Oakland Athletics outfielder Ramon Laureano (suspension) was reinstated from the restricted list on Sunday. He's batting leadoff and starting in right field for Sunday's game against the Minnesota Twins. The 27-year-old returns from an 80-game suspension handed to him back in August. He slashed .246/.317/.443 with 14 home runs, 39 RBI, 43 runs, and 12 stolen bases across 88 games in 2021. Laureano has a power-speed skillset and should be added in all league formats now that his suspension is officially over.

Oakland Athletics outfielder Ramon Laureano remains on track to join the team when he's eligible to return from his suspension on Sunday against the Minnesota Twins, according to manager Mark Kotsay. Laureano dealt with a minor injury while playing in the minor leagues, but he's good now and should be making his season debut for the A's on Sunday. The 27-year-old has just three hits, no home runs and no RBI in 30 plate appearances over seven games for Triple-A Las Vegas as he waits for his 80-game MLB suspension to end. Despite his absence to open the season, Laureano is worth a look in any leagues where he remains on the waiver wire due to his power-speed combination. Last year, he slashed .246/.317/.443 with 14 home runs, 39 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 88 games before his suspension.

Oakland Athletics outfielder Ramon Laureano (suspension) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday. He is in line to return as soon as he's eligible, which is on May 8 when the A's face the Minnesota Twins. The 27-year-old has been serving a suspension to begin the 2022 season but should make his season debut early next month. He slashed .246/.317/.443 with 14 home runs, 39 RBI, 43 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases. When he returns, Laureano is expected to be the team's starting center fielder and should continue to be stashed in all league formats.

Oakland Athletics outfielder Ramon Laureano has been participating in extended spring training and will soon start playing in minor league games. He is in line to return as soon as he's eligible, which right now is on May 8 when the A's face the Minnesota Twins. The 27-year-old has been serving a suspension to begin the 2022 season, but he should make his season debut early next month. Cristian Pache has been patrolling center field regularly for Oakland, but he could enter into some sort of platoon when Laureano is cleared to return. In 88 games for the A's last season, Laureano slashed .246/.317/.443 with 14 home runs, 39 RBI, 43 runs scored and 12 stolen bases. He has more fantasy upside than Pache.

The Miami Marlins remain on the lookout for a center fielder after filling two corner outfield spots with Avisail Garcia and Jorge Soler. They have talked to the Oakland Athletics about center fielder Ramon Laureano, but the two sides are apart on the price. Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds could also be an option, but his price is much higher. The A's fire sale could continue this spring with Laureano or starting pitchers Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas being dealt. Laureano has modest power and speed capabilities in center field. He hit .246/.317/.443 with 14 home runs, 39 RBI, 43 runs and 12 stolen bases in 378 plate appearances over 88 games in Oakland last season. The 27-year-old has 27 games remaining on his suspension that will carry over from last year.

Oakland Athletics outfielder Ramon Laureano (suspension) can work out with the team during Spring Training. In 2021, he was suspended 80 games for violating MLB's PED policy and has 27 games remaining on his suspension. The 27-year-old will stay in Arizona and continue to work out when the team leaves for Opening Day. He underwent core surgery to address a sports hernia last October but is expected to be ready when his suspension is lifted in May. Laureano is 63rd among all outfielders in the latest Rotoballer outfielder rankings after slashing .246/.317/.443 with 14 homers and 12 stolen bases over 88 games in 2021.

Oakland Athletics outfielder Ramon Laureano has been suspended 80 games for violating MLB's PED policy, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. Laureano tested positive for Nandrolone, and this suspension officially brings his 2021 campaign to an end. With Laureano out, this will likely mean an increase in playing time for Tony Kemp and Stephen Piscotty, as well as potentially Josh Harrison. Laureano can be safely dropped in all redraft formats.

