RADIO
Braves Place Spencer Strider on Injured List With Elbow Inflammation
The Atlanta Braves announced on Saturday that they placed right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow) on the 15-day injured list with right-elbow inflammation and recalled right-hander Anthony Molina from the minors in a corresponding move. Strider was pulled from his outing on Friday against the division-rival New York Mets after his velocity took a dip. The Braves initially called it arm soreness. The Braves and fantasy managers have to be a bit worried after the 27-year-old only made two starts in 2024 before needing an internal-brace surgery on his right elbow. In his eight starts in 2026, Strider has gone 4-2 with a 5.31 ERA (5.37 FIP) and 1.36 WHIP with 46 strikeouts and 20 walks in 39 innings pitched. At the very least, Strider will miss a couple turns through the rotation, but this could end up being a much lengthier absence, depending on the results of his testing. If Strider has a serious injury, the Braves could turn to young right-hander Hurston Waldrep.
Source: Atlanta Braves
Source: Atlanta Braves
Derrick Henry to Be Trusted in Dynasty Leagues Until Proven Otherwise
An outlier of the highest order, Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry has played 37 games since turning 30, averaging over 115 yards per game while scoring 38 touchdowns. While the coaching staff in Baltimore faces a major shakeup for 2026, the offensive philosophy of feeding one of the league's premier bell cow backs is unlikely to change. After serving as the team's primary change-of-pace back in 2025, Keaton Mitchell was not offered a restricted free agent tender and allowed to walk in free agency, and with 11 picks heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, the Ravens did not add a running back until owner Steve Bisciotti was given the opportunity to put his stamp on the draft with the selection of Adam Randall in the fifth round. Given his age and production, it's likely that Henry is already rostered by a contending manager in most dynasty leagues, but wherever that isn't already the case, the 11th-year veteran makes for an affordable trade target and is still a potential league-winner as RotoBaller's RB24.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cole Carrigg Launches Second Career Home Run, Entering Must-Roster Status?
Colorado Rockies outfielder Cole Carrigg hit his second career home run and logged three RBI in his team's 6-4 loss to the Athletics on Friday. The 24-year-old has gotten off to a hot start since making his MLB debut on Tuesday, hitting .267/.313/.800 with two home runs, four RBI, and two runs scored across 16 plate appearances. Carrigg also demonstrated elite speed at Triple-A before being promoted, hitting .338/.414/.529 with six home runs, 42 RBI, 55 runs scored, and 30 stolen bases across 257 plate appearances. With Rockies outfielder Brenton Doyle (oblique) currently on the 10-day injured list and yet to resume baseball activities, Carrigg should have an extended run of everyday playing time in center field with the Rockies. Particularly given his hitter-friendly home environment in Colorado, Carrigg could emerge as a valuable source of power and speed for fantasy managers and should be a priority target on the waiver wire.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ryan Zeferjahn Earns Save for Angels, Worth Picking Up in Deeper Leagues?
Los Angeles Angels right-hander Ryan Zeferjahn picked up his second save of 2026 on Friday, recording the final out of his team's 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. Zeferjahn's season-long numbers don't jump off the page, as he's pitched to a 5.06 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with 41 strikeouts across 32 innings (27 games). However, the 28-year-old is averaging 97.5 miles per hour on his fastball and has struck out 27.9% of the batters he's faced this season. The Angels have also begun to trust Zeferjahn in high-leverage roles, as he's appeared in the seventh inning or later in all six of his appearances in June and has allowed just one earned run in that span. In an underwhelming Angels bullpen, Zeferjahn may be the highest-upside option if he can bring down his 17% walk rate to a more respectable figure. For deep-league managers in desperate need of saves, Zeferjahn could be worth targeting on the waiver wire.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ryan Flournoy a Dynasty Stash with Little Standalone Value
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy showed sporadic flashes in his second season but remains little more than an end-of-bench dynasty stash. Across 15 games in 2025, he accumulated 475 receiving yards, but almost half of that came in two games: the first with CeeDee Lamb sidelined with a high-ankle sprain and the other in a wild primetime affair with the Lions that saw 74 total points scored and Dak Prescott dropping back to throw more than 50 times. Across 13 other contests, Flournoy averaged less than 19 yards per game while adding three touchdowns. Should Lamb or George Pickens miss extended time moving forward, the most obvious benefactor will continue to be tight end Jake Ferguson, but even as a third option in such a scenario, Flournoy could see enough opportunity in a high-powered Cowboys offense to make him fantasy viable as the occasional injury replacement or bye week fill-in. At RotoBaller's dynasty WR121, the 26-year-old Flournoy is by no means a must-roster player, but in shallower leagues, he should be floated in trade conversations before being viewed as an outright drop candidate.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Athletics Turn to Hogan Harris for Another Save, Is He the Closer to Roster?
