MLB News

Justin Steele • SP • Cubs

Justin Steele Hits 15-Day Injured List With Elbow Tendinitis

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Justin Steele (elbow) was placed on the 15-day IL earlier on Wednesday evening with left elbow tendinitis. The 29-year-old ace was initially scratched from his start on Tuesday evening due to reported inflammation but will now sit out for at least the next two weeks. Currently, there is no specific timetable for his return, but fantasy managers could expect him back sometime before the end of the regular season if he progresses well. On Tuesday, the Cubs turned to veteran Kyle Hendricks to fill in for Steele and, as a result, should be considered the front-runner to claim his rotation spot for the time being. Steele has enjoyed another strong campaign and has held a 3.09 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP after finishing near the top in NL Cy Young voting last summer. Deeper league managers looking to replace Steele should only consider streaming Hendricks in favorable matchups as he has struggled quite often this summer, sitting with a career-worst 6.60 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP.

Sep 4

Kodai Senga • SP • Mets

Kodai Senga Makes Progress During Bullpen Session

New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga (calf) threw roughly 25 pitches during a bullpen session on Wednesday with noticeably increased intensity. Senga said recently that he's shifting his focus from his calf rehab to getting his arm back in shape, and this bullpen was a clear step in that direction. It's good news for the Mets as they try to secure the final wild-card spot in the National League down the stretch. However, with the 31-year-old Japanese hurler only making one start this year due to calf and shoulder injuries, it's more likely that he'll return in a relief role than in a starting role for the Mets near the end of September. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues still competing for a title should have already dumped Senga for healthier options.

Sep 4

Elvis Andrus • SS

Elvis Andrus To Retire With Rangers

Free-agent shortstop Elvis Andrus signed a contract with the Texas Rangers in order to retire with the organization later this week. Andrus never latched on with a team after he was released by the Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, and now he'll make the decision to hang up his cleats after 15 years in the big leagues with the Rangers, Chicago White Sox and Oakland Athletics. The 36-year-old Venezuelan infielder broke into the big leagues in Texas back in 2009 and spent the first 12 years of his career with the Rangers, making the All-Star squads in 2010 and 2012. In 2,059 regular season games over his 15 seasons in the majors, Andrus slashed .269/.325/.370 with a .695 OPS, 102 home runs, 775 RBI, 347 stolen bases and 1,058 runs scored. He had one 20-homer season (2017) but was a regular speed threat early in his career while stealing a career-high 42 bags in 2013.

Sep 4

Corey Seager • SS • Rangers

Corey Seager Lands On 10-Day Injured List

The Texas Rangers placed All-Star shortstop Corey Seager (hip) on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with hip discomfort. Seager didn't play on Tuesday as a result of his hip injury and also missed three of the team's last seven games. The 30-year-old two-time World Series MVP will be able to come off the IL on Sept. 16, but with the Rangers well out of playoff contention in the final month of the season, it's quite possible we won't see Seager again until 2025. Josh Smith is starting at the 6 on Wednesday for Texas and is batting leadoff against New York Yankees right-hander Marcus Stroman at Globe Life Field, and he should be the primary option in Seager's absence the rest of the way. If this is the end of Seager's 2024 campaign, he'll finish it with his third straight 30-homer season while also slashing .278/.353/.512 with an .864 OPS, 74 RBI and 68 runs scored in 123 games played.

Sep 4

Alex Bregman • 3B • Astros

Alex Bregman Returning On Wednesday

Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman (elbow) is back at third base and is hitting cleanup for the Astros on Wednesday at Great American Ball Park against the Cincinnati Reds and right-hander Nick Martinez. Bregman will be back in action after missing the last four games due to renewed soreness in the back of his right elbow. It's an issue that already caused the 30-year-old veteran to miss five straight games in August, and he admitted it's something he's going to have to manage the rest of the season. Now that he's back, though, fantasy managers will want to reinsert him into their starting lineups in a good matchup. In 12 career at-bats against Martinez, Bregman has hit .333 with an RBI. Despite dealing with this elbow issue of late, Bregman hit .303 (27-for-89) with seven home runs, six doubles, 10 RBI and 14 runs scored in 21 games in the month of August.

