MLB News

Jesse Winker  • LF  •  Mets

Jesse Winker Sitting On Wednesday

New York Mets outfielder Jesse Winker is sitting out the team's game on Wednesday at Rogers Centre against the hosting Toronto Blue Jays. Brandon Nimmo is starting in left field for the Mets and is batting cleanup against Blue Jays right-hander Bowden Francis. Most of Winker's off days typically come when the Mets are facing a left-handed pitcher, but he also finds himself on the bench to start Wednesday's contest against a righty. The veteran left-handed-hitting outfielder has looked better in 35 games since being acquired in a trade at the deadline from the Washington Nationals, as he's hit .284 (27-for-95) with three homers, five doubles and 13 RBI for the Mets as they look to sneak into the playoffs in the National League. So far in September, though, Winker has struggled, going 2-for-22 (.091) with a homer, four RBI and seven strikeouts in nine games played.
Sep 11   
Daulton Varsho  • LF  •  Blue Jays  |  Spencer Horwitz  • 2B  •  Blue Jays

Daulton Varsho, Spencer Horwitz Sitting Against A Lefty

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho and rookie first baseman Spencer Horwitz are out of the starting lineup on Wednesday at Rogers Centre against the New York Mets with a left-hander on the mound. Rookie Joey Loperfido will handle center-field duties and will bat eighth, while George Springer will serve as the designated hitter and bat leadoff against Mets lefty Sean Manaea. Nathan Lukes is in right field and is hitting in the two-hole. Springer has the quite the history against Manaea in 37 career at-bats, hitting .324 with a .768 OPS and six RBI, so he'll be a nice under-the-radar DFS sleeper while hitting leadoff. Horwitz has hit well in just his second MLB season in Toronto, but he's batting .193 (11-for-57) with none of his 12 home runs against southpaws in 2024, hence why he is on the bench on Wednesday.
Sep 11   
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.  • LF  •  Diamondbacks

Diamondbacks Hoping Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Will Return Soon

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (calf), who left the team's game on Sept. 1 with left-calf tightness, has hit off the Trajekt pitching machine and is scheduled to do some running on Thursday. Gurriel was put on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to Sept. 2) after testing showed his calf strain. The good news is that both he and manager Torey Lovullo said the injury isn't serious, and the hope is that Gurriel can return after missing the minimal amount of time on the IL. The 30-year-old is the club's regular left fielder when healthy, so the Snakes will want him back as they make their final push for another postseason appearance in September. The Cuban slugger was a first-time All-Star in 2023 in his first year in the desert and is currently hitting a respectable .274/.316/.428 with 17 homers, 70 RBI and seven stolen bases in his 125 games.
Sep 11   
Gabriel Moreno  • C  •  Diamondbacks

Gabriel Moreno Ramping Up His Activity

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (groin) has started running arcs at around 80 percent effort and is scheduled to catch a bullpen session on Wednesday as he begins to ramp up his activity as he recovers from a left-groin strain. Moreno left the team's Aug. 5 contest after running out a ground-ball single and landed on the 10-day injured list on Aug. 6. An MRI exam revealed a strained left groin muscle. At the time, manager Torey Lovullo said the backstop would be out "weeks, not days," but there is optimism that Moreno will return before the end of the season. The Venezuelan catcher has hit a career-low .262 (72-for-275) this year and provided only five homers and 41 RBI in 86 games before his injury, but the D-backs would love to have him back as their starting catcher sooner than later as they make their final push for another postseason appearance.
Sep 11   
Jordan Lawlar  • SS  •  Diamondbacks

Jordan Lawlar Back From Minor-League Injured List

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop prospect Jordan Lawlar (hamstring), the team's top prospect per MLB Pipeline, was assigned to Double-A Amarillo and activated from the seven-day minor-league injured list on Sunday. Lawlar aggravated his left hamstring in July, two games into a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League after initially hurting it running out a triple in the ninth inning of a game on June 15 at Triple-A Reno. The 22-year-old has a bright future at the next level, but injuries continue to get in the way of his development. He has only been able to play in 15 games at three minor-league levels in 2024 and has hit .304/.403/.482 with an .885 OPS, a homer, 16 RBI and five stolen bases in his 67 plate appearances. Given how much time he's missed due to injuries the last couple seasons, it's a long shot that the Snakes will call him up late this year or for the postseason if they qualify.
Sep 11   
Cavan Biggio  • 2B  •  Braves

Braves Call Up Cavan Biggio

The Atlanta Braves selected the contract of infielder Cavan Biggio from the minors on Wednesday and optioned infielder Luke Williams to Triple-A Gwinnett in a corresponding move. Ozzie Albies (wrist) is still recovering from a fractured wrist, and now Whit Merrifield (foot) could be in danger of landing on the 10-day injured list if he doesn't recover soon after fouling a ball off his foot recently. For now, the 29-year-old Biggio should see ample time at the keystone in Atlanta as the team tries to secure one of the final wild-card spots in the National League over the last few weeks of the season. Biggio was acquired from the San Francisco Giants last weekend. He's unlikely to move the fantasy needle at all the last few weeks of the season after hitting .197/.316/.306 with five homers and 19 RBI in 74 combined games with the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024.
Sep 11   
Reynaldo López  • SP  •  Braves

Reynaldo Lopez Lands On 15-Day Injured List

The Atlanta Braves placed right-hander Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list with right-shoulder inflammation and recalled right-hander Daysbel Hernandez from the minors in a corresponding move. The team also designated right-hander Jimmy Herget for assignment. Lopez was forced to leave his start early on Tuesday against the division-rival Washington Nationals, and initial tests on his shoulder looked good, but further imaging showed inflammation, and he will now miss at least the next two weeks. It's been an excellent year for the 30-year-old right-hander but the elevated workload as a starter for the first time since 2019 appears to have caught up with him. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues can drop Lopez now, and it's more likely than not that Lopez will return in a relief role if the Braves secure one of the final wild-card spots in the National League.
Sep 11   
Connor Norby  • 2B  •  Marlins

Connor Norby Back In The Lineup For Marlins

Miami Marlins rookie infielder Connor Norby (foot) is back at third base and hitting leadoff on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates and left-hander Bailey Falter at PNC Park. Norby fouled a ball off his foot on Monday and was scratched from the starting lineup on Tuesday as a result, but the injury obviously wasn't serious enough to keep him sidelined for more than one day. With the Fish playing out the string in 2024, the 24-year-old prospect is going to see everyday playing time at third base the rest of the way. He's the team's No. 3 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and has looked good at the plate since being acquired at the trade deadline from the Orioles. Norby is already up to six home runs and has seven doubles, 13 RBI and two stolen bases in just 19 games played since coming to South Beach. Get him back into your starting lineups on Wednesday.
Sep 11   
Aroldis Chapman  • RP  •  Pirates

Aroldis Chapman Earns Eighth Save Of Season Tuesday

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman notched his eighth save of the season in Tuesday's 6-4 win over the Marlins. The 36-year-old veteran came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by three. He got the first out on a strikeout, allowed back-to-back singles, got the second out on a fly-out, allowed an RBI single, and ended the game with another strikeout. Chapman has been inconsistent this season but has converted three of four save opportunities in the last seven days. He appears to be the fantasy arm to roster with David Bednar recently being removed from the closer's role. Chapman has now converted eight of 13 save opportunities this season with a 4.18 ERA, a 14.63 K/9 rate, and a 6.27 BB/9 rate in 56 innings pitched this season.
Sep 11   
Seth Lugo  • SP  •  Royals

Seth Lugo Fans 10 Yankees In Dominant Win Tuesday

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Seth Lugo turned in another excellent start in Tuesday's 5-0 win over the Yankees. Lugo pitched seven innings, allowing three hits and no walks with 10 strikeouts. The 34-year-old veteran struggled to begin the second half of the season but has returned to his strong first-half form lately, tossing three consecutive seven-inning starts and notching four in his last five. Lugo now owns a 16-8 record with a 2.94 ERA, a 1.09 WHIP, and a 7.88 K/9 rate in 30 starts and 193 IP. He will have a good chance to extend his streak in his next start against the Tigers.
Sep 11   
Cedric Mullins  • CF  •  Orioles

