MLB News

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

Jacob deGrom • SP • Rangers

Jacob deGrom To Make Another Rehab Start On Saturday

Texas Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom (elbow) will make another minor-league rehab start for Double-A Frisco on Saturday. deGrom said earlier this week that the club was deciding whether his next start would be in the big leagues or down on the farm again, and the Rangers have decided to give the former two-time Cy Young winner one more rehab start before allowing him to rejoin the big-league rotation for the first time all year. So far in his three rehab starts for Frisco and Triple-A Round Rock, deGrom has allowed just an earned run on three hits while walking one and striking out 10, but in just 6 2/3 innings total. The 36-year-old will likely be stretched out a little more on Saturday, but he'll only have a few starts to close out the year for Texas and will be a pretty risky fantasy streamer as he makes his return from Tommy John surgery.

Sep 6

Reese Olson • SP • Tigers

Reese Olson Throws Two Shutout Innings In Rehab Start

Detroit Tigers right-hander Reese Olson (shoulder) made his first minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Toledo on Thursday and tossed two shutout innings, allowing one hit, walking one and striking out one while throwing 24 of his 39 total pitches for strikes. It was a nice first rehab outing for Olson. Because the 25-year-old has been sidelined due to a shoulder injury since late July, he's going to need a couple more rehab appearances before potentially rejoining Detroit's starting rotation for the tail end of the season in late September. His strikeout rate of 21.7% this year is slightly down from his rookie campaign, but overall, it's been a solid second year for Olson, who has gone 4-8 with a 3.23 ERA (3.15 FIP), a 1.18 WHIP and a 92:31 K:BB in 19 starts in his second big-league season. The next step for Olson will be to recapture the dominance he had exhibited in the minors.

Sep 6

Dakota Hudson • SP • Rockies

Dakota Hudson Moved To 60-Day Injured List

The Colorado Rockies moved right-hander Dakota Hudson (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Thursday while selecting the contract of right-hander Jaden Hill from Triple-A Albuquerque in a corresponding move. The Rockies also optioned left-hander Evan Justice to Albuquerque. With the move, the rest of Hudson's 2024 season is officially over. In his first year in Colorado after beginning his career with six years in St. Louis, Hudson struggled to a 2-12 record with a career-worst 6.17 ERA (5.55 FIP), a 1.67 WHIP and a 49:50 K:BB in 89 innings over just 18 starts for the Rockies. The 29-year-old really has not been the same pitcher since missing most of the 2021 season due to Tommy John surgery. In the last three years, he's had a 5.08 ERA and 1.53 WHIP with a 12.7% strikeout rate and 10.7% walk rate.

Sep 6

Edwin Arroyo • SS • Reds

Edwin Arroyo To Play In Arizona Fall League

Cincinnati Reds shortstop prospect Edwin Arroyo (shoulder), who had season-ending surgery to fix a torn labrum in his left shoulder in spring training, is starting a game progression at the team's complex in Goodyear, Ariz., and is also scheduled to play in the Arizona Fall League. Arroyo injured his left shoulder in a March 13 Cactus League game against the San Francisco Giants when he dove back to first base on a pickoff throw. The 21-year-old is listed by MLB Pipeline as the team's No. 3 prospect. The Puerto Rican hit .252/.324/.433 with a .757 OPS, 13 home runs, 60 RBI and 29 stolen bases in 123 games with High-A Dayton and Double-A Chattanooga last year. Arroyo makes hard contact to all fields as a switch-hitter and could develop average power at a premium position. Speed will probably be his biggest asset in fantasy down the road. Don't expect him to make his MLB debut next year after losing all of this season.

Sep 6

Tejay Antone • SP • Reds

Tejay Antone Making Progress In His Rehab

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Tejay Antone (elbow) has been working out near his home in Texas by lifting weights and undergoing physical therapy after having Tommy John surgery on his right elbow and arm surgery to fix tears in his UCL and flexor mass tendon on April 12. Antone has been feeling good and is not in pain and is scheduled to undergo an MRI exam and ultrasound exams in October to gauge his progress. If everything looks good, he could be cleared to start throwing with weighted plyometric balls. This is the second Tommy John surgery of the 30-year-old's career. He did not pitch at all in 2022 and has thrown a combined 7 2/3 frames in the big leagues with the Reds the last two seasons due to injuries. If healthy in 2025, Antone could provide valuable bullpen depth for Cincy after posting a 2.47 career ERA with three saves and 96 strikeouts in 76 2/3 innings.

