7 days agoPhiladelphia Phillies right fielder Nick Castellanos went 4-for-5 on Friday and took Washington Nationals pitcher Josiah Gray yard twice, but the team's comeback attempt ultimately came up just short as they fell 8-7. The 31-year-old closed with five RBI and a stolen base to top it off. After showing few signs of life amidst his disappointing Phillies debut season in 2022, Castellanos is enjoying a splendid resurgence in 2023. The former Silver Slugger is up to a .311 average with the four-hit pursuit to go with seven homers, 34 RBI, and three thefts. Castellanos possesses one of fantasy's most desirable environments as Philly's third or fourth hitter most days with a number of household names surrounding him. Continue to set and forget the former All-Star in your daily lineups.--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

7 days agoDetroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal (elbow) is starting a rehab assignment in High-A on Saturday. The 26-year-old has required a lengthy recovery process from left flexor tendon surgery last summer, so he will need several appearances before a major league comeback. Skubal was budding into a legitimate mixed-league fantasy contributor before his setback in 2022, compiling a solid 3.52 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 117 strikeouts in 117 2/3 innings last year. The southpaw is worthy of stash consideration in deeper settings, but fantasy managers should not expect Skubal to help rosters likely until the end of June.--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Jason Beck - MLB.com

7 days agoSan Francisco Giants designated hitter Joc Pederson (hand) is going on a rehab assignment in the minor leagues on Saturday. The 31-year-old has been out of action since May 13 with a right hand contusion, but his return is drawing near. Pederson was hitting .235/.351/.494 with five homers and 18 RBI over 97 plate appearances before going down. The two-time All-Star is worth a look for fantasy managers who could use some pop at the cost of speed and batting average. Upon his return, Pederson should slot back into the third or fourth spot of the San Fran lineup versus right-handed pitching regularly.--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Alex Pavlovic - NBC Sports Bay Area

7 days agoLos Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard will make his next scheduled start on Wednesday against the Cincinnati Reds, per skipper Dave Roberts. The 30-year-old has a dismal 6.54 ERA with 35 strikeouts over 52 1/3 innings this year. Since an encouraging first start of the year giving up one run in six innings, it's mostly been downhill from there. Syndergaard has just two quality starts since. The former All-Star has taken a massive fall from grace since Tommy John surgery back in 2020, which has apparently sapped of most the former flame-thrower's velocity. Even though Syndergaard is undefeated in his 56 2/3 career innings against the Reds with a 2.22 ERA, the big righty will not be a great fantasy option for that one.--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Matthew Moreno - Dodger Blue

7 days agoSan Francisco Giants second baseman/shortstop Thairo Estrada (wrist) is nearing a return to the lineup after going through a hitting progression, per manager Gabe Kapler. The 27-year-old has been on the mend since May 25 with a left wrist sprain, but he might only need a minimum stay on the 10-day injured list. Estrada was off to a fine start in 2023, hitting .301 with 30 runs scored, 6 homers, 17 RBI, and 13 stolen bases. Fantasy managers might be able to get the well-rounded infielder back in their lineups early next week without him requiring a rehab assignment. Stay tuned.--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Alex Pavlovic - NBC Sports Bay Area

7 days agoMiami Marlins outfielder Jesus Sanchez had a big game at the plate on Friday against the Oakland Athletics, going 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBI, and one run, leading his team to the 4-0 victory. The day brought his slash line to .316/.379/.582, and he's now gone deep 10 times with 10 runs, 12 RBI, and three steals across 33 games. Sanchez has batted in the cleanup spot the past two games and could be a mainstay there if he continues to mash. Fantasy managers looking for outfield help should consider adding the 25-year-old to their roster.--Spencer Seguin - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

7 days agoChicago White Sox starter Dylan Cease will try to bounce back on Saturday against the Detroit Tigers after a poor outing his last time out, which also came against Detroit. He allowed four runs over just four innings of work and is going into Saturday's game with a 4.88 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 24.2% strikeout rate. That's not what fantasy managers were expecting out of Cease, who finished second in the AL Cy Young voting a year ago. Fantasy managers would be wise to continue to start the 27-year-old and hope he can show some resemblance to the pitcher who posted a 2.20 ERA and 30.4% strikeout rate in 2022.--Spencer Seguin - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

