MLB News

Yordan Alvarez • LF • Astros

Yordan Alvarez Won't Play Again This Week

Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (knee) won't accompany the team to Cleveland this weekend for their series against the Guardians to close out the 2024 regular season, according to manager Joe Espada. Alvarez will stay in Houston to work with the team's doctors and training staff. The left-handed slugger still isn't doing baseball activity after spraining his right knee on a slide on Sunday, but he is feeling better. The 27-year-old was hoping to get some at-bats this weekend, but that won't be the case, and the Astros can only hope that he'll be ready to go for the first round of the playoffs next week. The Cuban slugger finishes his 2024 regular season with another strong campaign, slashing .308/.392/.567 with a .959 OPS, 35 home runs, 86 RBI, six steals and 88 runs scored in 552 at-bats. Jason Heyward should see regular playing time in the outfield the rest of the way for Houston.

2 hours ago

Matt Wallner • RF • Twins

Matt Wallner Dealing With Oblique Tightness

Minnesota Twins outfielder Matt Wallner (oblique) left Tuesday's contest against the Miami Marlins early due to left-oblique tightness, according to manager Rocco Baldelli. The Twins will hope to know more on Wallner's injury on Wednesday, but he shouldn't be expected to be back in the starting lineup. The 26-year-old went 0-for-1 with a strikeout in his pinch-hitting appearance in the sixth inning and was seen grabbing at his side. Oblique injuries can be tricky, so there's no guarantee that Wallner will be available for the rest of the final week of the regular season or even the start of the playoffs next week if the Twins get in. Entering play on Wednesday, Minnesota is two games behind the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers in the wild-card race. In a part-time role this year, Wallner has hit .259/.372/.523 with a strong .894 OPS, 13 homers and 37 RBI in 220 at-bats for the Twins.

2 hours ago

Jonathan India • 2B • Reds

Jonathan India In Concussion Protocol

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India (head) is in the league's concussion protocol after being hit in the head by a Tanner Bibee pitch in the fifth inning on Tuesday against the Cleveland Guardians. India did say after the game that he thought it was mild and that he'd be OK, but fantasy managers still playing for something in the final week of the season shouldn't expect India to play on Wednesday. The 27-year-old former fifth overall pick went 0-for-1 with a walk and the hit-by-pitch in three plate appearances on Tuesday before being removed early. With the Reds out of the playoff picture, they aren't going to take any chances with India if he's not 100 percent. In his fourth year in the big leagues, India has hit .247 (129-for-523) with 15 home runs, 58 RBI, 13 stolen bases and 83 runs scored in 147 games for a disappointing Reds club.

3 hours ago

Nestor Cortes • SP • Yankees

Nestor Cortes Going For MRI Exam

New York Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes (elbow), who was scheduled to start Wednesday's contest at Yankee Stadium against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles, is getting an MRI exam on his left elbow. Cortes has been dynamic lately for the Yanks, allowing just one earned run in his last 15 1/3 innings, and would be a valuable weapon for the team in the postseason as either a starter or reliever if he's healthy. It now seems unlikely that Cortes will be able to make his start on Wednesday, but we'll await further confirmation on that. If the 29-year-old southpaw is scratched, right-hander Marcus Stroman, who recently made the move to a relief role, would be the logical candidate to take the ball for the Yankees on Wednesday. Cortes' 22.8% strikeout rate leaves a lot to be desired in fantasy, but he's been solid in 2024, posting a 3.77 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 162 K's and 39 walks in 174 1/3 innings.

3 hours ago

Francisco Lindor • SS • Mets

Francisco Lindor "Could Be In Play" To Return On Wednesday

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (back) "could be in play" to return to the starting lineup for Wednesday's contest at Truist Park against the division-rival Atlanta Braves, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. Lindor was in the on-deck circle ready to pinch hit in the ninth inning of Tuesday's loss if the Mets got anybody on base, but that did not come to pass. The 30-year-old has been dealing with a nagging back issue that has kept him out for each of the team's last eight games, but he's hopeful of returning to the lineup before the end of the week as the Mets look to keep themselves in the wild-card picture in the National League. They enter Wednesday's action in the second wild-card spot, half a game ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Check back later to see if Lindor is active. If he's not, it will likely be impressive rookie Luisangel Acuna manning the 6 yet again for New York.

