5 days agoHouston Astros starter
Justin Verlander was in fine form on Sunday afternoon against the Detroit Tigers. The veteran right-hander tossed seven scoreless innings, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out eight batters. It was a nice bounce-back performance for Verlander after he surrendered seven runs to the New York Yankees in his previous outing. The 41-year-old now owns a 2-1 record this season to go along with a 3.38 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 23:12 K:BB through five starts. Verlander does not possess the same strikeout stuff he once had, but he is still a quality fantasy asset capable of churning out quality starts. He lines up against a surprisingly stout Milwaukee Brewers offense in his next projected start.
--Raymond Harrison - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoLos Angeles Dodgers starter
Tyler Glasnow was initially projected to make his next start on Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants, but the team is going to push it back at least a day. Glasnow has had five days off between every start he has made in 2024 and the Dodgers do not want to change things. Wednesday's contest will likely be a bullpen game or another roster move will be made. Glasnow is probable to pitch on Thursday against the Cincinnati Reds, but that has not been confirmed yet. The 30-year-old is a must-start option whenever he takes the mound next as he has been phenomenal during his first season in California.
--Raymond Harrison - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoToronto Blue Jays right-hander
Alek Manoah had his best start in a long time on Sunday against the Minnesota Twins. Manoah allowed three runs (none earned) across seven innings of work and only threw 78 pitches. He struck out six batters while issuing one walk. Manoah was cruising through the start, but an error by Blue Jays infielder
Ernie Clement in the seventh inning turned into a three-run home run from
Carlos Santana three batters later. It was nice to see Manoah hold his own against a strong lineup after he gave up seven runs in his first start of the season. He is by no means a must-roster player, but there is some more streaming intrigue surrounding him for his next projected start against the Tampa Bay Rays. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on Manoah and consider picking him up if he strings together some momentum on the mound.
--Raymond Harrison - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoMinnesota Twins starter
Bailey Ober had one of his best starts of the season on Sunday against the Toronto Blue Jays. The towering right-hander picked up the win after tossing 6 1/3 scoreless innings and allowed a single hit. He struck out a season-high 10 batters without issuing a walk. Ober had a horrific first start way back in March when he gave up eight earned runs in 1 1/3 innings, but he has been dialled in ever since. He now owns a 4-1 record to go along with a 3.71 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 45:8 K:BB across eight appearances. Ober is an automatic start regardless of opponent at this point.
--Raymond Harrison - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoNew York Mets outfielder
Brandon Nimmo (ribs) is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's showdown against the Atlanta Braves. Nimmo left Saturday's game early after experiencing intercostal irritation after a check swing. It is unclear whether Nimmo will be able to return to the lineup on Monday.
DJ Stewart would be the biggest beneficiary if Nimmo continues to miss time. Stewart is starting in left field and batting leadoff on Sunday, but his .185/.372/.415 slash line leaves a lot to be desired.
--Raymond Harrison - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoTampa Bay Rays relief pitcher
Pete Fairbanks was activated on Saturday from the 15-day injured list and tossed a scoreless frame in his return. Fairbanks entered the game in the ninth inning with a 7-2 lead and proceeded to retire three consecutive batters with one strikeout. This is an excellent sign for his fantasy value as he looks to have a clear hold on ninth inning duties. Before suffering a nerve issue in his right arm, the 30-year-old had a high 9.00 ERA and 2.29 WHIP through seven innings. However, he has done very well in limiting hard contact with a 15.0% hard-hit rate and a perfect 0.0% barrel rate, which is a good sign for Fairbanks going forward. He remains a top option for saves on a Rays team that hopes to compete this summer.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoKansas City Royals first baseman
Vinnie Pasquantino will be receiving the day off on Sunday as the Royals look to clinch a series victory in a four-game set against the Los Angeles Angels. After getting off to a slow start to the season, the 26-year-old has been turning things around the past few weeks with a .350/.370/.600 line since April 30. As a result,
Salvador Perez will shift to first base, which opens catching duties for
Freddy Fermin, who will bat in the five-hole. Fermin has posted an excellent 11.1% K rate and a modest .241/.302/.328 line with one long ball through 20 games. He could be worth consideration in DFS as he faces southpaw
Patrick Sandoval, who enters Sunday with a 4.85 ERA and 1.49 WHIP.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoColorado Rockies starting pitcher
