2 years agoWashington Nationals left-handed pitcher MacKenzie Gore (elbow) threw a bullpen session on Friday and could join Triple-A Rochester for a rehab start on Sunday. Gore was initially placed on the injured list on July 26 after experiencing left elbow inflammation, but he has begun a throwing program and is ready to progress into rehab starts provided everything feels right. The former top prospect has had an up-and-down 2022, but he has certainly shown signs that he could end up being the type of high-end talent that he was expected to be. Overall, Gore has a 4.50 ERA (4.11 FIP) and 1.47 WHIP while tallying 72 strikeouts in 70 innings pitched. He could be a worthy streamer down the stretch if his matchups are solid.--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: Andrew Golden

2 years agoTampa Bay Rays left-handed pitcher Shane McClanahan (shoulder) threw a bullpen session on Friday and could be ready to get back into the rotation when he is first eligible on Thursday against the Toronto Blue Jays. This is huge news for the Rays and fantasy owners, who could get their ace back at a crucial time in the season. After a few rough outings at the end of July and start of August, Shane O'Mac looked like his dominant self over his final three starts before being put on the IL, posting 1.89 ERA and 1.05 WHIP while striking out 21 batters in 19 innings pitched. Even with a tough matchup and a possible innings limit, McClanahan should be started in most leagues if he does pitch next week.--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: Marc Topkin

2 years agoOakland Athletics starting pitcher James Kaprielian (finger) has been scratched from his start Friday against the Los Angeles Angels with a middle right finger laceration. Kaprielian was set to make his return to the Athletics rotation after getting bumped out of it last week, but won't make his start after cutting a finger on his pitching hand. It is not yet known if the Athletics plan to start him later in the weekend or if he will be skipped. The 28-year-old had a tough go of it in August, posting a 1-4 record, 5.59 ERA, and 1.79 WHIP over 29 IP. Still, he could have been a somewhat appealing streaming candidate in deeper leagues against a bad Angels lineup. Alas, the Athletics will instead have a bullpen game on Friday, with Austin Pruitt opening.--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: Martin Gallegos

2 years agoWashington Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz (groin) will be shut down for three weeks, which in all likelihood ends his season. Ruiz was placed on the 10-day injured list earlier in the day, and manager Dave Martinez has since said that Ruiz will meet the team in Philadelphia, but will be shut down. The move certainly isn't ideal for Ruiz's fantasy owners, as Riley Adams and Tres Barrera, who will split time at the position in Ruiz's absence, aren't exactly sought-after assets.--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: Mark Zuckerman

2 years agoSan Diego Padres outfielder Juan Soto (shoulder) is in the lineup Friday night against Dustin May and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Soto was injured during Wednesday's game after being hit by a pitch and had to be taken out early due to a right shoulder contusion. However, the 23-year-old superstar feels better after a day off Thursday and is ready to get right back in the lineup. The Padres' coveted trade deadline acquisition has hit just .232/.397/.374 in 127 PA with the team, numbers that simply aren't up to par for a hitter of his caliber. Although he's been frustrating, Soto remains a must-start for fantasy managers. Get him back in your lineup.--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: AJ Cassavell

2 years agoToronto Blue Jays outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (hamstring) was placed on the 10-day IL on Friday, retroactive to September 8. Gurriel was injured while hustling out a potential double play ball, as he landed on the bag awkwardly and went down in a heap. The team has chosen to put him on the injured list after Gurriel went for an MRI Thursday, which gives them an extra roster spot in a crucial part of their season. Hopefully the IL stint is a short one, but no timeline has been given. After a scorching June and July, Gurriel slumped hard in August, slashing just .225/.269/.304. It's certainly worth considering dropping Gurriel if you don't have any extra IL spots for him, as he likely won't see the field at all next week. Expect Raimel Tapia, Jackie Bradley Jr., and Whit Merrifield to see more time in the outfield with Gurriel on the IL.--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: Toronto Blue Jays

2 years agoTexas Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia (back) landed awkwardly on his lower back recently while trying to make a catch on defense and is out of the starting lineup on Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays as a result. His back is sore, but he should return to the lineup on Saturday. Fantasy managers need to act accordingly and remove Garcia from their daily lineups on Friday. The 29-year-old, who has hit the 20-20 milestone already this year, should be considered day-to-day. Rookie Bubba Thompson is manning right field on Friday and will hit ninth against Blue Jays right-hander Ross Stripling. Thompson has held his own in his first 30 major league games, going 26-for-94 (.277) with a homer, seven RBI, 10 runs and 10 stolen bases, but he won't have a ton of DFS upside in the nine-hole.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant

2 years agoTexas Rangers third base prospect Josh Jung is starting at third base and is hitting seventh in his major league debut on Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays and right-hander Ross Stripling. Jung was in line to open the season on the big-league roster before he tore the labrum in his shoulder late in spring training. The club's top prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and former first-rounder went on to hit .273/.321/.525 with an .846 OPS, six home runs, 24 RBI and 15 runs scored in 23 games for Triple-A Round Rock before his first major league promotion. The power-hitting prospect should see regular playing time at the hot corner the rest of the way in September and is worth picking up in all fantasy leagues if you're in need of some pop.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Baseball Press

