6 days agoBoston Red Sox outfielder
Wilyer Abreu went 3-for-4 at the plate with a double and triple and tallied his 12th RBI of the season in Tuesday's victory over the San Francisco Giants. Abreu lined a leadoff double in the third inning and scored courtesy of a
Rob Refsnyder single. Then in the fourth inning, Abreu hit a sharp line drive to right field, which turned into an RBI triple. Later in the eighth, Abreu would hit a single to cap off his productive night at the plate. The 24-year-old has been one of the best hitters in baseball over the past two weeks and is now sitting with an excellent .316/.391/.526 stat line, making him an excellent waiver-wire target, even in shallow formats.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoMilwaukee Brewers starting pitcher
Freddy Peralta threw 5 1/3 innings of two-run ball with one hit and seven punchouts in Tuesday's victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. Peralta surrendered his first hit of the night in the third inning off a solo shot by
Jose Siri. Peralta now sports a 3.21 ERA and a stunning 0.86 WHIP across 33 2/3 innings with 45 strikeouts. The 27-year-old remains an excellent starting pitcher and an elite contributor to your fantasy team's WHIP. He is scheduled to face the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on Monday, May 6, in his next start.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoTexas Rangers starting pitcher
Jon Gray threw eight innings of one-run ball with three strikeouts to lead the Rangers to a victory over the Washington Nationals on Tuesday evening. Gray only ran into trouble in the opening frame, where he allowed a leadoff single to
CJ Abrams. Abrams then swiped second base and scored off a
Luis Garcia Jr. single. Then, later in the fifth inning,
Trey Lipscomb hit a single, which was the final hit that Gray allowed. This dominant outing lowers Gray's ERA to 2.56 and WHIP to 1.23. The 32-year-old's next start is scheduled to be on Sunday, May 5th, against the Kansas City Royals.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoKansas City Royals left-hander
Cole Ragans (calf) left his start on Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays early due to a left-calf cramp. Ragans made it through 6 2/3 innings and got the win despite his injury in the 4-1 victory, allowing four hits and one earned run while walking three and striking out nine. The 26-year-old southpaw didn't look to be too bothered by his injury after leaving the game, but fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on him as to whether he'll be available to make his next start. Ragans secured his second win of the season with the strong start against the Blue Jays on Tuesday and was able to lower his season ERA to 3.44 in the process. He's been a strong top-of-the rotation starter for KC and belongs on fantasy rosters in all formats.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Kansas City Royals
6 days agoThe Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a one-year contract with outfielder
Kevin Pillar. With
Mike Trout (knee) headed for surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, the Halos make a move to supply their outfield with some depth and a veteran presence. Pillar appeared in 17 games for the Chicago White Sox in the 2024 regular season before getting designated for assignment, slashing just .160/.290/.360 with one home run, four RBI, and two stolen bases across 32 plate appearances. The lefty-hitting
Mickey Moniak is primed for a near-everyday role in center field on the strong side of a platoon with Trout sidelined, leaving Pillar to battle with fellow veteran
Aaron Hicks for at-bats in Anaheim's outfield. The 35-year-old former Toronto Blue Jay isn't likely to make a big impact from a fantasy perspective, however, so Pillar can be left on waiver wires for now.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Los Angeles Angels on X
6 days agoToronto Blue Jays starting pitcher
Alek Manoah (shoulder) dominated in his fifth rehab start for Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday, throwing six innings of one-run ball on just two hits and two walks while striking out 12 batters. Manoah's return from soreness in his right shoulder appears to be on the horizon, and with rookie right-hander
Yariel Rodriguez (back) getting placed on the injured list on Tuesday, Manoah appears to have a spot in Toronto's rotation waiting for him. The big 26-year-old right-hander is looking at an early-May activation from the IL, and Sunday's favorable matchup on the road against the Washington Nationals might be the date fantasy managers can circle on their calendars for Manoah's 2024 regular-season debut. Although Manoah limped to a 5.87 ERA, 1.74 WHIP, and 79:59 K:BB over 87 1/3 frames last year, he'd carry streaming appeal if he ultimately takes the ball on Sunday against the Nats.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoTampa Bay Rays starting pitcher
Shane Baz (elbow) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment either on Saturday or Sunday with Triple-A Durham. After throwing two innings in an extended spring game last Wednesday, Baz pitched in another spring outing on Monday as he continues to build up his pitch count from Tommy John surgery. While it's unclear how far out he is from making his 2024 regular-season debut, the 24-year-old former top prospect should be able to rejoin Tampa Bay's injury-depleted rotation before the end of May. Baz owns a strong 28.9% strikeout rate in 40 1/3 career innings (nine starts), which makes him a worthy stash in all fantasy leagues. Veteran right-hander
Zack Littell holds a respectable 3.27 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 35:5 K:BB over 33 frames (six starts) for the Rays this season, and he'll be a decent streaming option in Saturday's scheduled home start versus the New York Mets.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoMiami Marlins left-hander
A.J. Puk (shoulder) is throwing a bullpen session on Tuesday. Puk is progressing through fatigue in his left shoulder, but his return timetable remains very much in the dark at this point. The 29-year-old former No. 6 overall pick scuffled as a starter in four appearances for the Fish this season, recording a 9.22 ERA, 2.63 WHIP, and 12:17 K:BB through 13 2/3 innings before going down, and Puk will return out of Miami's bullpen when he's healthy. Although Puk could eventually be a threat for saves when he rejoins the major-league roster, he's not a must-stash fantasy player by any means. Closer
Tanner Scott owns a 3.09 ERA (5.64 FIP), 1.62 WHIP, and 10:12 K:BB over 11 2/3 frames this year, and it probably wouldn't hurt fantasy managers to send out some sell-high trade offers when Puk's return becomes closer.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Christina De Nicola - MLB.com
6 days agoLos Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher
Walker Buehler (elbow) made perhaps his final minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, allowing one run on seven hits and no walks with five strikeouts over five innings. After throwing 75 pitches in this outing, Buehler should be on the cusp of rejoining LA's rotation and making his highly-anticipated 2024 regular-season debut following a long road back from Tommy John surgery. The Dodgers will make a final decision in the coming days on where his next start will come, but the 29-year-old star right-hander should be available to fantasy managers in early May. When we last saw him back in the 2022 season, Buehler logged a 4.02 ERA (3.80 FIP), 1.29 WHIP, and 58:17 K:BB over 65 frames (12 starts).
