6 days agoThe Atlanta Braves optioned right-hander
Darius Vines to Triple-A Gwinnett after Sunday's loss to the Texas Rangers. In a corresponding move, the Braves called up right-hander
Bryce Elder, who will start the series opener versus the Miami Marlins on Monday. Vines took the loss against Texas on Sunday, giving up four runs on seven hits while striking out just two in five innings of work. The 25-year-old got off to a good start on Sunday before falling apart. Vines gave up one earned run with three walks and four strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings for a no-decision against the Astros in his first start of the year on April 15. He'll go back to the minors for now, but we could definitely see Vines back in the majors making a spot start for the Braves at some point this year.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - David O'Brien
6 days agoBoston Red Sox outfielder
Wilyer Abreu went 3-for-5 with a double, two RBI, and a run scored in Sunday's 6-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. This will bring his hit streak to four games now. Abreu is slashing .280/.390/.440 with a home run, seven RBI, nine runs, and four stolen bases over 18 games in 2024. The Red Sox are off Monday, and he will look to continue his hitting streak in Tuesday's matchup against the Cleveland Guardians. Abreu is a speculative add in most fantasy leagues. He will be a strong streaming candidate while swinging a hot bat.
--Shaun Evans - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com
6 days agoWashington Nationals catcher
Keibert Ruiz (illness) has finally moved past the worst of his case of influenza, which first began afflicting him 13 days ago and eventually forced him to the 10-day injured list. He described himself as "90 percent" better now and has been able to start some baseball activities -- hitting off a pitching machine, participating in some defensive drills and doing some light weight lifting. He was set to begin running before Sunday's game against the Houston Astros. The 25-year-old lost 18-20 pounds. Ruiz could be activated before Tuesday's series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers, but the team seems inclined to have him go on a short minor-league rehab assignment first, likely with Double-A Harrisburg. Ruiz was hitting just .194 (6-for-31) with a homer and three RBI before getting sick.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MASN Sports - Mark Zuckerman
6 days agoMinnesota Twins shortstop
Carlos Correa (intercostal) won't be ready to return from a right-intercostal strain when he's eligible to come off the injured list on Tuesday, but he's close to resuming baseball activities. According to head athletic trainer Nick Paparesta, "his symptoms are improving dramatically." The Twins are being somewhat cautious to avoid a months-long absence with Correa given the setback-prone nature of his injury. The 29-year-old landed on the IL on April 13 with a mild intercostal strain. While there currently isn't a timetable for a return, he looks to be on the mend and could return in early May.
Willi Castro is serving as the team's primary shortstop for now. Correa will hope to pick up where he left off when he returns, as he's so far hit .306 (11-for-36) with a homer and four RBI in 2024.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
6 days agoMinnesota Twins right fielder
Max Kepler (knee) is on the verge of returning to the Twins' lineup after spending the past two weeks on the injured list with a right-knee contusion. Kepler played in games with Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, collecting four hits and three walks. He could be activated from the injured list as soon as Monday. At least against right-handed pitching, the 31-year-old left-handed hitter should be a regular in Minnesota's starting lineup once he returns in right field. Kepler's return could mean less playing time for
Trevor Larnach, although he could pick up at-bats as the team's designated hitter. Before his injury, Kepler had just one hit in his first 20 at-bats in 2024 with no home runs, RBI or runs scored for the Twins.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
6 days agoMinnesota Twins right-hander
Louie Varland is a candidate to be removed from the team's starting rotation after going just 2 2/3 innings while giving up four runs in a loss to the Detroit Tigers on Sunday. The loss dropped Varland to 0-4 on the year with a 9.18 ERA. He was pushed into the team's rotation to begin the year due to
Anthony DeSclafani's (elbow) injury, but he may not be around much longer. He's allowed six homers in just 16 2/3 innings. Manager Rocco Baldelli declined to commit to Varland taking his next scheduled turn through the rotation after Sunday's game. If the Twins do move Varland out of the rotation,
Simeon Woods Richardson, who pitched well in a spot start against Detroit on April 13, is the most logical choice to take Varland's spot next weekend against the Los Angeles Angels.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
6 days agoCincinnati Reds right-hander
Frankie Montas (forearm) left Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Angels early with a right-forearm bruise. X-rays on his arm showed no fracture after he was hit in the arm by a comebacker. It's good news that the 31-year-old doesn't have any kind of break in his arm, but Montas said that he's likely to miss his next start due to soreness and swelling. He recorded just two outs in Sunday's game before being hit in the arm, so he also may not be able to go very deep in his next start after taking at least one turn through the rotation off. The injured list is still a possibility if Montas isn't feeling great after missing one start. Montas has been up and down through his first five starts with the Reds in 2024, going 2-2 with a 4.19 ERA (5.33 FIP) and 1.45 WHIP with 10 walks and 14 strikeouts in 19 1/3 innings.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Charlie Goldsmith
6 days agoArizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that right-hander
Merrill Kelly (shoulder) is experiencing some shoulder discomfort and went for an MRI exam on Sunday night. The 35-year-old veteran is still being evaluated after being scratched from his scheduled start on Sunday against the division-rival San Francisco Giants. The Diamondbacks are hoping Kelly can avoid a trip to the injured list, but that will depend on the results of his MRI, which we'll pass along once we have them.
