17 hours agoHouston Astros outfielder
Yordan Alvarez smashed two home runs off of Minnesota Twins starter
Joe Ryan on Saturday during the Astros' 5-2 win over the Twins. Alvarez collected another hit and a walk en route to a perfect three-for-three day with three RBI. His first was a two-run shot in the first inning and his second was a solo shot in the fifth inning. The powerful lefty had been struggling a bit with his power this season, seeing his ISO drop from .290 in 2023 to .173 prior to today's game. Notching multiple HR is a great sign for the lefty's power going forward. Fantasy managers need not worry about Alvarez going forward and he should continue to be in starting lineups as often as possible.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
17 hours agoClayton Kershaw (shoulder) faced hitters at Dodger Stadium on Saturday afternoon during a live batting practice. This marked the first time during Kershaw's rehab that he has faced hitters. The lefty said he felt great and would likely throw two innings during his next time out in about five or six days. Kershaw is likely still a couple months away from returning but this is a positive step forward for the future hall of famer. His return to the Dodgers will be very welcome as the Dodgers' rotation, though more steady than in 2023, still is a bit of a patchwork rotation right now. Fantasy managers should monitor Kershaw's status going forward and prepare for him to be active at some point after the All Star Break.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Eric Stephen
18 hours agoArizona Diamondbacks reliever
Kevin Ginkel exited Saturday's game against the New York Mets early after being hit in the knee by a comebacker off the bat of
Brandon Nimmo. Ginkel was able to walk it off but had a noticeable limp. The team should be releasing more information on Ginkel's status later on Saturday, but until then he should be considered day-to-day. The 30-year-old had been having a subpar year after a very solid 2023 but was due for a touch of positive regression (4.29 ERA vs 3.93 xERA). Fantasy managers should keep an eye on his status going forward. In the meantime,
Justin Martinez may get a few more innings as a right-handed option out of the pen if Ginkel is to miss some time.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Jody Jackson
18 hours agoSan Francisco Giants second baseman
Thairo Estrada is out of the lineup on Saturday night for the Giants' tilt against the New York Yankees.
Brett Wisely will start in his place. This appears to be a mix of a rest day for Estrada while also getting Wisely, a lefty, in a nice platoon matchup against Yankees right-hander
Cody Poteet. Estrada had a solid May, hitting for a .731 OPS during the month. Fantasy managers shouldn't worry about Estrada's status going forward while DFS managers may want to take a peek at Wisely for Saturday night as the lefty is hitting for an .845 OPS and six RBI in 29 PA so far this season.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: San Francisco Giants
18 hours agoWashington Nationals outfielder
Jacob Young was removed during the 7th inning of the Nationals' 3-2 loss to the Cleveland Guardians. The team has not specified why Young was removed from the game but more should be released later. The 24-year-old was visited by team trainer Paul Lessard in the 7th and was replaced by
Joey Gallo shortly after. Young dealt with back spasms earlier this season, causing him to miss one game, and was struck by a pitch in the head against the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday though he missed no time from that incident. More should be revealed about why Young exited in the coming hours. If he is to miss any significant time, expect
Victor Robles to pick up the slack in the outfield.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Andrew Golden
18 hours agoChicago White Sox outfielder
Andrew Benintendi left today's contest against the Milwaukee Brewers early with Achilles tendinitis, according to the team. Benintendi had hit a a solo shot in the top of the third and then was pulled. The lefty was replaced by
Dominic Fletcher. More information in regards to the injury has yet to be released by the team, but Benintendi should be considered day-to-day until his status is clarified. Should Benintendi happen to miss much time then Fletcher should be expected to play in his place. The 29-year-old had been having a very subpar season prior to today's game so fantasy managers shouldn't hesitate to drop Benintendi if they're worried about his status going forward.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Scott Merkin
20
hours
agoMilwaukee
Brewers
outfielder
Garrett
Mitchell
(finger)
has
recently
participated
in
full
batting
practice
and
will
start
taking
live
at-bats
soon.
Mitchell
suffered
a
fracture
to
his
left
index
finger
earlier
in
the
spring
and
has
been
sidelined
ever
since.
However,
he
has
yet
read more...
