MLB News

Zack Littell  • SP  •  Rays

Zack Littell Could Return During Upcoming Homestand

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said on Wednesday that right-hander Zack Littell (shoulder) is progressing well and that he threw a "simulated live session," so there is hope that he can be penciled back into the starting rotation sometime during the upcoming homestand that runs from Friday, Aug. 30, through Thursday, Sept. 5. Cash said Littell, who last pitched on Aug. 14 due to right-shoulder fatigue, is not likely to need a minor-league rehab assignment before coming off the 15-day injured list. The 28-year-old will be in play in deep-mixed leagues when he's back. Although he didn't go beyond 5 1/3 innings in any of his three August starts, he gave up just five runs (three earned) while walking four and striking out 11 in 15 2/3 innings. Littell has a nice 4.7% walk rate and a 21.1% strikeout rate in 2024, which is his highest mark since 2021.
Aug 29   
Shane Baz  • SP  •  Rays

Shane Baz Set To Return On Saturday

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that right-hander Shane Baz (illness), who was scratched from his start on Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels due to the flu, was feeling better and threw on Wednesday. The plan is for Baz to throw a bullpen session on Thursday and be slotted back into the starting rotation on Saturday at Tropicana Field against the San Diego Padres. It won't be a great matchup for the former first-rounder in his return from an illness. The 25-year-old has only made eight starts in 2024 after returning from Tommy John surgery, but he's been serviceable in those eight starts, going 1-2 with a 3.48 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 36 strikeouts in 44 innings pitched for the Rays. His last outing was his best, going 7 2/3 shutout innings with three walks and four strikeouts on Aug. 20 against the Oakland Athletics.
Aug 29   
Cam Booser  • RP  •  Red Sox

Cam Booser Starting Rehab Assignment On Thursday

Boston Red Sox left-handed reliever Cam Booser (elbow) is recovering from left-elbow inflammation and will start a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester on Thursday. Booser could return to the major-league bullpen soon after that, barring any setbacks. The 32-year-old veteran southpaw has been on the shelf with elbow inflammation since the middle of August but is nearing a return and should finish out the year with the Red Sox. In his first year in the big leagues in 2024, Booser has made 41 appearances out of Boston's bullpen, going 2-2 with a 3.00 ERA (3.34 FIP), a 1.24 WHIP, his first career save, 42 strikeouts and 13 walks in 42 frames. When he's back in the big leagues, fantasy managers can continue to ignore him everywhere.
Aug 29   
Luis García  • RP  •  Red Sox

Luis Garcia's Injury Isn't Season-Ending

Boston Red Sox right-handed reliever Luis Garcia (shoulder), who has a 10.32 ERA in 11 appearances since joining the Red Sox, was placed on the 15-day injured list before the team's game on Tuesday with right-shoulder inflammation. Manager Alex Cora said the injury isn't season-ending, though, but there was no immediate word on the severity of the injury. "Just get treatment and see where we're at in the upcoming days and just go from there," Cora said. The 37-year-old veteran could probably use the time off after joining Boston in a trade from the Los Angeles Angels at the end of July. The Dominican hurler has gone 5-1 overall this year with a 5.07 ERA (4.19 FIP), a 1.33 WHIP, a career-high four saves, 51 strikeouts and 15 walks in 55 innings. Garcia had more fantasy intrigue in deeper leagues when he was in Anaheim.
Aug 29   
Joc Pederson  • DH  •  Diamondbacks  |  Adrian Del Castillo  • C  •  Diamondbacks

Joc Pederson, Adrian Del Castillo Out Against A Southpaw

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder/designated hitter Joc Pederson and rookie catcher Adrian Del Castillo are both out for Thursday's series finale against the visiting New York Mets at Chase Field. Randal Grichuk is serving as Arizona's DH and is in the two-hole, while Jose Herrera is doing the catching and batting ninth against Mets left-hander David Peterson. It should be no surprise that Pederson is sitting, as he has seen only 36 plate appearances all year against southpaws, going 6-for-27 (.222) against them with only one of his 21 homers. Del Castillo has been a revelation since taking over for the injured Gabriel Moreno behind the plate, batting .354 (17-for-48) with three homers and 14 RBI in his first 14 big-league games. Grichuk might be worth a look in DFS lineups; he's hit .429 with a .929 OPS in seven career at-bats against Peterson.
Aug 29   
Harrison Bader  • CF  •  Mets  |  Mark Vientos  • 3B  •  Mets

Francisco Alvarez, Mark Vientos, Harrison Bader All Sitting

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez, third baseman Mark Vientos and outfielder Harrison Bader are all retreating to the bench for Thursday's series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Luis Torrens is doing the catching and batting ninth, Jose Iglesias is at the hot corner and hitting seventh, and Brandon Nimmo is in center field and batting third against D-backs right-hander Ryne Nelson. Nimmo is obviously the most attractive DFS play of the trio in the three-hole and he has two hits in four career at-bats against Nelson. Alvarez has hits in both of his last two games, but he could use a break after going just 2-for-24 with 10 strikeouts in his last eight games since Aug. 20. Vientos has taken advantage of Brett Baty's continued disappointment to post his first 20-homer season in 2024. Bader will get some rest despite homering in each of the last two games.
Aug 29   
Sal Frelick  • RF  •  Brewers

Sal Frelick Resting On Thursday

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick (shin) is out of the starting lineup on Thursday for the series finale against the San Francisco Giants at American Family Field. Frelick is getting a precautionary day off after he fouled a ball off himself in Wednesday's victory. It was believed that Frelick got more muscle than bone and should be OK. Garrett Mitchell will make the start in right field for the Brew Crew and will bat sixth against Giants rookie right-hander Hayden Birdsong. The 24-year-old Frelick should be back for Friday's series opener in Cincinnati against the division-rival Reds. He's mostly useful in deeper fantasy leagues for his modest speed. Frelick has hit .253 (19-for-75) with no homers, four RBI and two steals in 23 games in August. Injuries have limited Mitchell to 43 games in 2024. He has two homers and 10 RBI in 137 plate appearances.
Aug 29   
Lucas Sims  • RP  •  Red Sox

Red Sox Still Deciding If Lucas Sims Can Return This Year

Boston Red Sox right-handed reliever Lucas Sims (lat), who has been inconsistent since joining the Red Sox last month, was shut down on Aug. 27 with a right-lat strain. Manager Alex Cora said the team will have a better idea if the righty will return this year in around 10 days. "He's moving, he's working out and all that stuff," said Cora. "Obviously it bothers him when he reaches out. Hopefully [we'll] re-evaluate in 10 days and see where we're at." The 30-year-old was placed on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday. Since the Red Sox acquired him from the Cincinnati Reds at the trade deadline, he has allowed nine runs while walking seven and striking out seven in 10 innings of work. In 54 relief outings in 2024, Sims is 1-6 with a bloated 4.57 ERA, a 1.46 WHIP, one save and a 47:27 K:BB in 45 1/3 innings. Sims hasn't ben on the fantasy radar at all.
Aug 29   
Rafael Devers  • 3B  •  Red Sox

Rafael Devers Expected Back Soon

Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (shoulders) has been playing with discomfort in both of his shoulders for quite a while, and manager Alex Cora decided to give him two days in a row off on Tuesday and Wednesday. The plan is for Devers to return either on Thursday in the series finale at Fenway Park against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays or for Friday's series opener at Comerica Park against the Detroit Tigers. He tweaked his left shoulder swinging in the cage in spring training and then had a hard landing on his right shoulder while diving for a ground ball at Coors Field on July 23. "He's not getting worse but he's not getting any better," said Cora. "If he needs two or three [days off], we'll do it. We have to take care of him. And I think it's smart to do." Fantasy managers will want to get Devers back in their starting lineups when he's active again.
Aug 29   
Liam Hendriks  • RP  •  Red Sox

Liam Hendriks Looks Strong On Wednesday

Boston Red Sox right-handed reliever Liam Hendriks (elbow) looked strong in his fourth minor-league rehab appearance on Wednesday night, throwing a scoreless inning for Triple-A Worcester, giving up no hits while walking one and striking out one. Hendriks will make a fifth rehab appearance again on Friday and is trending in the right direction to make his Red Sox debut in the first or second week of September. The 35-year-old veteran is making his return from Tommy John surgery and should be able to give the BoSox plenty of experience in a late-inning setup role down the stretch in front of closer Kenley Jansen as they push for a wild-card spot in the American League. The Aussie reliever has been an All-Star three times in his 13-year career and holds 116 career saves under his belt.
Aug 29   
David Hamilton  • SS  •  Red Sox

