2 years agoHouston Astros utility man Aledmys Diaz (groin) will play one more game on Sunday for Triple-A Sugar Land with a scheduled return to the majors coming on Tuesday according to manager Dusty Baker. He's been sidelined with a groin strain since August 17, so it's a timely recovery after he was originally expected to miss several weeks with the ailment. Diaz has received starts all around the diamond this season to serve as a flexible option for whenever a regular starter needs a breather. He's done well in his 78 games played with 10 HR, 31 runs, 32 RBI, and a .252 BA, but he's only a realistic fantasy option for managers in deep leagues.--Riley Mrack - RotoBallerSource: Brian McTaggert - Twitter

2 years agoThe Milwaukee Brewers placed Eric Lauer (elbow) on the 15-day injured list with elbow inflammation. He underwent an MRI Thursday, which revealed "encouraging" results. The 27-year-old will miss at least the next two weeks and is eligible to return on September 23. He owns a 10-7 record with a 3.91 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 138 strikeouts across 145 innings in 2022. Milwaukee recalled Trevor Kelley recalled from Triple-A Nashville in a corresponding move. Fantasy managers with an IL spot should continue to stash Lauer.--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Milwaukee Brewers

2 years agoMilwaukee Brewers pitcher Aaron Ashby (shoulder) will throw off a mound Sunday or Monday but is not being stretched out to start. He was placed on the injured list on August 22 with left shoulder inflammation. The Brewers are looking to add him to the roster soon, and the shift to relief allows for a quicker return to the staff. He owns a 4.58 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, and a 116:43 K: BB across 96 1/3 innings in 2022. With the decision to shift Ashby to the bullpen, he mainly becomes a stash in dynasty leagues and loses most of his fantasy appeal in 2022.--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Todd Rosiak

2 years agoToronto Blue Jays outfielder Teoscar Hernandez was placed on the restricted list Saturday. He was placed on the paternity list Wednesday but was shifted to the restricted list to receive an extra day off. The 29-year-old will be eligible to come off the restricted list on Sunday. He is slashing .263/.315/.476 with 20 home runs, 64 RBI, 54 runs, and six stolen bases over 445 plate appearances in 2022. He could return for the series finale against the Rangers and had collected a hit in seven of his last eight games before landing on the paternity list. Fantasy managers should continue to roll with Hernandez once the Blue Jays outfielder is activated.--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Keegan Matheson

2 years agoMinnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (hip, knee) is expected to return before the end of the regular season. According to manager Rocco Baldelli, Buxton is expected to return before the end of the season, but not this weekend and probably not early next week. The 28-year-old has yet to resume baseball activities, and the team is hopeful Buxton will contribute this season. He slashed .224/.306/.526 with 28 home runs, 51 RBI, 61 runs, and six stolen bases over 382 plate appearances in 2022. Fantasy managers should continue to stash Buxton in all league formats.--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Aaron Gleeman

2 years agoMinnesota Twins shortstop Jorge Polanco (knee) could return early-to-mid next week. According to Twins manager Rocco Baldelli, early to mid next week is probably a realistic timeline for Polanco to return from the injured list. The 29-year-old is eligible to return from the IL but will need extra days to recover from patellar tendinitis. He is slashing 235/.346/.405 with 16 home runs, 56 RBI, 54 runs, and three stolen bases in 445 plate appearances in 2022. Polanco is on track to return next week, and fantasy managers should continue to stash the Twins infielder in all league formats.--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Aaron Gleeman

2 years agoMiami Marlins infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. (back) has been ruled out for the remainder of the season. He has been sidelined since June 29 with a stress fracture in his back. The 24-year-old won't be activated from the injured list and will not return in 2022. He slashed .254/.325/.535 with 14 home runs, 45 RBI, 39 runs, and 12 stolen bases over 60 games in 2022. Chisholm will focus on a full recovery and should be 100% healthy heading into Spring Training in 2023.--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Christina De Nicola

