MLB News

Ryan Weathers • SP • Marlins

Ryan Weathers Listed As Wednesday's Probable Starter

The Miami Marlins are listing left-hander Ryan Weathers (finger) as their probable starter for Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at LoanDepot Park. Weathers is coming off five scoreless innings in a minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Jacksonville. Wednesday's start will be his first game action in the big leagues since June 7, so he'll be a shaky fantasy streamer with a likely short leash in terms of his pitch count. The matchup against the first-place Dodgers is another reason to fade Weathers in his return to Miami. Before his finger injury, the former seventh overall pick by the San Diego Padres in 2018 had a solid 3.55 ERA with a 1.14 WHIP, 67 strikeouts and 20 walks in his first full year with the Fish. He had a quality start in his lone start against LA on May 8, when he allowed three earned runs with one walk and three K's in six innings pitched.

1 hour ago

James McArthur • RP • Royals

James McArthur Leaves Early With Hand Injury

Kansas City Royals right-hander James McArthur (hand) left Monday's contest early with a trainer against the visiting Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium after his right hand was hit while covering first base on a Zach McKinstry single. McArthur stayed in the game for one more batter before he was replaced by Angel Zerpa in the seventh inning. The 27-year-old threw two-thirds of an inning, walking one and striking out one without allowing a run. McArthur began the year as the Royals' closer and has a career-high 18 saves in his second year in the league, but he's ended up in a middle-relief role and has a bloated 4.98 ERA (4.17 FIP) and 1.45 WHIP in his 56 relief innings in 2024. It's unclear how severe McArthur's hand injury is, but it didn't look that bad. For now, he'll be considered day-to-day until we know more.

1 hour ago

Jorge López • RP • Cubs

Jorge Lopez Expected To Be Activated In A Couple Days

Chicago Cubs right-handed reliever Jorge Lopez (groin) has rejoined the team and is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list within the next couple of days, according to manager Craig Counsell. Lopez is eligible to come off the IL on Wednesday. The 31-year-old veteran hurler is recovered from a strained right groin and will rejoin Chicago's bullpen this week. There isn't much time left in the 2024 regular season, but the Puerto Rican pitcher could be in the mix for saves for the Cubbies down the stretch. Lopez has posted a solid 3.00 ERA (4.09 FIP), 1.27 WHIP, four saves, 47 strikeouts and 19 walks in 51 combined innings this year with the Cubs and New York Mets. He's been even better with Chicago, posting a 2.19 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and two saves in 24 2/3 innings. Fantasy managers still fighting for a title and in need of saves might want to look to Lopez if he's available.

1 hour ago

Trevor Williams • SP • Nationals

Trevor Williams Expected To Return This Weekend

MASN's Mark Zuckerman writes that it's looking good for Washington Nationals right-hander Trevor Williams (elbow) to come off the injured list to rejoin the team this weekend in Chicago at Wrigley Field for their series against the Chicago Cubs. After getting up to 73 pitches in his most recent minor-league rehab start with Double-A Harrisburg on Sunday, the 32-year-old appears primed to rejoin Washington's starting rotation this weekend in Chicago. Because of the fact that he has been out of action since late May with a right-flexor strain in his elbow, Williams will be a risky fantasy streamer for anyone still playing for a championship. However, Williams was having an excellent start to the year before going down, posting a perfect 5-0 record, a 2.22 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and a 47:16 K:BB in his 11 starts covering 56 2/3 innings.

1 hour ago

Randal Grichuk • RF • Diamondbacks

Randal Grichuk Day-To-Day With Hamstring Injury

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Randal Grichuk (hamstring) was scratched from Sunday's lineup against the Milwaukee Brewers with right-hamstring discomfort and is day-to-day, according to manager Torey Lovullo. Despite not starting on Sunday, Grichuk entered as a pinch-hitter and doubled but did not play defense. Lovullo expected Grichuk to be available off the bench for Monday's series opener against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The 33-year-old should be able to avoid a stint on the injured list and very well could be back in the starting lineup for Tuesday's contest against his former team. Now that Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is back from his stint on the injured list, Grichuk isn't going to see as much playing time, but he still has a valuable role for the D-backs as a right-handed hitter with his .288/.344/.508 slash line with 10 homers and 41 RBI in his 236 at-bats in 2024.

