6 days agoMilwaukee Brewers first baseman prospect
Tyler Black went 2-for-4 with a home run for Triple-A Nashville on Sunday. He also had four RBI, a walk, and a run scored in the contest. The 23-year-old keeps making his case for a promotion to the big league club, now with a .315-2-13-14-2 line on the young season. With
Rhys Hoskins splitting his time between DH and 1B, and
Jake Bauers and
Owen Miller doing nothing of note with their time manning first base, Black could get the call to the Show sooner rather than later. The lefty could instantly add a boost to the offense with his power-speed combo after belting 18 home runs and stealing 55 bases last season between Double and Triple-A in just 123 games. Fantasy managers with an open bench spot could stash him ahead of his call-up.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
6 days agoArizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that right-hander
Merrill Kelly (shoulder) is "most likely" headed to the injured list to make room for the call-up of left-hander
Tommy Henry, who will start on Tuesday on the road against the St. Louis Cardinals. Kelly was scratched from his scheduled start on Sunday against the San Francisco Giants and is now most likely going to have to miss the next couple weeks at the very least due to a shoulder strain. The 35-year-old veteran should be stashed in most fantasy leagues while he's on the injured list, as he's currently 2-0 with a strong 2.19 ERA (3.82 FIP) and 0.93 WHIP with six walks and 21 strikeouts in 24 2/3 innings over his first four starts. Henry should fill in in Arizona's rotation in the short-term, but the soft-tossing southpaw has minimal fantasy upside and was sporting a 6.87 ERA and 1.80 WHIP in his first four starts before being optioned to the minors.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Arizona Republic - Theo Mackie
6 days agoSeattle Mariners right-hander
Bryan Woo (elbow) tossed three shutout innings with no hits allowed, no walks and five strikeouts in his first minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday. It was a great first rehab start for Woo, who could be ready to make his 2024 debut in Seattle's starting rotation in early May. The 24-year-old threw 35 pitches in the outing and wasn't quite there with the velocity on his fastball, but nonetheless it was a good first outing in the minors. We'll keep you in the loop on how he does in his next minor-league start as he continues to build his pitch count up. Woo, a former sixth-rounder in 2021, should have a spot in the rotation waiting for him after he went 4-5 with a 4.21 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 93 strikeouts in 87 2/3 innings over 18 starts in his first taste of the big leagues last year.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Milb.com
6 days agoNew York Mets shortstop prospect
Luisangel Acuna is showing off the speed at Triple-A, but not much power yet. The 22-year-old hit a home run in his first game of the season, however, has not hit one since. Ronald's brother went 2-for-5 with a single, a triple, a walk, an RBI, and two runs scored for Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday, bringing his season slashline to a pedestrian .211/.253/.310. Acuna has stolen seven bases so far this year and 40 or more each of the past three seasons.
