Jonny DeLuca Shut Down For A Few Days
Jonny DeLuca (shoulder) experienced some soreness while throwing and swinging and will be shut down for 3-to-5 days, according to manager Kevin Cash. DeLuca was beginning the rehab of his strained right shoulder, but it looks like he may have started a bit too early. The soreness isn't expected to be anything serious, but this will still delay his return to the team. The speedy center fielder was batting .435 with four stolen bases before suffering the injury while making a diving catch. Playing time may be a bit murkier once he does return, as top prospect Chandler Simpson has taken over in center field recently.Source: Ryan Bass
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Matt Vierling Almost Ready For Rehab Assignment
Matt Vierling (shoulder) will hopefully be ready to begin a rehab assignment pretty soon, according to manager A.J. Hinch. He's yet to play this season after suffering a strained rotator cuff in February. His rehab assignment should be expected to be on the longer side, considering he missed almost all of spring training with the injury. In 2024, he slashed .257/.312/.423 with 16 home runs, 57 RBI, 80 runs, and six stolen bases in 144 games, making him a useful fantasy player in deeper formats.Source: Jason Beck
Detroit Tigers outfielder Brandon Marsh Expected To Resume Rehab This Week
Brandon Marsh (hamstring) is expected to resume his rehab at some point this week, reports Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Marsh left his rehab game on Sunday with a cramp in his injured right hamstring and is seeing a doctor. Even though it's an issue with the injury he is rehabbing, it was just a cramp, and the Phillies don't seem to be concerned. The outfielder will be looking to turn his season around once he does get activated, since he was batting just .095 through 17 games before being placed on the injured list.Source: Matt Gelb
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Ranger Suarez Could Return This Weekend
Ranger Suarez (back) could possibly rejoin the rotation this weekend, reports Matt Gelb of The Athletic. That would line him up to make his season debut against the Diamondbacks. He has yet to pitch this season while recovering from a back injury, but will be looking to build on his breakout 2024 season, where he posted a 3.46 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 27 starts for Philadelphia. He was one of the best pitchers in baseball in the first half of 2024 before fading down the stretch, but he has enough potential to be worth adding in any fantasy league where he is available.Source: Matt Gelb
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cristopher Sanchez Set To Start Wednesday
Cristopher Sanchez (forearm) will start on Wednesday, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. He left his previous start last week after two innings due to forearm soreness, but luckily the injury didn't turn into something more serious. Sanchez threw a bullpen session on Sunday without issue and will be ready to start Wednesday against the Nationals. He'll look to pick up where he left off in the midst of a breakout season where he has posted a 3.42 ERA with 33 strikeouts and eight walks over 26 ⅓ innings.Source: Todd Zolecki
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Shota Imanaga Exits With Leg Cramps
Shota Imanaga left his start on Tuesday after five innings with leg cramps. He was cruising before he was knocked out of the game, shutting out the Pirates over the five frames while allowing six hits, one walk, and striking out three. His ERA for the season is now down to an excellent 2.77, and he should be good to go for his next start, assuming the cramps don't become an ongoing issue. If he stays on his normal schedule, his next start will come on Sunday in Milwaukee.Source: Taylor McGregor
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher George Kirby "Feeling Great", Could Throw Again On Sunday
George Kirby (shoulder) felt great after completing his bullpen session on Monday and is expected to throw again on Sunday. After the session, Kirby noted that he "felt great" and described his session as "nasty." Fantasy managers should monitor his status over the week, as Kirby could be cleared to embark on a rehab assignment this weekend. The 27-year-old has been sidelined since the start of the campaign due to right shoulder inflammation. While the right-hander will need to increase his workload significantly before being in contention to return to the majors, this was a great step in the right direction. Fantasy managers should continue to stash Kirby in all standard formats as he will carry solid SP2 value in all formats when he returns. Last summer, Kirby held a 3.53 ERA with a stellar 1.07 WHIP across 191 innings of work.Source: Daniel Kramer
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Tyler Fitzgerald Returning To Starting Nine
Tyler Fitzgerald (chest) is returning to the starting nine on Tuesday when they face the San Diego Padres. The 27-year-old has been held out of the starting lineup for the past two games due to this minor injury. However, Fitzgerald will be making a quick return to the lineup. This evening, he will cover the keystone and bat in the nine-hole. Before his injury, Fitzgerald had not tallied a hit in each of his past two games. However, before this minor skid, the 27-year-old held an impressive .391/.429/.630 slash line with three doubles, two home runs, and seven RBI over his last 14 contests. Even though he has enjoyed a productive start to the campaign, he has generated a low .257 xwOBA, which is well below the average marks. He is best to fade this evening in DFS facing San Diego right-hander Nick Pivetta.Source: Shayna Rubin
San Francisco Giants infielder/outfielder Max Scherzer Completes 27-Pitch Bullpen Session
