6 days agoKansas City Royals catcher
Salvador Perez (groin) is back behind the plate and is hitting cleanup for the Royals in the first game of a doubleheader on Wednesday against the Chicago White Sox and rookie right-hander
Jonathan Cannon, who is making his big-league debut. A Grade 1 left-groin strain kept Perez out of Monday's lineup before Tuesday's contest was postponed. The 33-year-old's injury clearly wasn't too serious, but he'll most likely sit out for the second game of the doubleheader. The eight-time All-Star should be reinserted into all fantasy lineups now that he's active again. Perez is off to an excellent start at the plate in 2024, going 21-for-62 (.339) with four home runs, 15 RBI and eight runs scored in his first 16 games.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoHouston Astros outfielders
Jake Meyers and
Chas McCormick will both start on the bench on Wednesday against the Atlanta Braves.
Mauricio Dubon is starting in center field and is hitting seventh, while
Yordan Alvarez will play left field and bat second against Braves left-hander
Max Fried.
Yainer Diaz is the designated hitter and is batting fifth. Meyers, who is hitting .237 (9-for-38) with two home runs and seven RBI in the early going, continues to split time in center field with Dubon. The former 13th-round pick in 2017 out of Nebraska-Lincoln is more of a glove-first player to begin with, leaving him little fantasy upside in deeper leagues. Dubon is the more attractive offensive player and is hitting .282 (11-for-39) but doesn't have a homer yet in 2024.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
6 days agoThe New York Mets are "very optimistic" that third baseman
Brett Baty (hamstring) will avoid the injured list after being pulled from Tuesday's game with a tight left hamstring. Baty came in on Wednesday feeling better than Tuesday night. "I think it just scared me," Baty said. He should be back in the lineup within a few days but is out on Wednesday versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. The team has an off day on Thursday before starting a series on Friday in Los Angeles against the Dodgers, so fantasy managers will want to check back then to see if Baty is feeling good enough to play. With Baty resting on Wednesday,
Zack Short is starting at third base and is hitting in the nine-hole for the Mets against Pirates left-hander
Bailey Falter.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
6 days agoThe Pittsburgh Pirates announced that catcher
Yasmani Grandal (foot) will start a minor-league rehab assignment on Wednesday night with Triple-A Indianapolis. Grandal has been out since spring training with plantar fasciitis in his left foot but is getting close to being able to make his 2024 debut with the Bucs. When the 35-year-old does join the Pirates in the big leagues, he'll split time behind the dish with the struggling
Henry Davis, who is currently hitting just .180 (9-for-50) with no home runs and four RBI in his first full major-league season. Grandal can provide some occasional pop as a switch-hitting backstop, but he's no longer a must-roster player in single-catcher leagues, especially since he won't be playing regularly.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - Kevin Gorman
6 days agoPittsburgh Pirates third baseman
Ke'Bryan Hayes (back) is out of the starting lineup for the second straight day on Wednesday against the New York Mets. Hayes was scratched from Tuesday's contest due to some lower-back tightness and will now sit a second game this week. The 27-year-old missed some time with a back injury last year as well, so the Pirates are probably being extra cautious so that he can avoid another trip to the injured list. For now, fantasy managers should consider him as day-to-day. With an off day on Thursday, perhaps Hayes will be able to return to action for the start of a series on Friday against the visiting Boston Red Sox.
Jared Triolo is starting at third and batting eighth on Wednesday against Mets right-hander
Luis Severino.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - Kevin Gorman
6 days agoThe Baltimore Orioles selected the contract of right-hander
Albert Suarez from Triple-A Norfolk, and he will make the start on Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins in the series finale. This will be Suarez's first big-league appearance since back in 2017 when he threw 31 2/3 innings of relief for the San Francisco Giants. The 34-year-old veteran should be avoided in fantasy formats as a streaming option after posting a 5.87 ERA and 1.32 WHIP with one walk and 17 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings over his three outings (one start) for Norfolk before getting the call up to the Show on Wednesday. The O's are currently short-handed in their starting rotation with
Tyler Wells (elbow) hitting the injured list on Tuesday, but this will likely be just one spot start for Suarez before he's sent back to the minors.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Jake Rill
6 days agoDetroit Tigers outfielder
Kerry Carpenter went 2-for-3 with a double, triple and RBI in Tuesday's victory over the Texas Rangers. Carpenter had a strong game, but was pulled in the bottom of the eighth inning with a lefty on the mound. Carpenter has had a good season with a .302 batting average to go along with two homers and five RBI, but has gotten the majority of his playing time with right-handed pitchers on the mound. Carpenter has always showed plenty of power, but it hurts that the Tigers won't give him a chance against lefties. As long as managers can deal with him sitting against lefties, he should be rostered in deeper leagues with daily lineups.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoBaltimore Orioles infielder