Athletics left-hander Hogan Harris picked up his sixth save of 2026 on Friday, striking out two across 1 1/3 scoreless innings in his team's 6-4 win over the Colorado Rockies. Across 33 2/3 innings (36 games) on the year, Harris has pitched to a 2.67 ERA and 1.49 WHIP with 39 strikeouts, six saves, and 10 holds. The Athletics have opted for a committee approach in the closer role for most of 2026, but Harris may be settling in as the team's preferred option. He's worked in the ninth inning in five out of his last six appearances, notching two saves and a blown save in that span. The 30-year-old owns a worrisome 15.2% walk rate and an unimpressive 10.6% K-BB rate, so fantasy managers may not want to rely on Harris for high-end closer production. Still, Harris looks like the favorite for saves in the Athletics bullpen and could be worth targeting on the waiver wire in leagues where he remains available.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jalen Nailor Undervalued as the Raiders' Potential WR1?
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jalen Nailor signed a three-year, $35 million contract in free agency, leaving behind one of the league's most top-heavy receiver rooms in Minnesota for a wide-open one in Vegas. In his final season with the Vikings, Nailor led the team with four touchdown grabs and 15.3 yards per reception, making the most of a bad situation and flashing big play ability in a limited role. While the Raiders offense is expected to run through tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty in 2026 and beyond, Nailor needs to beat out only Tre Tucker and 2025 second-round pick Jack Bech for an every-down role in Klint Kubiak's play-action-heavy system. With Bowers fighting through injury for much of the year and ultimately missing five games, Tucker led the team with 696 receiving yards in 2025. However, Jakobi Meyers opened the year as the Raiders' primary receiver, helping to suppress individual production across the team. With Meyers now gone, there's a realistic path for one of Vegas' wideouts to reach 1,000 yards for the first time in their career, and with the highest financial commitment of the lot, Nailor should see every opportunity to be that guy. At RotoBaller's dynasty WR86, he's an under-considered asset who could provide usable depth to contending rosters.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jacob Misiorowski Continues Breakout Season with 15-Strikeout Shutout on Friday
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jacob Misiorowski continued his incredible season with a dominant performance on Friday night, allowing just one hit and zero walks while striking out 15 across nine scoreless innings in his team's 6-0 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. Across 87 innings (14 starts) in 2026, Misiorowski owns an 8-2 record with a 1.34 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, and 131 strikeouts. The 24-year-old is averaging 100.2 miles per hour on his fastball and has struck out an incredible 39.8% of the batters he's faced this season. Command was an issue for the young right-hander in 2025, but he's lowered his walk rate from 11.4% last season to 6.7% in 2026. As long as he stays healthy and continues to limit free passes, Misiorowski has a case to be valued as the number one starting pitcher in fantasy baseball.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Audric Estime No Longer a Player Who Needs to Be Rostered
Spending time on the practice squads of the Eagles and New Orleans Saints after being released by the Broncos ahead of the 2025 season, second-year running back Audric Estime eventually worked his way onto the Saints' active roster and finished the year with 204 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown in the final two games of the season. However, any glimmer of hope heading into the 2026 season was dashed when the Saints made Travis Etienne Jr. the highest-paid free agent running back on the open market, relegating Estime to a rotational backup spot at best. With veteran Alvin Kamara still on the roster and 2025 sixth-round pick Devin Neal recovered from the hamstring injury that landed him on injured reserve, the running back room is deep, and Estime is by no means a lock to stick on the 53-man roster. It bears noting that Neal was unable to finish the final session of OTAs, so his attendance will need to be monitored when the team returns for minicamp practices on Tuesday. That said, barring injury or a trade that sees the depth chart dramatically thinned ahead of him, Estime is a dynasty cut candidate with no clear path to fantasy relevance.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jorge Soler Returns to Running, Light Baseball Activities