Francisco Lindor is blocking his way to the majors at shortstop though, but he could make it to Queens as a second baseman or outfielder. He's not forcing the issue with his performance at the plate, however.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
6 days agoCleveland Guardians outfield prospect
Jaison Chourio went 1-for-2 with two walks for Single-A Lynchburg on Sunday after going 3-for-5 with two doubles, a home run, four RBI, two runs scored, and a walk on Saturday. The younger brother of
Jackson Chourio is now slashing .310/.500/.571 over 12 Single-A games this year, with five doubles, two home runs, 10 RBI, 12 runs scored, and five stolen bases. What's more is that he's got more walks than strikeouts (14:9 BB:K). The 18-year-old is at least a year or so away from the majors, but with a 60-grade hit tool, speed to steal bases, and a keen eye at the plate, dynasty managers should make sure to keep tabs on him. The switch-hitter will likely see some Double-A action before the year is out.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
6 days agoThe Kansas City Royals placed right-hander
Jordan Lyles (personal) on the inactive list on Saturday, and the team is not disclosing the reason for his absence other than describing it as a "personal matter." There's no timeline for his return, but because of the type of inactive list Lyles was placed on, it opened a 40-man roster spot for the Royals to call up veteran right-handed reliever
Tyler Duffey. Lyles has thrown five scoreless innings with three strikeouts in five appearances out of KC's bullpen during the 2024 regular season, but he hasn't pitched since April 12. With no defined role and most of his work coming in mop-up duty this year, however, the 33-year-old journeyman belongs on fantasy waiver wires while he's unavailable. There's no clear-cut fantasy beneficiary of his absence, either.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Anne Rogers - MLB.com
6 days agoToronto Blue Jays first baseman
Joey Votto (ankle) has started running more, but he's not hitting live pitching yet. There's no immediate plan for him to get into minor-league games, so until Votto resumes hitting, there's also no reason for fantasy managers to consider stashing the veteran on-base machine. After slashing .202/.314/.433 with 14 home runs and 38 RBI over 242 plate appearances (65 games) with the Cincinnati Reds a year ago, the 40-year-old former All-Star will be an option to serve as Toronto's designated hitter versus right-handed pitching when he's ultimately able to return from an ankle sprain and make his 2024 regular-season debut. Righty-mashing veteran
Daniel Vogelbach will draw the occasional start as the DH, but he's only appeared in eight games for the Jays so far and isn't receiving enough at-bats to garner any fantasy interest right now.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Ben Nicholson-Smith - Sportsnet.ca
6 days agoNew York Mets designated hitter
J.D. Martinez (back) will move his rehab to Triple-A Syracuse this week, and "it's possible" the team could activate him when they get home on Friday for the start of a three-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals, per manager
Carlos Mendoza. After receiving a cortisone shot due to lower back tightness, Martinez returned to a minor-league rehab assignment on Sunday and is on track to make his 2024 regular-season debut in Queens in Week 4 of fantasy baseball. With the Mets struggling to find consistency in the heart of their batting order, the 36-year-old All-Star slugger figures to slot right in as the No. 5 hitter in the lineup immediately upon his move to New York's active roster. After slashing .271/.321/.572 with 33 home runs, 27 doubles, and 103 RBI across 432 at-bats (113 games) with the Los Angeles Dodgers last year, Martinez should be rostered for those in need of power numbers.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Anthony DiComo - MLB.com
6 days agoThe Baltimore Orioles plan to recall outfield prospect
Heston Kjerstad from the minor leagues ahead of Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Angels. Kjerstad, the No. 42 prospect in baseball and Baltimore's No. 4 prospect, is slashing a prolific .349/.431/.744 with 10 home
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6 days agoChicago Cubs starting pitcher
Justin Steele (hamstring) completed a live batting practice session on Sunday at Wrigley Field. Manager Craig Counsell said everything went well, and Steele's next outing will come in an extended spring training game in Arizona on Friday. On the mend from a Grade 1 left hamstring strain that he suffered back on Opening Day, Steele continues to ramp up his activity ahead of a minor-league rehab assignment that appears to be on the horizon. Based on Steele's current progress, fantasy managers can expect the 28-year-old All-Star left-hander to rejoin Chicago's rotation at some point in the middle of May. Right-hander
Javier Assad has been a major factor in mixed leagues as a starter for the Cubs to begin the 2024 regular season, posting a 2.11 ERA (3.72 FIP), 1.03 WHIP, and 21:8 K:BB over 21 1/3 innings (four starts), but he'll face a tough matchup on paper in Thursday's scheduled home start versus the Houston Astros.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Bruce Levine - Marquee Sports Network
6 days agoToronto Blue Jays starting pitcher
Alek Manoah (shoulder) is slated to start for Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday or Thursday, per manager John Schneider. Schneider liked Manoah's fastball command and slider movement when he watched his latest rehab start on video, but the Jays want the hurler to get one more minor-league rehab appearance under his belt before deciding what's next for Manoah. The big 26-year-old right-hander threw 92 pitches of two-run ball in his latest rehab outing and is essentially built up in his recovery from soreness in his right shoulder, and he figures to be an option for Toronto's starting rotation early next week if he bounces back well from the start. Rookie right-hander
Yariel Rodriguez will get at least one more start, which is scheduled for Wednesday against the Kansas City Royals, sporting a promising 2.35 ERA (4.38 FIP), 1.30 WHIP, and 13:3 K:BB across 7 2/3 innings (two starts).
