5 days agoSan Diego Padres outfielder
Jurickson Profar (knee) is not in the team's starting lineup for Wednesday's series finale against the visiting Oakland Athletics. It will be the first time this season that Profar hasn't been in the starting lineup for the Friars, and it comes after he was removed from Tuesday night's walk-off win early due to left-knee soreness. Apparently, the 31-year-old has been battling some knee issues of late, and his left knee buckled after a swing-and-miss in the eighth inning on Tuesday night. For now, consider Profar day-to-day and check back to see if he's in the lineup for Friday's series opener against the New York Mets after an off day on Thursday. Profar has been a must-start in fantasy leagues in 2024 in what has been a career year to this point.
Jose Azocar is manning left field and batting ninth against A's left-hander
Hogan Harris on Wednesday with Profar out.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: San Diego Padres
5 days agoSan Diego Padres reliever
Jeremiah Estrada (illness) is at Petco Park on Wednesday and said he's feeling better but is still fighting through an illness. Estrada thinks he'll be available out of the bullpen for Wednesday's series finale against the visiting Oakland Athletics. The 25-year-old was unavailable in a high-leverage situation late in Tuesday night's 4-3 walk-off win, but the could be back in action on Wednesday. The former sixth-round pick by the Chicago Cubs in 2017 hadn't done much in 17 relief appearances in Chicago the last two years, but he's burst onto the scene in San Diego in 2024, allowing only two earned runs on 10 hits while fanning a whopping 35 hitters and walking only seven in 21 innings of work out of the bullpen. Estrada also picked up his first career save this year and has some value for his high strikeout rate in deep fantasy leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - AJ Cassavell
5 days agoSan Francisco Giants first baseman/outfielder
LaMonte Wade Jr. (hamstring) is taking grounders and has started some light running. Wade was expected to be out until late June because of a strained hamstring, but he is pushing hard to return from the 10-day injured list to play in the game in Alabama next Thursday against the St. Louis Cardinals on June 20, even as just a designated hitter. The 30-year-old was put on the IL on May 28 with a Grade 2 left-hamstring strain, but Wade has made nice progress and could return to San Fran's lineup late next week. Wade will return to a near-everyday role for the Giants when he's healthy. Although he has just two home runs, 17 RBI and 22 runs scored in 129 at-bats this year, he's helped fantasy managers in deeper mixed leagues with his .333 batting average (43-for-129).
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Andrew Baggarly
5 days agoArizona Diamondbacks right-hander
Merrill Kelly (shoulder) has been throwing out to 70 feet as he works his way back from a right-shoulder strain that sent him to the 15-day injured list. Kelly is progressing, but his rehab is moving slowly and he probably isn't a realistic candidate to come off the IL to rejoin the big-league starting rotation until after the All-Star break in mid-July. When the 35-year-old veteran is ready, though, he'll return to the top of Arizona's rotation alongside
Zac Gallen (hamstring), who is also currently on the IL. Before his injury earlier this year, Kelly had been fantastic in his four starts, going 2-0 with a 2.19 ERA (3.75 FIP) and 0.93 WHIP with six walks and 21 strikeouts in 24 2/3 innings of work. He shouldn't be floating around on any waiver wires.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Arizona Sports - Alex Weiner
5 days agoArizona Diamondbacks left-hander
Eduardo Rodriguez (shoulder) is currently throwing out to 105 feet and will continue to receive imaging in conjunction with his throwing program. Rodriguez began the 2024 season on the injured list with a left-shoulder injury and was shut down in early April when he experienced more pain in his left arm during a bullpen session. The 31-year-old veteran southpaw is making progress of late, though. However, he probably won't be an option to come off the 60-day injured list to join Arizona's starting rotation until after the All-Star break in mid-July. Given his lengthy absence, expect E-Rod to need a rather lengthy minor-league rehab assignment before the D-backs feel comfortable activating him. When he's healthy, Rodriguez could be useful as a matchup-based streamer in deep mixed fantasy leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Arizona Sports - Alex Weiner
5 days agoThe Arizona Diamondbacks plan on outfielder
Alek Thomas (hamstring) playing in minor-league rehab games this week as he continues to work back from a hamstring strain. Thomas is on track to serve as the designated hitter in an Arizona Complex League game on Thursday if he feels good leading up to that day. "He's running the bases and doing most of the things that we're looking for," manager Torey Lovullo said. "Some of the moves on the bases and some of the moves in the outfield are still coming." Thomas was put on the 10-day injured list on April 1 and went on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Reno on May 3, but he was shut down after three games with more hamstring pain. The 24-year-old has yet to really make a mark offensively in the big leagues, so he can probably be left to the waiver wire in most mixed leagues, even after he returns.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Arizona Sports - Alex Weiner
5 days agoA Houston Astros spokesman said that outfielder
Kyle Tucker (leg) is unlikely to return from the 10-day injured list and to the starting lineup by Friday against the visiting Detroit Tigers, but he's feeling better. Tucker fouled a ball off his right shin early last week and hasn't played since. The 27-year-old left-handed slugger avoided a serious injury, but the Astros are playing it safe with one of the best hitters in all of baseball. Tucker must be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues while he recovers, and hopefully he can start baseball activities at some point this weekend. With Tucker out, the left-handed-hitting
Trey Cabbage has seen most of the playing time in right field against right-handers, with
Chas McCormick stepping in against lefties. Tucker is currently batting .266 (57-for-214) with 19 homers, 40 RBI and 10 thefts on the season.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
5 days agoAccording to Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider, the team is considering reinstating rookie right-hander
Yariel Rodriguez (back) from the 15-day injured list on short rest on Saturday to take on the Cleveland Guardians. The Blue Jays could also push right-hander
Jose Berrios up to Saturday on regular rest and start Rodriguez on Sunday, but they don't want to take away Berrios' extra rest. Schneider said Rodriguez had a "damn good outing" for Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday night, and his progress is "driving" how the team will fill
Alek Manoah's (elbow) spot in the rotation, which is due up this Saturday. The 27-year-old Cuban hurler fanned 10 in four shutout innings for Buffalo and appears ready to return to the big leagues, but fantasy managers should be wary of throwing him back into the fire immediately on short rest and against one of the best teams in baseball.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Sportsnet.ca - Shi Davidi
5 days agoHouston Astros catcher
Yainer Diaz (finger) remains out of the starting lineup for Wednesday's series finale in San Francisco against the Giants.
