RADIO
Angels Expect Shohei Ohtani To Pitch Again Before Season's End
7/20:Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia said that he expects Shohei Ohtani (elbow) to pitch again before the end of his season. Ohtani is suffering from an elbow strain, however, after receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection he appears to be improving. There remains no timetable for his return to the mound, although the team plans on having him throw every other day. Ohtani will continue to see starts at designated hitter, and should be owned in all leagues. If he is able to return to the mound, it would be a major boost for both the Angels and his fantasy owners. Ohtani has pitched to a 4-1 record with 3.10 ERA and a 61/20 K/BB ratio during his rookie season.Source: Fabian Ardaya
Cubs Showing Interest In Jeurys Familia
7/20:The Chicago Cubs are reportedly showing interest in New York Mets closer Jeurys Familia. It was reported earlier in the day that the A's were in on Familia and it now looks like Chicago has joined the hunt. The Cubs have been linked to Zach Britton and Brad Hand prior to his trade. It's unknown if the Cubs would keep currently Brandon Morrow at closer if they were to acquire Familia, making Familia's trade value questionable. The current Mets' closer has pitched to a 2.88 ERA and a 43/14 K/BB ratio with 17 saves.Source: Jon Heyman
Chad Bettis To Begin Rehab Assignment On Saturday
7/20:Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Chad Bettis (finger) is beginning his rehab assignment in Triple-A on Saturday. Bettis has been out since July 1 with a blister on his middle finger, however, he has no pitch limit during his rehab start meaning he should be able to return to the major league roster shortly. Bettis has pitched to a 5-1 record with a 5.10 ERA and a 69/38 K/BB ratio. He hasn't be spectacular in 2018, but perhaps Betts could be worth a stream against a weak team away from Coors Field.Source: Thomas Harding
Shelby Miller Could Be Moved To Bullpen Upon Return
7/20:The Arizona Diamondbacks have considered moving starting pitcher Shelby Miller (elbow) to the bullpen when he returns from injury. Miller is currently shut down with right elbow inflammation and there is no timetable for his return. Miller has not looked good in 2018, pitching to a 0-4 record with a 11.40 ERA and a 19/5 K/BB ratio. Moving to the bullpen would eliminate any fantasy value he had, not that there was much to begin with.Source: Zach Buchanan
Ryan Braun Expected To Return On Saturday
7/20:Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun (back) is expected to be activated from the disabled list and in the team's lineup on Saturday. He's been out of action since Jul 7 with a back strain. Braun is hitting .235 with 10 home runs, 35 RBI and seven stolen bases in 2018. He isn't Braun of old, but he is still worth using in daily and season-long leagues when he returns from the disabled list.Source: Tom Haudricourt
Joe Panik Able To Take Grounders And Hit On Friday
7/20:San Francisco Giants second baseman Joe Panik (groin) took batting practice on the field and was able to take grounders on Friday. He is working his way back from a groin injury that has sidelined him since July 6. If he continues to improve there's a chance he begins his rehab assignment next week. Panik has hit .240 with four home runs and 14 RBI in 2018. He's just 28 and still holds potential, but with his current injury and lack of offensive output, Panik could be ignored in fantasy leagues for the time being.Source: Andrew Baggarly
Evan Longoria Could Return To Lineup On Tuesday
7/20:San Francisco Giants third baseman Evan Longoria (finger) could return to the team's lineup as soon as Tuesday. He's been out of action with a fractured finger since June 14. On the season, Longoria is hitting .246 with 10 home runs and 34 RBI in 2018. He hasn't been the Longoria of old, but you can certainly do worse at the third base position. He's worth a pickup if he's available in your league when he returns from injury.Source: Alex Pavlovic
Jeff Samardzija Receives PRP Injection
7/20:San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija (shoulder) received a platelet-rich plasma injection in his shoulder over the All-Star break. Samardzija has been on the disabled list three times this season with shoulder problems. While there's no timetable for his return, the Giants are hoping the PRP injection will help limit those problems. When healthy, Samardzija has pitched to a 1-5 record with a 6.25 ERA and a 30/26 K/BB ratio. He could be avoided in all fantasy leagues for now.Source: Alex Pavlovic
Brock Holt Avoids Serious Injury
7/20:Boston Red Sox utility man Brock Holt (knee) was able to avoid serious injury after leaving the team's game on Friday. He was diagnosed with a left knee contusion and is listed as day-to-day. While there's no exact timetable for his return, Holt is lucky to have avoided anything serious and should be able to return to the lineup in a few days.Source: Chris McCosky
Ian Kennedy Not Expected Back Anytime Soon
7/20:Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Ian Kennedy (oblique) stated on Friday that it could be quite a while until he returns back to the mound. The Royals pitcher has been out since July 10 with a left oblique strain and it appears as if he'll remain on the disabled list for an extended period of time. When healthy, Kennedy has pitched to a 1-8 record with a 5.13 ERA and a 87/34 K/BB ratio. If/when Kennedy returns to the mound, he could be avoided in all fantasy leagues.Source: Jeffrey Flannigan
Felix Hernandez To Start For Mariners On Saturday
7/20:Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez (back) will be activated off of the disabled list to start against the White Sox on Saturday. Hernandez has been out of action since July 6 with lower back stiffness. He appears to be fully healthy and ready to go following the All-Star break. Hernandez has pitched to an 8-7 record with a 5.13 ERA and a 87/36 K/BB ratio in 2018. While he hasn't necessarily been the King Felix of old this season, he could be used as a streamer against a weak White Sox team Saturday. It may be worth letting him get a few starts under his belt in the second half before using him in season-long leagues.Source: Greg Johns
James Paxton Could Return To Rotation On Tuesday
7/20:Seattle Mariners starting pitcher James Paxton (back) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday. If all goes well, he could return to the team's rotation on Tuesday. He has been out since Jul 12 with lower back stiffness. He has pitched to a 8-4 record with a 3.70 ERA and a 155/33 K/BB ratio this season, including an impressive no-hitter against the Blue Jays in May. He appears to almost be fully healthy following his back injury and assuming he returns on Tuesday, he'll be in play in both season-long and daily leagues.Source: Greg Johns
Mike Zunino Begins Rehab Assignment On Friday
7/20:Seattle Mariners catcher Mike Zunino (ankle) is beginning his rehab assignment in Triple-A on Friday. He is expected to play catcher on Friday before acting as the designated hitter on Saturday. If he suffers no setbacks he could return to the major league lineup shortly after. Zunino is hitting .189 on the season with 12 home runs and 29 RBI. He's never hit for great average, but he's one of the best power hitters at the catcher position in the league. He's worth a pickup if you're in need of a catcher in deeper 10 and 12 man leagues.Source: Greg Johns
Brock Holt Leaves Game With Knee Injury
7/20:Boston Red Sox utility man Brock Holt was forced to leave the game on Friday with an apparent knee injury. Holt was spiked during a defense play at second base. While the severity of the injury is not yet known, he was able to walk off the field on his own power. An update should be expected following the game.Source: Raul Martinez
A's Interested In Jeurys Familia
7/20:The Oakland Athletics are reportedly interested in New York Mets closer Jeurys Familia. Familia's name has been one of the biggest ones on the table with the trade deadline approaching. The Athletics already have their closer in All-Star Blake Treinen, however, Familia would give them an explosive 1-2 punch. Familia has pitched to a 2.88 ERA and a 43/14 K/BB ratio with 17 saves in 2018.Source: Susan Slusser
