4 days agoThe Baltimore Orioles announced on Tuesday that they released veteran right-handed reliever
Craig Kimbrel after recently designating him for assignment. Kimbrel opened the 2024 season as the Orioles' closer and saved 23 games for the second straight season, but the nine-time All-Star also struggled to a 5.33 ERA (4.18 FIP) and a 1.36 WHIP with 73 strikeouts and 31 walks in 52 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. Since the All-Star break, he posted an 11.50 ERA (7.44 FIP) with 21 strikeouts and 17 walks in 18 innings over 19 appearances to convince the Orioles to move on. The 15-year MLB veteran is 36 years old and is nearing the end of his career, but he should be able to latch on with another organization for the 2025 campaign if he wants to continue pitching. At this point, though, it's unlikely that Kimbrel will be used as a primary closer if he continues his career.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Jake Rill
4 days agoThe Baltimore Orioles reinstated infielder
Ryan Mountcastle (wrist) from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday and optioned outfielder/designated hitter
Eloy Jimenez to Triple-A Norfolk in a corresponding move. The O's haven't released their lineup for Tuesday's contest against the division-rival New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, but it wouldn't be a surprise if Mountcastle is eased back into the fold as he returns from a left-wrist sprain that has kept him out for the past month. Before his injury, though, the 27-year-old right-handed hitter was the team's primary first baseman. Mountcastle's power has been down again this year, and he was in a 3-for-22 slump at the plate before his injury. In addition to that, he had six strikeouts in 11 minor-league rehab at-bats before his return on Tuesday. It could take him a while to get back in a groove at the plate.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Jake Rill
4 days agoThe Baltimore Orioles optioned outfielder/designated hitter
Eloy Jimenez to Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday to make room on the roster for infielder
Ryan Mountcastle (wrist), who was reinstated from the 10-day injured list. Jimenez had to accept the optional assignment due to his service time. Jimenez had a part-time role in Baltimore since they acquired him from the Chicago White Sox at the trade deadline at the end of July, and he didn't do much for the O's in 33 games, batting .232 (22-for-95) with only one home run, five doubles, seven RBI, four walks and 23 strikeouts in 100 trips to the plate. It's been all downhill since Jimenez burst onto the scene with a career-high 31 homers and 79 RBI in 122 games for the White Sox in his rookie campaign in 2019, and he's played in over 100 games just once since then. It remains to be seen if Jimenez will rejoin the big-league club for the postseason next week.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Jake Rill
4 days agoDetroit Tigers right-hander
Brendan White (elbow), who is dealing with a right radial nerve injury in his elbow, is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Tuesday. White had a hydro-dissection surgery on his elbow last month, and this is the first time that he will be throwing off a mound. The 25-year-old has already been ruled out for the rest of the season, so he won't be able to help the Tigers if they somehow secure the final wild-card spot in the American League for the playoffs. White is now hoping to be setback-free as he enters the offseason so that he'll be fully ready to go for spring training next February and the start of the 2025 season next spring. The former 26th-round pick in 2019 out of Siena College made his big-league debut last year with Detroit and had a 5.09 ERA, a 1.35 WHIP and a 44:15 K:BB in 40 2/3 frames over 33 outings (two starts).
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Detroit Free Press - Evan Petzold
4 days agoArizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo explained that second baseman
Ketel Marte (ankle), who was recently on the injured list with an ankle injury, had been in the "red zone" for a day off before being omitted from the starting lineup for Monday's series opener against the division-rival San Francisco Giants. Lovullo called the decision "preventative" as Marte has been grinding at less than 100% after returning from a left-ankle sprain. Arizona has been balancing working players back from injury while also trying to keep their foot on the gas pedal in a tight playoff race. Marte, who is having a career year at the plate in 2024, is expected to be full-go the rest of the way through the end of the regular season on Sunday. He has homered in three straight games as well, so fantasy managers will want him back in their starting lineups on Tuesday.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Arizona Sports - Alex Weiner
4
days
agoDetroit
Tigers
rookie
infielder
Jace
Jung
and
infielder/outfielder
Matt
Vierling
are
both
on
the
bench
for
Tuesday's
contest
at
Comerica
Park
versus
the
Tampa
Bay
Rays
and
right-hander
Ryan
Pepiot.
Jung
has
lost
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4
days
agoTampa
Bay
Rays
infielder
Jonathan
Aranda
and
outfielder
Josh
Lowe
are
out
of
the
team's
starting
lineup
on
Tuesday
against
the
Detroit
Tigers
at
Comerica
Park
with
a
left-hander
on
the
mound.
Brandonread more...
