MLB News

Anthony Rendon • 3B • Angels

Anthony Rendon Lands On Injured List Yet Again

The Los Angeles Angels placed third baseman Anthony Rendon (oblique) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to Sept. 8) on Tuesday with a left-oblique strain and selected the contract of infielder Eric Wagaman from the minors in a corresponding move. Rendon had missed the last two games due to what was reported as back soreness, but the 34-year-old veteran will officially hit the IL with an oblique injury and will most likely be done for the rest of the 2024 season. Rendon has been one of the franchise's biggest free-agent busts since he joined the team in 2020 and just hasn't been able to stay healthy for a long stretch of time. He's played in just 57 games in 2024 and has hit a weak .218/.307/.267 with a career-worst .574 OPS, no home runs, 14 RBI and six steals. Rendon has fallen completely off the radar in all mixed fantasy leagues heading into next year.

Sep 10

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. • 1B • Blue Jays

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Playing On Tuesday

After an injury scare on Monday in which Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (toe) went for mid-game X-rays at Rogers Centre after fouling a ball off his left toe, he's back at first base on Tuesday and is hitting third against the visiting New York Mets and left-hander David Peterson. Obviously, X-rays came back negative, and the four-time All-Star slugger is back in there to face a left-handed hurler in the second game of the series. The 25-year-old has been Toronto's most consistent hitter all season long and needs to remain in all starting fantasy lineups. He has gone hitless in his last two contests, but Vladdy is still hitting .280 (7-for-25) in six games so far in September with a homer, two doubles and five RBI. Only six of his 28 long balls on the year have been against lefties, but he's also hit .327 (33-for-101) against them.

Sep 10

Whit Merrifield • 2B • Braves

Whit Merrifield Out Again Against Nationals

Atlanta Braves infielder/outfielder Whit Merrifield (foot) remains out of action for the team's contest on Tuesday against the division-rival Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Merrifield, who has dealt with some bad injury luck this year, will sit out for the fourth straight game after fracturing his foot recently when he fouled a ball off of it. The 35-year-old is hoping to make it back for the team's three-game series this weekend versus the Los Angeles Dodgers, but there's also a chance Merrifield lands on the injured list. With Ozzie Albies (wrist) still recovering from a fractured wrist, Atlanta is forced to roll with Luke Williams for another start at the keystone. Williams is hitting ninth against Nationals left-hander MacKenzie Gore and should be avoided as a sleeper in DFS lineups for Tuesday's slate of games.

Sep 10

Connor Norby • 2B • Marlins

Connor Norby Scratched From Marlins Lineup

Miami Marlins rookie infielder Connor Norby (undisclosed) has been scratched from the team's starting lineup on Tuesday at PNC Park against the hosting Pittsburgh Pirates for undisclosed reasons. Fantasy managers will want to check back for further updates on why Norby was scratched. The 24-year-old should be considered day-to-day for now. Jake Burger is starting at third and batting third, while David Hensley will start at first and bat eighth against Pirates right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski. Norby, who came over from the Baltimore Orioles in the trade that sent lefty Trevor Rogers to the O's in late July, has looked like the high-end prospect he is in his first 19 games for Miami this year, going 24-for-77 (.312) with six home runs, seven doubles and 13 RBI in 82 plate appearances. He has a bright future in the big leagues and already deserves love in mixed fantasy leagues.

Sep 10

Sam Hentges • RP • Guardians

Sam Hentges To Undergo Shoulder Surgery

Cleveland Guardians left-handed reliever Sam Hentges (shoulder) will have shoulder surgery next week and is expected to miss 12 to 14 months. More specifically, Hentges will go under the knife on Sept. 18 to have the capsule and labrum in his left shoulder repaired. The former fourth-round pick in 2014 was moved to a full-time relief role two seasons ago and has been solid out of the bullpen for the Guardians ever since. In 25 appearances in relief this year before injuring his shoulder, he had a 3.04 ERA (3.18 FIP), a 0.97 WHIP and a 27:5 K:BB in 23 2/3 frames. The 28-year-old also missed the first five weeks of the 2023 season due to shoulder issues, so hopefully he'll be able to return to Cleveland's bullpen fully healthy in 2026 after most likely sitting out all of next season.

Sep 10

Brendan Donovan • LF • Cardinals

Brendan Donovan Starting For Cardinals

St. Louis Cardinals infielder/outfielder Brendan Donovan (foot) is starting at second base and is batting leadoff on Tuesday at Busch Stadium against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds and rookie right-hander Rhett Lowder. Donovan will return to the top of the Red Birds' batting order against the Reds after missing the previous two games due to a foot infection. There was some worry that the 27-year-old utility man might need a stint on the injured list, but he appears fine for now and will have some DFS appeal as a low-cost sleeper on Tuesday at the top of the lineup. Shortstop Masyn Winn is getting a day off, which has allowed Donovan to hit leadoff for the first time in a month. The left-handed-hitting German lacks notable speed or pop, but he's gone 7-for-20 (.350) with two doubles in five games so far in the month of September.

Sep 10

Brenton Doyle • CF • Rockies

Brenton Doyle Back In Tuesday's Lineup

Colorado Rockies outfielder Brenton Doyle (finger) is in center field and is batting third for the Rockies on Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers and rookie right-hander Keider Montero at Comerica Park. A minor injury to his pinkie kept Doyle out of the team's last game, but he's back in there now and should be returned to starting lineups in all fantasy leagues. Doyle has gone only 3-for-21 (.143) with a walk and nine strikeouts in six games so far in September, but he's quickly proven to be the most impressive fantasy bat the last-place Rockies have to offer. In 136 games in just his second big-league season in 2024, Doyle has slashed .268/.328/.465 with a .793 OPS, 22 home runs, 66 RBI and 26 stolen bases in 553 plate appearances. His power/speed combination plays in all formats. Doyle has never faced Montero in his young career.

Sep 10

José Tena • SS • Nationals

Jose Tena Batting Fifth On Tuesday

Washington National rookie third baseman Jose Tena is batting fifth in Tuesday's game against the Atlanta Braves. Tena is hitting .293/.330/.380 with two homers, 10 RBI, and nine runs scored in 97 plate appearances since his Nationals debut on June 28. Although overshadowed by the likes of Dylan Crews and James Wood, Tena is one of the young bats the Nationals are counting on to help them return to playoff contention in 2025. Tena continues to fly under the radar in dynasty leagues, but if he is available, find the roster space to stash him away.

Sep 10

Adley Rutschman • C • Orioles

Adley Rutschman To DH On Tuesday

The Baltimore Orioles will have Adley Rutschman as their designed hitter for Tuesday's game at the Boston Red Sox, giving the All-Star catcher a night off behind the plate while James McCann gets the start. Rutschman is hitting .255/.323/.400 with 18 homers, 72 RBI, 62 runs scored, and a stolen base in 132 games. He has struggled over the past month, hitting .195/.269/.256 with a homer, four RBI and four runs scored. Rutschman and the Orioles will face Red Sox hurler Kutter Crawford, against whom Rutschman is 3-for-10 with two homers and three RBI. This is a matchup that daily fantasy players should exploit.

Sep 10

Eddy Alvarez • 3B • Mets

Eddy Alvarez In Tuesday's Lineup

Newly-acquired infielder Eddy Alvarez is in the New York Mets' lineup for Tuesday's game at the Toronto Blue Jays and will bat ninth as he faces Blue Jays starter Chris Bassitt. The infielder/outfielder was traded by the Boston Red Sox for cash considerations on Monday and was added to the active roster before Monday's game, where he scored as a pinch-runner. Alvarez was hitting .247/.348/.463 with 18 homers, 77 RBI, 73 runs scored, and 18 stolen bases for Triple-A Worcester, offering enough pop for fantasy managers in deeper leagues to consider while making for a low-end option in daily fantasy play.

