RADIO
Carter Jensen Remains a Stash Option at Catcher
Kansas City Royals catcher Carter Jensen came into the season swinging a hot bat, but he has cooled off since then. Jensen has smashed six home runs with 17 RBI and 15 walks through his first 37 games this season. He has hit a cold spell recently, but could still be someone worth stashing in fantasy formats. Over the last two weeks, Jensen is 4-for-39 at the plate with one RBI and six walks. He's still showing good vision at the plate, so eventually his numbers should bounce back. It's tough to find a catcher who is both good defensively and offensively. Jensen has 20-homer upside that makes him worth stashing despite his recent struggles.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
JR Ritchie has Promising Upside
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher JR Ritchie turned in an excellent debut when he got the call against the Washington Nationals on April 23. Since then, Ritchie has struggled to replicate similar results due to his lack of command over his last two starts. Ritchie has walked 10 batters across 10.1 innings of work. The rookie right-hander has the swing-and-miss stuff to be a consistent option at the big league level. He needs to get his command in line, but could be a solid stash option going forward. Fantasy managers in deep leagues that are seeking pitching help should consider adding Ritchie.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Bryce Eldridge is a Top Power Source on the Waiver Wire
San Francisco Giants first baseman Bryce Eldridge could be an interesting option for fantasy managers seeking help in the power category. Eldridge was recently called up to The Show after mashing five home runs across 30 games in Triple-A this season. The 21-year-old has smashed 20-plus home runs in each of his last two seasons in the minor leagues. He's a legitimate threat to go deep every at-bat, but he still has a ton of swing-and-miss in his game. Eldridge hit his first career home run on Saturday, but that was only his second hit since receiving the call to the big leagues. Eldridge offers good power upside, but fantasy managers will need to be patient with him.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Graham Ashcraft is Priority Handcuff Closer Stash
Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Graham Ashcraft is likely to be in the mix for the saves going forward. The Reds need a new ninth-inning option after Emilio Pagan (hamstring) went down with an injury. Ashcraft got the first crack at the closer role, but was unable to shut down the Chicago Cubs during Wednesday's game. He pitched in a setup role on Saturday, with Pierce Johnson getting the ball in the final frame. The assumption is that the Reds will stick with a committee approach in the ninth inning while Pagan is out. Ashcraft could be an interesting stash option with him almost certainly getting more chances at the closer role.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Spencer Miles is Named Opener for Sunday
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Spencer Miles will operate as the opener for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Angels. The plan is for Miles to pitch an inning or two before handing the ball over to Eric Lauer. The southpaw should pitch the bulk of the innings, but is likely being used this way due to his lackluster results lately. Miles has been mostly solid this season with a 3.50 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and a 16:5 K/BB ratio across 18 innings this season. Neither pitcher is an ideal streaming option given the situation. Lauer owns a 6.15 ERA in his last six starts, so he'll be avoidable on Sunday.
Source: Keegan Matheson
Source: Keegan Matheson
Mariners Intend to Piggyback Luis Castillo, Bryce Miller
Seattle Mariners starting pitchers Luis Castillo and Bryce Miller will piggyback each other after a full turn through the rotation. Miller is set to return from the Injured List on Wednesday after missing the start of the season due to an oblique issue. The Mariners plan to use a six-man rotation for one full turn through, but will shake it up after that. The Mariners don't want to disrespect Castillo, who has been a starter throughout his big league career. However, Castillo has been horrible with a 6.29 ERA through seven starts this season. The hope is that putting Castillo and Miller together will end up offering better results for both pitchers. Between the two, Miller is the more desirable fantasy option, but he won't be an ideal streaming choice if he doesn't pitch deep into games.
Source: Ryan Divish
Source: Ryan Divish
Pierce Johnson Earns Save, Climbing the Closer Depth Chart?
Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Pierce Johnson was called upon to hold a two-run lead against the Houston Astros on Saturday. The Reds are without closer Emilio Pagan (hamstring), so they'll need to find a new ninth-inning option. Johnson has put himself in the mix after tossing a clean inning to earn his first save of the season on Saturday. He needed only 12 pitches to retire the side in order during Saturday's 3-1 victory. He owns a 3.38 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and a 15/5 K:BB ratio across 16 innings this season. Johnson could be the favorite for saves in Cincinnati with Tony Santillan and Graham Ashcraft in the mix as well.
