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
6 days agoNew York Mets catcher
Francisco Alvarez (thumb) will require surgery after being diagnosed with a torn UCL in his left thumb. Alvarez injured his thumb while running the bases in the second inning of Friday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. A cleared timeframe for his return will be determined after he undergoes surgery. Although the Mets haven't given an official timetable, Alvarez told teammates he expects to miss 6-8 weeks. Before the injury, he was slashing .236/.288/.364 with a homer, eight RBI, eight runs, and a stolen base over 59 plate appearances.
Tomas Nido and
Omar Narvaez will handle catcher duties while Alvarez is sidelined. Narvaez should see the bulk of the starts, and it is a speculative add in two-catcher formats.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Anthony DiComo
6 days agoHouston Astros starting pitcher
Justin Verlander went six innings in his season debut on Friday and picked up the win in a 5-3 victory over the Nationals. The veteran hurler allowed two earned runs on four hits (one HR) and didn't walk a batter while striking out four. It looks like the 41-year-old won't miss a beat despite missing the first few weeks of the season. Even though his K% has gone down in three consecutive seasons and Contact% has gone up in each of those seasons, the 3x Cy Young winner has remained effective, going 13-8 last season with a 3.22 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 14.8% K-BB%. His next start lines up with the Cubs next Thursday in Chicago.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
6 days agoMiami Marlins closer
Tanner Scott picked up his third save of the season in Saturday's 3-2 victory over the Chicago Cubs. Scott gave up two singles to start the ninth but then retired the next three batter to avoid damage and seal the win without giving up a run. The 29-year-old hasn't gotten many opportunities for closes this season with the Marlins reeling, but he is now three-for-four in close situations and has a 3.72 ERA. Scott will look to pick up at least one more save this weekend with game two of the Saturday doubleheader happening tonight and the series finale against the Cubs happening on Sunday.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoTampa Bay Rays starting pitcher
Zach Eflin threw six shutout innings and struck out six in the Rays 2-0 extra innings win over the New York Yankees on Saturday. Though Eflin only gave up three hits, Tampa Bay's offense didn't show up until extra innings and prevented Eflin from picking up a deserved win. The right-hander now has back-to-back starts without allowing an earned run. It's a good sign after having giving up five-plus runs in two of his first three starts of the season. The 30-year-old now has a 3.68 ERA to go along with a 1.06 WHIP. He'll get a tasty matchup in his next scheduled start on Friday against the Chicago White Sox and will hold value in all fantasy formats.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoNew York Yankees starting pitcher
Nestor Cortes struck out nine in seven shutout innings on Saturday in the Yankees 2-0 extra innings loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. Cortes didn't walk a single batter but gave up six hits. It was the lefty's second-best start of the season but he unfortunately didn't record a win with New York's offense putting up a bagel on the scoreboard. Through five starts, Cortes now has a 3.41 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. The 29-year-old should continue his dominant ways in his next scheduled start on Thursday when the Yankees host the Oakland A's, who are hitting lefties for just a .637 OPS.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
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