Josh Hader Untouched In 2020, But Few Chances Had

Milwaukee Brewers closer Josh Hader has allowed just one baserunner through his team’s first 12 games. The issue is that Hader has pitched in just three innings combined of those contests, having earned two saves with three strikeouts to his credit. An elite closing option, Hader has been little utilized, even as he has not […]

Miguel Castro Locks Down First Save Of 2020

Baltimore Orioles right-hander Miguel Castro worked the ninth inning of Saturday's win over the Nationals, picking up his first save of the season. While it’s unclear if Castro has permanently supplanted right-hander Cole Sulser, he has now compiled 10 strikeouts across 7 ⅓ scoreless innings out of relief this season. A stalwart of the Baltimore […]

Huascar Ynoa Set To Make First Major League Start Sunday

Atlanta Braves right-handed pitcher Huascar Ynoa has been tabbed to start the first game of Sunday’s doubleheader against the Phillies, which will mark the first big league start of his career. Atlanta’s pitching staff has been in flux since ace Mike Soroka went down earlier in the week with an Achilles tear, ending his season. […]

Ryan O'Hearn Exits Early Due To Shin Injury

Kansas City Royals first baseman Ryan O'Hearn departed Saturday’s contest against the Twins early due to a right shin contusion, having been replaced by Franchy Cordero in the lineup. O’Hearn reached base in all three of his plate appearances Saturday, bringing his on-base percentage on the season up to .359 with eight RBI to his […]

Ryan Braun Won’t Be Activated Sunday, Need For AB’s Cited

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder/designated hitter Ryan Braun is continuing to progress from the index finger infection on his right hand that landed him on the injured list, but he will not be activated ahead of Sunday’s game against Cincinnati. Manager Craig Counsell cited Braun’s lack of at-bats dating back to Summer Camp as a reason for […]

Max Muncy Playing Through Fractured Finger

Los Angeles Dodgers first/second baseman Max Muncy revealed Saturday that he sustained a fractured ring finger on his left hand during Summer Camp, an ailment that he has played through up to this point. Muncy’s 67 plate appearances entering play Saturday leads the Majors, but his .182 batting average has been vastly below expectations. Muncy […]

Jesse Winker Exits Saturday Following HBP On Elbow

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jesse Winker departed Saturday’s contest against Milwaukee after having been hit in the right elbow by a pitch. Travis Jankowski entered the game to take his place in the outfield, while also serving as a candidate to see increased playing time should Winker’s absence last beyond Saturday. After having reached base on […]

Giancarlo Stanton Likely Headed To IL With Hamstring Injury

New York Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton left the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader against the Rays due hamstring tightness. Manager Aaron Boone said after the game that he believes a stint on the 10-day injured list is in Stanton’s future. Stanton served as the designated hitter for both legs of the DH, having been replaced […]

Ken Giles Feeling Better, But Still Hasn’t Played Catch

Since July 26, Toronto Blue Jays closer Ken Giles has been shut down to right elbow soreness. Manager Charlie Montoyo said Saturday that while Giles hasn’t progressed enough to even play catch, he indicated that the right-hander was feeling vastly better as he does arm and running exercises. Still, that update indicates that if Giles […]

Trevor Rosenthal Pushing Ian Kennedy For Closer’s Role

The Kansas City Royals appear to be utilizing the duo of Trevor Rosenthal and Ian Kennedy as their closer to begin the 2020 year. Manager Mike Matheny has demurred as it pertains to naming one man to the role after Rosenthal locked down the save Friday, his second of the year. If owners are in […]

Steven Brault To Start Sunday, Joe Musgrove Scratched

Pittsburgh Pirates left-handed pitcher Steven Brault will get pushed up to start Sunday against the Tigers due to a sore ankle that has been bothering right-hander Joe Musgrove, who has been scratched. Brault appeared out of relief Friday, but threw just 32 pitches without recording an out. In three appearances (two starts) in 2020, Brault […]

Oscar Mercado Not A Feasible Fantasy Asset In 2020

Cleveland Indians outfielder Oscar Mercado was a top 150 draft choice in most formats entering the 2020 season, but after his treacherous 13-game start, he can no longer be rostered in any sized format. It’s tough to have seen such a precipitous drop off coming from a player that hit 15 home runs and stole […]

Wade Miley Expected To Make Return Next Week

Cincinnati Reds left-handed pitcher Wade Miley is slated to rejoin the starting rotation for either Tuesday or Wednesday’s contest against the Royals, per manager David Bell. Miley has made just one start this season before hitting the injured list with a groin strain. Not much went right in that one outing, as he yielded six […]

Eduardo Escobar Has Seen Extra-Base Power Zapped In 2020

Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eduardo Escobar was an extra-base-hitting savant last season, amassing 74 such hits in 158 games. But through his first 14 games of 2020, he has just two extra-base hits, with his OPS+ sitting at a paltry 39. Of the 39 batted balls that he has put into play this season, Escobar […]

Eric Hosmer Activated Off IL, Rejoins Lineup Saturday

San Diego Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer has been activated from the injured list ahead of Saturday’s contest against the D-backs and right-hander Merrill Kelly. Hosmer has been out of the lineup since July 28 as he has battled gastritis, but he rejoins the starting nine to hit fifth Saturday, allowing rookie Jake Cronenworth to […]