Sep 10

Brice Matthews • 2B • Astros

Brice Matthews Called Up To Triple-A

The Houston Astros are promoting shortstop/third baseman Brice Matthews to Triple-A Sugar Land. Matthews is Houston's third-ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline and is hitting .286/.405/.531 with 15 homers, 39 RBI, 49 runs scored, and 29 stolen bases in three minor league stops. Drafted 28th overall in the 2023 MLB Draft, Matthews' fast rise gives the Astros a near-major league-ready prospect, something the franchise has lacked in recent years. A strong finish in Triple-A will give Matthews an early jump on making a bid to crack the Opening Day roster next year, making him a player to watch in dynasty formats.

Sep 10

Michael Busch • 1B • Cubs

Michael Busch Goes Off On Monday Against Former Team

Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch had a day at the plate in Monday's 10-4 win over his former team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, at Dodger Stadium. Busch finished 4-for-5 with a home run, double, three RBI and three runs scored in the series opener on the road. For Busch, his home run was his first since Aug. 7. He got off to a hot start early in his first season with the Cubs but hasn't been as good since, and he's also hitting just .217 (5-for-23) with his home run last night, a double, four RBI, three walks and three strikeouts in seven games since the calendar flipped to September. Since the All-Star break in mid-July, Busch is slashing .216/.298/.373 with five home runs, seven doubles, a triple, 19 RBI, 18 walks, 43 strikeouts and one stolen base in 171 trips to the plate over 44 games played. He has certainly not been as good for fantasy managers in deeper leagues in the second half in 2024.

Sep 10

Landen Roupp • SP • Giants

Landen Roupp Making First Big-League Start On Tuesday

San Francisco Giants rookie right-hander Landen Roupp will toe the rubber for his first major-league start on Tuesday against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Roupp has made 19 appearances out of the bullpen for the Giants in his first season in the majors in 2024 and has pitched to a 3.41 ERA (3.40 FIP) with a 1.36 WHIP, 33 strikeouts and 19 walks in 31 2/3 innings pitched. The 26-year-old went a season-high four innings out of the bullpen his last time out on Sept. 5 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, allowing no runs while walking two and striking out five. Roupp hasn't gone more than four innings in any of his outings with San Fran or at Triple-A Sacramento before his call-up, so fantasy managers should be looking to avoid the rookie as a streamer on Tuesday, especially against the first-place Brew Crew.

Sep 10

Ke'Bryan Hayes • 3B • Pirates

Ke'Bryan Hayes Yet To Do Baseball Activities

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton said on his weekly appearance on 93.7 The Fan that as of right now, offseason back surgery is not on the table for third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes (back). The current focus is on strengthening Hayes' back. He has yet to resume baseball activities since landing on the injured list three-plus weeks ago. The 27-year-old tanked offensively in 2024, but most of his issues could stem from back issues that have plagued him all year. Hayes is not going to return in 2024, and his and the Pirates primary focus this offseason will be to get his back issues sorted out so that he can try to get back to form in 2025. The former first-rounder in 2015 struggled to a .233/.283/.290 slash line with a terrible .573 OPS, four homers, 25 RBI and 11 steals in 365 at-bats this year. Jared Triolo has been the primary beneficiary at third in Pittsburgh with Hayes on the IL.

Sep 10

Thomas Saggese • SS • Cardinals

Cardinals Calling Up Thomas Saggese

The St. Louis Cardinals are calling up infield prospect Thomas Saggese from Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday, according to sources. Saggese, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, was acquired by the Cardinals from the Texas Rangers in the trade that involved left-hander Jordan Montgomery being shipped to Texas last year. Saggese could be replacing the injured Brendan Donovan (foot) on the active roster and could see regular playing time at the keystone in St. Louis to close out the year. The 22-year-old former fifth-rounder by Texas in 2020 gets his first big-league call after slashing .253/.313/.438 with a .752 OPS, 20 home runs, 67 RBI and nine stolen bases in 125 games for Memphis this year. Saggese came up as a shortstop but can also play second or third base in a pinch. None of his tools jump off the page exactly, but Saggese does have 15-plus-homer power as a middle-infielder.

