1 week agoColorado Rockies relief pitcher
Seth Halvorsen picked up his second save of the season on Thursday, shutting down the St. Louis Cardinals and preserving a 10-8 win. Halvorsen allowed a hit and struck out one in his inning of work. The 24-year-old has now gotten the Rockies' last three save opportunities, converting two of them. It appears the team wants to try the youngster out and see what they have headed into next year. Nothing is ever certain with the Rockies, especially with pitchers, but he is probably the favorite for saves heading into 2025. He could be a good late-round flier for those looking for cheap save sources.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 week agoDetroit Tigers closer
Jason Foley tossed a perfect ninth inning to earn the save in a 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday. Foley didn't allow a baserunner and struck out a pair in his inning of work. The 28-year-old hasn't been dominant in the closer role, but he's been the best Detroit has and has gotten the job done most of the time, converting on 27 of his 31 save chances. With the Tigers playing better of late, Foley has actually become one of the best sources of saves in September, notching eight of them in the month. It will be interesting to see if the Tigers are happy with Foley as their closer come next year because if they are he should be a relatively sought-after fantasy asset.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 week agoChicago White Sox starting pitcher
Chris Flexen was on his game in Thursday's 7-0 victory over the Los Angeles Angels, tossing 6 ⅓ frames of shutout ball and earning his third victory. Flexen limited the Angels to five hits and a walk while notching seven strikeouts. While the 30-year-old has been good in three of his last four starts, it doesn't do much to salvage a season where he went 3-15 with a 4.95 ERA and 1.52 WHIP. Hopefully next year Flexen won't be on the White Sox and can be a viable streamer in the right matchups, but he has a long way to go.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 week agoNew York Yankees designated hitter
Giancarlo Stanton had a big game on Thursday, hitting a three-run double and a solo homer en route to a 10-1 mashing of the Baltimore Orioles. Stanton finished the game 2-for-4 with two runs scored and four RBI. The hulking slugger isn't the same hitter he used to be, but he is still productive and hits the ball as hard as ever. His 162-game pace is 39 homers and 104 RBI, so on a per-game level he is great for fantasy. Obviously he isn't going to stay healthy for a full year, but it's worth having him for when he is on the field.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 week agoNew York Yankees outfielder
Aaron Judge continued his scorching stretch at the plate on Thursday, homering in his fifth consecutive game on the way to a 10-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles. Judge finished the day 1-for-2 with two walks, two runs scored, and two RBI. After a "cold" stretch in late August and early September, Judge has returned to form with seven homers and 18 RBI in his last 12 games. He now has 58 dingers on the year and will look for his second 60-homer season over the final weekend.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 week agoLos Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher
Brent Honeywell (fingernail) was placed on the 15-day IL on Thursday with a cracked right fingernail. It is another tough loss for a pitching staff that has gone through the wringer this year in terms of injuries. Honeywell has been a quality relief option that can pitch multiple innings and can be used in any situation, so it'll be tough for the Dodgers to replace come playoffs. The severity of the injury is unknown, but he will be out until at least part of the way through the Wild Card series due to his placement on the IL.
Anthony Banda was activated off the IL and is taking Honeywell's spot, so the news isn't all bad for the Dodgers.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: Los Angeles Dodgers
1 week agoLos Angeles Dodgers first baseman
Freddie Freeman left Thursday's game against the San Diego Padres in the eighth inning after suffering an ankle injury. Freeman was running out a ground ball and tried to avoid a tag at first base, but stumbled awkwardly and appeared to twist his ankle. He was seen after the game in a walking boot and on crutches. While the severity of the injury is unknown, the Dodgers will almost certainly take a cautious approach after clinching the NL West with a win on Thursday. In daily lineup leagues, be prepared to find a fill-in for Freeman for the final weekend.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: Juan Toribio
1 week agoA judge in the Dominican Republic ruled on Thursday that the evidence presented against Tampa Bay Rays shortstop
Wander Franco merits a trial, according to multiple reports. Franco is charged with human trafficking, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of a minor. The charges stem from the 23-year-old's relationship with a then-14-year-old girl that started in December of 2022, when Franco was 21. If he is convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison. No date for the trial has been set for Franco, who obviously has been on the restricted list all year and hasn't played since August of 2023. Judge Pascual Valenzuela "repeatedly pointed out to him that the decision is not an opinion of guilt," but that the evidence is considered worthy of the case moving to the trial stage. The Rays still owe Franco $172 million from the 11-year, $182 million deal he signed after his debut season in 2021.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
1 week agoNew York Mets starting pitcher
Sean Manaea is listed as Friday's starter as the Mets open a three-game set against the Milwaukee Brewers. The southpaw was initially scheduled to start on Thursday against the Atlanta Braves, but that game was postponed due to inclement weather. The 32-year-old has posted a 3.29 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP across 178 innings in Queens this summer. Since the start of the month, the southpaw has held a stellar 2.36 ERA, 0.70 WHIP, and a 9:34 BB:K ratio. Fantasy managers should view Manaea as a solid option in DFS formats, as the Brewers hold an underwhelming .708 OPS against left-handed pitchers this summer.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 week agoLos Angeles Angels shortstop
Zach Neto (shoulder) will not play on Friday but could return Saturday or Sunday, according to Jeff Fletcher of the SoCal News Group. The 23-year-old was lifted from Thursday's game due to right shoulder irritation. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to the Los Angeles starting nine over the weekend, as Neto could rejoin the starting nine over the weekend. The former first-round pick has enjoyed a strong sophomore campaign as he has hit 23 home runs, swiped 30 bags, and held a .249/.318/.443 slash line. Fantasy managers should expect 31-year-old
Jack Lopez to potentially start at shortstop while Neto remains sidelined as he shifted to cover shortstop on Thursday afternoon.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jeff Fletcher
1 week agoArizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher
Ryne Nelson (shoulder) was activated off the 15-day IL, according to Alex Weiner of KTAR News. Nelson was placed on the IL on September 14 and will return to action quite quickly. However, seeing that Nelson only logged bullpen sessions while he was sidelined suggests he may be deployed in a long relief role down the stretch. Through 147 2/3 innings this summer, the 26-year-old posted a 4.33 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with a 34:125 BB:K ratio. Under the hood, the Oregon State product held a below-average 41.2% hard-hit rate but showed excellent command with a 5.5% BB rate. Fantasy managers should not consider putting Nelson in their lineup over the final series, as he will likely serve as a long relief option.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Alex Weiner
1 week agoLos Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher
Brusdar Graterol (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day injured list on Thursday with right shoulder inflammation. Graterol will only be eligible to return if the Dodgers make it deep into the postseason. The 26-year-old missed most of the season due to a previous shoulder injury and made his 2024 debut on August 6. However, shortly after, he hit the IL again due to a hamstring injury. Since returning from that injury on September 10, he tossed seven clean frames with a near-perfect 0.43 WHIP. Through this small stint, Graterol typically pitched in high-leverage situations in the seventh and ninth innings. This is a tough blow to the Dodger bullpen as they approach the preseason with a starting rotation filled with injuries. Fantasy managers should expect
Evan Phillips,
Alex Vesia,
Michael Kopech, and
Daniel Hudson to serve as the late-inning options for the Dodgers during October.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Los Angeles Dodgers
1 week agoMinnesota Twins third baseman
Jose Miranda (back) was scratched from Thursday's lineup due to lower back tightness, according to Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com. He was replaced by
Austin Martin. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to the Minnesota starting nine in their final series against the Baltimore Orioles over the weekend, as Miranda may remain sidelined. After posting a disappointing .211 AVG last season, the 26-year-old enjoyed an excellent bounce-back campaign this summer as he sits with a solid .284/.322/.441 slash line. Miranda was one of the best hitters in the sport during June and July, as he boasted a stellar .367/.415/.578 line. If Miranda remains out, fantasy managers should expect
Brooks Lee to see an increase in opportunities at the hot corner.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Do-Hyoung Park
1 week agoLos Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher
Clayton Kershaw (toe) will not be available for at least "a couple of weeks," according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Kershaw logged a successful bullpen session last week and looked poised to return for the playoffs but now faces a setback. Kershaw was already ruled out for the remainder of the regular season but could be in danger of missing the entire postseason depending on how far the Dodgers go. The southpaw was diagnosed with a bone spur in his toe on August 31 and was placed on the 15-day IL. The three-time Cy Young winner underwent offseason shoulder surgery, which delayed his 2024 debut until July 25. Through his 30 innings of work this summer, Kershaw posted a 4.50 ERA and 1.50 WHIP. Fantasy managers participating in postseason competitions should not consider selecting Kershaw as he faces an uphill battle to return to the mound.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Fabian Ardaya
1 week agoLos Angeles Dodgers catcher
Austin Barnes (toe) was activated off the 10-day injured list on Thursday afternoon. In a corresponding move, the Dodgers optioned backstop
Hunter Feduccia to Triple-A Oklahoma. Feduccia made only two starts over the past two weeks and went 2-for-10. Barnes was sidelined since September 15 with a toe fracture. Before the injury, the veteran catcher held a .261/.327/.306 line with three doubles, one home run, and 11 RBI. Fantasy managers should expect Barnes to remain as the backup catcher over the final weekend of the regular season and during the postseason, while
Will Smith sees the vast majority of starts behind the plate.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Los Angeles Dodgers
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