4 days agoChicago Cubs third baseman
Christopher Morel (knee) is back at third base and is batting cleanup for the Cubbies on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates and left-hander
Bailey Falter. Morell was forced to leave Saturday's contest early in the fifth inning with right-knee soreness after sliding into second base on a stolen-base attempt. It was clearly nothing serious, though, so fantasy managers can get the 24-year-old back into their starting lineups for a good matchup against Falter. Morel is hitting just .220 (31-for-141) on the year, but he also has eight home runs, 25 RBI, four stolen bases and 21 runs scored in the middle of Chicago's batting order. He's hit .250 (6-for-24) with two of his home runs against left-handed pitching.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 days agoThe Boston Red Sox reinstated right-hander
Brayan Bello (lat) from the 15-day injured list on Sunday and optioned right-hander
Josh Winckowski to Triple-A Worcester after Saturday's game in a corresponding move. Bello will return to the mound on Mother's Day to start on Sunday versus the visiting Washington Nationals. The 24-year-old was initially put on the injured list on April 24 with right-lat tightness. In his lone minor-league rehab start for Double-A Portland on Tuesday, Bello gave up three runs (two earned) on four hits while walking two and striking out five in just 2 2/3 innings. Bello went 3-1 with a solid 3.04 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in his five starts before going on the shelf and he'll have a good matchup against the Nationals, but the fact he only went 2 2/3 frames in his lone rehab start probably makes him a low-upside fantasy play in his first start back on Sunday.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Boston Red Sox
4 days agoColorado Rockies third baseman
Ryan McMahon went 4-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored in Saturday's 8-3 win over the Rangers. While all four hits were singles, the 29-year-old is having a fine season so far, slashing .303/.391/.462 with five home runs, 21 RBI, and 16 runs scored. The former second-round MLB draft pick has a strong 14.1% Barrel% and is walking at a good rate (12.9%). A .419 BABIP is unsustainable and suggests his batting average will see a decline, but a solid season like he's seen the prior three years with 20-plus home runs and a .250-.260 range for batting average looks likely again.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
4 days agoLos Angeles Angels outfielder
Kevin Pillar went 3-for-4 with three RBI, two runs scored, and a stolen base in Saturday's 9-3 win over the Royals. It was the 35-year-old's second three-hit game in his last four, so perhaps things are looking up for the veteran in what has been an otherwise forgetful beginning to the season. Through May 5, Pillar was batting .161 but this four-game stretch has raised his season average to .261 as he's logged just 12 starts in 2024 and has come in as a pinch-hitter, pinch-runner, or defensive replacement 12 times. The recent outburst is nice to see for Pillar, but you're still staying away for fantasy unless he can get more regular at-bats.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
4 days agoLos Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher
James Paxton pitched six innings of shutout ball in Saturday's 5-0 victory over the Padres, allowing just four hits and no walks while striking out four on the way to earning his fifth win of the season. The veteran has an impressive 2.58 ERA on the season and a low HR/FB% of 6.3%, but the 1.41 WHIP and -1.2% K-BB% are a bit concerning. A high 86.3% LOB% with such a low strikeout rate and a FIP of 4.91 indicate things could fall apart quickly for the southpaw. Nevertheless, if he can continue to walk the tightrope, the Dodgers should continue to provide enough run support for the 35-year-old to collect some additional wins.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
4 days agoOakland Athletics designated hitter
Brent Rooker went 2-for-4 with a walk and a stolen base in Saturday's 8-1 win over the Mariners, extending his hitting streak to five games. It was his fifth multi-hit performance in his last eight games. Rooker is scorching in May, going 15-for-34 (.441) with three doubles, four home runs, 12 RBI, 11 runs scored, and a 6:7 BB:K. The 29-year-old's .284 average may not stick, but coming off a 30-homer campaign in 2023 and with a 17.2% Barrel% in 2024, he looks to be well on his way to 30 again.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
5 days agoOakland Athletics second baseman
Abraham Toro went 2-for-5 in Saturday's 8-1 win over the Mariners, and now has eight multi-hit efforts in his last 11 games. Since April 26, the 27-year-old is 23-for-57 (.404) with six doubles, a home run, eight RBI, and 11 runs scored. After a hot spring that earned him a spot on the roster, Toro has been able to continue that success in the regular season. It was thought maybe the signing of
J.D. Davis would limit his playing time, but between Davis having an IL stint and Toro's ability to play second base (14 games), third base (10), designated hitter (9), and first base (3), the A's have been able to keep his bat in the lineup. The former fifth-round draft pick's hot hitting and multi-position eligibility (2B, 3B) has made him a popular waiver wire addition.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
5 days agoLos Angeles Dodgers left fielder
Teoscar Hernandez hit a grand slam in Saturday's 5-0 win over the Padres. The sixth-inning blast was his 11th home run of the season, one off the league lead of 12, and gave the Dodgers some breathing room after leading just 1-0 to that point in the game. The 31-year-old is having a strong month of May, hitting five home runs already after collecting just three the entire month of April. With 33 RBI, 27 runs scored, and three stolen bases on the season, the veteran has been one of the top fantasy producers so far in 2024. The former All-Star has a 14.3% Barrel% thus far so there's no reason to think the power output will fall off going forward.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
5 days agoChicago White Sox right-hander
John Brebbia tossed a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians. He needed just 14 pitches to retire all three batters he faced en route to his first save of the year. It was Brebbia's first save since 2018.
