7 hours agoOakland Athletics outfielder
Esteury Ruiz (wrist) is going for an MRI exam on Monday on his left wrist after the way he landed on a diving catch in the outfield in Saturday's game against the Miami Marlins. Manager Mark Kotsay wouldn't say if Ruiz was unavailable for the series finale against Miami on Sunday. The 25-year-old never ended up appearing in Sunday's 12-3 loss, and there's a good chance he won't be available for the series opener on Monday against the division-rival Texas Rangers, either. How much additional time the speedster will miss will depend on the results of his MRI. Since being sent down to the minors early in the year, Ruiz has returned to hit just .229 (8-for-35) with two home runs, six RBI and three stolen bases in 15 games. As long as he's playing regularly for Oakland, he's valuable in fantasy for his wheels.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Jessica Kleinschmidt
7 hours agoLos Angeles Dodgers left-hander
James Paxton recorded his fourth win of the season against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday in a 5-1 victory. Paxton went 6 ⅓ innings, allowing one run on five hits and two walks while striking out three. He has now recorded back-to-back wins in two starts. The 35-year-old has pitched 32 ⅓ innings in six starts, holding a 3.06 ERA with a 5.01 K/9 and 6.68 BB/9 rate. His next projected start is against the San Diego Padres, who had already given him troubles earlier this season. Despite surrendering eight walks in last start against the Padres, Paxton has pitched well enough recently to be used as a streamer in most league formats.
--Shaun Evans - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
7 hours agoNew York Yankees infielder
DJ LeMahieu (foot) hit a little bit over the weekend on Saturday and Sunday, according to manager Aaron Boone, but the skipper wasn't ready to say whether LeMahieu is close to going on a minor-league rehab assignment. "I don't know if he's that close to being ready for rehab," Boone said. It's good news that LeMahieu is doing baseball activities, but the 35-year-old veteran still doesn't appear close to coming off the injured list to make his 2024 debut. He was originally shut down late in April after more swelling in his injured foot. When healthy, LeMahieu is expected to be the team's starter at third base while hitting at the top of the batting order, but fantasy managers are running out of patience. Until LeMahieu is able to return,
Oswaldo Cabrera will continue to see most of the playing time at the hot corner in the Bronx.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Chris Kirschner
7 hours agoMiami Marlins outfielder
Nick Gordon had a day at the plate in Sunday's 12-3 victory against the Oakland A's. Gordon went 4-for-4 with one homer, two runs, and three RBI with one walk. The 28-year-old has had a rough start to the season, hitting .207 (17-for-82) with three doubles, four homers, eight runs, 15 RBI, four walks, and 17 strikeouts in 31 games this season. On Monday, Miami will start a three-game road trip against the Los Angeles Dodgers, bringing more challenges for the struggling team. Gordon does frequent the starting lineup but is mainly an option in NL-Only or deep-league formats.
--Shaun Evans - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
18 hours agoToronto Blue Jays starting pitcher
Alek Manoah got rocked in his first start of the season against the Washington Nationals on Sunday. Manoah allowed seven runs (six earned) in just four innings, giving up six hits and walking four while striking out six. He showed glimpses of his former self, but overall it was a lackluster performance for the big righty. The Jays have already committed to Manoah for at least one more start, but he will have to be much better to instill confidence that they can keep rolling with him. Fantasy managers should not consider starting Manoah until he can consistently deliver good outings, and he can be dropped outside of the deepest of leagues.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
18 hours agoTampa Bay Rays shortstop
Jose Caballero went nuts on the basepaths on Sunday, swiping four bags in a 7-6 win over the New York Mets. Caballero didn't actually get a hit in this one, going 0-for-2 with three walks and three runs scored to go with the four steals. He now has 13 stolen bases on the season, putting him fourth in the majors in that category. For his speed alone, he should be rostered in most category leagues.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
18 hours agoHouston Astros closer
Josh Hader was charged with the loss in a 5-4 defeat at the hands of the Seattle Mariners on Sunday. Hader gave up a homer in the ninth inning of a tie game to
Cal Raleigh to take his third loss of the year. The lefty appeared to be figuring things out heading into this one, with no earned runs allowed in his last four innings pitched, but he can't seem to find his consistency this season. His ERA rises to 6.14 and his WHIP to 1.43, although he does have 24 strikeouts in 14 ⅔ IP. He also still only has three saves, which has to be the biggest disappointment for fantasy managers.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