Oakland Athletics outfielder Ramon Laureano got off to a hot start to the season, but has cooled off significantly as the weather warmed up. In July, Laureano posted just a .232 batting average with an anemic .595 OPS, his lowest OPS in any month this season by a wide margin. The speedy outfielder had eight stolen bases as of April 13, but has swiped just three bags since as he's fallen out of favor with fantasy managers. His batted-ball profile is almost identical to last season and his strikeout rate is lower than his career average so fantasy managers can stick with Laureano and hope he bounces back in August. A juicy matchup with Blake Snell and the Padres on Tuesday could be what Laureano needs to get going.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Patrick Sandoval had his no-hit bid broken up with one out in the ninth inning on a soft double by rookie Brent Rooker and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Minnesota Twins 2-1 on Saturday night. Sandoval, a 24-year-old lefty who began the game with a 3-13 career record, struck out a career-high 13. There have already been seven no-hitters in the majors this season. The big league record of eight was set in 1884, the first year overhand pitching was permitted. The Twins hadn’t come close to a hit until Rooker, who fanned his first three times up, flared an opposite-field fly that fell just inside the line in right. Sandoval (3-4) smiled after the ball fell, retired the next batter and then was pulled after 108 pitches. He walked one and hit two. Closer Raisel Iglesias allowed an RBI double to Josh Donaldson before getting his 21st save in 25 chances. José Berríos (7-5) allowed two unearned runs in seven innings in perhaps his final start for Minnesota. ASTROS 4, RANGERS... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Patrick Sandoval had his no-hit bid broken up with one out in the ninth inning on a soft double by rookie Brent Rooker and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Minnesota Twins 2-1 on Saturday night. Sandoval, a 24-year-old lefty who began the game with a 3-13 career record, struck out a career-high 13. There have already been seven no-hitters in the majors this season. The big league record of eight was set in 1884, the first year overhand pitching was permitted. The Twins hadn’t come close to a hit until Rooker, who fanned his first three times up, flared an opposite-field fly that fell just inside the line in right. Sandoval (3-4) smiled after the ball fell, retired the next batter and then was pulled after 108 pitches. He walked one and hit two. Closer Raisel Iglesias allowed an RBI double to Josh Donaldson before getting his 21st save in 25 chances. José Berríos (7-5) allowed two unearned runs in seven innings in perhaps his final start for Minnesota. ASTROS 4, RANGERS... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Max Scherzer threw his glove and hat to the grass, then stared down Phillies manager Joe Girardi after getting checked for a third time by umpires for sticky stuff as the Washington Nationals beat Philadelphia 3-2 Tuesday night. Scherzer (6-4) looked sharp in his return to the rotation after missing a start due to a groin injury, striking out eight in five innings. Girardi apparently didn’t like what he saw. In the fourth, Scherzer threw high and inside to Alec Bohm, sending him sprawling to the ground before striking him out. Prior to the next batter, Girardi asked the umpires to check Scherzer. Scherzer already had been checked by second-base umpire Alfonso Marquez after the first and third inning. So, when he was approached for a third time, this time at Girardi’s request, Scherzer threw his glove and hat to the ground, unbuckled his belt and appeared ready to take his pants off. Yan Gomes had a pair of RBI singles for the Nationals, who have won three straight and... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Max Scherzer threw his glove and hat to the grass, then stared down Phillies manager Joe Girardi after getting checked for a third time by umpires for sticky stuff as the Washington Nationals beat Philadelphia 3-2 Tuesday night. Scherzer (6-4) looked sharp in his return to the rotation after missing a start due to a groin injury, striking out eight in five innings. Girardi apparently didn’t like what he saw. In the fourth, Scherzer threw high and inside to Alec Bohm, sending him sprawling to the ground before striking him out. Prior to the next batter, Girardi asked the umpires to check Scherzer. Scherzer already had been checked by second-base umpire Alfonso Marquez after the first and third inning. So, when he was approached for a third time, this time at Girardi’s request, Scherzer threw his glove and hat to the ground, unbuckled his belt and appeared ready to take his pants off. Yan Gomes had a pair of RBI singles for the Nationals, who have won three straight and... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Max Scherzer threw his glove and hat to the grass, then stared down Phillies manager Joe Girardi after getting checked for a third time by umpires for sticky stuff as the Washington Nationals beat Philadelphia 3-2 Tuesday night. Scherzer (6-4) looked sharp in his return to the rotation after missing a start due to a groin injury, striking out eight in five innings. Girardi apparently didn’t like what he saw. In the fourth, Scherzer threw high and inside to Alec Bohm, sending him sprawling to the ground before striking him out. Prior to the next batter, Girardi asked the umpires to check Scherzer. Scherzer already had been checked by second-base umpire Alfonso Marquez after the first and third inning. So, when he was approached for a third time, this time at Girardi’s request, Scherzer threw his glove and hat to the ground, unbuckled his belt and appeared ready to take his pants off. Yan Gomes had a pair of RBI singles for the Nationals, who have won three straight and... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Max Scherzer threw his glove and hat to the grass, then stared down Phillies manager Joe Girardi after getting checked for a third time by umpires for sticky stuff as the Washington Nationals beat Philadelphia 3-2 Tuesday night. Scherzer (6-4) looked sharp in his return to the rotation after missing a start due to a groin injury, striking out eight in five innings. Girardi apparently didn’t like what he saw. In the fourth, Scherzer threw high and inside to Alec Bohm, sending him sprawling to the ground before striking him out. Prior to the next batter, Girardi asked the umpires to check Scherzer. Scherzer already had been checked by second-base umpire Alfonso Marquez after the first and third inning. So, when he was approached for a third time, this time at Girardi’s request, Scherzer threw his glove and hat to the ground, unbuckled his belt and appeared ready to take his pants off. Yan Gomes had a pair of RBI singles for the Nationals, who have won three straight and... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Adam Wainwright came off the COVID-19 injured list and hung tough, St. Louis got a lights-out performance from its bullpen and the Cardinals beat New York for their fifth straight win. After the game, the Mets fired hitting coach Chili Davis and assistant hitting coach Tom Slater. New York has struggled badly with runners in scoring position this season, a trouble spot last year as well when Davis worked remotely because of coronavirus concerns. Several accomplished hitters are off to slow starts for the Mets, including $341 million newcomer Francisco Lindor. The Cardinals were clinging to a one-run lead in the ninth with two outs and a runner on base when the lights at Busch Stadium flickered, then went out for a moment. When play resumed, reliever Alex Reyes walked Pete Alonso before retiring Dom Smith on a flyball for the final out. Nolan Arenado and Harrison Bader homered to back Wainwright’s first win of the season. Four Cardinals relievers combined for 3 1/3 hitless... [More]

