MLB News

Trevor Story  • SS  •  Red Sox

Trevor Story Plays Defense On Monday

Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story (shoulder) played shortstop in a minor-league rehab game with Triple-A Worcester on Monday and went 0-for-3 at the plate. Story came out of the game after five innings, but it was the first time he had played shortstop since starting his rehab assignment on Sunday, when he served as the designated hitter. The 31-year-old veteran has gone 2-for-7 at the plate in his first two games with Worcester but is probably going to need plenty more rehab games before potentially being an option for the major-league roster towards the end of September. With time quickly running out in the regular season, fantasy managers can't realistically expect Story to make any kind of impact once he returns. In 31 at-bats earlier this year, Story was hitting .226 with no homers, four RBI and one stolen base.
Sep 3   
Clarke Schmidt  • SP  •  Yankees

Clarke Schmidt Fans Seven In Final Rehab Game

New York Yankees right-hander Clarke Schmidt (lat) looked good in his final minor-league rehab start on Monday with Double-A Somerset, allowing two earned runs on three hits (one homer) while walking nine and striking out seven in 4 2/3 innings of work. Schmidt threw 46 of his 70 pitches in his third and final rehab start. Nothing is official yet, but the 28-year-old is expected to return to New York's starting rotation this weekend at Wrigley Field to face the Chicago Cubs. The former first-rounder was a fantasy asset in all leagues with a 2.52 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in his first 11 starts of the year before injuring his lat,, but he also hasn't made a start in the big leagues since May 26. Schmidt should be in play in mixed leagues down the stretch, but he may be a bit limited from a pitch-count perspective in his first start back, which should come this weekend.
Sep 3   
Jackson Chourio  • RF  •  Brewers

Jackson Chourio Hits Grand Slam Monday

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio continued his torrid offensive second half in Monday's 9-3 win over the Cardinals. Chourio went 1-for-2 with a grand slam and three walks. The 20-year-old rookie clobbered a sixth-inning Riley O'Brien slider deep into the left-center seats to clear the bases for his 18th long ball of the season. The top prospect has put together a solid rookie season, mostly fueled by his second-half performance. Chourio has compiled a .338/.387/.594 slash line with nine HR, 32 RBI, and 10 stolen bases in 160 second-half at-bats. All-in-all, Chourio has lived up to the hype and has an opportunity to continue to make a good first impression down the stretch.
Sep 3   
Pedro Pagés  • C  •  Cardinals

Pedro Pages Goes Deep Twice Monday

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Pedro Pages continued to produce at the plate in Monday's 9-3 loss to the Brewers. Pages went 2-for-4 with a pair of solo home runs and a strikeout. The 25-year-old crushed a third-inning Freddy Peralta fastball off the back of the Brewers' bullpen wall and later hit a Peralta curveball over the left-field fence. Pages has earned more playing time in the second half of the season with Willson Contreras (finger) on the injured list, slashing .300/.323/.483 in 60 at-bats. The lineup around him may not be enough to allow for serious fantasy contributions, but he is a name fantasy managers could keep an eye on if they desperately need a hot bat behind the plate.
Sep 3   
Shea Langeliers  • C  •  Athletics

Shea Langeliers Homers Twice, Including Walk-Off

Oakland Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers played the hero in Monday's 5-4 win over the Mariners. Langeliers went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run, a solo walk-off HR, and a strikeout. The 26-year-old crushed a third-inning Logan Gilbert hanging slider into the left-field seats to put the A's up 4-3. He later took the game into his own hands, drilling a ninth-inning Austin Voth breaking pitch deep down the left-field line to end the game. Langeliers has provided plenty of power throughout the season, but he has hit better overall in the second half, slashing .248/.333/.496 with eight HR and 18 RBI in 125 at-bats. Catcher is a shallow fantasy position, so fantasy managers will take any production. Langeliers could be a key player down the stretch if he can provide power and some batting average.
Sep 3   
Logan Gilbert  • SP  •  Mariners