Cedric Mullins Homers Twice, Steals Base Tuesday

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins continued his strong offensive September in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Red Sox. Mullins went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a two-run HR, a walk, and a stolen base. The 29-year-old snuck a first-inning Kutter Crawford pitch just into the right-field seats and took Crawford deep to right field with more authority in the third inning. Mullins' season stats leave something to be desired, but he has been on fire in September, slashing .400/.500/.833 with four HR and two stolen bases in 30 at-bats. Mullins is currently rostered in 63 percent of leagues, so he could be available for fantasy managers looking for a hot bat to add down the stretch.
Sep 11   
Michael Harris II  • CF  •  Braves

Michael Harris II Homers Twice In Tuesday's Win

Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II played his part offensively in Tuesday's 12-0 rout of the Nationals. Harris II went 3-for-6 with a single, a pair of solo home runs, and a strikeout. The 23-year-old lined a fourth-inning MacKenzie Gore slider into the right-field bullpen and crushed a 38-MPH Ildemaro Vargas offering deep into the right-center seats in the ninth inning. Harris II has still not been able to replicate the success he found in his first two seasons, slashing .245/.285/.376 with 11 HR, 42 runs scored, 37 RBI, and eight stolen bases in 390 plate appearances while dealing with a strained left hamstring in the middle of the season.
Sep 11   
Pablo López  • SP  •  Twins

Pablo Lopez Turns In Sixth Straight Quality Start Tuesday

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Pablo Lopez continued his stellar second half in Tuesday's 10-5 win over the Angels. Lopez pitched seven innings, allowing four runs (zero earned) on eight hits (including a three-run home run) and a walk with 10 strikeouts. The 28-year-old has turned in a tale of two halves, with a 5.11 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 19 first-half starts but a 1.93 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 10 second-half starts. His success has been fueled by six consecutive quality starts. Lopez will have a decent chance to extend that streak in his next start, which will be a middling matchup at the Guardians.
Sep 11   
Trea Turner  • SS  •  Phillies

Trea Turner Homers Twice, Plates Four Tuesday

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner continued to heat up at the plate in Tuesday's 9-4 win over the Rays. Turner went 3-for-5 with a single, a pair of two-run home runs, and a strikeout. The 31-year-old launched a third-inning Taj Bradley fastball into the left-field seats and hit an eighth-inning Edwin Uceta offering into nearly the same spot in the seats. Turner's second-half stats are down compared to his first-half, but he has picked things up in September, slashing .297/.366/.595 with three HR in 37 at-bats. A Turner hot streak hitting at the top of a surging Phillies lineup is exactly what fantasy managers need as the season finishes up.
Sep 11   
Keider Montero  • SP  •  Tigers

Keider Montero Fires Complete-Game Shutout Tuesday

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Keider Montero was on his game in Tuesday's 11-0 win over the Rockies. Montero took advantage of a favorable matchup inside his home park, tossing a complete-game shutout with three hits, no walks, and five strikeouts. The 24-year-old's season numbers leave something to be desired but he has pitched better in the second half. Specifically, he has gone 4-2 with a 3.69 ERA in eight starts from August onward. He will face a much tougher matchup in his next start against the Orioles. While he has pitched better, fantasy managers may not want to risk starting him in such a tough matchup so deep into the season.
Sep 11   
Reese Olson  • SP  •  Tigers

