11 hours agoCincinnati Reds first baseman
Christian Encarnacion-Strand (wrist) will have a follow-up exam on June 5. Encarnacion-Strand was diagnosed with a fractured right hand back on May 8, which stemmed from being hit by a pitch on April 27, and he was expected to miss somewhere between four and six weeks. The 24-year-old former top prospect should remain stashed in shallow fantasy leagues for his power potential and a possible return sometime in the middle of June, but he was slashing a pitiful .190/.220/.293 with two home runs, six doubles, and 16 RBI over 123 plate appearances (29 games) before requiring a trip to the injured list. The switch-hitting
Jeimer Candelario's playing time at first base should be locked in for the time being, but he's failed to produce much for fantasy purposes while slashing just .216/.284/.379 with four homers, 11 doubles, and 17 RBI in 153 at-bats.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Charlie Goldsmith - Cincinnati Enquirer
12 hours agoNew York Mets starting pitcher
Kodai Senga (shoulder, triceps) played "light catch" on Tuesday, manager
Carlos Mendoza said. It's an encouraging sign for Senga, who missed Sunday's scheduled bullpen session due to a setback with triceps tightness. His next bullpen session is scheduled for Friday, but considering how much time Senga has taken between mound sessions in his throwing progression from a right posterior shoulder capsule strain, his rehab could easily extend into mid-June or beyond at this point. Mendoza does believe a return in the first half is still possible, though. In 29 starts a year ago, the hard-throwing 31-year-old right-hander recorded a strong 2.98 ERA (3.63 FIP), 1.20 WHIP, and 202:77 K:BB over 166 1/3 innings. Senga should remain stashed in the majority of leagues, but fantasy managers will need to exercise continued patience.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Tim Healey - Newsday
12 hours agoChicago Cubs relief pitcher
Adbert Alzolay (forearm) is getting a second opinion on his strained right flexor. That's something you never want to hear, as it further clouds Alzolay's return timetable from the injury. In 18 games this year, the 29-year-old right-hander held a disappointing 4.67 ERA with 13 strikeouts, six walks, and six home runs allowed over 17 1/3 innings from the Cubs' bullpen before manager Craig Counsell had to remove him from the closer's role. Consider Alzolay out indefinitely until more is known. This should solidify
Hector Neris' standing as Chicago's primary closer for the foreseeable future, though. Neris has a 2.65 ERA through 17 frames, but a 4.85 FIP, 1.64 WHIP, and 15:14 K:BB can't help but feel highly concerning.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Meghan Montemurro - Chicago Tribune
12 hours agoCincinnati Reds outfielder
Jake Fraley (hand) left Tuesday's game against the visiting San Diego Padres after being hit in the right hand by a pitch in the first inning. X-rays were negative for a fracture, but Fraley has swelling and will get looked at on Wednesday.
Stuart Fairchild entered the game, and he would be in line for an uptick in at-bats in Cincy's outfield if Fraley needs to miss additional time beyond Tuesday. The 28-year-old Fraley is slashing a modest .272/.333/.359 with 17 runs scored and seven stolen bases through 103 at-bats in 2024, but he's going through a power outage with just one home run and seven RBI in 36 games. Consider the right fielder day-to-day ahead of Wednesday's meeting with San Diego, but it's fair to expect Fraley to get at least one day off with the injury.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Charlie Goldsmith - Cincinnati Enquirer
12 hours agoSan Francisco Giants starting pitcher
Blake Snell (groin) is expected to be reinstated from the injured list to start Wednesday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Snell has been out of action since April 19 due to a strained left groin, but he's ready to roll following two strong appearances on his minor-league rehab assignment. It's worth noting that Snell is expecting his first child in the coming days, but at this point in time, manager Bob Melvin feels like he's going to pitch on Wednesday. The hard-throwing 31-year-old left-hander gave up 15 runs over 11 2/3 innings (three starts) before going down, but fantasy managers should feel pretty good about Snell's chances of kick-starting his season in a soft matchup against Pittsburgh.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Susan Slusser - San Francisco Chronicle
12 hours agoChicago White Sox designated hitter
Eloy Jimenez (hamstring) exited Tuesday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays with a strained left hamstring, and he's being further evaluated. Jimenez was seen limping a bit after scoring a run during the fifth inning, going 2-for-3 with a double before departing, and
Gavin Sheets hit for him in the DH spot in the seventh. The oft-injured 27-year-old slugger has made only appearance in the field this season, and he's slashing a career-worst .231/.288/.381 with five home runs, five doubles, and 12 RBI with a career-high three stolen bases through 134 at-bats (36 games) as Chicago's everyday DH. Jimenez will almost certainly be absent for Wednesday's series finale against Toronto, and fantasy managers can only hope he isn't dealing with a severe strain that could send him to the injured list.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Chicago White Sox on X
12 hours agoDetroit Tigers starting pitcher
Reese Olson (hip) said he played catch on Tuesday and felt fine other than a little soreness around his hip. Olson will throw a side session on Wednesday, but he expects to be ready to go in time for Saturday's scheduled start at home against the Toronto Blue Jays after suffering a right hip contusion in Monday's start against the division-rival Kansas City Royals. The 24-year-old right-hander may be without a win through his nine starts this season, but he owns an excellent 2.16 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 43:16 K:BB over 50 innings of work for the Tigers. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring the status of Olson over the coming days for confirmation that he won't need to miss a turn in the rotation.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Jason Beck - MLB.com
13 hours agoBaltimore Orioles catcher/first base prospect
