MLB News

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   
Jacob deGrom  • SP  •  Rangers

Jacob deGrom Likely To Make One More Rehab Start

Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said the team has discussed having right-hander Jacob deGrom (elbow) make his next start with the big-league club, but it's more likely that deGrom will make one final minor-league rehab start this weekend for Double-A Frisco on Saturday. "That's an option. But I don't think that's what we're going to do," Bochy said. With the Rangers well out of postseason contention, there's really no rush for them to push the 36-year-old veteran back to the big leagues, so it's more likely that he won't make his 2024 debut until next weekend against the division-rival Seattle Mariners. deGrom has been out all season while recovering from his second Tommy John surgery. Fantasy managers expecting him to suddenly return to his Cy Young form for a few starts to close out the year would be foolish.
Sep 3   
Tyler Holton  • RP  •  Tigers

Tyler Holton Named Opener For Monday

Detroit Tigers pitcher Tyler Holton has been named the opener for Monday's game against the San Diego Padres. The left-hander has been an important piece to the bullpen this season. He holds a 2.44 ERA and 0.83 WHIP across 77.1 innings this season. Unlike most relievers, Holton has been able to throw multiple innings during most of his outings. He figures to give the Tigers a few innings on Monday before Ty Madden takes over for a bulk of the relief. This seems like a good idea for Detroit, but fantasy managers won't get much value with these pitchers only throwing a few innings each.
Sep 2   
Yuli Gurriel  • 1B  •  Royals

Yuli Gurriel Removed Early On Monday

Kansas City Royals first baseman Yuli Gurriel (leg) was removed early during Monday's game against the Cleveland Guardians. The 40-year-old suffered a leg injury while trying to run out a double during Monday's game. Well, Gurriel made it through one full game with the team before getting injured. The team hasn't given an update on his status, but it's likely that Gurriel heads to the injured list. If Gurriel misses time, Freddy Fermin will likely do most of the catching while Salvador Perez sticks at first base. Both players are viable fantasy options and should be rostered and started in most fantasy formats.
Sep 2   
Max Kepler  • RF  •  Twins

Max Kepler Scratched On Monday

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (undisclosed) has been scratched from the starting lineup ahead of Monday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. The team hasn't given a reason why Kepler was scratched, but it's probably related to his lingering knee issue. For now, fantasy managers should consider Kepler as day-to-day until further notice. Carlos Santana will replace him in the lineup, while Trevor Larnach takes over the designated hitter spot against right-hander Zack Littell. Larnach has been a surprisingly decent bat for the Twins this season. He's hitting .253 with 14 home runs and 45 RBI, so he'll probably see more time at DH until Kepler returns. UPDATE: Kepler was scratched with left-knee soreness after missing time last week with the same injury.
Sep 2   
Isiah Kiner-Falefa  • 3B  •  Pirates

Isiah Kiner-Falefa Heads To The Bench

Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa is absent from the starting lineup ahead of Monday's game against the Chicago Cubs. This is a rare day off for Kiner-Falefa who has played in every game since he joined the Pirates. The 29-year-old has struggled with a .223/.263/.321 slash line with one home run and seven RBI in 27 games with Pittsburgh. He was tearing the cover off the ball before heading to Pittsburgh, so hopefully a rest day will help him get back on track. In his place, Alika Williams will cover shortstop and bat ninth versus right-hander Jameson Taillon. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere for a streaming option as Williams only has two hits in his last five games.
Sep 2   
Yu Darvish  • SP  •  Padres

Yu Darvish Likely To Return On Wednesday

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish (groin) is scheduled to take the mound and throw a bullpen session on Monday. Darvish appears to be on the verge of returning to the mound after being sidelined since late May. The 38-year-old is expected to come off the injured list and start against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday. It will be his first start in months, which means Darvish is likely going to be limited during his first game back. The right-hander holds a 3.20 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and a 53/15 K/BB ratio across 11 starts this season. He should be a viable fantasy option for managers in need of starting pitching down the stretch of the season. UPDATE: Manager Mike Shildt confirmed on Monday that Darvish will start on Wednesday.
Sep 2   
Jack Leiter  • SP  •  Rangers

Jack Leiter Starting On Monday

Texas Rangers rookie starting pitcher Jack Leiter has been recalled from Triple-A Round Rock to take the ball against the New York Yankees on Monday. This is a quick turnaround for Leiter who also pitched last Wednesday against the Chicago White Sox. He allowed three runs (two earned) over four innings of work during that game. He'll face a much stronger lineup on Monday, so Leiter won't be a recommended streaming option for Monday's slate. The rookie right-hander holds a 12.83 ERA, 2.40 WHIP, and 11/8 K/BB ratio across four starts this season. There should be better streaming options available ahead of Monday's games.
Sep 2   
Cal Quantrill  • SP  •  Rockies

Rockies Hope Cal Quantrill Will Return This Year

Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black said that right-hander Cal Quantrill (triceps), who landed on the 15-day injured list over the weekend with right-triceps inflammation, had an MRI exam on Aug. 31 and then received a cortisone shot with the hope that the inflammation calms down and he can make starts at the end of the season in late September. Quantrill is heading into the final year of salary arbitration this offseason and is expected to be a key part of Colorado's starting rotation, so they would like him going into the offseason on a high note. The 29-year-old was scratched from his scheduled start on Sunday at Coors Field against the Baltimore Orioles. Even in deeper fantasy leagues, managers shouldn't be banking on Quantrill's return to close out 2024. Left-hander Ty Blach took Quantrill's rotation spot on Sunday and should stick around in the rotation for the time being.
Sep 2   
Steven Matz  • SP  •  Cardinals

