In The Field
SS Royce Lewis (oblique) was able to play catch and take swings on Friday. He is still hoping for a mid-August return. However, the start of a rehab assignment will give us a more accurate timetable. Lewis was performing well prior to the injury (.326 AVG with 4 HR, 11 R, 15 RBI, and 1 SB). SS Corey Seager left Friday's game early due to a sprained right thumb. X-rays came back negative but he was still placed on the 10-day IL. OF Brent Rooker was scratched from the Athletics lineup on Friday due to an illness. OF Seth Brown stepped in for him. Rooker has been playing sparingly as of late so he can be dropped in most formats. Brown is playing regularly but has struggled to hit for average (.196 AVG). He provides power (9 HR in 55 GP) but has a skillset (Power/Low Average) that isn't hard to find in today's environment. OF Joey Gallo was not in the Twins lineup on Friday due to pink eye. This seems to be an issue going around the Twins clubhouse but it should only keep him out for a couple of days. Gallo has hit for power (17 HR, .281 ISO, with 21% Barrels) but has once again struggled to hit for average (.180 AVG and 41% K) and doesn't play every day which makes it hard to roster him in fantasy. The Twins have been giving 2B Edouard Julien more playing time of late which is a good thing. He is hitting .318 with 9 HR, 27 R, 16 RBI, and 2 SB in 50 GP. He also has strong underlying power skills (17% Barrels, 45% Hardhit, and .247 ISO). He is going to see regression in his batting average (.435 BABIP and 31% K) but he has a legitimate power/speed combo and the Twins need him in the lineup so he should be rostered in most formats. In fact, the Twins are giving 2B Jorge Polanco starts at third base on his rehab assignment so that they can have both players in the lineup at the same time. 1B /OF Alex Kirilloff is someone else to consider picking up if he is still on the waiver wire. He has been red hot in the month of July (.327 AVG with 4 HR, 7 R, 17 RBI, and 0 SB). On the year, he is hitting .284 with 8 HR, 22 R, 31 RBI, and 0 SB in 63 GP with good underlying skills (10% BB, 25% K, and 7% Barrels). SS Trevor Story (elbow) went 1-2 with a home run in his first rehab game for Double-A Portland. Story is playing shortstop on his rehab which is going to be lengthy considering he has been out since last year due to surgery in January to place an internal brace on his injured UCL in his right elbow. 3B Anthony Rendon (shin) has not been able to do any baseball activities which is odd considering he has been out since July 14 when he was placed on the injured list. Rendon has been often injured since joining the Angels and this season he has struggled when on the field (.236 AVG with 2 HR, 23 R, 22 RBI, and 2 SB). 3B Brandon Drury (shoulder) was able to complete a workout on Friday. The hope is that he starts a rehab assignment shortly. He has been out since July 2 with shoulder inflammation. OF Mike Trout has his stitches removed from his surgically repaired hand on Wednesday. C Francisco Mejia (knee) is going to be out 3-6 weeks after spraining his left MCL. The Rays called up C Rene Pinto to give C Christian Bethancourt rest when needed. 1B Andrew Vaughn (foot) was not in the White Sox lineup on Friday or Saturday due to a foot injury. He is hoping to return on Tuesday. OF Aaron Judge (toe) is scheduled to face live pitching on Sunday. He has been out since early June due to a torn ligament in his right big toe. The Yankees have not given a timetable for his return or whether he is going to go on a rehab assignment prior to being activated. C Jose Trevino is out for the year because he is going to need surgery to repair his right wrist. OF Ramon Laureano (hand) has started a rehab assignment and is expected back early next week. Laureano was hitting .213 with 5 HR, 21 R, 17 RBI, and 8 SB prior to getting injured. The Athletics will likely want to play Laureano every day prior to the trade deadline to increase the likely hood of a deal. They are currently playing OF Tony Kemp, OF J.J. Bleday, and OF Seth Brown on a consistent basis so someone is going to see less playing time. Bleday looks like the most likely candidate to lose playing time (.210/.321/.381). 1B Ryan Noda (jaw) is going to be out for three weeks after fracturing his jaw in pregame fielding practice on Tuesday. 3B Josh Donaldson was placed on the 15-day IL and then transferred to the 60-day IL on Thursday. Donaldson is dealing with another calf injury which has been a major thorn in his side over the past couple of seasons. He is going to have a tough time making it back this year and this could be the last of Donaldson that we see at the major league level. He has struggled mightily this year (.142 AVG with 10 HR, 13 R, 15 RBI, and 0 SB with 27% K). OF Yordan Alvarez (oblique) is expected back on Monday. This is going to have cascading effects on the Astros lineup. OF Corey Julks has started to play regularly but either he or C/DH Yainer Diaz are going to lose at-bats unless they give Diaz more at-bats at catcher instead of DH. OF Cedric Mullins (groin) is dealing with a right adductor strain. He missed a month earlier in the year with a similar injury. OF Aaron Hicks has been playing centerfield while he has been out. OF Jarred Kelenic has been placed on the 10-day IL after fracturing his left foot kicking a water cooler out of frustration on Wednesday night. 2B Jose Altuve (oblique) took BP on the field before the game on Tuesday. He is expected to start a rehab assignment soon and be back before the end of July. OF Adolis Garcia left Saturday's game early after getting it on the hand by a pitch. X-rays came back negative after the game so he is day-to-day. SS Zach Neto was scratched from the Angels lineup with lower-back tightness. SS Taylor Walls was placed on the 10-day IL with an oblique strain.