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Ben Nicholson-Smith - Sportsnet.ca
6 days agoThe Baltimore Orioles placed outfielder
Austin Hays (calf) on the 10-day injured list on Monday, retroactive to Sunday. After leaving Saturday's win over the Kansas City Royals, Hays needs to miss some additional time with a strained left calf. The 28-year-old left fielder was already trending down due to a feeble .111/.200/.111 triple-slash line with just two RBI over 45 at-bats (19 games) as well as the emergence of former top prospect
Colton Cowser for the O's, so fantasy managers shouldn't feel inclined to stash Hays while he's sidelined. Cowser's playing time in left field becomes even more solidified in the absence of Hays. Hitting .373 (19-for-51) with five home runs, six doubles, nine runs scored, and three stolen bases to this point, Cowser is a player with five-category upside in Baltimore's potent lineup for the foreseeable future.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Baltimore Orioles on X
6 days agoBaltimore Orioles first baseman
Ryan Mountcastle (knee) is out of Monday's lineup for the start of a three-game series on the road against the Los Angeles Angels as a precaution due to knee soreness. Skipper Brandon Hyde says Mountcastle is available to pinch-hit from Baltimore's bench if needed, so there's no need for fantasy managers to be alarmed by the infielder's absence. The 27-year-old slugger is slashing a stellar .324/.388/.500 with two home runs, seven doubles, 11 RBI, and 14 runs scored through 74 at-bats (19 games), and he can be expected back in the starting lineup as soon as Tuesday's matchup in Anaheim. Utility man
Ramon Urias will slide in to bat fifth against Halos left-hander
Reid Detmers and cover the cold corner for Mountcastle on Monday, but he's not the most exciting fantasy option while batting .219 (7-for-32) with just one extra-base hit and two RBI this season.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Steve Melewski - MASN Sports
6 days agoMilwaukee Brewers pitching prospect
Robert Gasser (elbow) could be ready to pitch for Triple-A Nashville as soon as this week after being on the shelf for almost a month in the minors due to a bone spur in his left elbow. The Brewers could really use some help in their big-league starting rotation with
DL Hall (knee),
Wade Miley (elbow) and
Jakob Junis (head, shoulder) all on the injured list, but the 24-year-old Gasser is going to need to prove he's healthy at Nashville before he's a consideration for a big-league call-up.
Bryse Wilson is likely to jump into the Brewers' rotation, but other options in the minors could be
Aaron Ashby,
Tobias Myers and
Janson Junk. Gasser is listed as the Brewers' No. 5 prospect, per MLB Pipeline.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
6 days agoMilwaukee Brewers right-hander
Bryse Wilson is likely to move from the bullpen into the team's starting rotation for now with
DL Hall (knee),
Wade Miley (elbow) and
Jakob Junis (head, shoulder) all on the injured list right now. Wilson made a spot start on the last homestand when the Brewers had a hole in their rotation and tossed 3 2/3 innings of scoreless ball while walking one and striking out two in a no-decision against the San Diego Padres. The former fourth-rounder of the Atlanta Braves in 2016 has been solid in his seven appearances for the Brewers so far in 2024, posting a 3.29 ERA and 0.88 WHIP with 12 strikeouts in his 13 2/3 innings pitched. In NL-only leagues for sure, he's worth a pickup if he officially joins Milwaukee's rotation.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
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