Steven Matz To Start On Tuesday

St. Louis Cardinals left-hander Steven Matz, who was activated from the 60-day injured list on Sunday, will make the start for Tuesday's contest against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. The move to start Matz will give right-hander Erick Fedde an extra day of rest this week. Matz was available out of the bullpen on Sunday for the series finale in the Bronx against the New York Yankees, but he didn't pitch. The 33-year-old veteran southpaw has made only six starts for the Cards in 2024, and not since April 30. He wasn't very good in those six starts, yielding a 6.18 ERA and 1.73 WHIP while striking out only 17 and walking 11 in 27 2/3 innings, so fantasy managers should probably be looking to avoid him on Tuesday against the first-place Brewers. Matz is likely to head back to the bullpen after Tuesday's spot start, too, so leave him on the waiver wire in mixed leagues.
Sep 2   
Byron Buxton  • CF  •  Twins

Byron Buxton Starting Rehab Assignment On Monday

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) is starting a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Monday and will play center field. Buxton has been sidelined since the middle of August with a hip injury, but he's getting close to a return and could rejoin the big-league roster later this week, barring a setback on the farm. Buxton is scheduled to play seven innings in center field on Monday before taking the day off on Tuesday and then playing nine innings on defense on Wednesday. If all goes well, the 30-year-old outfielder could be activated from the 10-day injured list before Friday's series opener on the road at Kaufmann Stadium against the Kansas City Royals. The Twins could choose to ease Buxton back into center-field duties at the major-league level once he's back. The former first-rounder doesn't run much these days but can still provide decent power and speed for fantasy managers.
Sep 2   
Kyle Tucker  • RF  •  Astros

Kyle Tucker Has Been Dealing With Fractured Shin

According to three people briefed on the matter, Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker (shin) suffered a fractured shin early on June 3 against the St. Louis Cardinals, which has caused him to miss nearly three months. When asked on Saturday whether Tucker's shin had a fracture, general manager Dana Brown said it did not. Since Tucker went on the injured list, the Astros have called his injury a "deep bruise of the bone" or a "shin contusion." "After several rounds of medical imaging, we suspect there was some type of small fracture," Brown said on Monday. The 27-year-old All-Star slugger has been running at full speed and taking batting practice off minor-league pitchers, though, and accompanied the team to Cincinnati for a three-game series against the Reds that starts on Monday. Brown said on Sunday that Tucker could "potentially" return from the IL on either Wednesday or Thursday without going on a rehab assignment.
Sep 2   
J.D. Martinez  • DH  •  Mets

J.D. Martinez Placed On Paternity List

The New York Mets placed designated hitter J.D. Martinez on the paternity list on Monday and recalled outfielder DJ Stewart from Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move. Martinez is likely to miss the entire series this week at Citi Field against the visiting Boston Red Sox as Martinez welcomes a new addition to his family. Outfielder Jesse Winker will serve as the DH on Monday and bat cleanup, while Stewart mans left field and hits in the eight-hole against Red Sox right-hander Brayan Bello. Martinez has provided moderate power for fantasy managers this year and has hit .308 (8-for-26) with two homers, a double and four RBI for the Mets in his last seven games dating back to Aug. 25. The 30-year-old Stewart should get some more starts this week if the team is facing right-handed pitching. He's hit just .172 (26-for-151) in 2024 with five homers and 19 RBI.
Sep 2   
Fernando Tatis Jr.  • RF  •  Padres

Fernando Tatis Jr. Back From Injured List And Starting On Monday

The San Diego Padres activated outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (thigh) from the 60-day injured list on Monday, and he's starting in right field and batting second in the series opener at Petco Park against the Detroit Tigers and left-hander Tyler Holton. Tatis has spent the last 72 days on the IL due to a stress reaction in his right femur (thigh bone). The 25-year-old All-Star played with the injury almost the entire first three months of the season and was the team leader with 14 home runs while also ranking 13th in the National League with an .821 OPS at the time he was put on the IL. Tatis had been taking live at-bats at the team's spring training complex in Arizona against minor-leaguers before his activation, but he still could have some rest days in the near future to ease him back in. But when he's in the lineup for the Friars, he's a must-start in fantasy lineups.
Sep 2   
Ketel Marte  • 2B  •  Diamondbacks

Ketel Marte Could Return For Upcoming Road Trip

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said on Monday that the team's upcoming road trip that starts on Tuesday in San Francisco against the division-rival Giants and runs through Sunday, Sept. 8, against the Houston Astros is in play for second baseman Ketel Marte (ankle) to return from the 10-day injured list. An ankle sprain has kept the 30-year-old All-Star out of action since he landed on the IL on Aug. 19, but it appears he's making great progress and has a shot at returning this week. Marte could be eased back in, but when healthy, he's a must-start in all fantasy lineups as Arizona's starting second baseman. Marte will be returning to a .298/.370/.560 slash line with a .930 OPS, 30 home runs, 81 RBI and six steals in his 116 games. He needs just three more home runs the rest of the way to set a new career-high in that category.
Sep 2   
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.  • LF  •  Diamondbacks

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Not Playing On Monday

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (calf) is out of the team's starting lineup for the series finale on Monday against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers at Chase Field. Pavin Smith will make the start in left field for the Snakes and will hit fifth against Dodgers right-hander Jack Flaherty. Gurriel will take a seat to begin the new week after leaving Sunday's win over the Dodgers early due to a left-calf ailment. Until we know the full extent of his injury, fantasy managers should consider the 30-year-old to be day-to-day. The Cuban right-handed slugger has contributed modest power (17 home runs) and speed (seven steals) for fantasy managers this year while hitting a respectable .274 (133-for-486). Smith will be a DFS sleeper on Monday in the five-hole against a tough right-handed pitcher in Flaherty.
Sep 2   
LEGEND
✕