MLB News

Spencer Arrighetti  • SP  •  Astros

Spencer Arrighetti Dominates Phillies In Seventh Win

Houston Astros starting pitcher Spencer Arrighetti made a statement in Wednesday afternoon's victory over the hosting Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Banks Park, throwing 7 2/3 shutout innings with 11 strikeouts. Arrighetti was stellar on the road on Wednesday against a vaunted Phillies lineup, taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning and ultimately scattering two hits and four walks for his seventh win of the year. The 24-year-old rookie right-hander endured a tough start to his big-league career, logging a 2.77 ERA, 71 punchouts, 18 walks, and three wins over his last 55 1/3 frames (nine starts) for the Astros. He's closing in on must-start fantasy status going forward.
Aug 29   
Christian Bethancourt  • C  •  Cubs

Christian Bethancourt Piles Up Seven RBI In Win

Chicago Cubs catcher Christian Bethancourt was instrumental in Wednesday's stunning win over the hosting division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park, notching three hits, a homer, and seven RBI in the victory. After connecting with a two-run homer to left field in the seventh inning, Bethancourt hooked a two-run double to left field to trim the Cubs' deficit to 10-7 in the eighth frame. He then delivered a two-run single to left field to give the Cubs an 11-10 lead in the ninth. The 32-year-old veteran backstop has hit more homers (three) in 11 games with Chicago than he hit (two) in 38 outings with the Miami Marlins earlier this year, going 11-for-27 with 15 RBI and two stolen bases to boot. He's pushing for more at-bats in the Windy City.
Aug 29   
David Bednar  • RP  •  Pirates

David Bednar Allows Five Runs, Blows Sixth Save

Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar imploded once again in Wednesday afternoon's loss to the visiting division-rival Chicago Cubs at PNC Park, allowing five runs and taking his sixth blown save of the season in the defeat. Summoned to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning, Bednar gave up two hits and three walks while recording just two outs on 28 pitches before being mercifully pulled from Wednesday's disastrous outing against the Cubs. Besides tallying 23 saves for the Pirates this season, the 29-year-old right-hander has struggled all year long in Pittsburgh, posting a 6.32 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 49 strikeouts, and 18 walks over 47 frames. It wouldn't be surprising to see veteran southpaw Aroldis Chapman get more save chances going forward.
Aug 29   
Liam Hendriks  • RP  •  Red Sox

Liam Hendriks On Track To Return In September

Boston Red Sox right-handed reliever Liam Hendriks (elbow) remains on track to make his Red Sox debut in September, around 13 months removed from having Tommy John surgery. Hendriks has made three minor-league rehab appearances (one for Triple-A Worcester, two for Double-A Portland) since Aug. 18 and will continue his progression this week for Worcester on Wednesday and Friday. The 35-year-old Aussie allowed an unearned run and struck out two in two-thirds of an inning in his outing with Portland on Sunday, throwing 13 of his 19 pitches for strikes. Hendriks, who has 116 career saves in 13 big-league seasons with five different teams, should become an experienced late-inning setup option in front of closer Kenley Jansen to wrap up the final month of the regular season in September.
Aug 28   
Hunter Stratton  • RP  •  Pirates

Hunter Stratton Has Knee Surgery, Out 7-10 Months

Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Hunter Stratton (knee) underwent surgery on Monday to fix a patellar tendon rupture in his left knee and is expected to be out for seven to 10 months. Stratton's 2024 season is over after he suffered the serious knee injury over the weekend. Depending on how his rehab goes this offseason, the 27-year-old's availability for the start of the 2025 campaign will be in question. The former 16th-round pick in 2017 out of Walters State Community College appeared in eight games out of the bullpen in his rookie season in 2023 before throwing 37 2/3 relief frames for the Pirates in 2024, sporting a 3.58 ERA (3.25 FIP), his first career save, a 1.17 WHIP and a 33:7 K:BB. Like this year, Stratton won't be on the fantasy radar at all.
Aug 28   
Ke'Bryan Hayes  • 3B  •  Pirates

Ke'Bryan Hayes Still Being Evaluated

The Pittsburgh Pirates are still in the process of "learning more" about third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes' back injury, and there is no timetable for his return right now. The Pirates have fallen even further out of playoff contention after a sweep at the hands of the division-rival Chicago Cubs this week, so it wouldn't be a surprise at all if we didn't see Hayes at all again in 2024. The 27-year-old is on the injured list for the second time in 2024 with back issues and may need a surgical procedure, depending on what the team finds in their evaluations. Playing at less than 100% has led Hayes to regress further offensively, hitting .233/.283/.290 with only four home runs, 25 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 365 at-bats. Jared Triolo is benefitting from a starting role at third base in Pittsburgh now that Hayes is on the shelf again. The priority for the Pirates at this point is just getting Hayes healthy for 2025.
Aug 28   
Rowdy Tellez  • 1B  •  Pirates

Rowdy Tellez Injured On Wednesday

Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Rowdy Tellez (undisclosed) was forced from Wednesday's loss to the division-rival Chicago Cubs at PNC Park early due to an undisclosed injury in the eighth inning. Before departing the 14-10 loss, Tellez had a strong day at the plate, going 3-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored. Tellez likely injured himself running to first base in the bottom of the seventh inning, but there is no word on the specific nature of his injury. The good news is Pittsburgh has an off day on Thursday, so if the 29-year-old's injury isn't serious, he could be back in action for Friday's series opener at Progressive Field against the Cleveland Guardians. If Tellez misses extended time with whatever is ailing him, Connor Joe, who replaced Tellez at first base on Wednesday, would benefit from extra playing time at the position.
Aug 28   
Andrew McCutchen  • DH  •  Pirates

Andrew McCutchen Gets Through Full Workout

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder/designated hitter Andrew McCutchen (knee) recently got through a full workout that included running the bases. McCutchen thinks he's ready for a return, and the team is discussing a plan for his next step. The 37-year-old veteran is already eligible to come off the 10-day injured list, but the Pirates may want to send him on a short minor-league rehab assignment first. The Bucs have fallen firmly out of playoff contention at this point, so there's no reason to rush the aging outfielder back onto the field. He's been sidelined since the middle of August with inflammation in his left knee. The former MVP has managed to produce modest power yet again in 2024 with 16 home runs and 40 runs driven in with an above-average .741 OPS in 101 games played in his 16th year in the big leagues.
Aug 28   
Marco Gonzales  • SP  •  Pirates

Marco Gonzales To Have Elbow Surgery, Out 9-12 Months

Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Marco Gonzales (elbow) will undergo surgery to fix a flexor tendon in his left elbow in September and is expected to have a recovery timetable of nine to 12 months. It's bad news for a 32-year-old who already had surgery on the same elbow for a nerve issue last August. Gonzales was actually ready on time for the start of the 2024 season but predictably underwhelmed in his seven starts, going 1-1 with a 4.54 ERA (4.71 FIP), a 1.60 WHIP and a very weak 15.2% strikeout rate in just 33 2/3 innings pitched on the season. He's most likely going to miss at least the first half of the 2025 campaign and will be a free agent this fall once the Pirates turn down his $15 million club option. Gonzales probably isn't going to have many suitors this winter and will need to prove his health next summer before probably having to settle for a minor-league deal somewhere.
Aug 28   
Ben Brown  • RP  •  Cubs

Ben Brown Unlikely To Return This Year

Chicago Cubs rookie right-hander Ben Brown (neck) remains at the team's spring training complex in Arizona and still hasn't done anything pitching-wise. Manager Craig Counsell said it's not likely that Brown will be back the rest of the season. Brown last appeared in a game for the Cubs way back on June 8 and was then placed on the injured list on June 11 with a stress reaction in his neck. The 24-year-old has already been shut down two separate times from his throwing program and will likely be shut down as he looks to get fully healthy for next season. After going 1-3 with a 3.58 ERA (3.11 FIP), a 1.08 WHIP and a 64:19 K:BB in 55 1/3 innings over his first 15 big-league appearances (eight starts), Brown should at least be in contention for a starting role going into spring training next year if he's recovered from his neck issues.
Aug 28   
Patrick Bailey  • C  •  Giants

Patrick Bailey To Return On Thursday

San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin said he expects catcher Patrick Bailey (oblique) to come off the 10-day injured list when he's first eligible on Thursday. An oblique strain has kept Bailey out of action since Aug. 18, but he should return as San Fran's primary backstop on Thursday. Veteran Curt Casali will then go back to being the Giants' backup at the position, although he could see more playing time if Bailey continues to struggle like he was before his injury. Before his oblique injury, the 25-year-old switch-hitter had gone just 3-for-57 (.053) with a double, two RBI and 14 strikeouts in his previous 16 games played. The poor stretch knocked his season slash line down to .233/.299/.344 with a weak .642 OPS to go along with seven home runs, 38 RBI and 37 runs scored on the year. It's been an uninspiring season for Bailey.
Aug 28   
Freddie Freeman  • 1B  •  Dodgers

Freddie Freeman Out Again On Wednesday

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (finger) remains out of the starting lineup for the second straight day on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium against the visiting Baltimore Orioles. Enrique Hernandez will fill in at first base and will bat ninth against Orioles right-hander Corbin Burnes. Especially while residing down at the bottom of the order, Hernandez will be a poor DFS play for Wednesday's slate. He's also hitting .167 in six career at-bats against Burnes. The 34-year-old Freeman suffered a hairline fracture in his right middle finger on Aug. 17 but has played through it, although it could be giving him issues of late. In six games since fracturing his finger, Freeman has gone just 3-for-23 (.130) with two doubles, an RBI and seven strikeouts in 25 plate appearances. It's something to watch as we head toward the final month of the regular season in September.
Aug 28   
Anthony Rizzo  • 1B  •  Yankees

Anthony Rizzo Goes Deep In Rehab Game

New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo (forearm) went 2-for-2 with a solo home run in a minor-league rehab game with Double-A Somerset on Tuesday. In three rehab games for Somerset, Rizzo has gone 2-for-6 with a homer, two runs scored and two walks. Tuesday's contest saw the 35-year-old left-handed-slugging veteran play first base for the first time after serving as the designated hitter the first two contests. With rookie left-handed-hitter Ben Rice struggling at the plate of late for the Yanks, it seems like the perfect time for Rizzo to rejoin the major-league club, which could happen as soon as this weekend in a series in the Bronx against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals. Rizzo could be a sneaky power option for fantasy managers down the stretch. Before fracturing his forearm, he hit eight home runs and drove in 28 runs in 264 at-bats for the Yankees.
Aug 28   
Clarke Schmidt  • SP  •  Yankees

Clarke Schmidt Likely To Make Another Rehab Start

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that right-hander Clarke Schmidt (lat) will likely make another minor-league rehab start after his outing on Wednesday for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, although nothing is set in stone. Schmidt impressed by giving up just one run while striking out six in 3 2/3 innings in his first rehab start with Double-A Somerset, and now he'll take on better competition in his second start. If all goes well with the 28-year-old's next two rehab starts, he could be a candidate to return to New York's starting rotation next weekend in a series at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs. Fantasy managers looking for streaming options in mixed leagues down the stretch shouldn't forget about Schmidt, who has been out since late May with a strained right lat. He was sporting a career-high 27.1% strikeout rate and tidy 2.52 ERA in 11 starts for the Yanks before his injury.
Aug 28   
Luis Gil  • SP  •  Yankees

Luis Gil Likely To Make Rehab Start In Five Days

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that right-hander Luis Gil (back) will likely make a minor-league rehab start in five days. The Yankees have cleared Gil to face live hitters in a game setting early next week after he had a successful live batting practice session on Tuesday. If he looks good and doesn't suffer a setback with his back in his rehab start, the 26-year-old could return to New York's starting rotation as early as next weekend at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs. The Yankees have said that they are planning to have Gil return in a starting role in September, but that could change if they want to limit his innings as the playoffs approach. Gil has been great for the Yanks in 2024 in his return from Tommy John surgery, going 12-6 with a 3.39 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 144 K's in 124 2/3 frames over 24 starts. Fatigue may be factoring in over the second half of the season, though.
Aug 28   
Austin Barnes  • C  •  Dodgers

Austin Barnes Expected Back On Thursday

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that the plan is to activate backup catcher Austin Barnes (toe) on Thursday, the first day he's eligible to come off the 10-day injured list. Barnes was placed on the IL with a fractured left toe last Monday, but he took simulated at-bats against minor-league pitching at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday and is ready to go. When the 34-year-old veteran backstop rejoins the big-league roster, Hunter Feduccia will most likely be sent back to the minors. Barnes has played in only 44 games for the Dodgers this year as Will Smith's backup and has provided next to nothing offensively, slashing .241/.318/.284 with a .602 OPS, one home run, two doubles, eight RBI and eight runs scored in 131 trips to the plate.
Aug 28   
Tyler Glasnow  • SP  •  Dodgers

Tyler Glasnow Will Need A Rehab Assignment

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that right-hander Tyler Glasnow's (elbow) rehab is still "slow-moving," and that he will need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before he comes off the 15-day injured list to rejoin the big-league starting rotation in September. "The coming days will be telling" on whether Glasnow can be fully built up for October. At this point, the Dodgers aren't going to rush the 31-year-old back in September and jeopardize his ability to pitch deeper into games as a starter in October. There isn't a ton of concern regarding Glasnow's injury in general, but he's made a slower-than-expected recovery and probably isn't going to give fantasy managers much depth if he makes anymore starts in the final month of the regular season. When healthy in his first year in LA, Glasnow has been a must-start in fantasy, fanning 168 in 134 innings with a 3.49 ERA in his 22 starts.
Aug 28   
Cole Ragans  • SP  •  Royals

Cole Ragans Slated To Start On Saturday

Kansas City Royals left-hander Cole Ragans (calf, hamstring) is penciled in to make his next scheduled start this Saturday against the Houston Astros. Ragans was pulled slightly early from his last start on Monday against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians due to cramps in his left calf and hamstring. Manager Matt Quatraro downplayed the injury after the game, though, and the Royals were never really expecting the 26-year-old southpaw to miss his next turn through the rotation this weekend. While the matchup against the first-place Astros isn't the greatest by any means, Ragans has been a pretty reliable fantasy starter in 2024, going 10-8 with a 3.28 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 187 K's in 156 1/3 frames over his 27 starts. His lone start against the 'Stros came back on April 9, when he gave up three earned runs on 10 hits while walking one and fanning five in five innings in a no-decision.
Aug 28   
Stuart Fairchild  • CF  •  Reds

Stuart Fairchild Done For The Season

The Cincinnati Reds moved outfielder Stuart Fairchild (thumb) to the 60-day injured list on Wednesday, effectively ending his season. The Reds also selected the contract of left-hander Evan Kravetz from Triple-A Louisville and optioned right-hander Casey Legumina to Louisville. A left-thumb sprain landed Fairchild on the 10-day IL on Tuesday, but now the 28-year-old outfielder will miss the final month of the season while needing to go under the knife. In a platoon role in Cincy's outfield in 2024 in his fourth big-league season, Fairchild wasn't a fantasy option in mixed leagues, slashing a weak .215/.286/.368 with a below-average .654 OPS, a career-high eight home runs, 30 RBI and a career-high 13 stolen bases in 94 games played. Fairchild remains more useful in real life for his defense than for his bat. Until Jake Fraley (knee) returns this weekend, rookie Rece Hinds could see more run for the Reds.
Aug 28   
Noelvi Marte  • 3B  •  Reds

Noelvi Marte Out On Wednesday

Cincinnati Reds third baseman Noelvi Marte is not playing on Wednesday evening against the visiting Oakland Athletics at Great American Ballpark. Marte continues to lose playing time in Cincy despite the fact that Jeimer Candelario (toe) remains on the injured list. Santiago Espinal will make another start at third and will bat sixth for the Reds against A's right-hander Osvaldo Bido. The 22-year-old Marte got a late start to 2024 while serving a suspension and has never found his footing at the plate, entering Wednesdays contest with an even .200 average (33-for-165) with four homers, 14 RBI, six stolen bases and 54 strikeouts in 46 games played. He has gone 7-for-21 with a homer and two RBI in his last six games, but fantasy managers haven't been able to use him in mixed leagues in 2024. The 29-year-old Espinal has exactly eight steals and eight homers in 267 at-bats in 2024 and is gaining steam in NL-only leagues.
Aug 28   
LEGEND
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