1 week agoMilwaukee Brewers first baseman Darin Ruf (knee) exited Friday's loss to the Cincinnati Reds. The veteran suffered a right knee laceration in the third inning after running into the tarp while going after a foul ball. Ruf needed stitches to close the wound, with Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reporting that the 36-year-old was "banged-up pretty badly." He was replaced in the game by Rowdy Tellez, who went 0-for-4 while striking out twice. That said, Ruf could miss time. But considering he's hitting .192 this season, an extended layoff shouldn't negatively impact many fantasy managers.--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Adam McCalvy

1 week agoNew York Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodon (back) threw 30 pitches over two simulated innings at Dodger Stadium on Friday. According to skipper Aaron Boone, things went well, and Rodon may resume facing hitters once the Yankees return to the Bronx. The 30-year-old has been on the shelf since March, with New York transferring him to the 60-day injured list on Thursday. However, the Yankees will take things slow with Rodon, who signed a lucrative deal in the offseason, so fantasy managers should remain optimistic, especially if the positive updates continue.--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

1 week agoBoston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (shoulder) landed on the 15-day injured list on Friday after exiting his last start because of soreness. Unfortunately, the issue could be more severe, with the left-hander indicating he will undergo further testing. "I've got something going on in my shoulder," Sale said. "I think I have a couple more tests I have to go through until we get a definitive answer. But still, obviously not the situation you want to be in, for sure." The multi-time All-Star has gone 5-2 in 11 starts with a 4.58 ERA this season. However, considering Sale missed plenty of games over the years due to injuries, fantasy managers aren't expecting a positive update when the time comes.--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Ian Browne

1 week agoAccording to Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com, Minnesota Twins first baseman/outfielder Joey Gallo (hamstring) was scratched from Friday's lineup versus Cleveland because of tightness. The 29-year-old has been battling a nagging hamstring ailment of late, so he may be due for a trip to the injured list if things don't improve. Gallo is hitting .188 with 21 runs, 26 hits, 11 homers, and 23 RBI in 138 at-bats. Although he hasn't been the most consistent fantasy option, he still has value in deeper formats. Willi Castro filled the void in the lineup on Friday, with an update on Gallo's condition expected soon.--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Do-Hyoung Park

1 week agoAccording to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com, Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Justin Steele (forearm) was diagnosed with a mild strain. Steele himself indicated that his recent MRI was positive, although the team will monitor things in the next few days before making any decisions. There's a chance the 27-year-old could miss his next scheduled start. However, the latest update seems more promising than initially believed. The left-hander has gone 6-2 with a 2.65 ERA and 58 strikeouts, so fantasy managers will anxiously await his return.--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Jordan Bastian

1 week agoChicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger (knee) was cleared for running progression. The 27-year-old suffered a left knee injury in mid-May and has been on the 10-day injured list since. It's unknown if he'll need a rehab assignment. However, the latest update means he's at least moving in the right direction. Bellinger was hitting .271 with 29 runs, 20 RBI, nine stolen bases, and seven home runs before going down, so fantasy managers hopefully won't need to wait much longer before getting him back.--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Patrick Mooney

1 week agoSeattle Mariners left-hander Marco Gonzales (forearm) is having tests on his left forearm back in Seattle, which is why the Mariners are calling up pitching prospect Bryan Woo to start against the Texas Rangers on Sunday. Gonzales had discomfort in his left forearm in his most recent start against the Pittsburgh Pirates last Sunday and will now miss at least his start this weekend in Texas. We'll have to wait for the results of the 31-year-old southpaw's tests, but there's a good chance he'll be placed on the injured list. In 10 starts for Seattle so far this year, Gonzales is 4-1 with a 5.22 ERA (4.31 FIP), 1.46 WHIP, 18 walks and 34 strikeouts in 50 innings pitched. He had a 5.68 ERA in four May starts and just doesn't carry enough strikeout upside to be a very reliable mixed-league fantasy arm.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Seattle Times - Ryan Divish

