2 weeks agoHouston Astros second baseman
Jose Altuve (side) left Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the division-rival Oakland Athletics at Minute Maid Park early after he appeared to be in pain after taking a swing in the fifth inning. Altuve stayed in the game, bunted foul with two strikes to end his at-bat and then immediately went into the team's clubhouse. He was replaced at second by
Mauricio Dubon. The All-Star second baseman is getting treatment on his right side, and manager Joe Espada said he is "not really concerned" about the severity and Altuve is day-to-day. The 34-year-old went 0-for-3 with a strikeout before leaving. It's good news, but fantasy managers should expect Altuve to miss at least a game or two. The Astros finish their series against the A's on Thursday before a series opener on Friday at the Los Angeles Angels. Houston can ill-afford to lose Altuve for any stretch of time as October nears.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
2 weeks agoThe Minnesota Twins will activate outfielder
Byron Buxton (hip) from the 10-day injured list on Friday, with outfielder
Austin Martin being optioned to Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move. Buxton has been on the shelf since the middle of August due to hip inflammation and had a setback that prevented him from returning sooner. Expect the Twins to ease him back into the fold in center field so that they can have him fully healthy if they clinch a playoff spot heading into October. When fully healthy, the 30-year-old oft-injured outfielder will return to everyday center field duties for the Twins. Although Buxton rarely runs these days (only six steals), he's played a big part offensively by hitting .275 (84-for-305) with 16 home runs and 49 RBI in 90 games. However, he hasn't been as good in the second half of the season before getting hurt in August.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Minneapolis Star Tribune - Phil Miller
2 weeks agoChicago Cubs left-hander
Justin Steele (elbow) threw a bullpen session on Wednesday and will throw another bullpen this weekend at Coors Field in Denver. "This is a true day-to-day thing and so we had a really good day today. This is like five days of straight good news, which is encouraging," manager Craig Counsell said. It was the first time that Steele threw off a mound since landing on the 15-day injured list a week ago with left-elbow issues. The 29-year-old southpaw will need to get through another bullpen before then facing live hitters. Barring a setback, Steele should be able to return to Chicago's rotation before the end of the year to help fantasy managers that are still playing for a championship. When healthy in 2024, Steele has been relevant in all fantasy leagues, going 5-5 with a 3.09 ERA, a 1.09 WHIP, and a career-best 24.9% strikeout rate in 22 starts (128 innings).
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Chicago Tribune - Meghan Montemurro
2 weeks agoLos Angeles Angels infielder
Brandon Drury (hamstring) left Wednesday night's 6-4 loss to the Minnesota Twins at Target Field early with left-hamstring tightness in the fifth inning. Before departing the contest prematurely, Drury went 1-for-2. He was replaced at second base by
Jack Lopez. It's unclear if Drury's hamstring injury is serious enough to keep him out for most of the rest of the regular season, but for now we'll consider him day-to-day until we know more. If it's not serious, he could be back in action for Friday's series opener at home against the division-rival Houston Astros. If Drury misses time,
Michael Stefanic is the likeliest candidate to see more playing time at the keystone in Anaheim. The 32-year-old Drury has been awful in his second season with the Angels and has missed time with injury, hitting just .167/.245/.229 with four homers and 15 RBI in 87 games.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Orange County Register - Jeff Fletcher
2 weeks agoToronto Blue Jays relief pitcher
Chad Green (4-6) blew a save on Wednesday, as his team lost to the New York Mets 6-2. Green entered the game in the ninth inning when the game was tied 1-1 and, in 2/3 IP, gave up one hit and three walks, allowing two runners to score on sacrifice flies. After that,
Francisco Alvarez proceeded to hit a three-run homer off of
Genesis Cabrera, where two of those runners he inherited from Green. Overall, Green was charged for allowing four runs. This marks the fourth blown save from Green in his last five appearances. In that time, his ERA on the season has climbed from 1.61 to 3.49. Green is still Toronto's closer and worth holding onto in leagues for fantasy managers needing the saves.
--Jake Kleiner - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 weeks agoWashington Nationals starting pitcher
Jake Irvin (10-12) delivered a quality start on Wednesday as the Nats defeated the Atlanta Braves 5-1. Irvin allowed one run on two hits and walked one while striking out five in six innings. He also earned the win. Pitching in his second season, Irving has taken tremendous steps forward and has become a promising young player that the Nationals can build around. In 30 starts (172 IP), Irvin has pitched to a 4.19 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. Both are vast improvements over his numbers in 2023 (4.62 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in 121 IP). The 27-year-old is scheduled for two starts next week and will look to keep things rolling in his next scheduled start Monday on the road against the New York Mets.
--Jake Kleiner - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 weeks agoCleveland Guardians starter
Matthew Boyd pitched well on Wednesday as his team beat the Chicago White Sox 6-4. Boyd went 4 1/3 innings, gave up four runs (one earned) on six hits, walked two and struck out nine. He did not factor into the decision. Boyd, who missed the end of last year and most of this year recovering from elbow surgery, has been very good since making his season debut on August 13. In six starts (33 IP), he is (2-1) with a 2.18 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and a 7:35 BB: K. Boyd's strong return brings promise to the Guardians, as they are in for a tight (and exciting) September and October. The southpaw can be used as a streamer in his next start on Tuesday against the Minnesota Twins.
