3 days agoCincinnati Reds catcher
Tyler Stephenson (oblique) could start a minor-league rehab assignment next Tuesday, according to manager Terry Francona. Stephenson is getting closer to making his 2025 debut with the Reds after suffering a left-oblique strain in mid-March in spring training. Barring a setback to his oblique when he resumes playing in games, the 28-year-old backstop could rejoin the big-league squad late next week. Stephenson is the Reds' starting catcher when healthy and should be stashed in all fantasy formats right now. Until he's activated from the injured list, Cincy will continue to roll with veteran
Jose Trevino as their No. 1 catcher, with
Austin Wynns backing him up. Last year in 138 games played, Stephenson hit a career-high 19 home runs and drove in a career-high 66 runs while slashing .258/.338/.444.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Charlie Goldsmith
3 days agoCincinnati Reds outfielder/infielder
Spencer Steer will begin Tuesday's game against the visiting Seattle Mariners on the bench at Great American Ball Park.
Austin Hays (calf), who is making his season debut, will serve as the designated hitter and bat fifth against Mariners right-hander
Luis Castillo. Due to a shoulder injury he dealt with in spring training, Steer has yet to appear on defense so far in 2025. However, the 27-year-old has been ramping up his throwing of late and could make his first start on defense soon, which might be bad news for first baseman
Christian Encarnacion-Strand. Steer's shoulder could be affecting him at the plate as well, as he's started the 2025 campaign hitting just .109 (5-for-46) with a homer, two doubles, three RBI, four walks and 12 strikeouts in his first 13 games. Fantasy managers may want to steer clear of Steer for now until he breaks out of his early slump.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
3 days agoCincinnati Reds corner infielder
Christian Encarnacion-Strand (back, hamstring) is back in the starting lineup on Tuesday against the visiting Seattle Mariners, starting at first base and batting seventh against right-hander
Luis Castillo at Great American Ball Park. The Reds held Encarnacion-Strand out of action the last two games with minor back and hamstring injuries, but he's ready to go now. The 25-year-old hasn't been a reliable fantasy asset in the early going in 2025, batting .163 (8-for-49) with two home runs, a double, three RBI, three runs scored, one walk and 12 strikeouts in 13 games played. With
Austin Hays back, he might need to start picking it up at the plate to continue seeing everyday playing time with the Reds. CEH has never faced Castillo in his career.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
3 days agoCincinnati Reds outfielder
Austin Hays (calf) was activated from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday and is serving as the designated hitter and batting fifth against the visiting Seattle Mariners and right-hander
Luis Castillo at Great American Ball Park. Outfielder
Jacob Hurtubise was optioned to Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move. Hays is recovered from a strained calf and will be making his season debut on Tuesday against the M's. The 29-year-old is expected to see regular playing time for the Reds in left field now that he's back, giving him fantasy appeal in deep-mixed leagues. An All-Star in 2023 with the Baltimore Orioles, Hays battled injury last year with the Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies and finished with a .255/.303/.396 slash line, five home runs and 20 RBI in 85 total games played. Hays is hitless in two career at-bats against Castillo with one RBI.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Cincinnati Reds
3 days agoThe Cincinnati Reds announced on Tuesday that they activated right-handed reliever
Alexis Diaz (hamstring) from the 15-day injured list prior to their game against the visiting Seattle Mariners. However, manager Terry Francona said that Diaz won't be the set closer upon his activation. The skipper said it's fair to pitch Diaz "when it makes sense." Diaz could get the closer job back eventually this year, but the Reds have been pleased with
Emilio Pagan's early-season performance -- 1.23 ERA, 0.41 WHIP, four saves and five strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings. The 28-year-old Diaz not only injured his hamstring in spring training, but he was all over the place with his control and his mechanics were out of whack. Expect the Puerto Rican reliever to start out in low-leverage situations out of the bullpen before eventually being moved to a more high-leverage role. He's still worth stashing in fantasy for save opps this year.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Cincinnati Reds
3
days
agoThe
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announced
that
they
have
activated
infielder
Matt
McLain
(hamstring)
from
the
10-day
injured
list,
and
he
is
starting
at
second
base
and
batting
second
on
Tuesday
against
the
visiting
Seattle
Mariners
and
right-hander
Luis
Castillo
at
Great
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3 days agoThe New York Yankees are hopeful that right-hander
Luis Gil (lat) will begin his throwing program on either Wednesday or Thursday, according to the New York Daily News' Gary Phillips. Gil has been shut down from throwing for six weeks du to a high-grade lat strain that he suffered in spring training but the 26-year-old is ready to test it out this week. After a breakout 2024 season that saw him win American League Rookie of the Year thanks to a 3.50 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 171:77 K:BB in 29 starts, Gil is on the 60-day injured list and might not be able to pitch at all in the first half of the season. We'll have a better idea of his timetable once he starts building his arm back up, but fantasy managers stashing him in an IL spot need to be prepared for a very lengthy absence. There's no guarantee he'll be nearly as good as last year when he returns, either.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
3 days agoNew York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that outfielder
Cody Bellinger (back) is still getting treatment for his sore back, which is why he was out of the starting lineup for Monday's series opener against the visiting Kansas City Royals. "He's doing well. I just want to pick some spots here, especially getting through 13 (games) in a row here," Boone said. It doesn't sound like anything fantasy managers should be worried about, but they'll want to check back on Tuesday to see if he has returned to the starting lineup. It could also be a big reason for why the 29-year-old left-handed slugger is hitting just .191 (9-for-47) in the early going of his first year in pinstripes with a homer, eight RBI, nine runs scored and two stolen bases in 13 games played. Bellinger also missed some time early last week after dealing with food poisoning.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
