6 days agoThe Texas Rangers are now hoping that right-hander
Max Scherzer (back) can return from the injured list in early May after originally believed to be out until maybe late June. Scherzer threw 25 pitches during a live batting practice session on Monday and is expected to throw 40 pitches in a another live BP session on Friday. If he comes out of Friday's session all good, he could embark on a minor-league rehab assignment after that. Scherzer said he's still a bit cautious about his return from surgery to fix a herniated disc in his back, but this is still a very positive development for the Rangers and fantasy managers that have been stashing Scherzer since the regular season started. Don't expect ace-like numbers from the 39-year-old at this point in his career, but when healthy, Scherzer can still act as a solid mid-rotation fantasy starter.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: FOX Sports - Ken Rosenthal
6 days agoLos Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher
Walker Buehler (elbow) was only able to throw 68 pitches in 2 2/3 innings during Thursday's minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City. Buehler allowed two runs on four hits and four walks with three strikeouts, so he wasn't particularly sharp in this one. More importantly, the Dodgers' goal was for him to reach the 90-pitch range, which means his highly-anticipated 2024 regular-season debut and comeback from Tommy John surgery could be delayed by another outing in the minors. Look for LA to make a decision in the next few days as to whether or not the 29-year-old All-Star right-hander's next appearance will come with the big-league club, as No. 13 prospect
Landon Knack could get another turn in the rotation. When we last saw him back during the 2022 campaign, Buehler logged a 4.02 ERA (3.80 FIP), 1.29 WHIP, and 58:17 K:BB over 65 frames (12 starts).
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Bill Plunkett - The Orange County Register
6 days agoFormer first-round draft pick
Tommy Troy is having trouble getting out of the gate in 2024. Through 34 plate appearances at High-A Hillsboro, Troy is hitting .188/.235/.313 with a home run. The former Stanford shortstop has only struck out seven times, and his .208 BABIP and strong pedigree suggest better days are ahead. Troy remains an intriguing fantasy prospect and should get the benefit of the doubt over the small sample size thus far. Fantasy Owners should consider any buy-low opportunities and monitor his progress this season, as the Diamondbacks will be patient with their young shortstop.
--Steve SmithSource: MiLB.com
6 days agoSan Francisco Giants starting pitcher
Blake Snell could be poised to kick-start his 2024 season when he takes the hill in Friday's start versus the division-rival Arizona Diamondbacks. After a long stay in free agency this past offseason, Snell's Giants tenure is off to a rocky start with a 12.86 ERA and 1.85 WHIP while striking out nine hitters and walking four in seven innings (two starts). The 31-year-old reigning National League Cy Young Award winner has plenty of experience dealing with Arizona from his time in the NL West with the San Diego Padres, however, and Snell is 4-1 with a pristine 1.27 ERA and 61:14 K:BB over 42 2/3 frames (seven starts) versus the D-backs dating back to 2021. With the club's current roster batting a career .135 (14-for-104) versus Snell, the hard-throwing left-hander looks like a great fantasy play in both season-long and DFS formats on Friday's full slate.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Baseball Savant
7 days agoColorado Rockies prospect
Jordan Beck continues to showcase his power as he homered for the fifth time of the season on Thursday night. The outfielder broke out in 2023 with 25 homers, 34 doubles, and 20 steals, launching his name up prospect rankings. The former Tennessee Volunteer has fantasy managers excited about his power and speed combo in the offensive haven that is Coors Field. Beck is slashing .286/.391/.643 through 15 games, and if he continues his assault on Triple-A pitching, he could force the Rockies' hand in the coming months. Beck is a strong buy and could be a difference-maker down the stretch this year.
--Steve SmithSource: MiLB.com
7 days agoCleveland Guardians starting pitcher
Triston McKenzie is reportedly pitching through a torn ligament in his right elbow. Last year, a right teres major strain and elbow sprain limited McKenzie to just four starts (16 innings), and the hurler bypassed a potential Tommy John surgery in favor of rest and rehabilitation to heal his arm. His average fastball velocity (90.9 mph) ranks among baseball's worst to begin the 2024 season, and it's down from 92.4 mph during his injury-ruined 2023 campaign. It could explain the 26-year-old right-hander's struggles to begin the campaign, as McKenzie carries a 6.23 ERA (7.20 FIP), 1.76 WHIP, and a concerning 5:12 K:BB across 13 innings (three starts). A start at home on Friday in a favorable matchup versus the visiting Oakland Athletics could be just what the doctor ordered. In three career starts (18 1/3 IP) against the A's, McKenzie holds a 1.96 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 18:4 K:BB.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Zack Meisel, Jason Lloyd - The Athletic
7 days agoBoston Red Sox second baseman/shortstop
Vaughn Grissom (hamstring) is continuing his minor-league rehab assignment for Triple-A Worcester, playing second base in back-to-back games on Thursday and Friday. Grissom served as the designated hitter in his first three outings, so it's a good sign in his recovery from a strained right hamstring. Since the 23-year-old infielder didn't participate in spring training, he may have an extended stay in the minors until he's ready to make his Red Sox debut. With that said, Grissom could still be activated from the injured list before April's end. With
Trevor Story (shoulder) done for the year, Grissom figures to split his time on the diamond at the keystone as well as shortstop. For his big-league career, Grissom is batting a promising .287 (62-for-216) with 15 extra-base hits, 27 RBI, 29 runs scored, and five stolen bases across 64 outings and is worth stashing in all fantasy leagues for his hitting upside.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Boston Herald
7 days agoCincinnati Reds infielder prospect
Cam Collier continues to destroy baseballs for the High-A Dayton Dragons. In what appears to be the start of a breakout season for the 19-year-old, the Reds farmhand homered twice on Thursday, giving him five long balls on the young season. The former first-rounder had a solid year for a teenager in 2023 but appears ready to take off this season. With loud tools and an outstanding pedigree, Collier will continue to move up prospect lists and could be a valuable fantasy asset at the hot corner. He currently sits at .310/.326/.548 over 43 plate appearances.
