MLB News

Kevin Gausman • SP • Blue Jays

Kevin Gausman Expects To Make His Next Start

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman (back) said his back tightened up on his last warm-up pitch before being pulled early in Thursday's start against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field, but as of now, he isn't overly concerned and expects to make his final regular-season start next Tuesday against the Boston Red Sox. Regardless, the 33-year-old veteran will be a bit more risky for fantasy managers that are still playing for a championship next week against Boston. Before being pulled on Thursday, Gausman tossed five scoreless innings with one walk and six strikeouts to pick up his 13th victory of the season in the team's 4-0 win over Texas. He now has a 3.91 ERA and 1.22 WHIP on the season heading into the final week of the regular season. In two starts against Boston in 2024, Gausman has allowed nine runs (seven earned) while walking four and striking out nine in 11 2/3 innings pitched.

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Luke Weaver • RP • Yankees

Yankees Not Anointing Luke Weaver As The Closer

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that right-handed reliever Luke Weaver could close "a lot" of games but didn't exactly anoint him as the closer, saying "it may turn out that Luke comes into a spot in the sixth inning and gets four or five important outs when the game is on the line." Clay Holmes was recently demoted as the team's primary closer, and the 31-year-old Weaver has picked up two saves since then. In addition to his two saves, Weaver has been downright dominant with 16 strikeouts and only three walks in 7 1/3 scoreless innings since Holmes was demoted. He has been solid for the Yankees in 59 appearances out of their bullpen in his first full season with the Bronx, posting a 3.02 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 95 strikeouts and 26 walks in 80 1/3 innings. With the way he's been pitching of late, Weaver is probably the best bet for save chances down the stretch and into the postseason in October.

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Ozzie Albies • 2B • Braves

Ozzie Albies To Return On Friday

Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (wrist) will return from the 10-day injured list on Friday in time for the team's series opener in Miami against the division-rival Marlins. Because Albies was still dealing with discomfort in his wrist when swinging from the left side, the switch-hitting infielder is going to hit exclusively from the right side upon his return to the big leagues. The 27-year-old is recovered from a fractured left wrist that he suffered at the end of July. Because of all the time that Albies has missed and the fact that he isn't 100 percent, the Braves could choose to ease him into the lineup and could even have him platoon at the keystone with Whit Merrifield as the team looks to get back into a wild-card spot in the National League. Albies was hitting .258/.310/.407 with eight home runs, 46 RBI and eight steals in 361 at-bats before injuries his wrist this summer.

1 hour ago

Luis García Jr. • 2B • Nationals

Luis Garcia Jr. Sitting Again On Thursday

Washington Nationals second baseman Luis Garcia Jr. (wrist) is out of the starting lineup again on Thursday at Wrigley Field for the contest against the hosting Chicago Cubs. Darren Baker is manning second base for the Nats and will hit eighth against Cubs right-hander Javier Assad. This will be Garcia's second straight game on the bench due to wrist discomfort, although it's not considered a very serious injury. Fantasy managers should consider the 24-year-old to be day-to-day. Garcia is in the midst of a career season, as he enters Thursday's action slashing .280/.319/.440 with a .759 OPS, 16 home runs, 25 RBI and 21 stolen bases in his 132 games played. He would surely like to return soon to finish off his strong 2024 season the right way. Baker, 25, will be playing in just his sixth major-league game on Thursday. He's gone 2-for-5 so far with a double and two strikeouts for the Nats.

1 hour ago

Willy Adames • SS • Brewers

Willy Adames To Sit Out His First Game Of The Year

Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Willy Adames is not in the starting lineup for the first time all year on Thursday at American Family Field against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Adames is taking the night off after three straight hitless, multi-strikeout games. It ends his bid to become the first Brewers player since Prince Fielder to start all 162 games in a season. The Brewers clinched the National League Central title on Wednesday, so they are going to give the 29-year-old Adames the day off for Thursday's series opener against Arizona. Joey Ortiz will start at the 6 and hit seventh against D-backs right-hander Brandon Pfaadt. Adames has already set career-highs in 2024 in homers (32), RBI (109), stolen bases (18) and runs scored (87) in 152 games played. However, he's gone just 11-for-61 (.180) with five homers, two doubles, 14 RBI and 20 strikeouts in 16 games in September.

1 hour ago

Oneil Cruz • SS • Pirates

Oneil Cruz Back In Action For Pirates

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop/outfielder Oneil Cruz (ankle) is starting in center field and is hitting third for the Bucs on Thursday against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals and right-hander Erick Fedde at Busch Stadium. Cruz has been out of the starting lineup since Sunday, when he left the contest against the Kansas City Royals early due to discomfort in his left ankle. The 25-year-old's ankle injury was never considered to be serious, and he got a pinch-hit appearance in Tuesday's game. Cruz is fading down the stretch after just being moved to center field full time in Pittsburgh, but he's on the cusp of his first 20-20 season in his fourth year in the big leagues. In 14 games in September, he's gone 9-for-49 (.184) with a homer, three doubles, six RBI and 17 strikeouts in 56 plate appearances. In three career at-bats against Fedde, Cruz has a homer and one RBI.

1 hour ago

Junior Caminero • SS • Rays

Junior Caminero Not Playing Against Red Sox

Tampa Bay Rays infield prospect Junior Caminero is getting a day of rest on Thursday against the division-rival Boston Red Sox at Tropicana Field. This will be Caminero's second day off since the Rays called him up in the middle of last month. Caminero came up for just seven games to make his major-league debut last year. He's had a little more run in the big leagues in 2024 after dealing with some injuries in the minors earlier this year. In his 34 games played for Tampa this year, he is hitting .248/.312/.411 with a .723 OPS, four home runs, seven doubles, a triple, 14 RBI and two steals in 141 plate appearances. The 21-year-old Dominican is a big part of the team's future and should be a lineup regular from Day 1 in 2025. With Caminero out on Thursday, Jose Caballero is at third and batting sixth, while Taylor Walls starts at short and bats eighth against Red Sox right-hander Brayan Bello.

1 hour ago

Kevin Gausman • SP • Blue Jays

Kevin Gausman Injured On Thursday

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman (back) was removed from Thursday's game early against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field due to lower-back tightness. Before leaving, Gausman at least had a nice day on the mound, throwing five scoreless innings while walking one and striking out six to leave in line for the win. It's unclear how serious the 33-year-old's injury is, but with the season winding down and the Blue Jays not having anything to play for, they will not be rushing Gausman back to the starting rotation. If his injury isn't serious, he's scheduled to toe the rubber again next Tuesday against the Boston Red Sox. After coming in third in the American League Cy Young voting in 2023, Gausman has taken a step back in 2024, entering Thursday's start with a 4.02 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 153 strikeouts and 52 walks in 170 innings over 29 starts.

1 hour ago

Francisco Lindor • SS • Mets

Francisco Lindor Still Absent On Thursday

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (back) remains absent from the team's starting lineup for Thursday's contest at Citi Field against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies. Shortstop prospect Luisangel Acuna, the younger brother of Braves superstar outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee), will make another start at the 6 in New York and will bat ninth against Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker. Lindor is now missing his fourth straight start due to a nagging back injury, but he said earlier this week he only hoped to miss around two to five days, so there's a chance he'll be back for the Mets this weekend in a pivotal divisional series. The 30-year-old resumed baseball activities on Wednesday and should be considered day-to-day. The 22-year-old Acuna has gone 7-for-15 with two homers, a double and four RBI in his first five MLB games and has quickly become a popular DFS sleeper.

2 hours ago

Luis Castillo • SP • Mariners | Luis Castillo • RP

No Definitive Timeline On Luis Castillo

Seattle Mariners interim manager Dan Wilson said he didn't have a definitive timeline on right-hander Luis Castillo (hamstring) and if he'd be able to be activated from the 15-day injured list when he's eligible next Tuesday. "Progressing as he should be ... I think as far as we know right now, he's doing well," Wilson said. Castillo was placed on the IL on Tuesday due to a Grade 2 left-hamstring strain, but it remains to be seen if he'll be able to rejoin the team's starting rotation before the end of the 2024 regular season. He has already received a platelet-rich plasma injection. At best, Castillo might make two more starts for the Mariners the rest of the way as they look to secure a wild-card spot in the American League. The three-time All-Star hasn't been as dominant this year, but he's still been useful in all fantasy formats with a 3.64 ERA and 1.17 WHIP with 175 strikeouts and 47 walks in his 175 1/3 innings over 30 starts.