Sep 4

Bryce Harper • 1B • Phillies

Bryce Harper Leaves With Left-Elbow Contusion

Philadelphia Phillies All-Star first baseman Bryce Harper (elbow) left Wednesday's contest early against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre with a left-elbow contusion after he was hit by a pitch, according to the team. Harper will be evaluated further. Harper was hit by a pitch in the first inning of the series finale and initially stayed in before being replaced by a pinch-hitter before his second at-bat. Fantasy managers will want to check back for more news on the 31-year-old's condition soon. In addition to Harper's left elbow, he told MLB.com last week that he's been playing with a sore wrist and sore right elbow, so he's clearly not 100% and now has another injury to deal with. Even if tests on Harper's left elbow come back clean, fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if he's held out for Thursday's series in Miami against the division-rival Marlins.

Sep 4

Grayson Rodriguez • SP • Orioles

Grayson Rodriguez Feeling Good After First Bullpen

Baltimore Orioles right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (lat) threw his first bullpen session that consisted of around 20 pitches on Wednesday at Camden Yards, and he said he felt good while mixing in some offspeed pitches as well. "Arm's feeling good," Rodriguez said. "That's the most important thing." It's good news for the O's, but Rodriguez is still likely several weeks away from a return to the big-league starting rotation. The 24-year-old suffered a lat strain almost a month ago and will most likely need at least one minor-league rehab start before returning to the majors. It means that he might have a couple more starts to help fantasy managers down the stretch, if that. The former 11th overall pick in 2018 has improved in his second year in Baltimore, going 13-4 with a 3.86 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP and nice 26.5% strikeout rate over his 20 starts.

Sep 4

Royce Lewis • 3B • Twins

Royce Lewis Making First Career Start At Second Base

Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis is making his first career major-league start at second base and will bat in the two-hole in Wednesday's contest against the Tampa Bay Rays and right-hander Cole Sulser at Tropicana Field. Jose Miranda will man the hot corner and hit cleanup for the Twins. Minnesota may want to transition Lewis to the keystone because of some throwing issues he's had on defense at third base recently. It remains to be seen if this is a permanent move going forward, but if it is, it will only make the 25-year-old former first overall pick that much more attractive in fantasy. Injuries have been Lewis' biggest obstacle early in his MLB career, but in just 59 games in 2024, he's already set a new career-high with 16 home runs to go along with 44 RBI in 235 plate appearances. Lewis is a must-start for his power alone in fantasy.

Sep 4

Jesús Luzardo • SP • Marlins

Jesus Luzardo Plans To Return In 2025

Miami Marlins left-hander Jesus Luzardo (back) said that he's planning on returning in the 2025 season and will stay with the club to complete workouts and treatment the rest of this season. Luzardo continues to rest due to a lumbar stress reaction in his back while doing bike workouts and forearm and shoulder strengthening. The 26-year-old southpaw was put on the 15-day injured list back on June 22 before eventually being moved to the 60-day IL on June 23. Luzardo was initially scratched from his start on June 22 after dealing with a back issue for a couple of weeks, and it turned out to be a lumbar stress reaction, ending his season. The former third-rounder went 3-6 before the injury in 2024 with a 5.00 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 58 strikeouts in 66 2/3 innings over his 12 starts, but he could be an attractive bounce-back candidate with better health in 2025.

Sep 4

Eury Pérez • SP • Marlins

Eury Perez Could Begin Throwing Program Soon

Miami Marlins right-hander Eury Perez (elbow), who is working on total-body strengthening after suffering a UCL tear in his right arm, will be evaluated for a throwing program in the coming weeks. Perez started the 2024 season on the injured list and had Tommy John surgery on April 8 after experiencing tightness in his right arm during his bullpen session on April 2. He was moved to the 60-day IL on April 4 and is obviously missing the entire season. Even if the 21-year-old's rehab this winter goes off without a hitch, fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting him to be ready for the start of the 2025 campaign. The Dominican was extremely impressive in his MLB debut last year, though, posting a 3.15 ERA (4.11 FIP) and 1.13 WHIP with 108 punchouts in 91 1/3 innings over 19 starts. When he returns in 2025, expect the Fish to carefully monitor his workload.