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jorge Soler (oblique) did some running on the field and participated in light baseball activities on Friday. Soler was placed on the 10-day injured list earlier this month due to a left oblique strain. While it's a positive sign that Soler is back to baseball activities in some capacity, oblique strains generally take longer than the 10-day minimum for players to return. Before the injury, the 34-year-old hit .220/.300/.402 with nine home runs, 33 RBI, and 28 runs scored. With a 31.3% strikeout rate, Soler is likely to be a drain on the batting average category for fantasy managers. However, the veteran slugger has posted a double-digit barrel rate in every season since 2017 and remains a viable power bat when healthy. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues may want to consider stashing him off the waiver wire as he gets closer to a return.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Riley Leonard Competing for the Colts' No. 2 Role
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard started the final game of his 2025 rookie campaign, throwing for 270 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception, and he is now battling for the primary backup role behind Daniel Jones, according to Colts Insider Joel A. Erickson. With Jones still recovering from his December Achilles tear and unable to participate in full team drills, Leonard split minicamp reps with 2023 fourth overall pick Anthony Richardson Sr., and their competition for the number two job is expected to carry into training camp. Indianapolis declined Richardson's fifth-year option, putting him on the final season of his rookie contract, so if Leonard can win the job outright, it could be his to hold for the foreseeable future. With the mobility to provide fantasy viability in any spot-start duties, and potentially available on waivers in many leagues, the 2025 sixth-round pick is worthy of back-of-roster consideration in deep dynasty leagues.
Source: Joel A. Erickson
Source: Joel A. Erickson
Kodai Senga Set to Make Another Rehab Start
New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said that starting pitcher Kodai Senga (arm, back) will make another minor league start before the team will "consider activating him," according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Senga hit a setback in his rehab from a back injury when he was scratched from a minor league start due to ulnar nerve irritation in his arm. However, the 33-year-old got back on the mound with Double-A Binghampton on Thursday and pitched well, striking out five across six innings of one-run ball. Senga got off to a rough start to 2026 before the back injury, recording a 0-4 record with a 9.00 ERA, 1.95 WHIP, and 23 strikeouts across 20 innings (five starts). He's also had a difficult time staying healthy in recent years, as he's pitched just 138 2/3 innings since the start of the 2024 season. The Mets evidently want to be sure he's fully healthy and ready to go before bringing him back into their rotation.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Addison Barger Could Start a Rehab Assignment Next Week
Toronto Blue Jays third baseman/outfielder Addison Barger (elbow) is throwing out to 120 feet and taking batting practice, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. He will progress to hitting off a pitching machine soon, and the hope is that he will start a minor-league rehab assignment by mid-to-late next week. The 26-year-old has already been on the injured list twice this year, first with injuries to both his ankles, and lately with right-elbow inflammation. The former sixth-rounder in 2018 has only appeared in nine games in 2026 and has gone 1-for-22 at the plate with two RBI, five walks, and seven strikeouts in 28 plate appearances. Despite a lost season so far due to injuries, he is still rostered in 21% of Yahoo leagues. If he can avoid a setback with his elbow in the minor leagues, Barger should be back with the big-league roster by the end of June. Barger doesn't have excellent plate discipline, but he can still be an asset in points leagues the rest of the way in an everyday role against right-handed pitching. In his first full year in the majors in 2025, Barger hit .243/.301/.454 with a .756 OPS, 21 homers, 74 RBI, 61 runs, and four stolen bases in 135 regular-season games played.
