Ryan Waldschmidt Fills the Stat Sheet on Saturday
Ryan Waldschmidt went 3-for-4 with a walk, two doubles, an RBI, two runs scored, and a stolen base on Saturday for Double-A Amarillo. The D-backs' third-ranked prospect has performed admirably in his first turn at that level, hitting .286 with an OBP of .388 thanks to a 14.3 percent walk rate (which mirrors his strikeout rate), chipping in five extra-base hits (one home run) and a stolen base through 11 games. The 2024 first-rounder has shown good power and an ability to draw walks at an above average rate throughout his brief minor league career, while adding some speed on the basepaths. With continued success he could be knocking on the door to the majors sometime next year.Source: MiLB.com
Arizona Diamondbacks outfield prospect Cody Poteet to Begin Throwing Soon
Cody Poteet (shoulder) recently received an injection on his injured shoulder. The hope is that Poteet has a positive reaction to the injection and can begin throwing within the next few days. The right-hander has been sidelined since late April due to right shoulder inflammation. The assumption is that Poteet will require multiple rehab outings before becoming an option for the O's. At best, Poteet could return by the end of July, but August seems like a better timetable. Poteet isn't someone that needs to be rostered right now in fantasy formats.Source: Jake Rill
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Justin Lawrence, Tim Mayza Throwing from 120 Feet
Justin Lawrence (elbow) and Tim Mayza (shoulder) appear to be making progress in their recovery process. Both pitchers have been out since late April, but are finally making decent progress. They've progressed to throwing from 120 feet with good velocity and intensity, according to senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk. Both pitchers figure to require minor league rehab assignments before returning to the mound in Pittsburgh. The hope is that both of them can be back in the mix by the late of July. Neither pitcher offers much fantasy value as low leverage options out of the bullpen.Source: mlb.com
Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitchers Jonny DeLuca Resumes Baseball Activities
Jonny DeLuca (shoulder) has resumed baseball activities, but hasn't started a minor league rehab assignment yet. DeLuca has been out since early April due to a shoulder injury. It has been a struggle since then with DeLuca suffering multiple setbacks while attempting to rehab. The hope is that DeLuca can begin another rehab assignment within the next week. There is no current timetable for his return to the field. DeLuca has potential to be a contributor in at least deep leagues, but isn't someone that needs to be rostered at the moment.Source: mlb.com
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Emmanuel Rodriguez Progresses Rehab to Single-A
Emmanuel Rodriguez (hip) has progressed his rehab from the Complex League to Single-A Fort Myers. The Twins' second-ranked prospect injured his hip and has been out of action since May 30. He's gone 6-for-20 (.300) with a pair of doubles and a 3:7 BB:K in six rehab games (one at Single-A), and was slashing .232/.400/.392 in 39 games at Triple-A prior to the injury. Known for his big-time power and an elite ability to draw walks, the 22-year-old still has time to get back on track and push for a major league debut this season. However, with his big power comes a lot of swing-and-miss, which would likely not get better in the majors, so fantasy managers should take a cautious approach with him once he gets the call.Source: MLB.com
Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Cade Povich Plays Catch on Saturday
Cade Povich (hip) was able to play catch without any issues on Saturday. This is good news for the right-hander who has been out since mid-June due to left hip soreness. The Orioles shut down Povich last week after he was hit hard during a rehab outing. A second opinion confirmed the same injury, so Povich isn't dealing with anything new. There remains no timetable for his return to the mound. He'll likely still need to ramp up for a few weeks before returning to the mound. Povich might not be back in the mix until August. He's not worth holding through the injury in fantasy leagues.Source: Jake Rill
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Zach Eflin Resumes Throwing
Zach Eflin (back) was able to resume throwing the ball on Saturday. That is positive news for Eflin who has been sidelined since the end of June due to lower back discomfort. The fact Eflin is throwing is a good sign, but he remains without a timetable to return. He figures to need a few more weeks, which includes a minor league rehab assignment. The hope is that Eflin is able to get back in the rotation by the end of July. He's posting an ugly 5.95 ERA,1.43 WHIP, and 42/16 K/BB ratio across 12 starts this season. Fantasy managers might want to look for a better alternative.Source: Jake Rill
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Rhys Hoskins Unlikely to Play on Sunday
Rhys Hoskins (thumb) was forced to make an early exit from Saturday's game against the Miami Marlins. Hoskins jammed his thumb while being tagged out in the fourth inning of Saturday's contest. The X-rays came back negative, so it doesn't sound like too serious of an issue. However, Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Hoskins is unlikely to play on Sunday and that the injury doesn't look good. Possibly, Hoskins heads to the injured list, but for now fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day. Jake Bauers figures to see an increased look at first base for a few days.Source: Adam McCalvy
Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Mookie Betts Homers in Dodgers' Defeat
Mookie Betts started the scoring on Saturday night with a solo home run in the first inning against Framber Valdez, but the Dodgers couldn't keep the offense going, as they fell to Houston for the second straight game, 6-4. Mookie finished the night 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored. Betts' blast was No. 11 on the season for the 32-year-old righty, and he is hitting .249 with a .315 wOBA and six stolen bases in his 82 games this year. He has hit safely in three straight, and his fantasy managers will hope this is the start of one of his signature hot streaks when he can carry an entire offense. His numbers are a little down this year, but he's still hitting in a premium lineup spot in one of the best offenses in baseball, so he's a clear starter with plenty of positional versatility in standard leagues.Source: ESPN.com
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop/outfielder Lenyn Sosa Powers White Sox win at Coors Field
Lenyn Sosa had three hits, a home run, and four RBI in his team's 10-4 victory over the Rockies in Denver. Sosa's two-run homer in the second inning extended the lead to 5-2 after he doubled and scored in the first inning. He added a two-run single in the eighth inning to add some insurance runs as well. Sosa moved up to second in the order and could have fantasy value in AL-only or deep leagues if he stays in that premium lineup spot. He's hitting a solid .275 on the season with seven homers and a .309 wOBA. Sosa and the Sox get the rare chance to close out a road sweep when they face the Rockies on Sunday at Coors.Source: ESPN.com
Chicago White Sox second baseman Kyle Higashioka Homers and Has Five RBI on Saturday Night
Kyle Higashioka went 3-for-3 out of the last spot in the Rangers' batting order on Saturday night in San Diego. He hit his second homer of the season and finished with five RBI by adding a pair of RBI singles and a sacrifice fly. Higashioka also added his first stolen base of the season to complete his productive evening. The 35-year-old backup backstop is hitting .232 on the season, with two homers, 21 RBI, and a .621 OPS in his 45 games. He could earn more playing time with more performances like this, but for now, he is mostly a non-factor for fantasy. He has been known to be streaky, though, so he could be worth a look for streaming or DFS use if he can build on Saturday's big game.Source: ESPN.com
Texas Rangers catcher Luis Castillo Keeps the Pirates Scoreless in Seattle
Luis Castillo spun seven shutout innings against the Pirates on Saturday night, allowing only two hits and no walks while picking up eight strikeouts. He didn't get much run support but made it stand up in the 1-0 victory. Castillo earned the win to improve to 5-5 on the season with a 3.31 ERA, 3.90 FIP, and 1.22 WHIP. He has allowed three runs or fewer in four of his last five starts, with 27 strikeouts in 30 innings and four quality starts. He doesn't have the elite strikeout numbers from his prime, but he still can deliver strong outings in favorable matchups like this one, especially when he's working at pitcher-friendly T-Mobile Park. He'll get one more start before the All-Star break in a much tougher matchup on Friday night in Detroit.Source: ESPN.com
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani Throws Two Scoreless Innings on Saturday Night
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Spencer Torkelson Carries the Tigers to Saturday Night Win
Spencer Torkelson had all the team's offense on Saturday night, going 2-for-4 with a home run while the rest of the lineup combined to go 0-for-23 with four walks. His second-inning solo home run off Logan Allen was the only run in the Tigers' 1-0 win over the Guardians. The Tigers will look to close out a three-game sweep in Cleveland this Sunday against Gavin Williams. Torkelson's homer was No. 20 on the season for the 25-year-old righty, who is still hitting only .238 on the year but has an .853 OPS and has hit safely in nine straight, going 13-for-35 (.371) during that stretch. He's been streaky throughout this season, but he is definitely a mixed-league starter when he's playing as well as he is right now.Source: ESPN.com
Detroit Tigers first baseman Logan Allen Tames the Tigers but Takes the Loss
Logan Allen was excellent on Saturday night against the Tigers, holding them to just one run on two hits and two walks through six innings. He had five strikeouts, and his only run allowed came on a home run by Spencer Torkelson. Unfortunately, the Guardians didn't get Allen any run support, so he took a tough-luck loss to Casey Mize. Allen dropped to 5-7 on the season with a 4.07 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, and 65 strikeouts in 84 innings. He has allowed three runs or fewer in five straight starts, pitching into the sixth in each outing. The lefty will hope for more run support in his next start, which is scheduled for Thursday in Chicago against the White Sox.Source: ESPN.com
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher