In The Field
OF Austin Meadows left Thursday's game early with oblique soreness. This is not good news for those that have him because the Rays will be careful with him with the playoffs right around the corner. He was placed on the 10-day IL on Friday ending his 2020 regular season. It is hard to predict what the Rays will do with the additional playing time in the outfield but the winners look to be OF Manuel Margot and OF Randy Arozarena. They had been playing regularly but this will most likely cement that going forward. C Roberto Perez is dealing with a shoulder injury that is impacting his swing. OF Teoscar Hernandez (oblique) was activated on Wednesday. With this type of injury, it is worth keeping an eye on him but he needs to be in your lineup based on his breakout season so far. The Yankees got back to full strength on the offensive side of the ball with OF Giancarlo Stanton, OF Aaron Judge, and 3B Gio Urshela being activated off the 10-day IL. The guy to keep an eye on is OF Clint Frazier because it comes down to him and OF Brett Gardner for the left-field job. Frazier is the more exciting fantasy player because he is hitting .291 with 7 HR and 2 SB in 31 GP. OF Alex Verdugo was removed from Friday's game with hamstring tightness. This is less than ideal with just a week remaining. He has been one of the Red Sox best hitters (.328/.383/.511 with 6 HR/4 SB). C Mitch Garver was activated off the 10-day IL on Friday. He has missed a large portion of the season with injury and has not been good when healthy (.145 AVG with 1 HR). OF Austin Hays returned after missing significant time with a non-displaced rib fracture. He has not been great in limited action (.227/.296/.307) but he does have 2 HR/2 SB displaying his power/speed upside if you're looking for a shot in the dark for the last week. DH Nelson Cruz was scratched from the lineup on Saturday with knee soreness. He is considered day-to-day.
On The Mound
Jake Odorizzi (blister) left Wednesdays start early and was placed on the 10-day IL on Friday. Justin Verlander threw 45-50 pitches in the bullpen and then two simulated innings on Wednesday. Everything was sounding positive and then Verlander dropped the news that he would be having Tommy John surgery on Saturday. This puts an end to his 2020 and 2021 seasons. He will be 39-years-old coming off TJ the next time he is fantasy viable. Carlos Carrasco (calf) left Tuesdays start early. This is a situation in which the Indians will want to give Carrasco all the time he needs to heal before the playoffs which is not what we want to hear for our fantasy teams. A.J. Puk had successful shoulder surgery and is on schedule to be ready for Spring Training. This is a shoulder injury so that is no guarantee and his innings will be limited making it hard to have any real fantasy value in 2021. The Red Sox are likely to start Nick Pivetta on Tuesday for his Red Sox debut. Based on his track record there is no reason to pick him up. Dallas Keuchel (back) was activated for his start on Saturday. He lines up to get one more start on the road against the Indians.
In The Bullpen
Ken Giles (elbow) went back on the 10-day IL which meant that Rafael Dolis moved back into the closer's role for the Jays except for the fact that he left Friday's game with right knee discomfort. If he were to miss time Anthony Bass would be the most likely to get save chances. The White Sox called up LHP Garrett Crochet, their top pick in this summers MLB Draft. He pitched a perfect inning with 2 K on Friday and threw multiple pitches over 100 mph. He won't factor into save chances with Alex Colome at the back end but he is someone to keep an eye on for strikeouts and for 2021.
Players to add this week:
1B Jared Walsh (LAA)- Jared Walsh has made a change to his batting stance that has allowed him to make more contact. He is hititng .323 with 7 HR, 16 R, 19 RBI, and 0 SB in 24 GP. He is striking out just 14% of the time while making 41% Hard contact. The playing time has been there of late and he is red hot.
OF Austin Hays (BAL)- Austin Hays ws activated this week after missing a large chunk of the year with a non-displaced rib fracture. He has not been good (.227/.296/.307) but he offers power/speed over the final week.
Potential Streamers (matchup subject to change):
Deivi Garcia vs. MIA...If Garcia gets the start against the Marlins he is worth an add and a start
Keegan Aiken @BOS, @TOR...not the greatest matchup but he has strikeout potential and it is a two-start week.
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