2 hours ago

George Valera • RF • Guardians

George Valera To Have Knee Surgery, To Miss 6-9 Months

Cleveland Guardians outfield prospect George Valera (knee) was diagnosed with a patellar tendon rupture in his right knee. Valera will have surgery on Wednesday and is expected to be out for six to nine months. It's a tough break for the team's No. 21 prospect, per MLB Pipeline. The 23-year-old spent the entire year at Triple-A Columbus, slashing .248/.337/.452 with a .789 OPS, 17 home runs, 50 RBI, six stolen bases and 51 runs scored in 90 games. He was placed on the seven-day injured list at Columbus last Friday due to the serious injury. Even if Valera avoids any setbacks during his rehab this winter, there's a good chance he won't be ready to go for the start of spring training next February. Valera missed time in 2023 as well with wrist and hamstring injuries while also serving a short suspension. The left-handed-hitting outfielder offers 30-homer upside at the next level.

2 hours ago

Robbie Ray • SP • Giants

Robbie Ray Hopes To Make At Least One More Start

San Francisco Giants left-hander Robbie Ray (hamstring) had his live batting practice session on Sept. 11 cut short after 42 pitches due to fatigue, but he's been playing catch and threw another bullpen session on Saturday. Ray said he still hopes to make at least one start for the Giants before the end of the regular season. The 32-year-old southpaw suffered a left-hamstring strain while facing the Seattle Mariners on Aug. 25 and was placed on the 15-day injured list on Aug. 27. Ray also missed the entire first half of the season while recovery from Tommy John surgery. He has fanned 43 in his 30 2/3 innings of work over his seven starts this year with the Giants, but he's also allowed 16 earned runs on 20 hits (six home runs surrendered). If Ray does make it back to San Fran's rotation to make one more start in 2024, he'll likely be a poor streaming option with a likely short leash.

2 hours ago

Randy Rodríguez • RP • Giants

Randy Rodriguez Throwing Bullpen Sessions

San Francisco Giants rookie right-hander Randy Rodriguez (elbow) had a 3.93 ERA over 33 major-league appearances this year before landing on the 15-day injured list on Aug. 15. Rodriguez was diagnosed with a flexor strain and was shut down for two weeks before resuming a throwing program on Sept. 3. He threw a 30-pitch bullpen session at Oracle Park on Sept. 12 and threw another bullpen on Sunday. As long as the 25-year-old doesn't suffer a setback as he builds himself back up, he has a shot to return to the Giants' big-league bullpen before the end of the 2024 season at the end of September. Rodriguez has appeared in 33 games (one start) in his first year in the big leagues and has gone 3-2 with a 3.93 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP and a 52:16 K:BB in his 50 1/3 innings pitched.

2 hours ago

Adrian Del Castillo • C • Diamondbacks

Adrian Del Castillo Optioned By D-Backs

The Arizona Diamondbacks optioned rookie catcher Adrian Del Castillo to Triple-A Reno after Sunday's contest and recalled right-hander Scott McGough from Reno in a corresponding move on Monday. Del Castillo will head back to the farm for now after regular catcher Gabriel Moreno (groin) returned from the 10-day injured list on Sunday. Moving forward with several weeks left in the 2024 regular season, Jose Herrera will serve as the backup to Moreno. The 24-year-old Del Castillo is the team's No. 14 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and showed plenty of promise in his first 25 big-league games when Moreno was injured. In 87 plate appearances, he hit .313/.368/.525 with an .893 OPS, four home runs and 19 RBI. Del Castillo has plenty of pop from the left side of the plate and has been barreling the ball up all year. He should get much more run in Arizona in 2025.

2 hours ago

Caden Dana • SP • Angels

Caden Dana Sent To Double-A

The Los Angeles Angels optioned right-handed pitching prospect Caden Dana to Double-A Rocket City on Monday and recalled left-hander Kenny Rosenberg from Triple-A Salt Lake in a corresponding move. With the Angels well out of playoff contention again in 2024, they decided to give several of their young arms some run in the big-league starting rotation late this year. Dana, the club's top prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has looked overmatched by big-league hitters in his first three starts, allowing 12 earned runs on 14 hits (five home runs) while walking seven and striking out eight in 10 1/3 innings. As a result, the Halos will send the 20-year-old back down to the farm to work on some things before potentially becoming a permanent part of the rotation in 2025. The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder is polished for his age and has drawn comparisons to Noah Syndergaard for his size on the mound.

2 hours ago

Grant Holmes • RP • Braves

Grant Holmes To Start On Tuesday

Atlanta Braves rookie right-hander Grant Holmes will make the start in the team's series opener on Tuesday against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Holmes will be making only his fifth start of the season to help fill the rotation vacancy left by right-hander Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder). In his 22 appearances (four starts) in 2024, Holmes has gone 2-1 with a 3.79 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with 54 strikeouts and only 11 walks in his first 54 2/3 innings in the big leagues. Fantasy managers will want to avoid the 28-year-old in his spot start on Tuesday after pitching out of Atlanta's bullpen for the last month. Holmes last started on Aug. 14 in a win against the Colorado Rockies, allowing two earned runs while walking one and striking out six in seven innings of work. He has not gone beyond 1 1/3 innings in September and won't go very deep in Tuesday's contest.

2 hours ago

Brendan Rodgers • 2B • Rockies

Brendan Rodgers Returning On Monday

Colorado Rockies second baseman Brendan Rodgers (hamstring) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Monday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Rodgers is back in the mix after sitting out the last two games due to right hamstring tightness. He'll cover second base and bat fifth versus right-hander Merrill Kelly on Monday. Rodgers has been better with the bat during the second half of the season. He's hitting over .280 with seven home runs and 22 RBI since the All-Star break. Fantasy managers in season long formats can get Rodgers back in their lineups on Monday.

4 hours ago

Mike Trout • CF • Angels

Mike Trout Could Move To Corner Outfield, Designated Hitter

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout (knee) recently said that he's open to the idea of moving to a corner outfield spot or designated hitter next season. This news comes while Trout is recovering from his second knee surgery of the season. Trout has resisted the idea of moving from center field in the past, but seems open to the idea now. It's worth noting that Trout has struggled in the designated hitter spot throughout his career. However, Trout is one of the greatest hitters in the game, so he'll find a way to adjust, but there will probably be a learning curve. Trout has only played over 100 games once over the last five seasons. A move to full-time DH could help the 33-year-old stay healthy, which is great for fantasy managers and baseball in general.

4 hours ago

Andrew McCutchen • DH • Pirates

Andrew McCutchen Gets A Breather

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen is absent from the starting lineup ahead of Monday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. The veteran slugger has started in six of the last seven contests. That being said, it's not shocking to see McCutchen getting a rest day with the Pirates having little incentive to win with their season basically over. In his place, Joey Bart will serve as the designated hitter and bat third versus right-hander Andre Pallante. Bart is in the middle of a breakout season with a .267 batting average and 13 home runs with 43 RBI in 71 games this season. He has a favorable matchup here for fantasy managers looking for a streaming option or DFS help.

