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About Josh Friedman
Fantasy and wagering enthusiast. Freelance journalist for media outlets including Substack, RotoBaller, and BettingPros. Former U.S. investing editor at Bloomberg and markets editor at the Los Angeles Times.
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Josh Friedman has written 148 articles so far, you can find them below.
Paul DeJong On Bench Again Against Royals
St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Paul DeJong is out of the starting lineup Sunday against the Kansas City Royals and left-hander Kris Bubic. Rookie outfielder Lars Nootbaar is in right field and batting sixth, while Andrew Knizner is catching and hitting ninth for the Cards. DeJong, who is slashing .201/.288/.396 this season, was scratched from Saturday's... Read More
Cody Bellinger Showing Signs Of Life
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger, who hit a tie-breaking double in the 10th inning Saturday night to lift the team to a 2-1 victory over the New York Mets, is showing signs of a turnaround to his dismal season. Bellinger is slashing .259/.310/.778 over his past seven games. Fantasy managers should remain patient with... Read More
Shane Bieber Throws Off Mound
Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Shane Bieber (shoulder) threw off the mound Saturday for the first time in about two months, according to Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com. Bieber, who has been on the injured list with a strained muscle in his right rotator cuff, threw 20 pitches in a bullpen session. It's another positive step for... Read More
Elieser Hernandez Returns From IL
Miami Marlins starting pitcher Elieser Hernandez (quadriceps) is back from his second 60-day injury list stint and going Sunday against the Chicago Cubs, according to MLB.com. Hernandez has only thrown 7.1 innings with the big league club this year but pitched well in 25.2 IP in 2020, posting a 3.16 ERA with 34 K and... Read More
Kyle Schwarber Lowers Activity Level
Boston Red Sox outfielder Kyle Schwarber (hamstring) has had a minor setback, according to the Athletic. He had ramped up with running and fielding while the team was in Detroit but felt tightness in his left groin, so the Red Sox have lowered his activity level as a precaution. Schwarber could move to first base... Read More
Odubel Herrera Scratched From Lineup
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Odubel Herrera was a late scratch from the starting lineup on Sunday, according to The Athletic. There was no initial report of an injury but stay tuned for more word on the move. Luke Williams is in left field and batting eighth against the New York Mets. Herrera, who is hitting .248... Read More
Josh Bell Playing Outfield For First Time In Years
Washington Nationals first baseman Josh Bell is playing the outfield on Sunday for the first time in five years, as Juan Soto is again sitting with a knee issue. The Nationals have been prepping Bell to return to the outfield for a month, according to MASNsports.com. Bell, who is in right field and hitting cleanup... Read More
J.D. Martinez, Jarren Duran Return For Red Sox
Boston Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez and outfielder Jarren Duran have both cleared Covid protocols and rejoined the team Sunday, according to The Athletic. Martinez is batting fifth against the Toronto Blue Jays with Hyun-Jin Ryu on the mound while Duran is in left field and hitting ninth. Martinez has been terrific in 2021,... Read More
Yoan Moncada Battling Slump
Chicago White Sox third baseman Yoan Moncada enters Sunday night's contest against the Cubs trying to break out of a slump. Moncada, who went 1-for-4 with two RBI on Saturday against the crosstown rivals, is slashing .138/.194/.224 over his last 15 games. The 26-year-old has been mildly disappointing this season, hitting .256 with nine home... Read More
Manny Machado Stays Hot In August
San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado, who went 2-for-4 with a home run on Saturday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, is continuing his stellar season in August. The 29-year-old All-Star is slashing .379/.419/.724 over his last seven games. On the year, Machado is batting .286 with 21 homers, 77 RBI and 70 runs scored with... Read More
Kevin Gausman Back From Paternity List
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Kevin Gausman was reinstated from the paternity list, the team announced. The timing was ideal for Gausman, the Giants and his fantasy managers. He pitched against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday, allowing just one run over six innings while striking out eight. His next start is currently scheduled for Tuesday,... Read More
Jose Altuve On Bench Against Twins
Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve is on the bench for Sunday's game against the Minnesota Twins with right-hander Kenta Maeda on the mound. Altuve, who went 2-for-4 on Saturday, has been in a bit of a cold snap but is enjoying a strong season, batting .274 with 25 home runs, 65 RBI and 81... Read More
Ryan Mountcastle Goes On Concussion IL
Baltimore Orioles first baseman-outfielder Ryan Mountcastle is going on the concussion injured list, as expected, according to MLB.com. The Orioles recalled pitcher Alexander Wells on Sunday to replace him on the active roster. Mountcastle left Friday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays to begin the top of the third inning, a couple of innings after... Read More
Tommy La Stella Returns For Giants
San Francisco Giants infielder Tommy La Stella (hamstring) returned from his rehab assignment and was reinstated from the 60-day injured list, according to MLB.com. In other moves, left-handed pitcher Conner Menez was designated for assignment, while starter Anthony DeSclafani was placed on the 10-day injured list. La Stella has been out of action since early... Read More
Anthony DeSclafani Goes On Injured List
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani (shoulder) was placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Aug. 3, with right shoulder fatigue, according to MLB.com. The 31-year-old has pitched well this season with a 3.28 ERA and 1.07 WHIP despite struggling against the division rival Los Angeles Dodgers. Fantasy managers should hang on to... Read More
