Hunter Goodman Resting Thursday
Hunter Goodman is getting a breather for the team's series finale against the visiting Houston Astros. It appears to be a regular day of rest for the right-handed slugger, with fellow backstop Austin Nola getting the start behind home plate and batting eighth. Goodman missed a few days with a hamstring issue recently, but looked no worse for wear when he launched two homers on Tuesday. He's produced well in his third campaign with Colorado and is fresh off a red-hot June in which he slashed .342/.373/.734 with six doubles, two triples, 15 runs scored, and 17 RBI. The 25-year-old has already set a career-high with 16 long balls.Source: MLB.com
Colorado Rockies catcher Francisco Lindor Shines in Game 2 of Doubleheader
Francisco Lindor and the New York Mets. Lindor went 0-for-4 in Game 1 as the Mets dropped a 7-2 decision. The team turned it around in a 7-3 win in the nightcap, though, and Lindor was a key contributor. For the first time in 191 games, Lindor did not hit leadoff for the Mets. They dropped him to second in the order, and Lindor responded by going 3-for-4 with a solo homer, a double, and three RBI. It ended a week-long skid for the 31-year-old switch-hitter, who was mired in a 2-for-29 slump entering the evening. Just named to his fifth All-Star team, Lindor is now slashing 261/.330/.457 with 17 homers, 46 RBI, 52 runs scored, and 13 steals in 385 plate appearances. He's well on his way to a third straight 20/20 campaign.Source: ESPN
Wednesday's doubleheader against the Milwaukee Brewers was a mixed bag for shortstop Mitch Keller Stymies Cardinals in Win
Mitch Keller improved to 3-10 with a superb showing in a 5-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday. Keller blanked the Cardinals over seven innings while allowing five hits and posting seven strikeouts against one walk. Despite his unsightly win-loss record, the 29-year-old has performed well this season. Keller has amassed a dozen quality starts while pitching to a 3.64 ERA with 84:26 K:BB and a 1.19 WHIP in 106 1/3 innings. Notably, there have been trade rumors centering on Keller as the July 31 deadline nears. A change of scenery for Keller could be positive news for fantasy managers, as moving from the last-place Pirates to a contender would give him a better chance to pile up wins. For now, he's slated to toe the rubber in a road start against the Kansas City Royals' low-ranked offense on Tuesday.Source: ESPN
Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Jared Shuster Begins Triple-A Rehab Assignment
Jared Shuster (hand) began a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday. Shuster threw a scoreless inning in his first appearance. The 26-year-old southpaw hasn't pitched in the majors since June 4 because of a blister on his left hand. The injury continued an atrocious start to the season for Shuster, who has logged an 8.04 ERA with 12 strikeouts, five walks, and a 2.04 WHIP over 15 2/3 innings. He pitched to a much more respectable 4.30 ERA in a career-high 73 1/3 frames a year ago.Source: FutureSox
Chicago White Sox reliever Edwin Uceta Escapes Trouble to Log First Save
Edwin
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Tampa
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Joey Cantillo to Start for Guardians on Thursday
Joey Cantillo will start their game against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday, according to Zack Meisel of The Athletic. Righty Luis L. Ortiz had been scheduled to take the mound, but Major League Baseball has placed him on paid leave for an unknown reason. The start against the Cubs' high-powered offense figures to be a short one for Cantillo, who has only totaled 28 1/3 innings in 21 appearances this season. The 25-year-old has registered a 3.81 ERA with 36:14 K:BB and a 1.38 WHIP.Source: Zack Meisel - The Athletic
Cleveland Guardians left-hander Luis L. Ortiz Under MLB Investigation, Placed on Paid Leave
Luis L. Ortiz is under investigation by Major League Baseball and has been placed on paid leave, Jeff Passan of ESPN reports. The league did not provide a reason for the decision. Ortiz had been scheduled to start Cleveland's game on Thursday against the Chicago Cubs, so fantasy managers will need to adjust accordingly. The 26-year-old has made 16 starts this season and gone 4-9 with a 4.36 ERA, 96 strikeouts against 42 walks, and a 1.38 WHIP in 88 2/3 innings.Source: Jeff Passan
Cleveland Guardians right-hander Cade Smith Throws Bullpen Session
Cade Smith (back) threw a pregame bullpen session on Wednesday and has shown improvement in his recovery from back spasms. The right-hander is day-to-day and shouldn't require a minor league rehab assignment. Although he's not on the 10-day injured list, it has been almost two weeks since Smith made an appearance on June 22. The 26-year-old earned his 15th hold of the season in that game. He owns a stingy 2.36 ERA with 53:13 K:BB and a 1.17 WHIP across 34 1/3 innings.Source: Cleveland Guardians
Cleveland Guardians reliever Shane Bieber Throws Productive Bullpen Session
