3 mins agoChicago Cubs starting pitcher
Jameson Taillon recorded a win in his season debut on Friday in the Cubs 8-3 victory over the Miami Marlins. Taillon struck out four and gave up one earned run in five innings in his return. The 32-year-old had been recovering from back tightness since early March. It was good for the Cubs and fantasy managers to see Taillon start off on the right foot and start to bounce back from a slightly subpar 2023. He'll have a much tougher test in his next scheduled start on Wednesday night when the Cubs host the Houston Astros.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
13 mins agoCincinnati Reds shortstop
Elly De La Cruz ran circles around the Los Angeles Angels on Friday in the Reds' 7-1 victory. De La Cruz went 2-4 with a three-run homer and a single. He also recorded three RBI, two runs and three stolen bases. It was his first game with multiple stolen bases this season and the second time in his career he has recorded three stolen bases in a game. The 22-year-old also raised his OPS to 1.002 on the season, a significant bump over his .710 mark last season. De La Cruz now has hit a HR in back-to-back games and will look to continue his hot streak on Saturday against Angels lefty
Patrick Sandoval.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
47 mins agoHouston Astros outfield prospect
Jacob Melton is riding a disappointing .211/.262/.263 slash line across his first 10 games at Double-A this season. The top prospect in the Houston system launched 23 long balls last year but is having a power outage to begin the 2024 campaign. Melton, who has maintained a consistent .466 and .467 slugging percentage over his first two minor-league seasons, respectively, should be expected to turn things around soon. The 23-year-old is projected to make his major-league debut in 2025 but could make a case for a late-season call-up if he can continue to climb the ranks of the minor leagues.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
1 hour agoChicago Cubs infield prospect
James Triantos is off to a slow start this season with a .233/.292/.349 line with one home run and six RBI. Triantos has been a great contact hitter in the minors, hitting a .272 AVG at Low-A in 2022 and a .287 AVG across High-A and Double-A last season. The former second-round pick should hope to reach Triple-A this season, as he has progressed through the lower levels of the system rather swiftly. Triantos is expected to make his major league debut in 2025 and is worth looking at in dynasty leagues, even though his arrival is far away.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
1 hour agoCincinnati Reds starting pitching prospect
Rhett Lowder is dominating in his first taste of professional ball. The seventh overall pick in the 2023 Draft has made two starts, totaling nine innings with a 1.00 ERA and 0.89 WHIP, and has racked up ten punchouts. Lowder has only surrendered two free passes, one in each of his starts. The former Wake Forest Demon Deacon should move up the Reds minor league system rather quickly and should be rostered in all dynasty and keeper league formats.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
1 hour agoBoston Red Sox outfield prospect
Roman Anthony is off to a strong start at Double-A this season. The 19-year-old is riding a solid .278/.333/.528 stat line with two home runs. This is a great sign to see, as Anthony did well in a small sample size at Double-A last season as he hit for a .343/.477/.543 line. However, Anthony still holds a hefty 15:3 K:BB ratio, which could hinder his development. The number two-ranked prospect in the Boston system is projected to make his major league debut in 2025 but could push for a late-season call-up if he can continue to hit the ball and lower his strikeout rate.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
2 hours agoNew York Mets third baseman
Brett Baty (hamstring) will remain out of the starting lineup ahead of Friday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The young corner infielder has been sidelined since being forced out of Tuesday's game. The organization is hopeful to avoid a stint on the injured list. Baty was able to get through a full workout prior to Friday's game. It sounds like he is making progress, but isn't quite ready to play yet. It'll be
Joey Wendle at third base and batting ninth versus right-hander
Yoshinobu Yamamoto on Friday.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: New York Mets
2 hours agoSeattle Mariners catching prospect
Harry Ford has struggled throughout his first 11 games at Double-A. The 21-year-old is batting a disappointing .119/.288/.190 with only three extra-base hits. The former 12th overall selection in the 2021 MLB Draft is considered one of the best catching prospects in baseball and is ranked as the number two overall prospect in the Seattle system. Ford is expected to make his major league debut in 2025 and should see time in Triple-A later this summer. Ford remains a coveted piece in dynasty and keeper leagues but will not be relevant in redraft this season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