Source: mlb.com
Source: mlb.com
Payton Tolle is Named Sunday's Starter
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Payton Tolle will take the mound for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Tolle was supposed to start on Saturday, but the contest was rained out. Brayan Bello was slated to start on Sunday, but he'll have his start pushed back. The Red Sox have a scheduled off day on Monday, so they'll evaluate the starting rotation after that. It's possible that Bello has his next start pushed back further than Tuesday. Fantasy managers who have Tolle rostered should make sure he's in their lineups ahead of first pitch on Sunday.
Source: Chris Cotillo
Source: Chris Cotillo
Kerry Carpenter Exits Early with Shoulder Injury
Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter (shoulder) was forced to make an early exit from Saturday's game against the Kansas City Royals. Carpenter injured his left shoulder when he slammed into the wall attempting to make a play in the first inning. He remained in the game but was ultimately taken out in the third inning due to left shoulder soreness. Before exiting, Carpenter was 1-for-1 during his lone plate appearance on Saturday. Wenceel Perez replaced him in the ballgame and figures to see more starts if Carpenter is forced to miss time. Fantasy managers should consider Carpenter as day-to-day until more information is revealed.
Source: Evan Petzold
Source: Evan Petzold
Garrett Mitchell is Returning to the Lineup on Saturday
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Garrett Mitchell (illness) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the New York Yankees. Mitchell was scratched ahead of Wednesday's contest due to an illness. He was held out of the starting lineup on Friday, but came in the game after Brandon Lockridge (knee) exited the contest. Mitchell is now ready to return to the starting lineup for Saturday's contest. He'll cover center field and bat seventh versus right-hander Cam Schlittler. Mitchell has struggled against right-handed pitching this season and isn't anything more than a deep league option right now.
Source: mlb.com
Source: mlb.com
Bryce Harper Exits Game with Migraine
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (head) was pulled out during the first inning of Saturday's game against the Colorado Rockies. Harper was taken out of the game before taking his first at-bat due to a migraine. Felix Reyes took over as the pinch-hitter and will cover first base for the rest of Saturday's game. This shouldn't be something that forces Harper to miss additional time. Fantasy managers should check back on Sunday just in case Harper isn't ready to play yet.
Source: Cole Weintraub
Source: Cole Weintraub
Logan Webb Placed on 15-Day Injured List With Knee Bursitis
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb (knee) was placed on the 15-day injured list on Saturday, retroactive to May 6. Webb was expected to make his next start on Monday, but the team will ultimately opt to place him on the shelf. Webb is dealing with right knee bursitis, so giving him a two-week break seems like a good idea to let him rest and recover. In a corresponding move, right-hander Trevor McDonald has been recalled to take over the vacant spot in the starting rotation. It has been a down year for Webb, but this is still a tough blow for fantasy managers. The hope is that he'll be able to return when first eligible in two weeks.
Source: Alex Pavlovic
Source: Alex Pavlovic
Andrew Benintendi is Scratched with Neck Stiffness
Chicago White Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi (neck) has been scratched from the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Seattle Mariners. Benintendi is dealing with neck stiffness, so the team will pull him out of the lineup. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now. Randal Grichuk will take over the designated hitter spot and bat eighth versus right-hander Luis Castillo on Saturday. Normally, Benintendi's status isn't relevant, but he is hitting over .300 during May. He could be someone to keep an eye on in deep leagues.
Source: mlb.com
Source: mlb.com
Bryce Miller is Set to Return on Wednesday
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryce Miller (oblique) is set to return from the 15-day Injured List on Wednesday. Miller has been sidelined since the beginning of the season due to a left oblique strain. After making four rehab starts, Miller is ready to return to the big league mound. Miller is scheduled to take the ball against the Houston Astros on Wednesday. He should be worth a look as a waiver wire addition for fantasy managers seeking pitching help. The Mariners will go with a six-man rotation for now, so no one will be booted yet.
Source: Shannon Drayer
Source: Shannon Drayer
Jeff Hoffman Could Return to Closer Role
Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Jeff Hoffman was pulled out of the closer role after struggling to begin the season. Hoffman has handled it well and has been putting together quality outings lately. Recently, Jays' manager John Schneider spoke about the possibility of Hoffman returning to the closer role in the future. He mentioned that the team will continue to go with a committee, which should include Hoffman if he continues to pitch well. It doesn't sound like Hoffman is going to fully regain the closer role, but he should get chances to close out games. If that happens, Hoffman could be someone worth scooping up on the waiver wire, assuming he begins pitching in the ninth inning again.
Source: Sportsnet 590 The Fan
Source: Sportsnet 590 The Fan