3 hours ago

Dylan Floro • RP

Diamondbacks Release Dylan Floro

The Arizona Diamondbacks released right-handed reliever Dylan Floro earlier this week. Floro has been released after passing through waivers unclaimed after the D-backs designated him for assignment on Sunday. The 33-year-old veteran began the year with the Washington Nationals and ended up making only 15 appearances in relief for Arizona. In his 16 1/3 innings for the Snakes, he was way too hittable, allowing 17 earned runs on 23 hits (four homers) while walking four and striking out only eight. Overall this year, he has posted a 3.80 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP and a 48:17 K:BB in his 68 2/3 innings out of the bullpen for the Nats and D-backs. Arizona acquired Floro at the trade deadline in late July from the Nationals, but he didn't work out as a relief arm for them. In Floro's nine-year MLB career, he has a 3.49 ERA, a 1.29 WHIP and 32 saves in 402 2/3 innings pitched.

3 hours ago

Ryan Mountcastle • 1B • Orioles

Ryan Mountcastle To Start His Rehab Assignment Soon

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle (wrist) will start a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk later this week/weekend. Barring a setback with his sprained left wrist, Mountcastle should be able to come off the 10-day injured list to rejoin the major-league roster by the end of the regular season at the end of September. The 27-year-old right-handed slugger has been out since late August and could be eased back into first-base duties later this month as the O's look to have him firing on all cylinders for the start of the postseason in October. Mountcastle isn't a good bet to suddenly discover his power stroke after his wrist injury. He has disappointed in his fifth season in Baltimore in 2024, hitting .265/.305/.425 with a .730 OPS, 13 home runs and 61 RBI in 118 games as the team's primary first baseman.

3 hours ago

Ramón Urías • 3B • Orioles |

Jordan Westburg • 3B • Orioles

Jordan Westburg, Ramon Urias Need Multiple Rehab Games

Baltimore Orioles infielders Jordan Westburg (hand) and Ramon Urias (ankle) will both need multiple minor-league rehab games before returning to the big-league roster, according to manager Brandon Hyde. The skipper said he wouldn't be surprised if Urias comes off the injured list first. Westburg was expected to begin his rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday as he works his way back from a fractured right hand that has kept him out since early August. The 25-year-old took batting practice on Tuesday and could rejoin the club early next week. Westburg is sitting on 18 homers on the year and should be Baltimore's preferred option at the hot corner when he's back, although they could ease him in and have him share playing time with Urias to close out the regular season in September. Urias has been out since late August with a right-ankle sprain.

3 hours ago

Kodai Senga • SP • Mets

Kodai Senga Plans To Make Rehab Appearance This Weekend

New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga (calf) intends to pitch an inning in a minor-league rehab appearances for Triple-A Syracuse this weekend in advance of joining the Mets for at least part of their final road trip through Atlanta and Milwaukee. Senga will be eligible to return from the injured list on Sept. 25, though a team official cautioned that Senga is more likely to appear later next week. The Mets play the Braves from Sept. 24-26 before concluding their regular-season schedule against the Brewers from Sept. 27-29. The second-year Japanese hurler has pitched in just one game in 2024, throwing 5 1/3 innings on July 26 before suffering a left-calf strain. Before that, Senga was rehabbing a strained posterior right shoulder capsule in the first half of the season. He has been dynamic when healthy, but with where we are in the schedule, if Senga does return, it will be in a relief role for the Mets.

3 hours ago

Jonatan Clase • LF • Blue Jays

Blue Jays Call Up Jonatan Clase

The Toronto Blue Jays called up outfield prospect Jonatan Clase, who they acquired in a trade with the Seattle Mariners in the Yimi Garcia deal, on Thursday from Triple-A Buffalo. With the season winding down, the Blue Jays can get a good look at Clase, who is a gifted athlete with real upside in the long term. The 22-year-old is currently listed by MLB Pipeline as Toronto's No. 6 prospect. Especially with outfielder Daulton Varsho (shoulder) out for the remainder of the year after shoulder surgery, Clase could get some nice run to close things out through the end of September in Toronto's outfield. The switch-hitting Dominican made his MLB debut with Seattle earlier this year and went 8-for-41 (.195) with a double, three RBI and three steals in 19 games. In 94 games with Buffalo and Triple-A Tacoma, Clase has hit .263/.344/.439 with 12 homers, 45 RBI and 38 steals in 426 plate appearances.