Source: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
Source: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
Shane Bieber Likely to Make Another Rehab Start
Toronto Blue Jays veteran right-hander Shane Bieber (elbow) is likely to make another minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo before rejoining the Blue Jays' starting rotation, manager John Schneider told Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet. Toronto isn't pushing the 31-year-old to make his 2026 season debut, but he should be ready after one more start in the minors. The former American League Cy Young winner looked good in his last rehab start with Buffalo, throwing six scoreless innings with one walk and five strikeouts on Thursday. In four total rehab starts in the rookie-level Florida Complex League and with Buffalo and Single-A Dunedin, Bieber has posted a 6.00 ERA and 1.75 WHIP with 12 strikeouts and only one walk in 12 innings thrown. Bieber's impending return to the big leagues will probably be bad news for lefty Patrick Corbin. The two-time All-Star returned from Tommy John surgery to make his Blue Jays debut last year, going 4-2 in seven regular-season starts with a 3.57 ERA (4.47 FIP), 1.02 WHIP, and 37:7 K:BB in 40 1/3 innings. Nobody should be expecting him to return to his Cy Young form from back in 2020, but Bieber absolutely has the potential to be a matchup-based streamer in mixed fantasy leagues the rest of the way, and he's currently rostered in less than half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Sportsnet - Ben Nicnolson-Smith
Source: Sportsnet - Ben Nicnolson-Smith
Trent Grisham Pulled Early With Hamstring Tightness
New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham (hamstring) was pulled from Friday's game early against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays with right-hamstring tightness, according to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. Manager Aaron Boone said that Grisham injured his hamstring rounding first in the sixth inning, but there are no tests imminent, and the Yankees will see how he feels on Saturday morning. If needed, outfielder Jasson Dominguez (shoulder) could be in play to come off the 10-day injured list, per Boone. Before leaving, Grisham went 1-for-4 at the plate with two RBI in the eventual 8-5 loss to the Jays at the Rogers Centre. Rookie Spencer Jones shifted from right field to center field, with Max Schuemann entering the game to play right in the Bronx. If Dominguez isn't quite ready to come off the IL, speedster Jose Caballero could see additional starts in the outfield for the Yankees. For now, fantasy managers should consider Grisham day-to-day. The 29-year-old slugged a career-high 34 homers and drove in 74 in 143 regular-season games last year for the Yanks, but he hasn't been as prolific with the power in 66 games so far in 2026, producing just eight homers and 33 RBI.
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Ezequiel Tovar Dealing With Leg Soreness
Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar (lower leg) was a late scratch for Friday's game against the Athletics with left-calf/shin/ankle soreness from a foul ball on Sunday at Coors Field, according to Kevin Henry of The Denver Gazette. With Tovar sitting out on Friday night in Las Vegas, Willi Castro made the start at shortstop and hit leadoff for Colorado against A's rookie left-hander Gage Jump. Fantasy managers should consider Tovar day-to-day for now. Check back to see if he's available to start for the Rockies for Game 2 of the series against the A's on Saturday. The 24-year-old Venezuelan shortstop has been extremely disappointing for his fantasy managers yet again in 2026. Tover had a career year in 2024, hitting .269/.295/.469 with 26 home runs, 78 RBI, a league-high 45 doubles, and six stolen bases in 157 games played, but since then, he has produced only 14 home runs in the last two seasons. He entered Friday's action with a lowly .211/.259/.332 slash line, .591 OPS, five homers, 23 RBI, 20 runs, and four steals in 66 games across 251 plate appearances. Tovar is now rostered in fewer than 50% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Denver Gazette - Kevin Henry
Source: The Denver Gazette - Kevin Henry
Jack Flaherty Injures his Leg on Friday Against the Guardians
Detroit Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty (leg) left his start early on Friday against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians due to left-leg discomfort, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. Flaherty's tough 2026 season continued, as he not only departed early with an injury, but he also took his eighth loss of the year in a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Cleveland at Progressive Field. Before hitting the showers early on Friday night, Flaherty allowed two earned runs on three hits while walking one and striking out one in only three innings. It's unclear right now if his injury is serious enough to warrant a trip to the injured list. The good news for the Tigers is that they have both left-hander Tarik Skubal (elbow) and right-hander Casey Mize (groin) returning to their starting rotation this weekend on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. The 30-year-old Flaherty entered his start on Friday with an elevated 5.31 ERA (4.12 FIP) and 1.58 WHIP with 77 strikeouts and 33 walks in 62 2/3 innings over his 14 starts in his second year in Motown.
