6 days agoChicago Cubs left-hander
Justin Steele (hamstring) will throw a bullpen session on Saturday. According to Cubs manager Craig Counsell, Steele still has ways to go here but is progressing. The 28-year-old will throw for the first time since suffering a Grade 1 hamstring strain on Opening Day. Barring any setbacks, Steele is on track to return in May.
Ben Brown replaced Steele in the rotation and boasts a 6.10 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, and an 11:4 K: BB across 10 1/3 innings this season. Fantasy managers can add Brown in deep-league or NL-Only league formats.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Maddie Lee
6 days agoMinnesota Twins shortstop
Carlos Correa (side) is dealing with a mild right intercostal strain. The Twins initially listed Correa's injury as a right oblique strain, but the team changed its diagnosis after he underwent additional imaging. The timeline for Correa will be announced next week. Correa is eligible to come off the injured list on April 22.
Willi Castro started at shortstop for Correa in both games of Saturday's doubleheader and should see an uptick in playing time. Castro went for 2-for-8 with a double, two-run homer, a walk, and three runs scored over both games on Saturday. Fantasy managers searching for speed can look to add Castro to most leagues after he stole 34 bases in 2023.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Do-Hyoung Park
6 days agoChicago White Sox starting pitcher
Garrett Crochet suffered his second loss of the season on Saturday, giving up five runs on four hits in 4 2/3 innings against the Cincinnati Reds. Not all was bad as Crochet was able to notch 10 strikeouts in the performance, but a horrible second inning was enough to do damage to the lefty's box score. Though this was Crochet's second loss on the season, it was just his first truly subpar start this season and the only one where he's given up more than two earned runs. The lefty will look to bounce back later in the week as the White Sox look to decide whether he'll start on Wednesday vs the Kansas City Royals or Friday vs the Philadelphia Phillies.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoWashington Nationals starting pitcher
MacKenzie Gore had a superb outing on Saturday against the Oakland A's, striking out 11 batters without giving up a run in five innings. Gore was credited with his second win of the season as well as the Nationals won 3-1. The lefty's dominant performance helped decrease his ERA to 2.81 after three starts. Gore's increase in strikeouts were a great sight to see for fantasy managers who have been anxious for the lefty to recapture the hype that was behind him when he was coming up with the San Diego Padres. Though his start to the season has been promising, expectations may need to be tempered during his next start on Friday when the Houston Astros play in Washington DC.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoNew York Mets starting pitcher
Sean Manaea suffered his first loss of the season in a horrific outing on Saturday against the Kansas City Royals. Manaea gave up eight runs (six earned) on nine hits in 3 2/3 innings, making this easily his worst start as a Met. The start raised the lefty's ERA from 0.82 to 4.30. These numbers more closely match was Manaea has traditionally been as he was likely over-achieving to start the season. Things won't get much easier for Manaea going forward as his next slated start will be in Los Angeles against the Dodgers on Friday, a team that has generally fared well against the lefty.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoCincinnati Reds starting pitcher
Nick Lodolo struck out 10 batters in 5 2/3 innings against the Chicago White Sox in his first start of the 2024 season. Lodolo hadn't made a start in nearly a year after suffering a tibia injury last May. He suffered setbacks late in 2023 as well, so this start was very much welcomed by the Reds and fantasy managers alike. The lefty threw 91 pitches and didn't give up a single run, marking an efficient performance against a subpar opponent. Lodolo's next scheduled start will be Friday at home against the Los Angeles Angels. Fantasy managers should grab Lodolo off the waiver wire if available.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoColorado Rockies outfielder
Kris Bryant exited today's game early against the Toronto Blue Jays while experiencing back tightness. This is the second time in the past ten days that Bryant has had back tightness affect his ability to stay on the field after being held out of the lineup last Saturday with back issues. Bryant made a running catch in the second inning where he crashed into the wall, potentially causing his back injury to resurface. The recurring injury will be something fantasy managers want to keep an eye on given Bryant's recent history with missing time due to being hurt. If Bryant is to miss any time, expect
Michael Toglia to gain extra playing time in the outfield.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Thomas Harding
6 days agoSan Diego Padres catcher
Luis Campusano is out of the lineup on Saturday in the Padres matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Kyle Higashioka will be starting in his place. Campusano has been the starting catcher in six of the Padres last seven games so this is likely just a rest day for the 25-year-old. Expect Campusano to be back out in the starting lineup on Saturday against Dodgers' left-hander
James Paxton. Campusano hit lefties well last season, putting up a 1.114 OPS in 47 PA.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: San Diego Padres
6 days agoSan Diego Padres second baseman
Xander Bogaerts is out of the lineup on Saturday. There's no current indication that this is anything more than a rest day for the 31-year-old. A day off may not be a bad thing for Bogaerts, who's started out sluggish this season with just a .219 batting average and only one HR.