Tony Gonsolin In 'Idle Mode'
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin (shoulder), like his teammate Clayton Kershaw, is in "idle mode" waiting for the pain to subside, MLB.com reported, citing manager Dave Roberts. Gonsolin was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday with right shoulder inflammation. The severity of the 27-year-old's injury is unknown, but the latest update indicates... Read More
Eddie Rosario Set For Rehab Stint
Atlanta Braves outfielder Eddie Rosario (ab), who was acquired in a trade from Cleveland, is likely to begin a rehab stint within the next week, according to MLB.com. Rosario has taken batting practice over the past couple of days and says he feels good. He is on the injured list with an abdominal strain, but... Read More
Travis D'Arnaud Moves Closer to Rejoining Braves
Atlanta Braves catcher Travis d'Arnaud (thumb) is getting closer to his big-league return after playing seven innings Tuesday, according to The Athletic's David O'Brien. "Everything's good," said Braves manager Brian Snitker. "Still getting his timing." d'Arnaud been sidelined since May after undergoing thumb surgery. The 32-year-old has been with the Braves throughout the road trip... Read More
Corey Knebel May Return Next Week
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Corey Knebel (lat) could be back with the team next week on their road trip to Philadelphia and New York, The Athletic reported, citing manager Dave Roberts. Knebel has been sidelined since April 23 with a right lat injury and this week has been getting rehab game action in Triple-A.... Read More
Yuli Gurriel On Bench Again Against Dodgers
Houston Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel (neck) remains out of lineup for Astros in the series finale at the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to MLB.com. Aledmys Diaz again shifts over to first and bats fifth while Robel Garcia is again at third and hitting seventh Wednesday. Gurriel was scratched from the lineup on Tuesday due... Read More
Luis Robert Moving Closer To Return
Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert (hip) is swinging a hot bat in Triple-A and nearing a return to the majors, according to the Charlotte Observer. The center fielder, who tore his right hip flexor in May, moved to Triple-A Charlotte last week and was 6-for-22 there over his first five games. Outfield mate Eloy... Read More
Jack Flaherty Set For Third Rehab Start
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jack Flaherty (oblique) will have his third rehab outing Friday for Double-A Springfield and if there are no setbacks his next start will come in the majors, according to The Athletic's Katie Woo. Flaherty has cemented himself as the Cardinals ace the last couple of years, and before getting hurt... Read More
Joakim Soria Heads To 10-Day Injured List
Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Joakim Soria (finger), who was recently acquired in a trade, is going on the 10-day injured list with right middle finger inflammation, according to The Athletic. Tayler Saucedo is back with the club in a corresponding move. Soria had modest deep-league fantasy value with the Arizona Diamondbacks this year, going... Read More
Kendrick Bourne (WR, NE) - 2021 Fantasy Football Draft Sleepers
BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~280 Overall CURRENT ADP: ~327 ANALYSIS: In San Francisco, clutch receiver Kendrick Bourne was locked in as the third option. After signing with the Patriots as a free agent, he could quickly outshine Nelson Agholor and Jakobi Meyers to become New England’s top dog. Bill Belichick brought him in for a reason. Bourne, preparing to enter his... Read More
Andrew McCutchen Day-To-Day With Hurt Knee
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Andrew McCutchen (knee) is out of the lineup Sunday and considered day-to-day, according to The Athletic. "We'll see how he feels as he progresses in a couple of days," manager Joe Girardi said. McCutchen, who exited Saturday's loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, has right knee stiffness. He has had a solid year... Read More
Josh Donaldson Remains Out Of Lineup
Minnesota Twins third baseman Josh Donaldson (hamstring) is out of the lineup for a third straight day on Sunday. Luis Arraez is at the hot corner again and batting cleanup for the finale in St. Louis. Donaldson was a late scratch ahead of Friday's game with hamstring tightness, though he is considered day-to-day. The lower-body... Read More
Jack Flaherty Moves Closer To Return
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jack Flaherty (oblique) is likely to ramp up to about 55 pitches in Sunday's minor league rehab outing, moving another step closer to making his return, according to The Athletic. He threw 31 pitches in a two-inning rehab start with Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday, facing seven batters and striking out... Read More
Domingo German Heads To 10-Day IL
New York Yankees starting pitcher Domingo German (shoulder) was placed on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation prior to Sunday's game, according to Pete Caldera of the Bergen Record. The team recalled right-handed relief pitcher Albert Abreu from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. German, a 28-year-old righty, is 4-5 this season with a 4.45 ERA and... Read More
Paul Goldschmidt Posts Best Month Of Season
St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt went 0-for-4 on Saturday against the Twins but is slowly heating up and posted his best month of the season in July. The 33-year-old slashed .323/.400/.559 for a .959 OPS during the month with six home runs, showing that while he's not a league winner at this point... Read More
Cedric Mullins On Bench Against Tigers
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins is on the bench for Sunday's contest against the Detroit Tigers and left-hander Tyler Alexander. Mullins, who was 2-for-4 on Saturday, is apparently getting rest as he enjoys a breakout season with across-the-board production, slashing .321/.385/.929 with 17 home runs and 18 stolen bases. Fantasy managers with daily moves can... Read More
