4 days agoNew York Yankees right-hander
Nick Burdi (hip) is going to have another live batting practice session before he possibly starts a minor-league rehab assignment. Burdi is dealing with inflammation in his right hip and recently suffered a setback but he's throwing again and is getting close to going on a rehab assignment. Assuming everything goes well when he resumes throwing in games, the 31-year-old veteran should be able to return to New York's bullpen in early August. He's been out of action since late May. In his first year in the Bronx before getting hurt in the first half of the 2024 campaign, Burdi was pitching very well and had a career-best 1.86 ERA (5.43 FIP) and 1.45 WHIP with 12 strikeouts and nine walks in 9 2/3 innings out of the bullpen.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
4 days agoNew York Yankees infielder
Jon Berti (calf) hit and played catch on Monday before the team's contest against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays, according to manager Aaron Boone. Berti had a setback recently with his injured left calf and required a platelet-rich plasma injection, but he's not shut down and is already doing baseball activities. As long as he doesn't suffer a setback, the 34-year-old veteran should be able to go on a minor-league rehab assignment soon. In his first year with the Bronx Bombers, Berti has hit .273/.322/.327 with a homer, six RBI and four stolen bases in just 17 games played. He's been out since late May and will be a utility infield option for the Yanks whenever he returns, limiting his fantasy value to AL-only leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
4 days agoWhen right-hander
Kodai Senga (shoulder, triceps) returns on Friday to make his 2024 debut against the division-rival Atlanta Braves, the New York Mets will shift back to a six-man starting rotation. It's what Senga is used to from pitching in Japan, and it's what the Mets used last year in his first year with the team. In addition to helping Senga as he comes back from multiple injuries, it will be good for the rest of the Mets' staff as well, which includes
Luis Severino,
Sean Manaea,
Jose Quintana and rookie
Christian Scott. The Athletic's Will Sammon speculates that the Mets could send lefty
David Peterson down after his next start for a reliever, and then swap that reliever for
Tylor Megill. The biggest advantage to a six-man rotation will be monitoring the workloads of Scott, Severino and Manaea down the stretch.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Will Sammon
4 days agoNew York Mets right-hander
Kodai Senga (shoulder, triceps) remains on track to make his 2024 debut on Friday against the division-rival Atlanta Braves, assuming he feels fine in the coming days after his last minor-league rehab start, according to manager
Carlos Mendoza. Senga has spent the whole season on the injured list due to shoulder and triceps issues. Pitching coach Jeremy Hefner suggested Senga would be able to throw around five innings and 85 pitches in his first start for the Mets. New York is sticking with the Japanese hurler this week despite his poor performance on Saturday with Triple-A Syracuse in his final rehab start, when he allowed five runs in three-plus innings (79 pitches). Two rival evaluators said he simply appeared less engaged than usual. Senga needs to be rostered in all fantasy leagues, although he'll be pretty risky in starting lineups in his first MLB start of the year on Friday.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Will Sammon
4
days
agoTampa
Bay
Rays
left-hander
Jeffrey
Springs
(elbow)
made
his
eighth
minor-league
rehab
start
with
Triple-A
Durham
on
Saturday,
July
20,
allowing
two
runs
on
four
hits
while
walking
one
and
striking
out
three
over
three
innings.
Springs'
outing
was
cut
short
after
48
read more...
4 days agoIt's not clear yet when Tampa Bay Rays first baseman
Yandy Diaz will rejoin the team after being placed on the restricted list on Sunday due to a personal matter, with manager Kevin Cash saying that the Rays are "taking it day to day." Because of his personal matter, Diaz didn't travel with the team to New York on Thursday for the weekend series in the Bronx to open the second half of the season, and Tampa played short-handed on Friday night. Cash said on Sunday morning that there was "no real update" for Diaz. On Saturday, the Rays recalled infielder
Curtis Mead from Triple-A Durham, and he was thrust into the starting lineup immediately against Yankees left-hander
Nestor Cortes and responded with a career-high-tying three hits. Mead hit .218 with a .545 OPS in his first stint with the Rays in 2024 and was slashing .278/.348/.500 with 10 homers in 59 games for Durham.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 days agoThe Tampa Bay Rays are hoping that right-hander
Ryan Pepiot (knee) will miss only the minimum 15 days on the injured list. Pepiot was scheduled to start against the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday but was put on the IL on Sunday morning with a right-knee infection. Manager Kevin Cash said Pepiot felt some soreness in his knee at the end of the All-Star break late last week, which escalated to pain and swelling. It's unclear how the injury came about. Pepiot was sent to the hospital early Saturday morning and is receiving antibiotics and IVs. He will return to St. Petersburg when he's discharged from the hospital. Cash said Pepiot was "totally fine and doing well" but will likely need "some time" for the inflammation to subside. The 26-year-old has a 3.92 ERA in 17 starts in 2024 and deserves to be stashed in at least deep-mixed fantasy leagues.