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Adam Wainwright came off the COVID-19 injured list and hung tough, St. Louis got a lights-out performance from its bullpen and the Cardinals beat New York for their fifth straight win. After the game, the Mets fired hitting coach Chili Davis and assistant hitting coach Tom Slater. New York has struggled badly with runners in scoring position this season, a trouble spot last year as well when Davis worked remotely because of coronavirus concerns. Several accomplished hitters are off to slow starts for the Mets, including $341 million newcomer Francisco Lindor. The Cardinals were clinging to a one-run lead in the ninth with two outs and a runner on base when the lights at Busch Stadium flickered, then went out for a moment. When play resumed, reliever Alex Reyes walked Pete Alonso before retiring Dom Smith on a flyball for the final out. Nolan Arenado and Harrison Bader homered to back Wainwright’s first win of the season. Four Cardinals relievers combined for 3 1/3 hitless... [More]

Bay Area baseball is off to some start this season. The Oakland Athletics reeled off 13 straight wins and lead the AL West, even after their streak was snapped by Baltimore on Sunday. Meanwhile, the San Francisco Giants have quietly played pretty well themselves. Although the Dodgers and Padres have received more attention in the NL West, the Giants are second in that division at 14-8 — the same record as the A's. Oakland actually began the season in ugly fashion, dropping its first six games. Included in that skid were losses of 8-1, 9-1 and 9-2 to Houston and 10-3 to the Dodgers. Those blowouts put the A's in a substantial hole from a run differential perspective — even now, they're still at minus-2 for the season. But Oakland scored at least six runs nine times during its winning streak. Matt Olson has led the way offensively with six home runs and a 1.030 OPS. Ramon Laureano shares the major league lead with eight stolen bases. For San Francisco, pitching has been the story. The Giants... [More]

