5 days agoThe Tampa Bay Rays reinstated left-hander
Colin Poche (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list on Monday and optioned right-hander
Cole Sulser to Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move. Inflammation in Poche's left shoulder has kept him out in September to this point, but he will skip a minor-league rehab assignment and return to Tampa's big-league bullpen to close out the 2024 season. The 30-year-old southpaw will return to a 1-2 record, 3.67 ERA (5.15 FIP), a 1.14 WHIP, two saves, 31 strikeouts and 13 walks in his 34 1/3 relief innings in 2024 over 39 appearances. The Rays are currently rolling with a closer-by-committee approach involving
Edwin Uceta,
Manuel Rodriguez and
Richard Lovelady late in the year, and Poche could enter that mix now that he's healthy. Fantasy managers desperate for saves this late in the game could take a flier on Poche in deep leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
5 days agoCleveland Guardians right-hander
Carlos Carrasco (hip) threw three innings in a minor-league rehab start for Double-A Akron on Friday and allowed two runs on three hits while striking out three. Carrasco threw 41 pitches (27 for strikes) and felt OK afterwards. In 21 starts for Cleveland in 2024, he has gone 3-10 with a 5.64 ERA. "He's building back up. We want to make sure his hip is feeling better and everything is healed up," manager
Stephen Vogt said on Sept. 3. "We want to get Cookie healed back up to be an option for us to start." The 37-year-old veteran went on the 15-day injured list back on Aug. 9 with a strained left hip and is slowing working his way back towards a late-season activation. However, with Carrasco struggling this year and with rookie
Joey Cantillo holding his own as the No. 5 starter, it seems more likely that Carrasco will return to a bullpen role when he's fully healthy.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoCleveland Guardians outfielder
Steven Kwan (back) was scratched from the starting lineup on Friday due to back soreness and missed the entire weekend series against the Tampa Bay Rays. The good news is Kwan's scans came back clear, and the Guardians are hopeful he will avoid a trip to the injured list. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now and check back to see if he's active for the series opener on Monday at Progressive Field against the division-rival Minnesota Twins. The 27-year-old was initially listed with general body fatigue as the reason why he sat out over the weekend. The Guardians can ill-afford to lose Kwan down the stretch as they look to close out the year with a the American League Central title. Kwan is currently in the midst of a modest four-game hitting streak in which he's gone 5-for-13 with six walks, three strikeouts and a stolen base.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoMilwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy said the reasoning for sticking with left-hander
Jared Koenig in the extra-inning loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday was because the team was closely monitoring closer
Devin Williams' workload and wanted to get him up in case there was a spot to face a hitter or two, at the most. Williams got up in the bullpen but then sat back down, and the Brewers felt good about Koenig's chances after a clean ninth inning. However, Koenig proceeded to allow three runs (two earned) on four hits to take the loss. Williams got up in the bullpen two separate times but ultimately was not used after pitching last Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. The 29-year-old two-time All-Star missed all of the first half due to a back injury but has been great with a 1.53 ERA, 12 saves and 32 strikeouts in 17 2/3 relief innings in the second half.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Curt Hogg
5 days agoAtlanta Braves closer
Raisel Iglesias had a night to forget Sunday, allowing five runs in just two-thirds of an inning in a 9-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Iglesias came into the game in the ninth with the score tied but promptly allowed four hits and a walk while recording just two outs before exiting. It's been an excellent season for the veteran closer, but this comes at a very tough time for both the Braves and his fantasy managers. Still, on the whole, he has been one of the best relievers in baseball with his ERA at 1.87 and his WHIP at 0.72, even after this dismal appearance. He should be drafted as one of the first relievers off the board next season.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoPhiladelphia Phillies starting pitcher
Cristopher Sanchez had his way with the New York Mets on Sunday, allowing just one run over seven innings in a 2-1 win. Sanchez allowed six hits and a walk while punching out seven in this one. The lefty has now allowed three or fewer runs in his last six starts, five of which have been quality starts. While he has been consistent lately and is a must-start pitcher, Sanchez remains a candidate for an occasional blow-up start, making him a frustrating pitcher for fantasy purposes. On the whole, he's put together a very solid season and should be considered a solid third or fourth option for fantasy managers heading into next year.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoNew York Mets starting pitcher
David Peterson put together another excellent effort on Sunday, tossing 7 ⅔ one-run frames against a great Philadelphia Phillies lineup. Peterson scattered four hits and a walk while striking out six in this one. He wasn't able to earn the victory, as
