19 hours agoThe Arizona Diamondbacks scratched catcher
Gabriel Moreno from Wednesday's lineup against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers. There's no word yet from the D-backs as to whether or not Moreno is dealing with an injury, but
Tucker Barnhart is now catching left-hander
Jordan Montgomery and batting ninth on Wednesday. Until more is known, consider Moreno day-to-day with a day off on Thursday ahead of Friday's series opener at home versus the visiting San Diego Padres. The 24-year-old former top prospect is slashing a weak .238/.344/.325 with six extra-base hits, 13 RBI, and nine runs scored as Arizona's primary backstop during the 2024 regular season.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Jesse Friedman
19 hours agoHouston Astros manager Joe Espada said on Wednesday that starting pitcher
Cristian Javier (neck) is an option to start Sunday's series finale against the division-rival Seattle Mariners. A lot will depend on how the next few days go for Javier, who threw off the mound ahead of Wednesday’s game versus the visiting Cleveland Guardians as he recuperates from discomfort in his neck. If Javier comes away with no setbacks in his throwing progression, it looks like he won't need a brief minor-league rehab assignment before the Stros activate him from the injured list. The 27-year-old star right-hander owns a 1.54 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 18:11 K:BB over 23 1/3 innings (four starts) out of Houston's injury-riddled rotation, and his return would almost certainly send struggling rookie righty
Spencer Arrighetti back to the minor leagues.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Chandler Rome - The Athletic
19 hours agoNew York Mets shortstop
Francisco Lindor (illness) was removed from Wednesday's game versus the visiting Chicago Cubs due to flu-like symptoms. Lindor went 0-for-1 before veteran infielder
Joey Wendle replaced him at shortstop during the third inning. It exacerbates a poor start to the season for Lindor, who's slashing .195/.278/.356 with five home runs, 11 RBI, 16 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 118 at-bats (30 games) for the Mets. The 30-year-old All-Star switch-hitter should be considered day-to-day ahead of Thursday's series finale against the Cubs, but he should be able to get back into New York's lineup if he's feeling better by then. Check back ahead of Thursday's action to see whether or not Lindor will need his first day off of the season.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Tim Britton - The Athletic
20 hours agoLos Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that relief pitcher
Joe Kelly (groin) tweaked his right groin fielding a grounder in Tuesday night's loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, but he stayed in to finish the innings. The Dodgers plan to see how Kelly is feeling on Wednesday, but he likely wasn't going to be available anyway. The 35-year-old veteran right-hander picked up his seventh hold of the year on Tuesday by tossing a clean inning while giving up one hit and striking out one. Kelly is only valuable in deep holds leagues and isn't in the closing picture in LA. In his 13 appearances out of the Dodgers' bullpen so far this year, he's sporting a 5.25 ERA (2.75 FIP), 1.50 WHIP, five walks and 13 strikeouts in 12 innings.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
20 hours agoThe Milwaukee Brewers optioned right-handed reliever
Abner Uribe to Triple-A Nashville after Wednesday's win over the Tampa Bay Rays. Uribe is in the process of appealing a six-game suspension that was handed down by the league after he initiated a benches-clearing brawl with the Rays on Tuesday night when he tried to punch outfielder
Jose Siri following his groundout in the eighth inning. The 23-year-old was allowed to pitch on Wednesday as he appeals his suspension, and he was called into action, giving up a run on one hit with two walks in an inning of work. One of the candidates for saves to open the year with
Devin Williams (back) sidelined, Uribe has three saves but also a rough 6.91 ERA with 12 walks and 14 K's in 14 1/3 innings.
Joel Payamps and
Trevor Megill are considered the team's co-closers with Uribe out of the picture for now.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
20 hours agoThe Houston Astros placed outfielder
Chas McCormick (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to April 28) on Wednesday with right-hamstring discomfort and recalled infielder
Jacob Amaya from Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move. It's not considered a very serious injury for McCormick, so he'll have a good shot to return from the IL when he's first eligible on May 8. The 29-year-old outfielder is off to a rather slow start, much like the Astros team as a whole, as he's hitting .236/.325/.278 with no home runs, eight RBI and two stolen bases in his first 21 games after setting career-highs in homers (22), RBI (70) and stolen bases (19) in 2023.
Mauricio Dubon will see additional playing time in the outfield with McCormick out, while prospect
Joey Loperfido has also been added to the mix on a Houston team desperately looking for a spark.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
20 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
20 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
21 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
21 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
21 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
21 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
21 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
21 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
21 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
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