14 hours agoCincinnati Reds right-hander
Frankie Montas (forearm) threw a side bullpen session on Monday and reported no issues, according to manager David Bell. He's scheduled to throw another bullpen session before being activated from the 15-day injured list. Bell expected Montas to return to the starting rotation as soon as he's first eligible on May 7 or the day after. The veteran was hit by a comebacker on his right forearm and was forced to leave his start on April 21 after only 16 pitches against the Los Angeles Angels. It sounds like the 31-year-old is going to return to Cincy's rotation without going on a minor-league rehab start, which will make him extra risky for fantasy purposes if he starts early next week in the series against the Diamondbacks. In his first five starts with the Reds, Montas has gone 2-2 with a 4.19 ERA and 1.45 WHIP while fanning 14 in 19 1/3 innings.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
14 hours agoCincinnati Reds manager David Bell said he thinks both first baseman
Christian Encarnacion-Strand (hand) and catcher
Tyler Stephenson (hand) will be able to return on Friday against the Baltimore Orioles after the team's scheduled off day on Thursday. Both Encarnacion-Strand and Stephenson missed their fourth straight game on Wednesday in the series finale against the San Diego Padres after both players were hit by pitches last Saturday. Encarnacion-Strand was hit on his left hand, while Stephenson was hit on his right hand. Bell said the injured list isn't a consideration for either player. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Friday to see if both players are actually back in action for the Reds. The 24-year-old Encarnacion-Strand is the more appealing power option in fantasy, but he's off to a slow start with a .196/.222/.314 slash line and two homers so far in 2024.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
15 hours agoChicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that everything went well with left-hander
Justin Steele's (hamstring) minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Iowa. He will work out with Iowa on Thursday and then meet the Cubs in Chicago on Friday. However, there is nothing official on when Steele's next start will be. It's definitely possible that the 28-year-old southpaw could come off the injured list this weekend and make his next start with the Cubbies after injuring his hamstring in his Opening Day start on March 28 against the Texas Rangers, when he allowed three hits and an earned run while walking one and striking out six in 4 2/3 innings of work. After a breakout 16-win season for Chicago in 2023, Steele belongs on all fantasy rosters.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Watch Marquee - Taylor McGregor
15 hours agoMinnesota Twins outfielder
Byron Buxton (knee) will undergo imaging on his injured right knee, and the Twins will take the off day on Thursday to assess his injury. Buxton declined to speak to the media after the team's 10th straight victory on Wednesday over the Chicago White Sox. The oft-injured 30-year-old tweaked his knee while trying to steal a base in the second inning and gingerly left the field. It's an ominous sign for a player that has had a tough time staying on the field due to injuries, not to mention it's to the same knee he's had surgery on twice. We should know more on Thursday or Friday, but fantasy managers should be bracing for the worst. If Buxton requires an injured-list stint,
Manuel Margot could see additional playing time in Minnesota's outfield.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Do-Hyoung Park
15 hours agoArizona Diamondbacks right-hander
Zac Gallen (hamstring) is asymptomatic, but left-hander
Jordan Montgomery being scratched on Tuesday night due to a lengthy delay gave the team the opportunity to give Gallen some more rest. Gallen is being pushed back to, at the earliest, Sunday against the San Diego Padres, according to manager Torey Lovullo.
Slade Cecconi will take the hill for the Snakes in the series opener on Friday night. The 28-year-old Gallen suffered a minor hamstring injury last week and was originally scheduled to take his regular spot in the rotation until Montgomery was pushed back on Tuesday night. While Gallen may not make a start for fantasy managers this week, he'll at least avoid a tough matchup against the division-rival Dodgers on Wednesday night. Fantasy managers will want to start him the next time he's on the bump on extra rest.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Arizona Sports - Alex Weiner
15 hours agoLos Angeles Dodgers superstar designated hitter
Shohei Ohtani isn't in the team's lineup on Wednesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks for the first time this year against left-hander
Jordan Montgomery. Catcher
Will Smith will serve as the Dodgers' DH and hit third, while
Austin Barnes will do the catching and bat in the nine-hole against Montgomery. Ohtani has gone just 5-for-26 in the last six games, so he's deserving of a day off and will get another day to rest on Thursday before the team begins a big series on Friday against the Atlanta Braves. Despite his recent skid, the 29-year-old Japanese left-handed slugger is slashing an impressive .336/.399/.618 with a 1.017 OPS, seven home runs, 19 RBI, five stolen bases and 25 runs scored in his first 32 games with the Blue. Smith has a solo homer among his two hits in four career at-bats against Montgomery.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
15 hours agoSeattle Mariners outfielder
Julio Rodriguez has snapped out of his early season slump at the plate. On Wednesday, Rodriguez went 3-for-5 with a run scored in the loss to the Atlanta Braves. The 23-year-old has now recorded seven multi-hit games over the last 13 games. He only has one home run on the season, but seven steals to his name. Fantasy managers will gladly take this three-hit performance from Rodriguez.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