--Steve SmithSource: MiLB.com
7 days agoTampa Bay Rays starting pitcher
Taj Bradley (pectoral) threw a three-inning simulated game on Wednesday. Bradley will pitch four innings in an extended spring training game before potentially starting a minor-league rehab assignment, as he still has to go through the process of rebuilding his stamina and upping his pitch count before he's ready to return to the Rays. The 23-year-old former top prospect is making good progress on the mend from a strained right pectoral, and if all continues to go well in his recovery, he appears to be on track to rejoin Tampa Bay's injury-ravaged rotation in early-to-mid May. Swingman
Zack Littell has fared well as a starter to begin the 2024 season, registering a 2.14 ERA and 1.33 WHIP while striking out 22 batters and walking just five over his first 21 innings (four starts). Ahead of Monday's scheduled start against the Detroit Tigers, Littell is worth rostering as a streamer for fantasy managers.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
7 days agoThe San Francisco Giants announced on Thursday that starting pitcher
Alex Cobb (hip, shoulder) is now dealing with mild shoulder irritation amid his recovery from offseason surgery on his left hip. Cobb says his arm is just still a little "cranky" as he ramps back up, but he doesn't believe his timetable has changed much. It's still yet another minor setback for Cobb, who just resumed throwing on Monday following a brief shutdown due to a mild flexor strain in his right elbow. The 36-year-old right-hander was an All-Star in 2023 and should still be able to return at some point in the month of May. Until Cobb is ready to re-enter San Fran's rotation, swingman
Jordan Hicks should remain locked in as a starter for the Giants. Hicks features a 1.57 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and 18:6 K:BB through 23 innings (four starts) and is a must-roster fantasy player ahead of Sunday's scheduled start versus the division-rival Arizona Diamondbacks.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Alex Pavlovic - NBC Sports Bay Area
7 days agoPhiladelphia Phillies pitcher
George Klassen overpowered Low-A hitters again on Thursday in Clearwater. The right-hander struck out seven batters and allowed just two hits and two walks against Dunedin. Klassen has yet to allow an earned run over 15 innings this season and has struck out 24 batters to just four walks. The former sixth-round pick appears to be ready to move up in the Minor League ranks, and with elite stuff, he could be a fast riser in the fantasy community. While it is unlikely that Klassen will make an impact in 2024, fantasy managers should get in now before he takes off at the higher levels.
--Steve SmithSource: MiLB.com
7 days agoThe Chicago Cubs activated starting pitcher
Jameson Taillon (back) from the 15-day injured list on Thursday, optioning right-hander
Hayden Wesneski to Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move. Taillon was set to make his 2024 regular-season debut before Thursday's series opener versus the Miami Marlins was postponed, so he'll instead get the ball in Friday's contest against Miami. While the Cubs hope the 32-year-old right-hander gives their rotation a lift in the absence of ace
Justin Steele (hamstring), he isn't the most attractive option from a fantasy perspective after recording a career-worst 4.84 ERA with just 140 strikeouts over 154 1/3 innings (30 appearances) during his debut season in the Windy City last year. Friday still presents a good matchup at home against the 4-15 Marlins, however, and Taillon's 0.54 ERA in 16 2/3 career frames (three starts) versus the Fish is his best mark against any specific club.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Chicago Cubs on X
7 days agoMilwaukee Brewers infielder
Tyler Black is making an early case for a big-league promotion. Through the first few weeks of the 2024 season, Black is hitting .333/.432/.467 with a homer and two steals. The Wright State product is coming off a breakout 2023 season with 18 home runs and 55 steals and appears to be knocking on the door in Milwaukee. With
Jake Bauers struggling at the plate, The Brew Crew could be looking for more production at first base. Black is a potential multi-category contributor for fantasy managers and the situation should be monitored closely.
--Steve SmithSource: MiLB.com
7 days agoChicago Cubs third baseman
Patrick Wisdom (back) was activated off of the 10-day injured list on Thursday evening. The 32-year-old slugger recently embarked on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa and will be back with the big club ahead of Friday's series opener against the Miami Marlins. Wisdom is a boom-or-bust bat that combines serious home run power with undesirable strikeout numbers. The Cubs infield is already crowded with
Christopher Morel and the recently surging
Michael Busch, so it is unclear exactly where Wisdom fits in. He would have slightly more value if he found an everyday role, but until then, he is a waiver-wire option for fantasy managers needing power in deeper leagues.
--Raymond Harrison - RotoBallerSource: Chicago Cubs
7 days agoNew York Mets shortstop
Francisco Lindor had a dreadful start to the 2024 season, but signs of life are finally starting to show. The 30-year-old kicked off his campaign mired in a remarkable 1-for-31 slump. Thankfully, since April 7 he has managed to bat .261 with one home run, eight runs scored and a 5/3 BB/K. His production is still a far cry from the 31 homer, 31 stolen base season he produced in 2023, but Lindor is simply too talented to not turn things around. Fantasy managers should expect him to hit a true hot streak soon.
--Raymond Harrison - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
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