David Hamilton Dealing With Finger/Hand Injury

Boston Red Sox middle infielder David Hamilton (fingers, hand) left Wednesday's win over the Toronto Blue Jays early with discomfort in his left fingers/hand. When Hamilton put down a bunt in the eighth inning, the pitch hit some of the fingers on his left hand and he was eventually replaced by Mickey Gasper at second base when the Red Sox took the field in the top of the ninth inning. Manager Alex Cora didn't have an immediate update on Hamilton following the game, so fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now. Don't be surprised if Hamilton isn't in the lineup for Thursday's contest at Fenway Park against the division rivals. The 26-year-old went 0-for-4 with a run scored in the 3-0 win. Hamilton has been a regular in 2024 for Boston at the keystone due to Vaughn Grissom's ongoing injury issues, and he's responded with 33 stolen bases in 294 at-bats.
Aug 29   
Jack Leiter  • SP  •  Rangers

Jack Leiter Sent Back To Triple-A

The Texas Rangers optioned right-handed pitching prospect Jack Leiter back to Triple-A Round Rock after he started the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader in Chicago against the White Sox. In his return to the big leagues, Leiter, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits while striking out four in four innings to pick up a no-decision. Although the 24-year-old's outing didn't stand out by any means against the worst team in baseball, it was nice to see that he didn't hand out any free passes. The Rangers are going to give Leiter more run in the rotation down the stretch, so expect him to be recalled the next time the fifth spot in the rotation comes up next week. Leiter will continue to be a shaky streaming option for fantasy managers to close out the year. He now has a 12.83 ERA and 2.40 WHIP in his four MLB starts.
Aug 29   
Xander Bogaerts  • 2B  •  Padres

Xander Bogaerts Getting A Day Off

San Diego Padres second baseman Xander Bogaerts is getting the day off in Thursday's series finale at Busch Stadium against the St. Louis Cardinals. In his place, Jake Cronenworth will shift to second base and will bat third, while Luis Arraez makes the start at first base and hits in his customary leadoff spot versus Cardinals right-hander Sonny Gray. Donovan Solano will serve as the designated hitter and bat fifth. This will be Bogaerts' first day off since July 13. The 31-year-old missed a big chunk of time this year with an injured shoulder but has been much better since his return than before going on the injured list. Since coming back on July 12, Bogaerts has hit .331 (49-for-148) with 15 RBI, but it's come with just two home runs. The veteran second baseman has only six homers in 2024 to go with eight steals. Solano makes a lot of contact (he's hitting over .300 in a bench role), but like Bogaerts, he has little power.
Aug 29   
Kyle Teel  • C  •  Red Sox

Kyle Teel Heating Up At Triple-A

Boston Red Sox catching prospect Kyle Teel has begun to heat up at Triple-A after getting off to a slow start. In his past three games, he has tallied at least one hit in each of them with a .273 AVG and four RBI. Prior to this stretch, the backstop he carried a disappointing .089/.179/.086 line with just three hits, two RBI, and a 4:12 BB:K ratio across his first nine games. Earlier this season, the former first-round selection in last year's draft posted a strong .289/.390/.462 line with 20 doubles, 11 home runs, and nine stolen bases through 84 games at Double-A Portland. MLB.com ranks Teel as the third-best prospect in the Boston system and the 27th overall in the sport. If Teel can continue to find his footing at Triple-A, he could have a chance to make his major league debut late in the season if the Red Sox remain in the Wild Card race.
Aug 29   
Mike Yastrzemski  • RF  •  Giants

Mike Yastrzemski Out Against A Righty

San Francisco Giants outfielder Mike Yastrzemski is not in the starting lineup on Thursday for the series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. With Yastrzemski getting a day off, Jerar Encarnacion will make the start in right field for the Gigantes and bat seventh against Brewers right-hander Aaron Civale. The left-handed-hitting Yastrzemski has struggled at the plate of late, going 7-for-34 (.206) with two home runs, two doubles, four RBI and seven strikeouts in his last 10 games since Aug. 17. His OPS is down to .731 on the year while providing a very modest 11 home runs and 42 RBI in 114 games for San Fran. Encarnacion will be a deep DFS sleeper for Thursday's slate. He's played in only 16 games for the Giants this year and has gone 12-for-51 (.235) with two home runs and eight RBI in 54 trips to the plate.
Aug 29   
Nick Nastrini  • SP  •  White Sox

Nick Nastrini Called Up To Start In Series Finale

The Chicago White Sox recalled right-handed pitching prospect Nick Nastrini from Triple-A Charlotte to start in Thursday's series finale against the Texas Rangers at Guaranteed Rate Field. The White Sox optioned left-hander Sammy Peralta to Charlotte in a corresponding move. Nastrini, a former fourth-round pick in 2021 out of UCLA, will be making just his seventh big-league start in his rookie season and should be avoided as a fantasy streamer against the visiting Rangers. In his first six big-league starts in 2024, Nastrini has gone 0-5 with an 8.39 ERA, a 1.99 WHIP, 19 strikeouts and 25 walks in 24 2/3 innings pitched. The club's No. 18 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, will be making his first appearance in the majors since June 8. The 24-year-old had a 4.89 ERA and 1.63 WHIP with 54 K's and 35 walks in 49 2/3 innings at Charlotte since being sent down.
Aug 29   
Mikey Romero  • SS  •  Red Sox

Mikey Romero Launches First Double-A Home Run

Boston Red Sox shortstop prospect Mikey Romero went 1-for-4 with his first Double-A home run on Wednesday evening. Romero made his Double-A debut earlier this week on Tuesday and has gone 2-for-9 with three RBI in his first minor taste. Since being drafted with the 24th overall pick in 2022, the infielder has battled numerous injuries and has had trouble staying on the field. Earlier this summer at High-A, Romero held a .271/.319/.498 line across a 59-game stint. The 20-year-old currently sits as the No. 16 prospect in the Boston system on MLB.com and could contend for an MLB debut next summer if he continues to settle in at the upper levels of the minor leagues.
Aug 29   
Walker Jenkins  • OF  •  Twins

Walker Jenkins Extends Hitting Streak To Seven Games

Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Walker Jenkins has been swinging a hot bat over the past week and is currently carrying a seven-game hitting streak at High-A. On Wednesday evening, the top prospect went 3-for-5 with a triple and a stolen base. Since joining High-A Cedar Rapids on July 29, the former fifth-overall pick has posted a strong .289/.352/.485 line with two home runs, nine doubles, 11 RBI, and five stolen bases. Earlier this season in his second look at Single-A, Jenkins posted a .273/.404/.413 line. The South Brunswick HS product currently sits as the fourth-best prospect in the sport on MLB.com and remains a coveted asset in dynasty leagues.
Aug 29   
Pete Crow-Armstrong  • CF  •  Cubs

Pete Crow-Armstrong On Base Five Times On Wednesday

Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong went a perfect 5-for-5 in getting on base in Wednesday's 14-10 win over the Pirates, collecting four hits and was even intentionally walked in his fifth plate appearance. The 22-year-old has been hot as of late, with multi-hit games in four of his last six, going 11-for-23 (.478) with three extra-base hits, seven RBI, nine runs scored, a 5:6 BB:K, and three stolen bases over that stretch. After seeing his batting average dip all the way down to .180 on July 26, the former first-round draft pick has raised it all the way up to .233, not far below the major league average of .244. Experiencing such futility over his first 66 games, it might be hard to trust him leading up to the fantasy playoffs, but he does have the pedigree and for those willing to ride the wave, the youngster is still available in almost 70% of Yahoo leagues.
Aug 29   
Adam Mazur  • SP  •  Marlins

Adam Mazur Dazzles On Wednesday Evening

Miami Marlins starting pitching prospect Adam Mazur logged another stellar outing on Wednesday evening. He tossed seven innings of one-run ball with just two hits and no free passes. He struck out a season-high nine batters. This was his second straight quality start and a great sign for the 23-year-old as he posted a hefty 6.92 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP in his previous three outings before this stretch. The Iowa product got a brief look at the major leagues this season when he was still on the Padres and held a 7.49 ERA and a 1.81 WHIP through his first 33 frames. However, since joining the Marlins organization, Mazur has held a much-improved 3.81 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP at Triple-A. The right-hander remains a name to keep an eye on in deeper leagues, as he may earn a late-season promotion to the big leagues.
Aug 29   
LEGEND
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