Casey Mize Heading To Injured List
Casey Mize (hamstring) has been placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive May 9. The right-hander was fantastic against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday. He gave up one earned run across six innings of work. However, Mize reportedly injured his hamstring during the late stages of that outing. As a result, Mize will be sidelined for a few weeks, which is a shame considering how well he has been pitching this season. The Tigers have reportedly named Keider Montero as Tuesday's starter. If he pitches well, Montero could see more starts in the rotation while Mize is out. Fantasy managers shouldn't jump to the waiver wire to add Montero.Source: Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Yordan Alvarez Not Swinging The Bat
Yordan Alvarez (hand) is reportedly feeling better, but isn't ready to swing the bat yet, according to manager Joe Espada. Alvarez is currently on the injured list while he recovers from a muscle strain in his right hand. It seems unlikely at the moment that Alvarez will come off the injured list when first eligible. The 27-year-old still has a few more days to recover, but the fact he's not swinging a bat yet isn't a good sign. Fantasy managers should continue to stash Alvarez and hope he'll return in the next week or two. In the meantime, the Astros have been swapping different players at the designated hitter spot. That will likely remain the case until Alvarez returns.Source: Chandler Rome
Houston Astros designated hitter Will Smith Gets Night Off On Saturday
Will Smith will head to the bench ahead of Saturday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. This appears to be a routine rest day for Smith who has started each of the first two games of this series. As a result, Smith will take the night off and Austin Barnes will do the catching and bat ninth versus right-hander Corbin Burnes. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups accordingly ahead of first pitch. The expectation is that Smith will be back in the lineup ahead of Sunday's contest.Source: mlb.com
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Resting On Saturday
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is out of the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Gurriel came up with a clutch hit on Friday when he blasted a game-tying grand slam and totaled five RBI in the loss. The right-handed slugger has played in 12 straight games, so he'll get a routine rest day on Saturday. As a result, Tim Tawa will get the start in left field and bat eighth versus right-hander Dustin May. Fantasy managers should expect Gurriel to be back in the lineup following Saturday's game.Source: mlb.com
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Mike Trout Begins Swinging The Bat
Mike Trout (knee) appears to be progressing from a bone bruise that landed him on the injured list roughly a week ago. The superstar outfielder has been reportedly swinging the bat without any issues. The organization is hopeful that Trout can begin running next week. It sounds like Trout no longer has pain in his knee, which is great news. There is a chance that Trout could be available to return once eligible, but the Angels might be cautious with the oft-injured outfielder. For now, fantasy managers can continue to stash Trout on the IL and hope he returns within the next few weeks.Source: Rhett Bollinger
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jorge Soler Remains Out On Saturday
Jorge Soler (groin) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Baltimore Orioles. The right-handed slugger will miss his second game in a row after being scratched ahead of Friday's game due to what is being viewed as a minor groin issue. The organization is hopeful that Soler can return on Sunday, so fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day. Matthew Lugo will cover left field while Taylor Ward is at designated hitter versus right-hander Kyle Gibson on Saturday. Fantasy managers will need to check back on Saturday for another update on Soler.Source: mlb.com
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Ian Happ Absent On Saturday
Ian Happ (oblique) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the New York Mets. Happ reportedly felt something in his oblique following his first plate appearance on Friday. The switch-hitter stayed in the game, but will get Saturday night off as a precaution. It wouldn't be shocking to see Happ get the weekend off, but hopefully he'll be back in the lineup soon. For now, fantasy managers should consider Happ as day-to-day until more information is available. Seiya Suzuki will cover left field and bat third versus right-hander Tylor Megill.Source: Taylor McGregor
Chicago Cubs outfielder Spencer Strider Set For Evaluation On Sunday
Spencer Strider (hamstring) on Sunday to determine whether he will require another rehab start before activation. The 26-year-old has been sidelined for the last three and a half weeks as he recovers from a hamstring strain. Strider got a late start this season while working back from an internal brace procedure on his elbow from last year. He made just one appearance at the big league level -- tossing five innings of two-run ball in a loss against the Blue Jays -- before finding himself back on the injured list. Fortunately, it sounds like he could be back with the team within the next two weeks. Fantasy managers should exhibit no caution when slotting him into their lineups upon his return.Source: Mark Bowman
Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports that the team will re-evaluate Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Ryan Jeffers Not In Saturday's Lineup
