6 days agoMilwaukee Brewers outfielder
Jackson Chourio went 2-for-3 with a single, home run, and two walks in Saturday's 12-5 victory over the Cardinals. Chourio also drove in two runs, scored three times, and stole a base in the contest. After hitting safely in 11 of his first 13 MLB games, Chourio had gone 0-for-11 over his last three games before Saturday's outburst. On the season, the 20-year-old now has a .235-4-13-10-4 line. He's held his own so far, and even though it hasn't been a fantasy bonanza, his combination of power and speed make him a must-own and probably start in most cases.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
6 days agoChicago Cubs closer
Adbert Alzolay blew his fourth save of the season and took the loss on Saturday in a 3-2 defeat by the Marlins in Game 1 of their doubleheader. Alzolay allowed a single to
Luis Arraez and then a two-run go-ahead home run to
Bryan De La Cruz before retiring the final two batters in the inning. It has been a rollercoaster ride for the 29-year-old, as he's collected three saves to along with the four he's blown, allowing five earned runs on 10 hits and four walks while striking out nine over 10 IP. The righty's ERA now stands at 4.50 and WHIP at 1.40. Fellow reliever
Hector Neris recorded the save in Game 2 and could earn more opportunities if Alzolay continues to falter, although Neris' numbers so far this season don't exactly inspire confidence either, with a 3.86 ERA and a whopping 1.86 WHIP in seven innings pitched.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
6 days agoToronto Blue Jays starting pitcher
Jose Berrios threw six innings of shutout ball in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Padres, picking up his league-leading fourth win of the season. The outing was also his fifth straight quality start to begin the year and third straight in which he hasn't allowed a run. The 29-year-old is off to a great start, going 4-0 with a 0.85 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and a 27:9 K:BB. With a career ERA of 4.06 and 1.24 WHIP, however, he could be a good sell-high candidate. Either way, his next start lines up with what could be a pitchers' duel next Thursday against
Cole Ragans and the Royals.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
6 days agoToronto Blue Jays closer
Jordan Romano nailed down his second save since coming off the IL in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Padres. Romano needed just eleven pitches to dispense all three batters he faced, striking out one and not allowing a hit or a walk. The 31-year-old looks like he's sliding right back into the closer role for the Jays and doesn't have any real competition for the job, as set-up man
Erik Swanson has allowed four earned runs on six hits in his inning-and-a-third since coming off the IL as well. Romano tallied 36 saves for the Jays last season. Toronto closes out the series with San Diego on Sunday before traveling to Kansas City for a four-game set with the Royals starting on Monday.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
6 days agoCincinnati Reds catcher
Tyler Stephenson hit his second homer in as many games in Saturday's 7-5 win over the Angels. Saturday's home run came in the bottom of the first inning and with the bases loaded, part of a five-run inning for the Reds, a lead they would not relinquish for the rest of the game. The grand slam was Stephenson's lone hit of the game though, going 1-for-4 with four RBI and a run scored. The 27-year-old is hitting just .213 on the season, but likes the home cooking much more apparently, with a .320-2-8-4-0 line at home but .091-1-2-5-0 line on the road (.299 career BA at home vs .241 on the road). Stephenson sits just outside the top-12 catchers right now in season-long fantasy, but is probably a better DFS play at this point.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
6 days agoCincinnati Reds starting pitcher
Graham Ashcraft picked up his third win of the season on Saturday in a 7-5 victory over the Angels. Ashcraft was able to do so despite allowing five earned runs on five hits and three walks over just five innings pitched. The 26-year-old also struck out four batters. That now makes two starts out of four total in which he's given up five earned runs and still logged the win. The righty is now 3-1 on the young season with a 5.24 ERA (3.35 xFIP), 1.34 WHIP, and a 16.3% K-BB%. His next start tentatively lines up with the Phillies next Thursday in Cincinnati. While the Phillies are middle of the pack so far in 2024 in runs scored per game, over the last three games they rank second-best (7.67).
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
6 days agoNew York Mets outfielder
Starling Marte went 2-for-5 with a home run, four RBI, a stolen base, and two runs scored in Saturday's 6-4 win over the Dodgers. Marte belted a three-run shot in the sixth inning off Dodgers right-hander
Ryan Brasier to put the Mets ahead 5-4. He has collected a hit in five of his last six games while driving in eight runs in his previous three contests. The 35-year-old has been healthy this season and is off to a terrific start, slashing .282/.330/.459 with four home runs, five stolen bases, and 16 runs over 20 games. Fantasy managers should continue to start Marte in all league formats while he's wielding a hot bat.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: MLB
6 days agoCincinnati Reds second baseman
Jonathan India (illness) was removed from Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Angels due to illness. "He wasn't feeling great," said Reds manager David Bell. "He was trying to play. He was doing everything he could to play through it." India went 1-for-3 with a run before exiting in the sixth inning. The 27-year-old is considered day-to-day. India has struggled this season, hitting .174 with four RBI and two stolen bases over 19 games in 2024.
