MLB News

Tyler O'Neill • LF • Red Sox

Tyler O'Neill Hits Two More Homers Monday

Boston Red Sox outfielder/designated hitter Tyler O'Neill continued his second-half power surge in Monday's 12-3 win over the Orioles. O'Neill went 3-for-5 with a double, a pair of solo home runs, three RBI, and a strikeout. The 29-year-old went back-to-back with Rob Refsnyder off Cade Povich in the third inning and then again off Cole Irvin in the eighth inning. O'Neill has provided power throughout the season with 29 HR, but he has really gotten things going in the second half. He now owns a .360/.448/.880 slash line with four HR and six RBI in 25 September at-bats. O'Neill could give fantasy managers an extra lineup boost down the stretch, particularly if the Red Sox continue to hit better as a team overall.

Sep 10

Rob Refsnyder • LF • Red Sox

Rob Refsnyder Homers Twice, Plates Five Monday

Boston Red Sox outfielder Rob Refsnyder had an excellent day at the plate in Monday's 12-3 win over the Orioles. Refsnyder went 4-for-4 with a single, a double, a solo home run, a two-run HR, five RBI, and a walk. The 33-year-old veteran took Cade Povich deep to straightaway center in the third inning and took Cole Irvin just beyond the Pesky Pole in the eighth inning. Refsnyder has put together a solid season slash line in limited playing time and is batting .400 with an .867 slugging percentage in September. However, he has managed just 15 at-bats in the month. Refsnyder could provide a hot bat to cap off the season, but he will need to translate his success into more playing time to put him in the fantasy roster conversation.

Sep 10

Tylor Megill • SP • Mets

Tylor Megill Tosses Quality Start, Fans Nine In No-Decision

New York Mets pitcher Tylor Megill turned in a solid outing in Monday's 3-2 win over the Blue Jays. Megill, who got the nod after Paul Blackburn (hand, back) faced a delay in his return from the injured list due to a lower back issue, pitched six scoreless innings. The 29-year-old allowed just one hit and two walks with nine strikeouts. Megill was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse at the end of August and has compiled a stellar 2.34 ERA in three starts. However, the Mets have stated that they are giving Blackburn a 48-hour window to assess his response to back treatment and that he will slot back into the starting rotation if able, with Megill moving to the bullpen. Even if Blackburn is unable to return, the next time around the rotation would be a tough matchup at the Phillies, so fantasy managers may want to avoid whoever makes the start.

Sep 10

Paul Blackburn • SP • Mets

Paul Blackburn Dealing With Back Injury

New York Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn (back, hand) was originally expected to come off the 15-day injured list to start on Monday in Toronto against the Blue Jays, but those plans were scrapped due to a back issue, and Blackburn will not pitch in the series in Toronto this week. Right-hander Tylor Megill made the spot start on Monday and tossed six shutout innings with two walks and nine strikeouts in a tough-luck no-decision. The Mets will see if Blackburn improves in the next couple of days, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. A comebacker to his right pitching hand put the 30-year-old on the IL on Aug. 25, but now he could be in danger of missing the rest of the 2024 regular season if his back injury is serious enough. The Mets could definitely use Blackburn as they try to sneak into the National League playoffs as a wild-card team, although he's been pretty lackluster since joining the Mets via trade.

Sep 10

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. • 1B • Blue Jays

X-Rays Come Back Negative On Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s Foot

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (foot) fouled a ball off his toes on his left foot during Monday's 3-2 loss to the New York Mets at the Rogers Centre and underwent X-rays in the middle of the game, which came back negative. The Blue Jays will see how Guerrero feels on Tuesday, but it sounds like he has avoided a serious injury. Guerrero, who was serving as the designated hitter in this one, played the entire game and finished 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts in the loss. Fantasy managers should consider Vlad to be day-to-day for now, but don't be surprised if Toronto holds him out of the starting lineup as a precaution on Tuesday. If the 25-year-old misses any time, rookie Spencer Horwitz will see more time at first. Guerrero, who has been an All-Star each of the last four seasons, is having a great season with a .324/.395/.554 slash line, 28 homers and 94 RBI in 141 games.

