2 mins agoSan Francisco Giants catcher Tom Murphy (knee) has resumed taking batting practice in the cage and is throwing out to 110 feet while recovering from a left-knee sprain. Murphy felt a pop in his knee after going down to block a wild pitch in the second inning of the team's loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on May 4 and was put on the 10-day injured list the next day. An MRI revealed a Grade 1-2 sprain for Murphy, who was expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks. He was moved to the 60-day IL on May 15. Signed to a two-year, $8.25 million deal in December, Murphy hit just .118 with a home run over his first 13 games with the Giants this year before getting hurt. When healthy, Murphy is merely a third catching option for the Giants behind starter Patrick Bailey and backup Curt Casali.Source: MLB.com
10 mins agoSan Francisco Giants left-hander Robbie Ray (elbow) will make his next minor-league rehab appearance in the Arizona Complex League on Tuesday. The Giants have been pleased with Ray's progress from Tommy John surgery, but he's unlikely to be ready to join the starting rotation for his 2024 debut until around the All-Star break. He gave up three runs on four hits over 1 2/3 innings in his third rehab start in the ACL last Thursday. The 32-year-old southpaw still has a bit to go to build up his left arm, but he's on his way to making his season debut for the Giants and will be an option for fantasy managers in the second half due to his strikeout upside. However, there's also reason to be concerned about his command when he returns, especially since Ray has had issues pre-Tommy John surgery with his control.Source: MLB.com
14 mins agoSan Francisco Giants right-hander Alex Cobb (hip, shoulder) threw another 30- to 35-pitch bullpen session on Friday, although it's unlikely that he'll return from the injured list to make his season debut until after the All-Star break in mid-July. Cobb was progressing well in his rehab from offseason hip surgery he had on Oct. 31, but he had another setback when he felt mild shoulder irritation before throwing a bullpen session on April 16. He was moved to the 60-day injured list on April 20 and tried to resume throwing after that, but he was shut down again after more soreness in his shoulder. Cobb resumed a throwing progression after receiving some nerve medication and looked "really good" during a 25-pitch bullpen session at Oracle Park on June 11. The 36-year-old has limited strikeout upside and is injury-prone at this point in his career, but he can have fantasy value as a matchup-based streamer when he's healthy.Source: MLB.com
16 mins agoCleveland Guardians starting pitcher Gavin Williams (elbow) threw 52 pitches over 1 2/3 innings in his fourth rehab start at Triple-A Columbus on Saturday, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and one walk with four strikeouts. Over his first three rehab outings, Williams went a combined 6 1/3 innings with 10 strikeouts and gave up six earned runs on eight hits and four free passes. On pace to return from right elbow discomfort to Cleveland's rotation in late June, Williams could be one last rehab start away, which is scheduled for Friday, from making his 2024 debut with the Guardians. The 24-year-old former top prospect belongs on no fantasy waiver wires at this stage of his recovery, carrying a 3.29 ERA and 1.26 WHIP while striking out 81 and walking 37 through 16 starts (82 innings) during his rookie year a season ago.Source: GuardsInsider on X
24 mins agoBoston Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu (ankle) will start a minor-league rehab assignment for Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, and he is expected to be there for two days. The rookie ran the bases at full speed prior to Saturday's game against the division-rival New York Yankees amid his recovery from a sprained right ankle. If there are no setbacks, the Red Sox could activate him on Friday for the opener of a three-game series in Cincinnati against the Reds. The 24-year-old left-handed slugger has settled in as a fixture in Boston's lineup this year, slashing a sturdy .272/.344/.485 with six home runs, 14 doubles, 22 RBI, and seven stolen bases covering 189 plate appearances in Beantown. With an everyday role in right field awaiting him upon his return, Abreu is worth stashing in most fantasy leagues.Source: MLB.com
28 mins agoThe Oakland Athletics have designated infielder J.D. Davis for assignment. If he's not traded by Oakland, he'll become a free agent. Davis was cut by the San Francisco Giants in spring training and soon found a home with the A's, but he's turned in a lackluster .236/.304/.366 triple-slash line, four home runs, four doubles, five RBI, and 12 runs scored over 135 plate appearances (39 games) this season. The red-hot Tyler Soderstrom should be locked into playing time at first base with Davis out of the mix, and the switch-hitting Abraham Toro has a clearer pathway to playing time at third base as well. Davis should be able to land on his feet as a veteran bench bat elsewhere, but the 31-year-old will likely be hard-pressed to muster much fantasy relevance.Source: Jeff Passan - ESPN
38 mins agoMiami Marlins starting pitcher Edward Cabrera (shoulder) threw a bullpen session on Monday morning in Jupiter, Florida. Cabrera is next scheduled to throw three innings and 50 pitches in Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday, and while it's unclear how many appearances he'll need to make on his minor-league rehab assignment, there's a chance he's back with the Marlins before the end of June. The 26-year-old former top prospect exhibits top-flight strikeout upside, as evidenced by his 31 punchouts through 21 1/3 innings from Miami's rotation this season, but his lack of control has helped produce a cringe-inducing 7.17 ERA and 1.59 WHIP over his five starts. Cabrera will be a name to watch during the second half of the season, but he's by no means a must-stash fantasy player.Source: Kevin Barral -Fish on First