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Spencer Strider Leaves Early on Friday With Arm Soreness
The Atlanta Braves announced that right-hander Spencer Strider (arm) left his start early on Friday against the division-rival New York Mets with a trainer due to right-arm soreness. Strider allowed seven earned runs on six hits (three home runs) while walking one and striking out three in just three innings for his second loss of the season in the 7-5 defeat at the hands of the Mets at Citi Field. The 27-year-old's velocity was down, leading to the Braves' training staff coming out to check on Strider before he was pulled from the game. The severity of his injury is unclear right now, but we should have more information on Strider on Saturday morning, so fantasy managers will want to check back them to see if this is something that could land him on the 15-day injured list. Keep in mind that Strider had an internal-brace procedure that limited him to two starts in 2024. He came into Friday's contest with a 4-1 record and 4.00 ERA, but his ugly outing against New York pushed his season ERA up to 5.31. If Strider's latest arm injury is serious, youngster Hurston Waldrep could be next in line to join Atlanta's starting rotation.
Source: Atlanta Braves
Source: Atlanta Braves
Chase Dollander Likely Headed for UCL Surgery
Colorado Rockies pitcher Chase Dollander (elbow) was recently transferred to the 60-day Injured List and might have thrown his last pitch this season. Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer confirmed on Friday that Dollander is likely heading for surgery to repair his UCL. The right-hander has been sidelined since May due to a sprained elbow. The injury isn't getting better for Dollander, so it sounds like the team is opting to have the surgery. It's unclear if it'll be the full Tommy John surgery or the internal brace procedure. If he does have surgery, Dollander likely won't be back on the mound until mid-season in 2027. He posted a 3.89 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and a 47:18 K:BB ratio across 10 appearances (three starts) with the Rockies this season.
Source: Chris Schmaedeke
Source: Chris Schmaedeke
Casey Mize to Return on Sunday
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Casey Mize (adductor) will be activated off the 15-day Injured List ahead of Sunday's game. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch confirmed on Friday that Mize will rejoin the team and start versus the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday. Mize is back in action after being sidelined since late May due to right adductor inflammation. Through nine starts, Mize has a 2.27 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and a 49:12 K:BB ratio across 47.2 innings this season. It's worth noting that Mize only threw 55 pitches during his most recent rehab start. He might not see a full workload during his first start back against Cleveland on Sunday. The right-hander is still worth stashing given his success on the mound early this season.
Source: Evan Woodbery
Source: Evan Woodbery
Seth Lugo is Placed on 7-Day Concussion Injured List
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Seth Lugo (head) was placed on the 7-day concussion Injured List on Friday. This doesn't come as a surprise after Lugo was drilled in the head by a comebacker off the bat of Brandon Nimmo during Wednesday's game. Lugo underwent a CT scan, which came back negative. The right-hander will now need to pass the league's concussion protocol before taking the mound again. In a corresponding move, reliever Eli Morgan has been recalled from Triple-A Omaha. Fantasy managers will need to check back for another update on Lugo. It's possible that Lugo doesn't miss another start, but we'll need to see how he progresses.
