MLB News

Ketel Marte  • 2B  •  Diamondbacks

Diamondbacks Activate Ketel Marte From Injured List

The Arizona Diamondbacks activated All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte (ankle) from the 10-day injured list and optioned outfielder Jorge Barrosa to Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move. The Diamondbacks haven't posted their starting lineup yet for Friday's series opener at Minute Maid Park against the Houston Astros, but Marte should be back at either second base or as the designated hitter against Astros left-hander Framber Valdez. The 30-year-old has been sidelined since mid-August after aggravating a low-grade ankle sprain. The matchup on Friday makes Marte a fade in DFS in his first game back, but fantasy managers in redraft leagues need to get him back into their lineups immediately. The Dominican infielder is in the midst of a career year in 2024 and will return to a .298/.370/.560 slash line with a .930 OPS, 30 homers, 81 RBI and six stolen bases.
Sep 6   
Jesús Sánchez  • RF  •  Marlins

Jesus Sanchez Serving As The DH On Friday

Miami Marlins outfielder Jesus Sanchez (back) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting cleanup for the Fish on Friday against the Philadelphia Phillies and right-hander Zack Wheeler at LoanDepot Park for the second game of the series against the division rivals. Sanchez returns to the lineup after missing the last two ball games with mild back spasms. The matchup isn't the greatest for Sanchez in his return, but he is batting .400 with a .905 OPS and two RBI in 15 career at-bats against Wheeler. In addition to his strong numbers against Wheeler, the 26-year-old Dominican outfielder enters Friday's contest riding a modest five-game hitting streak in which he's gone 6-for-11 with two RBI, two stolen bases and a run scored. Sanchez has offered a modest power/speed combination for fantasy managers in 2024 and has provided 17 long balls and 12 stolen bases in 414 total at-bats.
Sep 6   
Alex Bregman  • 3B  •  Astros

Alex Bregman Taking A Seat Against Arizona

Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman is getting the day off for Friday's series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Minute Maid Park. Mauricio Dubon will take over at the hot corner and will bat ninth for the Astros against Diamondbacks right-hander Brandon Pfaadt. Bregman missed five games in August and another four games recently due to renewed soreness in the back of his right elbow, but his absence on Friday appears to just be maintenance related. The 30-year-old is going to be managing his elbow injury the rest of the way in 2024, so it's something to watch, but Bregman remains a must-start in fantasy when he's on the diamond. Since the start of August, Bregman has looked great despite is elbow issue, going 28-for-95 (.295) with seven homers, seven doubles and 10 RBI in 23 games played.
Sep 6   
Zach Dezenzo  • 3B  •  Astros

Zach Dezenzo Sent Back To Triple-A

The Houston Astros optioned infield prospect Zach Dezenzo back to Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday to make room on the active roster for the return of All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker (shin) in his return from the 60-day injured list. Dezenzo, the club's No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline, will head back to the minors for more development after looking overmatched at the plate in his first 17 major-league contests. In 55 plate appearances, he went 11-for-52 (.212) with a homer, two doubles, six RBI, three walks and 18 strikeouts. The 24-year-old stands at 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds understandably is intriguing for his raw power and has the ability to hit 30-plus home runs over a full season. However, high strikeout rates in the minors as well mean he probably isn't going to be much of an average guy at the next level. Because of his size and lack of quickness, a move to third base eventually is expected.
Sep 6   
Kyle Tucker  • RF  •  Astros

Kyle Tucker Reinstated And Starting On Friday

The Houston Astros reinstated outfielder Kyle Tucker (shin) from the 60-day injured list on Friday and optioned infield prospect Zach Dezenzo to Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move. The Astros also designated left-hander Parker Mushinski for assignment. At long last, Tucker, who has been out since early June after fracturing his shin, is back in the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks and right-hander Brandon Pfaadt at Minute Maid Park. Tucker is the designated hitter and is batting cleanup on Friday. Fantasy managers will want to get the 27-year-old left-handed slugger back into starting lineups immediately, as he could be a difference-maker down the stretch in the fantasy playoffs. The three-time All-Star had 19 homers, 40 RBI and 10 steals while hitting .266/.395/.584 with a career-best .979 OPS in 60 games before his injury in June.
Sep 6   
Jose Siri  • CF  •  Rays  |  Brandon Lowe  • 2B  •  Rays