18 hours agoBaltimore Orioles outfielder
Anthony Santander had a big day at the dish in Sunday's 11-1 drubbing of the Cincinnati Reds. Santander finished the day 3-for-4 with a homer, two runs scored, and five RBI. The 29-year-old put the finishing touches on the offensive outburst, hitting a three-run homer in the ninth. Santander desperately needed the big game, as his triple slash line heading in was a dreadful .200/.276/.392 with only five homers. It's been a step back this year for the veteran, but a day like today could wake him up and turn him back into the four-category contributor that fantasy managers expected when they drafted him.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
18 hours agoLos Angeles Dodgers designated hitter
Shohei Ohtani continued his ridiculous pace on Sunday, smacking a pair of homers in a 5-1 win over the Atlanta Braves. Ohtani went 4-for-4 with the aforementioned two homers, two runs scored, and three RBI. The big performance makes the two-time MVP's stat line even more incredible, with a .364 AVG, 30 R, 10 HR, 25 RBI, and seven SB rounding out the five-category beast's contributions. Ohtani could end the year with some ridiculous numbers if he can keep up a pace anywhere close to his current one, something that just might be possible for someone of his caliber.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
19 hours agoDetroit Tigers starting pitcher
Tarik Skubal dominated the New York Yankees on Sunday, striking out 12 while allowing just two runs over six innings. Skubal allowed just six hits and didn't walk a batter in this one, taking a tough-luck no-decision. The 27-year-old has been brilliant this season, going 4-0 with a 1.90 ERA and 0.77 WHIP along with 53 strikeouts in 42 ⅔ IP. He is a frontrunner for the A.L. Cy Young and should be considered a fantasy ace.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
19 hours agoSan Francisco Giants outfielder
Jorge Soler (shoulder) was unavailable on Sunday due to a "shoulder thing," according to manager Bob Melvin. Soler was out of the starting lineup on Sunday, but the shoulder injury is a new development. It explains why the slugger wasn't used in the ninth inning with the Giants down one run. The injury doesn't sound like a major concern, but fantasy managers should check Soler's status before Monday's game and remove him from lineups if he isn't starting. With the Giants having seven games next week, including a weekend series against the Colorado Rockies, this would be an inopportune time for Soler to be hurt.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: Shayna Rubin
19 hours agoSan Francisco Giants starting pitcher prospect
Mason Black will make his major league debut on Monday against the Philadelphia Phillies. Black, San Francisco's No. 7 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, has performed well at Triple-A this season, pitching to a 1.01 ERA and 0.90 WHIP to go with 29 strikeouts in 26 ⅔ IP. With
Blake Snell (groin) still on the mend, Black could see at least a few turns through the rotation. If he can perform well, the Giants could keep him around even when Snell returns. He shouldn't be in fantasy lineups for Monday's start, but adding him in deeper leagues and sticking him on the bench to see what happens isn't a bad idea.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: Shayna Rubin
23 hours agoChicago Cubs starting pitcher
Javier Assad continued his strong campaign during Sunday's start against the Milwaukee Brewers. The right-hander allowed only four hits over six scoreless innings during Sunday's win. The 26-year-old struck out four hitters while walking three batters during this outing. The Brewers got a few baserunners, but could never do anything with them. Assad has done a great job of limiting the damage throughout this season. He'll carry a 1.66 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and a 31/12 K/BB ratio into his next start against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
23 hours agoChicago White Sox starting pitcher
Garrett Crochet looked sharp on the mound during Sunday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. The southpaw struck out six batters over six innings of work while allowing only one run. The 24-year-old only allowed three hits and didn't walk anyone during this outing. He'll carry a 5.31 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and a 53/9 K/BB ratio into his next start against the Cleveland Guardians.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
23 hours agoBoston Red Sox starting pitcher
Nick Pivetta (elbow) is expected to come off the injured list and start on Wednesday. The right-hander will draw a tough assignment against the Atlanta Braves. Pivetta has been sidelined since early April due to a flexor strain in his elbow. The 31-year-old looked good during a recent rehab start. The organization believes he's ready to return but he won't be a recommended streaming option during his first start back.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Gabrielle Starr
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