News for Free Agent Players - 2016 5x5 AL League - $260 Cap

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Wed May 1500:54Mitch Garver Dealing With Back SpasmsMitch GarverCTwinsFree Agent
Seattle Mariners catcher/designated hitter Mitch Garver (back) was scratched from Tuesday's lineup against the Royals with spasms in his upper back and trapezius area, per Seattle Times' Ryan Divish. The 33-year-old did miss some time earlier this season with back spasms, although it was reported that his current spasms are unrelated. Garver, who has struggled offensively with a .174/.287/.347 slash line in 143 plate appearances, should be considered day-to-day unless the team releases further news.
Source: Ryan Divish - Twitter.comRotoBaller.com
Wed May 1500:44Alex Bregman Hits Another Home Run TuesdayAlex BregmanSSAstrosFree Agent
Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman continued to heat up offensively in Tuesday's 2-1 extra-innings win over the Athletics. Bregman went 2-for-4 with a double, a solo home run, and a strikeout. The 30-year-old is slashing just .225/.293/.358 in 167 plate appearances but has now hit three HR in his last two games and has been hitting much better lately. Bregman is a proven fantasy option and fantasy managers should give him time to figure things out, which he already may be doing.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Wed May 1500:12Trevor Williams Solid Again In Tuesday's No-DecisionTrevor WilliamsSPPiratesFree Agent
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Trevor Williams continued his dominant season in Tuesday's Game 1 6-3 win over the White Sox. Williams pitched five innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits (including a solo home run) and a walk with two strikeouts. The 32-year-old has put together a career season, going 4-0 with a 1.94 ERA in eight starts and 41 2/3 IP. His next start will be a tough matchup at the Phillies. Fantasy managers may want to sit him despite his strong numbers.
Source: MLB.omRotoBaller.com
Tue May 1423:32Carlos Rodon Picks Up Win, Quality Start Tuesday NightCarlos RodónSPWhite SoxFree Agent
New York Yankees starting pitcherCarlos Rodon(4-2) picked up his fourth win of the season in a 5-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday. He produced a quality start along the way, finishing with six strikeouts and only one run allowed through six innings. After getting knocked around for six runs by the Baltimore Orioles, Rodon has put together back-to-back quality starts, only giving up three total runs in that span. The lefty has a 3.31 ERA on the season and is a lot more like the hurler they aspired him to be after signing with the club in the 2022-2023 offseason. Rodon's days of flirting with double-digit strikeouts every start are a thing of the past, but the Yankees will certainly take the fewer strikeout totals for the respectable ERA he has produced this season. Rodon is always good for an occasional hiccup, but fantasy managers can feel comfortable with him in their lineup against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Tue May 1423:16Chris Sale Whiffs Nine Batters In Seven Scoreless Innings TuesdayChris SaleSPRed SoxFree Agent
Atlanta Braves starting pitcherChris Sale (6-1) stymied hitters and picked up the win in Tuesday's 7-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs. The lanky left-hander improved his record to 6-1 on the season with nine strikeouts, two hits, and no walks in seven shutout innings. Sale has had a stellar May, only allowing one run in 18 innings pitched with a 0.83 WHIP and 28 strikeouts. This hot streak has lowered his season ERA to 2.54, which begs the question. Is vintage Chris Sale back? It's hard not to think so, with three straight games of nine or more strikeouts while allowing only one total run. His next start on Monday will be a challenge against a San Diego Padres club that ranks fifth in the league in batting this season.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Tue May 1423:03Miguel Sano Still Bothered By KneeMiguel SanóRFTwinsFree Agent