Ryan Jeffers will get the day off on Saturday when the Twins continue a series against the San Francisco Giants. Jeffers started on Friday but went 0-for-3 at the plate with a walk and two strikeouts. As a result, Christian Vazquez will get the nod behind the dish and bat in the nine-hole. Prior to Friday, Jeffers was enjoying an impressive surge at the plate. Over his last nine contests, Jeffers posted an impressive .321/.367/.607 slash line with two home runs, two doubles, and eight RBI. Fantasy managers should expect Jeffers to return to the starting nine on Sunday. This afternoon, Vazquez is best to fade in DFS facing San Francisco ace Logan Webb. Webb enters this contest holding a 2.61 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP.Source: Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins catcher Tommy Pham Remains Sidelined On Saturday
Tommy Pham (illness) remains out of the starting nine on Saturday. Pham was a late scratch on Friday due to an illness and was unable to progress enough to return on Saturday. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status leading up to Sunday's game. This afternoon, Alexander Canario will get the starting nod in left field and is slated to bat in the eight-hole. Through his first 32 games of the season, Pham has held a low .183/.259/.221 slash line with three stolen bases. He has yet to go deep. Under the hood, the 37-year-old has placed in the third percentile in xwOBA and the sixth percentile in xBA. Canario hit a home run during Friday's contest, but is best to fade in DFS this afternoon, facing Atlanta right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver.Source: Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Jake Fraley Placed On Injured List
Jake Fraley (calf) on the 10-day injured list retroactive to May 7. In a corresponding move, outfielder/first baseman Connor Joe joined the active roster. Fraley has been dealing with a lingering calf injury over the past week. He was expected to return on Friday but was a late scratch to the starting nine. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as Fraley will likely not be sidelined for an extended period. Through his first 31 games of the season, Fraley has struggled at the plate, holding a .205/.319/.359 slash line with three doubles and three home runs. Under the hood, the 29-year-old has generated a low .232 xBA and a .359 xSLG. While he remains sidelined, Rece Hinds, Will Benson, and Connor Joe should cover right field.Source: Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds have placed outfielder Danny Jansen Sitting On Saturday
Danny Jansen will not be in the starting nine on Saturday when they continue a series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Jansen has not been given a start against a right-handed pitcher since April 27. This afternoon, the Rays will face Milwaukee right-hander Tobias Myers. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, but it appears Jansen is beginning to fall into a platoon role behind the dish. As a result, Ben Rortvedt will get the starting nod and will bat in the nine-hole. Over his last nine games, Jansen has posted a .160/.344/.160 slash line with no extra-base hits. Given his drop in playing time, he should only be rostered in deep AL-only formats. This afternoon, Rortvedt is best to fade in DFS facing Myers, who enters this game holding a 3.65 ERA.Source: MLB.com
Tampa Bay Rays catcher Spencer Horwitz Moves Rehab Assignment To Triple-A
Spencer Horwitz (wrist) has moved his rehab assignment to Triple-A Indianapolis. Horwitz has been sidelined since spring training to repair an extensor tendon in his right thumb. Horwitz began his rehab assignment at Double-A and needed just five games to earn the call to Triple-A. Through his first eight rehab appearances, Horwitz has held a .143/.200/.214 slash line with two doubles with a 5:2 K:BB. Last season, Horwitz appeared in a career-high 97 games for the Toronto Blue Jays and posted a solid .265/.357/.433 slash line with 19 doubles and 12 home runs. When he does return to the majors, fantasy managers should expect Horwitz to be the everyday first baseman in Pittsburgh.Source: MLB.com
Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Isiah Kiner-Falefa Resuming Baseball Activities
Isiah Kiner-Falefa (hamstring) has been cleared to participate in baseball activities and is expected to begin running the bases later this weekend. The 30-year-old has been sidelined since the start of the month with a right hamstring strain. However, given his current progress, fantasy managers should not expect Kiner-Falefa to be sidelined for an extended period. If the 30-year-old does not face any setbacks this weekend, he may not need to embark on a rehab assignment before returning from the 10-day injured list. Through his first 30 games of the season, Kiner-Falefa has held a .280/.333/.330 slash line with six stolen bases. When he is cleared to return, he should be the everyday shortstop in Pittsburgh.Source: MLB.com
Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Ivan Herrera, Jordan Walker Not In Saturday's Lineup
Ivan Herrera and outfielder Jordan Walker are not in the starting lineup on Saturday when they continue a series against the Washington Nationals. Herrera returned from the injured list on Friday and went 1-for-4 with two RBI. However, he will get the day off, which will open a spot in the lineup for Pedro Pages to be behind the dish. Walker has started each of the previous three contests but has tallied just one hit and held a 5:2 K:BB over this stretch. Instead, Lars Nootbaar will shift to right field, which opens left field for Brendan Donovan. Fantasy managers should expect both Herrera and Walker to return to the lineup on Sunday. The Cardinals are worth targeting in DFS facing Nationals right-hander Trevor Williams, who has held a modest 5.86 ERA this season.Source: MLB.com
St. Louis Cardinals catcher