5 hours agoChicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki went 3-for-4 with a home run, three RBI, and two runs scored in Friday's 6-0 win over the Colorado Rockies. The 29-year-old drove one run in on a first-inning single before belting a fourth-inning two-run jack. Suzuki wasn't much of a difference maker since starting the season late with an oblique injury, but he has certainly risen lately as one of fantasy's most prominent league winners since the calendar flipped to August. He's hitting a torrid .346 with 12 home runs, 13 doubles, and 35 RBI in 159 at-bats since Aug. 2. Keep riding Suzuki's hot bat and hope the wheels don't come off ahead of fantasy championship week.--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

5 hours agoKansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans launched six two-run innings on three hits and four walks with five strikeouts for his seventh win of the year in Friday's start against the Houston Astros. The 25-year-old was spotted an early four-run lead before Yordan Alvarez tagged him for an RBI double in the first inning. Jose Abreu then took a high fastball yard in the second frame, but Ragans pitched quite well otherwise. The southpaw has authored an incredible post-All-Star break story, leading the American League with a masterful 2.34 ERA in 11 starts (65 1/3 innings). Ragans has also fanned 81 during this phenomenal string of success, and the Royals have to love the compensation they received for Aroldis Chapman's expiring contract earlier this summer thus far. Ragans will have a prime chance to put a bow on his second half in his final 2023 start set for Thursday against the Detroit Tigers.--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: ESPN

5 hours agoOakland Athletics outfielder Tony Kemp (ankle) was forced from Friday's 8-2 win over the Detroit Tigers after sustaining a right ankle sprain. The 31-year-old suffered the setback after sliding into second base during the sixth inning and had to come out of the contest, but not before coming around to score on a three-run Shea Langeliers homer. Esteury Ruiz entered for him during the seventh inning, singling in two runs and swiping two bags during the ensuing frame. A's skipper Mark Kotsay hopes Kemp can return this season, but they could simply keep the veteran out of play for the end of a lost season. The on-base merchant is slashing .209/.304/.304 with five home runs, 27 RBI, and 15 stolen bases in 418 trips to the plate. The speedy Ruiz is batting .318 (14-for-44) with 12 steals since Aug. 30, so he should be worth rostering in shallow leagues for those categories to finish things up in 2023.--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Martin Gallegos

5 hours agoHouston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez (elbow) went 1-for-4 with an RBI double in the first inning of Friday's 7-5 defeat to the Kansas City Royals. It's worth noting that the 26-year-old has been limited to the designated hitter spot recently with a right elbow issue. Alvarez disclosed to reporters after Friday's game that his throwing elbow is bothering him after a few swings and misses last week. It's something for fantasy managers to monitor moving ahead, but it looks like a minor problem at this point. Hopefully it doesn't lead to any missed action over the last week of play, as the superstar slugger is hitting .293 (111-for-379) with 28 home runs, 94 RBI, and 70 runs scored this season.--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Chandler Rome - The Athletic

5 hours agoSaturday's scheduled game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Yankees has been postponed due to inclement weather. Rain is headed the way of the East Coast to linger all weekend, so it's no surprise this contest is being canceled. The meeting is yet to be rescheduled, and would likely only be made up if it carries playoff implications for the D-backs. Zach Davies and Carlos Rodon were slated for Saturday's date, but one would expect them to handle starting duties for Sunday's action in the Bronx, weather permitting. Fantasy managers should alter their lineups accordingly.--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: New York Yankees Twitter

6 hours agoSaturday's scheduled game between the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals has been postponed due to inclement weather. This contest was canceled way ahead of time with plenty of rain being dumped all over the East Coast this weekend, so it will be made up as part of a split doubleheader on Sunday. Kyle Wright was set to go for the Braves on Saturday, but he'll move to Sunday alongside ace Spencer Strider. The Nationals will likely trot out Joan Adon and Jackson Rutledge to cover the twin bill. Fantasy managers should have ample time to adjust their daily lineups on Saturday.--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

6 hours agoThe St. Louis Cardinals put third baseman Nolan Arenado (back) on the 10-day injured list due to lower-back spasms on Friday, ending his season. And thus brings to a close an inconsistent season for the 34-year-old, who bookended his year with two month-long slumps to start and finish it but offered strong hitting in between. It led to a respectable .266/.315/.459 slash line with 26 home runs, 93 RBI, and 26 doubles in 560 at-bats. Arenado always figures to identify a bit more with his glove, but his status as a perennial All-Star should keep him as a fixture in the top-third of 2024 fantasy drafts. He's as a good a bet as any for 30 homers and 100 RBI in any given year, and a formidable Cardinals lineup will look to rebound in 2024.--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: St. Louis Cardinals Twitter