Kyle Freeland (elbow) was seen playing catch for the third straight day on May 11 but manager Bud Black expressed that the team is being very patient with him. Freeland has yet to step on the mound since going on the 15-day injured list on April 19 and remains at least a week away from doing so. The 30-year-old southpaw has not faced any setbacks in the first steps of his recovery but does not seem remotely close to a rehab assignment. Black did state how Freeland may travel with the team on their upcoming road trip to continue doing team workouts. Through four starts this season, Freeland has a 13.21 ERA and 2.55 WHIP. The 30-year-old may not return to a major league game until mid-June, which makes him not worth rostering in any fantasy format.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoColorado Rockies outfielder
Kris Bryant (back) was seen taking batting practice multiple times and running the bases this week. This suggests that he is quickly approaching his rehab assignment, which is tentatively scheduled to begin on Tuesday, May 14. Manager Bud Black said that the plan is for Bryant to rejoin the major league roster next weekend when they travel to San Francisco for a three-game set opening on Friday. Bryant struggled at the plate at the beginning of the season with a poor .149/.273/.255 line through 13 games. Last season, in 80 games, he also disappointed with a .233/.313/.367 line. The 32-year-old has been battling injuries for the past few seasons and should remain on your waiver wire for the time being.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoColorado Rockies starting pitcher
Peter Lambert is being removed from the starting rotation per manager Bud Black. Southpaw Ty Blanch is slated to replace him. Lambert has posted a hefty 7.61 ERA and 1.69 WHIP through 23 ⅔ innings this season with 20 total strikeouts. Lamber has started just three games this season with a 16.39 ERA and 2.46 WHIP. Blanch has typically been in a bullpen role throughout the majority of this season but has started one game. In his one start on April 24, he tossed five innings of four-run ball against the San Diego Padres. Blanch should be left on your waiver wire and should only be deployed in NL-only formats in favorable matchups.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoLos Angeles Dodgers outfielder
James Outman is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the San Diego Padres. Outman had started five of the Dodgers last six games. The 26-year-old was a surprising source of offense last season, but he is batting a dismal .114 with one home run across his last 15 contests.
Enrique Hernandez will start in left field and bat seventh in Outman's absence. Hernandez has also struggled at the plate this season and is 1-for-8 in his career against Padres starter
Yu Darvish. He is not a recommended DFS play for Sunday's slate.
--Raymond Harrison - RotoBallerSource: Los Angeles Dodgers
5 days agoSan Francisco Giants outfield prospect
Luis Matos is likely being called up to the majors after he was pulled from his game at Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday night. Reports have also noted that Matos is in the Giants clubhouse on Sunday.
Michael Conforto (hamstring) strained his right hamstring in Saturday's game against the Cincinnati Reds and may require an IL stint once the results of his MRI come back. Matos is the likely replacement on the roster if Conforto misses time. Matos had some fantasy hype coming into the season but has had an underwhelming start to the year. He is slashing .218/.308/.355 with three homers, 17 RBI and three steals through 31 games in the minors.
--Raymond Harrison - RotoBallerSource: Shayna Rubin
5 days agoChicago Cubs right-hander
Jameson Taillon (back) will likely make his next start on Tuesday against the Atlanta Braves. The 32-year-old was originally supposed to start this past Friday, but a stiff back prevented him from taking the mound. He was also potentially going to start Sunday's series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates, but he needed a few more days to get right. Taillon has pitched great when healthy in 2024, as he owns a 3-0 record to go along with a sparkling 1.13 ERA and 0.88 WHIP through four starts. He is locked into a rotation spot for the Cubs and can be treated as a top-70 starting pitcher for the remainder of the season.
--Raymond Harrison - RotoBallerSource: Maddie Lee
5 days agoBaltimore Orioles starting pitcher
Grayson Rodriguez (shoulder) felt good after throwing a 30-pitch bullpen session on Sunday. The talented right-hander has been sidelined for a couple weeks with right-shoulder inflammation, but he is getting closer to a return. It is unclear what is next on the schedule for Rodriguez as the Orioles have not announced if a minor-league rehab start will be required. Nevertheless, the former first-round pick is eligible to return this upcoming Wednesday and he should be back around that time frame. Rodriguez should still be rostered in all formats as he owns a 4-1 record with a 3.71 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 37:12 K:BB through six starts this season.
--Raymond Harrison - RotoBallerSource: Jake Rill
5 days agoTexas Rangers outfielder
Evan Carter (back) is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Colorado Rockies. The 21-year-old was scratched from Saturday's lineup with stiffness in his lower back and is still not ready to return. Carter has experienced some growing pains in his rookie season as he is slashing .216/.303/.416 with five home runs, 15 RBI, 23 runs scored and two steals.
Robbie Grossman will start in left field and bat sixth in Carter's absence. Grossman is an uninspiring DFS play on Sunday as he is batting .200 with no homers in 75 at-bats in 2024. He has also never recorded a hit at Coors Field in his career.
--Raymond Harrison - RotoBallerSource: Texas Rangers
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