3 hours agoChicago Cubs left-handers Drew Smyly (hip) and Jordan Wicks (forearm) were both scheduled to throw bullpen sessions on Tuesday. Wicks went on the injured list over a week ago with a strained left forearm but is already good to throw off a mound, so it sounds as though his injury isn't very serious. However, the 24-year-old southpaw could need a minor-league rehab assignment before the Cubs feel comfortable returning him to their starting rotation. Smyly, 34, is recovering from a right-hip impingement and has already missed several weeks. Because Smyly is a reliever, he may not need as lengthy of a rehab assignment before rejoining Chicago's bullpen. In a starting role, Wicks is more attractive in fantasy in deeper leagues. He had a 4.70 ERA with a 1.52 WHIP and 28 K's in five starts before his injury.Source: Watch Marquee - Andy Martinez
4 hours agoChicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (oblique) will start a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday. Suzuki has been away from the team for almost three weeks due to a right-oblique strain, but barring a setback in the minors this week, the 29-year-old outfielder could come off the 10-day injured list and return to Chicago's lineup this weekend. When he's back, Suzuki will return to an everyday role in the Cubbies' outfield, potentially pushing rookie Pete Crow-Armstrong back to the minor leagues now that Cody Bellinger (ribs) is also back. The Japanese right-handed hitter was batting a strong .305 (18-for-59) with three home runs, 13 RBI and 11 runs scored in his first 15 games for the Cubs before injuring his oblique. Hopefully, he can pick up where he left off when he returns to Chicago.Source: Watch Marquee - Andy Martinez
4 hours agoBaltimore Orioles right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (shoulder) said his right shoulder feels much better. He's been playing catch and is hoping to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list when he's eligible to return on May 15. The move to place Rodriguez on the IL was more of a precautionary move since he had been battling through shoulder inflammation recently, so the 24-year-old might not need a lengthy stay on the sidelines. It's great news for the O's and fantasy managers. As long as he avoids any setbacks, Rodriguez may only be required to make one minor-league rehab start before returning to Baltimore. Before his injury, he had gone 4-1 with a 3.71 ERA in his six starts. Rodriguez deserves to be kept in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues while he rehabs.Source: MASN Sports - Roch Kubatko
4 hours agoCleveland Guardians catching prospect Ralphy Velazquez has been settling in quite nicely in his first taste of Single-A ball. The 18-year-old has posted a .264/.343/.505 line with six long balls and 21 RBI through 22 games this season. He has also stolen one base and has an 11:21 BB:K ratio. The former first-round pick is showing elite power and could make a case to see time in High-A later this summer. Velazquez is ranked as the fourth-best prospect in the Cleveland system on MLB Pipeline and is worth monitoring in dynasty leagues as he has the potential to emerge as not only the top prospect in his team's system but in all of baseball.Source: MiLB.com
4 hours agoNew York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole (elbow) threw another bullpen session on Tuesday. Manager Aaron Boone said the plan is for Cole to travel with the team to Tampa and throw another bullpen session this weekend. Cole threw off a mound for the first time last Saturday and continues to progress from a right-elbow injury that landed him on the injured list to begin the 2024 season. The 33-year-old still has a ways to go before he's able to make his season debut, but he's making progress and is currently on track to return to the Yankees' starting rotation in mid-June. Fantasy baseball managers must remain patient, though, as the Yankees aren't going to rush last year's American League Cy Young winner back too soon. Keep him stashed everywhere.Source: ESPN.com - Jorge Castillo
4 hours agoNew York Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez (elbow) is set to begin a minor league rehab assignment in mid-to-late May. The 21-year-old continues recovering from last year's Tommy John surgery. The hope is that Dominguez can rejoin the outfield mix at some point next month. The top prospect did well with the team during his first taste of big league action last season. He should be an impact player once he's back to full health.Source: Max Goodman
4 hours agoUpdating a previous report, Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (illness) is under the weather and is getting the day off on Tuesday against the Cincinnati Reds, according to manager Torey Lovullo. The hope is that Moreno will be back in the lineup on Wednesday. He's available off the bench on Tuesday, Lovullo said. It's the second straight day that Moreno will be on the bench, as he was also given the day off in the series finale on Sunday against the San Diego Padres. Tucker Barnhart got the start behind the dish and is hitting eighth in the order against Reds right-hander Frankie Montas, who is making his first start since coming off the injured list. The 24-year-old Moreno is hitting .241 (21-for-87) with 14 RBI, but he has yet to clear the fences in 2024.Source: The Arizona Republic - Nick Piecoro