Rhys Hoskins Off To Ice Cold Start In 2020

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins has gotten off to an underwhelming start during the shortened 2020 campaign. While his walk rate remains terrific (29%), Hoskins amassed just one extra-base hit in his first seven games, still searching for his first home run. The .167 xBA is a concern, as is the 68 OPS+. His […]

Yordan Alvarez Ropes Two Doubles In Intrasquad Game

Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez has yet to make his 2020 debut as he works his way back at the team’s alternate training site. While manager Dusty Baker stated that Alvarez’s arrival was not immediate, his bat appears to be rounding into game form as he socked a pair of doubles during an intrasquad […]

Alec Bohm Promotion A Possibility In 2020

Philadelphia Phillies first/third base prospect Alec Bohm is the next major name that fans and owners are wondering about making the jump to the big league roster after Spencer Howard’s promotion for Sunday’s contest. Ranked as the No. 31 prospect in the Majors, Bohm showcased his advanced hitting tools during the Arizona Fall League in […]

Phillip Evans Carted Off Field Saturday After Collision

Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Phillip Evans made his first Major League start at first base Saturday and was carted off the field after colliding with outfielder Gregory Polanco in the sixth inning. Evans caught an elbow from Polanco while the two were chasing a popup. Traditionally used as a pinch-hitter, Evans had gotten off to […]

Pedro Strop Facing Extended Absence With Groin Injury

Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitcher Pedro Strop left Friday’s contest against Milwaukee early due to a groin ailment. Manager David Bell announced Saturday that Strop could miss an extended period of time due to the injury, zapping the little season-long fantasy intrigue that he possessed. After years of being a stalwart in the Cubs’ bullpen, Strop […]

Corey Seager Sitting Saturday, Day To Day For Return

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager was removed from Friday’s game with a back injury and will now also be held out of Saturday’s lineup. While manager Dave Roberts noted that Seager had less discomfort as the night went on, the club will play it safe and have Chris Taylor start at shortstop against Giants […]

Justin Upton Sits Against Left-Hander On Saturday

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Justin Upton was supposed to make up a platoon with Brian Goodwin upon the arrival of Jo Adell, but Upton finds himself on the pine Saturday against Rangers left-hander Kolby Allard. Instead, Taylor Ward draws the start in left field. Hammering the ball with an average exit velocity of 94.1 MPH, […]

Austin Nola Out Of Lineup Saturday Due To Hand Ailment

Seattle Mariners catcher Austin Nola is out of the lineup Saturday against Colorado after being hit by a pitch on his left wrist Friday. Nola socked his first home run of the year in the series opener, bringing his OPS on the season up to .983. Seattle is already playing down a man behind the […]

Jake Cronenworth Draws First Career Start At Second Saturday

San Diego Padres infielder Jake Cronenworth made each of his first seven Major League starts at first base; on Saturday, he will shift over to second base for the first time. Cronenworth played primarily shortstop and second base during his time in the Minors, giving him immense positional flexibility, making it easier to get his […]

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Dropped To Sixth In Saturday’s Lineup

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. continues his fall down the lineup card Saturday against Boston as he will hit sixth against right-hander Zack Godley. After opening the year in the No. 3 spot, Guerrero has slowly moved down the order as he has hit just .214 with a .664 OPS through his […]

Richard Bleier Placed On IL With Triceps Strain

Miami Marlins left-handed pitcher Richard Bleier has hit the 10-day injured list due to a mild left triceps strain. Bleier recorded his third consecutive hold Friday against the Mets, but departed after just nine pitches. Having allowed just two hits through his first 4 ⅔ innings this year, Bleier figured to become a mainstay of […]

Jeff Samardzija Lands On IL With Shoulder Ailment

San Francisco Giants right-handed pitcher Jeff Samardzija has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a right shoulder impingement. Left-hander Andrew Suarez has been recalled to take his place on the active roster and figures to be a candidate to step into the rotation. Virtually nothing has gone right for Samardzija on the […]

Rich Hill Not Likely To Start Tuesday, Return Unknown

Minnesota Twins left-handed pitcher Rich Hill does not appear on track to be activated from the injured list to start Tuesday against Milwaukee as he works his way back from a shoulder ailment. Manager Rocco Baldelli noted that Hill is continuing to ramp up for a return, but does not have an update on when […]

Nick Senzel Out Of Lineup Saturday, Return Likely Next Week

Cincinnati Reds center fielder Nick Senzel departed Friday’s contest due to a groin ailment and has now been held out of Saturday’s lineup against the Brewers. Manager David Bell revealed before the game that he expects Senzel back soon, potentially eyeing Tuesday against the Royals as a chance to have him rejoin the starting nine. […]

Justin Verlander Not Progressing Well In Attempted Return

Houston Astros right-handed pitcher Justin Verlander said that he would shut down from throwing after sustaining a right forearm strain after his first start of the season. Per manager Dusty Baker, Verlander is “not progressing as quickly as he’d like” in his attempt to get back on the hill and avoid undergoing season-ending surgery. The […]