UPDATE: Pepiot is expected to be released from the hospital on Monday and fly back to St. Petersburg on Tuesday to continue treatment.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 days agoHouston Astros outfield/second base prospect
Pedro Leon went 2-for-5 with a solo home run for Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday. The 26-year-old continued his power surge this season with his 19th homer of the season. He is hitting .303 with 74 RBI to go with 22 stolen bases and a .913 OPS. The Astros' No. 25 overall prospect is crushing Triple-A right now and patiently waiting for an opportunity at the major league level. The Cuban has plus power with elite speed and could be a fantasy contributor if he is given a call-up.
--Brian Buckey - RotoBallerSource: MLB Pipeline
4 days agoTexas Rangers pitching prospect
Jack Leiter was sharp in his first start after the All-Star break going 4 2/3 innings allowing no runs on three hits and two walks with seven strikeouts for Triple-A Round Rock. The 25-year-old right-hander lowered his minor-league season ERA to 3.59 with a 1.29 WHIP. Leiter struggled in his appearances with Texas this season, but the Rangers' No. 5 prospect has been largely effective at Triple-A this season. He is still a prospect worth keeping tabs on if he can continue to pitch well at Round Rock and head back to the Rangers with his confidence high.
--Brian Buckey - RotoBallerSource: MLB Pipeline
4 days agoTampa Bay Rays right-handed pitcher
Drew Rasmussen (elbow) pitched a 1-2-3 inning with a strikeout in his first rehab outing for Triple-A Durham on Sunday. Rasmussen reportedly touched 99 mph on the radar gun with his fastball in an encouraging appearance. The 21-year-old is working his way back from an internal brace procedure a year ago. He already has a nice big-league track record and could be used as a reliever for the Rays at some point this season before potentially rejoining the starting rotation in 2025.
--Brian Buckey - RotoBallerSource: Aram Leighton
4 days agoThe Atlanta Braves are expected to promote infield prospect
Ignacio Alvarez on Monday from Triple-A Gwinnett according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman. Alvarez, the No. 5 prospect for the Braves, has played mostly shortstop in the minors but should slide over to second base to fill in for
Ozzie Albies who is expected to miss eight weeks with a fractured left wrist. The 21-year-old has hit .293 with seven homers and 39 RBI to go with 21 stolen bases across two levels of the minors this year. In 28 games with Triple-A Gwinnett, the right-handed hitter, is even better at .336 over 28 games with all seven of his home runs and 24 RBI. Alvarez is ready for his chance in the spotlight and should be scooped up in all fantasy leagues. He is in a good lineup and has plenty of prospect pedigree to provide an immediate impact.
--Brian Buckey - RotoBallerSource: Mark Bowman
5 days agoThe Atlanta Braves will reportedly sign utility player
Whit Merrifield. The veteran, who was recently released by the Philadelphia Phillies, will sign a major league deal with the Braves according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. Merrifield hit .199 for the Phillies this year in 53 games, with three homers and 11 RBI to go with 11 stolen bases. The 35-year-old is expected to provide depth for the Braves with starting second baseman
Ozzie Albies projected to be out for eight weeks with a left wrist fracture.
--Brian Buckey - RotoBallerSource: Jeff Passan
5 days agoDetroit Tigers middle infield prospect
Kevin McGonigle will join teammate
Max Clark in West Michigan after being promoted to High-A. McGonigle, the No. 63 overall prospect per MLB Pipeline earns the promotion with a strong showing in Single-A Lakeland where he hit .326 with four homers, 37 RBI and 20 stolen bases in 60 games. The 19-year-old was the 37th pick in the 2023 draft and has shined thus far in his professional career. McGonigle has played both second base and shortstop this year and there is no reason to think that he won't stay in the middle of the of field moving forward. Although he does not offer much power at the time, his ability to hit has been shown. With an ETA of 2027, he is only a name for dynasty managers to consider at the moment.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB
5 days agoPhiladelphia Phillies outfielder
Nick Castellanos went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Sunday's 6-0 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The veteran's homer came in the top of the ninth inning off
Josh Fleming to give the Phillies some added insurance on the way to their 63rd victory. Castellanos opened the season ice-cold, but has since gotten his act together and overall is hitting .239 with 14 homers and 50 RBI for the NL East leading Phillies. As part of one of the best lineups in the league, managers should feel confident rostering the veteran the rest of the season
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoSeattle Mariners shortstop prospect
Felnin Celesten (wrist) is expected to return from injury this week. Celesten has been sidelined this past month with left wrist soreness. When healthy, the 18-year-old out of the Dominican Republic was putting up big numbers for the Mariners Arizona Complex League. During that time, he hit .341 with four triples, three homers, 27 RBI and a .984 OPS in 123 at-bats. Celesten was one of the bigger international signings in all of baseball in 2023 and has not disappointed in his brief time in professional baseball. Celesten has continued to add muscle to his body and that should only help him as he continues to mature. The switch-hitting shortstop has a huge ceiling, if his offense can catch up to his already stellar defense. The shortstop is years away from a big-league debut, but he is one of the more exciting prospects with huge potential. For now, he is only worth a look in dynasty leagues.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
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