6 hours agoMiami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (forearm) has experienced renewed forearm tightness following Thursday's rehab start with Triple-A Jacksonville. This comes as an unpleasant surprise after the right-hander seemed to come away from the outing unscathed, but apparently the UCL sprain in his right arm didn't respond well. Alcantara may be witnessing some wear and tear after racking up over 600 innings pitched since 2021. The 28-year-old is heading back to Miami to determine the next steps, but it's fair to expect him to be out for the rest of the regular season at least. If Alcantara is indeed done, it brings to an end a disappointing follow-up to a 2022 Cy Young campaign with a 4.04 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 151:48 K:BB in 184 2/3 innings, albeit with three complete games this year. He is likely to be a popular 2024 bounce-back candidate.--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Jordan McPherson

15 hours agoTampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Jason Adam (oblique) is headed for imaging after experiencing oblique discomfort during Friday's 6-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. The right-hander just returned from a multi-week absence with an oblique strain, but this pain is in a different area and apparently more severe. Adam has been an invaluable member of Tampa Bay's bullpen in 2023, attaining a 2.98 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 69:20 K:BB with 12 saves across 54 1/3 innings, so it would be a big loss if he's facing another extended absence. Fantasy managers may want to prepare for the 32-year-old to be done for the remainder of the regular year as the Rays keep an eye toward the playoffs.--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Marc Topkin

15 hours agoTampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe (knee) has been diagnosed with a right patella fracture and is expected to be shelved for four-to-six weeks. It's a bit of surprising turn of events after the 29-year-old fouled a ball off of his right knee during Thursday's contest but was able to remain in the game for a few more innings. Lowe is obviously done for the regular season and would need the Rays to make a deep postseason run in order to return in 2023. The slugger ran hot and cold all year, ultimately submitting a .231/.328/.443 slash line with 21 home runs, 68 RBI, and seven stolen bases during 377 at-bats. Rookie Curtis Mead, who replaced Lowe in the lineup on Thursday and Friday, should see more action in the infield during the final week of play.--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Ryan Bass

15 hours agoCatcher Salvador Perez (concussion) has cleared concussion protocol and will join the Kansas City Royals at Minute Maid Park during their series against the Houston Astros on Saturday. The veteran backstop sustained a mild concussion after taking a foul ball to his facemask last Saturday, but he is positioned to be activated from the 7-day injured list when first eligible for Sunday's series finale, per manager Matt Quatraro. Perez will aim to wrap up the campaign on a high note upon his return, as he's hitting only .252 with a .706 OPS (his lowest figures since 2018) with 21 home runs, 20 doubles, and 72 RBI in 511 at-bats. The eight-time All-Star should also supply a boost to fantasy playoff rosters in the championship round.--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

15 hours agoCleveland Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie (elbow) is slated to start Sunday's series finale versus the Baltimore Orioles. The right-hander made his second minor-league rehab start on Tuesday, throwing 3 2/3 three-run innings with two strikeouts after allowing one run with four punchouts in his first rehab game on Sep. 13. Shane Bieber returned on Friday from his lengthy absence due to an elbow injury, so these comebacks act as a silver lining amid a lost Guardians season. McKenzie hasn't been seen since mid-June with a right elbow sprain after getting a late start to the year off a right teres major strain, limiting him to 10 innings this year. Expect the 26-year-old to be on a pitch count of sorts in a tough matchup on Sunday, so he's not necessarily a must-play for his return.--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

16 hours agoFirst baseman/designated hitter Brandon Belt (back) traveled with the Toronto Blue Jays to Tropicana Field for their series against the Tampa Bay Rays and was set to hit off a machine on Friday. The next step for the veteran slugger could be to face live pitching, barring any setbacks, at the team's complex in Florida. Belt appears to be inching closer to a return from lumbar spine muscle spasms, which forced him to the injured list early last week. The 35-year-old has been encumbered by back issues throughout the second half of the year. Belt has proven to be a nice pickup for the Jays this season, slashing a solid .251/.369/.470 with 16 home runs, 22 doubles, and 38 RBI in 382 plate appearances.--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

18 hours agoToronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Chris Bassitt threw 6 2/3 innings giving up two earned runs on six hits and zero walks. He struck out eight in a 6-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. Bassitt tossed 88 pitches, 61 for strikes while lowering his ERA to 3.74 and running his record to 15-8. Though he doesn't strike out a ton of batters and he gives up his fair share of home runs, he's been a quality starter for a handful of years now. This season, he's pitching like a top-30 starter in fantasy circles and while he'll be 35 next season, he should again provide good numbers.--Justin Raffone - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

18 hours agoNew York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge had himself a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Friday night, going 4-for-4 with three home runs, three runs scored, and six RBI. That makes 35 homers for the superstar on the season and he added his 14th double as well. Judge's OPS is up to 1.010 and he continues to be an absolute fantasy stud. As long as he's healthy, he's one of the best players out there and he can carry a fantasy team when hot.--Justin Raffone - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com