6 days agoLos Angeles Dodgers closer
Evan Phillips picked up his fifth save of the season in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Padres. Phillips allowed two hits and didn't strike out a batter despite throwing 17 of his 23 pitches for strikes, but didn't give up a run on his way to recording the save. The 29-year-old has been excellent this season, posting a 1.17 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and a 7:1 K:BB over seven-and-two-thirds IP. He's just one save behind the MLB save leader
Clay Holmes and the righty remains a top option at closer on one of the best teams in baseball.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
6 days agoLos Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher
Gavin Stone picked up the win in Saturday's 5-2 victory over the Padres. Stone threw six-and-two-thirds innings, allowing five hits and a walk while striking out four. All of the hits and the walk came after the sixth inning as the 25-year-old twirled five perfect innings before that. He'll look to build on this outing, and now has a 6.14 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, and a 15:5 K:BB on the season. The Dodgers will need him to step up with news that
Bobby Miller will hit the IL. The righty's next start lines up with the Mets next week in L.A.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
6 days agoAfter throwing just four pitches, all balls, Los Angeles Angels reliever
Robert Stephenson exited his Triple-A rehab appearance with the trainer. The 31-year-old has been battling shoulder soreness since March and was expected to rejoin the Angels later this month. Although there has been no announcement made as to why he exited, it is possible he reaggravated the injury, which would put his original timeline in doubt. Fantasy managers may have stashed Stephenson in anticipation of his return, so this is certainly a situation to monitor. The righty had 77 strikeouts in 52 1/3 IP between Pittsburgh and Tampa last season.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: The Sporting Tribune - Taylor Blake Ward
6 days agoArizona Diamondbacks right-hander
Kevin Ginkel threw a scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 4-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. Ginkel entered the ninth inning to protect a two-run lead. The 30-year-old retired the side to earn his third save of the season. Ginkel owns a 2.45 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and nine strikeouts over 7 1/3 innings in 2024. He is Arizona's primary closer, while
Paul Sewald (oblique) is sidelined. Sewald recently threw a bullpen session on Saturday as he continues to work his way back from a Grade 2 left oblique strain. Ginkel should see plenty of save chances until Sewald returns from the injured list and should be rostered in league formats.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: MLB
6 days agoToronto Blue Jays right-hander
Yimi Garcia struck out the side over a scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Colorado Rockies. Garcia entered the ninth inning to protect a two-run lead. The 33-year-old struck out the side to earn his first save of the season. Garcia has been terrific for the Blue Jays in 2024, posting a 1.35 ERA, 0.45 WHIP, and 11 strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings.
Chad Green, who collected Toronto's previous two saves, was used in the eighth inning and logged a hold in Saturday's victory. With
Jordan Romano (elbow) and
Erik Swanson (forearm) close to returning to action, Garcia is a temporary add for fantasy managers in desperate need of saves.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: MLB
6 days agoArizona Diamondbacks left-hander
Jordan Montgomery will make his season debut on Friday against the San Francisco Giants. Montgomery signed a one-year, $25 million contract late into the offseason with the Diamondbacks. In his final tune-up with Triple-A Reno, Montgomery was torched for seven runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out six over 3 2/3 innings. The 31-year-old will join Arizona's rotation next week and likely replace
Tommy Henry or
Ryne Nelson. Montgomery was solid for the Rangers/Cardinals in 2023, posting a 3.20 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and a 166:48 K: BB across 188 2/3 innings.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Theo Mackie
6 days agoLos Angeles Dodgers right-hander
Walker Buehler (elbow, hand) is set to make his next rehab start on Thursday with Triple-A Oklahoma City. According to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, Buehler is fine and will pitch his next rehab start on Thursday. The 29-year-old was removed from Friday's rehab start after taking a comeback to his right hand. Buehler will do a tune-up start on Thursday and could rejoin the Dodgers the following week. LA's rotation is banged up with
Bobby Miller (shoulder), Emmett Sheehan (forearm),
Clayton Kershaw (shoulder), and
Dustin May (elbow) all on the injured list. Fantasy managers should continue to stash Buehler in all leagues, as he is expected to return from the injured list soon.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: David Vassegh
6 days agoThe Los Angeles Dodgers placed right-hander
Bobby Miller (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation. The move is retroactive to April 11. Miller's injury is "not severe," and surgery is unnecessary. Miller has struggled this season, posting a 5.40 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, and 18 strikeouts over 11 2/3 innings. The 23-year-old will miss at least the 15-day minimum, but expect the Dodgers to be cautious with their young starter. The Dodgers have recalled
Nick Ramirez and
J.P. Feyereisen and placed Miller and
Connor Brogdon on the injured list in a corresponding move. Miller was expected to start against the Washington Nationals next week, but it's unclear who will replace him in the rotation.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Jack Harris
7 days agoLos Angeles Angels first baseman
Nolan Schanuel (groin) suffered a testicular contusion during Saturday's game against the Boston Red Sox and will not play in Sunday's series finale. Schanuel fouled a ball off himself in the third inning and was removed from Saturday's game during the fourth frame. He went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts before exiting. The 22-year-old is not expected to be placed on the injured list and is considered day-to-day.
Miguel Sano replaced Schanuel in Saturday's contest. Sano should see an uptick in at-bats with Schanuel sidelined, but he is hitting 207 (6-for-29) with an RBI over 10 games in 2024. Fantasy managers searching for a first base or corner infield option can look to add Sano in deep-league formats.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Jeff Fletcher
7 days agoWashington Nationals right-hander
Kyle Finnegan struck out one over a scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Oakland A's. Finnegan entered the ninth inning to protect a two-run lead. He needed only nine pitches to retire the side and earn his fifth save of the season. The 32-year-old is 5-for-6 in save chances with a 4.26 ERA, 1.74 WHIP, and six strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings in 2024.
Hunter Harvey was used in the eighth inning and has racked up five holds in 2024. Finnegan is Washington's primary closer, and his five saves are tied with St. Louis Cardinals reliever
Ryan Helsley for the National League lead.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: MLB
7 days agoChicago Cubs right-hander
Jameson Taillon's (back) next start will be the team next week. The Cubs open Monday with a three-game series in Arizona and later start a four-game series on Thursday versus the Miami Marlins. Taillon felt great during his rehab start on Friday night and will meet with the team in Arizona to figure out the next steps. The 32-year-old threw 68 pitches over 3 2/3 innings during Friday's rehab start with Triple-A Iowa. He has been sidelined this season with a back injury. Taillon owned a 4.84 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and a 140:41 K: BB across 154 2/3 innings in 2023. Fantasy managers searching for pitching depth in deep-league formats can look to add Taillon to their rosters.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Maddie Lee
7 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
7 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
7 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
7 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
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