Jordan Westburg continued his strong season on Tuesday versus the Minnesota Twins. Westburg went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer in the team's victory. Westburg has quietly been putting up very solid numbers for a strong Orioles offense, but has been overlooked with so much star power in the lineup. On the season, Westburg is hitting .316 with four homers, 14 RBI and two stolen bases. As part of one of the best lineups in the league, Westburg should be rostered in most formats with his ability to help across the board.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoAtlanta Braves starting pitcher
Reynaldo Lopez continued his hot start to the season with a victory on Tuesday versus the Houston Astros. Lopez tossed six innings and allowed four hits, no runs, one walk and struck out seven. Lopez has been a reclamation project for the Braves after spending the bulk of his career with the Chicago White Sox, who had him pitching out of the bullpen. So far, Lopez has earned an A+ and is 2-0 with a sparkling 0.50 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in three starts. Lopez should be rostered in all formats, not only due to his success early on, but the bevy of injuries to pitchers in general. Managers should consider that Lopez has not been a full-time starter since 2019 and it will be interesting to see how he handles a full workload as the season continues. The right-hander will look to keep things going versus a weak Miami Marlins offense on Tuesday.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoHouston Astros starting pitcher
Hunter Brown bounced back into form on Tuesday versus the Atlanta Braves. In his previous start, Brown didn't make it out of the first inning and allowed 11 hits on nine runs. It was a much better performance Tuesday as earned a quality start by going six innings and allowing five hits, two runs, three walks and striking out three. The three walks weren't ideal, but it was nice to see Brown get back on track after such an abysmal outing his previous time on the mound. Brown still got stuck with the loss as the Astros offense didn't help and falls to 0-3 with a 10.54 ERA. Next up will be a matchup versus the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday. The Cubs draw plenty of walks and this isn't an ideal matchup for Brown.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoSan Francisco Giants third baseman
Matt Chapman went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's loss versus the Miami Marlins. The veteran is now up to four homers on the season, but is hitting a weak .205. Chapman has never been a big contact hitter with a career ,240 batting average, but the power has always been there and that is showing with his new team thus far. At this point in his career, Chapman is what he is and fantasy managers seeking power can give him a look with the knowledge that he will hurt managers batting average.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoNew York Mets starting pitching prospect
Christian Scott continues to post high strikeout rates through three appearances at the Triple-A level in 2024. The right-hander has now made three starts, allowing just six earned runs and three walks. Meanwhile, he has managed to strike out 26 opposing batters over just 14.1 innings per work. While his strikeout rate is terrific, it's not necessarily a surprise given that Scott is known to have some of the best control in all of Minor League Baseball. The 2021 fifth-round pick also has an impressive three-pix mitch headlined by a high-90s fastball. If he can continue to post an extremely high K/BB rate, Scott will be destined for a promotion to the majors sooner rather than later.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
6 days agoSeattle Mariners starting pitcher
Logan Gilbert picked up his first victory of the season on Tuesday versus the Cincinnati Reds. Gilbert tossed 6 2/3 innings and allowed three hits, one run, one walk and struck out six on the evening. Although it was his first victory of the season, it doesn't speak to how good of a season he has had. Through four starts, the right-hander has produced a shiny 2.33 ERA to go along with 29 strikeouts and just four walks in 27 innings, He has been as productive as one can be. With so many injuries to pitchers early on, managers should hold on tight to Gilbert as he can be a Cy Young candidate if he continues his success. Next up will be a matchup versus the division rival Texas Rangers. Even against a tough lineup like Texas, Gilbert remains a must-start.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoMinnesota Twins infield prospect
Rubel Cespedes signed with the team out of the Dominican Republic in 2019. He has gradually developed within the Twins' farm system and is currently a promising prospect with a variety of skills. He displays positional versatility, having played all four infield positions in 2023. Expect him to settle into a corner infield position long-term. He has also flashed impressive glovework, maintained an impressive K/BB rate, and demonstrated an impressive hit tool. Plus, although he has never been viewed as a major power threat, the first baseman has already homered in three of seven games so far this year. Speaking of Cespedes' contributions this season, the 23-year-old is coming off a big week at High-A. Over six games, he went 11-for-24 with three homers, 11 RBI, three walks, and five strikeouts.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: FanGraphs
6 days agoSt. Louis Cardinals starting pitching prospect
Quinn Mathews was a fourth-round pick in 2023, but he didn't make his pro debut until this April. The southpaw has a low-90s fastball and rounds out his repertoire with a curveball, slider, and changeup. Of those secondary options, the changeup is the best, though all three can be effective. Mathews flashed decent control in college and has racked up strikeouts so far this year. He also struggled with walks in his pro debut but seemed to harness his control a little more in his last outing. Speaking of such, Mathews' last outing thrust him firmly into the spotlight once again. He struck out a whopping 11 batters over five shutout innings while surrendering just one hit and issuing zero walks.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: FanGraphs
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