Jacoby Ellsbury -- Red Sox manager John Farrell thinks that Jacoby Ellsbury, who has been out of action since the beginning of the month with a compression fracture in his right foot, will be able to return on Wednesday. It's yet to be seen if he'll attempt steals at the rate he had been previously, so best to err on the side of caution. He'll be completely fine by next season though and will be an early-round mixed league pick, especially with one of baseball's most aggressive basestealing managers calling the shots.
Oswaldo Arcia -- Arcia went 3-for-4 with a walk, a home run, and 6 RBI in last night's game against Oakland. Arcia didn't have quite the ceiling or prospect luster that Aaron Hicks did coming into the year, but he's by far the better success story, having hit 14 home runs in 373 plate appearances. His 31% strikeout rate has led to a .249 batting average, but there's upside on that next year; if he hits on it, he could be a solid mixed league player, especially if he continues to bat in a primary spot in Minnesota's order.
Desmond Jennings -- Jennings left yesterday's game with tightness in his left hamstring and will undergo a precautionary MRI. It seems unlikely to be serious, so he should return early in this week. Jennings has never quite lived up to the prospect hype he was billed with coming up through the Rays' system, but he's still a valuable power/speed fantasy asset having slugged 14 home runs and swiped 20 bases this year despite a .249 batting average. That's pretty much what fantasy owners should expect next year, maybe with a few more steals.
Corey Kluber -- Kluber took the win yesterday, going 5.1 two-run innings with 6 K and 1 BB. Kluber has had some injury issues this year, but while on the mound he's really established himself as a quality mixed-league starter. His 3.62 ERA would be good enough, but if you look under the hood you'll see an 8.2 K/9 and 3.13 xFIP. Kluber has good stuff featuring a 93-mph fastball and an improved (and nasty) slider, and I feel very good about his chances of repeating his success in 2014.
There are over 100 player news blurbs posted in the member area each morning. Members can read the rest of today's player news by clicking here. Not a member? Join today.
