Jakob Junis Lands On IL With Back Issue

Kansas City Royals right-handed pitcher Jakob Junis has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to back spasms. It’s unclear whom Kansas City will tab to take his spot on the starting staff, although a bullpen game remains an option next week when they face Cincinnati. Junis has made two starts this season and […]

Yordan Alvarez Scratched Sunday With Knee Ailment

Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez is out of Sunday’s starting nine against the Mariners and left-hander Justus Sheffield due to knee soreness. Alvarez made his season debut Friday and promptly socked a home run in his first at-bat. The reigning American League Rookie of the Year will be a staple of the Houston order […]

Salvador Perez Scratched From Lineup Sunday

Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez was a late dismissal from Sunday’s starting nine against Minnesota due to blurry vision in his left eye. Meibrys Viloria takes his place behind the dish and will bat ninth. Perez has gotten off to a terrific start at the plate in 2020, having delivered a .523 slugging percentage […]

Roman Quinn Lands On IL, Scott Kingery Slated For CF

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Roman Quinn was placed on the injured list Sunday after reporting minor illness symptoms, with Kyle Garlick being recalled to take his roster spot. But the most interesting tidbit for fantasy owners is that Scott Kingery got the start in center field Sunday and is now likely to see the lion’s share […]

Steven Matz Not Guaranteed To Make Next Start

New York Mets left-handed pitcher Steven Matz may have his spot in the team’s rotation up for review as manager Luis Rojas would not commit to Matz making his upcoming scheduled start next week against Miami. The move comes as something of a surprise with the Mets’ rotation already decimated by injuries of varying degrees […]

Freddie Freeman Moved Up To No. 2 Spot Sunday

Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman finds himself in a unique position Sunday against the Marlins and right-hander Elieser Hernandez -- the No. 2 spot in the batting order. Freeman hasn’t hit there since April 2011, with the absences of Travis d'Arnaud (rest) and Ronald Acuna Jr. (wrist) moving him up. Virtually all of Freeman’s […]

Jose Iglesias Back Out Of Lineup Sunday

Baltimore Orioles shortstop Jose Iglesias is sitting Sunday -- a day game -- after having played Saturday night as he continues to battle a left quad ailment. Pat Valaika gets the start at shortstop, with Rio Ruiz jumping up to the No. 3 spot in the order. Iglesias is off to far and away the […]

Javier Baez Gets Day Off Sunday, Set For Return Monday

Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez is getting a regular day-off Sunday against Milwaukee and right-hander Josh Lindblom, allowing Nico Hoerner to get the start at shortstop. Manager David Ross cited a desire to get Baez some time off of his feet ahead of the team’s upcoming stretch, which includes five games in the next three […]

Bo Bichette To Undergo MRI, Unlikely To Play Sunday

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette is not in line to take the field Sunday as he is set to undergo an MRI on his right knee, which acted up Saturday. Bichette has been arguably the hottest hitter in the Majors over his last seven games, which have seen him rip off an astounding .500/.550/1.167 […]

Ryan Braun Hitting Leadoff Sunday, First Time Since 2015

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder/designated hitter Ryan Braun is holding down the leadoff spot for Sunday’s contest against the Cubs and left-hander Jon Lester. Manager Craig Counsell shook up his lineup Saturday by tabbing catcher Omar Narvaez to bat leadoff, but the move to shift Braun in marks the first time since 2015 that he has hit […]

Derek Dietrich In Lineup Sunday At Coors Field

Texas Rangers infielder/designated hitter Derek Dietrich socked a three-run home run that proved to be the difference in Saturday’s win over Colorado, which has earned him a spot in Sunday’s lineup against right-hander Jon Gray. Dietrich was signed by the Rangers earlier this week and he is off to a 4-for-7 start with his new […]

Jason Heyward Scratched From Sunday’s Lineup

Chicago Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward was initially planned to be in Sunday’s lineup against Milwaukee and right-hander Josh Lindblom, but he was scratched prior to first pitch due to a tight back. Steven Souza Jr. took his place in the lineup and would presumably be the next man up should Heyward’s back ailment cause any […]

Wil Myers Departs Saturday’s Game Early

San Diego Padres outfielder Wil Myers exited Saturday’s contest against Arizona early due to a reason that was not immediately disclosed. Prior to his departure, Myers went 1-for-2 with a double, bringing his OPS on the season up to .969. Greg Garcia entered the game in his place, forcing Jurickson Profar to shift to the […]

Burch Smith Exits With Injury After Scoreless Streak Snapped

Oakland Athletics right-handed pitcher Burch Smith entered play Saturday against the Giants not yet having allowed a run in 2020. Before his night was done, he would yield three runs and exit due to injury with righty Lou Trivino taking over for him. Smith has turned himself into a staple of the Oakland relief corps, […]

Joc Pederson Off To Rough Start

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson opened the 2020 season with a hit in each of his first three games, but he has been particularly ice cold since Aug. 7, having gone 1-for-23 entering play Saturday. Having clobbered 36 home runs last year, Pederson had considerable season-long appeal entering the year, especially atop the Dodgers […]

