1 week agoArizona Diamondbacks reliever
Paul Sewald (neck) played catch on Friday for the first time since being placed on the 15-day IL on Sunday with neck discomfort. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo also noted that Sewald will throw off a mound in the coming days. That news is a positive update for the 34-year-old, signaling that the discomfort is subsiding. Sewald has been a solid member of the Diamondbacks' bullpen in August and September after struggling in July (10.80 ERA). Though Arizona is clinging to the final wild card spot, Sewald likely is done for the regular season and wouldn't be able to return until the postseason. Fantasy managers hoping for help in the last week of the season should set their sights elsewhere. A fine replacement would be
Justin Martinez, who's posted a 1.59 ERA in his last five appearances for Arizona.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Nick Piecoro
1 week agoAtlanta Braves starting pitcher
Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder) played catch on Friday, marking the first throwing activities he's participated in since leaving his start early on Sept. 10 with shoulder inflammation. There still is not a timetable for Lopez's return, creating a bit of uncertainty for Atlanta's rotation as they fight for the final National League wild-card spot. The Braves are certainly missing Lopez's production on the mound. His 2.03 ERA was a very welcome surprise after spending the last couple seasons as a reliever for the White Sox, Angels and Guardians. Should Lopez return this season, it should be expected that it would be during a playoff run should Atlanta snag a wild-card spot. Fantasy managers looking for help to finish the season should turn their heads to
Grant Holmes, who holds a 3.84 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP in 2024. Holmes has been thrust into the rotation for spot starts in August and September and would be a solid last-second option for fantasy managers.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: David O'Brien
1 week agoChicago Cubs outfielder
Mike Tauchman dealt a decisive blow to the Nationals on Friday as he hit a pinch-hit, two-run single to give the Cubs the lead and ultimately the win in their 3-1 victory over Washington. It was Tauchman's only at-bat of the game and moved him to 26 RBI on the season. The 33-year-old has had a solid season at the plate for the Cubs, hitting for a 100 OPS+. Unfortunately his role has been relegated to a pinch-hitter role throughout September, seeing his starts on the season minimize as the Cubs' roster got healthy. There may be a chance, however, that with the season winding down and the Cubs out of contention that he could get some starts while Chicago's mainstays rest. If that's the case, it would make Tauchman a very intriguing DFS play. He is likely too risky to add to any fantasy rosters currently, but should he start any games to finish the season DFS managers should look his way.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 week agoChicago Cubs starting pitcher
Jameson Taillon pitched six strong innings and picked up the win on Friday in the Cubs' 3-1 victory over the Washington Nationals. Taillon struck out four and gave up just two hits while improving his record to 11-8 on the season. The 32-year-old has bounced back strong this season after a down year in 2023, improving his ERA from 4.84 to 3.41 with today's performance. It also marked Taillon's fourth straight quality start. Fantasy managers that need help to finish the season certainly should be getting Taillon into their lineups. Though the right-hander has a 3.98 xERA to go along with his 3.41 ERA, he has been able to get reliably consistent results throughout the season. He'll finish 2024 with his final scheduled start on Wednesday when the Cubs finish a three game series against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 week agoThe Boston Red Sox recalled middle infielder
Vaughn Grissom from Triple-A Worcester on Friday and placed outfielder
Rob Refsnyder (forearm) on the 10-day injured list with a right-forearm strain in a corresponding move. Grissom was expected to be Boston's primary second baseman in his first year in Beantown in 2024, but injuries have limited him to 23 big-league games for the second straight season. The 23-year-old didn't enter the starting lineup for Friday's contest at Fenway Park against the visiting Minnesota Twins, but he could get some playing time at the keystone to close out the year if the Red Sox fall any further from wild-card contention in the American League. Grissom struggled in his 87 plate appearances for Boston earlier this year, going just 12-for-81 (.148) with a double, three RBI and 19 strikeouts.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Boston Herald - Mac Cerullo
1 week agoNew York Yankees outfielder
Juan Soto (knee) has been scratched from Friday's starting lineup against the Oakland Athletics at Oakland Coliseum due to soreness and swelling in his left knee, according to manager Aaron Boone. Soto injured his left knee when he crashed into the outfield wall on Thursday, but X-rays came back negative, and he was initially scheduled to play in the series opener against the A's on Friday. It sounds like the Yankees are just playing it safe with the superstar outfielder, as no additional testing on his knee is scheduled. Soto should be considered day-to-day for now. Fantasy managers need to bench him on Friday and check back on Saturday to see if he's feeling good enough to play. Soto has been an absolute beast in his first year with the Bombers in 2024 and has already set a new career-high with 40 homers and is eight RBI shy of a new career-high in RBI in a single season.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
1 week agoLos Angeles Dodgers right-hander