Logan Gilbert Fans Nine In Monday's No-Decision

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Logan Gilbert continued to provide strikeouts in Monday's 5-4 loss to the Athletics. Gilbert pitched six innings, allowing four runs on four hits (including a three-run home run) and a walk with nine strikeouts. The 27-year-old has put together great peripheral numbers in 28 starts this season and has a career-high K/9 rate of 9.17. However, his second half of the season has been more pedestrian overall, with a 4.37 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in eight starts and 45 1/3 IP. He will look to maintain his high strikeout totals while keeping runs off the board in his next start, which will be a decent matchup at the Cardinals.
Sep 3   
Joe Musgrove  • SP  •  Padres

Joe Musgrove Turns In Another Quality Start, Win Monday

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Joe Musgrove extended his quality-start streak to three in Monday's 3-0 win over the Tigers. Musgrove pitched six innings, allowing three hits and two walks with eight strikeouts. The 31-year-old missed a chunk of the season due to an elbow issue and pitched poorly before going on the injured list. However, he has looked much better in his five starts since returning, posting a stellar 1.30 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, and 27 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings. Musgrove had been a consistent fantasy option prior to the start of this season, so he could serve as a potential league-winner if he can stay hot for the final month of the season. He will have a decent chance to extend his quality-start streak in his next matchup against the Giants.
Sep 3   
Shohei Ohtani  • DH  •  Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani Collects Two Hits, Three Steals Monday

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani had another impressive offensive game in Monday's 11-6 win over the Diamondbacks. Ohtani went 2-for-4 with two singles, two walks, a strikeout, and three stolen bases. The 30-year-old has continued to produce as one of fantasy's top players and one of baseball's most exciting players, slashing .292/.377/.616 with 44 home runs, 109 runs scored, 98 RBI, and 46 stolen bases in 621 plate appearances. He has proven to be a legitimate top five-category fantasy contributor as a hitter alone while batting leadoff for one of baseball's best lineups.
Sep 3   
Freddie Freeman  • 1B  •  Dodgers

Freddie Freeman Homers Twice, Plates Five Monday

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman had a great offensive performance in Monday's 11-6 win over the division-rival Diamondbacks. Freeman went 2-for-3 with a pair of two-run home runs, five RBI, and a walk. The 34-year-old took Eduardo Rodriguez deep in the third inning, sneaking the ball just over the left-field fence. His eighth-inning blast off Slade Cecconi was more definitive, landing 435 feet over the left-center wall. Freeman, who has been a top fantasy pick for some time now, hasn't been quite as good this season by his standards. However, he has produced plenty of fantasy value, slashing .288/.383/.498 with 21 HR, 74 runs scored, 83 RBI, and six stolen bases in 549 plate appearances.
Sep 3   
Justin Steele  • SP  •  Cubs

Justin Steele Scratched From Tuesday's Start With Elbow Soreness

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said after the team's 5-3 loss to the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday that left-hander Justin Steele (elbow) is experiencing some elbow soreness and won't make his scheduled start at Wrigley Field on Tuesday against the Bucs. Veteran right-hander Kyle Hendricks will make the spot start instead. It's unclear exactly how serious Steele's elbow injury is right now, but he'll likely go for testing. If it's serious enough to put the 29-year-old on the 15-day injured list, Steele will be unlikely to pitch again in 2024, especially with the Cubbies unlikely to make the postseason. The former fifth-round pick in 2014 was a first-time All-Star in 2023 and has been solid yet again for fantasy managers in his fourth year in the big leagues, going 5-5 with a 3.09 ERA, a 1.09 WHIP and a 131:34 K:BB in 128 innings over his 22 starts. Check back later for more info on Steele's injury.
Sep 3   
Gerrit Cole  • SP  •  Yankees

Gerrit Cole Leaves Early With Calf Injury

New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole (calf) left his start on Monday against the Texas Rangers early with a trainer at Globe Life Field in the seventh inning and was pointing at his calf when he departed. Before leaving, Cole had allowed just one earned run on four hits while walking one and striking out nine in six innings of work. We won't know the severity of his calf injury until the team does some tests, so fantasy managers will want to check back later Monday evening or Tuesday morning. The Yankees and fantasy managers alike can ill-afford Cole to miss any time down the stretch, and an injury at this point could end up sidelining the ace through the rest of the month. Cole came into Monday's start on a strong five-start stretch in which he had a 1.93 ERA with 31 punchouts and 10 walks in 28 innings pitched. UPDATE: Cole left with a right-calf cramp, according to the team.
Sep 3   
Ramón Urías  • 3B  •  Orioles

No Timetable For Ramon Urias

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that infielder Ramon Urias (ankle) is still on crutches for his sprained ankle and there's no timetable for his return from the 10-day injured list. "I don't know how long that's going to be. A sprained ankle could be two to four weeks. Who knows?" Hyde said. Basically, Urias isn't guaranteed to return from the IL before the end of the regular season in September. The 30-year-old veteran sprained his right ankle against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Saturday and was put on the IL on Sunday. At least until Jordan Westburg (hand) returns from his own IL stint, the Orioles are moving forward with top prospect Coby Mayo at the hot corner, with Emmanuel Rivera also seeing some time there. It's bad timing for Urias, who had gone 8-for-25 (.320) with two homers, a double, triple, eight RBI and a steal in his last eight games dating back to Aug. 23.
Sep 3   
Ryan Mountcastle  • 1B  •  Orioles

Ryan Mountcastle Hasn't Resumed Swinging

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that first baseman Ryan Mountcastle (wrist) is feeling a little better but hasn't resumed swinging a bat. "I have no idea about Monty," Hyde said. With no timetable for a return, fantasy managers can't be expecting Mountcastle to return from the 10-day injured list when he's eligible. The 27-year-old is dealing with a sprained left wrist that he suffered on Aug. 22 and might be pushing it to return by the end of the regular season in September. It's more bad news for a player that had already seen another drop in power after hitting a career-high 33 home runs back in 2021. Mountcastle has just 13 long balls this year with 61 RBI in 118 games played. Ryan O'Hearn should continue to operate in the strong side of a platoon at first base with Emmanuel Rivera in Baltimore for however long Mountcastle remains on the shelf.
Sep 3   
Clayton Kershaw  • SP  •  Dodgers

Clayton Kershaw Needs Walking Boot, More Tests

Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw (toe) will require a walking boot and also probably needs more tests on his injured left big toe, according to manager Dave Roberts. Kershaw is dealing with a bone spur in his left big toe and was placed on the 15-day injured list on Saturday, although he was able to play catch before Sunday's contest at Chase Field against the division-rival Arizona Diamondbacks. The 36-year-old southpaw is eligible to come off the IL on Sept. 15, but there's currently no timetable for his return, and fantasy managers should probably expect his absence to extend beyond that date if he needs a walking boot. With time running out in the final month of the 2024 regular season, the Dodgers will just be hoping that Kershaw might be able to help them for what they are expecting to be a deep playoff run in October.
Sep 3   
Max Scherzer  • SP  •  Rangers

Max Scherzer To Make Rehab Start On Saturday

Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer (shoulder) said he will make a minor-league rehab start on Saturday, with the location being to be announced. Scherzer has been cleared to restart a rehab assignment after tossing a successful two-inning live batting practice session on Monday. The 40-year-old future Hall of Famer hasn't pitched for the Rangers since the start of August due to right-shoulder fatigue but continues to hold out hope that he can return for a few starts in the final month of the 2024 season in September. Injuries are beginning to take their toll on the three-time Cy Young winner, and he's only been able to make eight starts for Texas this year after getting a late start to the season due to offseason back surgery. Even if Scherzer makes it back later this month, he's going to be a pretty risky fantasy streamer and could even be on a pitch count.
Sep 3   
Christian Walker  • 1B  •  Diamondbacks