Brandon Lowe Producing At Elite Rate Thus Far In 2020

Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe has followed up his impressive rookie campaign by scorching the ball in the early part of 2020. Entering play Saturday, he led the American League with 17 runs scored, having become a staple at the top of the Rays’ order. He has been particularly elite over his last […]

DJ LeMahieu Departs Saturday’s Game Early Due To Injury

New York Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu exited Saturday’s contest against the Red Sox after being checked on by the club’s training staff. Tyler Wade took his place at the keystone and would figure to see the vast majority of time there should LeMahieu’s absence be an extended one. Entering play Saturday, LeMahieu was leading […]

Tommy Pham Exits Saturday’s Contest Early With Injury

San Diego Padres outfielder Tommy Pham was slotted into the leadoff spot to begin Saturday’s contest against Arizona, but after striking out and playing just over one inning in left field, he walked off the field, ending his evening early. Edward Olivares took over for him and would figure to see an increased workload if […]

Whit Merrifield On Pace For Career Year At Dish

Kansas City Royals second baseman/outfielder Whit Merrifield has been the American League’s hit leader each of the past two seasons, yet in 2020, he is on pace for his best year yet. Through play Saturday, he has amassed a .911 OPS, which would set a new career high. While he has just two steals in […]

Franmil Reyes Heating Up As Anchor Of Cleveland Lineup

Cleveland Indians outfielder/designated hitter Franmil Reyes entered play Saturday scorching over the past week, having put together a .480/.536/.800 slash line. His Statcast metrics have always been his biggest backing, as he has averaged an exit velocity of 93 MPH to go along with a 43.8% Hard Hit rate to begin the year. If there’s […]

William Smith Placed On IL, Keibert Ruiz Set For Debut

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher William Smith was placed on the 10-day injured list prior to Saturday’s contest against the Angels, paving the way for the Dodgers’ No. 3 prospect, Keibert Ruiz, to earn his first big league call-up. Smith’s official injury designation is neck inflammation, which has kept him out of the mix and allowed […]

Michael Brantley Officially Placed On 10-Day IL

Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Michael Brantley will incur a stint on the 10-day injured list due to discomfort in his right quad. Brantley was out of the lineup Saturday against Seattle, paving the way for the trio of Kyle Tucker, George Springer, and Josh Reddick to hold down outfield spots with Yordan Alvarez at DH, […]

Andrew Miller Records First Save Of 2020 On Saturday

St. Louis Cardinals left-handed reliever Andrew Miller notched his first save of the year Saturday in the second leg of the club’s doubleheader against the White Sox. After Kwang Hyun Kim began the season in the closer’s role, the team has opened the job for competition, with Miller appearing to have first dibs as the […]

Jason Castro Scratched Saturday, Neck Ailment Not Serious

Los Angeles Angels catcher Jason Castro was scratched from Saturday’s lineup against the Dodgers due to neck stiffness, although manager Joe Maddon noted that the ailment is considered minor. Max Stassi will catch left-hander Andrew Heaney in Castro’s stead. While Castro has proven to have plenty of pop in his bat, his hot start to […]

Jo Adell Sits Saturday, Will Return To Lineup Sunday

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jo Adell is out of Saturday’s starting lineup against the Dodgers and right-hander Walker Buehler. Manager Joe Maddon mentioned before the game that Adell would return to the lineup Sunday when the team is set to face right-hander Dustin May. Taylor Ward takes over in place of Adell, getting his first […]

Jose Altuve Dropped To Seventh In Order Saturday

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve will bat seventh in the lineup for Saturday’s contest against the Mariners and left-hander Nick Margevicius amidst a season-long slump that has seen him perform below expectations. The last time that Altuve began a game in the No. 7 spot in the order came back in 2011, his rookie […]

Michael Brantley Could Be Headed Toward IL Stint

Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Michael Brantley is facing a potential stint on the injured list due to right quad soreness, manager Dusty Baker revealed before Saturday’s game. With Yordan Alvarez having returned and claimed the DH spot, the numbers game of having too many healthy OFs that warranted everyday playing time was creeping up on […]

Kirby Yates Lands On IL Due To Elbow Inflammation

San Diego Padres right-handed pitcher Kirby Yates has officially been placed on the 10-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation. He was removed from Friday’s game with the ailment, with the team recalling right-hander David Bednar to take his spot on the roster. With Yates out of the mix, Emilio Pagan is the primary […]

Tommy Pham Moves To Leadoff Spot Saturday

San Diego Padres outfielder Tommy Pham will bat first in the order Saturday against Arizona, the first time that he has done so all season. The move allows Fernando Tatis Jr. to shift down to the No. 3 spot in the order, with the two essentially flipping spots. Pham will first face D-backs left-hander Alex […]

A.J. Puk Tosses Bullpen, Could Return In Relief Role In 2020

Oakland Athletics left-handed pitcher A.J. Puk is on the comeback trail, having thrown a 20-pitch bullpen session Friday, with the plan being to ramp up to 30 pitches Monday. Manager Bob Melvin expects to have Puk back at some point in 2020, although he would be used in a relief-only role. Puk was anticipated to […]