Shane Bieber (elbow) threw a July 1 bullpen session that went "really well," according to manager Stephen Vogt. The Guardians are determining next steps for the former AL Cy Young winner. Bieber suffered a setback a few weeks ago in his recovery from April 2024 Tommy John surgery, but he has gotten back on track since then. The Guardians are optimistic that he'll return in the second half of July. Bieber totaled just 12 innings last season after posting a 3.80 ERA with 7.52 K/9 and 2.39 BB/9 over 128 frames in 2023. Having undergone major surgery since then, fantasy managers should temper expectations when the former ace comes back this year.Source: Cleveland Guardians
Cleveland Guardians right-hander Carlos Correa Resting Thursday
Carlos Correa is not in the lineup for their game against the Miami Marlins on Thursday. Brooks Lee will start at short and bat fourth against Marlins starter Eury Perez. This looks like a rest day for Correa, who went 2-for-4 with an RBI in a 2-1 win over the Marlins on Wednesday night. After playing just 86 games in 2024, Correa has already appeared in 75 contests this year. Correa's production hasn't been up to his typical standards, though. He's hitting .259/.299/.387 with seven homers, 29 RBI, 32 runs scored, and a career-low 5.5% walk rate in 291 plate appearances.Source: Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins shortstop Keegan Akin Lands on the Injured List
Keegan Akin (shoulder) was placed on the injured list on Wednesday with left shoulder inflammation. The 30-year-old lefty has appeared in 39 games for the Orioles this season, spanning 38 innings with a 3.32 ERA, 4.30 FIP, 1.42 WHIP, and 23.3% strikeout rate. Akin's WHIP is up this season, and his strikeout rate is down after a strong 2024. He has worked as an opener for a few games this season but will now be sidelined through at least the All-Star break. Right-handed reliever Yennier Cano was recalled from Norfolk to take Akin's place in the bullpen.Source: Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Luis Guillorme Lands on the Injured List
Luis Guillorme (hamstring) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday due to a right hamstring strain. Guillorme has been a versatile utility option off the bench for Houston since joining the team on June 14. After spending parts of six seasons with the Mets, he played for the Braves, Angels, and Diamondbacks last season. He hit .248 in Triple-A in 57 games but only .150 (3-for-20) after his promotion. Zack Short was called up to fill Guillorme's utility role in the infield. Guillorme will be out through the All-Star break and potentially longer, depending on the severity of his strain.Source: Brian McTaggart
Houston Astros second baseman/third baseman Michael A. Taylor Leaves Wednesday's Game
Michael A. Taylor (trapezius) left Wednesday's game with what the team called a trap contusion after his collision with Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy. Taylor dove in headfirst while trying to steal third base and collided squarely with Muncy's knee. While Muncy left the game with what could be a serious knee injury, Taylor was also removed with a bruise on his upper back in the trapezius region. The 34-year-old righty is hitting just .214 with four homers, seven stolen bases, and a .291 wOBA in his 75 games for Chicago. He was replaced by Brooks Baldwin, who is one of the top candidates to get more playing time if Taylor is out.Source: Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox outfielder Zack Gelof Expected To Be Activated This Weekend
Zack Gelof (hand, ribs) played nine innings on Wednesday night for Triple-A Las Vegas, and as long as there were no issues, he should be ready to join the A's at some point this weekend against the Giants in Sacramento. Gelof has yet to play a game in the majors this season after surgery to repair a hamate fracture in his right hand. While he was working his way back from that surgery, he was shut down due to a stress reaction in his ribs. Gelof hit only .211 last season in 138 games, but he had 17 homers and 25 stolen bases with a .276 wOBA to still carry fantasy value. The 25-year-old is a key part of the team's young core, and he should return as the primary second baseman the rest of the season, joining an exciting young lineup once he's available.Source: Martin Gallegos
Athletics second baseman Spencer Steer Dealing with a Hand Contusion
Spencer Steer (hand) was scratched from Wednesday night's game in Boston, but since X-rays were negative, he has been diagnosed with a hand contusion. Steer was hit by a pitch by Bryan Bello in the seventh inning of the suspended game, which resumed on Wednesday afternoon. He was able to finish that game, but the injury swelled to the point where he was scratched on Wednesday night. Manager Terry Francona said, "We didn't think it made a whole lot of sense to play him. We'll see how he shows up tomorrow. Depending on how he's feeling, we'll see what to do." Steer could end up with a quick stint on the injured list, or he could be back in the lineup as soon as Friday in Philadelphia. Keep a close eye out for an update on Steer's hand and availability for the last week before the All-Star break.Source: Charlie Goldsmith
Cincinnati Reds first baseman/outfielder