Sep 6

Austin Wynns • C • Reds

Austin Wynns To Start Rehab Assignment Soon

Cincinnati Reds catcher Austin Wynns (shoulder) has been throwing to the bases and is scheduled to begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Sept. 17. Wynns was suffered a right teres major tear in his shoulder while trying to make a throw to third base against the Kansas City Royals on July 28. The 33-year-old is not eligible to come off the 60-day injured list until Sept. 27, which is just two days before the end of the 2024 regular season, so he's highly unlikely to appear in the big leagues for the rest of the year. Wynns, a former 10th-round pick by the Baltimore Orioles in 2013 out of Fresno State, has appeared in only seven games with the Reds in 2024 in his sixth year in the big leagues and has gone 7-for-19 (.368) with four doubles, two RBI and five strikeouts.

Sep 6

Jeimer Candelario • 3B • Reds

Jeimer Candelario Still Limited To Rehab

Cincinnati Reds first baseman/designated hitter Jeimer Candelario (toe) is still experiencing discomfort in his fractured left big toe and has been limited to rehab only, according to manager David Bell. Candelario was initially injured when he was hit by a pitch on his toe back on Aug. 18 against the Kansas City Royals, and X-rays revealed the fracture on Aug. 19. With time running out in the 2024 regular season and the Reds out of playoff contention, it seems unlikely that Candelario will be able to return for fantasy managers before the end of September. His injury late in the season has opened up playing time for newcomer Ty France and Santiago Espinal in Cincy. The 30-year-old switch-hitter did reach the 20-homer mark for just the second time in his career in his first year with the Reds, but he's hit just .225 with a weak .279 on-base percentage and below-average .707 OPS.

Sep 6

Andrew Abbott • SP • Reds

Andrew Abbott Begins Throwing Program

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott (shoulder) was cleared to begin a throwing program on Wednesday, and the Reds are hoping that he'll be able to return before the end of the 2024 regular season at the end of September. Abbott was scratched from his Aug. 23 start and was placed on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to Aug. 20) with a left-shoulder strain. It's good news that the 25-year-old southpaw is on the mend, but he still has several boxes to check, and there are only several weeks left in the season with the Reds not in the mix for a playoff spot. If Abbott does return, it will probably only be for a start or two, at the most. The former second-rounder in 2021 out of Virginia had similar numbers in 2024 to his rookie campaign a year ago and is currently 10-10 with a 3.72 ERA (5.06 FIP), a 1.29 WHIP and a 114:52 K:BB over a career-high 138 innings over his 25 starts.

Sep 6

Jordan Lawlar • SS • Diamondbacks

Jordan Lawlar Could Return "Soon"

Arizona Diamondbacks top prospect Jordan Lawlar (hamstring) could return to Triple-A Reno "soon," according to manager Torey Lovullo. The No. 8 overall prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline, reinjured his left hamstring in July to games into his rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League. The initial timeline provided was for six to eight weeks. In addition to his hamstring injury, Lawlar, a first-rounder back in 2021, spent time on the injured list in the minors earlier this year due to a thumb injury. Because of his thumb ailment, Lawlar didn't make his 2024 debut until May 29. As a result of his thumb and hamstring injuries, the 22-year-old has played in just 13 games in 2024 and has essentially lost an entire season of development. Because of all the lost time, expect Lawlar to play winter ball this offseason. He's unlikely to be an option if Arizona advances deep into the playoffs again.

