Castro to take a majority share of the starts and AB for the Twins at catcher, but so far it has been 28-year old New Mexico alumni Mitch Garver who has seized the helm. In […]

Buster Posey Will Sit Out on Sunday

San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (rest) is out of the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the New York Yankees. This is just a normal day off for Posey, so fantasy owners don't have to worry about any injury. Erik Kratz will draw the start behind the plate and bat eighth versus righty Domingo […]

Robinson Cano Exits Early on Sunday

New York Mets second baseman Robinson Cano (hand) was forced to exit early after getting hit by a pitch in the hand during Sunday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Cano was clearly in pain and will go for X-rays to get a better idea of the injury. Fantasy owners should have more information about the […]

Cole Tucker (SS, PIT) - Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 13% of leagues ANALYSIS: Quickly forgotten by many fantasy owners after Carter Kieboom's promotion a few days ago, Cole Tucker is an intriguing shortstop prospect in his own right. The 22-year-old has always had plus speed, but four home runs in 21 games between Triple-A and the majors […]

Asdrubal Cabrera Remains Out on Sunday

Texas Rangers infielder Asdrubal Cabrera (calf) remains out of the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Seattle Mariners. The Rangers wanted Cabrera to get back out there on Sunday, but it doesn't appear he's ready to play yet. The Rangers are off on Monday, so possibly Cabrera can get out there on Tuesday. Logan […]

Joey Gallo is Resting on Sunday

Texas Rangers first baseman Joey Gallo (rest) is out of the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Seattle Mariners. The Rangers will give Gallo two days to rest as Texas doesn't play on Monday. Danny Santana will play first base and bat sixth versus righty Erik Swanson. Santana doesn't have enough upside to use […]

Erick Fedde Recalled on Sunday

Washington Nationals pitcher Erick Fedde has been recalled from Double-A on Sunday. Ryan Zimmerman (foot) has been placed on the 10-day injured list, so Fedde was recalled in a corresponding move. Fedde used to be a top prospect, but hasn't done much with his chances at the MLB level. Most fantasy owners can afford to […]

Jon Duplantier Recalled on Sunday

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Jon Duplantier has been recalled from Triple-A Reno on Sunday. Righty Matt Koch has been designated for assignment after an awful start to the season. Koch had a 9.15 ERA in a little over 20 innings of work. Duplantier has nasty stuff, so he could fit in the bullpen or rotation. He's […]

Ryan Zimmerman Lands on Injured List

Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman (foot) has been placed on the 10-day injured list. Zimmerman is dealing with plantar fasciitis in his right foot. That is an issue that can only really be fixed by rest, so the Nats made the right call here. Matt Adams will cover first base on Sunday and bat […]

Ian Kinsler Sitting Out on Sunday

San Diego Padres second baseman Ian Kinsler (rest) is out of the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Washington Nationals. It appears this is just a normal off day for the veteran slugger. Greg Garcia will cover second base and bat second versus righty Jeremy Hellickson. Garcia won't have much upside in DFS contests […]

Ender Inciarte is Sitting Against Lefty

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ender Inciarte (rest) is out of the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Colorado Rockies. Inciarte will sit out versus lefty Tyler Anderson, which is not surprising to see. Ronald Acuna Jr. will slide over to center field and bat cleanup, while Johan Camargo covers left field and bats sixth. Acuna […]

Luis Rengifo (SS, LAA) - Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 1% of Yahoo! leagues ANALYSIS: The Angels have struggled with a combination of injuries and ineffectiveness around their infield so far in 2019. Enter top prospect Luis Rengifo, who was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake earlier in the week. Rengifo hasn't gotten off to the speediest start […]

Freddy Galvis Remains Out on Sunday

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Freddy Galvis (hamstring) remains out of the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Oakland Athletics. Galvis has been out of the lineup the last few days while nursing a lingering hamstring issue. Eric Sogard will play shortstop and bat first against righty Chris Bassitt. Sogard doesn't have much upside in […]

Neil Walker Sitting Out on Sunday

Miami Marlins first baseman Neil Walker (rest) is out of the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. This appears to be a normal rest day for Walker, so expect him back soon. Martin Prado will slide over to first base and bat second versus righty Zach Eflin. Prado is a decent DFS […]

David Hess Will Start on Wednesday

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher David Hess will rejoin the starting rotation for Wednesday's game against the Chicago White Sox. Hess was demoted after going 1-4 with a 5.88 ERA to start the season. However, Alex Cobb (back) landed on the injured list, so Hess will make the start on Wednesday. He's not worth grabbing in […]

Brett Gardner (OF, NYY) - Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Leagues OWNED IN: 27% of leagues ANALYSIS: Brett Gardner still produces but seemingly in bunches these days. Thus far he’s hit a few homers before a streak of games alternating zeros with by multi-hit days. In the end, if he continues his .336 OBP, it will be enough to get him into […]

Ramon Laureano (OF, OAK) - Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Leagues OWNED IN: 8% of leagues ANALYSIS: Ramon Laureano has had a mixed bag to start the year. He’s had three homers and two stolen bases, but it comes with a .247 average. His defense will keep him on the field, so at-bats should never be an issue. The power and speed combination is […]

Adam Frazier (2B/OF, PIT) - Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Leagues OWNED IN: 8% of leagues ANALYSIS: Adam Frazier hasn’t had a strong start but he’s at least getting a few hits now and then; he's got a hit in each of the last five games. Frazier owns the leadoff spot and possesses a solid bat with a bit of speed […]

Michael Conforto On The Bench On Sunday

New York Mets outfielder Michael Conforto is getting the day off on Sunday against Gio Gonzalez and the Milwaukee Brewers. The 26-year-old is having a strong start to the season with a .271 average, six home runs, and 13 RBI through 26 games. In his absence, Keon Broxton starts in right field and bats eighth. […]

J.T. Realmuto Getting Day Off On Sunday

Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto will be on the bench for Sunday's contest against Pablo Lopez and the Miami Marlins. It is just a regular rest day for the 28-year-old. In his absence, Andrew Knapp will start behind the plate and bat seventh. Knapp has a .222 average with no counting stats to speak of […]