6 days agoBoston Red Sox outfield prospect
Matthew Lugo endured a subpar 2023 campaign at the Double-A level, showing a tendency to commit errors on the left side of the infield, as well as a below-average hit tool. The organization has experimented with his positional versatility and seems to have found a better home for him in left field, where he made a Gold Glove-caliber catch last week. Meanwhile, his bat has played very well so far this year as he has demonstrated an ability to put the ball in play, work walks, and even deliver a hint of power. Over five games last week, Lugo went 8-for-21 with two home runs, 11 RBI, five walks, and five strikeouts. He currently owns a seven-game hitting streak and could be pushing for his first-ever promotion to Triple-A sooner rather than later.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: FanGraphs
6 days agoThe San Francisco Giants placed left-hander
Blake Snell (groin) on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday (retroactive to April 23) with a left-adductor strain and recalled right-hander
Landen Roupp from Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move. Snell was scratched from his next start on Wednesday against the New York Mets and will now miss at least the next two weeks. The 31-year-old reigning National League Cy Young winner hasn't had a good year so far in 2024 after signing with the Giants just before the start of the regular season. In his three starts so far, he's 0-3 with an 11.57 ERA, 1.97 WHIP, five walks and 12 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings. Fantasy managers need to keep Snell stashed in an IL start everywhere, but expecting him to bounce back to his Cy Young form from a year ago after he returns may be foolish.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: San Francisco Giants
6 days agoWashington Nationals outfield prospect
Dylan Crews (undisclosed) hasn't played for Double-A Harrisburg since last Wednesday but is fine, according to sources. Crews had a minor undisclosed issue that kept him out a few days last week but was held out of the lineup on Tuesday night as a precaution because of rainy weather. The 22-year-old is most likely dealing with a minor lower-body injury. He should be able to return to action on Wednesday. We'll keep a close eye on whether it affects his upcoming performance. So far through 10 games at Harrisburg, the team's top prospect per MLB Pipeline, is hitting .244/.326/.415 with two home runs and two stolen bases. Crews should be stashed in all dynasty/keeper leagues and even some deeper single-year leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MASN Sports - Mark Zuckerman
6 days agoWashington Nationals outfielder
Lane Thomas (knee), who is undergoing an MRI exam on his left knee on Wednesday, is considered very likely to land on the injured list, according to sources. As a result, rookie infielder
Trey Lipscombread more...
6 days agoArizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that right-hander
Ryne Nelson (elbow) will throw a bullpen session at Salt River Fields on Wednesday, and it sounds like it could be close to the minimum 15 days on the injured list for him. Nelson was hit by a comebacker on his elbow and was put on the 15-day injured list last week, but he appears to be making good progress and could be ready to return when he's eligible on May 4. The 26-year-old former second-round pick in 2019 out of Oregon should have a starting rotation spot waiting for him in Arizona when he's ready. In his first four starts this year in his third major-league season, Nelson has gone 1-2 with a 4.60 ERA and 1.53 WHIP with five walks and 13 strikeouts covering 15 2/3 frames.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Arizona Republic - Theo Mackie
6 days agoArizona Cardinals closer
Paul Sewald (oblique) is back in Arizona working with the medical team to determine whether he will need another minor-league rehab assignment or if he's ready to rejoin the D-backs. Manager Torey Lovullo said Sewald is "getting extremely close" to returning from the 15-day injured list. The 33-year-old made his first rehab appearance on Tuesday with Triple-A Reno and gave up an unearned run on two hits while walking one and striking out two, and that may be all he needs before returning to Arizona's bullpen. He has yet to pitch in the big leagues in 2024 due to a strained left oblique, but when he's back, he will operate as the team's full-time closer. Make sure he's not available for some reason on the waiver wire in your fantasy league.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Arizona Republic - Theo Mackie
6 days agoSt. Louis Cardinals outfielder
Alec Burleson is out of the lineup on Wednesday with the team facing left-hander
Jordan Montgomery and the Arizona Cardinals. It's no surprise, as Burleson will continue to ride the pine when the Cardinals face a southpaw. With the 25-year-old out and
Jordan Walker being optioned to Triple-A Memphis,
Brendan Donovan is in left field and hitting leadoff, while rookie
Michael Siani gets the nod in center field and will bat ninth. With Walker in the minors for a bit, Burleson's fantasy stock in deeper leagues is going up, as he should play more regularly against right-handers now. The former second-round pick in 2020 out of East Carolina is still searching for his first home run in 2024 while batting .255 (13-for-51) with two RBI and two runs scored.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoSt. Louis Cardinals catcher
Willson Contreras (hand) is back in the team's lineup on Wednesday, serving as the designated hitter and batting second against Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander
Jordan Montgomery.
