RADIO
Seiya Suzuki Returns to the Lineup Following Knee Injury
Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (knee) is serving as the team's designated hitter and will bat cleanup for Monday's series opener at Wrigley Field against the visiting Colorado Rockies and right-hander Michael Lorenzen, according to MLB.com. Suzuki banged his knee up in Saturday's win against the San Francisco Giants and was then scratched from the lineup for Sunday's series finale in San Fran as a precaution. After a day of rest, the 31-year-old Japanese native is back in action as the DH for the Cubbies. In his fifth year in the big leagues, Suzuki is batting .255/.339/.433 with a .772 OPS, 10 home runs, 28 RBI, and 31 runs scored in 57 games across 236 plate appearances. Suzuki is hitless in just two career at-bats against Lorenze, but he's gone 11-for-36 (.306) with three home runs, two doubles, nine RBI, and six runs scored in 11 games so far in June. Fantasy managers will want to get Suzuki back in their starting lineups against Colorado in traditional leagues to begin Week 13.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Matt Shaw Placed on Injured List with Back Tightness
Chicago Cubs utility player Matt Shaw (back) has been placed on the 10-day injured list with mid-back tightness, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com. Shaw is expected to miss several weeks. In a corresponding move, top infield prospect Pedro Ramirez was promoted to the majors. Shaw owns a modest .242/.291/.400 slash line with three homers this year, but he had been struggling lately with a 0-for-14 skid. The 24-year-old has mostly come off the bench this season, playing a variety of positions. So far this year, he has played all three outfield spots, as well as first, second, and third base. The right-handed hitter was rostered in just 5% of fantasy leagues before his injury, and his roster share could decrease if managers aren't willing to wait for him to return from the IL.
Source: Jesse Rogers
Source: Jesse Rogers
Alex Bregman Homers Tuesday, Getting Out of Skid?
Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman has been struggling at the plate lately, but he could be getting back on track with a home run Tuesday and an active three-game hitting streak. In his first season with the Cubs, Bregman is slashing .233/.326/.350 with four home runs, an 11.8% walk rate, and a career-worst 16.6% strikeout rate. His power and run creation have also hit new career-low marks, as he owns a .117 ISO and 94 wRC+. Tuesday's solid performance could be a sign that he's finding his groove at the plate, and while the counting stats still aren't great, it's worth noting that he has managed to reach base safely in eight consecutive games. As it stands, he ranks #12 among third basemen in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