15 hours agoAtlanta Braves starting pitcher
Chris Sale has been surprisingly reliable on the mound this season. The left-hander has rejuvenated his career since joining the Braves. On Wednesday, Sale recorded a season-high nine strikeouts while allowing one run over five innings of work in the win over the Seattle Mariners. Sale has allowed three or fewer runs in five of his six starts to open the season. He'll take his 3.44 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 42/7 K/BB ratio into his next start versus the Boston Red Sox.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
15 hours agoKansas City Royals starting pitcher
Seth Lugo continued his hot stretch on the mound during Wednesday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. The right-hander went seven innings, allowing one earned run, and struck out eight batters in the win. Lugo has now struck out 17 batters over his last two starts. He has been solid on the mound throughout most of his starts. Fantasy managers in need of pitching help should consider Lugo as an option.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
16 hours agoMilwaukee Brewers infielder
Willy Adames has been crushing the ball over the last few days. On Wednesday, Adames went 2-for-4 with a pair of home runs and four RBI in the win over the Tampa Bay Rays. Adames now has three homers and eight RBI over the last two games. There was some thought that Adames would hit lower in the batting order this season. However, he has been batting cleanup or higher over the last few weeks. Adames now has 21 RBI over 30 games this season.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
16 hours agoNew York Mets outfielder
Brandon Nimmo (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against the Chicago Cubs. This appears to be a routine rest day for Nimmo against a left-handed starting pitcher. The Mets will play matchups here and start
Tyrone Taylor,
Starling Marte, and
Harrison Bader versus lefty
Shota Imanaga. Fantasy managers will need to adjust their lineups accordingly.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
17 hours agoOakland Athletics second baseman
Zack Gelof (oblique) is back to baseball activities and took ground balls at second base and played catch on Wednesday. However, there is still no timetable for his return from the 10-day injured list from a strained left oblique. Given the nature of his injury, fantasy managers in deeper leagues shouldn't expect the 24-year-old infielder to return when he's eligible. After a promising rookie campaign in 2023 in which he hit .267 (72-for-270) with 14 home runs, 32 RBI and 14 stolen bases in 69 games, Gelof hasn't looked as good so far in 24 contests in his sophomore season. So far, he's gone 18-for-92 (.196) with three homers, seven RBI and four stolen bases. Until he's able to return,
Max Schuemann and
Abraham Toro could split playing time at the keystone in Oakland.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
17 hours agoNew York Yankees right-hander
Gerrit Cole (elbow) had a "heavy day" of throwing on Tuesday, and manager Aaron Boone said he doesn't know when Cole is scheduled to throw from a mound. When asked if the All-Star break was a realistic time for Cole to return, Boone said he wouldn't speculate. MLB's Bryan Hoch thinks Cole is close to throwing off a mound, but he still needs to go through a whole spring training progression to build up his arm, so it wouldn't be a surprise of the reigning American League Cy Young winner isn't able to return to the Yanks until the second half of the season. The 33-year-old continues to throw multiple times per week on flat ground, but he still has a ways to go before making his 2024 debut. He is eligible to come off the 60-day injured list on May 25, but that's not going to happen. Fantasy managers must stay patient.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
17 hours agoThe Los Angeles Angels placed corner infielder
Miguel Sano (knee) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to April 28) on Wednesday and selected the contract of outfielder
Willie Calhoun from the minors in a corresponding move. Right-hander
Zac Kristofak was also designated for assignment. Sano hasn't played since last Friday due to left-knee inflammation and will now miss more time. The 30-year-old former Twin has gotten off to a decent start with a .262 average (16-for-61) in his first year with the Halos, but his signature power has yet to show up. Sano has gone deep just once and has driven in only five runs before injuring his knee. Until Sano returns,
Luis Rengifo should play daily for the Angels at either third base or second base.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Angels PR
17 hours agoBoston Red Sox right-hander Bryan Bello (lat) threw a bullpen session on Tuesday and could have an up-and-down, two-inning simulated outing next, with a possible minor-league rehab start coming next Tuesday. Bello's bullpen session this week was his first time throwing off a mound since he dealt with right-lat tightness last week and was placed on the injured list. It remains to be seen if the 24-year-old will need more than one rehab start before returning to Boston's starting rotation. A popular breakout candidate in 2024, the Dominican hurler went 3-1 with a 3.04 ERA (4.06 FIP) and 1.05 WHIP with seven walks and 26 strikeouts in 26 2/3 innings over his first five starts of the season before going on the shelf. If he was dropped when he landed on the IL, fantasy managers should look go scoop him up off the waiver wire.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Boston Globe - Alex Speier
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