MLB News

The San Francisco Giants placed right-hander Jordan Hicks on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation ahead of Tuesday's game against the hosting Milwaukee Brewers. Hicks has been battling a lingering shoulder issue and was unavailable for Friday's contest against the Seattle Mariners after feeling a "zinger" down his right arm on two of his final three warmup pitches, but he was cleared to pitch after playing catch without issue the following day before eventually going on the IL. Hicks is 4-7 with a 3.90 ERA this year, making 20 starts before being moved to the bullpen in late July. The 27-year-old righty has made eight appearances in relief and logged 108 1/3 innings overall for the Giants this season. Ryan Walker and Camilo Doval figure to share save chances in San Francisco until Hicks is back in the mix, which likely won't be until mid-September.

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (elbow) threw two perfect innings with Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday, allowing no baserunners and striking out two hitters while throwing 24 pitches (16 strikes). The outing marked deGrom's second start on his minor-league rehab assignment after he threw two innings for Double-A Frisco on Thursday. Manager Bruce Bochy noted on Tuesday in Chicago that deGrom was targeting two innings and around 40 pitches in this outing, and that the veteran right-hander would get some extra work in the bullpen if he proved to be more efficient. deGrom is working his way back from June 2023 Tommy John surgery, and Bochy indicated the righty will increase his workload to three innings and around 50 pitches in his third rehab start. The two-time National League Cy Young Award winner is tracking toward a regular-season debut in early-to-mid September for the Rangers and fantasy managers.

Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker (shin) hasn't been traveling with the team during their road trip through Baltimore and Philadelphia, but he has instead been working out back in Houston. Manager Joe Espada said on Tuesday that Tucker has been sprinting in the outfield, which means he's close to running the bases. The club has said previously that would be his final hurdle before going out on a minor-league rehab assignment. Tucker has been out since June 3 due to a right shin contusion, but this point of progression in his recovery keeps him on track to first resume running the bases and then go out on his assignment sometime in the near future. Fantasy managers can still expect the 27-year-old five-category superstar to make his long-awaited return to the Astros in early September.

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette (calf), who had been rehabbing at the club's Player Development Complex in Dunedin, Florida, was reunited with his team in Boston ahead of Tuesday's game against the Red Sox. Bichette is continuing to ramp up from a second right calf strain this season that he suffered on July 19, throwing from distance and taking direct grounders prior to the contest against Boston. Manager John Schneider said that Bichette will remain with the Blue Jays through the end of their road trip between Boston and Minneapolis, and that his next step will be running the bases, which Toronto expects to happen in the next few days. The 26-year-old star infielder is going to need a minor-league rehab assignment before returning to the major leagues for the stretch run, but fantasy managers can expect to have Bichette back potentially in early-to-mid September.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen exited Tuesday's game against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians with a left hamstring strain. Lorenzen sprinted over to cover first base on a force out in the second inning, appearing to have his left leg hyper-extended as he tried to complete a double play. He grimaced as he fell to the ground and stayed in the contest following a few warmup pitches, but he finally departed after striking out Guardians outfielder Lane Thomas. Lorenzen tentatively lines up to take the mound next on Sunday against the Houston Astros, but fantasy managers should be making other arrangements and preparing for a potential stint on the injured list. It's rough timing for the 32-year-old veteran right-hander, who holds two wins, a 1.85 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 17:10 K:BB over 24 1/3 innings since joining the Royals this year.

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins (quadriceps) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The lefty slugger returns to the field after missing two games due to left quad tightness. He'll cover center field and bat seventh against right-hander Jack Flaherty. The 29-year-old continues to regress at the plate as he's hitting .225 with 13 home runs and 41 RBI in 119 games this season. The savior for his fantasy value is the fact he has 23 stolen bases, which gives him some value in category leagues.

New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte is out of the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The veteran outfielder has been hitting the ball better lately with four hits over his last five games. However, the Mets have been easing him back into action giving him his third rest day on Tuesday since his return from the injured list. Jesse Winker will bat fifth and cover right field versus right-hander Brandon Pfaadt on Tuesday. Winker has been hitting the cover off the ball since joining the Mets roster. He's hitting .288 with one homer and five RBI in 21 games with the team.

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman is out of the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Baltimore Orioles. The 34-year-old is attempting to play through a fractured finger. However, Freeman is struggling with only three hits in his last six games. As a result, the Dodgers will give Freeman the night off to get rest and recover. Kike Hernandez will cover first base and bat eighth versus left-hander Cole Irvin. Hernandez has struggled with the bat this season, but his ability to play all over the field gives him value to this roster. He has three hits in his last two games, but Hernandez remains a risky streaming option for Tuesday.

Seattle Mariners outfielder Luke Raley is out of the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Fantasy managers don't need to worry as his absence doesn't appear to be injury related. Raley missed a game over the weekend due to an illness, but he appears to be fine now. He'll take a seat against a tough lefty Jeffrey Springs. Justin Turner will cover first base and bat sixth during Tuesday's game. The 39-year-old has seen a regression at the plate during the 2024 season. Turner is hitting a lackluster .214 with one home run and 10 RBI in 21 games with the Mariners. The veteran slugger can be avoided in most fantasy formats.

Seattle Mariners outfielder Victor Robles (finger) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Robles is back in the mix after missing a pair of games due to a right finger contusion he suffered over the weekend. He'll bat in the leadoff spot and cover right field against left-hander Jeffrey Springs on Tuesday. Robles has been a nice surprise for Seattle this season, but is hitting .226 with zero home runs and three RBI against left-handed pitching this season. Fantasy managers looking for DFS help should look elsewhere for help.

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado is out of the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the San Diego Padres. This looks to be a rare rest day for the veteran slugger. Arenado continues to be a productive offensive contributor, but his power numbers have taken a dip in 2024. The 33-year-old only has 14 home runs this season, but the good news is that he has six long balls in his last 34 games. It looks like Arenado is hitting his stride down the stretch of the season. Jose Fermin will cover third base and bat eighth against right-hander Dylan Cease. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere for a streaming option with Fermin hitting less than .150 on the season.

San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (thigh) continues to rehab in Arizona at the team's spring training complex and is now ready to face live pitching as he continues his progression, according to manager Mike Shildt. Details have been pretty scarce on Tatis since he landed on the injured list back in late June due to a stress reaction in his thigh, but he has begun baseball activities and could be cleared to go on a minor-league rehab assignment soon once he starts facing live pitching. Barring a setback, the 25-year-old superstar should be able to return to right field in San Diego at some point in September, but he's quickly running out of time to make an impact for his fantasy managers. Tatis is a must-start in all fantasy lineups when he's active, even though he might have to shake off some rust when he returns. He was hitting .279 (86-for-308) with 14 homers, 36 RBI and eight steals at the time of his injury.

Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (hand) has returned to center field and is hitting sixth in the batting order on Tuesday versus the Minnesota Twins and rookie right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson at Target Field. Harris did not start the series opener on Monday after being hit in the hand by a pitch on Sunday against the Washington Nationals, but his injury was never believed to be serious, and he even came off the bench to pinch hit on Monday night. Infielder Whit Merrifield is serving as Atlanta's leadoff hitter on Tuesday after his five-hit performance on Monday, so Harris won't have as much DFS appeal against a right-hander. Since returning from a stint on the injured list on Aug. 14, Harris has just one multi-hit game and has gone 10-for-45 (.222) with two home runs, a double, eight RBI and 14 strikeouts in 12 games.

Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers is getting the day off on Tuesday against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park. With Devers starting on the bench, Romy Gonzalez will play third base and hit seventh against Blue Jays rookie right-hander Yariel Rodriguez. It's a good time for Devers to receive a day off after going 8-for-35 (.229) with two homers, a double, five RBI and 10 strikeouts in his last nine games since Aug. 17. Before Tuesday, the 27-year-old had started in each of the team's previous 14 games. Devers is still one of the best hitters in the league, though, and is slashing .290/.369/.571 with a .940 OPS, 28 homers, 80 RBI and 81 runs in 452 at-bats. Hopefully, the day off will help him get back on track at the plate. Gonzalez makes plenty of contact but has provided only four homers, 22 RBI and seven RBI in 2024, making him a low-upside DFS sleeper. UPDATE: Devers is still dealing with soreness in his shoulders, and manager Alex Cora didn't rule out more than one day off. Devers has been battling shoulder issues for months.

As expected, Los Angeles Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel (back) has returned to the starting lineup on Tuesday at Comerica Park against the Detroit Tigers and left-hander Brant Hurter, and he is playing first base and batting third for the Halos. Schanuel was held out of the final two games of the series over the weekend against the Toronto Blue Jays due to a minor back injury. The 22-year-old second-year player will return to the lineup for the start of a series in Motown. The former 11th overall pick out of Florida Atlantic has gotten on base this year at a decent clip (.348), but otherwise has left a lot to be desired for fantasy managers. Schanuel has also hit just .228 (23-for-101) with only three of his 12 home runs on the year against left-handed pitchers, so we would recommend looking for better upside plays at the position in DFS on Tuesday.

As expected, Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar (hernia) is back at shortstop and hitting in the two-hole on Tuesday against the Miami Marlins and right-hander Roddery Munoz at Coors Field. Tovar was held out of Monday's contest due to a sports hernia that he's been dealing with, but it's obviously not serious enough to keep him out for an extended period of time. The Rockies have nothing left to play for in 2024 but pride, though, so if the 23-year-old continues to struggle offensively, they could consider shutting him down. Tovar has hit .271/.296/.455 on the year with a career-high 19 home runs and 55 RBI in 127 games in his second full season in the big leagues. However, he's struggled in the dog days of August, going 16-for-90 (.178) with a homer, six doubles, three RBI and 32 strikeouts in 21 games. Fantasy managers have to be worried that his hernia is the reason for his recent cold stretch.

Colorado Rockies outfielder Brenton Doyle (leg) remains out of the starting lineup on Tuesday at Coors Field against the Miami Marlins. Doyle will miss a second straight game after being scratched from the series opener against the Fish with leg soreness. Manager Bud Black said that Doyle could be out a few more games, so it's unclear if he'll return to the field before Thursday's series finale against Miami. The Rockies will give Sam Hilliard another start in center field and he'll hit eighth against Marlins right-hander Roddery Munoz. The 26-year-old Doyle has taken the next step in his second year in the majors with 21 home runs, 25 stolen bases and 63 RBI while also hitting .269 (124-for-461) with an even .800 OPS. He's become a must-start in all fantasy leagues for his power/speed combination when he's active. Hilliard will merely be a low-upside DFS sleeper on Tuesday.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (knee) is starting in right field and is batting sixth against Atlanta Braves rookie right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach at Target Field on Tuesday. Kepler will make a return to the lineup for Minnesota after missing the previous two games with left-knee soreness. The 31-year-old left-handed hitter won't be a popular DFS play in his return given his recent slump. He's hitting only .236 (17-for-72) with two home runs, three doubles, six RBI and 16 strikeouts in 19 games in the month of August but has also gone 4-for-30 (.133) in his last eight games since Aug. 15. Kepler is always a better bet against right-handed pitching, but he's done very little for fantasy managers in 2024 with a .259/.309/.392 slash line and only eight home runs, 42 RBI and 42 runs scored in 355 at-bats.

First baseman/designated hitter Joey Gallo is in the lineup for the Washington Nationals against the New York Yankees on Tuesday, starting at first base and batting eighth in the order against right-hander Gerrit Cole. Gallo is hitting .165/.285/.310 with five homers, 12 RBI, and 18 runs scored in 52 games with the Nationals. He has struck out 78 times in 158 at-bats and has not homered since June 3. Not even the deepest fantasy leagues can justify having Gallo on a roster. At this point, it appears his days as a major-leaguer are winding down. You'll also want to avoid him in DFS against strikeout artist Cole.

The Cincinnati Reds placed pitcher Nick Lodolo (finger) on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to Aug. 24, with a left middle-finger sprain. Lodolo is 9-6 with a 4.76 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 115 1/3 innings, striking out 122 and walking 37 in 21 starts. Lodolo's absence will be felt by fantasy managers in most leagues, and they will scramble to find a replacement for Lodolo, who is averaging more than a strikeout per inning. The Reds called up pitcher Casey Legumina from Triple-A Louisville, where he was 6-2 with a 3.27 ERA in 35 appearances. Legumina has a 13.50 ERA and 2.25 WHIP in two previous appearances this season with the Reds.