In The Field
2B Jose Altuve (thumb) started a rehab assignment on Friday. He should be back next week which is great news for the Astros and fantasy managers. This is going to end regular playing time for 2B Mauricio Dubon who has been a bright spot for the Astros. He is hitting .287 with 0 HR, 22 R, 6 RBI, and 3 SB. C Yasmani Grandal (hamstring) had to be removed from the White Sox's game on Thursday due to a hamstring injury. It is not considered serious at this time. He was scratched from the lineup on Saturday and is day-to-day. OF Seth Brown (oblique) is going to start a rehab assignment on Saturday. It's been four weeks since he hit the IL with an oblique injury. A year ago, Brown hit 25 HR with 11 SB albeit with a .230 AVG. OF Ramon Laureano (head) was out of the Athletics lineup on Thursday but returned on Friday. OF Aaron Hicks is dealing with a hip injury that required him to get imaging done on Thursday. SS Adalberto Mondesi (knee) has still not started a rehab assignment. He recently had a checkup and everything was good but he's still not ready for baseball activities. SS Nicky Lopez (appendicitis) is going to start a rehab assignment next week. C Salvador Perez was scratched from the lineup due to blurry vision. Manager Matt Quatraro said that the issue isn't considered serious and that it should clear up soon. He was back in the lineup on Saturday. OF Chas McCormick (back) is expected back on Sunday according to manager Dusty Baker. McCormick is hitting .250 with 2 HR, 7 R, 9 RBI, and 4 SB in 12 GP. OF Michael Brantley has been shut down indefinitely due to inflammation in his shoulder. This is not good news for Brantley. SS Trevor Story (elbow) has started hitting and throwing. 3B Ramon Urias (hamstring) is expected to be out for 2-3 weeks. OF Max Kepler (leg) was not in the lineup on Friday against the Cubs. He left Thursday's game early with a leg cramp. He was placed on the 10-day IL on Saturday. 2B/OF Aledmys Diaz (hamstring) was able to run before the game on Thursday. It appears that he will be ready to return on Sunday when first eligible to come off the 10-day IL. SS Wander Franco left Thursday's game early due to neck spasms and tightness. He was back in the lineup on Friday and should be considered day-to-day. Franco appears to be breaking out before our eyes this year (.318 AVG with 7 HR/12 SB). 3B Jake Burger (oblique) was cleared for a rehab assignment on Wednesday. He is first eligible to return on Sunday and this seems like a possibility. Burger has struggled to hit for average in the early going (.224 AVG) but that is mainly due to BABIP (.216 BABIP). He has shown plus power with seven home runs and the Statcast numbers to back it up (25% Barrel, 48% Hardhit, and 118.2 mph maxEV). 1B Jared Walsh started a rehab assignment on Friday. He has gone through a lot over the past year and could need more than a couple of games of rehab before being activated off the IL. SS Corey Seager (hamstring) is going to return early next week. This is going to end SS Ezequiel Duran's run of regular playing time unless they decide that his early season success (.298 AVG with 4 HR, 14 R, 17 RBI, and 2 SB) is enough to move into the DH role. OF George Springer missed Tuesday and Wednesday with an illness but returned to the lineup on Friday. 3B Yoan Moncada (back) was activated on Friday and is back in the White Sox lineup. SS Kyle Farmer was activated off the IL on Wednesday. He has started each of the Twins three games since then at third base since the Twins also demoted 3B Jose Miranda. 2B Elvis Andrus left the White Sox game early with an injury. He was placed on the 10-day IL with a strained oblique. 2B Christian Arroyo (hamstring) was able to participate in live BP on Saturday. OF Giancarlo Stanton (hamstring) took part in defensive work on Friday in preparation for playing the outfield when he returns from the IL. 3B Anthony Rendon left Saturday's game with left groin tightness and is considered day-to-day.