Landon Knack is making Tuesday's start against the division-rival Arizona Diamondbacks, and it may very well be his last with the major-league roster for now.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Fabian Ardaya - The Athletic
6 days agoMilwaukee Brewers catcher
Gary Sanchez (hamstring) was removed from Tuesday's game against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays with tightness in his right hamstring. Sanchez hit into a fielder's choice in the first inning, coming up lame after legging out a throw to first base and getting pulled from the contest right away. Top prospect
Tyler Black, who was just promoted from the minor leagues on Tuesday, replaced Sanchez to run for him. The Brewers should offer another update on Sanchez's status when he's further evaluated following the contest. The 31-year-old slugging backstop is slashing a decent .208/.283/.458 with three home runs, three doubles, and six RBI in 48 at-bats (18 games) for Milwaukee this year, and the club would really lean on the red-hot
William Contreras behind the dish if Sanchez is facing a significant setback. Black would also see more work as a designated hitter in this case.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Milwaukee Brewers on X
6 days agoMiami Marlins starting pitcher
Jesus Luzardo (elbow) is throwing up to 90 feet on Tuesday. Luzardo plans to play catch again on Wednesday and then throw a bullpen session thereafter. Barring any setbacks, he hopes to then make a minor-league rehab start and rejoin the major-league club. It sounds like the 26-year-old southpaw is eyeing a return from the 15-day injured list close to when he's first eligible, which is certainly an encouraging sign. Luzardo is recovering from a mild left flexor muscle strain, and he struggled to a 6.58 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and 27:13 K:BB over 26 innings (five starts) for the Fish before hitting the shelf. Fantasy managers should keep top prospect
Max Meyer glued to watchlists in the meantime, as it's only a matter of time before he's recalled to the big leagues after submitting a 2.12 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, and 14:3 K:BB across 17 frames (three starts) this year.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoBoston Red Sox first baseman/outfielder
Garrett Cooper (wrist) was removed from Tuesday's game against the visiting San Francisco Giants due to a right wrist contusion. Cooper, who was making his Red Sox debut and went 0-for-2 before exiting on Tuesday, was hit by a pitch on the right wrist in the fifth inning, and he was replaced at the cold corner by
Bobby Dalbec. The Red Sox should provide another update on Cooper's status after the veteran is evaluated further following the contest. The 33-year-old lefty masher is slashing a modest .256/.341/.410 with one home run, one double, six RBI, and three runs scored over 39 at-bats (13 games) this season, and Boston would likely be forced to hand Dalbec regular at-bats at first base if Cooper needs to miss additional time.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Chris Cotillo - The Springfield Republican
6 days agoChicago White Sox outfielder
Luis Robert Jr. (hip) is at 80 percent running in his recovery from a hip-flexor strain and is also taking batting practice, according to manager Pedro Grifol. "He's strong, energetic, he's excited to come back so we're hoping sooner than later but we're going to take our time because we don't want this to happen again," Grifol said. Robert was initially given a six- to eight-week timetable for a return after last playing on April 5. The oft-injured 26-year-old looks to be ahead of scheduled, but for a player with Robert's extensive injury history, the White Sox would be wise to play it safe and not bring the talented outfielder back too soon. The Cuban slugger's 38-homer, 80-RBI, 20-steal 2023 season displays his upside, but he's also played in over 100 games just once in his four previous MLB seasons due to injuries.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Chicago Sun-Times - Daryl Van Schouwen
6 days agoToronto Blue Jays outfield prospect
Alan Roden has been off to a great start at Double-A to begin the 2024 season. Roden has posted a strong .290/.388/.464 line with two round-trippers and two stolen bases. Last season, the 24-year-old put up similar numbers in Double-A (.310/.421/.460), suggesting that Roden may be ready to move up to Triple-A. MLB Pipeline ranked Roden as the seventh-best prospect in the Toronto system and projects him to reach the major league level later this summer. As a result, dynasty and keeper league managers should monitor Roden's status as he could be joining Triple-A Buffalo fairly soon.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
6 days agoChicago Cubs outfield prospect
Owen Caissie continues to succeed at Triple-A and is making a case for a much earlier-than-anticipated major league promotion. Across 26 games with Triple-A Iowa, the 21-year-old has posted a .289/.418/.433 stat line with one home run and three stolen bases. Caissie has also tallied ten extra-base hits. Over the past seven days, the number three prospect in the Chicago system has logged a .389/.542/.444 line with an impressive 6:9 BB:K ratio. Caissie may join the major league roster later this summer and be given the opportunity quite soon as Cubs outfielders
Cody Bellinger (ribs) and
Seiya Suzuki (oblique) have sustained serious injuries and may miss an extended period. Caissie should be rostered in all dynasty and keeper formats and should be monitored in deeper redraft leagues.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
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