1 week agoChicago Cubs second baseman
Nico Hoerner (elbow) underwent right flexor-tendon surgery on Oct. 11, the team announced on Monday. The surgery will be performed by Dr. Keith Meister, and there is no timetable for Hoerner's return, although he should be ready for the start of the 2025 regular season, barring a setback. The 27-year-old was Chicago's starting second baseman all year in 2024 in his sixth season in the big leagues. In a career-high 151 games played, Hoerner slashed .273/.335/.373 with a .708 OPS, seven home runs, 48 RBI, 31 stolen bases and 86 runs scored in his 641 plate appearances. He makes plenty of contact, but it's inconsistent hard contact with little power. As long as Hoerner is healthy in 2025, he'll be a solid source of average, steals and runs scored for fantasy managers.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Chicago Tribune - Meghan Montemurro
1 week agoNew York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said there's a "good chance" that left-hander
Nestor Cortes (elbow) will be included on the roster for the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, which begins this Friday at Dodger Stadium. Cortes is set to throw another live batting practice session on Tuesday, and if he gets through that without a setback, he could get the clearance to rejoin the roster. The 29-year-old has been out since late September due to a left flexor strain in his left elbow, so he's fully expected to come back and pitch out of New York's bullpen in the World Series. The Cuban southpaw went 9-10 during the regular season in 31 outings (30 starts), posting a 3.77 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 162 strikeouts in 174 1/3 innings pitched. Cortes allowed four runs in 5 1/3 innings at Yankee Stadium in a start against the Dodgers back on June 8.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Post - Greg Joyce
1 week agoNew York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that right-hander
Gerrit Cole will start Game 1 of the World Series on Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Cole is expected to be followed in the rotation by left-hander
Carlos Rodon in Game 2 on Saturday, right-hander
Clarke Schmidt in Game 3 on Monday in the Bronx and right-hander
Luis Gil in Game 4 on Tuesday. Cole, who got a late start in 2024 due to an injury and made only 17 starts during the regular season, has allowed seven runs (six earned) on 19 hits (one homer) while walking six and striking out 12 in three playoff starts (16 1/3 innings) this October. The 2023 American League Cy Young winner hasn't been all that dominant in the postseason this year and will face one of the best offenses in baseball in Game 1 of the World Series.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Post - Greg Joyce
2 weeks agoNew York Mets third baseman
Mark Vientos did his best to keep his team alive in the postseason, hitting a two-run homer in a 10-5 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 6 of the NLCS. Unfortunately, Vientos couldn't do it all himself, and the Mets were eliminated from the playoffs. The 24-year-old was a shining star all postseason, hitting .327 with a .998 OPS while smacking five homers and driving in 14 runs over 55 at-bats. If nothing else, the Mets have found their third baseman of the future.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 weeks agoNew York Mets starting pitcher
Sean Manaea had a tough outing in Game 6 of the NLCS on Sunday, taking the loss in a 10-5 defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Manaea allowed five earned runs in two innings, giving up six hits and two walks while striking out two. The 32-year-old lefty just didn't have it in this one in what was easily his worst start of the postseason. He finishes the postseason with two wins in four starts, a 4.74 ERA, a 1.32 WHIP, and 19 strikeouts in 19 IP. He should be back with the Mets in 2025 as a key part of their rotation.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 weeks agoLos Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher
Blake Treinen recorded the final six outs of Game 6 of the NLCS, earning the save in a 10-5 win over the New York Mets. The 36-year-old allowed one run on two hits while striking out four. Treinen was the seventh Dodgers reliever used in this one, as manager Dave Roberts elected to go with a bullpen game. It wasn't pretty, as five of the seven allowed a run, but they got the job done. As for Treinen, the run he allowed in this one was the first he has given up in eight postseason innings. Los Angeles will need him to continue that form against the New York Yankees in what should be an entertaining World Series.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 weeks agoLos Angeles Dodgers catcher
Will Smith busted out of his postseason slump in a big way on Sunday, hitting a two-run homer to break open Game 6 of the NLCS. Smith got a hold of a
Phil Maton fastball and sent it over the center field wall in the third inning to put the Dodgers up 6-1. The veteran backstop has had a tough go in these playoffs, going 5-for-35 (.143 AVG) with one homer and four RBI coming into this one. That will all be forgotten now, though, as Smith made his mark on the series-clinching game and will look to ride this momentum in a blockbuster World Series matchup against the New York Yankees.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 weeks agoLos Angeles Dodgers designated hitter
Shohei Ohtani set the table for the rest of the offense in Game 6 of the NLCS, going 2-for-4 with a walk in a 10-5 victory. Ohtani also scored two runs and drove in one. The 30-year-old had a terrific NLCS overall, going 8-for-22 (.364 AVG) with an astounding nine walks to set up the Dodgers offense for success all series. He also hit two homers, drove in six, and scored nine runs over the six games. Ohtani was certainly in contention for NLCS MVP, but just lost out to