Max Scherzer (thumb) completed a 27-pitch bullpen session on Friday. Toronto manager John Schneider noted that it was a "step in the right direction" for the veteran right-hander. Scherzer has been sidelined with this injury after making his season debut on March 29. In this outing, Scherzer lasted just three innings before exiting the contest. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, but it appears Scherzer will need to complete several more bullpen sessions before being cleared to embark on a rehab assignment. Last season, the 40-year-old was limited to numerous injuries and logged just 43 1/3 innings on the bump. Even though he has battled injuries over the past few seasons, when on the mound, he has been effective. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should continue to stash Scherzer while he slowly increases his workload.Source: Shi Davidi
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Josh Lowe Progressing Well, Could Play In Rehab Games On Saturday
Josh Lowe (oblique) has been progressing well and could be cleared to participate in rehab games on Saturday. According to Ryan Bass of the FanDuel Sports Network, Lowe participated in batting practice on Tuesday and is expected to take another session on Friday before officially being cleared for a rehab assignment. This is an excellent sign for the 27-year-old as he has only appeared in one game this season before suffering this injury. If Lowe progresses well this week and is able to carry this success into his rehab assignment, he could be cleared to return to the starting nine sometime next week. In 2023, Lowe held a .241/.302/.391 slash line with 10 home runs and 25 stolen bases. Given his five-category potential, he is a solid depth outfielder in standard formats when he returns to action.Source: Ryan Bass
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Shane McClanahan Begins "Throwing-Like" Activities
Shane McClanahan (triceps) has begun "throwing-like" activities but has yet to begin playing catch. Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash noted that his recovery process has been "slow and steady." While this is not a significant improvement in his progress, it is a good sign to see the southpaw slowly progressing and not facing any setbacks. The left-hander was expected to be Tampa Bay's Opening Day starter but suffered a triceps injury during spring training. He has been on the injured list since the start of the campaign. In addition, McClanahan was recently shifted to the 60-day injured list, which means he will not return till at least the end of the month. Despite his potential extended recovery timetable, McClanahan remains a strong stash option in standard formats given his strikeout potential. While he remains sidelined, Zack Littell should continue to see opportunities in the rotation.Source: Ryan Bass
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Spencer Strider Expected To Have Defined Timeline In The Coming Weeks
Spencer Strider (hamstring) is expected to have his timeline determined in the coming weeks. The right-hander was diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain last week and could be facing his second extended absence of the season. Strider opened the campaign on the injured list as he was recovering from an internal brace procedure. During his lone start this season, Strider tossed five innings of two-run ball against the Toronto Blue Jays. In this outing, the hard-throwing righty struck out five batters and served up one walk. Last season, Strider was only able to log nine innings before being shut down after undergoing the internal brace procedure. Despite his recent health concerns, when on the bump, Strider is an elite option in all fantasy formats and remains a must-stash option. While he is sidelined, AJ Smith-Shawver should see opportunities in the big leagues.Source: Mark Bowman
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Nolan Schanuel Back In Action For Angels
Nolan Schanuel (knee) is back at first base and is batting in the two-hole for Tuesday's contest against the division-rival Seattle Mariners and right-hander Bryce Miller at T-Mobile Park. Schanuel bruised his right knee on Saturday when he fouled a pitch off of it against the Minnesota Twins, and he was held out of Sunday's lineup as a result. But after a day off on Monday, the 23-year-old left-handed hitter will return to the starting nine. The former 11th overall pick in 2023 out of Florida Atlantic University comes into Tuesday's contest slashing a mediocre .247/.327/.382 with a .709 OPS, two home runs, eight RBI and 11 runs scored in 89 at-bats. Schanuel has gone hitless in his last 11 plate appearances with four strikeouts in four games and is hitless in five career at-bats against Miller.Source: MLB.com
Los Angeles Angels first baseman Jeimer Candelario Dealing With Lower-Back Injury
Jeimer Candelario (back) spoke up on Tuesday about a lower-back injury that he's been dealing with. The Reds are looking at Candelario, who is out of the starting lineup for Tuesday's divisional tilt against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals. Spencer Steer is at first base and batting sixth, while Noelvi Marte is at the hot corner and hitting fifth against Cardinals right-hander Miles Mikolas. Candelario has found himself on the bench more of late due to his slow start at the plate, and his back injury could be the primary culprit. The 31-year-old switch-hitter is batting just .113/.198/.213 with two homers and 10 RBI in the first month of the season. Don't rule out an injured-list stint if his back doesn't improve. Marte will benefit from a playing-time standpoint for however long Candelario is out.Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Charlie Goldsmith
Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that infielder Austin Hays Has "Tender" Hamstring
Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that outfielder Austin Hays (hamstring) is out of the starting lineup on Tuesday against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals due to a "tender" hamstring that is being looked at. Haysread more...