20 hours agoSt. Louis Cardinals infielder/outfielder
Brendan Donovan (neck) remains out of the starting lineup for a second consecutive day with neck stiffness. As a result,
Alec Burleson will play in left field this evening and bat in the six-hole. Donovan, who is typically in the lead-off spot, will cede those duties to young shortstop
Masyn Winn, who was riding an incredible 16-game hitting streak through most of May. Donovan should be considered day-to-day for the time being and could return to the lineup on Sunday. Both Burleson and Winn have a difficult matchup in southpaw
Ranger Suarez, who enters Saturday with a stellar 1.75 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, and 16:77 BB:K ratio and should be faded in DFS.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
20 hours agoLos Angeles Angels
Nolan Schanuel (thumb) is sitting out for the second consecutive game with a thumb injury. Schanuel was a late scratch on Friday evening and will take another seat on Saturday. As a result, 29-year-old
Willie Calhoun will start at first base and bat cleanup. Schanuel should be considered day-to-day for the time being. Willie Calhoun enters Saturday with a solid .277/.289/.415 line with one long ball and six RBI through 25 games this season. He is worth considering in DFS as a value play, as he will face
Bryce Miller, who has surrendered at least two earned runs and five hits in each of his past five starts and carries a 3.48 ERA. Calhoun should also have solid RBI opportunities this evening, batting behind
Luis Rengifo and
Taylor Ward.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
21 hours agoWashington Nationals shortstop
CJ Abrams (shoulder) was scratched from Saturday's lineup with a shoulder injury. At first, there was speculation that the budding superstar was sitting Saturday's contest out due to a head-related injury as he hit his head on the ground on Friday evening. However, it is now confirmed that the 23-year-old is dealing with shoulder soreness and is considered day-to-day. As a result, 32-year-old
Ildemaro Vargas slotted in as the starting shortstop and batted in the eight-hole. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to any other updates regarding Abrams' status, as he has been a valuable contributor during the early part of the season with a solid .249 AVG and a strong combination of power and speed with nine home runs and eight swiped bags.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Mark Zuckerman
21 hours agoAtlanta Braves starting pitching prospect
Hurston Waldrep is being promoted to Triple-A Gwinnett after posting a dominant start at Double-A this season. Through 49 ⅓ innings, the 22-year-old held a 2.92 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP, with a 17:48 BB:K ratio. The Florida product got a small taste of Triple-A ball late last summer and logged just four ⅓ shutout innings. Waldrep is considered the number two prospect in the Atlanta system and now has a strong chance to make his major league debut later this summer. Waldrep should be rostered in all dynasty leagues and could be worth adding in deeper redraft formats if he performs well through his first few starts at Triple-A.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Mississippi Braves
21 hours agoWashington Nationals shortstop
CJ Abrams has been scratched from Saturday's contest against the Cleveland Guardians. While the reason for his absence is undisclosed, it's worth noting that Abrams hit his head on the ground playing defense on Friday, so it's possible he is feeling the effects of that situation despite him remaining in for the rest of his club's 7-1 loss. The 23-year-old displayed his power/speed potential in his first full big-league season in 2023, hitting 18 homers alongside a hefty 47 stolen bases across 151 appearances. That appetizing combination has translated into the 2024 campaign as Abrams has slugged nine round-trippers alongside eight stolen bases across 53 contests. Fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on his status moving forward as a potential concussion could be the issue.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: Mark Zuckerman
22 hours agoThe Washington Nationals have released outfielder
Victor Robles on Saturday as the former top prospect continues to struggle at the plate. After several seasons of lackluster offensive output, Robles hit .299 alongside a .749 OPS across 36 games in the 2023 season but back issues put a strong halt on his campaign. Robles also showcased his power/speed potential with 17 homers and 28 stolen bases back in the 2019 season but failed to build on that potential. Still just 27 years old, Robles hit just .120 without a homer across 14 games and 33 plate appearances in the 2024 season while an ankle injury suffered in early April hasn't helped his cause. Considering his highly-regarded defense in center field and solid base-running skills, it's likely a club will take a chance on Robles as a low-risk flier.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: Mark Zuckerman
22 hours agoToronto Blue Jays reliever
Yimi Garcia is likely the club's first closing option with
Jordan Romano (elbow) being placed on the 15-day injured list on Saturday, according to skipper John Schneider. Schneider also mentioned that right-hander
Chad Green could also see some save opportunities but Garcia is certainly the reliever of choice for fantasy managers considering the season he has enjoyed to this point. The 33-year-old has worked to a tidy 1.23 ERA alongside a 32.1% K% in 21 appearances spanning 22 innings of work. Garcia has also earned a pair of saves after beginning the season as the Jays' closer with both Romano and
Erik Swanson on the IL. Considering this is Romano's second elbow-related trip to the injured list (and his 6.59 ERA) this season and Swanson being optioned to Triple-A, there's a real chance Garcia could be the team's No. 1 closer even upon Romano's return from the injured list.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: Shi Davidi
22 hours agoSan Diego Padres right-hander
Joe Musgrove has landed on the 15-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation. It's a concerning development for the 31-year-old who missed time in early May with an elbow issue before successfully returning with 8 1/3 frames of three-run ball (two earned) across a pair of starts before returning to the injured list on Saturday. All told, it has certainly been an uneven season from both a health and performance perspective as Musgrove owns a 5.66 ERA across 10 starts and 49 1/3 innings of work, although his 4.16 xFIP and 4.02 SIERA suggest he has dealt with some unfortunate luck to this point in the season. Fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on his status considering it's his second trip to the IL due to an elbow injury in less than a month.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: Bob Nightengale
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