The Cleveland Indians have broken COVID-19 protocols for the third time in less than a year, this time costing them third baseman José Ramírez and slugger Franmil Reyes. Manager Terry Francona said Sunday the two players were sent to their Arizona homes while the Indians wait to hear from Major League Baseball when they can rejoin the team. Francona said Reyes, who had a virus-related misstep last season, and Ramirez went out to dinner on Friday following an exhibition game in Mesa against the Chicago Cubs. They reported to the team’s complex on Saturday and were immediately sent away. They did not have contact with any other players or team personnel. “The players themselves actually self-reported that they had made a mistake," Francona said on a Zoom call. When spring training resumed last year after being stopped due to the pandemic, Reyes was forced to quarantine after the team learned via a social media posting that he attended a July 4 party while wearing a mask. A month later, the... [More]

American LeagueP Kenta Maeda Minnesota Twins; Griffin Canning Los Angeles Angels; Zach Plesac Cleveland Indians. C Yasmani Grandal Chicago White Sox; James McCann Chicago White Sox; Roberto Perez Cleveland Indians. 1B Matt Olson Oakland Athletics; Evan White Seattle Mariners; Yuli Gurriel Houston Astros. 2B Cesar Hernandez Cleveland Indians; Danny Mendick Chicago White Sox; Jonathan Schoop Detroit Tigers; Nicky Lopez Kansas City Royals. 3B Yoan Moncada Chicago White Sox; Gio Urshela New York Yankees; Isiah Kiner-Falefa Texas Rangers. SS Niko Goodrum Detroit Tigers; J.P. Crawford Seattle Mariners; Carlos Correa Houston Astros. LF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Toronto Blue Jays; Alex Gordon Kansas City Royals; Kyle Tucker Houston Astros. CF Ramon Laureano Oakland Athletics; Byron Buxton Minnesota Twins; Luis Robert Chicago White Sox. RF Clint Frazier New York Yankees; Joey Gallo Texas Rangers; Anthony Santander Baltimore Orioles. National LeagueP Max Fried Atlanta Braves; Alec Mills Chicago Cubs; Kyle... [More]

Athletics third. Tony Kemp walks. Marcus Semien walks. Tony Kemp to third. Robbie Grossman reaches on a fielder's choice to first base. Marcus Semien out at third. Tony Kemp scores. Tommy La Stella singles to center field. Robbie Grossman to second. Matt Olson strikes out swinging. Robbie Grossman steals third. Mark Canha grounds out to shallow left field, Nolan Arenado to Josh Fuentes.1 run, 1 hit, 1 error, 2 left on. Athletics 1, Rockies 0.Rockies third. David Dahl flies out to deep center field to Ramon Laureano. Ryan McMahon singles to deep right center field. Tony Wolters singles to shallow right field. Ryan McMahon to third. Raimel Tapia singles to shallow center field. Tony Wolters to second. Ryan McMahon scores. Trevor Story reaches on a fielder's choice to shortstop. Raimel Tapia out at second. Tony Wolters to third. Charlie Blackmon strikes out swinging.1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on. Athletics 1, Rockies 1.Athletics sixth. Tommy La Stella singles to shallow infield. Matt Olson doubles to deep right center field. Tommy La Stella to third. Mark Canha grounds out to shallow infield, Ryan McMahon to Josh Fuentes. Matt Olson to third. Tommy La Stella scores. Jake Lamb singles to deep right field. Matt Olson scores. Sean Murphy grounds out to shortstop. Jake Lamb out at second.2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 left on. Athletics 3, Rockies 1.