16 hours agoNew York Mets reliever Jake Diekman (1-2) was tagged with the loss after he blew his second save opportunity during Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Diekman gave up a 439-foot homer to Ketel Marte in the top of the ninth, giving the Diamondbacks the lead for good. He has a 1-2 record, a 4.26 ERA, and a 1.32 WHIP as the Mets struggle to find a reliable ninth-inning stopper in the wake of Edwin Diaz's (shoulder) trip to the 15-day injured list. The return of Drew Smith (shoulder) from the injured list on Monday could provide fantasy managers a short-term option should the Mets choose to give Smith an opportunity. The Mets will likely use Reed Garrett or Adam Ottavino as the primary closing option until Diaz can return, making Diekman or Smith mainly options in NL-Only leagues. --Brandon Williams - RotoBallerSource: SNY
17 hours agoThe Detroit Tigers optioned first baseman
Spencer Torkelson to Triple-A Toledo on Sunday.
Justyn-Henry Malloy will be promoted to the big league roster in a corresponding move. The No. 1 overall pick of the 2020 Major League Baseball Draft was hitting .201/.226/.330 with four homers and 18 RBI over 209 at-bats. Torkelson's .597 OPS ranked 149th among qualified players and struck out in 11 of his last 21 at-bats. The 24-year-old still has time to live up to his potential, but Sunday's demotion plummets what little fantasy value Torkelson had. He's safe to drop in redraft leagues and buy low in dynasty formats.
--Brandon Williams - RotoBallerSource: Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press
17 hours agoAtlanta Braves closer
Raisel Iglesias needed only nine pitches to record his 15th save of the season in Sunday's 3-1 win over the Oakland A's. Iglesias rebounded after allowing an earned run on Friday, only the third earned run he allowed in May. Though he has just 16 strikeouts in his 22 1/3 innings, Iglesias' 2.42 ERA and 0.99 WHIP assure fantasy owners that he will continue to be a reliable source of saves as the Braves look to chase down the Phillies in the National League East.
--Brandon Williams - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
18 hours agoAtlanta Braves starting pitcher
Charlie Morton put together a strong outing versus the Oakland Athletics on Sunday. The right-hander threw six scoreless innings while allowing one hit in the no-decision. Morton probably could've gone deeper in the game but his five walks and six strikeouts pushed up his pitch count. It's nice to see the 40-year-old getting back on track after getting smacked around during his last start. The hope is that Morton can continue being a viable option for the Braves rotation.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
18 hours agoWashington Nationals starting pitcher
Jake Irvin continued his solid campaign versus the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday. The right-hander allowed two runs over six innings in the win. Irvin struck out six batters while walking one as he earns himself another win. He has surprisingly been a solid option for the Nats. He'll take his 3.39 ERA and 60 strikeouts into his next start.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
18 hours agoWashington Nationals relief pitcher
Kyle Finnegan was called upon to close down Sunday's game against the Cleveland Guardians. The right-hander gave up one hit but worked a scoreless ninth inning to earn his 16th save of the season. There's only three pitchers with more saves than Finnegan this season. He has done a nice job at closing out games for the Nats this season.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
18 hours agoDetroit Tigers third baseman/outfielder
Justyn-Henry Malloy is expected to be called up on Monday. The 24-year-old is one of the top prospects in the Tigers farm system. This season, Malloy is hitting .255/.412/.477 with six home runs and 27 RBI in 44 games in Triple-A. The former sixth-round pick appears ready for the big leagues after having success in Triple-A over the last few seasons. Fantasy managers don't need to be jumping at the waiver wire in re-draft formats. This is good news for the Tigers roster but it remains to be seen what Malloy will contribute in fantasy baseball.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Evan Petzold
18 hours agoSan Francisco Giants starting pitcher
Blake Snell (groin) was removed early during Sunday's start against the New York Yankees. Snell received a visit from manager Bob Melvin and training staff before being removed in the fifth inning. He ended his day giving up three runs on five hits and striking out seven batters. The hope is that this issue won't require Snell to be placed on the injured list. Fantasy managers should receive another update on his status later on.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Susan Slusser
18 hours agoMinnesota Twins infielder
Edouard Julien is expected to be sent down to Triple-A St. Paul prior to Tuesday's game against the New York Yankees. The 25-year-old had a closed door meeting with manager Rocco Baldelli following Sunday's game. Afterwards, Julien was seen giving handshakes and hugs to teammates. The assumption is that Julien is going to be sent down with