Sep 10

Alex Verdugo • LF • Yankees

Alex Verdugo Likely To Be The Odd Man Out

New York Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo made the start in left field while batting ninth on Monday in the series opener at Yankee Stadium against the visiting Kansas City Royals, but it seems likely that he's going to be the odd man out in New York's outfield with prospect Jasson Dominguez being called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Monday. Manager Aaron Boone said that Aaron Judge will be in center field on most days, with Giancarlo Stanton serving as the designated hitter, as expected. The Yankees didn't call up Dominguez to ride the pine at the big-league level, so he will most likely take over regular duties in left field and send Verdugo to the bench more often than not. Verdugo did go 2-for-4 with his 12th homer of the year in the 10-4 win over the Royals on Monday, but he came into the contest with a .235/.295/.356 slash line with a below-average .651 OPS in 519 at-bats in 2024.

Sep 10

Justin Steele • SP • Cubs

Justin Steele Could Throw A Bullpen Soon

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that left-hander Justin Steele's (elbow) catch play has gone well of late and that a bullpen session is next, and it could happen "on this road trip." The Cubs' current road trip ends this Sunday at Coors Field against the Colorado Rockies. If the 29-year-old southpaw can get through a successful bullpen session this week, he could move to a simulated game or live bullpen session next. Steele is currently on the 15-day injured list due to left-elbow inflammation, but barring a setback, he should be able to return at the end of the month of September for a start or two to close out the year. Steele, a first-time All-Star in 2023, has been similarly as good in 2024 despite spending some time on the IL due to injuries. He has an ERA just over 3.00 with a career-high 24.9% strikeout rate as a trusted weapon at the top of Chicago's starting rotation.

Sep 10

Ryan Mountcastle • 1B • Orioles

Ryan Mountcastle Could Return In September

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde thinks that first baseman Ryan Mountcastle (wrist) will be able to come off the 10-day injured list before the end of the 2024 regular season in September. "I think he's going to come back by the end of the regular season, I just don't know when," Hyde said on Monday. Mountcastle is recovering from a left-wrist sprain that he suffered on Aug. 22 against the Houston Astros during a slide into second base. The 27-year-old started swinging a bat last Friday and is slowly working his way up in baseball activities before potentially going on a minor-league rehab assignment. The O's won't rush him back with a postseason spot pretty secure, and Mountcastle is unlikely to help much in fantasy the rest of the way if he does come back in September. His power has been down yet again in 2024 with only 13 homers after hitting a career-high 33 in 2021.

Sep 10

Jordan Westburg • 3B • Orioles

Jordan Westburg Fields Grounders On Monday

Baltimore Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg (hand), who is recovering from a fractured right hand, was fielding grounders on Monday before the team's game at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox. Westburg was not wearing anything on his right hand for protection. The 25-year-old infielder is getting closer to a return from the 10-day injured list now that he's doing some light baseball activities, but there remains no timetable for his return. He has been sidelined since July 31, so we'd expect the Orioles to send Westburg on a minor-league rehab assignment before he's activated, meaning it could be another week or two before he's ready. Westburg made his first All-Star team in 2024 and is just two homers shy of his 20-homer campaign. With Ramon Urias (ankle) also on the IL, rookie infielder Coby Mayo is getting a shot at the hot corner down the stretch for Baltimore.

Sep 10

Grayson Rodriguez • SP • Orioles

Grayson Rodriguez Could Face Hitters Soon

Baltimore Orioles right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (lat, shoulder) could face live hitters at some point during the team's road trip through Boston and Detroit that starts on Monday and runs through this coming Sunday, according to manager Brandon Hyde. Rodriguez has been on the 15-day injured list since early August with a strained right lat but was able to throw off a mound next week and could go on a minor-league rehab assignment if he has a successful session throwing to live hitters this week. Barring a setback in that process, Rodriguez should be able to rejoin Baltimore's starting rotation in late September or just in time for the start of the playoffs. The former 11th overall pick in 2018 is a top-of the rotation starter next to Corbin Burnes when healthy, so the O's really will need him to be at the top of his game come October if they want to make a deep postseason run.

