MLB News

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

Hunter Greene • SP • Reds

Hunter Greene Won't Be Ready To Return Soon

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene (elbow) underwent an MRI exam and obtained three opinions on his injured right elbow, with no structural damage to be found. It's great news since he had Tommy John surgery in 2019. However, Greene won't be ready anytime soon. "It looks like I need about two weeks or so for the inflammation to go down, to go away," Greene said. "Then I'll start throwing again." There remains hope that Greene can return in 2024, but he's quickly running out of time to make an impact for fantasy managers still chasing a title. In a best-case scenario, he's likely to make only one or two more starts if he actually makes it back. The 25-year-old former second overall pick in 2017 was a first-time All-Star this year and has had a fantastic season, going 9-4 with a career-best 2.83 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and solid 27.8% strikeout rate in his 24 starts.

Aug 28

Nick Lodolo • SP • Reds

Nick Lodolo Could Miss Rest Of The Season

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo (finger) is on the 15-day injured list for the fourth different time this year and could end up missing the rest of the season due to a sprained left middle finger on his left pitching hand. Lodolo is expected to be in a splint for two weeks. "It's not concerning for the long term, but it's a rare injury that could keep him out for the year," manager David Bell said. "That's the bottom line." With Hunter Greene (elbow) and Andrew Abbott (shoulder) also on the IL, the Reds are bringing up No. 2 prospect Rhett Lowder to make his MLB debut this Friday. Lodolo has struggled since returning from a blister on his finger, posting a 7.54 ERA in nine starts, with the biggest issue for coming when he tries to use his curveball. With Lodolo looking unlikely now to return in 2024, fantasy managers in redraft leagues could drop him for other options heading into the final month.

Aug 28

Rhett Lowder • SP • Reds

Rhett Lowder To Make MLB Debut On Friday

The Cincinnati Reds plan to call up right-handed pitching prospect Rhett Lowder from Triple-A Louisville in order to make his major-league debut in the second game of a doubleheader against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, according to a source. Given how banged up Cincy's rotation currently is, there's a good chance that Lowder will make more starts beyond Friday's debut. The 22-year-old is the team's No. 2 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and should immediately be grabbed in most fantasy formats for his strikeout upside. The seventh overall pick last year out of Wake Forest has posted a 3.64 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 113:24 K:BB in 108 2/3 innings in three minor-league levels in 2024. Lowder has some of the best pure stuff among young pitching prospects and one of the best changeups in the minors. It will be a tough first matchup against the Brew Crew, but Lowder has the stuff to be dominant right away.

Aug 28

Brenton Doyle • CF • Rockies

Brenton Doyle Back In Rockies Lineup Versus Marlins

Colorado Rockies outfielder Brenton Doyle (knee) is back in center field and is hitting cleanup for Colorado on Wednesday at Coors Field against Miami Marlins right-hander Max Meyer. Doyle will return to the starting lineup on Wednesday after sitting out the first two games of the series against the Fish due left-patellar tendinitis. It's something that the 26-year-old dealt with earlier this year as well, so it's worth watching moving forward. But for now, fantasy managers will want to get him right back into their starting lineups everywhere as Colorado's most potent fantasy name. He has taken the next step in his second MLB season in 2024, already reaching the 20/20 mark while delivering 63 RBI and 74 runs scored in 126 games. Doyle has hit .304 (14-for-46) with a homer, four RBI and three steals in his last 12 games since Aug. 12.

Aug 28

Rafael Devers • 3B • Red Sox

Rafael Devers Still Out On Wednesday

Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (shoulders) remains out of Boston's starting lineup on Wednesday at Fenway Park against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays. It's Devers' second straight day off while he battles through soreness in both of his shoulders. The 27-year-old All-Star has battled shoulder issues all year, so the Red Sox are giving him a little break this week. For now, fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day and check back to see if he's available for Thursday's series finale against Toronto. Devers is one of the best hitters in the game when healthy and is a must-start when he's active. Romy Gonzalez will replace him again at the hot corner and bat eighth against Blue Jays right-hander Chris Bassitt on Wednesday. Gonzalez has never faced Bassitt and has little upside in DFS lineups in the eight-hole.

Aug 28

Quinn Mathews • RP • Cardinals

Quinn Mathews Promoted To Triple-A

St. Louis Cardinals left-handed pitching prospect Quinn Mathews has been promoted from Double-A Springfield to Triple-A Memphis. The 23-year-old southpaw starter will join his fourth team of the season after starting 2024 at Single-A Palm Beach. Mathews, the No. 60 overall prospect in baseball and St. Louis' No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is 8-3 on the year with a strong 2.27 ERA in 22 starts and leads all minor-league pitchers with 180 strikeouts in only 126 2/3 innings of work. The Stanford product has held a downright dominant 0.85 ERA, 0.63 WHIP and 49 strikeouts with only five walks in his last 31 2/3 innings at Springfield. Mathews is one of the fastest-rising pitching prospects in the game and could spend considerable time in the Cardinal's starting rotation at the big-league level in 2025. Stash him now in dynasty/keeper leagues if he's available.

Aug 28

Victor Scott II • CF • Cardinals

Victor Scott II Sitting Against Padres

St. Louis Cardinals rookie outfielder Victor Scott II is not in the starting lineup on Wednesday against the San Diego Padres at Busch Stadium. Scott will take a seat after starting each of the team's last six games. The Cardinals will use Tommy Pham, Lars Nootbaar and Alec Burleson from left to right field, respectively, on Wednesday against Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove. Since returning to the big leagues on Aug. 5, Scott has hit .226 (14-for-62) with two home runs, four doubles, six RBI, three steals, three walks and 21 strikeouts in 19 games. However, he's currently riding a modest four-game hitting streak that has seen him go 4-for-14 with a homer, double, RBI, walk, stolen base and run scored. The 23-year-old outfield prospect has hit only .157 in his first 121 big-league at-bats, but he's intriguing for his speed in NL-only leagues to close out 2024.

Aug 28

CJ Abrams • SS • Nationals

CJ Abrams Resting Against Yankees

Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams will get the day off on Wednesday versus the New York Yankees at Nationals Park. Nasim Nunez will get the nod at the 6 and will bat ninth, while rookie outfielder Dylan Crews will play right field and be moved up to the leadoff spot against Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodon. Abrams is getting a day to clear his head after going hitless in eight at-bats with two strikeouts in the first two games of the series against the Bombers. The 23-year-old has actually hit better against lefties (.287 in 170 plate appearances), but he has only four of his 18 homers on the year against southpaws and could use a blow. Abrams has also gone 8-for-49 (.163) with a homer, three RBI and 17 K's in 13 games since Aug. 14. Crews will be playing in his third MLB game after debuting on Monday. He picked up his first big-league hit on Tuesday with a two-hit performance.

Aug 28

J.T. Ginn • SP • Athletics

J.T. Ginn To Make First MLB Start On Thursday

Oakland Athletics right-handed pitching prospect J.T. Ginn will be called up from Triple-A Las Vegas to make his first major-league start on Thursday against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark. Ginn made his big-league debut in a relief appearance on Aug. 21 against the Tampa Bay Rays and has given up an earned run on a hit while walking three and striking out four in two innings over his two appearances out of the bullpen in 2024. The 25-year-old was sporting a bloated 5.72 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and a 69:30 K:BB in 72 1/3 innings over 15 outings (14 starts) at Vegas before his first MLB call-up last week. Ginn could have a shot to make more starts in the final month of the regular season if he pitches well on Thursday, but fantasy managers should be looking to avoid him as a deep-league streamer in his first start in a hitter-friendly environment.

Aug 28

Miguel Andujar • LF • Athletics

Miguel Andujar Goes On 10-Day Injured List

The Oakland Athletics placed outfielder Miguel Andujar (core) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to Aug. 25) on Wednesday with a core-muscle injury and recalled infielder Nick Allen from Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move. Infielder Abraham Toro, who was designated for assignment on Tuesday, has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Vegas. It's unclear if Andujar will be ready to return when he's eligible on Sept. 4. With the 29-year-old sidelined for a bit, Daz Cameron will likely be the primary beneficiary in Oakland's outfield for the time being. Andujar didn't make his 2024 debut until May 24 due to injury but has hit well since returning, slashing .285/.320/.377 with a .697 OPS in 302 at-bats. However, he doesn't have notable power (four homers) or speed (three steals), limiting his fantasy appeal on a bad A's squad.

Aug 28

Tyler Alexander • SP |

Drew Rasmussen • RP • Rays

Drew Rasmussen Serving As Opener, Tyler Alexander Set For Bulk Relief

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen will be the opener for Wednesday's contest against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park and is likely to go only two innings. The plan is for left-hander Tyler Alexander to serve as the bulk reliever, although manager Kevin Cash told reporters in Seattle that depending on the game situation with a day off coming on Thursday, the Rays could go with a full bullpen game and use several relievers. This will be Rasmussen's third opening assignment of the year, but fantasy managers will want to avoid the 29-year-old, even against the light-hitting Mariners. Alexander, a 30-year-old southpaw, would be the better streaming option in deeper leagues, but he's also not recommended. In 17 outings (seven starts) this year, he holds a 5.22 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with only 69 strikeouts in 81 innings of work.

Aug 28

Justin Turner • 1B • Mariners |

Mitch Haniger • RF • Mariners

Justin Turner, Mitch Haniger On The Bench Wednesday

Seattle Mariners first baseman/designated hitter Justin Turner and outfielder Mitch Haniger will start Wednesday's contest against the Tampa Bay Rays at T-Mobile Park on the bench. Luke Raley is at first base and is hitting sixth, while Victor Robles is starting in right field and batting in the nine-hole against Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen. Catcher Cal Raleigh will serve as the DH. Since landing in Seattle via trade from the Toronto Blue Jays at the deadline at the end of July, the veteran Turner has essentially become a short-side platoon player, mostly starting against lefties. He's done very little with less playing time, too, going 15-for-73 (.205) with a homer, 10 RBI and 17 K's in his first 22 games with the team. As the M's look to make a move in the AL West, the right-handed-hitting Haniger may find himself on the bench more often against righties. He's batting only .210 on the year with 12 homers and 44 RBI.

Aug 28

J.P. Crawford • SS • Mariners

J.P. Crawford Reinstated And Starting On Wednesday

Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford (finger) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list on Wednesday and is back at shortstop and batting leadoff against the Tampa Bay Rays and right-hander Drew Rasmussen at T-Mobile Park. In a corresponding move, the M's optioned outfielder Dominic Canzone to Triple-A Tacoma. Crawford will return to Seattle for the first time since suffering a hairline fracture of his right pinkie finger when being hit by a pitch in late July. The 29-year-old will return to everyday duties at the 6, sending Leo Rivas back to a bench role. It's good news for the Mariners as they look to close the gap on the Houston Astros atop the American League West division, but fantasy managers probably aren't all that interested in Crawford if he's available on the waiver wire after he's hit just .204/.299/.347 on the season with nine homers, 32 RBI and five steals in 294 at-bats.

Aug 28

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