2 years agoMinnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler left Sunday's game against the Guardians early with an apparent injury. Gilberto Celestino took over in right field in the beginning of the third inning but there's no report from the Twins as to why Kepler was removed from the lineup. The 29-year-old outfielder has been dealing with some hip tightness recently so that could be the reason for the early exit. The Twins should provide an explanation at the conclusion of Sunday's game.--Jon Mathisen - RotoBallerSource: Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com

2 years agoChicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson (finger) is seeing a hand specialist on Tuesday. Anderson, who underwent surgery to repair a tear in the sagittal band of his left middle finger on August 11, has yet to begin playing catch or swinging a bat. The hope would be that the specialist on Tuesday would clear Anderson for both activities. There is still no timetable for his return but perhaps he can rejoin the surging White Sox in late September.--Jon Mathisen - RotoBallerSource: Daryl Van Schouwen of The Chicago Sun Times

2 years agoSeattle Mariners first baseman Ty France (wrist) is not starting in Sunday's series finale against the Atlanta Braves. France's left wrist, which nagged him back in August, has been bothering him on swings, per beat writer Corey Brock. The M's plan to sit him on Sunday but keep him available as a pinch-hitter. Seattle also has a day off on Monday so between missing Sunday's contest and having the extra day of rest on Monday, the 2022 All-Star should be good to go for the start of Tuesday's series vs. the Padres.--Jon Mathisen - RotoBallerSource: Corey Brock of The Athletic

2 years agoCincinnati Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene (shoulder) fired three innings of one-run ball with five strikeouts for Triple-A Louisville on Sunday. The 23-year-old hurler threw 66 pitches during the outing. Greene has been out since early August with a right shoulder strain but has been working his way back in good order. He's on track to return to Cincinnati next week, barring any last-minute setbacks.--Jon Mathisen - RotoBallerSource: Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer

2 years agoOakland Athletics pitcher Brent Honeywell Jr. (elbow) was activated from the 60-day injured list and then outrighted to Triple-A Las Vegas. The oft-injured hurler will continue rehabbing in the minors and has a small chance of being called up before the regular season is up.--Jon Mathisen - RotoBallerSource: Matt Kawahara of The San Francisco Chronocile

2 years agoOakland Athletics starting pitcher Daulton Jefferies (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery on Friday. The 27-year-old hurler had been out since mid-June after having surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome. He also underwent Tommy John surgery back in 2017 so this is his second procedure on his elbow. The team should provide an update on him soon but fantasy managers shouldn't expect to see him back in uniform until midway through next season.--Jon Mathisen - RotoBallerSource: Oakland A's on Twitter

2 years agoPittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher David Bednar (back) has a shot to return this season, according to general manager Ben Cherington. On his radio show, the GM noted that Bednar would need a minor league rehab assignment before his return, but he did throw a live batting practice session on Saturday. The 27-year-old reliever has been out since early August with lower back inflammation. The Pirates season is long over, but it would be nice to see the 2022 All-Star return to the field before the year is over.--Jon Mathisen - RotoBallerSource: Alex Stumpf of DK Pittsburgh Sports

2 years agoMinnesota Twins starting pitcher Chris Archer (pectoral) has been placed on the 15-day injured list. The veteran right-hander exited his start on Saturday against the Guardians early with pectoral tightness. He should be activated in time to cap off the regular season for the Twins. Minnesota selected the contract of Jharel Cotton from Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move.--Jon Mathisen - RotoBallerSource: Betsy Helfand of The Pioneer Press

2 years agoSt. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is getting the day off on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Goldy, along with Nolan Arenado, is getting a routine day of rest. The veteran first baseman has been incredible for the Cards this year, slashing .325/.413/.607 to go along with 35 home runs, 109 RBI, and six stolen bases over 499 at-bats. Albert Pujols is taking over at first base in his place and batting clean up.--Jon Mathisen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 years agoSt. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado is getting the day off on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. This looks just to be a routine day of rest for the veteran third baseman who's slashing a paltry .185/.214/.259 over the last seven contests. He's still having an excellent season overall with a .298/.360/.548 to go along with 28 home runs and 93 RBI across 496 at-bats.--Jon Mathisen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 years agoLos Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman had a nice night at the dish on Saturday as he picked up four RBI in his club's 8-4 win over the Padres. He finished the night going 4-for-5 with a run scored as he finished the evening being just a triple shy of the cycle to take his batting average to .330 on the year. He now leads the majors in that category to go along with 19 HR, 102 R, 90 RBI, and 11 steals for good measure. Freeman has more than lived up to his draft-day cost and should keep producing terrific numbers the rest of the way.--Riley Mrack - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 years agoSan Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado slugged a pair of solo home runs on Saturday, but it wasn't enough as his club fell to the Dodgers 8-4. He victimized starter Julio Urias with a shot off the Western Metal Supply Co. building in the third before crushing a 412' bomb to right-center in the sixth. The two long balls now give him 28 on the year to go along with 87 runs, 90 RBI, seven steals, and a .303 batting average through 129 games played. A chance for a .300/30/100/100 campaign is certainly attainable at this point, and it would mark the first time in his career he would reach all of those marks in one season.--Riley Mrack - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 years agoSeattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby was superb on Saturday by allowing just one unearned in a 3-1 win over the Braves. The win improves his record to 7-3 on the season as he allowed just three hits (all singles) and no walks with six strikeouts over six frames of work. Kirby worked into the seventh but was lifted after a single and error that led to the only blemish on the road side of the scoreboard. The 24-year-old rookie now owns a stellar 2.98 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 115 K through 111 2/3 IP as he sets his sights on a matchup with the Angels next weekend.--Riley Mrack - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 years agoAtlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried saw his record fall to 13-6 on Saturday as his club was defeated by the Mariners 3-1. The lefty allowed two runs on five hits over six frames of work, striking out six and walking no one in the 85-pitch effort. The damage came off a pair of solo homers that came in the fifth and sixth innings, but he was otherwise sharp as he's yet to allow more than two runs in a game since July 25. Fried will take an outstanding 2.50 ERA and 1.01 WHIP into his next scheduled contest versus Phillies at home.--Riley Mrack - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 years agoMiami Marlins outfielder Avisail Garcia departed Saturday's contest in the first inning after experiencing discomfort in his left hamstring. He recently returned from the IL after missing a month of action with a strain to the same hamstring, so it's a bit concerning that he got lifted after playing one half-inning in right field. Perhaps the club is just playing it cautious with Garcia, but look for an update on his status prior to Sunday's finale versus the Mets.--Riley Mrack - RotoBallerSource: Christina De Nicola - Twitter