Sep 10

Clayton Kershaw • SP • Dodgers

Clayton Kershaw Throws Off A Mound On Monday

Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw (toe) threw off a makeshift mound in the outfield at Dodger Stadium on Monday before the game against the Chicago Cubs. During the session, Kershaw didn't wear a shoe on his left foot to test out his injured toe. The 36-year-old future Hall of Famer is attempting to return from the 15-day injured list before the end of the regular season in September after dealing with a bone spur in his big left toe. The Dodgers are basically approaching this hoping to have Kershaw 100% for the postseason in October, but if he does return from the IL this month, he's unlikely to be able to make more than a start or two for fantasy purposes. Kershaw allowed eight earned runs on 12 hits while walking three and striking out five in his last two starts before landing on the IL, and his playoff struggles have been well-documented.

Sep 10

Brusdar Graterol • RP • Dodgers

Brusdar Graterol Likely To Be Active On Wednesday

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Monday that right-handed reliever Brusdar Graterol (hamstring) is likely to be activated from the 15-day injured list on Wednesday before the game against the visiting Chicago Cubs. Graterol will return to the back end of the Dodgers' bullpen this week after suffering a Grade 3 right-hamstring strain on Aug. 7. He showed how dominant he could be in a late-inning, high-leverage relief role in 2023 when he had a 1.20 ERA, a 0.96 WHIP, a career-high seven saves and 48 strikeouts in 67 1/3 regular-season innings. But injuries have reared their head again in 2024, and Graterol has only thrown one-third of an inning in the big leagues with the Dodgers this year. There's a good chance the Dodgers ease Graterol into their bullpen now that he's healthy again. If Graterol can get back to his 2023 form for the postseason, though, the Dodgers would be very happy.

Sep 10

Tyler Glasnow • SP • Dodgers

Tyler Glasnow To Throw Another Bullpen On Tuesday

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Tyler Glasnow (elbow) is scheduled to throw another bullpen session on Tuesday, and if that goes well, he will throw a simulated game on Friday, according to manager Dave Roberts. Glasnow threw a 25-pitch bullpen session over the weekend on Saturday and is ready for another bullpen before facing live hitters later this week. Beyond Glasnow's simulated game on Friday, the next step for him should be to go on a minor-league rehab assignment. Fantasy managers still playing for something with several weeks to go in the season may not get more than a start or two the rest of the way, as the Dodgers aren't going to rush the dominant right-hander back too soon and jeopardize his availability for the postseason. Glasnow has had a fine first season in LA, going 9-6 with a 3.49 ERA, a 0.95 WHIP and 168 strikeouts in 134 innings over 22 starts.

Sep 10

Jo Adell • RF • Angels

Jo Adell Moved To 60-Day Injured List

The Los Angeles Angels moved outfielder Jo Adell (oblique) to the 60-day injured list on Monday, officially putting an end to his 2024 season. In corresponding moves, the Angels selected the contract of left-hander Jose Suarez and optioned right-hander Hans Crouse to Triple-A Salt Lake after Sunday's game. Adell was never really a realistic candidate to return this year with only a few weeks left after he strained his left oblique during the contest last Friday against the division-rival Texas Rangers. The 25-year-old will now have plenty of time to rehab his oblique before heading into spring training next February. Adell fanned 126 times in 451 plate appearances in a career-high 130 games this year, but he also had his first 20-homer season while driving in 62 and stealing 15 bases. He should enter 2025 as the Halos' everyday right fielder with a decent power/speed profile.

