6 days agoDetroit Tigers outfielder
Riley Greene will hit out of the leadoff spot for the first time this season when the club hosts the first of three games versus the rival Minnesota Twins on Friday. It's been an interesting season so far for the 23-year-old. While he's hitting just .205, Greene has also slugged three homers to go along with a double while walking in 17% of his 47 trips to the plate. The former first-round pick hit .288 with 11 homers and seven stolen bases in 99 games last season as it was a great step forward before a stress fracture in his leg followed by Tommy John surgery cut his season short. Greene firmly remains on the dynasty radar as a difference maker for fantasy managers.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoBaltimore Orioles outfielder
Colton Cowser has been promoted to the two-hole for Friday's series opener against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers. The 24-year-old has enjoyed a white-hot start to his season, hitting .458 with two homers, 11 RBI, and a stolen base across his first 26 trips to the plate. Both of those long balls came in Thursday's extra-inning triumph over the Boston Red Sox while he drove in 10 runs across the three-game set their his AL East rival. Drafted with the fifth pick of the 2021 draft, Cowser could be in line for every day starts versus right-handed pitching, making him a wildly attractive fantasy option, especially in dynasty leagues.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoThe scheduled contest between the Cleveland Guardians and New York Yankees on Friday has been postponed due to inclement weather. The game will be rescheduled as part of a doubleheader that begins on Saturday at 12:10 p.m. ET. The starting pitching matchups for Saturday are to be determined. The Guardians are off to a hot start, sitting 9-3 and atop the Central Division standings. The Yankees are also pacing their division, sitting atop the AL East with a 10-3 record after a disappointing 2023 campaign that saw them finish at 82-80, good for fourth in the difficult AL East.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: Cleveland Guardians
6 days agoThe Tampa Bay Rays have placed second baseman
Brandon Lowe on the 10-day injured list due to a right oblique strain. The move is retroactive to Apr. 9 while the club recalled utility man
Niko Goodrum from Triple-A Durham. Lowe has dealt with side soreness a couple of times early in the season and it appears the club will give him some time off to get the issue behind him. For the season, the 29-year-old has hit .185 with one homer across his first 30 trips to the plate. However, he has long been a reliable option at the second-base position as he slugged 21 homers to go along with seven stolen bases across 109 games last season. He is certainly worthy of an injury stash as the issue doesn't seem to be of the long-term variety.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: Tricia Whitaker
6 days agoThe Chicago White Sox have signed pitcher
Cory Abbott to a minor-league deal. The 28-year-old was recently released by the Seattle Mariners after failing to make the 40-man roster. Abbott is a former second-round pick of the Chicago Cubs, but never fully reached his potential. He made 22 appearances with the Washington Nationals last season but posted a 6.64 ERA during that time. He's expected to head to Triple-A Charlotte and provide additional depth for the organization.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Steve Adams
6 days agoBoston Red Sox third baseman
Rafael Devers (shoulder) is considered as day-to-day, but will hopefully avoid a trip to the injured list. The good news is that Devers should only need a few more days of rest before returning to the lineup. He'll likely miss the upcoming three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels, but fantasy managers will take that over a trip to the 15-day injured list. Manager Alex Cora said Devers is likely to need additional days of rest, so don't expect him to be in Friday's lineup.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Ian Browne
6 days agoTampa Bay Rays pitcher
Jacob Waguespack will get the starting nod against the San Francisco Giants on Friday. The 30-year-old has been operating as a reliever during the early portion of the season. In three appearances, Waguespack has allowed six runs over six innings of work. He does have experience as a starting pitcher, but Waguespack hasn't made a start in nearly five years. He won't be a recommended streaming option ahead of Friday's slate.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Marc Topkin
6 days agoMinnesota Twins starting pitcher
Simeon Woods Richardson is joining the taxi squad with the expectation of starting during Saturday's doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers. The right-hander failed to make the team during spring training, but he'll have a chance to impress here. So far in 2024, Woods Richardson has struggled during two starts in Triple-A. He made one appearance for the Twins last season but spent the majority of his time in the minors. He won't be a recommended streaming option for Saturday.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Robert Murray