Sep 6

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. • LF • Diamondbacks

Diamondbacks Hope Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Can Return Soon

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (calf) suffered a left-calf strain on Sunday and was placed on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to Sept. 2), but both Gurriel and manager Torey Lovullo said the injury isn't considered serious, and there's hope that he can return after missing minimal time on the injured list. It's good news for a D-backs club that is in prime spot to earn one of the three wild-card spots in the National League as they look to get back to the World Series this fall. The 30-year-old Cuban slugger was a first-time All-Star in 2023 and will return to regular duties in left field in Arizona when he's activated from the IL. So far in 125 games in 2024 with the Snakes, Gurriel has a produced a .274/.316/.428 slash line with 17 homers, 70 RBI and a career-high seven stolen bases. The lefty hitting Pavin Smith is most likely to benefit from extra playing time until Gurriel returns.

Sep 6

Ketel Marte • 2B • Diamondbacks

Ketel Marte Could Return This Weekend

Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte (ankle) could "potentially" come off the 10-day injured list for the team's upcoming road series at Minute Maid Park against the Houston Astros that starts on Friday, according to manager Torey Lovullo. Marte is doing full baseball activities and has been ramping up his intensity in recent days. The 30-year-old was having an MVP-caliber season before a check swing on Aug. 18 aggravated a low-grade left-ankle sprain he initially suffered on Aug. 12. Once he returns, Marte could see some time as the designated hitter before going back to the keystone. Marte is having one of the best seasons of his career and will return to a .298/.370/.560 slash line with a .930 OPS, 30 homers, 81 RBI and six stolen bases. He needs just three more home runs to set a new career-high in that category.

Sep 6

Aroldis Chapman • RP • Pirates

Aroldis Chapman Notches Sixth Save

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman was called upon to record the final two outs of Thursday's game against the Washington Nationals. The Pirates were leading by five runs, but got into some trouble during the final frame. They brought in Chapman to put out the fire, which he did with ease. The southpaw recorded his sixth save of the season on Thursday. He appears to be the favorite to lock down saves in Pittsburgh with David Bednar being removed from that role. Fantasy managers looking for help with saves should check the waiver wire to see if Chapman is available.

Sep 6

Ranger Suárez • SP • Phillies

Ranger Suarez Tosses Five Scoreless Innings

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suarez has been one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 campaign. The 29-year-old was a solid middle-of-the-rotation option before this season, but he has shown he's capable of being an ace pitcher. On Thursday, Suarez threw five scoreless innings, allowing three hits, and striking out four in the win. The left-hander has struggled at times during the second half of the season, but this was a promising outing. He'll look to keep the good times rolling against the Tampa Bay Rays during his next time out.

Sep 6

Julio Rodríguez • CF • Mariners

Julio Rodriguez Goes Deep On Thursday

Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez was able to do some damage at the plate during Thursday's game against the Oakland Athletics. It has been a frustrating year for Rodriguez, but he appears to be turning a corner at the plate. On Thursday, Rodriguez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and scored twice in win over the A's. Rodriguez now has eight hits and five RBI over his last six games. It's still a disappointing season for the superstar outfielder, but at least Rodriguez can finish it on a strong note.

Sep 6

Brent Rooker • DH • Athletics

Brent Rooker Hits A Pair Of Homers

Oakland Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker continued his stellar campaign during Thursday's game against the Seattle Mariners. The 29-year-old took Bryan Woo deep in the fifth inning and then homered off Andres Munoz in the ninth inning to cap off a four RBI day for Rooker. He has been hitting everything at the plate as he extended his hitting streak to nine games on Thursday. Rooker is slashing .298/.372/.587 with 35 long balls and 97 RBI this season. Fantasy managers can continue to ride his bat into the postseason.

Sep 6

Blake Snell • SP • Giants

Blake Snell Pulled After One Inning

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Blake Snell gave a short outing on the mound during Thursday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Snell struggled heavily as he needed 42 pitches to get out of the first inning. He gave up two hits, allowed one earned run, and walked two batters during his short lived outing. The veteran southpaw didn't have his command, but will certainly get plenty of rest before his next start against the Milwaukee Brewers. Snell has been solid with five quality starts in his last five outings. These kinds of performances will frustrate fantasy managers, but they will need to stick with him.

Sep 6

MLB News

LEGEND