RADIO
Josh James Could Make Spot Start This Year
8/19:Houston Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said that pitching prospect Josh James could make a spot start this season. He will be placed on the 40-man roster eventually in order to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. James has gotten up to 100 mph with his fastball this year and is ranked as the team's No. 6 prospect. The right-hander has gone 6-4 with a 3.13 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 166 strikeouts in 109 1/3 innings over 22 games (20 starts) between Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Fresno. The rising youngster won't be an option in redraft leagues this year but should already be a name to know in dynasty/keeper formats.Source: Houston Chronicle - Chandler Rome
Jose Altuve Could Be Back Tuesday
8/19:Houston Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said "it is not out of the realm of possibility" that second baseman Jose Altuve (knee) comes off the disabled list on Tuesday to face the Mariners. The Astros could really use their best player back as they battle with the A's for first place in the division. Altuve was hitting .329 with nine home runs, 46 RBI, 64 runs scored and 14 stolen bases. He's a must-start when he returns to action.Source: Houston Chronicle - Chandler Rome
Didi Gregorius Injures Heel
8/19:New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius (heel) left the game early on Sunday with a bruised left heel and will go to the hospital for more tests. Gregorius had a single, run scored and RBI in his lone plate appearance Sunday. He's been great for fantasy owners in all leagues this year, hitting .270 with 22 home runs, 76 runs scored, 74 RBI and 10 stolen bases. It'd be a shame if he were to miss time, but it looks like you can't rule out a disabled list stint at this point. If Gregorius misses time, Gleyber Torres could shift to the 6 while Neil Walker and Ronald Torreyes fill in at the keystone.Source: Newsday - David Lennon
Touki Toussaint Likely To Rejoin Rotation This Week
8/19:Atlanta Braves pitching prospect Touki Toussaint is expected to rejoin the rotation and start Thursday or Friday against the Marlins. The high-upside arm was great in his major league debut against the same Marlins on Aug. 13, allowing just one run while walking two and fanning four in six innings for a win. He has a 10.8 K/9 in 22 starts on the farm and should once again be a strong streaming option if he faces Miami again.Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Yu Darvish To Undergo MRI
8/19:Updating a previous report, Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish (elbow) will undergo an MRI exam after feeling pain in his arm after he warmed up for the second inning in his minor league rehab outing. He said the pain was similar to what he felt after his last rehab start in June. This is obviously not a good sign since Darvish has been out for so long. Keep tabs on the results of his MRI exam, but be prepared for the chance that Darvish may not pitch for the rest of the year. He's been a bust for fantasy owners in 2018.Source: MLB.com - Matt Martell
Michael Kopech Will Start Tuesday
8/19:Chicago White Sox pitching prospect Michael Kopech will make his big league debut on Tuesday versus the Minnesota Twins. Kopech is 7-7 with a 3.70 ERA in 24 starts for Triple-A Charlotte. Kopech also struck out 170 batters in 126 1/3 innings. Kopech should be swooped up in most leagues due to his high upside and ability to strikeout hitters.Source: Chicago White Sox
Matt Joyce To Start Rehab Assignment Tuesday
8/19:Oakland Athletics outfielder Matt Joyce (back) will start a rehab assignment on Tuesday. The veteran left-handed hitter has played in just 63 games this year due to back woes and has hit a dreadful .203 with seven home runs and 13 RBI. He could become an option off the bench and against right-handed pitchers to close out the year, but Joyce doesn't have much fantasy appeal at all.Source: The Athletic - Julian McWilliams
Yu Darvish May Have Suffered Setback
8/19:Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish (elbow) left his rehab start after just one inning on Sunday after something happened in warmups in between innings. It's an ominous sign, but we won't know more until he undergoes tests. Darvish was finally making progress from an elbow injury that has kept him out since May 20. It's been an understatement to say that he's been a bust for the Cubs and fantasy owners in his first year in Chicago. Depending on the severity of his injury, Darvish may not be able to return at all for the rest of the year.Source: Chicago Sun-Times - Steve Greenberg
Bartolo Colon Could Start Monday
8/19:Texas Rangers starting pitcher Bartolo Colon (back) is doing some long toss on Sunday and could start on Monday against the A's after being scratched from his start Sunday. The ageless wonder hasn't really helped fantasy owners with his 7-10 record, 5.19 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and weak 5.0 K/9 over 24 outings (22 starts). He'd also be a poor streaming option against the surging A's if he makes that start.Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram - Jeff Wilson
Addison Russell Still Bothered By Hand Injury
8/19:Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon believes shortstop Addison Russell (hand) is still bothered by a hand injury. "I know the hand (knuckle) is bothering him more than he's saying. I know that. But then again even if he's not doing a whole lot (at the plate) look what he's doing out there (defense)," Maddon said. Russell has a .312 on-base percentage and .653 OPS since June 1. He's been a disappointment offensively for his fantasy owners, hitting just five home runs after hitting 12 last season.Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
James Paxton Playing Catch Sunday
8/19:Seattle Mariners starting pitcher James Paxton (forearm) is playing catch on Sunday. Paxton is on the disabled list but may only have to miss one start after taking a line drive off his arm in his last start. The Mariners ace is 10-5 with a 3.68 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and career-high 11.4 K/9 in 24 starts. Felix Hernandez will make a spot start in his place this week, but he might be headed right back to the bullpen after that. Paxton should remain owned in all leagues.Source: My Northwest - Shannon Drayer
Dominic Smith Rejoins Mets
8/19:New York Mets first baseman Dominic Smith has rejoined the team as the 26th man against the Phillies on Sunday. Smith has been seeing regular repetitions in the outfield in the minors and was hitting .255/.330/.387 with six home runs in 78 games for Triple-A Las Vegas. He's been a straight bust at the major league level, though, and may be sent back down after the game Sunday. Smith will probably come back up when rosters expand in September, but you can avoid him.Source: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
Steven Wright Could Start Rehab Assignment This Week
8/19:Boston Red Sox pitcher Steven Wright (knee) could begin a rehab assignment as soon as this week. However, he's scheduled to pitch strictly in relief when he returns to the Red Sox, which saps any of his potential fantasy value.Source: The Boston Globe - Alex Speier
Austin Romine Passes Concussion Protocol
8/19:New York Yankees catcher Austin Romine (head) has passed all of his tests in the concussion protocol. Romine remains out on Sunday but should return to the lineup soon as the main catcher with Gary Sanchez (groin) still sidelined. Romine is worth a spot in two-catcher leagues in a potent offense while he's playing regularly. He's hitting .260 with eight dingers and 36 RBI on the season.Source: The Athletic - Lindsey Adler
Scott Schebler To Begin Rehab Assignment Monday
8/19:Cincinnati Reds outfielder Scott Schebler (shoulder) will start his rehab assignment with Double-A Pensacola on Monday, and his goal is to return from the disabled list on Thursday. Schebler should return to everyday playing time with Adam Duvall now with the Braves. The left-handed slugger had 12 home runs and 37 RBI in 266 at-bats, so he can become a power bat in deep mixed leagues down the stretch.Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Bobby Nightengale
