MLB News

Kyle Tucker  • RF  •  Astros

Kyle Tucker Out On Saturday

Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker is not in Saturday's lineup as the Astros continue a three-game set against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Tucker returned from the 60-day IL on Friday but will take a day off on Saturday as he continues to be built back up. The Astros will likely be cautious with Tucker as the team would prefer for their star outfielder to be a full-go for the playoffs in October. As a result, Chas McCormick will cover right field and bat in the nine-hole. Tucker should be expected to return to the starting nine on Sunday night. McCormick has tallied four hits in his past four games and could be worth a look in DFS as he will face Arizona southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez, who enters Saturday with a hefty 5.33 ERA.
Sep 7   
Paul Blackburn  • SP  •  Mets

Paul Blackburn Set To Return From Injured List On Monday

New York Mets starting pitcher Paul Blackburn (hand) is set to return from the 15-day injured list on Monday to face the Toronto Blue Jays. Blackburn hit the injured list on August 30 after suffering a right-hand contusion. Blackburn looked sharp in his lone rehab outing on September 3, where he logged six 2/3 innings of one-run ball while striking out four. Seeing how quickly the 30-year-old is set to return, fantasy managers should not expect him to face any serious innings limit on Monday. Blackburn could be worth keeping on your roster in deeper leagues, as he should remain in the Mets rotation during the final weeks of the season. This summer, Blackburn sits with a mediocre 4.66 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and a 21:59 BB:K ratio through 75 innings of work.
Sep 7   
Clarke Schmidt  • SP  •  Yankees

Clarke Schmidt Activated From Injured List, Starting On Saturday

New York Yankees starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt (lat) was activated off the 60-day injured list earlier on Saturday and will return to the bump to face the Chicago Cubs. Schmidt has not made a start since May before being shut down for over three months. The 28-year-old logged eleven 1/3 innings of rehab appearances and reached 70 pitches in his final start, suggesting he may not face a significant innings limit on Saturday afternoon. Before the injury, the right-hander held a strong 2.52 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and a 20:67 BB:K ratio across 60 2/3 innings of work. Schmidt could be worth a look in DFS this afternoon, as the Cubs hold a 23.3% K rate against right-handers.
Sep 7   
Miguel Amaya  • C  •  Cubs  |  Isaac Paredes  • 3B  •  Cubs

Isaac Paredes, Miguel Amaya Sitting On Saturday

Chicago Cubs third baseman Isaac Paredes and catcher Miguel Amaya are not in the starting nine on Saturday afternoon as the Cubs continue a three-game set against the New York Yankees. The third baseman is in the midst of a rough 2-for-17 slide since the start of the month, while Amaya has tallied just one hit since September 1. As a result, Patrick Wisdom will cover the hot corner and bat in the eight-hole, and Christian Bethancourt will be behind the dish batting ninth. Fantasy managers should expect Paredes and Amaya to return to the starting nine tomorrow as they are scheduled to face Yankee ace, Gerrit Cole. Both Wisdom and Bethancourt could be sneaky plays in DFS this afternoon as they will face Clarke Schmidt who will be making his return to the mound after not pitching since May due to a strained lat.
Sep 7   
Rowdy Tellez  • 1B  •  Pirates

Rowdy Tellez Riding Pine In Game 1 Of Doubleheader

Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Rowdy Tellez finds himself on the bench for Game 1 of a doubleheader on Saturday at PNC Park against the Washington Nationals with a left-hander on the mound. Connor Joe will make the start at first base and will bat seventh for Pittsburgh against Nationals rookie left-hander DJ Herz. Tellez has only 42 plate appearances against southpaws in 2024 and has gone 8-for-37 (.216) against them with two of his 12 homers on the year, so it's no surprise he's on the bench in this one, especially with two games on tap on Saturday in Pittsburgh. Joe, 32, represents a low-upside, deep-sleeper option for DFS lineups in the first game of the twin bill to kick off the action on Saturday. He has never faced Herz in his career and is hitting .245 (34-for-139) with three of his nine home runs on the year against left-handed pitching.
Sep 7   
Austin Adams  • RP  •  Athletics

