MLB News

Dean Kremer • SP • Orioles

Dean Kremer Set To Start On Friday

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Dean Kremer (forearm) is scheduled to take the mound against the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday. This comes less than a week after Kremer was hit in the forearm by a comebacker on the mound. Luckily, it appears Kremer is fine and he should be able to handle his normal workload on the mound. This season, Kremer holds a 4.51 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 99/44 K/BB ratio across 20 starts. He could have some low-end streaming appeal for fantasy managers looking for pitching help. He'll look to rebound after giving up four earned runs in his last outing.

Sep 6

Ronel Blanco • SP • Astros

Astros Skipping Ronel Blanco's Turn In The Rotation

The Houston Astros are skipping right-hander Ronel Blanco's spot in the starting rotation this weekend against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks with the intent of returning to a six-man rotation during a stretch of 16 games without an off day. Blanco has been Houston's most consistent starter this year in a season in which their rotation has been decimated by injuries, but he threw a career-high 52 innings during the regular season in 2023 and is already at 148 1/3 frames this year over his 26 starts. Eventually, it's expected that Blanco will shift to Houston's bullpen, either at the tail end of the regular season or for the start of the postseason. The 31-year-old has been great in 2024, though, throwing a no-hitter early in the year while going 10-6 with a 3.03 ERA, a 1.09 WHIP and 144 strikeouts in 148 1/3 innings in his first full year in the team's rotation.

Sep 5

Alec Bohm • 3B • Phillies

Alec Bohm Still Sidelined

Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm (hand) remains sidelined for Thursday's series finale at LoanDepot Park against the division-rival Miami Marlins. With Bohm out yet again, Kody Clemens will make another start at the hot corner for the Phils and will bat eighth against Marlins right-hander Adam Oller. Bohm is missing his sixth straight game due to left-hand inflammation, but as long as he's able to return during the four-game series that stretches into the weekend in Miami, the Phillies expect the 28-year-old All-Star third baseman to avoid the injured list. Although Bohm's power (13 home runs) hasn't been very impressive, he leads the league with 44 doubles and has added 89 RBI with a .290/.343/.462 slash line with an .804 OPS. When Bohm returns to the lineup, he'll continue being a must-start for fantasy managers down the stretch in Philly's potent lineup.

Sep 5

Bryce Harper • 1B • Phillies

Bryce Harper Back In Thursday's Lineup

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (elbow) is back at first base and batting third on Thursday in the series opener against the division-rival Miami Marlins and right-hander Adam Oller at LoanDepot Park. Harper was hit by a pitch on his left elbow in the series finale in his first bat on Wednesday against the Toronto Blue Jays and was forced from the game, but X-rays came back negative and Harper won't miss any time at all. The 31-year-old All-Star and former two-time MVP has been excellent in 2024 with 26 home runs, 76 RBI and a .282/.372/.521 slash line for fantasy managers in 123 games. The former first overall pick in 2010 has been even better in 13 games since Aug. 22, batting .362 (17-for-47) with seven doubles, although he hasn't homered and has drove in only three runs in that span. Either way, keep him in your starting lineups.

Sep 5

Austin Hays • LF • Phillies

Austin Hays Placed On 10-Day Injured List

The Philadelphia Phillies placed outfielder Austin Hays (kidney) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to Sept. 2) with a kidney infection on Thursday and recalled outfielder Cal Stevenson from Triple-A Lehigh Valley in a corresponding move. This explains why Hays had been losing playing time of late in Philly's outfield. Brandon Marsh is in left field on Thursday, with Johan Rojas in center field, but Weston Wilson should also see more playing time moving forward when the team faces a left-handed pitcher. Given the nature of Hays' injury, it wouldn't be a surprise if he's required to miss beyond 10 days, putting his availability for the rest of the regular season in question. The 29-year-old hasn't really moved the fantasy needle all year with the Phils and Orioles, slashing .254/.305/.388 with a below-average .693 OPS, four home runs and 19 RBI in 224 at-bats.