3 days agoThe Minnesota Twins have signed right-handed pitcher
Tyler Beede to a minor-league contract. According to Ari Alexander, Beede is expected to report to Triple-A St. Paul. Beede earned a spot on Cleveland's Opening Day roster last season but was later sent to Triple-A after he posted an 8.36 ERA with a 1.79 WHIP across 14 innings of work. He did not find much success across 22 1/3 innings with Triple-A Columbus, as he allowed 33 hits and 28 earned runs. He struck out just 24 batters and served up 16 free passes. Through 201 career innings in the major leagues, the right-hander has held a modest 5.55 ERA with a 1.58 WHIP. Fantasy managers should expect Beede to spend most of the season at Triple-A St. Paul. He could push for a return to the majors if he is able to find success at the top level of the minor leagues.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Ari Alexander
3 days agoBoston Red Sox right-hander
Brayan Bello (shoulder) will make his next minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday, with right-hander
Lucas Giolito (hamstring) starting for the WooSox on Tuesday, according to the Boston Herald's Gabrielle Star. Manager Alex Cora said it will "most likely" be Bello's last rehab start before he's activated from the injured list. Bello is ahead of Giolito after throwing 64 pitches in four innings in his last start for Worcester. If all goes well with his outing on Wednesday, the 25-year-old should make his 2025 debut next week for the BoSox. Both Bello and Giolito will be inserted into Boston's starting rotation, which will bump left-hander
Sean Newcomb out. Bello has allowed eight runs (seven earned) in his three rehab starts, but he's walked three and fanned 14 in 9 2/3 frames. In two rehab starts, Giolito has allowed an earned run with four walks and five K's.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Boston Herald - Gabrielle Starr
4 days agoToronto Blue Jays outfielder
Daulton Varsho (shoulder) will start a formal minor-league rehab assignment with Single-A Dunedin soon, according to MLB.com's Keegan Matheson. Varsho and his wife, Brook, are expecting a child in the coming days, so he will ramp up his rehab after the baby arrives. The 28-year-old has been cleared to begin a rehab assignment after recently playing in extended spring training games on defense in the outfield. He got a late start in spring training after offseason surgery on his right shoulder, but if everything goes well on his rehab assignment, he could rejoin Toronto before the end of April. The Blue Jays will surely ease Varsho in on defense when he comes off the injured list, but when healthy, he will be a regular starter in the outfield as one of their best defenders. He was a disappointment offensively in 2024, and it remains to be seen how productive he'll be coming off shoulder surgery.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
4 days agoToronto Blue Jays right-hander
Max Scherzer (thumb) is still feeling soreness in his right thumb after throwing recently, according to manager John Schneider. Scherzer will visit with a doctor again in the coming days, at which point we should have word on how much more time the three-time Cy Young winner will have to miss. The 40-year-old made just one start for Toronto before injuring his thumb and being placed on the injured list. He received a couple of cortisone injections in his thumb in early April that at first appeared to help, but now Scherzer is back in the same situation with more soreness. Fantasy managers that took Scherzer as a value pick in drafts this spring need to stay patient, but it's looking more and more like he could be in for a lengthy absence.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
4 days agoThe Miami Marlins have sent right-handed pitcher
Xzavion Curry to Triple-A Jacksonville. Curry was designated for assignment by the Marlins earlier this week and was not claimed on waivers. Curry made three appearances with the Marlins during the early part of the campaign and tossed three innings of work to the tune of a 6.00 ERA with a 2.33 WHIP. Last season, Curry logged 42 2/3 innings split between the Marlins and the Cleveland Guardians. He held a 4.64 ERA with a strong 1.03 WHIP during this stint. He tallied just 28 punchouts but showed strong command, serving up just seven free passes. Through 114 2/3 career innings at the Triple-A level, Curry has struggled and posted a 5.81 ERA with a 1.43 WHIP. Fantasy managers should expect Curry to be in the mix to return to the majors later in the summer.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
4 days agoThe Atlanta Braves sent outfielder
Marcell Ozuna (hip) back to Atlanta on Monday for an exploratory MRI exam on his injured hip, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Justin Toscano. The MRI showed inflammation but nothing serious, and Ozuna is considered day-to-day. While it seems that the 34-year-old veteran slugger has avoided a serious injury, he's expected to miss the entire three-game series in Toronto against the Blue Jays. Atlanta has the day off on Thursday before returning home on Friday to start a weekend series against the Minnesota Twins. Fantasy managers will want to check back then to see if Ozuna is feeling good enough to return to the starting lineup. With Ozuna out on Monday,
Bryan De La Cruz served as the designated hitter and went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in the 8-4 victory.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Justin Toscano
4 days agoLos Angeles Dodgers right-handed reliever
Michael Kopech (shoulder) threw a bullpen session last Friday, according to manager Dave Roberts. Kopech will join the Dodgers in L.A. during their series against the Colorado Rockies and throw another bullpen session on Tuesday. The hard-throwing 28-year-old entered spring training in mid-February with a right-forearm issue. He eventually recovered from that but then developed a shoulder injury that landed him on the injured list to begin the 2025 regular season. Kopech continues to build up his arm with bullpen sessions, but he's also going to need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before returning to the Dodgers' bullpen. Barring a setback, though, he should be able to make his season debut before the end of April. When healthy, Kopech will serve as a late-inning setup man in the Dodgers' stacked bullpen.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
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