2 hours agoLos Angeles Dodgers right-hander
Walker Buehler (elbow) needs at least one more minor-league rehab outing, according to manager Dave Roberts, which means rookie
Landon Knack will stay in the team's starting rotation for at least one more start. Roberts said Buehler's execution during his rehab start on Thursday night was "not great" and that his command was lacking. The 29-year-old gave up two runs on four hits while walking four and striking out three in just 2 2/3 innings for Triple-A Oklahoma City. It's no surprise the Dodgers want to see more from Buehler before they feel comfortable letting him pitch in the big leagues for the first time since 2022. Buehler's outing on Thursday in the minors is a reminder that fantasy managers are probably going to have to be patient with him once he returns.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
2 hours agoCincinnati Reds outfielder
TJ Friedl (wrist) is expected to begin a rehab assignment soon. Manager David Bell said the plan is for Friedl to begin his rehab work within the next week or two. The 28-year-old has been sidelined since suffering a fractured wrist in March. The organization is hopeful that Friedl can get back on the field for the Reds around early May. He's coming off a career-best 2023 season. Fantasy managers should hold tight for a little longer as Friedl appears to be making progress.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Mark Sheldon
2 hours agoChicago White Sox relief pitcher
John Brebbia (calf) is set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Friday. The right-hander appears to be back on track after suffering a calf injury during a game two weeks ago. It's uncertain how many outings Brebbia will need before rejoining the big league bullpen. The assumption is that Brebbia should be back before or in early May. However, Brebbia is likely going to take a backseat to
Michael Kopech who appears to be the primary closer in Chicago. Brebbia should still be used in high leverage spots, but probably won't offer the same fantasy value.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: LaMond Pope
2 hours agoNew York Yankees relief pitcher
Nick Burdi (elbow) has been placed on the 15-day injured list on Friday. This is a tough blow to the Yankees bullpen that is already dealing with injuries. Burdi was pitching well as he hasn't allowed a run through 6 1/3 innings this season. The Yankees are hopeful that it'll be a minimal stint on the injured list for Burdi. In a corresponding move, right-hander
Cody Morris has been recalled from Triple-A to take the spot on the active roster.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Yankees PR
2 hours agoBaltimore Orioles starting pitcher
Kyle Bradish (elbow) is set to make his next rehab start with Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday. The right-hander looked sharp during his most recent rehab outing on Tuesday. The organization has bumped him up to Triple-A, but he'll likely need at least one or two more outings before he's ready to return to the O's rotation. Fantasy managers should continue to hold Bradish and be hopeful for a return in early May.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Jake Rill
2 hours agoSan Diego Padres first baseman
Jake Cronenworth (calf) has returned to the starting lineup ahead of Friday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. The 30-year-old has missed each of the last two games due to a minor right-calf issue. However, Cronenworth will be back in there at first base and batting third against right-hander
Yariel Rodriguez on Friday. Fantasy managers should make sure to get Cronenworth back in their lineups.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 hours agoMinnesota Twins closer
Jhoan Duran (oblique) threw 21 pitches of live batting practice before Friday's game at Target Field against the Detroit Tigers and didn't feel any discomfort. Duran is close to embarking on a minor-league rehab assignment. "He was supposed to throw 20 and he wanted an extra one, so that tells you he's feeling good," manager Rocco Baldelli said. Once the 26-year-old goes on a rehab assignment, it might not be long before Duran is able to make his 2024 debut. He should be rostered in all fantasy formats despite getting a late start to the season. While Duran can be a high-end fantasy closer when he's healthy, don't be surprised if the Twins ease him into late-inning situations when he initially returns to the big-league bullpen.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
RADIO