Los Angeles Angels infielder/designated hitter Miguel Sano (knee) was placed on the 10-day injured list on May 1 with left-knee inflammation in his surgically repaired knee after leaving games early on April 24 and 26 with left-knee soreness. Sano has been taking ground balls, but his knee continues to bother him when he swings a bat. The 31-year-old is not going to be ready to return from the injured list anytime soon. Willie Calhoun could continue to see at-bats as the Halos' designated hitter until/if Sano is able to return. The Angels are pretty beat up on the infield, but they could be getting Luis Rengifo (illness) back this weekend to play third base regularly. Before injuring his surgically repaired knee, Sano was hitting .262 (16-for-61) with a homer and five RBI in his first 21 games with the organization. Sano didn't play at all in 2023.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Tue May 1423:02Matt Olson Slugs Home Run, Drives In Four Runs On TuesdayMatt Olson1BAthleticsFree Agent
Atlanta Braves first basemanMatt Olson finished Tuesday night 2-for-3 with one home run, four RBI, a walk, and a run scored in the Braves 7-0 win against the Chicago Cubs. It was Olson's fifth home run of the season and only his second home run in May. Coming back down to earth in 2024 was expected for the lefty slugger after producing career-high numbers in home runs, RBI, and batting average in 2023. He's currently on pace for only 20 HR and a .218 batting average after hitting 54 HR with a .283 batting average in 2023. It's not quite the encore season fantasy managers were hoping for out of the power-hitting first baseman. Olson has produced two homers in his last five games, which hopefully means he has found the power stroke to turn his season around.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Tue May 1422:56Brandon Drury Hasn't Progressed To Physical ActivityBrandon Drury3BDiamondbacksFree Agent
Los Angeles Angels infielder Brandon Drury (hamstring), who went on the injured list on May 9 with a left-hamstring strain that he suffered on May 8 against the Pittsburgh Pirates, has been receiving treatment but hasn't progressed to any physical activity as of Monday. He's not sure how long he'll be out, but he was hopeful his injury was a minor strain. It wasn't the first time that the 31-year-old has dealt with hamstring issues this year, so don't be surprised if the Angels bring Drury back slowly. The Angels could be getting Luis Rengifo (illness) back from the injured list soon to play third base, but Niko Goodrum, Luis Guillorme and Cole Tucker could all see playing time at second base until Drury returns. One of the team's better hitters in 2023, Drury has struggled so far in 2024 to the tune of a .173/.230/.240 slash line with a homer and six RBI in 104 at-bats.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Tue May 1421:36Gerrit Cole Throws Another Bullpen SessionGerrit ColeSPPiratesFree Agent
New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (elbow) threw "about 36 pitches" in a bullpen session on Tuesday at the team's facility in Tampa, Florida. Manager Aaron Boone said Cole would next return to New York and characterized the outlook for Cole as "just onward and upward." That hopefully means Cole is close to facing live hitters in batting practice, considering he's now tossed several successful bullpen sessions. The 33-year-old six-time All-Star remains firmly on course to return to New York's rotation sometime in mid-June, assuming a minor-league rehab assignment begins in late May. Right-hander Luis Gil has filled in admirably during Cole's absence for the Yankees, boasting a 2.51 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 48:26 K:BB across 43 innings (eight starts) in 2024, and he's gotten himself into must-roster fantasy territory ahead of Saturday's cushy assignment at home versus the last-place Chicago White Sox.
Source: Greg Joyce - New York PostRotoBaller.com
Tue May 1421:13Mitch Garver Scratched From Tuesday's LineupMitch GarverCTwinsFree Agent
Seattle Mariners designated hitter Mitch Garver (undisclosed) has been scratched from Tuesday's lineup versus the visiting Kansas City Royals. There's no word yet from the M's on the status of Garver, who was initially batting third as the DH on Tuesday against the Royals. Consider him day-to-day until more information comes to light ahead of Wednesday's series finale. Mitch Haniger is now functioning as the DH and batting sixth against right-hander Michael Wacha, with Sam Haggerty entering the lineup and parking in left field to hit ninth. Ty France is set up as the biggest fantasy beneficiary of Garver's absence, as he's moved up to the third spot in the lineup and has gone 9-for-15 with five doubles and two RBI in 15 plate appearances against Wacha in his career.