4 hours agoSeattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford (oblique) was able to take swings in the batting cage on Tuesday. Manager Scott Servais mentioned that Crawford should be able to start swinging on the field this weekend. If he's 100 percent this weekend then Crawford should be able to go on a rehab assignment next week. Crawford has been out of the lineup since late April due to an oblique injury. Dylan Moore will cover shortstop and bat eighth versus right-hander Bailey Ober on Tuesday.Source: Ryan Divish
4 hours agoSeattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Minnesota Twins. The switch-hitting backstop will get a day off after going 2-for-15 over his last four games. To be fair, Raleigh did have two home runs during that span which is what he's known for doing. Seby Zavala will be behind the plate and bat ninth versus right-hander Bailey Ober.Source: MLB.com
4 hours agoHouston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier (neck) is scheduled to make his return to the mound this weekend. The 27-year-old appears to be ready to pitch after making a rehab start in Double-A on Saturday. This is good news for the Astros who have a banged up rotation right now. Javier will get a favorable matchup against the Detroit Tigers. There shouldn't be any restrictions on Javier, so fantasy managers should feel safe plugging him right back into their lineups.Source: Robert Flores
4 hours agoSan Diego Padres second baseman Luis Arraez (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Chicago Cubs. This appears to be a routine rest day for Arraez against tough left-hander Shota Imanaga. The 27-year-old infielder was acquired by the Padres over the weekend. He has five hits and one RBI since joining the team. In his absence, Xander Bogaerts will cover second base and bat fifth on Tuesday.Source: MLB.com
4 hours agoBoston Red Sox relief pitcher Chris Martin (shoulder) is available ahead of Tuesday's game against the Atlanta Braves. The right-hander was held out over the weekend due to soreness in his shoulder. There was some thought that Martin would be placed on the injured list. Instead, Martin appears to be feeling better and is ready for the series opener versus Atlanta. His return is a significant boost to the Red Sox bullpen.Source: Pete Abraham
5 hours agoSan Francisco Giants outfielder Jorge Soler (shoulder) remains out of the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Colorado Rockies. The 32-year-old has been sidelined since last weekend due to a right shoulder issue. For now, Soler is considered as day-to-day and should be available off the bench. In the meantime, Wilmer Flores will serve as the designated hitter and bat fifth versus right-hander Dakota Hudson. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups accordingly.Source: MLB.com
5 hours agoTexas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said that pitching prospect Jack Leiter will "probably" start the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Oakland Athletics. "Looking forward to watching him," Bochy said. Leiter is already with the team in Oakland and is on the cusp of making just his second big-league start on Wednesday. The 24-year-old is Texas' No. 7 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, but he looked overmatched in his first career MLB start last month against the Detroit Tigers, when he allowed seven runs in just 3 2/3 innings. This will probably be another spot start, but it's an excellent matchup, and Leiter has been solid at Triple-A Round Rock with a 2.84 ERA, just eight walks and 37 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings pitched. Leiter will be a risky fantasy streamer in his second career start.Source: Dallas Morning News - Shawn McFarland
5 hours agoPhiladelphia Phillies right-hander Spencer Turnbull will pitch in relief at some point after left-handed starter Cristopher Sanchez on Tuesday against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays, most likely for three innings or so. "We've got a plan," manager Rob Thomson said. It sounds like a piggyback situation for Turnbull, who has essentially been bumped from the starting rotation despite his 1.67 ERA and 0.83 WHIP with 36 strikeouts in 32 1/3 innings in his first six starts of the season. Turnbull hasn't thrown more than 56 2/3 innings in a season since 2019, though, so it probably is better off for him anyway. The 31-year-old veteran will obviously lose the majority of his fantasy appeal if he's not starting, but he could get another chance down the road for the Phillies.Source: The Athletic - Matt Gelb