3 hours ago

Victor Robles • CF • Mariners

Victor Robles Scratched From Thursday's Lineup

Seattle Mariners outfielder Victor Robles (hand) has been scratched from the starting lineup on Thursday against the New York Yankees at T-Mobile Park. Robles suffered a bruised right hand in Tuesday's contest and didn't play on Wednesday as a result. It appears the 27-year-old needs at least one more day to heal up before returning to the field. In his absence, Dylan Moore will draw into the lineup at second base and will hit eighth against Yankees right-hander Clarke Schmidt. Jorge Polanco is serving as the designated hitter and is batting sixth for the M's. Moore has a homer and two RBI in two career at-bats against Schmidt, while Polanco has gone hitless in his only at-bat against Schmidt. Robles should be fine to play this weekend on the road in Texas against the division-rival Rangers. He's been excellent since joining Seattle, hitting .333 (66-for-198) with four homers, 20 RBI and 25 steals in 69 games.

3 hours ago

Bo Bichette • SS • Blue Jays

Bo Bichette Done For The Year With Fractured Finger

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette (finger) suffered a fractured right middle finger and has been placed on the 10-day injured list, ending his season. It officially ends what has been one of the most disappointing seasons for any player in baseball in 2024. Bichette ended up playing in just 81 games and slashing .225/.277/.322 with a career-worst .598 OPS, four home runs, 31 RBI and five stolen bases in 336 trips to the plate. The 26-year-old managed to play in just one game, going 2-for-5 with an RBI on Sept. 17, since returning from a lengthy stint on the IL due to a calf injury that had been bothering him since the first half of the season. Bichette will now focus on getting his finger healthy this offseason, but he should be fully recovered in time for spring training as he attempts to have a bounce-back season in 2025. Ernie Clement and Leo Jimenez should share time at the 6 in Toronto the rest of the way.

5 hours ago

Kumar Rocker • SP • Rangers

Kumar Rocker Starting On Thursday

Texas Rangers right-handed pitching prospect Kumar Rocker is making his second career major-league start on Thursday at Globe Life Field against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays. Rocker, the team's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, went four innings in his major-league debut on Sept. 12 against the division-rival Seattle Mariners and allowed just one earned run on three hits (one homer) while walking two and striking out seven to earn another start. With the Rangers out of playoff contention despite winning the World Series last fall, they have elected to give Rocker a little run in the big leagues to close out the year after he was dominant down on the farm in 2024 after coming back from Tommy John surgery. Rocker may not go deep in Thursday's contest, but he still has plenty of strikeout upside. There's a good chance he'll make one more start before the season is over.

5 hours ago

Kenley Jansen • RP • Red Sox

Kenley Jansen Dealing With Shoulder Issue

Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen (shoulder) apparently was dealing with a shoulder issue during his 27th save of the season on Wednesday in the 2-1 win over the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Jansen walked two and struck out two in his scoreless inning of work and also showed decreased velocity, but he stayed in the game and finished out the victory. The Red Sox's training staff went out to look at the 36-year-old veteran before letting him continue. There's a good chance that Jansen won't be available out of the bullpen for at least a few days as he works through his shoulder issues. If he is forced to miss any save situations, Chris Martin or Josh Winckowski might be the best bets for a few save chances down the stretch. Jansen, a four-time All-Star, has a 3.42 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 61 K's and 20 walks in 52 2/3 innings this year in addition to his 27 saves.

6 hours ago

Josh Jung • 3B • Rangers

Josh Jung Taking The Day Off

Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung is not in the team's starting lineup for Thursday's contest at Globe Life Field against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays. Ezequiel Duran will fill in at the hot corner and bat seventh against Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman. Jung was a first-time All-Star for Texas in his first full season in the big leagues in 2023, but his 2024 campaign has been defined by a fractured wrist that he suffered early in April. In total, he's played in only 46 games this year and has hit .264/.298/.421 with a .719 OPS, seven home runs, 16 RBI and four stolen bases in 188 plate appearances. Jung has swung the bat well in September, going 16-for-56 (.286) with three homers, a double and seven RBI. Duran has gone hitless in three career at-bats versus Gausman. The 25-year-old Dominican is a low-upside DFS sleeper in a tough matchup. He has only three homers and 19 RBI in 241 at-bats in 2024.

6 hours ago

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