Royce Lewis set to return on Tuesday. Julien is slashing .207/.309/.367 with seven home runs and 17 RBI this season. Fantasy managers who are rostering Julien will likely need to look for another option.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Dan Hayes
20 hours agoAs of Saturday, Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed reliever
Brusdar Graterol (shoulder) was not playing catch, according to manager Dave Roberts. "In the context of Spring Training, if you're not even playing catch, you're at least a couple months away," said Roberts. Graterol has been on the injured list all year due to right-shoulder inflammation and isn't going to return to the team's bullpen until after the All-Star break at some point. Continued soreness in the 25-year-old's arm caused him to be shut down in the middle of April, so he needs to build his arm all the way back up. The Venezuelan hurler had a career-best 1.20 ERA (3.03 FIP) and 0.96 WHIP with a career-high seven saves, 12 walks and a career-high 48 strikeouts in 67 1/3 innings in 2023 and is a late-inning, high-leverage arm for the Dodgers when he's healthy.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
20 hours agoLos Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Friday that right-hander
Ryan Brasier (calf) was playing catch but that he remains "a ways out" from returning from the 15-day injured list. Brasier pulled his right calf muscle while doing some sprinting as part of his regular warmups before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 29 and was put on the IL, retroactive to April 28. An MRI exam on April 30 showed that the strain was mild. Once the 36-year-old resumes throwing off a mound, he'll most likely need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before returning to the Dodgers' bullpen. Before getting hurt, Brasier had allowed six earned runs while walking three and fanning 12 in 12 outings (one start) over 11 2/3 innings. Brasier can remain on the waiver wire in fantasy leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
20 hours agoAs of Friday, Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed reliever
Joe Kelly (shoulder) was throwing out from 90 feet, but manager Dave Roberts said that Kelly was on a "slow program" and a return from the injured list was not imminent. Kelly was unexpectedly placed on the 15-day injured list before the May 6 game against the Miami Marlins. The 35-year-old veteran will need to start throwing off a mound again first before eventually going on a short minor-league rehab assignment. Even though Kelly's return has been slowed, as long as he doesn't suffer a setback, he should be able to return before the start of July. Kelly is really only fantasy relevant in deep holds leagues. So far in 2024, he's recorded a 4.73 ERA and 1.35 WHIP with five walks and 14 strikeouts in 13 1/3 innings out of LA's bullpen.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
21 hours agoHouston Astros third baseman
Alex Bregman was 2-for-4 with a two-run home run during Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Minnesota Twins. The 30-year-old has caught fire as of late, specifically in the power department, as he has mashed four homers over his last six games. It is nice to see some signs of life from the two-time All Star as he had a dismal start to the season. He is still slashing an uncharacteristic .229/.287/.395 across 57 games to go along with eight homers, 28 RBI and two stolen bases. The boy-low window on Bregman appears to be closing fast as he continues to round into form.
--Raymond Harrison - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
21 hours agoPhiladelphia Phillies starter
Ranger Suarez (hand) is reportedly improving and should be able to make his next scheduled start. The 28-year-old exited Saturday's game early after taking a comebacker off of his left hand, but the swelling has apparently subsided quite a bit. The team is still going to wait a day or two before Suarez picks up a ball, but everyone is encouraged by the progress. Suarez has been masterful for the Phillies this year as evidenced by his 9-1 record, 1.70 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 79/16 K/BB. He is tentatively scheduled to take the mound on Saturday against the New York Mets in London. It seems like he has a good chance to make that outing.
--Raymond Harrison - RotoBallerSource: Matt Gelb
21 hours agoSan Diego Padres first baseman
Luis Arraez left Sunday's game against the Kansas City Royals in the sixth inning with an apparent arm injury. It appeared as though Arraez hurt himself in the fifth inning while attempting to slide into second base. It is unclear exactly what the 27-year-old is dealing with at this point, but more information should come out after the game. Padres fans and fantasy managers alike will be hoping his departure was precautionary as Arraez has been a revelation since coming to California. He is slashing .391/.414/.455 with one home run, 12 RBI, 14 runs and three stolen bases across 26 games with the Padres.
Donovan Solano would be the likely replacement at first base if Arraez has to miss any time.
--Raymond Harrison - RotoBallerSource: Ben Fadden
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