--Jake Kleiner - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 weeks agoCleveland Guardians outfielder
Lane Thomas had a big day at the plate on Wednesday as his team beat the Chicago White Sox 6-4. Batting fifth, Thomas went 3-for-4 (three singles) with four RBI and one run scored. Thomas has had a mediocre season (.246 AVG, .718 OPS) but has been super hot as of late. In his last 15 games, he is slashing .370/.408/.652 with three homers and 14 RBI. This is great news for the Guardians, as they are looking to keep their lineup potent, heading into what promises to be a tight postseason race and postseason. Thomas is rostered in 64% of Yahoo Fantasy leagues and is worth adding in most leagues while he's swinging a hot bat.
--Jake Kleiner - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 weeks agoToronto Blue Jays starter
Bowden Francis was excellent on Wednesday as his team fell to the New York Mets 6-2. Francis pitched eight no-hit innings until giving up a home run to Fransisco Lindor in the ninth frame. He did not factor into the decision. Still, Francis' line was incredible: he pitched eight innings, gave up one hit, and walked and struck out one. The 28-year-old has been on a tear since returning to the Jays' rotation. In his past seven starts, he is (4-1) with a 1.50 ERA, a 0.44 WHIP, and a 5:46 BB: K in 48 IP. Francis seems to have at least earned a chance to compete for a rotation spot in 2025, and with that, he has increased his fantasy value and draft stock, too. Francis will look to continue his torrid stretch at his next start on Wednesday on the road against the Texas Rangers.
--Jake Kleiner - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 weeks agoPittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher
Bailey Falter (8-7) was excellent on Wednesday night, as his team beat the Miami Marlins 3-1. Falter pitched 7 1/3 innings, only gave up two hits, and walked three while striking out five. The 27-year-old also recorded his eighth win of the season. Falter has been a consistent starter for the Pirates almost all season, except when he missed a couple of turns in the rotation because of a tricep injury in July. In 25 starts, Falter has pitched to a 4.20 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. He has certainly increased his fantasy value and draft stock heading into 2025. Falter will look to build on Wednesday's performance in his next start on Wednesday on the road against the St. Louis Cardinals.
--Jake Kleiner - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 weeks agoSan Diego Padres starting pitcher
Martin Perez has been placed on the paternity leave list on Wednesday. The left-hander can miss up to three games as he spends time with his family. The assumption is that Perez will be back in time to take the mound for his scheduled start on Friday. He has been solid since joining the Padres roster. Perez has a 2.84 ERA and 1.18 WHIP across seven starts in San Diego. He'll be a decent streaming option assuming he's back in time to make his next start.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: San Diego Padres
2 weeks agoUpdating a previous report, Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher
Merrill Kelly (hamstring) was forced to exit early during Wednesday's start against the Texas Rangers. The right-hander was pulled in the fifth inning due to right-hamstring cramping. It sounds like a minor issue, and the team is hopeful that Kelly can make his next start against the Colorado Rockies. Before exiting, Kelly gave up three earned runs over just four innings of work. For now, fantasy managers should consider Kelly as day-to-day.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Nick Piecoro
2 weeks agoLos Angeles Dodgers outfielder
Teoscar Hernandez (ankle) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against the Chicago Cubs. This is good news after Hernandez missed four games due to an ankle issue. It was uncertain if he was truly day-to-day or going to be placed on the injured list. Hernandez appears good to go and he'll cover left field and bat cleanup against Cubs left-hander
Jordan Wicks. Hernandez is crushing lefties to the tune of a .299 batting average with 10 home runs and 26 RBI this season. Fantasy managers should make sure to get him back in their lineups ahead of Wednesday's contest.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
2 weeks agoSan Diego Padres catcher
Luis Campusano has been optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday. The Padres were carrying three catchers with
Elias Diaz and
Kyle Higashioka also on the roster. Campusano was the odd man out which isn't shocking given his performance this season. He's hitting .227 with eight home runs and 40 RBI in 91 games. At one point, Campusano was viewed as the catcher of the future in San Diego. It's uncertain if that's still the case, but for now fantasy managers can go ahead and move on from him.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: San Diego Padres
2 weeks agoSan Diego Padres outfielder
Brandon Lockridge has been recalled from Triple-A El Paso on Wednesday. The 27-year-old was acquired by the team at the trade deadline in the move that sent
Enyel De Los Santos to the New York Yankees. This could end up being a nice addition for the Padres. Lockridge is slashing .306/.410/.397 with two home runs and 46 steals in Triple-A this season. He might not be an everyday starter at the MLB level, but he could be a solid contributor. The Padres will likely use him as depth and a defensive replacement or pinch-runner. Fantasy managers can continue to ignore Lockridge.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: San Diego Padres
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