RADIO
Franchy Cordero's Elbow MRI Reveals Bone Spur
6/20:San Diego Padres outfielder Franchy Cordero (elbow) is mulling his options after an MRI revealed a bone spur in his left elbow. If he opts for surgery, the estimated 12-week recovery time will likely sideline him for the rest of the season. He could also rest and be re-evaluated in several weeks. Ultimately, surgery will be required and either way, Cordero will be out an indefinite period of time. It's highly probable that his fantasy relevance in 2018 is over.Source: MLB.com - Katie Woo
Odubel Herrera Smacks Game-Winning Home Run
6/20:After the St. Louis Cardinals scored two runs in the sixth inning to tie Wednesday afternoon’s series finale against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, the home team wasted little time in regaining their lead. After Rhys Hoskins struck out swinging to begin the bottom of the seventh, center fielder Odubel Herrera stepped up seeking his third hit on the day. He would be successful, but this would be his biggest hit of the day as he smacked a solo home run to right field. It was the decisive hit of the game as it put the Phillies ahead 4-3, which would be the final score.Source: NBC Sports
Jake Arrieta Goes Six Innings In No-Decision Against St. Louis
6/20:Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jake Arrieta has had a rough month of June, and while he was better on Wednesday afternoon, there’s still plenty of work to do. Taking on the St. Louis Cardinals at Citizens Bank Park, the 32-year-old went six innings, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks. His five strikeouts were the most he’s recorded in four starts, but with his offense only managing three runs of their own while he was in the game, Arrieta would have to settle for a no-decision. The outing snapped a three-game losing streak for the former Cy Young winner, but he still has yet to record a victory this month.Source: Philadelphia Inquirer
Edubray Ramos Picks Up Second Victory
6/20:After Jake Arrieta had done his part by recording a quality start, the Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals were tied at three runs in the seventh inning. Reliever Edubray Ramos, the 25-year-old Venezuelan who has seen two save opportunities, converting one of them, came on. He would go on to close out the seventh before escaping a jam in the eighth. While he only allowed one hit in that inning, he hit another batter, putting two runners on before escaping. In the seventh the Phillies took the lead, setting Ramos up for a victory, which he ultimately picked up. For the season, his record is 2-0, while his ERA is now down to a sensational 0.64 on the year.Source: The Sun Herald
Matt Koch Demoted To Triple-A
6/20:Arizona Diamondbacks starter Matt Koch was demoted to Triple-A Reno on Wednesday night. Koch will return to the Aces after two months of filling the rotation spot left by the injured Robbie Ray. Koch was inconsistent in his time with Arizona, finishing with a 4.40 ERA and 38 strikeouts across 71 2/3 innings. His demotion means that Shelby Miller will likely make his return from the DL on Monday.Source: Nick Piecoro
Pirates And Brewers Game Officially Postponed
6/20:Wednesday's Pittsburgh Pirates and Milwaukee Brewers game has officially been postponed. There is no date set for the makeup game. The two teams play each other September 21-23, and both teams are off the day before. The Pirates will attempt to host the Arizona Diamondbacks Thursday, and the Brewers will head back to Milwaukee to take on the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday evening.Source: Bill Brink
Chris Tillman Planning for Next Rehab Start on Monday
6/20:Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Chris Tillman said that he believes his next rehab start will be scheduled for Monday as he works his way back from a back injury. Tillman said he plans to go 60 pitches as he focuses on building up his stamina before returning to the major league club. Tillman would be returning to an unsightly 10.46 ERA and 2.21 WHIP over seven starts this year. The bloated ratio stats combined with his 13:17 K:BB ratio mean Tillman is a hard pass in all fantasy formats even if he does regain his starting role this year.Source: Eduardo Encina
Kyle Schwarber Swats Home Run No. 14 on Wednesday
6/20:Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Schwarber went 1-for-3 with a walk, two strikeouts and a solo home run on Wednesday. Schwarber launched a solo shot to center field in the fourth inning off Ross Stripling for homer No. 14. Schwarber is now slashing .243/.369/.495 with 34 RBI and 33 runs. While the batting average does not help, Schwarber has had a very nice bounce-back season after last year's disappointment. There's even a chance skinny Kyle makes an appearance in Washington for the mid-summer classic.Source: ESPN Box Score