Source: Daniel Kramer - MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Tue May 1420:14Jorge Soler Hit In Head During Batting PracticeJorge SolerRFRoyalsFree Agent
San Francisco Giants outfielder/designated hitter Jorge Soler (head, shoulder), who was hitting on the field on Tuesday for the first time since going on the injured list, fouled a ball off the top pipe of the batting cage that ricocheted and hit him in the head. Soler walked off the field with a trainer and could undergo testing for a concussion if his injury is serious enough. At the very least, this incident could cause the Giants to pause the 32-year-old veteran slugger's rehab from a shoulder injury. The Cuban right-handed hitter will return to a regular role in the Giants' lineup between outfield and the DH spot when he's healthy enough to return from the injured list. His elite power alone makes him worth stashing in most fantasy leagues. Before getting hurt, Soler was hitting .202 (24-for-119) with five homers and eight RBI in his first 34 games with the Gigantes.
Source: The Athletic - Andrew BaggarlyRotoBaller.com
Tue May 1419:53Byron Buxton To Play In Rehab Games Before ReturningByron BuxtonCFTwinsFree Agent
Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (knee) will test out his knee on Tuesday in front of the team, and if all goes well, he will play in some minor-league rehab games before returning to the Twins. Given the fact that Buxton has had surgery on his knee two different times, it makes sense for the Twins to test him on a minor-league assignment before activating him from the injured list. The 30-year-old has teased fantasy baseball managers with his power/speed combination for years but has coupled that with an inability to stay on the field because of injuries. Buxton was an All-Star in 2022 but has played in 100-plus games in a season just once since 2015 and doesn't run like he did earlier in his career. Until Buxton is able to get past his knee injury, Willi Castro should continue to benefit from extra playing time in center field in Minnesota.
Source: The Athletic - Dan HayesRotoBaller.com
Tue May 1419:36Blake Snell To Make Another Rehab Start On FridayBlake SnellRPRaysFree Agent
San Francisco Giants left-hander Blake Snell (groin) will make another minor-league rehab start on Friday for Triple-A Sacramento, and as long as all goes well in that outing, the next step would be returning to a major-league mound. Snell is getting close to returning to the Giants' starting rotation after tweaking his groin. In his first rehab start for Single-A San Jose, Snell threw four perfect innings with seven strikeouts. If Snell's final rehab start is this Friday, he could be lined up to come off the injured list to make his next start on May 23 in a strong matchup against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 31-year-old southpaw had a rude awakening with an 11.57 ERA and 1.97 WHIP with 12 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings in his first three starts in 2024 after winning the National League Cy Young in 2023. Despite his rough start, Snell should be stashed in all fantasy leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Andrew BaggarlyRotoBaller.com
Tue May 1419:14J.T. Realmuto To Return To The Lineup WednesdayJ.T. RealmutoCMarlinsFree Agent
Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (knee) will return to Wednesday's starting lineup against the New York Mets, barring anything unexpected, according to manager Rob Thomson. Realmuto was held out of action for a third straight game due to right-knee soreness in Tuesday's shutout win over the New York Mets but he should be back in there for the third game of the series on Wednesday. Fantasy baseball managers will want to get the 33-year-old veteran backstop back in all starting lineups on Wednesday, as he's still one of the best offensive-minded catchers in the game. Realmuto is hitting .364 (12-for-33) in the month of May in eight games and is currently riding a six-game hitting streak in which he's gone 11-for-26 with no homers and one RBI.
Source: The Athletic - Matt GelbRotoBaller.com
Tue May 1419:10Bryce Harper Will Play WednesdayBryce HarperRFNationalsFree Agent
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (head) is feeling better, according to manager Rob Thomson, after he was scratched from Tuesday's win over the New York Mets due to a migraine headache. Harper's migraine was not related to him being hit in the head by a throw on Monday night. The former MVP was available to pinch hit on Tuesday and will play on Wednesday against the Mets, so fantasy managers will want to get him back in their starting lineups then. The 31-year-old left-handed slugger has been better so far in May, going 13-for-39 (.333) with three home runs and 11 RBI. On the season as a whole, Harper is slashing .259/.381/.496 with an .877 OPS, nine home runs, 29 RBI and two stolen bases in 168 plate appearances.
