31 mins agoThe Atlanta Braves recalled left-hander
Ray Kerr from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday, and he will make the start in the series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates on the road. It will be the first start of Kerr's major-league career, although he's appeared in 33 games the last three seasons in a relief role for Atlanta and the San Diego Padres, sporting a 4.57 ERA (4.42 FIP) and 1.21 WHIP with 13 walks and 48 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. He's made four appearances in relief for the Braves in 2024, allowing three earned runs on nine hits (two homers) while walking none and striking out 10 in 9 1/3 frames. In his last outing on Monday against his former team, the Padres, Kerr went 3 1/3 innings and allowed two runs. Although it's a solid matchup, Kerr isn't going to go very deep into Friday's contest and should be avoided as a fantasy streamer.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Atlanta Braves
42 mins agoThe Atlanta Braves signed free-agent infielder
Joey Wendle to a major-league contract on Friday and optioned infielder
Luke Williams to Triple-A Gwinnett in a corresponding move. Wendle has landed with another team quickly after he was released by the Mets earlier this week after going 8-for-36 (.222) with no home runs, one RBI and three runs scored in limited playing time as a utility infielder. The former sixth-round pick in 2012 out of West Chester by the Cleveland Guardians has not been able to replicate his All-Star campaign in 2021 with the Tampa Bay Rays, when he hit .265/.319/.422 with 11 home runs, 54 RBI and eight stolen bases in 136 games played. Since then, he's hit .237/.273/.331 with five homers, 53 RBI and 20 steals in 231 games and will find playing time even more difficult to come by, although he could immediately see action at third base if
Austin Riley (intercostal) lands on the injured list.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Atlanta Braves
46 mins agoThe Atlanta Braves placed rookie right-hander
AJ Smith-Shawver (oblique) on the 15-day injured list on Friday with a strained left oblique muscle and recalled left-hander
Ray Kerr from Triple-A Durham in order to start on Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Smith-Shawver must have injured his oblique in his start against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday in which he threw 4 1/4 scoreless innings. It was the 21-year-old's first start of the 2024 season in the big leagues. Oblique injuries are usually tricky to come back from, so fantasy managers that picked Smith-Shawver up shouldn't be surprised if he's not ready to return in 15 days. And when he is ready to come back, the Braves may choose to send him back to Gwinnett. It's a tough break for the team's top prospect, per MLB Pipeline.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Atlanta Braves
51 mins agoBaltimore Orioles first baseman
Ryan Mountcastle was a hitting machine in the team's 8-6 win over the Chicago White Sox on the road on Thursday evening. Mountcastle finished the contest by going 4-for-5 with a double and two runs scored. The 27-year-old is now hitting a strong .272/.309/.462 with six home runs, 18 RBI and 25 runs scored in 169 at-bats this year. He hasn't been quite as good in the month of May with a .243 average (17-for-70) with no walks and 17 strikeouts, though, and he hasn't driven in a run for the Orioles since May 8. Fantasy managers shouldn't be extremely worried after a four-hit game, especially since Mountcastle has been able to stay healthy so far. The RBI should return in such a strong Baltimore lineup. Mountcastle is currently squaring the ball up on 19.9% of his swings, which ranks 187th in MLB.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 hour agoToronto Blue Jays shortstop
Bo Bichette may finally be showing signs of breaking out of his early season funk at the plate for the Blue Jays. In the team's 9-1 victory over the Tigers in Detroit on Thursday, he went 3-for-5 with three singles, an RBI and a run scored to raise his season average to .243 (43-for-177) with three home runs, 20 RBI, four stolen bases and 16 runs scored in 46 games played. He's now hitting .290 (20-for-69) with two homers, nine RBI and a stolen base in 18 games in the month of May. Since May 13, he's gone 14-for-34 (.412) with a homer, four doubles, seven RBI and a steal in 37 plate appearances. The 26-year-old two-time All-Star was dropped from the top of the batting order amid his struggles, but that could change if he continues to swing the bat well. His fantasy managers will be hoping he can keep it up to conclude the weekend series in Motown.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 hour agoWashington Nationals outfielder
Lane Thomas (knee) is getting ready to return and could be reinstated from the injured list as early as Friday night's series opener against the visiting Seattle Mariners. The Nationals have managed just a .503 OPS in 22 games since Thomas sprained the MCL in his left knee a month ago, so they will certainly welcome his return. In the course of his career in D.C., Thomas has a .747 OPS. He spent the last three days on a minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A Harrisburg, where he went 2-for-9 with a double, walk, two strikeouts and a stolen base. Most importantly, he played a full nine innings on Thursday night. If Thomas doesn't return to the big-league lineup on Friday, it will likely come later this weekend or early next week. The 28-year-old will be an everyday hitter near the top of the lineup when he returns, and he shouldn't be floating around any waiver wires in fantasy.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MASN Sports - Mark Zuckerman
1 hour agoWith Washington Nationals outfielder
Lane Thomas' (knee) return on the horizon, both outfielder
Victor Robles and first baseman/designated hitter
Joey Meneses are in danger of losing their roster spot. Robles, 27, looked good in spring training, only to get hurt less than a week into the regular season. He hasn't played much since rejoining the team and has gone just 2-for-23 with five walks and nine strikeouts. Robles has been in a decline since 2019 and the Nats may finally give up on him and designated him for assignment (since he's out of minor-league options). The other option would be to send Meneses to the minors. Meneses did homer on Wednesday, but he's slashing just .234/.299/.299 while hitting in the heart of Washington's batting order.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MASN Sports - Mark Zuckerman
1 hour agoAtlanta Braves catcher