Christopher Morel, Brandon Lowe, Jose Siri Sitting On Friday

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman/outfielder Christopher Morel, second baseman Brandon Lowe and outfielder Jose Siri are all heading to the bench on Friday versus the division-rival Baltimore Orioles and right-hander Dean Kremer at Camden Yards. Dylan Carlson is starting in left field and batting cleanup, Jose Caballero is at second base and batting seventh, and Jonny DeLuca is in center field and is in the six-hole against Kremer, who is making his first start off the injured list. Morel has struggled in his short time with Tampa since being acquired from the Cubs at the trade deadline, hitting .191 (22-for-115) with three homers, five RBI and 42 strikeouts in 31 games. Carlson has hit just .208 (16-for-77) in 25 games since joining the Rays at the trade deadline, but all three of his homers have come in Tampa. He'll be a deep DFS sleeper in the cleanup spot for the Rays on Friday.
Sep 6   
Whit Merrifield  • 2B  •  Braves

Whit Merrifield Playing Against His Former Team

Atlanta Braves utility man Whit Merrifield (head) is back in the starting lineup at second base and will bat in the two-hole on Friday at Truist Park against one of his former teams, the Toronto Blue Jays, and right-hander Kevin Gausman. Merrifield avoided a concussion when he was hit in the noggin by a pitch on Tuesday, but he sat out the team's last two games as a precaution. The 35-year-old veteran is now back in the fold in a favorably lineup spot but in a tough matchup against Gausman, although he has recorded a hit in both of his career at-bats against him. Merrifield has been much better in his 33 games for the Braves this year than he was earlier this season with the Phillies, as he's gone 27-for-109 (.248) with a homer, three RBI and five steals. He should continue to see decent playing time in Atlanta until Ozzie Albies (wrist) makes his return from the injured list.
Sep 6   
Luis Robert Jr.  • CF  •  White Sox

Luis Robert Jr. Returns To Lineup On Friday

Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (hamstring) is starting in center field and is batting second on Friday against the Boston Red Sox and right-hander Nick Pivetta at Fenway Park. Robert is back in action following an off day on Thursday after he was removed from Wednesday's contest early with tightness in his right hamstring. The 27-year-old has always provided intriguing power/speed upside, but he's given fantasy managers very little else on the worst team in baseball in 2024. The Cuban outfielder has provided 14 homers and 21 stolen bases in 319 at-bats, but it's also come with a .219 average, .274 on-base percentage and just 34 RBI. In 11 career at-bats against Pivetta, Robert has hit .182 with an RBI. Since the All-Star break, Robert has hit .203/.232/.304 with a .536 OPS, just three home runs, 11 RBI, five walks and 61 strikeouts in 39 games.
Sep 6   
Joey Bart  • C  •  Pirates

Joey Bart Returns To Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates reinstated catcher Joey Bart (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list on Friday and designated outfielder Billy McKinney for assignment in a corresponding move. The Pirates have yet to release their starting lineup for Friday's contest at PNC Park against the visiting Washington Nationals and rookie left-hander DJ Herz, but Bart is likely to be in it, either behind the plate or at designated hitter. The 27-year-old former San Francisco Giants catcher returns quickly from a mild left-hamstring strain and should split playing time behind the dish in Pittsburgh the rest of the way with veteran Yasmani Grandal. Bart has been much more valuable in fantasy than Grandal and has enjoyed a change of scenery in the Steel City, hitting .272 (53-for-195) with a career-high 12 home runs and 39 RBI in 63 games since joining the Bucs.
Sep 6   
Alec Bohm  • 3B  •  Phillies