5 days agoSan Francisco Giants third baseman
Matt Chapman continued his strong offensive second half in Monday's 6-3 win over the Diamondbacks. Chapman went 2-for-4 with a triple, a two-run, inside-the-park home run, three RBI, a walk, and two strikeouts. The 31-year-old hit a third-inning
Eduardo Rodriguez fastball off the center-field wall, which ricocheted back into center field and allowed him to scamper around the bases for his 27th homer of the season. Chapman has put together an impressive second half after a lackluster first half, slashing .275/.354/.565 with 14 HR, 35 RBI, and six stolen bases in 200 at-bats. Chapman provided high-end power earlier in his career, and his second half has shown that he still has the ability to do so.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoSan Francisco Giants closer
Ryan Walker continued his excellent season in Monday's 6-3 win over the Diamondbacks, picking up his 10th save. Walker came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth inning up by three and turned in a 1-2-3 performance with no strikeouts. The 28-year-old has had an outstanding season, compiling a 9-4 record while converting 10 of 14 save opportunities with 21 holds to go with a 1.94 ERA, an 11.28 K/9 rate, and a 1.94 BB/9 rate in 79 innings of work. He has served as a reliable fantasy closer since taking over the closer's role from
Camilo Doval, who pitched the eighth inning in this game. Fantasy managers will need to see how spring plays out prior to the 2025 season, but Walker could be a fantasy target in all leagues if named the team's closer and will be a target at least in saves-plus-holds leagues.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoHouston Astros starting pitcher
Hunter Brown continued his strong second half in Monday's 6-1 loss to the Mariners. Brown pitched six innings, allowing one run on three hits and three walks with eight strikeouts. However, the Astros could not figure
Bryce Miller out and provided little run support. The 26-year-old has figured things out in the second half after a mediocre first half and is now 4-3 with a 2.26 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP, and 74 strikeouts in 12 starts and 71 2/3 IP. Assuming the Astros continue to use a six-man rotation to end the season, Brown will finish the 2024 regular season with an 11-9 record, a 3.49 ERA, a 1.27 WHIP, and a 9.48 K/9 rate in 30 starts and 170 IP. This is a big improvement from his 2023 numbers and fantasy managers may have the opportunity to see him pitch more in the playoffs.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoBoston Red Sox starting pitcher
Tanner Houck turned in a nice start in Monday's 4-1 win over the Blue Jays. Houck pitched five scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk with no strikeouts. The 28-year-old's season has been a tale of two halves. His first half performance earned him All-Star honors, but his second half has resulted in a 1-4 record with a 4.23 ERA, a 1.35 WHIP, and 42 strikeouts in 11 starts and 61 2/3 IP. Houck is currently in line for a favorable matchup to end the season against the Rays. His final impression could sway how fantasy managers feel about him for the 2025 season.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoPhiladelphia Phillies starting pitcher
Aaron Nola came up clutch in Monday's 6-2 win over the Cubs, sealing the National League East division title. Nola pitched six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks with seven strikeouts. The 31-year-old has been a solid fantasy option overall this season, going 13-8 with a 3.52 ERA, a 1.18 WHIP, and an 8.80 K/9 rate in 32 starts and 194 1/3 IP. He has turned in some inconsistent starts throughout the season and his strikeout rate has declined over each of the last four seasons. However, Nola has turned in good numbers overall in a rebound season. He is currently in line to start the final game of the season at the Nationals, but fantasy managers should keep an eye out for news as the game gets closer. They should ensure that Nola will still make the start, given that the Phillies have now won their division.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoSeattle Mariners starting pitcher
Bryce Miller continued his dominant second half in Monday's 6-1 win over the Astros. Miller pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing two hits and two walks with five strikeouts. The 26-year-old now has a stellar 2.94 ERA through 31 starts and 180 1/3 IP this season. This has been fueled by his 12 second-half starts, which have resulted in a 5-1 record with a 1.89 ERA, a 0.84 WHIP, and 73 strikeouts in 71 1/3 IP. He is slated to start the final game of the season against the Athletics, so fantasy managers should hopefully have one more opportunity for him to provide them with excellent results as the Mariners push for a playoff spot.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoThe Philadelphia Phillies announced that left-hander
Tanner Banks will make the start for Tuesday's game against the Chicago Cubs at Citizens Bank Park instead of right-hander
Taijuan Walker after the club locked up the National League East title on Monday night for the first time since 2011. Walker and
Kolby Allard are expected to pitch at some point on Tuesday after Banks. The Phillies will most likely be resting a lot of their regulars on Tuesday against the Cubbies after winning the division title and celebrating late into the evening. The 32-year-old Banks will most likely work just an inning or two on Tuesday as the opener before giving way to either Walker or Allard. He's posted a 3.78 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 75 strikeouts in 69 innings in 2024, with both of his saves coming with the White Sox. Banks has allowed seven earned runs with 20 K's and nine walks in 21 relief innings for the Phillies.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Matt Gelb
5 days agoAfter undergoing an MRI exam on Monday, Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter
Yordan Alvarez (knee) was diagnosed with a right-knee sprain. Alvarez did not play in the series-opening loss to the division-rival Seattle Mariners on Monday and will not be available for the entire series. The 27-year-old left-handed slugger was removed from Sunday's series finale against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels when he injured his right knee on a slide. While it's not great Houston won't have one of the best hitters in MLB available for their crucial series against the M's, the Astros' primary objective will be to have Alvarez ready to go for the start of the playoffs next week. It wouldn't be a surprise if Alvarez is also unavailable this weekend against the Cleveland Guardians. The left-handed hitting
Jason Heyward made the start in left field on Monday and should see more run until Alvarez is able to return.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ATT Sportsnet Southwest - Julia Morales
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