Tyler Glasnow (elbow) said follow-up imaging on his right elbow didn't show anything more serious than an elbow sprain and he is confident he will not need any kind of surgical procedure on his arm. However, Glasnow also said it's "extremely frustrating" that he won't be able to pitch in the playoffs in his first year with the Dodgers. The 31-year-old was diagnosed with a right-elbow sprain last Saturday and was placed on the 60-day injured list on Wednesday, ruling him out for the rest of the regular season. Glasnow could come off the 60-day IL if the Dodgers make a deep postseason run, but the Dodgers aren't going to bring the hard-throwing right-hander back. Glasnow should be a full-go for the start of spring training in 2025, where he'll be an injury-prone, risk-reward fantasy ace. LA's starting rotation is a big question mark heading into October this fall.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Los Angeles Times - Mike DiGiovanna
1 week agoColorado Rockies center fielder
Brenton Doyle (knee) has been scratched from the starting lineup on Friday against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium due to left-knee soreness. With Doyle taking the night off,
Sam Hilliard will make the start in center field and will hit seventh against Dodgers right-handed opener
Ryan Brasier. For now, fantasy managers should consider Doyle to be day-to-day and check back on his status on Saturday to see if he's available. Hilliard has never faced Brasier in his career and is hitting .259 (29-for-112) in 2024 in a part-time role with eight long balls, 25 RBI and four stolen bases in 50 games in his return to Colorado after spending the first four seasons of his career with the Rockies. Hilliard comes into Friday's game riding a three-game hitting streak in which he's gone 4-for-8 with a homer and four RBI.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Thomas Harding
1 week agoBoston Red Sox outfielder
Rob Refsnyder (forearm) has been placed on the 10-day injured list on Friday. The 33-year-old was trying to avoid this, but has been dealing with discomfort for over a week now. There isn't enough time for Refsnyder to return before the end of the regular season. He'll finish his season with a .283/.359/.471 slash line with 11 home runs and 40 RBI. In a corresponding move, infielder
Vaughn Grissom has been recalled from the minors. He figures to see play in a handful of games before the end of the season, but isn't someone worth snagging in fantasy formats.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Mac Cerullo
1 week agoLos Angeles Dodgers outfielder
Tommy Edman will head to the bench ahead of Friday's game against the Colorado Rockies. This appears to be a routine rest day for Edman who has been on fire with the bat lately. Edman is hitting over .300 with six home runs over his late 53 plate appearances. That being said, Edman should be back in the lineup after his rest day.
Andy Pages will cover center field and bat sixth against left-hander
Kyle Freeland on Friday. Pages is crushing lefty pitchers to the tune of a .347 batting average with two homers and eight RBI this season.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
1 week agoLos Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher
Clayton Kershaw (toe) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session ahead of Friday's game against the Colorado Rockies. The left-hander has been sidelined since late-August due to a big toe issue. It's worth noting that Kershaw threw an 80-pitch bullpen session on Wednesday. It sounds like Kershaw is making progress, but it's unclear if he'll be ready before the end of the regular season. Fantasy managers are unlikely to get anything from Kershaw at this point, but at least he could contribute to the Dodgers postseason run.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: David Vassegh
1 week agoArizona Diamondbacks outfielder
Jake McCarthy is out of the starting lineup ahead of Friday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. This is a much-needed day off for McCarthy who has started in 14 straight games. McCarthy was slowing down with the bat, so the team decided to give him a day off to recharge. Fellow outfielder
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (calf) has been activated from the injured list and will return to the lineup, while
Corbin Carroll shifts to center field against right-hander
Colin Rea. Fantasy managers who are rostering Gurriel or McCarthy should adjust their lineups ahead of first pitch.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
1 week agoBaltimore Orioles outfielder
Cedric Mullins is out of the starting lineup ahead of Friday's game against the Detroit Tigers. The O's will play matchups here and have Mullins retreat to the bench against left-hander
Tyler Holton. Mullins has picked it up with the bat in the second half of the season, but his biggest asset is his speed. The 29-year-old has 30 steals across 140 games this season. In his absence,
Colton Cowser will cover center field and bat sixth on Friday. He has slowed down with the bat since his great start, but still has 20 home runs in 145 games this season.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
1 week agoSan Diego Padres infielder
Luis Arraez (knee) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Friday's game against the Chicago White Sox. Arraez sat out of Wednesday's game due to knee soreness and received the next day off with the team not playing on Thursday. It appears Arraez is good to go now as he'll bat leadoff and serve as the designated hitter against left-hander
Garrett Crochet. Arraez is hitting .320 with nearly 200 hits on the season, so fantasy managers better make sure to get him back in their lineups ahead of first pitch.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
1 week agoThe Colorado Rockies announced on Friday that they placed right-hander
Tyler Kinley (elbow) on the 15-day injured list with right-elbow inflammation and recalled right-hander
Jake Bird from Triple-A Albuquerque in a corresponding move. Kinley took over closing duties in Colorado when
Victor Vodnik landed on the IL and he'll now end his 2024 season with a career-high 12 saves, a 6.19 ERA (4.80 FIP), a 1.47 WHIP and a 72:33 K:BB in 64 innings out of the bullpen. The 33-year-old veteran also picked up 33 holds in his fifth year with Colorado. Now that Kinley will not pitch again out of the big-league bullpen, Vodnik should take over the primary closing duties for the Rockies to close out the season with just over a week left. Vodnik has a career-high nine saves this year, with one of them coming since he returned from the IL on Sept. 10.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Rockies Club Information
RADIO