Alec Bohm Lands On 10-Day Injured List

The Philadelphia Phillies placed third baseman Alec Bohm (hand) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to Sept. 3) with a left-hand strain on Friday and recalled infielder Buddy Kennedy from Triple-A Lehigh Valley in a corresponding move. Bohm injured his left hand on a swing late last week and hasn't played since, but the Phillies were initially hoping he'd avoid a stint on the IL and could return to action this weekend in Miami. The 28-year-old All-Star has missed the last six games and will now miss more time. He will be eligible to rejoin the Phillies on Sept. 13. With Bohm sidelined, expect some kind of platoon at third with Edmundo Sosa and Kody Clemens. The Phillies will surely miss Bohm's bat for however long he's out, as he has slashed .290/.343/.462 with an .804 OPS, 13 home runs, 89 RBI and five stolen bases in his 507 at-bats in 2024. Keep him stashed in an IL spot.
Sep 6   
Tyler Soderstrom  • 1B  •  Athletics

Tyler Soderstrom Goes Deep In First Rehab Game

Oakland Athletics first baseman Tyler Soderstrom (wrist) played in his first minor-league rehab game on Thursday with Triple-A Las Vegas as the designated hitter and went 1-for-3 with a home run, two RBI, a run scored and a strikeout. Soderstrom's homer was a two-run shot and came on his final plate appearance of the contest in the sixth inning. Expect the A's to give him at least a few more rehab games and a chance to play first base with Vegas before they activate him from the injured list to close out the 2024 season in the big leagues in the last few weeks of the year. The 22-year-old hasn't played with the A's since July 9 due to a wrist injury, but the left-handed slugger should see regular playing time once he's back in Oakland. Soderstrom has improved slightly from his 45-game debut in 2023, batting .219 (32-for-146) this year with seven home runs and 20 RBI in 49 games played.
Sep 6   
Austin Wells  • C  •  Yankees

Austin Wells Back In Yankees Lineup

New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells (hand) is back behind the plate and is batting cleanup for Friday's series opener at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs and left-hander Jordan Wicks. Wells was hit on the right hand by a pitch on Monday and avoided any structural damage, but he was forced to sit out the next two games as a result. The 25-year-old backstop is feeling better after Thursday's off day, though, and will return to the heart of the Bombers' order in a friendly matchup at the friendly confines. Wells will be looking to get back on track after a scorching month at the plate in August, but he's gone hitless in his last nine at-bats with three strikeouts since the calendar flipped to September. It's not the best matchup for Wells, as he's hit just .196 (10-for-51) with none of his 12 home runs on the year against lefties.
Sep 6   
Andrew Painter  • SP  •  Phillies

Andrew Painter Throws To Hitters

Philadelphia Phillies pitching prospect Andrew Painter (elbow) threw to live hitters for the first time on Wednesday against minor-leagues for the first time since having Tommy John surgery on July 24 of 2023. Painter sat at 97-98 mph with his fastball and hit 99 mph while throwing 15 pitches, according to the team. "They said it went very well," said manager Rob Thomson. "It was 15 pitches. If all goes well, he'll throw that 15 pitch-BP every three days, for the time being." Painter is scheduled to throw another live bullpen session on Saturday. The No. 2 prospect in the system, per MLB Pipeline, hasn't pitched in a game since March 1 of last year in spring training. The Phillies have said they aren't going to rush him, and the expectation is that Painter will not pitch in a big-league game until 2025. But when Painter does return, he has a legitimate chance to win a spot in the team's starting rotation.
Sep 6   
Reynaldo López  • SP  •  Braves

Reynaldo Lopez Fans Season-High 11

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez was fantastic in defeat on Thursday, striking out 11 over six two-run frames in a tough 3-1 loss to the Colorado Rockies. Lopez allowed just five hits and didn't walk a batter in this one. The 30-year-old is having the best season of his career, pitching to a 2.04 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 136 strikeouts over 127 IP. His consistency has been spectacular, as he has allowed over three runs in a start just once all season, and in that start he allowed four. Fantasy managers should start Lopez without worry for the few starts he has left, but before that they should thank their lucky stars they got him off waivers.
Sep 6   
Tyler Holton  • RP  •  Tigers