7 days agoTexas Rangers reliever William Smith recorded his 10th save of the season on Friday, closing out the 2-0 win over the Seattle Mariners. The lefty threw a perfect ninth inning, striking out one. The outing brought Smith's numbers to an impressive 3.15 ERA and 0.90 WHIP, and he's punched out 24 batters across 20 innings. He's the only Ranger with multiple saves in 2023, and fantasy managers should expect him to hold down the closer role for the remainder of the season.--Spencer Seguin - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

7 days agoChicago Cubs right-hander Mark Leiter Jr. earned his third save of 2023 on Friday when his team defeated the San Diego Padres 2-1. He threw a clean ninth inning, allowing no hits or walks while striking out the side. Leiter Jr. has been lights out this year, pitching to a 2.66 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 38.3% strikeout rate. Although he only has three saves under his belt, the 32-year-old looks to be the favorite for ninth-inning opportunities in the Cubs bullpen. Leiter Jr. should be rostered in every format with double-digit save potential.--Spencer Seguin - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

1 week agoDespite Atlanta Braves outfielder Eddie Rosario's strong performance at the plate, going 3-for-4, his team fell short in a 3-2 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday. Rosario proved to be the sole contributor to the Braves offensive output, generating all the runs by blasting two solo home runs in both the second and seventh innings off Arizona pitcher Merrill Kelly. With his overall slash line at .251/.280/.449, Rosario has also accumulated seven home runs and 20 RBI in 175 at-bats.--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: Steve Gilbert

1 week agoTexas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien went 1-for-4 with a single, a run scored, and a strikeout in a 2-0 win over the Seattle Mariners on Friday. This one was a pitcher's duel as Luis Castillo and Jon Gray both dominated the game. It was Castillo who cracked first, however, as Semien led off the bottom of the sixth with a single. He would come around to score on a Nathaniel Lowe sacrifice fly in the same frame. The one run would prove to be the difference as the Seattle offense was anemic, per usual. Semien has simply been awesome as the Rangers' leadoff man this season, slashing a rock-solid .294/.364/.481 to go along with eight home runs, 44 RBI, and seven stolen bases over 231 at-bats. His rate stats are all well above his career-high triple-slash line of .257/.323/.444.--Jon Mathisen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

1 week agoCleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in a 1-0 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Friday. The Guardians couldn't get a whole lot going against Bailey Ober and company on Friday. Ramirez had a seven-game hit streak going into this one but that was obviously snapped. Even with the recent steak, he's scuffled a bit over the last few weeks, batting just .242 with a .740 OPS over the last 15 contests. Overall, his numbers are just fine, though, with a .271/.340/.452 triple-slash line with six home runs, 30 RBI, and five stolen bases over 210 at-bats on the season.--Jon Mathisen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

1 week agoArizona Diamondbacks right-hander Miguel Castro logged his sixth save of the season, beating the Atlanta Braves 3-2 Friday. While preserving a slim one-run advantage, he surrendered back-to-back singles with only one out, placing runners on the corners in the ninth inning. However, the 28-year-old was able to escape and earn the save. Castro has been consistent all year, owning a 3-1 record, a 2.13 ERA, and a 1.13 WHIP while striking out 22 batters in 25 1/3 innings pitched. Andrew Chafin and Castro continue to split save chances in Arizona, but both relievers should be rostered in all league formats. --Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

1 week agoMinnesota Twins reliever Jhoan Duran picked up his eighth save of the season as the Twins knocked off Cleveland 1-0 Friday. Duran struck out three batters in 1 2/3 innings of work. Minnesota has relied on their hard-throwing right-hander this year, as he boasts a 1.17 ERA in 21 outings. The 25-year-old is 8-for-9 in save opportunities in 2023. Duran has established himself as one of the most effective closers in the league this season, as he has continued to show he thrives under pressure. Fantasy managers should continue to roll with Duran in all league formats. --Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

1 week agoChicago White Sox pitcher Kendall Graveman delivered a flawless inning, securing his fifth save of the season in a 3-0 victory over the Tigers Friday. The right-hander required only 15 pitches to retire the opposing batters in consecutive order, recording a crucial strikeout. Graveman has consistently proven himself a dependable asset in the White Sox bullpen throughout the season. It was Chicago's first save chance since primary closer Liam Hendriks (illness) made his season debut on Monday. Graveman could continue to see save opportunities while the White Sox ease Hendriks back into the closer role. In 24 outings, Graveman is a perfect 5-for-5 in save chances, owning a solid 2.66 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP. --Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com