Christian Walker Expected To Rejoin Team In San Francisco

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that first baseman Christian Walker (oblique) did some work at Chase Field before Monday's series finale against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers and might not need another minor-league rehab game. It sounds as though Walker will come off the 10-day injured list and rejoin the team in San Francisco against the division-rival Giants during their upcoming series that starts on Tuesday. It remains to be seen how effective the 33-year-old first baseman will be in his return from a strained left oblique that has kept him out since late July, but the D-backs and fantasy managers could sure use his middle-of-the-order power bat after just dropping three out of four to the Dodgers. Walker will return to a .254/.338/.476 slash line with 23 home runs and 71 RBI for Arizona in 107 games in 2024.
Sep 3   
Jaden Hill  • SP  •  Rockies

Rockies Expecting To Call Up Jaden Hill Soon

Colorado Rockies right-handed pitching prospect Jaden Hill (hamstring), the team's No. 21 prospect per MLB Pipeline, suffered a right-hamstring strain on his final pitch of a three-strikeout outing for Triple-A Albuquerque on Aug. 17 and was reportedly fine when he threw a bullpen session on Aug. 29. The Rockies are expected to recall Hill at some point soon with rosters now expanded, but they want to see him pitch again in a Triple-A game before making that decision. Colorado will need to put him on the 40-man roster after the season to avoid potentially losing him in the Rule 5 draft, which is why they want to see him pitch in the majors before the year is over. The 24-year-old has posted a 4.67 ERA and 1.47 WHIP with 68 strikeouts and 17 walks in 44 1/3 relief innings with seven saves for Albuquerque and Double-A Hartford in 2024.
Sep 3   
Victor Vodnik  • RP  •  Rockies

Victor Vodnik Making Progress

Colorado Rockies right-handed reliever Victor Vodnik (biceps), who was placed on the 15-day injured list on Aug. 21 (retroactive to Aug. 19), threw a side session on Aug. 30. Manager Bud Black said Vodnik is scheduled for an "aggressive" side session on Tuesday in Atlanta. Depending on how that session goes, Black said the Rockies will either activate Vodnik from the IL or send him on a short minor-league rehab assignment. The 24-year-old's return to the back end of Colorado's bullpen could happen soon, barring any setbacks. When he does return, he could at least be sharing closing duties with Tyler Kinley, who has taken over as Colorado's closer with Vodnik injured. In his second year in the big leagues, Vodnik has an ERA above 4.00 but has also picked up his first nine career saves for a bad Rockies team. Fantasy managers looking for saves down the stretch in deeper leagues shouldn't forget about him.
Sep 3   
Jasson Domínguez  • CF  •  Yankees

Jasson Dominguez Still "Very Much In Play" For Promotion

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said it's still "very much in play" that outfield prospect Jasson Dominguez gets called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. "Frankly, there's probably no one higher on Jasson Dominguez than me. He's very much in the mix, but we're not ready to make that move yet," Boone said. Dominguez was not one of the players that the Yankees called up when rosters expanded on Sunday, although the 21-year-old they call the Martian is still an option to join the Bombers down the stretch. He should be rostered in most fantasy leagues since he could make an immediate impact in all categories if he comes up and sees regular playing time, but he's also running out of time to make noise in fantasy. The Dominican switch-hitter has been injured in 2024 but has been excellent at Triple-A when healthy, slashing .298/.354/.457 with five homers, 18 RBI and 14 steals in 38 games.
Sep 3   
Kodai Senga  • SP  •  Mets

Kodai Senga Could Return As Reliever

New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga (calf), who has pitched in just one game in 2024 due to shoulder and calf injuries, said on Monday that he's open to the idea of coming out of the bullpen in a relief role in late September and October if he's healthy enough to do so. It's more of a theoretical idea more than anything right now. Senga is eligible to come off the injured list on Sept. 26 and must ramp up with bullpen sessions before facing live hitters and potentially going on a minor-league rehab assignment. The good news is he's trending well enough that manager Carlos Mendoza considers it possible for Senga to return from the IL when he's eligible. Senga said he should start throwing bullpens "very soon," and at that point the Mets will have a better idea of his timetable. Obviously, fantasy managers can move on from Senga in single-year leagues since he won't be able to make any more starts this year.
Sep 3   
LEGEND
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