Austin Adams Nearing Rehab Assignment

Oakland Athletics right-handed reliever Austin Adams (forearm) threw to hitters on Friday and felt good, according to manager Mark Kotsay. If Adams feels good in the coming days, he could begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas. And if he doesn't suffer a setback on what is likely to be a short rehab assignment, Adams could rejoin Oakland's bullpen by sometime next week. The 33-year-old veteran previously threw a bullpen session on Tuesday as he attempts to return from right-forearm tendinitis. When the A's feel he's ready, Adams will return to a late-inning, high-leverage setup role in Oakland's big-league bullpen in front of lights-out closer Mason Miller. Adams is currently 1-2 on the year with a 3.92 ERA (4.49 FIP), a 1.48 WHIP, 53 strikeouts and 23 walks in 41 1/3 innings out of the bullpen.
Sep 7   
Osvaldo Bido  • RP  •  Athletics  |  Brady Basso  • SP  •  Athletics

Osvaldo Bido Being Skipped In Favor Of Brady Basso

Oakland Athletics right-hander Osvaldo Bido will have his turn in the starting rotation skipped this weekend against the Detroit Tigers, with rookie left-hander Brady Basso taking the ball on Saturday instead, according to manager Mark Kotsay. The A's are opting to give the ball to Basso instead after Bido allowed four runs in 5 1/3 innings in his last start on Monday against the division-rival Seattle Mariners, but the 28-year-old could also be dealing with an undisclosed injury. The 26-year-old Basso was called up from Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday and will be making his first major-league start on Sunday against Detroit. In three relief appearances for the A's this year, the southpaw has allowed two earned runs on three hits while walking none and striking out three in 3 1/3 innings of work. We wouldn't recommend using Basso as a streamer in fantasy, even against Detroit.
Sep 7   
Victor Robles  • CF  •  Mariners

Victor Robles "Should Be Fine" After Leaving Early On Friday

Seattle Mariners outfielder Victor Robles (elbow) was pulled in the eighth inning on Friday night against the St. Louis Cardinals after being hit by a pitch on his left elbow pad in the fifth inning. However, Robles' exit was more precautionary, and he "should be fine" for the second game of the series on Saturday, according to interim manager Dan Wilson. Before leaving the eventual 6-1 win at Busch Stadium, Robles was 0-for-3 with a run scored and a strikeout out of the leadoff spot. He was replaced in right field by Mitch Haniger. The 27-year-old Dominican is likely to be back in the lineup on Saturday, but fantasy managers will want to double check first. Robles has been a new player since being traded to Seattle and has earned regular playing time by hitting .307 (54-for-176) with four homers, 19 RBI and 19 stolen bases in his 61 games played.
Sep 7   
Max Meyer  • SP  •  Marlins

Max Meyer Heading To The Injured List

According to sources, the Miami Marlins are placing right-hander Max Meyer (undisclosed) on the 15-day injured list on Saturday due to an undisclosed ailment. Meyer will no longer be available to make his scheduled start on Sunday at LoanDepot Park in the series finale against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies. If Meyer has a minimal stint on the IL, he'll only be able to provide fantasy managers with one or two more starts to close out the year. The 25-year-old former third overall pick by the Fish in 2020 out of Minnesota, Meyer has been very inconsistent in 11 starts (57 innings) in 2024 in his second year in the big leagues, going 3-5 with a 5.68 ERA (5.92 FIP), a 1.42 WHIP and a 46:19 K:BB. He missed all of the 2023 campaign after Tommy John surgery. Don't sleep on him in 2025, though, as he could be a viable back-end starter in mixed leagues another year removed from his elbow surgery.
Sep 7   
CJ Abrams  • SS  •  Nationals

