3 days agoLos Angeles Angels starting pitcher
Jose Soriano was excellent on the mound during Saturday's start against the Chicago White Sox. Soriano tossed seven shutout innings, allowing two hits, and striking out five batters. The 26-year-old only needed 73 pitches to work throw seven innings on Saturday. He's not a big strikeout pitcher, so that will lower his fantasy value. This was an awesome performance by Soriano, but it was also against one of the worst rosters in baseball. Fantasy managers might want to wait and see how Soriano does on the mound against the Cleveland Guardians next week.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
3 days agoNew York Yankees infielder
Anthony Volpe joined in on the fun during Saturday's blowout win over the Milwaukee Brewers. Volpe was quiet at the plate outside of his three-run home run in the second inning. It was an ugly day on the mound for the Brewers pitchers who gave up 20 runs. Volpe finished the game 1-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI on that homer. The Yankees are hopeful that Volpe can take a step forward at the plate this season. The young shortstop has plenty of pop in that bat and should be rostered in most fantasy formats.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
3 days agoTexas Rangers infielder
Josh Smith (quad) exited Saturday's game against the Boston Red Sox early with a left quad contusion. He injured himself, hitting the fence while attempting to catch a fly ball in the first frame. Smith initially stayed in the game but was eventually replaced by
Ezequiel Duran in the bottom of the first inning. The 27-year-old did not record a stat during Saturday's game and is considered day-to-day. His next chance to return will be Sunday's series finale against Boston. Smith is 0-for-3 with two strikeouts to start the season. The Rangers could be short-handed in the infield with
Josh Jung (neck) and Smith both sidelined. Duran would see the biggest uptick in playing time and would handle the hot corner until Smith or Jung returned.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Shawn McFarland
3 days agoMilwaukee Brewers infielder
Brice Turang was able to make Saturday's blowout loss look a little better on the scoreboard. The Brewers pitching had no answers in this game as they allowed the New York Yankees to put up 20 runs. Turang and the rest of the Brew Crew lineup was able to make the picture look a little better. Turang went 1-for-5 with three runs scored and he hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning. The speedy infielder is worth rostering in basically all fantasy formats right now.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
3 days agoNew York Yankees first baseman/outfielder
Cody Bellinger had an enjoyable day at the plate during Saturday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Bellinger started his day off great with a first inning home run off left-hander
Nestor Cortes. They welcomed back Cortes nicely with four runs in the opening frame. Bellinger finished the game 3-for-5 with two singles and three runs scored. The hope is that Bellinger can be a legitimate force in the middle of the Yankees lineup this season.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
3 days agoBaltimore Orioles infielder
Jordan Westburg came ready to play with his power bat on Saturday. The right-handed slugger went 4-for-5 with two home runs and two RBI in the win over the Toronto Blue Jays. Westburg wasted no time as he immediately went deep off right-hander
Max Scherzer in the first inning. He later went deep off right-hander
Chad Green for his second of the day and his third total of the season. Westburg should be rostered in all fantasy formats, but if he's for some reason available then make sure to scoop him up.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
3 days agoNew York Yankees outfielder
Aaron Judge put together a legendary performance during Saturday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. The superstar slugger went 4-for-6 with three home runs and eight RBI in the blowout victory. Yes, you're reading that correctly. Judge crushed three bombs and notched early double digit RBIs in a truly epic performance. The righty slugger nearly hit a fourth homer, but sadly he came up a few feet shy. Regardless, it was an awesome day at the plate for Judge as he sent both Yankees fans and fantasy managers home happy on Saturday. Judge is obviously a must-start player in every fantasy format.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
3 days agoAtlanta Braves starting pitcher
Spencer Strider (elbow) was able to put together a strong rehab start with Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday. The right-hander allowed one run while striking out six batters across three innings of work. Strider was reportedly able to throw over 40 of his 60 pitches for strikes. The expectation is that Strider will make at least one more rehab start before rejoining the Braves rotation. However, fantasy managers shouldn't be shocked if the Braves give Strider two or three more starts in order to build up his stamina after missing the vast majority of last year after having an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow. Strider should be back in the Braves rotation by the end of April.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Mark Bowman
3 days agoSan Diego Padres third baseman
Manny Machado (calf) was forced to exit early during Saturday's game against the Atlanta Braves. Machado appears to have tweaked his calf while swinging the bat. As a precaution, Machado was removed from Saturday's game and
Jose Iglesias replaced him at the hot corner. The expectation is that Machado will undergo further testing to determine the severity of the injury For now, fantasy managers should consider Machado as day-to-day, but no one should be shocked if he's forced to miss time. Fantasy managers should get an update on his status at some point this weekend.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: AJ Cassavell
3 days agoDetroit Tigers second baseman
Gleyber Torres (ribs) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Torres was removed early during Friday's game due to rib injury. This doesn't appear to be something that will land Torres on the injured list. For now, fantasy managers should consider Torres as day-to-day.
Colt Keith will cover second base and bat fifth against right-hander
Roki Sasaki. Keith is hitless during his first two games of the season and doesn't have an easy challenge in first of him. He's worth rostering in deep leagues or AL-only formats, but doesn't have great streaming value on Saturday.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
3 days agoAthletics third baseman
Gio Urshela (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Seattle Mariners. Urshela will get a rest day here after playing in the first two games of the season. He has gone 1-for-7 at the plate, so maybe a night off will help him get back on track.
Luis Urias will cover the hot corner and bat seventh versus right-hander
Bryce Miller. Neither player is offering enough value right now to warrant rostering in most fantasy formats at the moment.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
3 days agoChicago Cubs third baseman
Matt Shaw (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The rookie slugger will get a day off after playing in the first four games to begin the season.
Gage Workman will cover third base and bat eighth versus right-hander
Brandon Pfaadt. Workman put on a solid performance in spring training, but probably isn't going to offer much fantasy value in a bench role. The expectation is that Shaw will return to the lineup after his rest day here.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
3 days agoChicago Cubs second baseman
Nico Hoerner (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Cubs continue to be cautious with Hoerner who missed the opening two games in Tokyo while recovering from flexor tendon surgery. He went 0-for-4 on Friday, so the Cubs will give Hoerner a breather here.
Jon Berti will cover second base and bat ninth versus right-hander
Brandon Pfaadt on Saturday. Berti has good speed, but probably won't see enough playing time to warrant rostering in most fantasy formats.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
3 days agoLos Angeles Dodgers outfielder/infielder
Mookie Betts (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Detroit Tigers. Betts was red-hot during Friday's game as he smacked two homers and collected four RBI. His reward will be a rest day on Saturday, but fantasy managers shouldn't be concerned as this appears to be a routine rest day.
Miguel Rojas will cover shortstop and bat eighth versus right-hander
Reese Olson on Saturday. Fantasy managers should be able to find a better streaming option than Rojas for Saturday's slate. The expectation is that Betts will be back in the lineup following this contest.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
3 days agoCleveland Guardians third baseman
Jose Ramirez (wrist) was pulled out early during Saturday's game against the Kansas City Royals. Ramirez appears to have suffered a right wrist sprain during his stolen base attempt earlier in the game. He remained in the game for a bit afterwards, but looked sluggish during his at-bat in the sixth inning.
Gabriel Arias has taken over at third base and could see more time at the hot corner if Ramirez is forced to miss time. The expectation is that Guardians will give more information on his status following Saturday's game.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Carly Mascitti
RADIO