6 days agoNew York Mets starting pitcher
Jose Butto is expected to take the mound for Sunday's start against the Kansas City Royals. The right-hander recently made a spot start for the Mets during a doubleheader last week. He pitched well allowing only one run over six innings of work against the Detroit Tigers. It appears he'll get at least one more outing in the Mets rotation. He could be worth a look as a possible deep league streaming option on Sunday.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Mike Puma
6 days agoAtlanta Braves starting pitcher
Darius Vines has been recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday. The organization is still searching for a viable option for the fifth spot in the rotation after the loss of
Spencer Strider (elbow) who was placed on the injured list. Vines is expected to help fill out the rotation, so the rest of the starters can stay on schedule. In a corresponding move, right-hander
Allan Winans has been optioned to Triple-A. Fantasy managers can go ahead and avoid Vines until further notice.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Atlanta Braves
6 days agoHouston Astros catcher
Yainer Diaz continued his strong start of the season on Thursday versus the Kansas City Royals. Diaz went 2-for-5 on the day with a home run. The home run would be the third of the season for the 25-year-old. Diaz has become the full-time catcher with veteran
Martin Maldonado signing with the Chicago White Sox this offseason and the move has worked to perfection thus far. Diaz has not only been a solid bat in the middle of the lineup, but he is hitting a healthy .333 with three homers and seven RBI in 51 games. As a fixture in one of the better lineups in the league and at a tough position, fantasy managers must be thrilled with their early return on investment with Diaz.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoOakland Athletics outfielder
Seth Brown went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's victory against the Texas Rangers. Brown's home run in the top of the second off
Jon Gray would be the only run scored by both teams in a low offensive output. In addition to his home run, he also doubled. He is now hitting .175 with four RBI in 40 at-bats. Brown has been a steady source of power with 59 career home runs in the last three seasons, but that has been about it with a weak .225 career batting average. As with most power hitters that hurt managers in the average department, you have to ride them while they are hot and hopefully Thursday's performance can be the start of something good for Brown. For now, Brown can remain on the waiver wire in most formats.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoPhiladelphia Phillies second baseman
Bryson Stott went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer in Thursday's victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates. His home run would be the first of the season. Stott is coming off a career year in 2023, but has struggled early on in 2024 with a .220 batting average and five RBI. The good news is that he has stolen two bases and the better news is that the season is very young. Stott hitting at the bottom of the order isn't ideal for managers, but he is in a good Phillies lineup and shouldn't have a problem scoring runs or knocking them in. As it stands, Stott remains a serviceable second baseman that can help in multiple categories moving forward.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoBaltimore Orioles shortstop
Gunnar Henderson went 1-for-5 with a two-run homer in Thursday's victory versus the division rival Boston Red Sox. Henderson's home run came in six-run, top of the 10th inning that led to the Orioles chalking up a win. Henderson's homer is now his third of the season to go along with eight RBI and a .229 batting average. He has also swiped three bags, The 22-year-old is coming off an impressive rookie campaign and it was one of the young stars on the Orioles roster. With his ability to help across the board and being a part of one of the best lineups in the league, Henderson continues to be one of the better bets at shortstop for the remainder of the season and for years moving forward.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoBaltimore Orioles starting pitcher
Grayson Rodriguez fell one out short of earning a quality start in Thursday's contest versus the Boston Red Sox. The youngster went 5 2/3 innings and allowed six hits, two runs, two walks and struck out five on the evening. The two walks were a season high, while the five strikeouts were a season low. Nonetheless, Rodriguez has remained effective and continues to ascend as one of the leagues best young arms. In three starts, Rodriguez is 2-0 with a 2.50 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 18 innings pitched. He should be rostered everywhere and will look to build on his success versus the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
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