Sep 4

Sixto Sánchez • RP • Marlins

Sixto Sanchez Continuing Bullpen Progression

Miami Marlins right-hander Sixto Sanchez (shoulder) is continuing his bullpen progression at the team's spring training complex in Jupiter, Fla. Sanchez experienced a dip in his velocity during a May 31 start against the Texas Rangers and was placed on the injured list on June 2 with right-shoulder inflammation before eventually being moved to the 60-day IL on June 25. He has a long history of serious shoulder injuries, including two surgeries that caused him to miss three full seasons from 2021-23. The 26-year-old former top prospect has been throwing bullpens since late June, but it's understandable while the Marlins are in no rush to bring him back in a lost season. It would be a big surprise if we see Sanchez pitching in relief for the Fish in the big leagues again this year, and he'll enter the 2025 season well off the fantasy radar.

Sep 4

Dane Myers • RF • Marlins

Dane Myers Starts Baseball Activities

Miami Marlins outfielder Dane Myers (ankle) is running, hitting and doing defensive work at the team's spring training complex in Jupiter, Fla., after he was moved to the 60-day injured list on Aug. 25. Myers suffered a fractured ankle on July 13 when he kicked a door in the clubhouse after being ejected from the game. After returning to the team on July 14, Myers visited with a foot specialist and was placed in a walking boot. Before the 28-year-old started his baseball activities, he was just working out and running on an anti-gravity treadmill. It's good news that he has resumed baseball activities, but with time running out in the 2024 regular season, Myers might be a long shot to return before the end of September. In 83 at-bats before his ankle injury, he was hitting .265/.337/.422 with a decent .759 OPS with only two homers, 14 RBI and four stolen bases.

Sep 4

Ryan Weathers • SP • Marlins

Ryan Weathers Looks Good In First Rehab Start

Miami Marlins left-hander Ryan Weathers (finger) looked good in his first minor-league rehab start with Single-A Jupiter on Tuesday, tossing three scoreless innings while giving up two hits, walking none and striking out three on 43 pitches (27 strikes). Weathers was moved to the 60-day injured list on July 7 to clear space on the team's 40-man roster while he recovers from a left index-finger strain. Barring a setback on his rehab assignment, Weathers is expected to return to Miami's starting rotation in the middle of September. The 24-year-old southpaw has been out since early June, so he figures to need at least one more rehab start before the big-league club is comfortable activating him. Weathers, a former first-rounder, had a 3.55 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 67 strikeouts in 71 innings over 13 starts earlier this year before his injury. He's most likely only going to make a start or two for the Marlins down the stretch.

Sep 4

Anthony Bender • RP • Marlins

Anthony Bender Scheduled For Back-To-Back Rehab Outings

Miami Marlins right-handed reliever Anthony Bender (shoulder) is scheduled for back-to-back rehab outings with Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Bender threw 20 pitches (15 strikes) in an inning of work for Jacksonville on Saturday, which was his first rehab appearance since landing on the injured list on Aug. 15. He struck out two and gave up one run in that outing. The 29-year-old last pitched for the Marlins on Aug. 10 against the San Diego Padres before going down with a right-shoulder impingement. He received an injection in his shoulder on Aug. 15 but could return to the big-league bullpen by this weekend, barring any setbacks this week in the minors. When Bender is back, he figures to operate in a late-inning setup role for the Fish in front of Calvin Faucher, who has taken over closing duties in Miami of late.

Sep 4

Jesús Sánchez • RF • Marlins

Jesus Sanchez Out With Back Injury

Miami Marlins outfielder Jesus Sanchez (back) is out of the starting lineup for Wednesday's contest at LoanDepot Park against the visiting division-rival Washington Nationals. Sanchez was forced to exit Tuesday's game early with a mild back muscle spasm while stealing second base during the second inning of the series opener. He was feeling better after the game on Tuesday and was hopeful he could return a day later, but that won't be the case. Since Sanchez's injury isn't considered very serious, he could be back in action for Thursday's series opener versus the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies. Rookie Griffin Conine is starting in right field and batting eighth on Wednesday against Nationals left-hander MacKenzie Gore. In his first 21 major-league at-bats, the 27-year-old Conine has gone 6-for-21 (.286) with a homer, three RBI and three runs scored.