2 years agoThe Washington Nationals placed catcher Keibert Ruiz (groin) on the 10-day injured list on Friday with a testicular contusion. In corresponding moves, the team designated pitcher Jake McGee for assignment, purchases the contract of Israel Pineda from Triple-A and recalled Jordan Weems from Triple-A. Ruiz took a foul ball off his groin on Thursday and was sent to the hospital with swollen testicles. We wish him the best, but there's a chance he won't return to the last-place Nats before the end of the 2022 regular season. With the 24-year-old sidelined, Riley Adams and Tres Barrera will split the catching duties behind the plate in D.C. In his second season with the Nats, Ruiz has hit .251/.313/.360 with seven home runs, 36 RBI, 33 runs scored and six stolen bases in 112 games.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MASN Sports - Mark Zuckerman

2 years agoThe Houston Astros activated closer Ryan Pressly (neck) from the 15-day injured list on Friday and optioned Brandon Bielak to the minors in a corresponding move. Pressly was originally scheduled to be reinstated from the injured list earlier this week, but that was pushed back after he experienced more neck issues. Hopefully, the 33-year-old veteran right-hander is now good to go and can immediately return to ninth-inning duties for the first-place Astros. He didn't make any appearances on a minor league rehab assignment, so Pressly could be a bit rusty when he first pitches again in the big leagues. Expect Rafael Montero to shift back to a setup role. Pressly has a 3.11 ERA (2.08 FIP), a 0.93 WHIP, 25 saves and 46 strikeouts in 37 2/3 relief innings in 2022.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ATT Sportsnet Southwest - Julia Morales

2 years agoThe Kansas City Royals reinstated rookie infielder Vinnie Pasquantino (shoulder) from the 10-day injured list on Friday and optioned outfielder Brent Rooker to Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move. Pasquantino was shelved at the end of last month with right shoulder discomfort, and he went 3-for-14 with three RBI in four minor league rehab games for Omaha. The 24-year-old left-handed hitter should return to being an everyday starter for the rebuilding Royals to close out the 2022 regular season. Before his shoulder injury, Pasquantino was slashing .263/.350/.434 with eight home runs, 15 RBI and 18 runs scored in 200 plate appearances over 49 games. Get him back into your lineups in deeper mixed leagues.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Royals Twitter

2 years agoSt. Louis Cardinals outfielder Tyler O'Neill (neck) is back in center field and is hitting sixth on Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates and right-hander Roansy Contreras. O'Neill woke up with neck stiffness on Thursday and was scratched from the starting lineup, but he's back in there a day later. On the season as a whole, the 27-year-old has hit only .225/.301/.384 with 13 home runs, 57 RBI, 51 runs scored and 11 stolen bases in 315 at-bats. In six games to start the month of September, he's gone 4-for-20 (.200) with a homer, four RBI, four runs scored and six strikeouts. Fantasy managers in single-year leagues will want to get O'Neill back into their lineups, but DFS gamers may want to look elsewhere.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Baseball Press

2 years agoTampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco (hand, wrist) was reinstated from the injured list on Friday, with infielder Yu Chang being designated for assignment in a corresponding move. Franco will immediately return to shortstop and will hit second on Friday against New York Yankees right-hander Frankie Montas. The 21-year-old Dominican hasn't played in the big leagues since July 9, so there might be some rust to shake off initially, but he'll return to being the team's everyday shortstop to close out the regular season in 2022. In three minor league rehab games last week, he went 6-for-11 with a double, two RBI, two runs scored and a walk.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin

2 years agoNew York Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (foot) remains out of the starting lineup on Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays. Stanton fouled a ball off his foot on Monday and hasn't played since. The good news, however, is that he came off the bench as a pinch-hitter on Thursday, so there's a strong chance he'll return to the starting lineup at some point this weekend. With the 32-year-old slugger out again Friday, Miguel Andujar will serve as the designated hitter again and bat fifth against Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen. Andujar hasn't played much for the Yankees this year, and he's hit .240 (6-for-25) with a homer, three RBI and one run scored in seven games played since Aug. 9.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Baseball Press

2 years agoNew York Mets outfielder Starling Marte (finger) remains out of the starting lineup on Friday against the Miami Marlins. Surprisingly, Marte wasn't placed on the injured list after suffering a partial non-displaced fracture of his right middle finger, but he'll miss his third straight game. For now, he'll continue to be listed as day-to-day, but it remains to be seen when he'll have a chance to play again. Tyler Naquin is getting another start in right field and is hitting fifth on Friday against Marlins right-hander Edward Cabrera. Naquin will be a low-cost DFS sleeper play on Friday. He's hitting .267 (55-for-206) with nine of his 11 home runs this season against right-handed pitching.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Baseball Press