Tommy Edman. The 700 million-dollar man will now get his first taste of the World Series in a matchup between two of baseball's biggest franchises, the Dodgers and the New York Yankees.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 weeks agoLos Angeles Dodgers outfielder
Tommy Edman was named the NLCS MVP after a series-clinching Game 6 win over the New York Mets. Edman had another big game to seal the honor, going 2-for-5 with a two-run homer, a double, two runs scored, and four RBI. The 29-year-old was an RBI machine in this series, driving in 11 runs over the six games. He also batted .407 and scored five runs. There was some tough competition with the Dodgers' star-studded lineup, but Edman proved himself worthy even if he isn't as big of a name. Los Angeles has to be pretty happy with their mid-season acquisition of Edman.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: Fabian Ardaya
2 weeks agoNew York Yankees designated hitter
Giancarlo Stanton went 1-for-4 with a two-run shot in Game 5 of the ALCS and was named MVP of the series against the Cleveland Guardians. His two-run shot off Cleveland right-hander
Tanner Bibee tied the game in the sixth inning. During the ALCS, the 34-year-old hit four home runs in five games with seven RBI. Across October, Stanton has carried an excellent .294/.385/.794 line with five total home runs. The slugger will be a popular pick in DFS formats during the World Series, as he has been swinging a scorching bat.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 weeks agoNew York Yankees outfielder
Juan Soto hit a go-ahead three-run shot in the 10th inning to power the Yankees to a victory in the ALCS on Saturday over the Cleveland Guardians. During this game, Soto went 3-for-5 but was able to drive in the game-winning run to bring the Yankees back to the World Series for the first time since 2009. In the 10th inning, Soto would hit his third long ball of the postseason off Cleveland right-hander
Hunter Gaddis. During October, Soto has carried a stellar .333/.439/.667 slash line. The 25-year-old has enjoyed a fantastic debut season in the Bronx, as he has boasted a .419 on-base percentage with 41 home runs, and he will remain a popular pick in DFS during the World Series.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 weeks agoNew York Yankees starting pitcher
Nestor Cortes (elbow) is set to throw another bullpen session early next week and could make the World Series roster, according to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. The southpaw has been progressing well from the flexor strain he suffered in September and has begun to log successful bullpens over the past week. If the 29-year-old is able to have another successful session in the coming days, he could return in time to help the Yankees capture their 28th World Series. During the summer, Cortes held a 3.77 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP across 174 1/3 innings of work.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Chris Kirschner
2 weeks agoLos Angeles Dodgers first baseman
Freddie Freeman (ankle) was seen participating in batting practice on Saturday, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Ardaya further reported that the first baseman should be expected to return to the starting nine on Sunday after sitting out earlier in the series due to an ankle injury. The 35-year-old has been dealing with a lingering ankle injury throughout October and has been unable to find consistency in the batter's box as he carries a mere .219/.242/.219 line through the postseason. During the regular season, the former World Series champion saw a slight decline in production but still boasted an excellent .282/.378/.476 slash line. Despite his recent struggles, Freeman will be a popular pick in DFS this evening as he will likely bat in the top half of the Los Angeles starting nine.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Fabian Ardaya
2 weeks agoLos Angeles Dodgers catcher
Will Smith (hand) was lifted from Game 5 of the NLCS after taking a foul ball off his hand. Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports that the backstop was taken for X-rays, but the tests were negative. As a result, DFS players should expect the primary catcher to be behind the dish this evening as the Dodgers hope to clinch the series victory over the New York Mets. During the postseason, the 29-year-old has posted an underwhelming .143/.268/.229 line with one home run and four RBI. He will face a difficult matchup this evening against Mets southpaw
Sean Manaea, who has held a strong 2.65 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP across 17 innings in October.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Fabian Ardaya
2 weeks agoCleveland Guardians starting pitcher
Tanner Bibee hopes to keep Cleveland's season alive as they face the Yankees in a potential elimination game on Saturday evening. Bibee got the starting nod in Game 2 of the ALCS but lasted only 1 1/3 innings after allowing five hits and three runs (two earned) with only two strikeouts. During the ALDS, Bibee made two starts and logged eight 2/3 innings, only allowing two runs while striking out nine. During the regular season, the right-hander posted a solid 3.47 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP after 173 2/3 innings of work. The 25-year-old remains a solid pick in DFS formats but faces a tough Yankee lineup that has hit right-handed pitching at a strong .803 OPS this summer.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
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