On The Mound
Due to mild left-side tightness, Tyler Glasnow (oblique) left his rehab start after 11 pitches. The move is being labeled precautionary. He is expected to continue his rehab assignment and is definitely worth monitoring closely because any setback at this point would be devastating. Mason Miller (elbow) was placed on the 15-day IL with right elbow inflammation. As long as he is not out for an extended period of time this is not a major deal because he was going to be on a strict innings limit anyway. Luis Severino (lat) went 3.1 IP in his latest rehab start at Triple-A. He is expected to make at least one more rehab start and if everything goes well he could rejoin the Yankees. This means that one of Jhony Brito, Domingo German, and Clarke Schmidt is going to be out of a rotation spot. The most likely candidate to lose their spot is Jhony Brito (5.81 ERA and 1.48 WHIP). Garrett Whitlock (elbow) is going to start a rehab assignment on Tuesday. He is scheduled to make at least two rehab starts before joining the rotation. Drew Rasmussen was placed on the 60-day IL with a right flexor strain. This is extremely concerning because he has already had two Tommy John surgery. Spencer Turnbull was recalled from Triple-A on Friday and then promptly placed on the 15-day IL with neck discomfort. Lance McCullers Jr. (forearm) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday and was scheduled for another on Saturday. He still hasn't thrown breaking balls so he is still a long way away from returning to a major league mound. Jacob deGrom is out with an elbow injury and manager Bruce Bochy told reporters earlier this week that he could be out 2-3 weeks. Jose Suarez (shoulder) is going to be shut down for at least a month with shoulder inflammation. He had been terrible prior to the injury (9.62 ERA and 2.14 WHIP).
In The Bullpen
Peter Fairbanks (forearm) had another rehab outing on Friday. He is eligible to return from the IL on May 16. He will return when first eligible and enter back into the closer's role which he shares based on matchups. Liam Hendricks (cancer) is scheduled to be re-evaluated after his rehab appearance on Sunday. He could potentially return as soon as next week. Wandy Peralta picked up a save for the Yankees on Saturday with Clay Holmes pitching the eighth. Emmanuel Clase blew his fourth save on Friday night after only blowing four all of last year. He has a 2.21 ERA and 1.08 WHIP but has struggled to miss bats (15% K) and has doubled his walk rate (6% BB). Something is off with Clase and he is down 1.5 mph on his fastball. This is a situation worth monitoring. The Orioles continue to have a duo of relievers in closer Felix Bautista and set-up man Yennier Cano. Bautista picked up two saves this week and Cano got one as well. Kenley Jansen picked up his 400th save on Wednesday and then promptly blew back-to-back save chances on Friday and Saturday. Ryan Pressly picked up two saves and has seemingly righted the ship. Carlos Estevez picked up both the Angels saves opportunities this week and Matt Moore picked up two wins. Will Smith has taken the Rangers' closer job and run with it. He picked up three saves this week.
Players to add this week:
SS Ezequiel Duran (TEX)- Ezequiel Duran has filled in for Corey Seager while he has been on the IL. Duran is hitting .296 with 5 HR, 15 R, 19 RBI, and 2 SB. He has a hyper-aggressive approach at the plate (26% K and 1% BB). The good news is that he hits the ball hard (9% Barrels, 51% Hardhit, and 112.8 mph maxEV). Over the course of the season, Duran has double-digit power and speed with a .240-.250 AVG. It isn't great but it is useful in deeper formats.
OF J.J. Bleday (OAK)-J.J. Bleday has been called up by the Athletics after hitting well at Triple-A. Bleday hit .316 with 7 HR, 28 R, 19 RBI, and 1 SB. His biggest improvement this year has been the reduction of his strikeout rate. He struck out 28% of the time at Triple-A last year and has cut that down to 13% this year. Through ten games at the major league level he is hitting .324 with 3 HR, 7 R, 3 RBI, and 0 SB with 21% K).
SP James Paxton (BOS)- James Paxton made his Boston debut on Friday night. He went five innings and gave up 2 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, and 9 K. Paxton has made seven stars over the past three seasons combined. Health is a major concern for the left-hander but the current state of the league makes Paxton a worthwhile pickup. His velocity looked good (96.6 mph) which is more than enough to take a flier.
SP J.P. France (HOU)-J.P. France has made two starts for the Astros and has looked good. He has a 0.77 ERA and 0.69 WHIP. His 4.35 SIERA suggests that he has been lucky but would still be a fantasy-viable starter regardless. In Triple-A he showed the ability to miss bats (34% K) but has struggled with control throughout the minors with double-digit walk rates at every stop. He is worth adding in deeper formats but beware his control could go south quickly with his ratios following right behind.
1B Nick Pratto (KCR)- Nick Pratto has been playing regularly for the Royals and taking advantage of his opportunities. He is hitting .357 with 2 HR, 11 R, 13 RBI, and 0 SB. He has benefited from luck on balls in play (.529 BABIP) because his 31% strikeout rate lends itself to a much lower batting average. Regardless, he makes for a solid corner infielder in deeper formats.
OF Harrison Bader (NYY)- Harrison Bader is off to a hot start for the Yankees since he came off the injured list. He is hitting .342 with 3 HR, 8 R, 11 RBI, and 0 SB. If he is still in free agency in any leagues he needs to be picked up. He offers intriguing power and speed with a batting average that won't kill you. Bader will also benefit from hitting in the Yankees lineup and stadium.
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