2 years agoPittsburgh Pirates pitcher David Bednar (back) threw live batting practice on Saturday. He is expected to begin a rehab assignment before returning from the injured list. The 27-year-old has been sidelined since July 29 with a back issue. He has converted 17-of-21 save opportunities with a 2.70 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and a 63:14 K: BB across 46 2/3 innings in 2022. Bednar will be Pittsburgh's primary closer once activated, and fantasy managers should continue to stash the right-hander in all league formats.--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Alex Stumpf

2 years agoNew York Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres had a couple of hits in Saturday's 10-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays with a run and an RBI. Despite the game, the 25-year-old has struggled recently, batting .195 with just three home runs over the last month. He's bounced back compared to his last two seasons, but Torres is still slashing just .238/.291/.413 with 19 HRs, 54 RBI, 61 runs, and seven stolen bases over 124 games. There are plenty of shortstops better than the Venezuelan, though fantasy managers should roster him in every league because of his power and decent speed.--Spencer Seguin - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 years agoLos Angeles Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger and infielder Max Muncy (knee) are both absent from the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the San Diego Padres. Muncy sat out Friday's game with a sore knee and isn't ready to return tonight. They'll likely let him heal up fully as the team gets ready for the playoffs. For Bellinger, it sounds like he is just getting a routine day off against a left-handed pitcher, although it should be noted that he has now sat two of the last three games. Hanser Alberto will patrol second base, Will Smith will handle DH duties, Austin Barnes is behind the plate, and Trayce Thompson will be in center field while the pair take the night off.--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: Baseball Press

2 years agoMinnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (hip) is back in the starting lineup Saturday against Triston McKenzie and the Cleveland Guardians. Kepler didn't start the previous five games for the Twins with a hip issue, although he was able to pinch hit during that stretch. Outside of a hot April and May, Kepler has had a brutal season, posting OPS's of .649, 667, .505, and .429 in the months following. Needless to say, you can drop Kepler in virtually any league.--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: Baseball Press

2 years agoSt. Louis Cardinals outfielders Tommy Edman and Lars Nootbaar will sit out against JT Brubaker and the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday. Edman has played in 17 straight games for the Cardinals, and appears to just be getting a breather today. Nootbaar, on the other hand, has now been out of the starting lineup in three of the team's last eight games after playing in every game but one in August. To be fair, Nootbar has been ice cold, going hitless in his last 22 at-bats. With the Cardinals outfield jammed up, expect playing time to be distributed on a who's hot basis among these two, Tyler O'Neill, Corey Dickerson, and Brendan Donovan.--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: Baseball Press

2 years agoNew York Mets corner infield prospect Mark Vientos was called up to the big leagues on Saturday. The Mets' number seven ranked prospect (according to MLB Pipeline) enjoyed a solid season with Triple-A Syracuse, slashing .280/.358/.519 with 24 homers in 427 plate appearances. He does strike out a fair amount, and he won't contribute any steals, but he is certainly a hitter to watch for the rest of the season. He shouldn't be added yet outside of very deep leagues, especially considering he might not play every day.--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: New York Mets

2 years agoNew York Mets outfielder Starling Marte (finger) has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a partial non-displaced fracture of his right middle finger. It is unfortunate timing for the 33-year-old, who will miss at least the next week after landing on the IL. Fantasy managers will miss his .292/.347/.468 slash line, 16 homers, and 18 swipes while he's gone. He still should be held onto wherever possible, but in some cases he can be dropped if the roster spot is needed in order to win a playoff matchup. In a corresponding move, corner infielder Mark Vientos was recalled from Triple-A.--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: New York Mets

2 years agoTexas Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia (back) is back in the starting lineup Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays after missing Friday's game with a sore back. He will be the designated hitter and bat fourth in the lineup, so the Rangers appear to be easing him back in. Although he's been a major contributor all season, the 29-year-old has been ice cold to start September. He is slashing just .080/.080/.240, but has managed a homer and a steal. Still, the five-category star should be back in daily fantasy lineups tonight as he can put up big numbers at any time.--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: Baseball Press