50 mins agoSan Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin described first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr.'s (hamstring) chances for playing in the Rickwood game on Thursday against the Chicago Cubs as "a little longer than we'd hope. Unfortunately, it's probably taking a little longer than he wants." Wade resumed taking batting practice on the field and increased his running progression during the team's series with the Los Angeles Angels this past weekend, but he's unlikely to be ready to return from a strained left hamstring until sometime later in June. The 30-year-old on-base machine's fantasy appeal is muted outside of leagues that weigh walks, but he's certainly worth stashing in those formats, slashing a healthy .333/.470/.426 with two home runs, 17 RBI, 22 runs scored, and one stolen base over 166 plate appearances (52 games) for the Giants in 2024.Source: Andrew Baggarly - The Athletic
1 hour agoChicago Cubs outfielder Mike Tauchman (groin) left Monday's series opener against the San Francisco Giants with tightness in his left groin. Tauchman immediately called for a trainer after he beat out an infield single in the third inning, and he appeared to be grabbing his groin. The Cubs will likely provide another update after Tauchman is further evaluated sometime in the near future, but consider the outfielder day-to-day. The 33-year-old veteran on-base machine sports limited fantasy appeal, but he's an integral component of Chicago's lineup against right-handed pitching with a .259/.359/.382 triple-slash line, five home runs, 19 RBI, 38 runs scored, and five stolen bases through 256 plate appearances this year. Should Tauchman need to miss an extended period of time, Pete Crow-Armstrong would get more at-bats against righties while Patrick Wisdom handles more playing time against lefties.Source: Sahadev Sharma - The Athletic
1 hour agoBoston Red Sox shortstop David Hamilton (side) exited Monday's game against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays with left side discomfort. After grabbing at his side in Boston's dugout and going 0-for-2 on Monday, Hamilton left the contest and was replaced by Enmanuel Valdez in the fourth inning. It's tough break for the speedy 26-year-old infielder, who's stolen a whopping 18 bases across just 48 outings while batting a strong .284 (40-for-141) with four home runs, 12 RBI, and 25 runs scored for the Red Sox this season. Look for the team to offer another update on his status sometime following Monday's matchup, as fantasy managers hope Hamilton isn't dealing with any kind of strain. Romy Gonzalez would see more playing time at shortstop for any additional action Hamilton may need to miss, but he lacks very much fantasy appeal.Source: Jen McCaffrey - The Athletic
2 hours agoSan Francisco Giants left-hander Blake Snell (groin) threw a bullpen session at Oracle Park on Saturday and is expected to throw a three-inning simulated game in his next throwing session on Tuesday. Snell was placed on the 15-day injured list with a left-groin strain on June 3, a day after he exited in the middle of an at-bat in the fifth inning in his start against the New York Yankees. It's the second time Snell has been on the IL this year, as he also missed 25 games earlier this year with another left-groin strain in April. The reigning National League Cy Young winner signed with the Giants late and has had a miserable 2024 campaign to this point, going 0-3 with a 9.51 ERA and 1.94 WHIP with 31 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings over six starts. Still, the 31-year-old southpaw needs to be rostered in all fantasy leagues because of his elite strikeout upside when he's right.Source: MLB.com
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2 hours agoSan Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish (groin) will make a minor-league rehab start with High-A Fort Wayne on Wednesday, according to manager Mike Shildt. Depending on how Darvish's groin feels on Wednesday, the 37-year-old veteran is a candidate to come off the 15-day injured list after just the one rehab start. Outside of already being on the injured list twice this year, the 37-year-old Japanese hurler has been quite good for the Friars, going 4-3 with a 3.20 ERA (3.51 FIP) and 1.06 WHIP with a 53:15 K:BB in 56 1/3 innings over his 11 starts. On the flip side, Darvish's strikeout rate (23.1%) is on the decline for the fourth straight season. In his last full start on May 24 against the Yankees, Darvish let up a season-high seven earned runs on nine hits in just 5 2/3 innings of work.Source: The Athletic - Dennis Lin
2 hours agoThe Philadelphia Phillies optioned outfielder Johan Rojas to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday and reinstated shortstop Trea Turner (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move. Rojas could use some work in the minors after slashing .235/.271/.295 with two home runs, 19 RBI, 14 stolen bases, 21 runs scored, just seven walks and 31 strikeouts in 196 plate appearances in 58 games in his sophomore season for the Phillies. It's been a big step back offensively after he hit .302 in 59 games in his rookie year in 2023. The 23-year-old has a good chance to be back with the Phillies again this year, but for now, the team will go with a platoon in center field between Brandon Marsh and Cristian Pache, with Marsh seeing most of the starts against right-handed pitching.Source: Philadelphia Phillies
2 hours agoThe Cincinnati Reds transferred infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand (wrist) to the 60-day injured list on Monday and selected the contract of right-hander Brooks Kriske from Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move. Encarnacion-Strand is dealing with a right ulnar styloid fracture in his wrist and has been on the injured list since May 8. The 24-year-old isn't expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment anytime soon and has reportedly been considering having season-ending surgery to fix ligament damage. His rehab process was put on hold earlier this month after he sought a second opinion on his injury. Fantasy managers that have been stashing the power-hitting corner infielder should have a better idea later this week as to whether he'll have a shot to return in the second half of the season. CES was hitting just .190 (22-for-116) with two homers and 16 RBI at the time of his injury.Source: Cincinnati Reds