Sean Murphy (oblique), who hasn't played since injuring his oblique on Opening Day, looks to be close to making a return to the big leagues. Murphy went 2-for-6 with the second home run on his minor-league rehab assignment, a double, two RBI, a run scored and two strikeouts for Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday while serving as the designated hitter. It's a great sign for the 29-year-old backstop, although Atlanta will probably want to see him catch a game in the minors before reinstating him from the injured list. Either way, fantasy managers should be happy to know that Murphy's return to the big leagues is right around the corner. He's a must-start in all fantasy leagues when he's healthy, but be aware that the Braves will likely ease him back into catching duties. Veteran
Travis d'Arnaud is inevitably going to lose playing time when Murphy is back.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Milb.com
6 hours agoSan Francisco Giants starting pitching prospect John Michael Bertrand tossed six no-hit frames on Thursday. He allowed just two free passes and struck out five. This dominant outing brings Bertrand to a solid 2.25 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 12:33 BB:K ratio. In fact, the 26-year-old has not allowed a run in four starts this season. The former tenth-round selection has logged 100 innings at Double-A over the past two seasons and is quickly approaching his Triple-A debut. The southpaw should remain on the waiver wire in all leagues but is worth monitoring as he has showcased elite potential several times this season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
6 hours agoLos Angeles Dodgers catching prospect
Dalton Rushing ended his 13-game home run drought on Thursday with a three-run shot to power Double-A Tulsa to a victory. Rushing was swinging a hot bat through April with a strong .278/.394/.556 line with three long balls and a 9:14 BB:K ratio. However, entering Thursday, he has been in a bit of a slump with a .213/.362/.319 line through the start of May. Rushing is considered to be the number two prospect in the Los Angeles system, behind only
Andy Pages, who is already in the major leagues. Rushing is expected to make his major league debut sometime in 2025 but could push for a late-season promotion to Triple-A. He remains a name to monitor in dynasty leagues as he could continue to develop into one of the game's top-catching prospects.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
6 hours agoBaltimore Orioles outfield prospect
Heston Kjerstad extended his impressive multi-hit hitting streak to three games on Thursday with a three-hit performance in addition to hitting his 13th home run of the season. Kjerstad has been outstanding with Triple-A Norfolk this season, riding an overall .347/.427/.754 line with 44 RBI. The 25-year-old earned a promotion to the major leagues on April 23 but did not receive consistent playing time and was eventually sent back down to the minor leagues to further his development on May 13. Since his return to Triple-A, Kjerstad has posted a .344/.415/.781 line with three home runs. The number four prospect in the Baltimore system is clearly ready for the major leagues but does not have a spot to fill in the Baltimore lineup. For now, he will continue to dominate Triple-A but could be the first name called if needed to replace an injured player making him a solid stash option in most leagues.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
6 hours agoBaltimore Orioles infield prospect
Jackson Holliday entered Thursday with a poor .200/.398/.329 line through May. On Thursday, he launched his fifth home run of the season and might be settling back into Triple-A. Holliday was excellent through the opening month, with Triple-A Norfolk posting a .310/.473/.500 line, which earned him a promotion to the major leagues. However, in his ten major league games, the top prospect in baseball struggled and only tallied two hits through ten games, which resulted in his demotion. Since returning to Triple-A, the 20-year-old has yet to find any consistency but will look to build off the home run he hit on Friday. Holliday remains a must-stash player in standard leagues, as he should be back in Baltimore fairly soon and should be expected to make an immediate impact when he does return.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
6 hours agoSeattle Mariners starting pitching prospect
Matt Tabor was promoted to Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday. Tabor underwent surgery to remove blood clots in 2022 and Tommy John surgery in 2023, which has sidelined him for the better part of almost three seasons. He pitched just three ⅓ innings in the Rookie League this spring before getting the call to join Triple-A. The 25-year-old's last full season was in 2021 where he posted a 5.87 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and 39:96 BB:K ratio across High, Double, and Triple-A. The right-hander will hope to settle in at Triple-A this summer after struggling in 2021 with an 11.13 ERA across 32 ⅓ innings. The former third-round pick should remain on all waiver wires but could become an interesting name in dynasty leagues if he can perform well at Triple-A after his three-year absence.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
7 hours agoSeattle Mariners starting pitcher Luis Castillo (4-6) picked up the loss Thursday, allowing two runs on seven hits with three walks and one hit-by-pitch in five innings in a 5-0 loss to the New York Yankees. Castillo's only mistakes were two solo shots by Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge, and the two runs were the only ones the Yankees needed as Luis Gil out-dueled the veteran right-hander. Castillo has put up excellent numbers since being traded over from the Cincinnati Reds and continues to do so this year while headlining a stacked Seattle rotation. Overall, the 31-year-old owns a 3.31 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and a 69:18 K: BB across 65 1/3 innings. After a rocky start to the season, allowing four runs in each of his first three starts, Castillo has not allowed more than two runs in eight straight starts. He will look to continue that streak against the Houston Astros on Tuesday.--Joey Inglese - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
11 hours agoPittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds smacked his seventh home run Thursday afternoon while going 3-for-5 in a 7-6 loss to the San Francisco Giants. Bryan Reynolds has homered in back-to-back games while going 5-for-10 at the plate with five RBI. The 29-year-old switch hitter has been incredibly consistent over the last two seasons and is on pace to put up similar numbers again in 2024. In 2022, Reynolds hit 27 home runs with a .262/.345/.461 slash line. In 2023, he hit 24 home runs with a .263/.330/.460 slash line. Those numbers are interesting because, towards the end of May, Reynolds is on pace for about 25 home runs with a .260/.341/.431 slash line. Mr. Consistency isn't the sexiest fantasy player in the game. Still, managers can always feel good about inserting him into their lineups because he can produce a little bit of everything.--Joey Inglese - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
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