Sep 10

Ben Lively • SP • Guardians

Ben Lively Starting On Tuesday

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Ben Lively is getting the starting nod on Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. Rookie Joey Cantillo got the start in Lively's place for the series opener against Chicago and was lights-out in seven innings of work. The Guardians were looking to give Lively an extra day of rest, and he'll now be even more attractive in the best matchup a pitcher could ask for. The 32-year-old has struggled of late, giving up 10 runs in his last two starts, but he now has the perfect bounce-back opportunity against the worst team in baseball. You better believe Lively will be a popular fantasy streamer on Tuesday. Since the All-Star break, Lively has struggled to a 4.98 ERA (5.33 FIP) with 18 walks and 30 strikeouts in his nine starts. In his two starts against Chicago in 2024, he's allowed six earned runs while walking four and fanning eight in 11 2/3 frames.

Sep 10

Reid Detmers • SP • Angels

Reid Detmers Earns Another Quality Start Monday

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Reid Detmers delivered another solid performance in Monday's 6-2 win over the Twins. Detmers pitched six innings, allowing two runs on five hits (including a solo home run) and two walks with eight strikeouts. The 25-year-old was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on September 3 and has allowed four runs in 12 IP with 18 strikeouts in his two starts back. Detmers has shown fantasy promise at times throughout his career but has also been very inconsistent. Fantasy managers may not be willing to trust him, but his next start could be an excellent one against the White Sox. Given the strong matchup and recent performance, he may be worth a fantasy start consideration if he were to make the start.

Sep 10

Paul Skenes • SP • Pirates

Paul Skenes Sets Pirates Rookie Strikeout Record Monday

Pittsburgh Pirates rookie starting pitcher Paul Skenes continued to dazzle in Monday's 3-2 win over the Marlins. Skenes pitched six innings, allowing one run on six hits and a walk with nine strikeouts. The 22-year-old has lived up to all the hype that came with being a No. 1 overall pick and is 10-2 with a 2.10 ERA, a 0.99 WHIP, and an 11.33 K/9 rate (151 strikeouts) in 20 starts and 120 IP. Not only did the start help Skenes break the Pirates franchise record for strikeouts by a rookie, but it put him in a select group of all historical pitchers with more strikeouts in their first 20 games. Skenes' next start is slated to be a favorable matchup at the Cardinals, although the team does not strike out much.

Sep 10

Austin Wells • C • Yankees

Austin Wells Hits Three-Run Homer Monday

New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells continued his strong offensive second half in Monday's 10-4 win over the Royals. Wells went 2-for-5 with a double, a three-run home run, four RBI, and a strikeout. The 25-year-old backstop broke a seventh-inning tie by driving a James McArthur fastball deep into the right-field seats for his 13th long ball of the season. While he has cooled off in September, Wells has put together a .295/.380/.511 second-half slash line with seven HR and 29 RBI in 135 at-bats. His current performance and exposure to an excellent Yankees lineup make him a potential fantasy option in most fantasy leagues down the stretch.

Sep 10

Joey Cantillo • SP • Guardians

Joey Cantillo Fans 10 In Seven-Inning Start Monday

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Joey Cantillo turned in the best start of his young career in Monday's 5-3 win over the White Sox. Cantillo, who was recalled from Triple-A Columbus ahead of the start, pitched seven innings, allowing one run on two hits and no walks with 10 strikeouts, earning his first career win. The 24-year-old prospect has made six appearances (five starts) with the Guardians and owns a bloated 5.96 ERA in 25 2/3 IP. He has pitched better at Triple-A, but it does not seem he necessarily has a clear path to playing time down the stretch in the big leagues. It is possible he could make a few more spot starts, but he seems to be a more relevant player in dynasty or keeper fantasy leagues at this time.

Sep 10

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