Ivan Herrera is doing the catching and is hitting fifth. Left-hand soreness caused the Cardinals to lift Contreras from Tuesday's game early, but manager Oliver Marmol said the decision to pull Contreras had more to do with the lopsided score. Still, the 31-year-old veteran's hand issue is something to keep an eye on. It hasn't affected him at the plate so far, as he's currently hitting .292 (19-for-65) with three home runs and eight RBI in 19 games. He's gone hitless in eight career at-bats against Montgomery, but fantasy managers in single-year leagues need to get him back into their lineups.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoSt. Louis Cardinals outfielder
Jordan Walker has been optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday. The former 21st overall pick in 2020 will head to the farm after opening the 2024 campaign with a weak .155/.239/.259 slash line with no home runs, four RBI, six walks and 18 strikeouts in 67 plate appearances over 20 games for the Red Birds. The 21-year-old will surely be back in St. Louis at some point, but he's going to need to work on some things in the minors first.
Brendan Donovan is in left field and hitting leadoff on Wednesday, while rookie
Michael Siani is in center field and batting ninth against Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander
Jordan Montgomery. With Walker now in the minors,
Alec Burleson and
Ivan Herrera could see some more playing time in the outfield moving forward.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Katie Woo
6 days agoArizona Diamondbacks outfielder
Corbin Carroll is starting in center field but has been moved to the seven-hole on Wednesday for the matchup against the St. Louis Cardinals and right-hander
Kyle Gibson. The 23-year-old will be down near the bottom of the D-backs' lineup for the first time this year as manager Torey Lovullo looks to get last year's National League Rookie of the Year going at the plate. After making his first All-Star team and leading Arizona to the World Series last fall, Carroll has come out cold at the plate in 2024, slashing .215/.324/.269 with a homer, five RBI and eight stolen bases in his first 23 games. While the drop in the batting order is likely just a temporary thing to try and help Carroll get going offensively, it's not what fantasy managers want to see. Outfielder
Pavin Smith is hitting leadoff after driving in six on Tuesday.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Arizona Diamondbacks
6 days agoChicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that X-rays on outfielder
Cody Bellinger (rib) were negative, but the team has to see how he is on Wednesday before they can determine how long he might be out. Bellinger left Tuesday's game early with a right-rib contusion not long after he ran into the wall in center field at Wrigley Field tracking a ball down. Fantasy managers will want to check back to see if Bellinger is in the lineup against the Houston Astros on Wednesday, but most likely he will not be, and he could miss more time beyond that. For now, consider the 28-year-old lefty hitter to be day-to-day. Rookie outfielder
Alexander Canario replaced Bellinger in center field on Tuesday night and could see more playing time there moving forward if Bellinger is forced to miss time.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
6 days agoChicago Cubs outfielder
Mike Tauchman went 2-for-3 with a walk and four RBI in Tuesday's victory against the Houston Astros. Both of the outfielder's hits were home runs, his first and second of the season. Tauchman has been on a heater lately and has nine hits over his last 20 at-bats. For the season, Tauchman is hitting a respectable .283 with two homers and seven RBI to go along with 13 runs scored. With
Seiya Suzuki (oblique) sidelined, Tauchman has gotten every day reps and has taken the most of the opportunity. As long as he keeps hitting, he is worth a look in deeper leagues. The outfielder will look to stay hot on Wednesday in a rematch against the Astros and rookie starting pitcher
Spencer Arrighetti.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoArizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Logan S. Allen received his first career save in Tuesday's 14-1 rout against the St. Louis Cardinals. Allen tossed the final three innings to earn the save and looked good. The lefty allowed one hits, no runs, one walk and struck out two on the evening. Allen is in the swingman role for Arizona and it may be a while until he sees another save opportunity. He can safely remain on the waiver wire in all formats.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoArizona Diamondbacks first baseman/outfielder
Pavin Smith started as the designated hitter on Tuesday versus the St. Louis Cardinals and had himself a big game. Smith went 2-for-5 with two runs, a home run and six RBI. His home run was a grand slam against
Zack Thompson in the top of the sixth inning. Smith was recalled on April 19 and was 0-for-5 entering Tuesday's contest. Smith has shown power in the past, but that is about it and without regular playing time, he can remain on the waiver wire.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoMilwaukee Brewers middle infielder
Brice Turang went 1-for-2 with a walk and two stolen bases on Tuesday versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. Turang's two stolen bases lifts his total to 12 on the season. He is also hitting a respectable .319 with two homers and nine RBI. Turang is unlikely to help much in the power department, but he has been playing every day and so far, has held his own. His true value comes in the speed department and managers looking to improve in that category should consider Turang. He is now tied with
Elly De La Cruz for the league lead in stolen bases and will look to take sole control of the lead on Wednesday versus the Pirates.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
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