MLB News

Scott Alexander  • RP  •  Athletics

Scott Alexander May Face Hitters This Week

Oakland Athletics left-handed reliever Scott Alexander (shoulder) threw a bullpen session last Saturday and may face live hitters this week as he progresses from left rotator-cuff tendinitis that put him on the 15-day injured list last Tuesday. There's a chance that Alexander will be ready to come off the IL when he's eligible, especially if the team doesn't think he needs to go on a minor-league rehab assignment. The 35-year-old veteran southpaw has been pretty solid in his first year with Oakland in 2024, going 1-2 with a 2.51 ERA (3.93 FIP) and 1.12 WHIP with 20 strikeouts and 10 walks in only 28 2/3 innings in his 34 appearances out of the bullpen. Alexander has been a weapon against left-handed hitters, holding them to a .146 batting average on the year in 44 plate appearances.
Aug 27   
Tyler Soderstrom  • 1B  •  Athletics

Tyler Soderstrom Begins Hitting Progression

Oakland Athletics first baseman Tyler Soderstrom (wrist), whose placement on the 10-day injured list was retroactive to July 10, has advanced to a hitting progression as he recovers from a stress reaction in his left wrist. Soderstrom has been hitting off a tee and is expected to begin a soft-toss hitting program near the end of this week. He is likely to return to the A's at some point during September. Although his numbers don't look great in his second year in the big leagues, Soderstrom has taken a small step forward from his rookie year and is currently slashing .219/.307/.404 with a .711 OPS, seven home runs, 20 RBI and 12 runs scored in his 49 games played in 2024. The 22-year-old left-handed slugger should play regularly down the stretch at either first base or designated hitter to close out the year for the lowly A's.
Aug 27   
Mikey Romero  • SS  •  Red Sox

Mikey Romero Promoted To Double-A Portland

Boston Red Sox shortstop prospect Mikey Romero is being promoted to Double-A Portland, according to MiLB Central. Romero has spent the entire summer getting his first extended look at High-A ball and held a .271/.319/.498 slash line with 10 home runs, 20 doubles, and 40 RBI through 59 games. Last summer, the former 24th overall selection was hindered by several injuries, as he logged only 34 games between the lower levels of the minor leagues. Now that he is healthy, dynasty managers should pay close attention to the 20-year-old, as he should spend all of next summer in the upper levels of the minor leagues. Romero currently sits as the 16th-best prospect in the Boston system on MLB.com and could be in contention for a 2025 major-league debut if he is able to stay healthy and continue to showcase his power upside.
Aug 27   
Tai Peete  • SS  •  Mariners

Tai Peete Heating Up At The Plate

Seattle Mariners infield prospect Tai Peete has begun to heat up at the plate after being in a slump in the start of the month. In his past 12 games, the 19-year-old has been carrying an excellent .327/.386/.581 slash line with five doubles, one triple, one home run and 10 RBI. In addition, during this span, Peete has swiped an eye-catching 10 bags with a 6:15 BB:K ratio. Prior to this stretch, the former 2023 draft pick held a .118/.210/.206 line through the first nine games of the month with just two extra-base hits. Overall, through his first extended look at Single-A ball, Peete has looked quite sharp boasting a .262/.338/.394 line with 22 doubles, six home runs, and 39 stolen bases. Dynasty managers should pay close attention to Peete as he could be in contention for a late-season promotion to High-A. He currently sits as the No. 11 prospect in a deep Seattle system on MLB.com.
Aug 27   
Daiverson Gutierrez  • C  •  Mets

Daiverson Gutierrez Moving Up To Single-A

New York Mets catching prospect Daiverson Gutierrez is being promoted to Single-A St. Lucie, according to MiLB Central. The 18-year-old has spent the past two seasons in the Rookie League. In 2023, the backstop held an underwhelming .186/.321/.244 slash line with just two round-trippers in 50 games. However, this summer, Gutierrez has taken a significant step forward with a stellar .309/.467/.506 line. He is currently ranked as the No.23 prospect for the Mets on MLB.com. Gutierrez remains a name to follow in dynasty leagues, especially down the stretch as he looks to carry the momentum he had into his first taste of Single-A ball.
Aug 27   
Spencer Nivens  • LF  •  Royals

Spencer Nivens Named Midwest League Player Of The Week

Kansas City Royals outfield prospect Spencer Nivens was named High-A Midwest League Player Of The Week. In his past seven games, Nivens has tallied at least one hit in each of them with a stellar .538/.625/.1.192 line and four home runs. Nivens was carrying a four-game hitting streak prior to this big week so he now sits with an overall 11-game hitting streak. Prior to this surge in the second-half of the month, Nivens was a bit cold with a .222 AVG through the first two weeks in August. Overall, through his first look at High-A ball, the 22-year-old has held a modest .232/.327/.448 line with 16 home runs but his recent surge suggests he may be turning the corner. Nivens remains a name to keep any eye on in dynasty formats as he may see most of next summer in the upper levels of the minor leagues.
Aug 27   
Jacob Wilson  • 3B  |  Jacob Wilson  • SS  •  Athletics

Jacob Wilson Close To Rejoining The A's

The Oakland Athletics optioned infielder Darell Hernaiz to Triple-A Las Vegas after Sunday's game, with the logical assumption being that top prospect Jacob Wilson (hamstring) is ready to rejoin the major-league club. Wilson, 22, has played the field, completed a full nine innings and looks to be ready after injuring his hamstring in his MLB just after the All-Star break. In his seven games with Vegas, Wilson went 9-for-23 (.391) with a .462 on-base percentage. When he returns to Oakland, it's likely we'll see Max Schuemann slide over to third base for regular playing time, while Wilson becomes the regular shortstop to close out the year. There could also be some mixing and matching with Abraham Toro and Tyler Nevin at the hot corner, but for the most part it will be Wilson at the 6 and Schuemann at third. Wilson, the son of former big-leaguer Jack Wilson, is worth a look in mixed leagues.
Aug 27   
Ezequiel Tovar  • SS  •  Rockies

Ezequiel Tovar Likely To Play On Tuesday

Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar (hernia), who was given Monday against the Miami Marlin off as he battles through a sports hernia, is likely to play on Tuesday at Coors Field. We now have a little more insight to why Tovar has struggled so much in the month of August. Those struggles could continue, too, as this is something that will most likely be bothering him the rest of the way. The 23-year-old Venezuelan infielder has gone just 16-for-90 (.178) with a homer, six doubles, three RBI, three walks and 32 strikeouts in 94 plate appearances over 21 games in August. Tovar is still hitting a very respectable .271 (144-for-532) on the year with 19 home runs, but his on-base percentage has now dipped below .300, and fantasy managers have to be concerned that he could continue to struggle while dealing with a sports hernia.
Aug 27   
Brenton Doyle  • CF  •  Rockies

Brenton Doyle May Need Another Few Days Off

Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black said that outfielder Brenton Doyle (leg) may need another day or two off after he was a late scratch on Monday against the Miami Marlins due to leg soreness. Doyle should be considered day-to-day, but fantasy managers should be prepared to keep him on their benches for another couple of days. With Doyle out on Monday against the Fish, Sam Hilliard drew the start in center field at Coors Field. The 26-year-old Doyle has been the best offensive producer for the Rockies in 2024 and has evolved into a must-start for fantasy managers with his .269/.329/.471 slash line, .800 OPS, 21 home runs, 63 RBI, 25 stolen bases and 74 runs scored in 461 at-bats. He's currently hitting .253 (21-for-83) with three homers, four doubles, a triple, nine RBI and four stolen bases in 22 games in the month of August.
Aug 27   
Michael Siani  • CF  •  Cardinals

Michael Siani To Begin Rehab Assignment On Tuesday

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Michael Siani (oblique) will play five innings in center field on Tuesday for Triple-A Memphis as he begins his minor-league rehab assignment. Siani was cleared to play in games again after taking part in a live batting practice session at Busch Field on Monday before the game against the San Diego Padres. He was cleared by doctors to resume swinging on Aug. 16 as he attempts to return from what manager Oliver Marmol called a "moderate" oblique strain. Siani was put on the 10-day injured list on Aug. 4. The 25-year-old has provided the Cardinals with Gold Glove-caliber defense in center field this year while also hitting .256 (60-for-234) with two homers, 18 RBI and 14 stolen bases in 101 games in his first full big-league season. Siani is mostly useful for his speed as a platoon player for St. Louis in deeper fantasy formats.
Aug 27   
Lance Lynn  • SP  •  Cardinals

Lance Lynn To Make Rehab Start On Sunday

St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Lance Lynn (knee) is scheduled to make a minor-league rehab start on Sunday for Triple-A Memphis. It means that Lynn got through another successful live batting practice session on Monday in which he was scheduled to throw around 75 pitches. The veteran 37-year-old will throw around 80 to 85 pitches on Sunday, after which he should be able to come off the 15-day injured to rejoin St. Louis' starting rotation for the stretch run. Lynn hasn't pitched for the Cards since July 30 due to right-knee inflammation. He threw his first live BP of around 45 pitches on Aug. 20 and has bounced back nicely since receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection. At best, Lynn is a matchup-based streamer in deeper fantasy leagues with his 20.8% strikeout rate. He'll return to a 4.06 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 97:41 K:BB in 106 1/3 innings.
Aug 27   
Steven Matz  • SP  •  Cardinals

Steven Matz To Make Another Rehab Start On Tuesday

St. Louis Cardinals left-hander Steven Matz (back) will make what the team hopes is one final minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday when the RedBirds visit Iowa. Manager Oliver Marmol said Matz's target will be around 90 pitches, the same as his previous start. He allowed four runs (one homer) on nine hits, one walk and a hit batter on Aug. 21 for Memphis, throwing 85 pitches (58 strikes) while striking out three in five innings. The veteran southpaw hasn't pitched for the Cardinals since April 30 due to persistent back pain. Matz is expected to rejoin the starting rotation once he finishes his rehab, but there's no easy answer to which spot he'll fill. President of baseball operations John Mozeliak mentioned the possibility of a six man rotation down the stretch, which might be the easiest answer.
Aug 27   
Willson Contreras  • C  •  Cardinals

Willson Contreras Doesn't Need Surgery

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras (finger) will not need surgery on his broken finger, according to manager Oliver Marmol. However, Contreras will be no impact for three weeks. The Cardinals have five weeks left in the regular season. The door is open for a return, but Contreras has no room for a setback along the way. The 32-year-old veteran backstop suffered a fractured right middle finger over the weekend when he was hit by a pitch and has already been placed on the injured list. Even if he does make it back at the tail end of the season, he's not going to have much time left to provide meaningful numbers for fantasy managers. Pedro Pages will now operate as St. Louis' primary catcher, with Ivan Herrera backing him up. It's a huge loss for the Cardinals as they battle for the final wild-card spot in the National League.
Aug 27   
Tyler Holton  • RP  •  Tigers

Tyler Holton Efficient In Fifth Save

Detroit Tigers reliever Tyler Holton needed only 11 pitches to record his fifth save in Monday's 6-3 win at the Chicago White Sox. Holton did not record a strikeout while throwing eight strikes in a performance that marked his first save since August 6. He is 5-1 with a 2.38 ERA and 0.81 WHIP in 52 appearances, striking out 59 and walking 13 in 75 2/3 innings. Holton has 11 holds, making him a solid option in leagues that use holds as a category. Jason Foley gets the bulk of the save opportunities but Holton's overall ability to record outs is attractive in AL-only leagues and deeper leagues.
Aug 27   
Chad Green  • RP  •  Blue Jays

Chad Green Nails Down 14th Save

Toronto Blue Jays reliever Chad Green nailed down his 14th save in Monday's 4-1 win over the Boston Red Sox, concluding a game suspended on June 26. Green allowed one hit and struck out three batters in his 19-pitch (13 strikes) effort. The veteran reliever is 4-3 with a 1.69 ERA and 0.87 WHIP in 42 appearances, striking out 36 and walking 11 in 42 2/3 innings. He has yet to blow a save opportunity and should be a part of the pitching staff of fantasy managers as the Blue Jays have won five straight in a push to get their record to .500.
Aug 27   
Colton Gordon  • SP  •  Astros

Colton Gordon Coming Off Impressive Outing

Houston Astros pitching prospect Colton Gordon was named Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week after a strong outing for Triple-A Sugar Land. Gordon spun six scoreless innings with two hits and a walk to go with 11 strikeouts in his latest outing. The 25-year-old left-hander is 7-1 this season with a 4.55 ERA and 1.33 WHIP. In 97 innings pitched, Gordon has 95 strikeouts. The Astros' No. 11 prospect has a 55-grade fastball and a 50-grade slider. With a strong season at Triple-A, Gordon could be looking at a promotion when rosters expand in September. If not, he has positioned himself nicely for a potential big-league debut next season.
Aug 27   
Whit Merrifield  • 2B  •  Braves

Whit Merrifield Has Five-Hit Performance

Atlanta Braves second baseman Whit Merrifield was 5-for-5 in Monday's 10-6 win at the Minnesota Twins, scoring two runs out of the leadoff spot. Merrifield had four singles and a double and is now hitting .237/.331/.347 with four homers, 13 RBI, 38 runs scored, and 16 stolen bases in 19 attempts between the Philadelphia Phillies and Braves. Merrifield's versatility and speed make him a good option in deeper leagues if he's on the waiver wire. His value is strongest in NL-only leagues as Merrifield will continue to see at-bats for a Braves team hammered with injuries.
Aug 27   
Jace Bohrofen  • RF  •  Blue Jays

Jace Bohrofen Raking At High-A Vancouver

Toronto Blue Jays outfield prospect Jace Bohrofen has picked up his play recently for High-A Vancouver with an impressive August output. The 22-year-old is hitting .365/.434/.595 this month with five homers and 21 RBI. This season, all at High-A, the Blue Jays' No. 26 prospect has 12 homers and 51 RBI while hitting .247. The left-handed swinging outfielder possesses 50-grade power and a 45-grade hit tool. A sixth-round pick in 2023 out of Arkansas, Bohrofen has had a nice season at High-A and is closing out the campaign strong. He will look to carry that momentum into next year.
Aug 27   
Matt Wallner  • RF  •  Twins

Matt Wallner Goes Deep On Monday

Minnesota Twins outfielder Matt Wallner hit his 10th homer in Monday's 10-6 loss to the Atlanta Braves, part of a 2-for-3 evening, including two runs scored. Wallner is hitting .271/.403/.612 with 26 RBI, 21 runs scored, and three stolen bases on the year. Daily fantasy managers should make Wallner a priority when facing right-handers, as he's hitting .277/.408/.625 with nine homers, and 24 RBI against him. He has been a solid fantasy asset over the last month and is a must-start in leagues that use on-base percentage as a category.
Aug 27   
Tre' Morgan  • 1B  •  Rays

Tre' Morgan Red-Hot In August

Tampa Bay Rays first base prospect Tre' Morgan is heating up in August for Double-A Montgomery. In his first five games since being promoted to Montgomery, Morgan has hit successfully in each contest. Overall in August between High-A and Double-A, he is hitting .400/.437/.646 with three homers and 18 RBI. The LSU product is the No. 11 prospect for the Rays. The 22-year-old is progressing nicely through the minors and alongside Xavier Isaac makes for a nice tandem of first-base prospects in the Rays' system.
Aug 27   
LEGEND
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