Sep 10

J.T. Realmuto • C • Phillies

J.T. Realmuto Could Return On Friday

Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (knee) could play by the start of the series against the division-rival New York Mets on Friday, according to manager Rob Thomson. Realmuto still has some swelling and fluid in his bruised left knee. The Phillies hoped that Realmuto could test his knee by catching a bullpen session on Monday, but that will wait until at least Tuesday. The 33-year-old has so far been able to avoid the 10-day injured list, but he's missing a third straight game on Monday. If Realmuto isn't able to return during the upcoming weekend series against New York, there's a good chance the Phillies will put him on the IL and hope to have him fully healthy for the start of the playoffs in October. Garrett Stubbs will continue to serve as Philly's starting catcher until the swelling in Realmuto's left knee goes down.

Sep 10

Byron Buxton • CF • Twins

Byron Buxton Making Progress

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) said even after his exit from a minor-league rehab game with Triple-A St. Paul last Wednesday, he has been running fine for the last few days and was able to get out and work on defense as well. Buxton is taking things day by day for now but is trying to get the pain in his hip to the point where he can play through it. The 30-year-old is trying to return from a right-hip injury that has kept him out since Aug. 12. At this point of the year with only a few weeks left in the regular season, the Twins priority is probably just to get Buxton healthy in time for a potential playoff run in October. The former first-rounder has played in over 100 games just once in a season since he debuted in 2015 due to various injuries and isn't guaranteed to return before the end of the regular season. Willi Castro has been filling in at center field of late but missed Monday's game due to illness.

Sep 10

Willi Castro • 2B • Twins

Willi Castro Leaves Early On Monday With Illness

Minnesota Twins infielder/outfielder Willi Castro (illness) left Monday night's game early against the Los Angeles Angels at Target Field due to an undisclosed illness. Michael Helman replaced Castro in center field before he even saw his first at-bat of the game in the seven-hole. Fantasy managers can probably consider Castro day-to-day this week and should check back in to see if he's feeling good enough to return on Tuesday for the second game of the series. The 27-year-old utility man should continue seeing regular starts in center field until Byron Buxton (hip) returns from the injured list. The switch-hitting Castro made his first All-Star appearance this summer and has provided a career-high 11 home runs while also driving in 52 and stealing 13 bases in 141 games for the Twins in 2024. Castro could use a day off, as he has just one hit in 21 at-bats with two walks and eight K's in seven games in September.

Sep 10

Yoán Moncada • 3B • White Sox

Yoan Moncada To Remain In Triple-A

Chicago White Sox third baseman Yoan Moncada (groin) is expected to remain in Triple-A for now, according to general manager Chris Getz. Moncada has been out since April due to a lingering groin strain. He's 9-for-26 with a home run in eight games with Triple-A Charlotte. For now, the White Sox want Moncada to continue rehabbing until his body feels good enough to return. Honestly, Moncada is set to be a free agent after the season, so the White Sox are likely just waiting out the end of his contract. Miguel Vargas figures to continue seeing everyday time at third base down the stretch of the season. Although, Vargas has struggled to the tune of a .114 batting average since being traded to the South Side. Despite that, the team appears more invested in Vargas getting at-bats than a pending free agent.

Sep 9

Freddy Fermin • C • Royals

Freddy Fermin Resting On Monday

Kansas City Royals catcher Freddy Fermin is out of the starting lineup ahead of Monday's game against the New York Yankees. This appears to be a routine rest day for Fermin after he caught both games over the weekend. Fermin has been nice surprise to the Royals lineup this season. He's hitting .290 with six home runs and 36 RBI in 99 games this season. In his absence, Salvador Perez will do the catching while Yuli Gurriel covers first base versus left-hander Carlos Rodon. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups ahead of first pitch.

Sep 9

Joey Bart • C • Pirates

Joey Bart Absent On Monday

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Joey Bart is out of the starting lineup ahead of Monday's game against the Miami Marlins. The team will give Bart a rest day after he started in each of the last two games. This appears to be a routine rest day, so Bart should be back in the lineup after this game. In his absence, Yasmani Grandal will cover behind the plate and bat seventh versus right-hander Valente Bellozo. The veteran catcher has been heating up at the plate lately with a hit in each of his last five games. He could be a low-cost DFS option ahead of Monday's slate.

Sep 9

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