Samuel Basallo has been performing very well in his first extended look at Double-A pitching. Through 36 games this season, the 19-year-old has a solid .255/.293/.390 line with five long balls and two stolen bases. The young backstop has remained steady as he posted a .262 AVG in April and currently holds a .246 AVG through May. Basallo spent the majority of last season with Single and High-A and only got to play four games with Double-A. In 144 games last year, he showcased his elite potential with a stellar .313/.402/.551 slash line with 20 long balls. Basallo is considered as the 14th-best prospect in baseball on MLB Pipeline and remains a coveted asset in dynasty and keeper leagues.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
13 hours agoWashington Nationals third base/shortstop prospect
Brady House went 3-for-4 on Tuesday with two RBI to lead Double-A Harrisburg to a victory. The 20-year-old entered Tuesday sporting a cold .218/.323/.491 slash line with a 7:16 BB:K. However, despite his lack of contact recently, he has tallied five long balls during this stretch. During April, he posted a higher .256 average and even opened the season with a six-game hitting streak. The former No. 11 overall selection in the 2021 MLB draft is considered the No. 3 prospect in the Nationals system on MLB Pipeline and is projected to reach the majors sometime next season. He is worth rostering in deeper dynasty leagues and could be worth adding in keeper leagues if he makes it to Triple-A later this summer.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
13 hours agoSan Francisco Giants outfielder
Michael Conforto (hamstring) has been cleared for on-field batting practice and is nearing a return from the injured list. A right-hamstring strain put Conforto on the 10-day injured list over a week ago, but he appears to be making good progress. The last hurdle that the 31-year-old probably will have to clear is running the bases at full speed, and it remains to be seen if he'll be sent out on a minor-league rehab assignment before returning to San Francisco. Conforto is eligible to return next Wednesday. The Giants could really use him back after recently losing rookie
Jung Hoo Lee (shoulder) for the entire season. The left-handed-hitting Conforto was slashing a strong .280/.331/.490 with an .821 OPS, seven home runs and 20 RBI in 143 at-bats for the Giants before tweaking his hammy.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NBC Sports Bay Area - Alex Pavlovic
13 hours agoWashington Nationals outfield prospect
James Wood launched his eighth home run of the season in the second game of a doubleheader on Tuesday. The top prospect in the Washington system has been on fire all season at Triple-A with a stellar .348/.456/.571 with ten stolen bases and a 33:37 BB:K ratio. This is a significant improvement compared to the hefty 39:124 BB:K ratio he held last season at Double-A. The number five overall prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline, is on the verge of making his major league debut and should be rostered in all leagues as he will provide fantasy managers with a high-upside combination of power and speed.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
13 hours agoThe San Francisco Giants reinstated catcher
Patrick Bailey (head) from the seven-day concussion injured list on Tuesday and optioned catcher/outfielder
Blake Sabol to Double-A Richmond in a corresponding move. The Giants also added outfielder
Ryan McKenna to the active roster. Although Bailey was brought back from the IL on Tuesday, it was
Curt Casali who got the start behind the plate for the Giants in Pittsburgh against the Pirates with a left-hander on the mound. Now that he's back, Bailey should return to primary catching duties in San Francisco after opening the year with a strong .280/.340/.451 slash line in 95 plate appearances. The former 13th overall pick in 2020 out of North Carolina State has added three home runs, 11 RBI and 10 runs scored in his 82 at-bats in 2024. Bailey should be back in the starting lineup on Wednesday.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: San Francisco Giants
13 hours agoMinnesota Twins third baseman
Royce Lewis (quadriceps) ran the bases for the first time on Monday after faring well during change-of-direction work, according to athletic trainer Nick Paparesta. It's another big step in Lewis' rehab process, and the Twins should have a better sense of his progress when they return home on Friday. The 24-year-old strained his right quadriceps muscle on Opening Day on March 28 and has been out ever since. Because of the long layoff, fantasy managers should expect Lewis to be required to go on a lengthy minor-league rehab assignment before the Twins reinstate him from the injured list. In a best-case scenario, he's probably not going to make his return until at least early June. Despite his injury, the former No. 1 overall pick in 2017 should continue to be stashed in all fantasy formats for his power upside.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: St. Paul Pioneer Press - Betsy Helfand
13 hours agoNew York Mets starting pitching prospect
Brandon Sproat was promoted to Double-A on May 13 and has already begun to showcase his elite strikeout upside. Through two starts (12 innings) he has totaled 15 punchouts with only three walks. He also sports a solid 2.25 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. In his first start with Double-A Binghamton, he tossed a five-inning shutout and allowed just three hits and two free passes, and struck out six. The former Florida Gator is not projected to reach the majors until 2026 but could shift that ETA to 2025 with his recent success at Double-A. Dynasty managers should pay close attention to Sproat as he continues to adjust to Double-A bats this summer.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
13 hours agoColorado Rockies outfield prospect
Jake Snider was promoted to High-A Spokane on Tuesday, May 21. Snider got off to a great start with Single-A Fresno this season and was rewarded with an early-season call-up. In 34 games this season at Single-A, the 26-year-old posted a .311/.497/.495 slash line with two home runs, 20 RBI, eight stolen bases, and a 33:21 BB:K ratio. The former 20th-round selection spent the entirety of last season with Single-A and posted a .261/.369/.403 line with six long balls. This is a great sign for Snider as he made a significant leap in production in the batter's box this season at Single-A and is already being rewarded for it. Snider should remain on all wavier wires for the foreseeable future but could become a name to monitor in dynasty leagues if he carries this momentum into High-A.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB Central
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