Reese Olson Tosses Three Scoreless Innings In Second Rehab Start

Detroit Tigers right-hander Reese Olson (shoulder) tossed three scoreless innings (45 total pitches in his second minor-league rehab start on Tuesday with Triple-A Toledo, and he will now rejoin the Tigers to be evaluated. "We'll determine what's next for him. It could be another start in Triple-A, or another plan. We haven't seen him in 10 days, so I'd like to sit down and see how he feels," manager A.J. Hinch said. The 25-year-old could probably use at least one more rehab start to build his arm back up, but it sounds like the Tigers haven't yet decided if his next outing will be back on the farm or for the Tigers. If Olson returns to the Tigers' rotation for his next start, he'll be a poor streaming option for fantasy managers playing for a championship down the stretch. The former 13th-rounder of the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018 has a solid 3.23 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with 92 K's in 19 starts this year, but he last pitched for Detroit on July 20.
Sep 11   
Paul Blackburn  • SP  •  Mets

Paul Blackburn Won't Return This Weekend

New York Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn (back, hand) isn't feeling much better after being scratched from his scheduled start this week due to a new back injury, so he will not return from the injured list this weekend to pitch against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. Right-hander Tylor Megill, who was lights-out in place of Blackburn on Monday against the Washington Nationals, will get at least another start and is in line to face the Phillies on Sunday. Megill won't be as nice of a streaming option if he faces the Phillies in the series finale on Sunday, but he could also get flipped to Monday in what would be a rematch of the Nats. Blackburn hasn't looked great since being acquired from the A's and hasn't pitched Aug. 23, when he took a comebacker off his hand. It's unclear at the moment how much longer Blackburn will be out as the Mets look to secure a playoff spot.
Sep 11   
Tyler Glasnow  • SP  •  Dodgers

Tyler Glasnow To Throw Simulated Game This Weekend

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that right-hander Tyler Glasnow's (elbow) bullpen session went well on Tuesday and now expects him to throw two to three simulated innings in Atlanta this weekend. After several successful bullpen sessions, Glasnow is taking the next step to face live hitters, and if all goes well this weekend, the 31-year-old could be cleared to return to LA's starting rotation without going on a minor-league rehab start. It's progress for Glasnow, but fantasy managers still playing for something through the rest of the regular season may want to temper expectations for the dominant right-hander, as the Dodgers could limit his workload to make absolutely sure that he's in tip-top shape for the start of the postseason in October. Maintaining his health the rest of the year is of utmost importance for a Dodgers rotation that has its fair share of injury issues in 2024.
Sep 11   
Max Scherzer  • SP  •  Rangers

Max Scherzer To Start For Rangers On Saturday

Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer (shoulder) is set to return from the injured list and make a start against the Seattle Mariners on Saturday, according to manager Bruce Bochy. In addition to Scherzer, right-handed veteran Jacob deGrom (elbow) will make his season debut on Friday after recovering from Tommy John surgery. Scherzer's last start for Texas came on July 30 and he's been out ever since due to right-shoulder fatigue. But the 40-year-old future Hall of Famer threw four shutout innings with eight strikeouts in a minor-league rehab game for Triple-A Round Rock last Saturday and has been chomping at the bit to get back to the majors to try and finish off the year strong. It's been in injury-riddled 2024 campaign for Scherzer, who has made only eight starts, but he'll be a tempting fantasy streamer in his first start back against a weak Seattle offense.
Sep 11   
Tanner Houck  • SP  •  Red Sox

Tanner Houck In Line To Start On Friday

Boston Red Sox right-hander Tanner Houck (arm) is currently in line to start on Friday against the division-rival New York Yankees. When asked exactly why Houck hasn't really rebounded from his last start, manager Alex Cora said it's basically a case of dead-arm. It' good news, as Boston is going to need Houck healthy down the stretch if they are going to make a push for the final wild-card spot in the American League. The 28-year-old has not looked as good in the second half of the season for the BoSox, going 0-4 with a 4.78 ERA, 38 strikeouts and 21 walks in 52 2/3 innings over nine starts. The Red Sox and fantasy managers will be hoping he can bounce back after some extra time off this weekend, but it's a tough matchup that will make him a dice roll in fantasy lineups. On the year, Houck still has a decent 3.24 ERA, but his strikeout rate is also a career-low 21.1%.
Sep 11   
LEGEND
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