1 week agoNew York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo (neck) is back in the starting lineup on Friday, playing first base and batting third against the Los Angeles Dodgers and left-hander Clayton Kershaw. Rizzo has been dealing with neck issues this week and missed the previous three games, but he'll be back in there for the start of a three-game weekend series on Friday at Dodgers Stadium. Many fantasy managers may be hesitant to return him to their starting lineups while opposing Kershaw, but Rizzo has gone 18-for-43 (.419) with three doubles, a homer and seven RBI in 50 plate appearances against lefties in 2023. Overall, he's hit a very solid .304 (62-for-204) with 11 home runs and 32 RBI. Get Rizzo back into your starting lineups.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Baseball Press

1 week agoMinnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa (foot) is out of the starting lineup on Friday against the Cleveland Guardians, but there is hope that he could return as soon as Saturday. Correa aggravated plantar fasciitis in his left foot in the ballgame on Thursday and was removed early, but it appears to be an issue that he can play through after one more day of rest. Still, the 28-year-old may not be 100 percent moving forward, and this is surely something that could eventually send him to the injured list. On top of it, he's hitting just .207 (39-for-188) on the year with six home runs and 24 RBI in 214 trips to the plate. In his last nine games, he's gone 7-for-29 (.241) without a home run and with just one RBI. Kyle Farmer is starting at shortstop and batting eighth on Friday against Guardians right-hander Aaron Civale.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Dan Hayes

1 week agoSan Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (wrist) has been activated from the 10-day injured list on Friday. He has been sidelined since the middle of May due to a small fracture in his wrist. The 30-year-old didn't have a minor league rehab assignment, so it's possible he's a little rusty for a game or two. He's slashing .231/.282/.372 with five homers and 19 RBI in 40 games this season. He'll cover third base and bat cleanup versus right-hander Jameson Taillon on Friday. Fantasy managers should make sure to get Machado back in their lineups.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: San Diego Padres

1 week agoCleveland Guardians first baseman Josh Naylor (wrist) is back in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Minnesota Twins. The lefty slugger was scratched ahead of Thursday's contest due to wrist soreness. Luckily, this appears to be a minor issue as Naylor is already back in the lineup after a one-game absence. He'll cover first base and bat cleanup versus righty Bailey Ober on Friday. Fantasy managers who have Naylor rostered should make sure to get him back in there.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

1 week agoSeattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo is being called up to make his MLB debut on Saturday. The Mariners decided to promote the top prospect after Marco Gonzales (forearm) went down due to injury. Woo has been looking fantastic with Double-A Arkansas this season. He holds a 2.05 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and 59/12 K/BB ratio over nine starts so far. The 23-year-old wasn't projected to pitch in the majors until 2024, but things change. He could very well be a valuable fantasy asset, assuming he stays up with Seattle.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Ryan Divish

1 week agoBoston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (shoulder) was removed early during Thursday's start versus the Cincinnati Reds. The left-hander was taken out in the fourth inning due to left shoulder soreness. He underwent an MRI on Friday which revealed left shoulder inflammation, so the Red Sox will shut down Sale for a few weeks. It's unclear how long Sale is going to be sidelined, which is obviously frustrating. In a corresponding move, Corey Kluber has been activated from the paternity leave list. He figures to move into the starting rotation with Sale sidelined. However, Kluber has been awful thus far, so fantasy managers can continue to avoid him.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Boston Red Sox

1 week agoMinnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (ribs) was removed early during Thursday's game against the Cleveland Guardians. He was pulled from the contest due to rib soreness after being hit by a pitch in the ribs. Buxton underwent further testing to determine that he didn't suffer any broken ribs. However, he's likely to miss several days because of this issue. Buxton is out of the lineup on Friday, so fantasy managers should adjust their lineups accordingly.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Dan Hayes

1 week agoMilwaukee Brewers shortstop Willy Adames (concussion) will not join the team on the road against the Cincinnati Reds this weekend, but he is resuming baseball activities on Friday with High-A Wisconsin. The Brewers will make a decision at the end of the weekend about Adames' next steps. There's a chance that the 27-year-old won't need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment, so fantasy managers could be getting him back at some point early next week. He was put on the seven-day concussion injured list last Saturday after getting hit by a foul ball in the dugout. Adames is hitting a disappointing .205 (38-for-185) through 51 games, but he does have nine home runs, 27 RBI and four stolen bases.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy