MLB News

Triston Casas • 1B • Red Sox

Triston Casas Sitting Against Southpaw

Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas is sitting out on Thursday in the Bronx at Yankee Stadium against the division-rival New York Yankees with left-hander Nestor Cortes making the start. Connor Wong will make the start at first base and hit sixth, with Danny Jansen behind the plate and batting eighth. Wong is hitting .333 with an RBI against Cortes in nine career at-bats, while Jansen hasn't found similar success with a .143 average in just seven career at-bats. Casas missed the majority of the 2024 regular season due to a rib-cage injury. Since returning from the injured list on Aug. 16, he's hit .247 (20-for-81) with only two home runs, three doubles, 10 RBI, nine walks and 33 strikeouts. The 24-year-old lefty slugger has hit .222 (10-for-45) with only two of his eight home runs on the season against left-handers.

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Jose Siri • CF • Rays |

Taylor Walls • SS • Rays

Jose Siri, Taylor Walls Sitting Against Guardians

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Jose Siri and infielder Taylor Walls will both start Thursday's game against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on the bench. Jonny DeLuca will start in center field and bat eighth for the Rays, with Jose Caballero starting at shortstop and hitting sixth against Guardians right-hander Gavin Williams. DeLuca is hitless in two career at-bats against Williams, while Caballero is hitless in his only at-bat against Williams. Siri could see more time on the bench moving forward if he can't break out of his recent slump soon. The 29-year-old Dominican is hitting .184 (69-for-374) on the year and is 1-for-24 (.042) with two walks and 11 K's in eight games in September. Walls has played in only 72 games this year due to injuries and is hitting a similarly weak .179/.287/.242 with a homer, 13 RBI and 14 stolen bases.

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Emmanuel Rodriguez • CF • Twins |

Manuel Rodríguez • RP • Rays

Emmanuel Rodriguez Goes On Minor-League Injured List

Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez (thumb) was placed on Triple-A St. Paul's injured list with a right-thumb sprain. Rodriguez, the team's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has been limited to 47 games in the minors and 209 plate appearances this year due to injuries. In those 47 games in the Florida Complex League and with Single-A Fort Myers, Double-A Wichita and St. Paul, the 21-year-old has hit .280/.459/.567 with a 1.026 OPS, nine home runs, 27 RBI and nine stolen bases. His thumb injury initially cropped up in April, and he just hasn't been able to get over it all year. There's no denying Rodriguez's production and his intrigue due to a left-handed swing that produces plenty of raw power, but he has missed out on key developmental time this year. Still, if he can stay healthy in 2025, Rodriguez could be on the fast track to making his MLB debut.

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Tarik Skubal • SP • Tigers

X-Rays Come Back Negative On Tarik Skubal

Initial X-rays on Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal's right hand came back negative after he was hit on his non-throwing hand by a comebacker in the sixth inning on Wednesday against the Colorado Rockies at Comerica Park in a 4-2 loss, according to manager A.J. Hinch. Skubal will go for additional tests. The 27-year-old southpaw finished his outing after being hit in the hand and allowed only one earned run on four hits (one homer) while walking none and striking out six in the no-decision. It's unclear if the Tigers would have sent Skubal back out for the seventh inning against Colorado, if not for his hand injury. Skubal has been a first-time All-Star in 2024 and has had a Cy Young-caliber campaign, as he entered Thursday's contest with a 16-4 record while leading the league with a 2.53 ERA and 2.54 FIP with a career-high 208 K's in 174 innings over 28 starts. He should be able to make his next start.

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Griffin Conine • RF • Marlins

Griffin Conine Out Again Versus Lefty

For the second straight day, Miami Marlins rookie outfielder Griffin Conine will start on the bench on Wednesday against the Washington Nationals and left-hander Mitchell Parker at Nationals Park. Kyle Stowers is starting in left field for the Fish and is batting sixth against Parker. Conine, the son of former big-leaguer Jeff Conine, bats from the left side and is currently in a platoon in the Miami outfielder after being called up from the minors recently. In his first 44 big-league at-bats, the 27-year-old has 11 hits (.250 average) with a home run, four RBI and eight runs scored in 15 games played. Conine was a former second-round pick by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2018 out of Duke and hit .268/.350/.475 with an .825 OPS, 19 home runs and 68 RBI with Triple-A Jacksonville before his promotion to the Marlins. Miami is giving plenty of youngsters some run down the stretch in another lost season.

1 hour ago

Will Benson • RF • Reds

X-Rays Come Back Negative On Will Benson

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Will Benson (finger) was forced to leave Thursday's game early against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals when his fingers were hit while trying to bunt. X-rays came back negative on Benson, though, and he was diagnosed with a bruised left middle finger. Before exiting the eventual 6-1 loss, Benson was hitless in his only at-bat with a strikeout. He was replaced by pinch-hitter Amed Rosario and was eventually replaced in left field by Jake Fraley. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should consider Benson day-to-day, but don't be surprised if he's not available for Friday's series opener in Minnesota against the Twins at Target Field. The 26-year-old former 14th overall pick by the Cleveland Guardians in 2016 has a modest power/speed combination as a platoon player in Cincy with 14 homers and 14 stolen bases, but his .191 average (62-for-325) has been a real drag.

1 hour ago

Jesús Sánchez • RF • Marlins

Xavier Edwards, Jesus Sanchez Out For Marlins

Miami Marlins middle infielder Xavier Edwards and outfielder Jesus Sanchez are out of the starting lineup on Thursday against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Edwards will start out on the bench for the third straight game, and it remains to be seen if he's being bothered by a back injury that recently caused him to go on the injured list. Otto Lopez is starting at shortstop and batting leadoff, while David Hensley is in right field for the Fish and batting seventh against Nationals left-hander Mitchell Parker. Lopez is hitless in his three career at-bats against Parker, but he also comes into this one riding a six-game hitting streak in which he's gone 11-for-24 (.458) with a homer, three doubles and four RBI. Sanchez, who hits from the left side, is batting just .146 (13-for-89) against lefties in 2024 with only two of his 17 home runs.

1 hour ago

Brett de Geus • RP • Blue Jays

Blue Jays Claim Brett de Geus Off Waivers From The Marlins

The Toronto Blue Jays claimed right-hander Brett de Geus off waivers from the Miami Marlins on Thursday and optioned him to Triple-A Buffalo. de Geus will give the Blue Jays some extra relief depth in the minors for the rest of the 2024 season. The 26-year-old former 33rd-round pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017 out of Cabrillo College has appeared in 11 combined games in relief for the Seattle Mariners and Marlins this year, allowing six earned runs (five earned) on 11 hits while walking two and striking out six in nine innings pitched. de Geus made his major-league debut in 2021 with the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks but didn't resurface in the majors until this year. In his 59 relief innings in the big leagues, he has a 7.17 ERA and 1.69 WHIP with 47 K's and 27 walks in 58 appearances out of the bullpen.

1 hour ago

Alex Cobb • SP • Guardians

Alex Cobb Goes On Injured List

The Cleveland Guardians placed right-hander Alex Cobb (finger) on the 15-day injured list on Thursday and recalled reliever Andrew Walters from the minors in a corresponding move. Cobb was scratched from his scheduled start last weekend due to a blister on his right pitching hand and he'll now miss the next couple of weeks. At this point, Cleveland is probably just hoping to have the 36-year-old healthy for the postseason, where he'll likely be a long reliever if he's even on the roster after making only three starts in 2024 due to injuries. Walters, the team's No. 22 prospect per MLB Pipeline, was the team's second-round pick in 2023. He has a 2.32 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 50 innings in the minors this year with Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus. With Cobb now back on the IL, both Joey Cantillo and Ben Lively should stick in Cleveland's rotation down the stretch.

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Jhonkensy Noel • RF • Guardians

Jhonkensy Noel Out On Thursday

Cleveland Guardians rookie first baseman/outfielder Jhonkensy Noel is out of the starting lineup on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays at Progressive Field. With Noel back on the bench after starting each of the last three games, Will Brennan will make the start in right field and will bat seventh against Rays right-hander Ryan Pepiot. Noel does have 13 home runs in his first 55 big-league games with Cleveland this year, but he's also hitting only .232 (35-for-151) and has 55 strikeouts in 169 plate appearances. The Dominican slugger has really struggled of late, too, as he doesn't have a hit since Sept. 2. In nine games in September, Noel has gone 2-for-23 (.087) with a double, two RBI and 10 strikeouts. The left-handed-hitting Brennan has not recorded a hit in only three career at-bats against Pepiot and should be considered a low-upside DFS sleeper.

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Carson Fulmer • SP • Angels

Carson Fulmer Still Hoping To Return This Season

Los Angeles Angels right-hander Carson Fulmer (elbow) felt something in his elbow in his start against the Toronto Blue Jays on Aug. 25 but pitched through it without any issues. But his elbow continued to bother him when he tried to throw a bullpen session, and he was put on the 15-day injured list on Aug. 30. Fulmer has progressed to playing light catch and he is still hoping to return at some point before the end of the season at the end of September. He is continuing to ramp up his throwing program. The 30-year-old has operated as a swing man for the Angels in 2024, going 0-5 with a 4.15 ERA (4.56 FIP), a 1.31 WHIP and a 79:37 K:BB in 32 appearances (eight starts) over 80 1/3 innings before his injury. At this point with the Angels playing out the string, it feels unlikely that we'll see Fulmer pitching again in 2024 at the big-league level.

2 hours ago

Kevin Pillar • CF • Angels

Kevin Pillar Hasn't Resumed Baseball Activities

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Kevin Pillar (thumb) was removed for a pinch-hitter late in the team's loss to the division-rival Texas Rangers on Sept. 6 and was placed on the 10-day injured list the next day with a left-thumb sprain. The Angels are holding out hope that Pillar can return before the end of the regular season, though, according to manager Ron Washington. However, Pillar still hadn't progressed to baseball activities as of Monday. The 35-year-old veteran is going to need to start improving soon if he wants to play again in 2024, but the out-of-contention Halos don't have any incentive to rush him back at this point. Pillar was brought in for outfield depth this year, mainly because of Mike Trout's (knee) injury, and he has provided a mediocre .251/.299/.396 slash line with a below-average .695 OPS, six home runs, 40 RBI and eight steals in his 76 games.

2 hours ago

Bryce Teodosio • CF • Angels

Bryce Teodosio Dealing With Fractured Finger

Los Angeles Angels rookie outfielder Bryce Teodosio (finger) was hit by a pitch on his right middle finger when he attempted to drop down a bunt in the seventh inning on Tuesday in the loss to the Minnesota Twins. Teodosio stayed in the game and picked up his first major-league hit before later leaving, and X-rays showed a small fracture in his finger. He was held out of the lineup on Wednesday, but manager Ron Washington said that Teodosio is expected to avoid the injured list and could return at some point this weekend. The 25-year-old has played in only four games for the Halos since being called up from the minors and has gone just 1-for-12 with no walks and five strikeouts. Teodosio is not one of the Angels' top prospects, but he could see some decent playing time down the stretch once he returns from his finger injury as the team plays out the string in another disappointing season.

2 hours ago

Travis d'Arnaud • C • Braves

Travis d'Arnaud Back From Paternity List

The Atlanta Braves reinstated catcher Travis d'Arnaud from the paternity list on Thursday and optioned catcher Chadwick Tromp to Triple-A Gwinnett after Wednesday's game in a corresponding move. The Braves have a scheduled day off on Thursday before they start a crucial four-game series on Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. d'Arnaud was away from the team for three games earlier this week as he welcomed a new addition to the family. The 35-year-old veteran will return to sharing time behind the dish in Atlanta with Sean Murphy. He's having another solid season as a platoon catching option for the Braves in 2024 with 14 home runs and 46 RBI to go with a .245/.306/.456 slash line in 90 games played. d'Arnaud will now look to get going after picking up just three hits in 16 at-bats with seven strikeouts in five games in September.

2 hours ago

Byron Buxton • CF • Twins

Twins Reinstate Byron Buxton From Injured List

The Minnesota Twins reinstated outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) from the 10-day injured list on Thursday and optioned utility man Austin Martin to Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move. Buxton was fully expected to come off the IL and rejoin the Twins on Friday before their series opener against the Cincinnati Reds at Target Field. Minnesota has made the move to reinstate Buxton a day earlier. The Twins have a scheduled day off on Thursday, but Buxton should be back in the lineup on Friday night. The oft-injured 30-year-old outfielder will return to being an everyday player for the Twins, although he could be eased in at first with designated hitter duties before eventually taking over in center field. Buxton has only six steals in 90 games in 2024 but has hit a nice .275 (84-for-305) with 16 homers and 49 RBI in his 10th year in the league.

4 hours ago

Willson Contreras • C • Cardinals

Willson Contreras To Be Re-Evaluated On Monday

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras (finger), who is currently sidelined with a broken left middle finger, will be re-evaluated on Monday, and the Cardinals will then plan his path to a return, according to manager Oliver Marmol. Contreras didn't need surgery on his finger and has been out of a splint for the past week and is eager to return before the end of the 2024 season. The 32-year-old veteran backstop has been out since Aug. 24, and if he does manage to make it back before the end of September, it might only be for a handful of games, so fantasy managers shouldn't be counting on him at all the rest of the way. In the meantime, rookie Pedro Pages and Ivan Herrera will continue to split playing time behind the plate. Contreras was well on his way to a fourth straight 20-plus-homer season in 2024 before suffering the second serious injury of the campaign.

4 hours ago

Kyle Tucker • RF • Astros

Kyle Tucker Expected To Play Right Field On Friday

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said on Thursday that outfielder Kyle Tucker (shin) should play right field in Friday's series opener against the Los Angeles Angels on the road for the first time since coming off the 60-day injured list last Friday. Tucker has been serving as the team's designated hitter since returning last week and has struggled at the plate, going 2-for-11 with two RBI, two walks and four strikeouts in his first four games back. It's good news that he'll be moving back to a defensive role this weekend, as it shows he hasn't had any setbacks after recovering from a fractured shin that kept him out since early June. While the 27-year-old left-handed slugger has looked a bit rusty offensively, he still has time to be a difference-maker for both the Astros and fantasy managers down the stretch in the final few weeks of the regular season.

4 hours ago

Nestor Cortes • SP • Yankees

Nestor Cortes Returning To The Rotation On Thursday

New York Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes will make the start on Thursday in the Bronx at Yankee Stadium for the series opener against the division-rival Boston Red Sox. Cortes' last appearance came as a piggyback to starter Clarke Schmidt last Saturday against the Chicago Cubs, when he went 4 1/3 shutout innings to pick up his ninth win while walking one and striking out three. His last start came on Sept. 1 against the St. Louis Cardinals, when he allowed five earned runs and nine hits in four innings. Outside of that outing, though, Cortes has a 1.86 ERA with 23 K's and only four walks in his last five outings (four starts) covering 29 innings. In his two starts against Boston this year, Cortes has allowed five earned runs on 12 hits while walking three and striking out 13 in 10 2/3 innings. The 29-year-old southpaw has pitched much better of late, but Boston ranks sixth in team OPS (.754) in 2024.

4 hours ago

Seth Brown • LF • Athletics |

Ryan Noda • 1B • Athletics

Seth Brown, Max Schuemann, Ryan Noda On The Bench

Oakland Athletics outfielder Seth Brown, infielder Max Schuemann and first baseman Ryan Noda are all out of the starting lineup for Thursday's series finale against the division-rival Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Daz Cameron is starting in left field and is batting eighth, Nick Allen is at the hot corner and is hitting ninth, and Tyler Nevin will man first base and hit seventh against Astros left-hander Framber Valdez. Allen has the best numbers in his career against Valdez, hitting .385 against him with an .852 OPS and an RBI in 13 at-bats, but none of Cameron, Allen or Nevin are particularly attractive DFS sleepers in this matchup on the road. Brown and Noda, who was recently called up from the minors, both hit from the left side, so it's no surprise why they are on the bench on Thursday against a tough southpaw.

4 hours ago

Jose Altuve • 2B • Astros

Jose Altuve Not Playing Against A's

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (side) is not in the team's starting lineup on Thursday at Minute Maid Park for the series finale against the division-rival Oakland Athletics. Altuve's absence shouldn't come as a surprise after he was forced from Wednesday night's win over Oakland due to right-side tightness. Manager Joe Espada said after the game that he's not really concerned about Altuve's injury, with the team calling him day-to-day for now. Fantasy managers need to get the 34-year-old All-Star out of their lineups on Thursday and check back on Friday to see if he's available for the series opener in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels. Mauricio Dubon is at the keystone and batting ninth on Thursday against A's right-hander Mitch Spence. If Altuve misses additional time, Dubon will likely see most of the starts at second in his place for Houston.

5 hours ago

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