3 hours ago

Luke Raley • LF • Mariners |

Josh Rojas • 3B • Mariners

Luke Raley, Josh Rojas Sitting Against Astros

Seattle Mariners outfielder/first baseman/designated hitter Luke Raley and infielder Josh Rojas are both starting the game on the bench for Wednesday's series finale at Minute Maid Park against the division-rival Houston Astros with a left-hander on the mound. Justin Turner is making the start at first base and is batting fifth, while Dylan Moore will man the hot corner and bat out of the nine-hole against Astros left-hander Yusei Kikuchi. Turner has an RBI and is hitting .273 in 11 career at-bats against Kikuchi, while Moore has gone hitless against the southpaw in five career at-bats. Raley has reached the 20-homer mark for the first time in his career in 2024, but he's also hitting just .192 (14-for-73) with just two of his 21 long balls against lefties. Rojas has been even worse against lefties, going 8-for-58 (.138) with none of his eight home runs on the year.

3 hours ago

Kyle Tucker • RF • Astros

Kyle Tucker Starting On The Bench In Series Finale

Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker will get the day off on Wednesday for the series finale against the division-rival Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park a day after the Astros clinched the American League West division title. With Tucker on the bench, Jason Heyward will make the start in right field and bat sixth against Mariners right-hander George Kirby. Mauricio Dubon is in left field and in the eight-hole. Tucker fractured his shin fouling a ball off his ankle in early June and didn't return until Sept. 6. Since his return, he's picked up right where he left off and then some, going 18-for-53 (.340) with four home runs, two doubles, eight RBI, 10 walks and a stolen base in 16 games played. Houston is going to need Tucker to continue swinging a hot bat if they want to make another deep postseason run. Heyward has gone hitless in three career at-bats against Kirby and is tough to recommend in DFS in the difficult matchup.

3 hours ago

Jose Altuve • 2B • Astros

Jose Altuve Sitting Out On Wednesday

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve is not in the team's lineup on Wednesday for the series finale against the division-rival Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park a day after the Astros clinched the American League West division title yet again. With Altuve getting the day off, rookie Shay Whitcomb will man the keystone and bat seventh versus Mariners right-hander George Kirby. After injuries limited him to 90 games in 2023, Altuve has had a great bounce-back year in 2024. The nine-time All-Star is slashing .293/.349/.436 with 20 home runs, 65 RBI, 22 stolen bases and 92 runs scored in 152 games played this season. Whitcomb, drafted in the fifth round in 2020 out of the University of California-San Diego, will be making his first start since Sept. 1. In his first 19 big-league games in 2024, he's gone 9-for-37 (.243) with three doubles, five RBI, five walks and eight strikeouts.

3 hours ago

Seiya Suzuki • RF • Cubs

Seiya Suzuki Exits Early Tuesday With Sprained Ankle

Chicago Cubs outfielder/designated hitter Seiya Suzuki (ankle) exited Tuesday's 10-4 win over the Phillies with a sprained ankle, per Marquee Sports Network's Taylor McGregor. Suzuki went 2-for-3 with a single, a double, two RBI, a walk, and a strikeout. However, he was pinch-hit for byPatrick Wisdom in the eighth inning after scoring on a Cody Bellinger triple in the sixth inning. The 30-year-old should be considered day-to-day and fantasy managers should keep an eye out for more news. With just a few days left in the season, they may consider dropping Suzuki in re-draft leagues to try to get some final value elsewhere. Suzuki has put together his best overall big-league season, slashing .281/.361/.482 with 21 home runs, 73 runs scored, 73 RBI, and 16 stolen bases in 576 plate appearances.

14 hours ago

Tanner Bibee • SP • Guardians

Tanner Bibee Fans Seven In Seven-Inning Win Tuesday

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee finished his sophomore season well in Tuesday's 6-1 win over the Reds. Bibee pitched seven innings, allowing one run on four hits and two walks with seven strikeouts. He also hit a batter. The 25-year-old provided plenty of fantasy value this season and will finish with a 12-8 record, a 3.47 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP, and a 9.69 K/9 rate in 31 starts and 173 2/3 IP. Bibee finished with an ERA higher than his 2023 season but he decreased his walk rate and increased his strikeout rate and workload. Bibee has room to progress even further in 2025 with a reinvigorated offense to support him, making him a potentially intriguing higher-end fantasy option.