Michael Kopech is Chicago's primary closer and had racked up back-to-back saves on Wednesday and Thursday. Despite having Friday off, White Sox manager Pedro Grifol opted to go with Brebbia over Kopech to protect a two-run lead in Saturday's game. Brebbia owns a 4.38 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and a 16:2 K: BB across 12 1/3 innings in 2024. Fantasy managers searching for saves can add Brebbia as a speculative add in deep-league formats.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: MLB
5 days agoTexas Rangers outfielder
Leody Taveras went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, an additional run scored, and a stolen base in Saturday's 8-3 loss to the Colorado Rockies. He took
Jake Bird deep in the seventh inning to give the Rangers a 3-2 lead. His home run traveled 389 feet with an exit velocity of 98.7 mph. It was his Taveras's third long ball of the season. The 25-year-old has been swinging a hot bat in May, hitting .333 (12-for-36) with two home runs, six RBI, 12 runs, and two stolen bases over 10 games. Overall, Taveras is slashing .256/.329/.395 with three home runs, 10 RBI, 20 runs, and four stolen bases over 38 games in 2024. Fantasy managers can use Taveras as a streamer in most leagues while he's wielding a hot bat.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: MLB
5 days agoPittsburgh Pirates rookie phenom
Paul Skenes allowed three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out seven across four innings in Saturday's 10-9 win over the Chicago Cubs. He did not factor into the decision. The 21-year-old threw 84 pitches, landing 54 for strikes. He did get into some trouble in the second inning by loading the bases but was able to escape the jam by retiring the next two batters he faced. The early jam brought his pitch count up, which prompted Pirates manager Derek Shelton for the fifth-inning removal. Skenes was electric in his debut, hitting 100 mph or more 17 times per MLB Pipeline. Skenes is here to stay and should be a crucial part of Pittsburgh's starting rotation. The rookie phenom's next scheduled start will be Friday against the Cubs.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: MLB
5 days agoDetroit Tigers outfielder
Kerry Carpenter went 2-for-5 with two home runs, three RBI, and a strikeout in Saturday's 8-2 win over the Houston Astros. Carpenter belted a two-run shot off
Cristian Javier in the bottom of the third inning for his first homer of the game. He later took
Hunter Brown deep in the bottom of the fourth inning for his second long ball of the night. Entering Saturday's game, Carpenter had gone 18 games without a home run. The 26-year-old is slashing .275/.333/.523 with five home runs, 18 RBI, and 12 runs over 37 games in 2024. Carpenter will look to build off Saturday's massive performance in the season finale against the Astros on Sunday and should be started in most league formats.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: MLB
5 days agoTampa Bay Rays outfielder
Randy Arozarena went 2-for-3 with a home run, four RBI, a walk, and an additional run scored in Saturday's 7-2 win over the New York Yankees. Arozarena blasted a three-run shot off
Nestor Cortes in the third inning to give the Rays a 4-2 lead. His home run went 385 feet with an exit velocity of 102.5 mph. It was his seventh of the season. He later logged an RBI double, driving in four runs in Saturday's game. The 29-year-old is off to a slow start this season, slashing .154/.253/.329 with seven home runs, 17 RBI, 18 runs, and six stolen bases over 39 games. Arozarena will look to build off Saturday's performance and should remain in fantasy lineups despite the slow start.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: MLB
5 days agoLos Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar
Shohei Ohtani (back) was removed from Saturday's game versus the San Diego Padres due to back tightness. According to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, Ohtani's back tightened up. The concern level right now is "minimal," but the Dodgers are leaning toward giving Ohtani the day off on Sunday. They'll see how he feels in the morning. The 29-year-old went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored before exiting. Ohtani is off to a great start with the Dodgers this season, slashing .352/.423/.667 with 11 home runs, 27 RBI, 33 runs, and nine stolen bases over 40 games. Ohtani is considered day-to-day for now, and fantasy managers will have to check back on Sunday to see if he is in the lineup.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Jack Harris
5 days agoAtlanta Braves left-hander
Max Fried (3-1) allowed three walks while striking out five over seven scoreless and hitless innings in Saturday's 4-1 win over the New York Mets. The 30-year-old was removed after 109 pitches. Braves manager Brian Snitker pulled Fried from continuing to pursue the individual no-hitter and turned to the bullpen to close it out. The team's no-hitter was broken when
Raisel Iglesias surrendered a solo shot to
J.D. Martinez during the ninth inning. Fried has been dealing lately and has not allowed a run in three of his last four starts. Overall, he owns a 3.57 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and a 37:17 K: BB across 45 1/13 innings in 2024. Fried has been pitching well recently and should remain in all fantasy lineups for his next start Friday against the San Diego Padres.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: MLB
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