Sep 5

J.D. Martinez • DH • Mets

Mets Reinstate J.D. Martinez From Paternity List

The New York Mets reinstated designated hitter J.D. Martinez from the paternity list on Thursday and optioned outfielder DJ Stewart in a corresponding move. The Mets also claimed outfielder Jose Azocar off waivers from the San Diego Padres and assigned him to Triple-A Syracuse while moving pitcher Sean Reid-Foley (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list. The Mets don't play on Thursday, so Martinez won't be able to return to the starting lineup until Friday's series opener at Citi Field against the visiting Cincinnati Reds. The 37-year-old veteran was hitless in his last two games before going on paternity leave, but he's gone 8-for-26 (.308) with two homers, a double and four RBI in his previous seven games dating back to Aug. 25, so the Mets will be hoping he can pick up where he left off as the team continues their push for the final wild-card spot in the National League.

Sep 5

Seth Johnson • SP • Phillies

Phillies Plan To Start Seth Johnson On Sunday

The Philadelphia Phillies are planning to call up rookie right-hander Seth Johnson from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to make the start for Sunday's series finale against the division-rival Miami Marlins at LoanDepot Park. Johnson was a shortstop in junior college in 2018 before being drafted with the 40th overall pick by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2019 out of Campbell. He was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles in the trade that sent left-handed reliever Gregory Soto to the O's at the trade deadline. Due to Tommy John surgery in 2022, the 25-year-old right-hander made only 37 starts in pro ball before this season. The Phillies' No. 15 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has a 2.33 ERA with 83 strikeouts and 42 walks in 88 2/3 innings for Lehigh Valley and Double-A Bowie and Reading in 2024. Johnson makes for an intriguing deep-league streamer in a good matchup against Miami, but he's going to need to show better command.

Sep 5

Mason Montgomery • SP • Rays

Rays Promote Mason Montgomery To The Big Leagues

The Tampa Bay Rays selected the contract of left-handed pitching prospect Mason Montgomery from Triple-A Durham on Thursday and also recalled infielder Austin Shenton from Durham. In corresponding moves, the club designated catcher Alex Jackson for assignment and optioned left-hander Tyler Alexander to Durham. Montgomery began the 2024 season in the minors as a starter, but since being shifted to the bullpen recently at Durham, the 24-year-old southpaw has been much better, tossing 9 2/3 scoreless frames out of the bullpen with 20 strikeouts and only five walks. The former sixth-round pick in 2021 out of Texas Tech went 1-7 overall for Durham with a 6.26 ERA, a 1.61 WHIP and a 105:36 K:BB in 31 outings (14 starts). He'll most likely start in a relief role but could be an interesting arm in holds leagues in 2025 if he works his way into a high-leverage role in Tampa's 'pen.

Sep 5

Hunter Renfroe • RF • Royals

Hunter Renfroe Returns From Injured List

The Kansas City Royals reinstated outfielder Hunter Renfroe (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list on Thursday and optioned right-hander Steven Cruz to Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move. The team also designated right-hander Dan Altavilla (oblique) for assignment. Renfroe, who is hitting just .237/.312/.398 with a .710 OPS, 12 home runs and 47 RBI in 334 at-bats for the Royals this year, will be a platoon bat for the Royals against left-handed pitchers, at best, upon his return after the addition of right-handed-hitting outfielder Tommy Pham. With Vinnie Pasquantino (thumb) expected to miss the rest of the regular season, some of Renfroe's playing time could come at first base down the stretch. He has been out since late August with a strained right hamstring. He went 8-for-21 (.381) with a homer and three RBI in six games before landing on the IL, so KC will be hoping he can pick up where he left off.

Sep 5

Nick Martini • RF • Reds |

Ian Gibaut • RP • Reds

Nick Martini, Ian Gibaut To Start Rehab Assignments Soon

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that both outfielder Nick Martini (thumb) and reliever Ian Gibaut (calf, forearm) have minor-league rehab assignments scheduled. Martini is hoping to start his rehab assignment on Sept. 17 with Triple-A Louisville as he recovers from thumb surgery on his left thumb that he had in early July. With only a few weeks left in the 2024 regular season, though, it wouldn't be a surprise if we didn't see either Martini or Gibaut back for the Reds before the end of September. Gibaut, meanwhile, is scheduled to start his rehab assignment on Sept. 15 with Louisville. The 30-year-old veteran hasn't pitched at all in 2024 after having forearm surgery, and he recently had a setback when he suffered a calf strain. Because of all the time he's missed this year, Gibaut is going to need at least several outings in the minors leagues. Fantasy managers can ignore both.