14 hours ago

Logan Webb • SP • Giants

Logan Webb Tosses Quality Start In 13th Win Tuesday

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb finished the 2024 season on a high note in Tuesday's 11-0 win over the Diamondbacks. Webb pitched six innings, allowing four hits and a walk with three strikeouts. The 27-year-old performed pretty much as fantasy managers expected this season, going 13-10 with a 3.58 ERA, a 1.23 WHIP, and a 7.56 K/9 rate in 33 starts and 204 2/3 IP. While his numbers were all within his career ranges, his ERA, BABIP, and WHIP were the highest they had been since his 2020 season and his K/9 rate was a career-low. Fantasy managers shouldn't be too surprised, as Webb is a pitch-to-contact, ground-ball pitcher. However, he had done a good job of suppressing hits in each of the previous three seasons. Webb has proven himself to be a high-floor fantasy option with a limited ceiling, making him a safe fantasy option.

14 hours ago

Heliot Ramos • CF • Giants

Heliot Ramos Homers, Collects Four Hits Tuesday

San Francisco Giants outfielder/designated hitter Heliot Ramos had a nice game at the plate in Tuesday's 11-0 drubbing of the Diamondbacks. Ramos went 4-for-5 with three singles and a solo home run. The 25-year-old launched a fourth-inning Blake Walston offspeed pitch deep into the left-center seats to put the Giants up 8-0. Ramos' first-half performance was rewarded with an All-Star appearance, but his second half has left a lot to be desired. He is now slashing .229/.266/.399 with seven HR, 24 RBI, and four stolen bases in 223 second-half at-bats. Hopefully, he can end the season on a bit of a hot streak to instill some confidence going into the 2025 season.

15 hours ago

Logan Gilbert • SP • Mariners

Logan Gilbert Allows Three Homers In Loss Tuesday

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Logan Gilbert fell to 8-12 in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Astros. Gilbert pitched six innings, allowing four runs on five hits (including three home runs) and a walk with six strikeouts. Home runs have been an issue for the 27-year-old in September, as he allowed eight long balls in five starts and 31 1/3 IP. Gilbert's second half was not as good as his first half, but he will presumably finish the season with a solid 3.33 ERA, a 0.91 WHIP, and a 9.44 K/9 rate in 32 starts and 203 IP. Gilbert proved himself to be a high-floor innings eater this season for fantasy managers and will likely see his fantasy stock rise for the 2025 season.

15 hours ago

Josh Hader • RP • Astros

Josh Hader Rebounds With Four-Out Save Tuesday

Houston Astros closer Josh Hader got back on track in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Mariners, earning a four-out save. Hader came in to pitch the top of the eighth inning up by one with two outs and runners on first and third. He got the third out with a strikeout and stayed in to pitch the ninth, delivering a 1-2-3 inning with two more strikeouts. The 30-year-old closed the door on an American League West division title, just one outing after yielding four runs while recording just one out. Hader has not performed as well as he had earlier in his career, but he has still racked up 34 saves with a 3.60 ERA, a 0.93 WHIP, and a 13.37 K/9 rate in 70 innings of work. Given his job security and strong offense backing him, he should remain a high-end fantasy option for the foreseeable future.

15 hours ago

Francisco Lindor • SS • Mets

Francisco Lindor Appears In On-Deck Circle Tuesday

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (back) did not play in Tuesday's 5-1 loss to the Braves but did appear in the on-deck circle, per MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. Lindor swung a bat in an indoor cage for most of the game in case he was needed. The 30-year-old has not played since September 15 due to a back injury. Manager Carlos Mendoza said that "he was good enough to play today," and described Lindor as "in play" to start on Wednesday. Lindor's return would be a huge boost for fantasy managers and the Mets in the final days of the season, as he has put up a .271/.342/.494 slash line with 31 home runs, 103 runs scored, 86 RBI, and 27 stolen bases in 670 plate appearances.