5 hours ago

Oneil Cruz • SS • Pirates

Oneil Cruz Absent On Monday

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz (ankle) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Monday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. This comes as little surprise after Cruz was forced to exit early during Sunday's game due to an ankle issue. It's the same ankle that Cruz fractured last season, so the Pirates aren't taking any chances. For now, Cruz is considered as day-to-day, so hopefully he'll be back in the lineup later this week. In the meantime, Billy Cook will cover center field and bat ninth versus right-hander Andre Pallante. Cook has been quiet with the bat during his brief time in the MLB and can be avoided as a streaming option.

5 hours ago

Willson Contreras • C • Cardinals

Willson Contreras Ruled Out For The Season

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras (finger) will need two more weeks of rest before beginning baseball activities. That being said, the right-handed slugger won't be returning to the Cards lineup before the end of the regular season. It has been an injury riddled year for Contreras who only managed to play in 84 games. Luckily, the veteran catcher should be healed up and ready to go in time for spring training. Contreras finishes the season with a .263 batting average with 15 home runs and 36 RBI. The assumption is that Pedro Pages and Ivan Herrera will split up the catching duties for the rest of the season. Herrera is the better fantasy option between the two with a .280 batting average and 22 RBI in 65 games this season.

5 hours ago

Jose Miranda • 3B • Twins

Jose Miranda Absent On Monday

Minnesota Twins infielder Jose Miranda is out of the starting lineup ahead of Monday's game against the Cleveland Guardians. The right-handed slugger is having a breakout season with .292 batting average with nine home runs and 49 RBI across 117 games. However, Miranda has struggled to the tune of a .229 average against left-handed pitching. In his absence, Ryan Jeffers will serve as the designated hitter while Royce Lewis covers third base against left-handed Matthew Boyd. Fantasy managers who have Miranda rostered should adjust their lineups ahead of first pitch.

5 hours ago

Reese Olson • SP • Tigers

Reese Olson Activated, Starting On Monday

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Reese Olson (shoulder) will make his return to the mound against the Kansas City Royals on Monday. The right-hander has been sidelined the last eight weeks while recovering from a shoulder strain. Olson won't get an easy task for his first game back with a matchup against a tough Royals team. However, Olson has held his own with a 3.23 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 92 strikeouts across 18 starts this season. It's uncertain if he'll be a full-go for his first game back, but he'll be worth starting in season long formats on Monday.

5 hours ago

Starling Marte • RF • Mets

Starling Marte Absent From Mets Lineup

New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte (forearm) is out of the team's starting lineup for Monday's series opener against the division-rival Washington Nationals at Citi Field. Marte is sitting for the second straight game after being hit by a pitch on his forearm in Saturday's contest against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies. The 35-year-old veteran's injury isn't considered serious, though, so fantasy managers should treat him as day-to-day. The Mets could use both Marte and shortstop Francisco Lindor (back) back in their lineup as soon as possible, though, as they battle for the final wild-card spot in the National League. Jesse Winker is playing right field and batting second on Monday against Nationals right-hander Jake Irvin. Winker has never faced Irvin in his career and has gone just 3-for-29 (.103) with a homer, four RBI, four walks and nine strikeouts in 13 games so far in September.

6 hours ago

CJ Abrams • SS • Nationals

CJ Abrams Missing Fourth Straight Game

Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (shoulder) is out of the starting lineup on Monday for the fourth straight contest against the division-rival New York Mets at Citi Field. With Abrams out again, rookie Nasim Nunez is making another start at the 6 and is batting in the nine-hole against Mets left-hander Sean Manaea. Abrams remains day-to-day to begin the week due to left-shoulder soreness. Fantasy managers obviously need to keep the 23-year-old benched and check back to see if he's available to play on Tuesday for the second game of the series. In his first 40 major-league games this year, Nunez is slashing .270/.386/.297 with a .684 OPS, no home runs, one double, an RBI, six stolen bases and 13 runs scored in 48 trips to the plate. Nunez has been able to make plenty of contact but carries very little fantasy upside, especially at the bottom of the batting order. UPDATE: Abrams is close to returning and was available off the bench on Monday.

7 hours ago

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