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Cleveland Indians outfielder Oscar Mercado isn't in the team's starting lineup on Saturday as they take on right-hander Drew Rasmussen and the Tampa Bay Rays. Mercado is hitting .240 with a .296 on-base percentage, a home run, and two stolen bases in 54 plate appearances this season. Cleveland is instead going with Harold Ramirez, Bradley Zimmer, and Daniel Johnson in the outfield from left to right. Ramirez is batting sixth, with Johnson hitting seventh. Zimmer is batting ninth. Johnson is in the lineup on Saturday after starting Friday's game on the bench. He later hit a pinch-hit home run. That being said, if you're looking for streaming help in the outfield, you're probably better off looking elsewhere. Johnson is batting .222 with a .243 on-base percentage in 37 plate appearances this season. The home run on Friday was his second of the campaign.
Cleveland Indians outfielder Eddie Rosario (abdomen) is doing rotational exercises and progressing well in his rehab program, according to Mandy Bell of MLB.com. Rosario has been out since just before the All-Star break with an abdominal strain, and while there is still no timetable for his return, manager Terry Francona said that he expects the team will have a better idea of Rosario's situation when the team is in Cleveland this weekend. The power had taken a dip this year, but Rosario has still remained fantasy relevant in deeper formats as he is slashing .254/.296/.389 with seven home runs, nine steals, 46 RBI and 29 runs scored over 76 games. While Rosario has been out, the Indians have been rolling with Harold Ramirez and Oscar Mercado in left field. Once Rosario returns, you'll see Ramirez and Mercado return to more of a bench role.
The Cleveland Indians recalled pitcher Sam Hentges from Triple-A on Thursday. Fellow pitcher Eli Morgan was sent down to Triple-A in a corresponding move. Hentges was demoted to Triple-A before the All-Star break. He's struggled over 15 appearances (eight starts) with the Indians this year, posting an 8.23 ERA and 2.04 WHIP to go along with a 1.8 K/BB ratio. He could be a candidate to start next Tuesday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez (elbow) is back in the Indians lineup Thursday night and batting third against Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Luis Patino. Ramirez had missed the previous two games with elbow discomfort, but apparently, he is feeling better and will return to the hot corner tonight. Ramirez has been in a bit of a slump as he has just four hits in his previous 25 at-bats, but he should be deployed in all formats tonight as he returns to the lineup.
According to Mandy Bell, Cleveland Indians outfielder Bradley Zimmer is sitting out Thursday's tilt with the Tampa Bay Rays due to a cold. Oscar Mercado will man centerfield in his absence and Cesar Hernandez will take over Zimmer's leadoff spot in the lineup against Rays' right-hander Luis Patino. Mercado is just 1-for-12 over the previous week and is not someone players should consider in DFS tonight, especially considering he will be batting ninth.