Source: Kansas City Royals
Source: Kansas City Royals
Max Fried to Throw Off Mound on Saturday
New York Yankees starting pitcher Max Fried (elbow) is scheduled to throw off the mound on Saturday, according to manager Aaron Boone. The skipper continued by saying recent imaging on Fried's left elbow showed increased healing. The southpaw is ready for the next step in his recovery process. His first throwing session on Saturday will be "touch and feel," considering it's the first time that he has thrown since landing on the Injured List in May. There is still more work to be done, but this is an encouraging sign for the southpaw. There should be another update on his status following Saturday's session. If everything goes well, Fried might be able to go on a rehab assignment before the end of the month.
Source: Gary Phillips
Source: Gary Phillips
Corey Seager is Day-to-Day with Minor Injuries
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (ribs, face) was absent from the starting lineup during Friday's loss to the Boston Red Sox. Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said Seager is day-to-day with rib and jaw injuries that he suffered during Thursday's game. Seager appears to have picked up a pair of injuries during a home plate collision with Carter Jensen on Thursday. Ezequiel Duran started at shortstop on Friday and could see more action over there this weekend. This doesn't sound like something that will require a stint on the Injured List. Fantasy managers should check back on Saturday for another update on Seager.
Source: Shawn McFarland
Source: Shawn McFarland
Jacob Wilson Activated, Playing on Friday
Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (shoulder) was activated off the 10-day Injured List ahead of Friday's game against the Colorado Rockies. Wilson is back in the mix after being sidelined since May 11 due to a dislocated left shoulder. He won't miss a beat as Wilson is at shortstop and batting fifth against the Rockies on Friday. Before landing on the shelf, Wilson was slashing .292/.311/.398 with three home runs and 19 RBI in 39 games. There's enough upside with the bat to warrant rostering Wilson in most fantasy formats right now. His return to the field will mean reduced playing time for Alika Williams. In a corresponding move, outfielder Brent Rookier (knee) was placed on the 10-day Injured List.
Source: Athletics
Source: Athletics
Brent Rooker Lands on 10-Day Injured List
Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker (knee) was placed on the 10-day Injured List, retroactive to June 9. Rooker was out of the lineup on Tuesday and Wednesday due to a knee issue. The team will officially place him on the shelf due to a bone bruise in his left knee. His timetable to return is unclear at the moment. The A's will likely wait the 10 days and see how he progresses before making any further decisions. In a corresponding move, infielder Jacob Wilson (shoulder) was reinstated from the Injured List. Shea Langeliers, Jonah Heim, and Carlos Cortes are all candidates to see time at designated hitter while Rooker is down.
Source: Athletics
Source: Athletics
Parker Washington Set to be Core Piece of Jaguars Passing Game
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington broke out in 2025 in his third year in the league with 58 receptions on 95 targets for 847 yards and five touchdowns in 16 regular-season games (seven starts). He played a backup role in the offense during the first two months of the year before being thrust into a starting role after rookie Travis Hunter's (knee) season-ending injury. According to Sports Illustrated's John Shipley, "all signs from three-day mandatory minicamp are that the Jaguars are set to trust him even more in 2026." The 24-year-old former sixth-rounder in 2023 out of Penn State combined for 48 catches, 522 yards, and five TDs in his first two years in the NFL. Even though Hunter will continue to be used on offense, and Jakobi Meyers and Brian Thomas Jr. are still involved, it is clear that Washington is "set to be a core piece" in the passing game. According to Next Gen Stats, Washington had a team-high 23.7% of the Jaguars' third-down targets last year and averaged 3.1 yards per route run on third down, the most among WRs with at least 75 routes run on third down. With a full season as a starter in 2026, Washington should be able to improve on his numbers from a year ago and potentially have a shot to be a 1,000-yard receiver.