Sep 4

Sandy Alcantara • SP • Marlins

Sandy Alcantara To Throw Another Bullpen On Wednesday

Miami Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara (elbow) is set to throw another bullpen session on Wednesday after getting through a 40-pitch up-and-down bullpen session last Saturday. Alcantara threw his first bullpen on July 24 that consisted of 20 pitches. He initially felt discomfort in his right arm on his 94th and final pitch on Sept. 3 of last year and was diagnosed with a right-forearm flexor strain. An MRI exam later showed a right UCL sprain that required Tommy John surgery on Oct. 6. The 28-year-old is making slow and steady progress as he looks to be fully healthy and ready to go for the start of spring training and the regular season in 2025. Alcantara has already shown the ability to be a fantasy ace after winning the 2022 National League Cy Young in his sixth year in the league. However, fantasy managers will be hesitant to draft him as an ace next spring.

Sep 4

Kyle Freeland • SP • Rockies

Blister Problems Resurface For Kyle Freeland

Colorado Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland (finger) was forced to leave his start early on Tuesday against the Atlanta Braves due to another blister issue on his left middle finger. The Rockies don't think the condition will prevent Freeland from making his next scheduled start, though, which will come on Sunday in Milwaukee against the first-place Brewers. Despite the lingering issue, the 31-year-old southpaw was effective on Tuesday and allowed just one earned run while striking out five in five innings (79 pitches). He dealt with the same blister issue in the middle of last month. In 13 starts since returning from an elbow injury in late June, Freeland has allowed two earned runs or fewer nine times and has an ERA of 3.63 in that span with 64 K's and 16 walks in 74 1/3 innings. Despite the nice recent stretch, Freeland will be a risky fantasy play in Milwaukee coming off another blister issue.

Sep 4

Braxton Garrett • SP • Marlins

Braxton Garrett To Make A Rehab Start On Thursday

Miami Marlins left-hander Braxton Garrett (forearm) will make a minor-league rehab start with Single-A Jupiter on Thursday and will go either three innings or 50 pitches. Garrett has been given the green light to pitch in games again after throwing a live batting practice session over the weekend and a bullpen on Tuesday. Because of the fact that the 27-year-old southpaw has been on the injured list since the middle of June, he's likely going to need at least a couple of rehab starts, which means he probably won't be able to make more than one or two starts in the big leagues to close out the season. Fantasy managers can't be expecting much from Garrett the rest of the way, especially since he's made only seven starts in 2024. In those seven starts, he posted a 5.35 ERA (3.83 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with 34 strikeouts and only four walks in 37 innings.

Sep 4

Tyler Phillips • SP • Phillies

Tyler Phillips Optioned To Triple-A

The Philadelphia Phillies optioned rookie right-hander Tyler Phillips to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Wednesday and selected the contract of right-hander Nick Nelson from Lehigh Valley in a corresponding move. To make room on the 40-man roster, right-hander Michael Rucker was designated for assignment. The move comes after Phillips surrendered six earned runs on eight hits in just two-thirds of an inning on Tuesday in a start against the Toronto Blue Jays. It's been a tough go for Phillips in his first taste of the majors in 2024, as he now has a 6.87 ERA (5.58 FIP) and 1.42 WHIP while striking out 28 and walking seven in 36 2/3 innings over his eight appearances (seven starts). It's unclear who might take his spot in the starting rotation, but it could be either Taijuan Walker or Kolby Allard.

Sep 4

Austin Hays • LF • Phillies

Austin Hays Sitting Out Again Against Blue Jays

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Austin Hays finds himself on the bench once again in Wednesday's series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. It's the second game in a row that Hays will start on the bench, with Weston Wilson starting in right field and batting eighth against Blue Jays right-hander Bowden Francis, who has been nearly unhittable in his last two starts. The 29-year-old Hays has become a part-time player in the outfield for the Phillies since being acquired at the trade deadline from the Baltimore Orioles. In his 19 games for the Phils, he's gone 17-for-67 (.254) with a homer, five doubles, five RBI and 16 strikeouts. Wilson has been much better for the team in 55 at-bats in 2024, slashing .345/.383/.618 with a 1.002 OPS but only three homers and seven RBI.

Sep 4

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