CJ Abrams Back In Leadoff Spot For Game 1 On Saturday

Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams will return to the leadoff spot for the team in Game 1 of their doubleheader on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates and right-hander Luis L. Ortiz at PNC Park. Abrams got the day off in the series opener at PNC Park on Thursday before Friday's contest was postponed due to inclement weather. Fantasy managers in all formats may want to keep the 23-year-old on the bench on Saturday given the way he's struggled lately. Abrams has one hit in 10 at-bats in three games to begin the month and has gone 2-for-26 (.077) with a walk and six strikeouts in his last seven games since Aug. 26. He's still had a dynamic year in 2024 with 18 home runs, 62 RBI and 28 stolen bases, but there's no secret Abrams is scuffling right now. He has never faced Ortiz in his career as he looks to get out of his funk during a doubleheader on Saturday.
Sep 7   
James Karinchak  • RP  •  Guardians

James Karinchak Could Return In September

Cleveland Guardians hard-throwing right-handed reliever James Karinchak (shoulder) went on a minor-league rehab assignment to Triple-A Columbus after touching as high as 93 mph while pitching at the team's spring training facility in Goodyear, Ariz. Manager Steven Vogt said there's a chance that Karinchak could pitch in the big leagues before the regular season ends. He reported to spring training in February with right-shoulder fatigue and has been working his way back ever since. If the 28-year-old isn't ready to pitch for the Guardians in September, it's unlikely that he'd be included on the postseason roster in October after missing the entire season. And if Karinchak returns in September, expected him to be eased into low-leverage spots. When healthy, Karinchak has the ability to be one of the most dominant high-leverage arms in baseball.
Sep 7   
Alex Cobb  • SP  •  Guardians

Alex Cobb Scratched Due To Blister

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Alex Cobb (finger) has been scratched from his scheduled start on Saturday at Dodger Stadium against the Los Angeles Dodgers with a blister issue. Cobb had a small blister surface on the inside of the middle finger on his throwing hand when he faced the Pittsburgh Pirates last Sunday. Instead, right-hander Gavin Williams will face the Dodgers on Saturday, with right-hander Tanner Bibee moving into Williams' spot on Sunday. It's been one thing after another for Cobb this year, who landed on the injured list in the middle of August with a fractured nail. The 36-year-old veteran started the year with the Giants but didn't pitch at all for them before being traded to Cleveland. He's been solid in his three starts for the Guardians with a 2.76 ERA with 10 K's and three walks, but he wouldn't have been a recommended fantasy streamer in LA against a potent Dodgers lineup.
Sep 7   
Zack Wheeler  • SP  •  Phillies

Zack Wheeler Strikes Out Seven, Notches 14th Win

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler threw six innings of one-run ball in Friday's 16-2 victory over the Marlins, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out seven batters on the way to earning his 14th win of the season. It was the seventh straight quality start, giving him 22 on the season and the most quality starts in all of baseball. The former first-round draft pick is having a Cy Young-caliber season, posting a 2.59 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and a 21.0% K-BB% over 28 starts. The 34-year-old will take on the Rays in his next matchup at home on Wednesday.
Sep 7   
Framber Valdez  • SP  •  Astros

Framber Valdez Fans Seven, Picks Up 14th Win

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez had another strong outing in Friday's 8-0 victory over the Diamondbacks, tossing seven shutout innings, allowing two hits and three walks while striking out seven on the way to picking up his 14th win of the season. The southpaw had a 1.59 ERA, 0.65 WHIP, and a 24.0% K-BB% over five starts in August and looks to have carried that momentum right on into September with his 15th quality start of the year. The 30-year-old now has a 2.97 ERA (3.21 FIP), 1.09 WHIP, and a 16.5% K-BB% in 2024. The 2x All-Star gets a favorable matchup his next time out when he faces the Athletics at home next Thursday.
Sep 7   
Kyle Schwarber  • DH  •  Phillies

Kyle Schwarber Homers Again, Drives In Three

Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber went 2-for-5 with a home run, three RBI, and three runs scored in Friday's 16-2 rout over the Marlins. It was Schwarber's fifth home run in his last four games and 33rd of the season. From August 9 to September 1 (22 games), the 31-year-old limped to a .125/.228/.193 slashline, but over the last four games he's gone 10-for-19 (.526) with a pair of doubles, five home runs, 10 RBI, and eight runs scored. The 2x All-Star has authored a .249-33-92-96-5 line hitting atop the Phillies lineup with a .368 wOBA and 137 wRC+.
Sep 7   
Mark Vientos  • 3B  •  Mets