Victor Caratini will once again do the catching for left-hander
Framber Valdez and will bat seventh against Giants right-hander
Logan Webb. Diaz is missing a third straight game due to a right-index finger injury that he suffered while taking a foul tip over the weekend. The 25-year-old is considered day-to-day, and fantasy managers will need to check back on Friday to see if he's ready for the series opener against the Tigers after an off day on Thursday. Diaz has excelled as Houston's primary catcher this year and is currently slashing .257/.283/.408 with seven homers and 33 RBI in 218 at-bats. He's hit in all six games in June so far, going 8-for-25 (.320) with four homers and 10 RBI.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
5 days agoBoston Red Sox outfield prospect
Roman Anthony started the 2024 season on a cold streak. At the end of April, he was slashing .206/.310/.329 with three doubles, two home runs, an 11:28 BB/SO ratio, and five RBI in 19 games with Double-A Portland. Fortunately, he's been much better in May and June. Since May 1, he's slashing .323/.438/.576 with 12 doubles, three homers, a 19:24 BB/SO, and 12 RBI in 28 games. Notably, he's been especially hot in June. Notching at least one hit in all six games, he's 11-for-24 with four doubles, two homers, a 1:1 BB/SO, and four RBI. Boston's No. 2 prospect (per MLB Pipeline), Anthony is expected to make his MLB debut in 2025.
--Wade Smith - RotoBallerSource: Baseball Reference
5 days agoTexas Rangers outfield prospect
Dustin Harris stole four bases on Tuesday night with Triple-A Round Rock. After drawing a walk in the bottom of the second, he swiped both second and third base before ultimately scoring on a sacrifice fly. Then, following a single in the bottom of the fourth, he took second and third again, eventually scoring on a bases-loaded walk. In 58 games, the 24-year-old speedster is slashing .255/.350/.382 with 36 runs, six doubles, six home runs, 28 walks, and 18 steals. The No. 9 prospect in Texas' farm system, Harris is expected to make his MLB debut at some point this season.
--Wade Smith - RotoBallerSource: Baseball Reference
5 days agoToronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that first baseman
Joey Votto (ankle) has recently made "the most progress in quite some time." "He's actually getting pretty close to playing in games," Schneider said. Votto injured his right ankle in spring training in mid-March and hasn't made his 2024 debut for the Blue Jays. However, he could be sent out on a lengthy minor-league rehab assignment soon, which would put the 40-year-old left-handed swinger on track to be an option for Toronto in the second half of the season. In what will likely be his final season as a professional, Votto will be a veteran bench bat for the Blue Jays if he's called up to Toronto at any point this season. He's had trouble staying on the field in recent years, but the six-time All-Star did hit 14 home runs in 65 games for the Cincinnati Reds in 2023.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
5 days agoLos Angeles Angels pitching prospect
Caden Dana had an outstanding performance against the Chattanooga Lookouts on June 7, setting a season-high in innings (eight), pitches thrown (101), and strikeouts (10). He allowed just two runs and didn't surrender a walk. The 20-year-old righty now has a 2.57 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 63:19 K:BB through 63 innings this season. The No. 2 prospect in the Angels' farm system (per MLB Pipeline), Dana isn't expected to make his MLB debut for another two years. However, given his immense success in the minors, he could get a big-league promotion earlier than that timeline.
--Wade Smith - RotoBallerSource: Baseball Reference
5 days agoAfter the Los Angeles Dodgers acquired infielder
Cavan Biggio from the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday, infielder
Miguel Vargas is being optioned back to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Vargas had only played in eight games with the Dodgers after being called up around a month ago, and he had five hits (one home run) in 20 at-bats with four RBI and a stolen base. The 24-year-old will now go back to Oklahoma City and bide his time on the farm for a potential call-up later this season. On a stacked Dodgers team, it's hard to envision Vargas getting any kind of serious playing time again in 2024. In his three big-league seasons in LA, including this year, Vargas is slashing a weak .195/.291/.362 with nine home runs, 44 RBI and five steals in 107 games played.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Los Angeles Time - Jack Harris
5 days agoThe Washington Nationals recalled rookie infielder
Trey Lipscomb from Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday and placed first baseman/outfielder
Joey Gallo (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list with a left-hamstring strain in a corresponding move. Lipscomb, the team's No. 16 prospect per MLB Pipeline, made his big-league debut earlier this year and went 27-for-107 (.252) with a homer, a double, nine RBI, 10 stolen bases and 16 runs scored in 33 games in D.C. The former third-round selection in 2022 out of Tennessee was hitting .247 (23-for-93) with no home runs, eight RBI and two steals in 24 games for Rochester and won't bring a ton of offensive upside for fantasy managers in NL-only leagues, aside from his speed. With Gallo on the shelf, expect Lipscomb to share some playing time at first base with
Joey Meneses.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MASN Sports - Mark Zuckerman
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