Cristopher Sanchez also threw a gem, but it was a fantastic outing nonetheless. The 29-year-old hasn't been talked about much in fantasy circles, but he has had an outstanding season. He has nine wins, a 2.85 ERA, a 1.31 WHIP, and 89 strikeouts over 110 ⅓ IP. If he had been in the rotation for the full season, those numbers are easily must-start status. That said, he has a tough matchup against these same Phillies next weekend, so exercise caution with him.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoDetroit Tigers outfielder
Riley Greene continued his breakout campaign on Sunday, bashing his 22nd and 23rd homers to lead the Tigers to a 4-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles. Greene finished the day 2-for-4 with the two homers, two runs scored, and three RBI. While the 23-year-old has been slightly inconsistent month-to-month, his overall stat line is very good. He has a .265/.354/.494 slash line with 23 homers, 76 runs scored, and 69 RBI in 464 at-bats. He is looking like a four-category contributor heading into next season and should be taken as a solid second outfielder in fantasy.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoWashington Nationals outfielder
James Wood found his bat on Sunday, going 2-for-3 with a pair of solo home runs in a 4-3 win over the Miami Marlins. Wood has been slumping a bit at the plate lately, with a mediocre .250/.308/.333 slash line in September heading into this one. He was able to put that behind him and will hopefully get back on track for the final few weeks of the season. It's been a terrific rookie campaign for the 21-year-old, who has shown he belongs at the big league level without a doubt. He will likely be drafted in the top 75 next season, and his upside warrants that.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoMilwaukee Brewers outfielder
Jackson Chourio did his best to give his team a chance to win on Sunday, going 3-for-6 with a homer, a triple, and five RBI in an 11-10 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Chourio homered with two runners on in the fifth inning to put the Brewers back in the game and then tripled in the tenth inning to give the Crew a two-run lead. The 20-year-old (!) rookie has been a dynamo in the second half, and is now up to 21 homers, 20 steals, and an .808 OPS in his first year. He's gonna be a good one, and will be drafted very highly heading into next season.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoLos Angeles Dodgers catcher
Austin Barnes (toe) exited Sunday's game in the fifth inning after taking a foul ball off his right big toe. Barnes fractured the same toe just last month, so this is a very unfortunate incident. Manager Dave Roberts said he expects Barnes to hit the IL, and that minor league catcher
Hunter Feduccia is on his way to the big league club. While it isn't a big deal for fantasy managers, it could mean additional playing time for
Will Smith as the Dodgers look to get into bye position in the NL playoff race.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: Bill Plunkett
6 days agoChicago Cubs first baseman
Michael Busch was hot at the plate during Sunday's game against the Colorado Rockies. The left-handed slugger brought his pop with him to the plate as he blasted two home runs as part of a three-hit day. Busch knocked in three runs during this game to help the Cubbies get a much-needed win. The 26-year-old is now up to 20 home runs this season with four long balls in the month of September. Busch is looking like a solid long term option for the Cubs at first base, but we'll see what the team decides to do this offseason.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
6 days agoPittsburgh Pirates shortstop
Oneil Cruz (ankle) left early during Sunday's game against the Kansas City Royals. Cruz left the game after slipping in the outfield, but is considered as day-to-day. Manager Derek Shelton said Cruz was pulled for precautionary reasons and is dealing with ankle discomfort. This sounds like a day-to-day type of issue that shouldn't require a trip to the injured list. Cruz is still getting comfortable with his new spot in the outfield, but the Pirates want to see him out there long term.
Michael A. Taylor replaced Cruz in center field on Sunday. Taylor will likely see more time out there until Cruz is back, but he doesn't offer much value with his .190 batting average.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Andrew Destin
6 days agoLos Angeles Angels outfielder
Mickey Moniak (hand) was forced to exit late during Sunday's game against the Houston Astros. The left-handed outfielder left in the eighth inning after getting hit by a pitch in the hand. The team already had Moniak undergo further testing which revealed a hand contusion. For now, Moniak is considered as day-to-day, so he should avoid a trip to the injured list.
Michael Stefanic replaced him on Sunday, but
Jordyn Adams or
Gustavo Campero figure to see more playing time while Moniak is out.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Jeff Fletcher
6 days agoSeattle Mariners catcher
Mitch Garver hasn't seen much of the field lately, but he has been productive whenever he plays. On Sunday, Garver went 3-for-5 with a three-run home run during the shutout victory over the Texas Rangers. The right-handed slugger has knocked in nine runs over his last three games. Possibly, this three-hit performance gives Garver more chances in the lineup, but he has struggled throughout most of the season. Garver isn't anything more than a dart throw in DFS lineups whenever he plays.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
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