Slade Cecconi was called up from the minors to start against the Giants on Sunday and he pitched well, giving up only two earned runs with no walks and three strikeouts over six innings in a win. Losing Kelly for any stretch of time would be a big blow for Arizona and fantasy managers, as he currently has a 2.19 ERA and 0.93 WHIP with 21 K's in 24 2/3 frames over his first four starts.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Steve Gilbert
6 days agoPhiladelphia Phillies pitcher
Spencer Turnbull will head to the bullpen after Wednesday's start against the Cincinnati Reds. Turnbull has had a solid start to the season with an ERA of 1.23 in 22 innings pitched. He has allowed three runs through four games with 10 hits, 22 strikeouts, and seven walks. The return of
Taijuan Walker (shoulder) is expected to happen during this weekend's series against the San Diego Padres. This will allow the Phillies to monitor Turnball with his move to the bullpen. With having pitched less than 57 innings since 2019, the Phillies would like to keep their pitching rotation safe and healthy. Turnbull should be held onto in deep-leagues while adding Walker. He went 15-6 in 2023 with a 4.38 ERA in 31 starts, adding a nice depth to rosters.
--Shaun Evans - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoMinnesota Twins infield prospect
Brooks Lee (back) has been diagnosed with a herniated disc. Lee was fighting for a roster spot with the Twins this spring, but was removed from a game with back spasms and later placed on the Triple-A injured list with lower back pain. The Twins have optimism that Lee could resume playing at some point this season, but no timeline has been established at this point. It is a shame as the Top-50 prospect was on the cusp on a big-league debut this season. For now, he can be ignored in redraft leagues and managers in dynasty leagues should keep tabs on his progress.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: Aaron Gleeman
6 days agoNew York Yankees outfield prospect
Spencer Jones had himself a game for Double-A Somerset on Sunday. The outfielder went 3-for-4 with three runs, a solo home run and two stolen bases. Jones has been off to a hot start for Somerset and over his first 21 at-bats is hitting .381 with three RBI and three stolen bases to accompany his home run on Sunday. Jones stands tall at 6'6", but offers plenty of athleticism and power to give him five-tool potential. In 2023, Jones hit a combined .267 with 16 homers, 66 RBI and 43 stolen bases between High-A and Double A (17 games). Jones has a chance to ascend quickly like fellow outfield prospect
Jasson Dominguez did in 2023, if he continues to have success in his first extended look in Double-A. He is a name for dynasty managers to seriously consider and managers in redraft leagues should file his name away for future years.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: Milb.com
6 days agoSan Diego Padres shortstop prospect
Leodalis De Vries will start his professional career for Single-A Lake Elsinore on Monday. The 17-year-old will be the youngest player in the league and it is a similar path to the team's No.1 prospect
Ethan Salas, who played for Lake Elsinore as a 17-year-old this past season. De Vries was the top international signing this past January and is out of the Dominican Republic. The Padres are enamored by the youngster's ability to make contact and identify plate recognition. His body is still growing and that could lead to more power in his future as well. De Vries ranks inside of most Top-100 prospect lists and his potential to be a five-tool asset is a big reason why. At minimum he is a few years away from the big leagues, but he is an exciting name for dynasty managers to keep tabs on.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: Milb.com
6 days agoToronto Blue Jays infield prospect
Orelvis Martinez had an incredible week for Triple-A Buffalo. Martinez, 22, went 10-for-28 with five home runs and 13 RBI. The young budding star has been on a tear this season and overall has hit an astounding .333
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6 days agoLos Angeles Angels pitching prospect
Caden Dana continues to enjoy Double-A Rocket City. On Sunday, the 20-year-old tossed a career-high seven innings. Over those seven frames, he allowed two hits, no runs, one walk and struck out eight. Dana is currently the Angels top pitching prospect and this is his first go around in Double-A. So far, he has seemed unmatched with a 1.47 ERA to go with 19 strikeouts and just three walks over three starts (18 1/3 innings). Dana has an established fastball and slider, while he has been working on his changeup to add his arsenal. He also has shown good command with his ability to stay in the strike zone. If Dana keeps this going in Double-A, he could rise quicker than expected with the Angels showing no issues with promoting their prospects when they deem ready. For now, Dana is a name for dynasty league managers.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: Milb.com
6 days agoCleveland Guardians first baseman
Kyle Manzardo has started to heat up and had a weekend to remember. Manzardo hit three homers and collected five extra-base hits. After a slow start to the season, the 23-year-old is now hitting .308 with four homers, 10 RBI and an excellent .935 OPS over 18 games for Triple-A Columbus. Manzardo has always shown elite plate discipline and has been an on-base machine that has added power to his game as he has risen through the ranks of the minor leagues. The Guardians have
Josh Naylor entrenched at first base, but the designated hitter spot in the lineup is wide open. Manzardo should be expected to make his debut sometime in 2024 and is worth a look in most formats when that happens.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB Pipeline
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