Santiago Espinal would see an uptick in playing time if India were to miss a few games.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Charlie Goldsmith
6 days agoBaltimore Orioles outfielder
Austin Hays (calf) was removed from Saturday's game in Kansas City with calf tightness. Hayes was replaced in the seventh inning by
Colton Cowser. It was later announced that he had injured his calf, which was why Hays was pulled from the game. The 28-year-old went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run before exiting. The severity of Hays' injury is unknown, and he is considered day-to-day. Hays has struggled this season, hitting .111 (5-for-45) with two RBI over 19 games. Cowser has surpassed Hays on the outfield depth chart, and fantasy managers can leave Hays on the waiver wire in most leagues even if he avoids a trip to the injured list.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Roch Kubatko
6 days agoBoston Red Sox right-hander
Kutter Crawford (1-0) allowed one run on three walks while striking out six over six innings in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. He picked up his first win of the season. The 28-year-old was sharp in Saturday's victory, throwing 68 strikes on 100 pitches. He drew 17 swings and misses, which was a season-best. Crawford has yielded only one run or less over five starts this season. He owns a dazzling 0.68 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 30 strikeouts over 27 1/3 innings in 2024. Crawford will look to build on his strong start to the season in his next start on Friday against the Chicago Cubs.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: MLB
6 days agoPhiladelphia Phillies ace
Zack Wheeler (1-3) allowed one hit and two walks while striking out eight over 7 1/3 scoreless innings in Saturday's 9-5 win over the Chicago White Sox. Wheeler cruised to his first victory of the year by carrying a no-hitter into the eighth inning. White Sox catcher Kodie Lee broke up Wheeler's no-hit bid with a ground ball single to right field. The 33-year-old threw 106 pitches, landing 75 pitches for strikes. Wheeler owns a 2.30 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 38 strikeouts over 31 1/3 innings this season. The Phillies ace will look to build on Saturday's performance in his next start on Thursday against the Cincinnati Reds.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: MLB
6 days agoBoston Red Sox right-hander
Kenley Jansen struck out the side to earn the save in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Jansen entered Saturday's game in the ninth inning to protect a two-run lead. The 36-year-old struck out all three hitters he faced to earn his fifth save of the year. Jansen has converted 5-of-6 save chances with a 2.35 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, and 12 strikeouts over 7 2/3 innings in 2024. Fantasy managers should continue to roll with Jansen as he continues to rack up saves as Boston's primary closer.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: MLB
6 days agoMinnesota Twins right-hander
Griffin Jax struck out two over a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Detroit Tigers. Griffin entered the ninth inning to protect a one-run lead. The 29-year-old needed just 12 pitches to retire the side for his second save of the year. Jax owns a 3.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 13 strikeouts over nine innings in 2024.
Jhoan Duran (oblique) is set to begin a rehab assignment soon and will take back Minnesota's closer role once activated from the injured list. Fantasy managers should continue to hold onto Jax for now, as he is a favorite for save chances in the Twins bullpen while Duran is sidelined.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: MLB
6 days agoLos Angeles Angels third baseman
Anthony Rendon (hamstring) exited Saturday's game against the Cincinnati Reds early with a hamstring injury. Rendon injured himself while running out an infield single. The 33-year-old came off the field with the trainers and was replaced by
Zach Neto. Rendon found his groove at the place recently, slashing .382/.421/.833 with three RBI and five runs scored over his last eight games. The severity of his hamstring injury is unknown at this time, and he's considered day-to-day.
Luis Rengifo and
Miguel Sano should see an uptick in at-bats while Rendon is sidelined. Rengifo is a speculative add in all leagues after hitting .283 (15-for-53) with six stolen bases over 16 games in 2024.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Rhett Bollinger
6 days agoToronto Blue Jays right-hander
Chad Green (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right teres major strain. Green has been sidelined since Monday due to shoulder soreness and will miss at least the next few weeks with the move to the IL. The 32-year-old owned a 2.35 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and a 7:2 K: BB across 7 2/3 innings in 2024.
Nate Pearson was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move to replace Green in the bullpen. Pearson posted a 1.11 WHIP and a 9:3 K: BB across 6 1/3 innings in 2024. With
Jordan Romano (elbow) returning from injury and
Yimi Garcia as the team's top setup man, Pearson is buried in Toronto's bullpen and mainly a fantasy option in deep leagues that reward holds.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Toronto Blue Jays
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