Tyler Holton Earns Seventh Save Thursday

Detroit Tigers reliever Tyler Holton shut down the San Diego Padres on Thursday to earn his seventh save in a 4-3 win. Holton was tasked with closing out a one-run game and did so relatively easily, allowing just a hit in his inning of work. It's been an interesting situation in the Tigers bullpen lately, as the team has been hot and provided plenty of save chances. Since August 26, Holton has three saves while Jason Foley also has three. Both pitchers have been excellent since the start of August, and it is unlikely that either will dominate save opportunities for the rest of the season. That said, Foley is probably the best bet to lead the team in saves.
Sep 6   
Merrill Kelly  • SP  •  Diamondbacks

Merrill Kelly Rights The Ship Against Giants

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly looked like his old self on Thursday, going seven strong innings in a 3-2 loss to the San Francisco Giants. Kelly allowed just two runs on six hits and struck out eight while walking none. It is great to see a dominant performance like this from the veteran, as he has struggled since coming back in early August from a four-month IL stint. Kelly lines up to face Texas next week in Arizona, a middle-of-the-road matchup that will make him a tough call in standard sized leagues, but this outing makes that choice a little easier.
Sep 6   
Hunter Brown  • SP  •  Astros

Hunter Brown Throws Six Shutout Frames Against Reds

Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown continued his run of consistency on Thursday, tossing six shutout frames in a 1-0 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. Brown allowed just four hits and a walk while punching out six in this one. The 26-year-old has figured things out since the start of May, with 15 of his 21 starts being quality starts since then. Other than a couple of blowups, he has been a consistent presence that fantasy managers can bank on to go six innings with about a strikeout per inning and decent ratios. He's not elite by any means, but he's certainly a solid arm to round out a rotation.
Sep 6   
Austin Gomber  • SP  •  Rockies

Austin Gomber Sensational Against Braves

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Austin Gomber had a terrific start on Thursday, tossing eight innings of one-run ball against the Atlanta Braves in a 3-1 win. Gomber allowed just five hits and had six strikeouts to zero walks. The 30-year-old has been fairly reliable lately, going at least six innings in each of his last five starts while earning a quality start in all but one of those outings. His numbers on the season aren't terrible either, especially for pitching in Coors Field. Still, he doesn't strike out a lot of batters and pitches for a dreadful team in a dreadful park for pitchers, so he doesn't warrant any long-term consideration in fantasy.
Sep 6   
Luke Raley  • LF  •  Mariners

Luke Raley Tallies Three Extra-Base Hits

Seattle Mariners outfielder Luke Raley had his power stroke working on Thursday, going 3-for-5 with two doubles and a homer in a 6-4 win over the Oakland Athletics. Raley added two RBI and a run scored to round out his line. The 29-year-old hasn't been quite as good as he was last year for Tampa Bay, but since the start of August he has looked terrific, smashing seven homers and batting .283 with an OPS over 1.000. He can be a solid streaming option in fantasy and even a starter in deeper leagues when he's on.
Sep 6   
Parker Meadows  • CF  •  Tigers

Parker Meadows Nails Game-Winning Grand Slam

Detroit Tigers outfielder Parker Meadows had a memorable Thursday night, belting a two-out grand slam to send the Tigers to a 4-3 win over the San Diego Padres. Meadows ended the game 2-for-4 with a run and four RBI. After his team was stifled by the Padres pitching all night, Meadows finally got to closer Robert Suarez on the final out of the game. Since his return from injury on Aug. 3, Meadows has been a solid contributor in all five categories. He is a decent deep-league option for the fantasy playoffs and could be a sleeper for next season.
Sep 6   
LEGEND
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