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley
Caleb Kilian Officially Named Giants Closer
San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello has officially named right-handed reliever Caleb Kilian as the team's closer, according to Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News. Right-hander Ryan Walker, who was recalled from the minors on Friday, will be in a "fireman" role. The 29-year-old Kilian and Keaton Winn have been involved in a closer-by-committee situation, but Vitello has made it clear that Kilian will be his preferred choice in the ninth inning now that Walker is back in the fold. In his first year in the Bay Area, Kilian has recorded a 3.34 ERA (4.75 FIP), 1.18 WHIP, his first four career saves, 32 strikeouts, and 15 walks in 29 2/3 innings out of the bullpen. Since blowing the save on May 29 against the Colorado Rockies, Kilian has tightened things up, throwing 4 2/3 scoreless innings with three hits allowed, three walks, five strikeouts, one win, and one save for the Gigantes. Fantasy managers desperate for saves should consider picking Kilian up, but just know that his leash will probably be very short. Kilian is rostered in fewer than 10% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The San Jose Mercury News - Justice delos Santos
Source: The San Jose Mercury News - Justice delos Santos
No Structural Damage for Shohei Ohtani
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee) is feeling "fine-ish," according to Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register. Ohtani had imaging on his injured knee on Friday, which showed no structural damage. Roberts said that he expects Ohtani back as the designated hitter this weekend in the series against the Chicago White Sox and to make his next pitching start as scheduled on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Dodgers pulled the 31-year-old four-time MVP as a precaution with left-knee inflammation in Thursday's win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Roberts thought that Ohtani would be active for Friday's series opener in Chicago, but the team decided to give him an extra day of rest. All indications are that Ohtani will be fine, so hopefully, fantasy managers can plug him back into their starting lineups on Saturday. The Japanese superstar remains a must-start in fantasy as both a hitter and a pitcher. Ohtani is slashing .305/.421/.543 with a .964 OPS, 13 homers, 40 RBI, 48 runs, and six stolen bases. As a pitcher, he's in the mix in the National League Cy Young picture with a 6-2 record, 1.06 ERA (2.67 FIP), 0.84 WHIP, and 73:21 K:BB in 11 starts (67 2/3 innings).
Source: The Orange County Register - Bill Plunkett
Source: The Orange County Register - Bill Plunkett
Jake McCarthy Remains Absent With Illness on Friday
Colorado Rockies outfielder Jake McCarthy (illness) is still under the weather and is sitting out of the lineup for Friday's series opener in Las Vegas against the hosting Athletics, according to MLB.com. Troy Johnston is getting another start in right field and will hit fifth for the Rockies against rookie left-hander Gage Jump. McCarthy remains day-to-day with an illness and is missing his third straight game. Hopefully, he'll be feeling good enough to return to the starting nine for Game 2 of the series in Vegas on Saturday against the A's. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder has played well this year in his first season with the Rockies, slashing .282/.326/.448 with a .775 OPS, four home runs, 27 RBI, 22 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases in his 174 at-bats. McCarthy doesn't have much pop (even at Coors Field), but his speed on the base paths makes him useful as outfield depth in deeper leagues, especially while both Mickey Moniak (ankle) and Brenton Doyle (oblique) are on the injured list. He has gone 9-for-32 (.281) with a homer, three doubles, three RBI, four runs, and a steal in seven games so far in June.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Willy Adames Returns From Lower-Body Injury
San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames (lower body) is starting at shortstop and will bat sixth on Friday against the Chicago Cubs and right-hander Javier Assad, according to MLB.com. Adames ended up missing just one game with a lower-body injury, but he is back in action for the series opener against Chicago after a scheduled day off on Thursday. The 30-year-old Dominican has been streaky this year and is batting only .234 (63-for-269) in 67 games with 11 home runs, 29 RBI, 34 runs scored, and one stolen base. Adames is still useful for his power at the shortstop position, and he has three home runs in nine games in June, but he's also hitting just .176 (6-for-34) during the month with a double, six RBI, six runs scored, five walks, and 12 strikeouts in 39 plate appearances. He has faced Assad just six times in his MLB career and is batting .167 against him with a .542 OPS, no home runs, and no RBI.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