15 hours ago

Esteury Ruiz • CF • Athletics

Esteury Ruiz Undergoes Knee Surgery

Oakland Athletics outfielder Esteury Ruiz (knee, wrist) underwent arthroscopic right-knee surgery on Tuesday in Texas, the team announced. Ruiz was already ruled out for the remainder of the 2024 season due to a strained left wrist, and now he'll be rehabbing a knee procedure this offseason on top of it. The 25-year-old speedster specifically had a patella tendon debridement and chondroplasty done to his knee. After stealing a league-high 67 bases in his first year in Oakland in 2023, Ruiz was a massive disappointment for fantasy managers hoping to lock down stolen bases by taking him in drafts. Ruiz only played in 29 games at the major-league level in 2024 and hit .200/.270/.382 with a .652 OPS, two homers, two doubles, a triple, eight RBI and five stolen bases in 65 plate appearances. The A's sent him down to the minors early in the year and he was never able to recover.

18 hours ago

Michael Busch • 1B • Cubs

Michael Busch Injured On Tuesday Night

Chicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch (arm) left Tuesday's contest early at Citizens Bank Park against the Philadelphia Phillies in the bottom of the second inning after being hit in the arm by a pitch in the second frame. Busch stayed in to run the bases but didn't come out following the half inning. Cody Bellinger moved from right field to first base, with Mike Tauchman entering the game in right field. It looked like Busch may have been hit in the elbow, but we'll know more once the team releases information on his status. The 26-year-old will likely have X-rays at the stadium, but even if he avoids any structural damage, he'll probably be in line for the day off on Wednesday. If it's a serious injury, Busch's season will be over. In his first full season in the big leagues with the Cubs this year, Busch produced 21 homers while hitting .252/.333/.446 with 65 RBI in 148 games played.

18 hours ago

Edgardo Henriquez • SP • Dodgers

Dodgers Call Up Edgardo Henriquez

The Los Angeles Dodgers called up pitching prospect Edgardo Henriquez from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, according to sources. Henriquez had been on the Dodgers' radar for pitching help at the big-league level despite starting the 2024 season at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga. His fastball has been clocked at up to 104 mph this year, so he could become an option out of the bullpen to close out the final week of the regular season and for the playoffs in October when they're looking for a key late-inning punchout. The 22-year-old Venezuelan right-hander has posted a 2.72 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 88 strikeouts and 29 walks in 53 innings over 43 appearances (five starts) at four minor-league levels in 2024. The team's No. 15 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, obviously has swing-and-miss stuff at all levels, but his command could get him in trouble quickly.

18 hours ago

Clayton Kershaw • SP • Dodgers

Clayton Kershaw In "A Holding Pattern"

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that left-hander Clayton Kershaw (toe) is in "a holding pattern," and there are currently no plans for him to face live hitters. "I'll pitch when I can pitch," Kershaw said. The 36-year-old future Hall of Famer threw a 30-pitch bullpen session last Friday, but the fact that there are no plans for him to progress to the next step of his throwing progression likely means that he isn't going to be an option for LA's pitching staff once the playoffs begin. There's a good chance the Dodgers will have a first-round bye, but even then, Kershaw needs more time to build his arm up. Kershaw's injured big left toe -- he was dealing with a bone spur in it -- isn't 100% healed and he hasn't started a big-league game since Aug. 30. After recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, Kershaw has managed to make only seven starts in 2024 for the Blue.

18 hours ago

Yordan Alvarez • LF • Astros

Yordan Alvarez Hopes To Get Some At-Bats This Weekend

Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (knee) said he's able to put more weight on his leg on Tuesday but still isn't able to turn his knee at all. Alvarez said he's hoping to get some at-bats this weekend in the final series of the regular season against the Cleveland Guardians, but that will be contingent on the swelling in his knee. The 27-year-old left-handed slugger was diagnosed with a right-knee sprain after undergoing an MRI exam on Monday. It's the worst possible time for the Astros to lose one of the best all-around hitters in baseball with the playoffs beginning next week. If he is unable to get some at-bats this weekend against the Guardians, there's no guarantee that Alvarez will be ready to go for the start of the postseason. Jason Heyward is going to benefit from extra playing time in the outfield in Houston with Alvarez dinged up.

18 hours ago

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