Sep 5

Graham Ashcraft • SP • Reds

Graham Ashcraft To Throw Off A Mound Soon

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that right-hander Graham Ashcraft (elbow) will throw off the mound on Sept. 17 and also has a live batting practice session scheduled for early October. Ashcraft resumed throwing in late August but is not going to return from the 60-day injured list before the end of the 2024 regular season after missing more than two months with a strained right elbow. The 26-year-old will have plenty of time to recover during the offseason, though, and should be fully ready for the start of spring training next February. The hard-throwing right-hander wasn't really impressing anyone this year before his elbow injury, going 5-5 with a 5.24 ERA (4.84 FIP), a 1.50 WHIP and a 57:27 K:BB in 77 1/3 innings over his 15 starts. For how hard Ashcraft throws, it remains disappointing that he has a 16.6% strikeout rate in his three major-league seasons.

Sep 5

J.P. Crawford • SS • Mariners |

Randy Arozarena • LF • Mariners

Randy Arozarena, J.P. Crawford Sitting On Thursday

Seattle Mariners outfielder Randy Arozarena and shortstop J.P. Crawford are both taking the day off on Thursday in the series finale against the division-rival Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum. Victor Robles will start in left field and bat leadoff, while Leo Rivas will make the start at the 6 and bat ninth against A's right-hander Joey Estes. This will be just Arozarena's second day off with Seattle since they acquired him at the end of July from the Rays. He's been a bit better in Seattle than he was in Tampa earlier this year, batting .238 (29-for-122) with three homers and 12 RBI in his 34 games played. Crawford, meanwhile, has a hit in each of his last two games but has gone 2-for-24 with five strikeouts in seven games since returning from an IL stint on Aug. 28. Robles has been a new hitter since joining the M's and will be a nice sleeper target in DFS in the leadoff spot on Thursday.

Sep 5

Christian Encarnacion-Strand • 1B • Reds

Christian Encarnacion-Strand Resumes Baseball Activities

Cincinnati Reds corner infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand (wrist), who is out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery back in the middle of July to fix ligaments in his fractured right wrist, has resumed baseball activities, according to manager David Bell. Encarnacion-Strand will have all offseason to rehab his injured wrist and should have plenty of time to get back to 100 percent before the start of spring training next February. It was a disappointing season for anyone that drafted the 24-year-old power-hitting right-hander in 2024, and not just because of his serious injury. The former fourth-rounder by the Minnesota Twins in 2021 out of Oklahoma State hit just .190 (22-for-116) with two home runs, 16 RBI and 13 runs scored in 29 games before getting hurt. Barring a setback with his wrist, CES should be a starter for Cincy in 2025.

Sep 5

Matt McLain • SS • Reds

Matt McLain Pain-Free, To Resume Baseball Activities

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that infielder Matt McLain (rib, shoulder) is pain-free now and will resume baseball activities to see how he progresses. McLain has been out all season, first because of surgery on his left shoulder and most recently a stress reaction in his rib cage. The Reds and McLain are still holding out hope that he can return in the final couple of weeks of the 2024 season, which would be nice, but the point of him being fantasy relevant in 2024 has come and gone. It's been a frustrating year for the 25-year-old middle infielder and any fantasy managers that invested in him back in the spring after he had an impressive .290/.357/.507 slash line with 16 home runs, 50 RBI and 14 steals in 89 games in his rookie campaign in 2023. If McLain can get back to full health in the offseason, he should be a big part of Cincy's plans in 2025.

Sep 5

Hunter Greene • SP • Reds

Hunter Greene To Throw Bullpens Thursday And Sunday

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene (elbow) is slated to throw bullpen sessions on Thursday and Sunday, according to manager David Bell. It's the first time that Greene has thrown off a mound since landing on the injured list in the middle of August due to right-elbow inflammation, so it's a big step in his recovery. The 25-year-old will eventually need to progress to facing live hitters and will probably need a minor-league rehab assignment, too, so fantasy managers probably can't expect him back in the big leagues for another couple weeks. There are only a few weeks left in the 2024 regular season as well, so there's no guarantee that Greene is going to make much of a difference in fantasy down the stretch. The former second overall pick in 2017 has had a successful 2024 season overall, though, going 9-4 with a 2.83 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP and 162 strikeouts over 143 1/3 innings in his 24 starts.