Source: The Athletic - Matt GelbRotoBaller.com
Tue May 1418:55Aaron Nola Tosses Shutout On TuesdayAaron NolaSPPhilliesFree Agent
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola looked outstanding during Tuesday's game against the New York Mets. The right-hander struck out eight batters as he tossed a complete game in an 109-pitch outing. The Mets started to get something going with the bats in the ninth, but Nola was able to work around the base runners. This shutout by Nola is now the fifth one thrown in the league this season. He'll take his 3-2 record and 3.10 ERA into his next outing.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Tue May 1418:21Jorge Polanco Absent On TuesdayJorge Polanco2BTwinsFree Agent
Seattle Mariners second baseman Jorge Polanco (hamstring) is absent from the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Kansas City Royals. The Mariners will hold out Polanco after he made an early exit from Monday's game due to a hamstring issue. For now, fantasy managers should consider Polanco as day-to-day. In his absence, Josh Rojas will bat leadoff and cover second base for Tuesday's game. Rojas has been hitting well in the leadoff spot, so he could be an interesting streaming option here.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Tue May 1417:04Max Kepler, Other Twins Lefties Sitting Against SouthpawMax KeplerCFTwinsFree Agent
Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler, second baseman Edouard Julien, outfielder Alex Kirilloff and first baseman Trevor Larnach are all out of the starting lineup on Tuesday with the team facing left-hander Carlos Rodon and the visiting New York Yankees. Kepler has been one of the hottest hitters of late in the big leagues and is now hitting a strong .325/.380/.542 with a .923 OPS, three home runs, 17 RBI and 13 runs scored in 83 at-bats in 2024. Ride Kepler while he's hot, but just know that he's also carrying an xBA of .245 and an xSLG of .418, which makes him a good sell-high candidate in fantasy. Manuel Margot is in right field and is hitting fifth, Austin Martin is in left field and batting ninth, and Ryan Jeffers is the designated hitter and is batting leadoff for the Twins. Similar to Kepler, Jeffers has been exceeding expectations at the plate so far this year.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Tue May 1416:46Kenta Maeda To Throw A Bullpen On WednesdayKenta MaedaSPDodgersFree Agent
Detroit Tigers right-hander Kenta Maeda (illness) is expected to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday. It's good to see that Maeda is feeling better after he was placed on the 15-day injured list last Saturday due to a viral illness. The 36-year-old veteran might need to throw a few bullpen sessions before he's cleared for a short minor-league rehab assignment. Fantasy baseball managers in mixed leagues can probably leave Maeda to the waiver wire, as he started the year 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA (6.53 FIP) and 1.40 WHIP with 10 walks and 23 strikeouts in 30 2/3 innings over seven starts. Maeda typically doesn't overpower hitters but relies on pinpoint control. He has a career 26.4% strikeout rate and has little fantasy upside at this stage of his career.
Source: Detroit News - Chris McCoskyRotoBaller.com
Tue May 1416:40Gio Urshela Back From Injured List And Starting TuesdayGio Urshela3BIndiansFree Agent
The Detroit Tigers reinstated infielder Gio Urshela (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday and optioned outfielder Akil Baddoo to Triple-A Toledo after Monday night's game in a corresponding move. Urshela is starting at third base and batting sixth for the Tigers in his first game back on Tuesday against the visiting Miami Marlins and left-hander Ryan Weathers. Urshela has never faced Weathers in his career but was hitting .298/.310/.333 with no homers and six RBI in 57 at-bats before landing on the injured list on April 20 with a strained hamstring. The 32-year-old should return to see most of the playing time at third base in Detroit, making him useful in some deep-mixed leagues. Urshela went 5-for-8 with an RBI and two runs in three minor-league rehab games. He doesn't have a ton of power but makes plenty of contact.
Source: Tigers PRRotoBaller.com
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