Mark Vientos Walks It Off With Second Home Run

New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos got the scoring going for the Mets in Friday's 6-4 win over the Reds with a two-run home run in the first inning, then finished it off with a two-run, walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th inning. It was part of a 3-for-5 day at the plate, giving him four multi-hit games in his last five and eight of his last 13. The former second-round draft pick has gone into full breakout mode in 2024 since he arrived for good in May, slashing .289/.342/.563 with 20 doubles, 24 home runs, and 62 RBI in just 91 games. Despite being a zero in the stolen base department, he's greatly increased his fantasy stock for 2025.
Sep 7   
Yordan Alvarez  • LF  •  Astros

Yordan Alvarez Homers Twice, Drives In Six

Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez blasted a pair of three-run home runs in a 2-for-4 effort during Friday's 8-0 win over the Diamondbacks, giving him six RBI on the day. The 27-year-old is up to 32 home runs on the season and has driven in 79, along with 89 runs scored, and six stolen bases. It was the 3x All-Star's third multi-homer game in his last nine games and he's coming off a month in which he recorded a .382/.481/.697 slashline. Alvarez is hitting .310 now on the season with a .406 wOBA and 170 wRC+, making him one of the top options for fantasy again in 2024.
Sep 7   
Manny Machado  • 3B  •  Padres

Manny Machado Belts Two Home Runs, Plates Three In Win

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado went 3-for-5 with a pair of home runs in Friday's 5-1 win over the Giants, tying the franchise record for most home runs with 163 for San Diego in his career. The home runs represented numbers 24 and 25 this year, and he also collected three RBI in the contest, scored twice, and stole a base. The 32-year-old has been hitting well lately, going 20-for-59 (.339) over the last two weeks (14 games) with five home runs and has now put together a .274-25-89-69-9 line with a .338 wOBA and 121 wRC+ for the season. Fantasy managers will hope he remains hot heading into the fantasy baseball playoffs.
Sep 7   
Teoscar Hernández  • RF  •  Dodgers

Teoscar Hernandez Likely To Go On Injured List

Updating a previous report, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that outfielder Teoscar Hernandez (foot) is "not doing great" after leaving Friday night's game at Dodger Stadium against the Cleveland Guardians when he was hit on the left foot by a pitch. X-rays on Hernandez's left foot came back negative, but Roberts said he thinks the outfielder will be going on the 10-day injured list. The 31-year-old was hit by a pitch in the first inning and was replaced by pinch-runner Chris Taylor, who also replaced him in left field. The main priority for the Dodgers at this point will be to get Hernandez healthy for a deep playoff run in October. Taylor should see an increase in playing time with Hernandez hurt, but the Dodgers could also use Kevin Kiermaier or rookie Andy Pages in left field. Hernandez is having an excellent first year in LA but may not be able to help fantasy managers much the rest of the way. UPDATE: Hernandez was in a walking boot when he left the stadium. Roberts said the concern level on Hernandez's injury is "high."
Sep 7   
Jackson Merrill  • CF  •  Padres

Jackson Merrill Injures His Knee On Friday

San Diego Padres rookie outfielder Jackson Merrill (knee) fouled a ball off his leg (just above his knee) in Friday night's win over the division-rival San Francisco Giants at Petco Park and was replaced in center field by Tyler Wade due to a left-patellar contusion, according to the team. Before hitting the showers early, Merrill went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in the 5-1 victory. The good news for the 21-year-old is that X-rays came back clear on his knee, so fantasy managers can consider him day-to-day heading into Game 2 of the series on Saturday. Don't be surprised if Merrill is out, though. The former 27th overall pick in 2021 has been a huge clutch piece of the Friars' offense in his first year in the big leagues in 2024 and entered Friday's game with a .292/.323/.498 slash line with an .821 OPS, 22 homers, 82 RBI and 16 stolen bases. Merrill is relevant in all fantasy formats and hopefully won't miss too much time.
Sep 7   
LEGEND
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