Sep 5

Max Kepler • RF • Twins

Twins Put Max Kepler On 10-Day Injured List

The Minnesota Twins placed outfielder Max Kepler (knee) on the 10-day injured list on Thursday with left-patellar tendinitis and recalled rookie outfielder DaShawn Keirsey Jr. from the minors in a corresponding move. Pitcher Kody Funderbunk (oblique) was moved to the 60-day IL to add Keirsey to the 40-man roster. Kepler had been dealing with a knee injury for a while and had only played in three of the team's last 11 games, so a move to put him on the IL made sense. The 31-year-old left-handed hitter has been a disappointment in 2024, but the Twins will likely just be looking to get him healthy for a potential playoff run now. Keirsey, who will be making his MLB debut, will likely just be a bench player in Minnesota for the time being, with most of the extra playing time in right field going to Matt Wallner. Wallner, also a lefty hitter, has batted .261 (42-for-161) on the year with 10 homers and 28 RBI.

Sep 5

Byron Buxton • CF • Twins

Byron Buxton Feels More Soreness, Won't Rejoin The Team In KC

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) felt some more right-hip soreness before he was ejected from a minor-league rehab game with Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday and will not rejoin the team for their series in Kansas City against the division-rival Royals this weekend. Buxton is set to be re-evaluated. The oft-injured outfielder was expected to come off the 10-day injured to rejoin the team on Friday, but that won't be happening now, and it's unclear when Buxton might be able to rejoin the big-league roster. The 30-year-old has been on the shelf since the middle of August, and depending on what the Twins find, there's a chance that Buxton could have to be shut down for the rest of the 2024 season. Until Buxton is able to return from his hip ailment, expect the Twins to continue to use a combination of Willi Castro and Austin Martin in center field.

Sep 5

Jake Meyers • CF • Astros

Jake Meyers Back From Paternity List

The Houston Astros reinstated outfielder Jake Meyers from the paternity list on Thursday and also recalled reliever Nick Hernandez from Triple-A Sugar Land. In corresponding moves, the team optioned catcher Cesar Salazar and right-hander Forrest Whitley to Sugar Land. Meyers is back with the team after missing the last three games to be with his family as he welcomed a child into the world. He isn't back in the starting lineup for Thursday's series finale in Cincinnati against the Reds, though, with Chas McCormick starting in center field and batting eighth against Reds rookie right-hander Rhett Lowder. Meyers should return to at least a platoon role in center field in Houston now that he's back. The 28-year-old has a .226/.290/.373 slash line on the year with a below-average .664 OPS, 12 homers, 55 RBI and nine stolen bases in 407 at-bats.

Sep 5

Kyle Tucker • RF • Astros

Astros Hope Kyle Tucker Will Make His Return On Friday

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said the hope is that outfielder Kyle Tucker (shin) can be activated from the 60-day injured list on Friday before the series opener at Minute Maid Park against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Astros are gauging how Tucker recovers from his pregame work that he's been doing the last few days. Tucker fractured his shin when he fouled a ball off of it in early June and has been sidelined ever since. It's been frustrating for fantasy managers, since it wasn't revealed until recently that the 27-year-old had actually been dealing with a fracture and not just a shin contusion. In any event, Tucker's return is imminent, and fantasy managers will want to get him back into their starting lineups immediately. In just 214 at-bats before his injury, Tucker was slashing .266/.395/.584 with a .979 OPS, 19 homers, 40 RBI and 10 stolen bases. He's a difference-maker when he's healthy.

Sep 5

Joc Pederson • DH • Diamondbacks

Joc Pederson Heads To Bench Against A Lefty

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder/designated hitter Joc Pederson is out of the starting lineup on Thursday against the division-rival San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park with a left-hander on the mound. With Pederson starting on the bench versus a southpaw, like usual, first baseman Josh Bell will serve as the DH and will bat third against Giants lefty Blake Snell. Bell has only faced Snell three times in his career, but his one hit against him was a solo home run. Pederson has only faced left-handers 38 times all year, so by this point in the season, fantasy managers should be used to sitting him when the D-backs are facing a left-hander. He's gone 7-for-29 (.241) against southpaws with only one of his 21 home runs on the season. The veteran lefty slugger has been cold of late, batting .200 (4-for-20) with a homer, two RBI and eight strikeouts in his last eight games since Aug. 25.

Sep 5

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