Brandon Morrow To Disabled List
6/20:Chicago Cubs closer Brandon Morrow was placed on the 10-day disabled list, retroactive to June 17, with a back injury. Morrow injured his back following the series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals. Morrow will be out for at least the next seven days. Pedro Strop could see save opportunities for the time being, as he has a 1.76 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 29 strikeouts in 2018. Strop should be your first target in the Chicago bullpen for saves with Morrow out, but he might not be in the ninth-inning role for long if Morrow stays on the DL for the minimum amount of time.Source: Mark Gonzales
Sam Dyson Struggles Wednesday
6/20:San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Sam Dyson struggled to pick up the save Wednesday versus the Marlins. Over two-thirds of an inning, Dyson allowed two runs and four hits. Dyson picked up the save on Tuesday with Hunter Strickland (hand) placed on the disabled list, and manager Bruce Bochy said on Tuesday that Dyson would serve as the team’s primary closer. Reyes Moronta got the final out Wednesday for his first save, but Tony Watson, Mark Melancon and Will Smith are all likelier to get save chances if Dyson struggles again in the ninth inning.Source: MLB.com
Michael Wacha To Undergo MRI Exam
6/20:Updating a previous report, St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Michael Wacha was removed from his start on Wednesday due to a left oblique strain. Wacha came out in the bottom of the fourth inning and was reportedly feeling pain just from breathing. He's almost certainly heading to the disabled list, but with Wacha's history of shoulder issues, an oblique strain might be good news given the circumstances. He will undergo an MRI on Thursday to give more clarity to the situation.Source: Mark Saxon on Twitter
Jung Ho Kang Out With Wrist Discomfort
6/20:Updating a previous report, Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Jung Ho Kang was removed from the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians game on Wednesday due to left wrist discomfort. There was a ton of Twitter buzz that he may have gotten the call to join the Bucs, but that's not the case for now. Kang is hitting the ball well in the minors and will get the call eventually. He is not on the Pirates 40-man roster as of now. Kang put up big numbers for the Bucs several years ago and could be a mixed league asset at some point this year if he's called up and receives regular playing time. Don't forget about him.Source: Bill Brink
Shelby Miller Will Likely Return on Monday in Miami
6/20:Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Shelby Miller (elbow) will likely be making his return from Tommy John surgery Monday against the Marlins. Miller has been out since April of 2017 after making just four starts last season. He has a 4.65 ERA in four rehab starts but does hold an impressive 28:6 K:BB in 19 1/3 innings. Miller will likely be on a fairly strict pitch count for at least his first few starts, which will limit his fantasy upside. He has swing-and-miss potential and was much better in his four starts in 2017 compared to his 2016, so there is reason to be excited about Miller's return. At the very least, he is someone to keep an eye.Source: Nick Piecoro
Pirates Prospect Kevin Kramer Homers Again
6/20:Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman/shortstop (No. 7 prospect) Kevin Kramer hit his 11th home run of the minor league season on Wednesday. The infielder had only hit total 10 dingers in all of his first three seasons in the minors. Kramer went 2-for-4 with two RBI in the win over the Norfolk Tides. He is now batting .273/.332/.488 with 35 RBI and 19 walks. The winning pitcher for the Wednesday afternoon affair was Nick Kingham, who is now 2-0 with a 1.93 ERA since being optioned to Triple-A.Source: MLB Pipeline
Ross Stripling Picks Up Quality Start Against Cubs
6/20:Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Ross Stripling allowed three earned runs over six innings Wednesday against the Cubs. Stripling threw just 56 of his 84 pitches for strikes but struck out seven and walked none. Stripling now holds a K:BB of 85:11 for the season, and his K/BB ratio of 7.73 is good for second best in baseball. Stripling has been quite a surprise this season, and a major reason for his success is his increase in strikeouts to go with a decrease in walks. While he's been slightly lucky, no one should be expecting him to finish with a sub-2.00 ERA. He'll look to continue his success Tuesday as he gets the Cubs again.Source: ESPN Box Score