Tyler Wade will get the start at second base in Bogaerts' place, sliding over from third base where he has been playing in most of his starts this season.
Eguy Rosario will start at third base for the Padres with
Manny Machado at DH. Expect Bogaerts to return back to the lineup in Sunday's matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander
James Paxton.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: San Diego Padres
7 days agoNew York Yankees right-hander
Clay Holmes earned his sixth save in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cleveland Guardians. Holmes struck out two and gave up one hit in Saturday's victory. This was Holmes' first save since last Tuesday. Holmes remains unblemished in the 2024 season. The 31-year-old is (1-0) with a 1.14 WHIP but only has five strikeouts in seven innings. He continues to get the job done and has converted 6-of-7 save chances this season. Holmes should continue to get the same chances as the Yankee's primary closer.
--Mike Carter - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
7 days agoNew York Yankees
Clarke Schmidt right-hander struck out seven across five innings in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cleveland Guardians to get his first win of the season. Schmidt surrendered two runs (one earned) on three hits and five walks. With Friday's rain out, the Yankees are playing two games on Saturday against the Cleveland Guardians. Schmidt started the first game, and the only run he gave up was on a fielder's choice. Schmidt has started three games this season and sports a 3.68 ERA and an unsightly 1.64 WHIP thus far. He also has 16 strikeouts in 14 innings. Schmidt will continue to be a part of the rotation in New York, with
Gerrit Cole (elbow) out with elbow inflammation. His next start should be against the Tampa Bay Rays next weekend.
--Mike Carter - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
7 days agoSeattle Mariners GM Justin Hollander gave updates on several injured players. Relief pitcher
Matt Brash (elbow) was shut down early in spring training with elbow inflammation. Hollander reports that Brash was able to throw live batting practice this week and that he will throw
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7 days agoSeattle Mariners general manager Justin Hollander provided some injury updates on injured players, specifically starter
Bryan Woo (elbow). The team believes that Woo will be heading to Triple-A Tacoma this week to begin a rehab assignment. Hollander reported that everything went well for Woo in a two-inning "up-down," where a pitcher will simulate having a break between two innings like in a real game. Woo will throw live batting practice in the coming days, and if all goes well, he could get a three-inning rehab start in Tacoma next week. The team believes that Woo might need two rehab starts before he gets back on the mound for the Mariners. Woo was diagnosed with elbow inflammation in spring training and placed on the IL before the start of the season. Woo would slot back into the rotation when he can return and look to build off his momentum from last season.
--Mike Carter - RotoBallerSource: Seattle Sports
7 days agoNew York Yankees veteran utility player
Jon Berti (groin) hits the injured list Saturday with a left groin strain. The move is retroactive to April 11. In a corresponding move, the team added infielder
Kevin Smith to the roster. Berti was hitting .211 in only 19 at-bats this season while playing third base in place of the injured
DJ LeMahieu (foot), who has a fracture in his foot. The good news is that LeMahieu is nearing a rehab assignment, and the Yankees will need him.
Oswaldo Cabrera should continue to get regular at-bats at the hot corner. Cabrera is hitting .333 in 40 plate appearances with three home runs and eight runs scored. Berti was not getting much playing time and figures to be a utility player when he returns, as long as Cabrera keeps hitting and LeMahieu is healthy again.
--Mike Carter - RotoBallerSource: Yankees PR Department on X
7 days agoVeteran first baseman
Yuli Gurriel has signed a minor-league deal with the Atlanta Braves. Approaching his 40th birthday in June, Gurriel hit .245 with only four home runs in 329 plate appearances in 2023 for the Miami Marlins. It is a low-risk signing for the Braves, who feature slugger
Matt Olson at 1B and
Marcell Ozuna at DH. Gurriel has played some second and third base in his career, but Atlanta already has
Ozzie Albies and
Austin Riley at those spots. Gurriel figures to be a bench bat depth option for the Braves if he can get his bat back on track in Triple-A Gwinnett County. This signing will have little to no impact on fantasy baseball rosters.
--Mike Carter - RotoBallerSource: Jon Heyman
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