On The Mound
Hyun Jin Ryu made his fourth rehab start on Friday. He went 6 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, and 5 K on 85 pitches for Triple-A Buffalo. He is expected to be back in the Blue Jays rotation sometime next week. He was averaging 88.4 mph according to reports from the game which would be a career low. Ryu never had elite velocity (89-91 mph) but was able to suppress hard contact with above-average control and four pitches. He is worth an add in most formats but be ready to cut quickly if the stuff isn't there and he is giving up a ton of hard contact. Corey Kluber (elbow) threw two scoreless innings in his rehab appearance for Double-A Portland. Kluber is working out of the bullpen in preparation for his role when he returns to the big league club. However, the Red Sox currently have a need for a starter so he could be stretched out to fulfill either role depending on need. Either way, he has not shown the necessary skills (16% K, 8% BB, 7.04 ERA, and 1.64 WHIP) to belong on a fantasy roster. Brayan Bello was placed on the paternity leave list on Friday. He is scheduled to make his next start on Tuesday against the Braves. Bello has been quite good for the Red Sox. He has a 3.60 ERA and 1.22 WHIP through 90 IP with 14% K:BB. Austin Voth (elbow) started a rehab assignment on Thursday. He is expected to be back soon as a bullpen option. Mason Miller (elbow) was scheduled for a 20-pitch bullpen session on Saturday. He is slowly making his way back from a mild UCL sprain. The Athletics are going to be extra cautious with their talented young starter. Jose Suarez (shoulder) threw 1.1 IP of scoreless ball in his most recent rehab start. He is scheduled for another start on Sunday. The Angels have not decided whether he will return as a starter or reliever when he does return. He struggled mightily as a starter this year (9.62 ERA and 2.14 WHIP) after looking good the previous year (3.96 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 109 IP). Mike Clevinger (biceps) has been throwing and is scheduled for 60 pitches in his next throwing session. Jose Urquidy (shoulder) is expected to return in early August. He threw 45 pitches in his latest rehab start on Wednesday and is scheduled for a final rehab start on July 30. Either Brandon Bielak or J.P. France is going to be bumped out of the rotation. Nestor Cortes (shoulder) is going to start a rehab assignment on Sunday. He is going to need three rehab starts according to his manager Aaron Boone which puts him back around the first week of August which is when he is first eligible (August 3rd). Kevin Gausman (side) threw a bullpen session on Wednesday and started for the Blue Jays on Saturday. Chris Sale (shoulder) threw a bullpen session on Tuesday and is scheduled for another this weekend. The next step is to begin a rehab assignment which puts him in line to come back towards the beginning of August. Framber Valdez (calf) threw a bullpen session on Wednesday and returned on Friday (5 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, and 4 K). John Means (elbow/back) threw another bullpen session on Tuesday. When he starts a rehab assignment we will have a clearer picture of when he will return to the Orioles rotation. Brad Keller (shoulder) worked in relief during his most recent rehab appearance.
In The Bullpen
Liam Hendriks (elbow) threw a simulated game on Wednesday. He reportedly topped out at 93.8 mph which is still much lower than the 95.4 mph he averaged earlier this year. Clay Holmes picked up a save this past week but also blew a save chance and Michael King blew the only save chance he got. Alex Lange saved two games this week with Jason Foley picking up the other. Both need to be rostered for the time being. Carlos Hernandez is a speculative add with the thought being that the Royals are likely to trade Scott Barlow before the deadline. Ryan Pressly struggled a little in April but has been dominant this year (2.84 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, and 23 SV). Trevor May is the closer in Oakland and picked up two saves this week. In Texas, Will Smith got both save chances but Aroldis Chapman did get a win.
Players to add this week:
2B Edouard Julien (MIN)- Edouard Julien is getting more run of late which is a good thing. He is hitting .318 with 9 HR, 27 R, 16 RBI, and 2 SB in 50 GP. He also has strong underlying power skills (17% Barrels, 45% Hardhit, and .247 ISO). He is going to see regression in his batting average (.435 BABIP and 31% K) but he has a legitimate power/speed combo and the Twins need him in the lineup so he should be rostered in most formats. In fact, the Twins are giving 2B Jorge Polanco starts at third base on his rehab assignment so that they can have both players in the lineup at the same time.
SP Nick Pivetta (BOS)- Nick Pivetta has a 4.44 ERA and 1.21 WHIP through 75 IP. He has recently re-entered the Red Sox rotation due to injuries. He hasn't started any of the past three games he's pitched in but has gone 4, 5, and 6 IP. Over that same time period, he has given up 5 ER on 6 H, 3 BB, and 27 K. The strikeouts are encouraging and in today's pitching environment, he is worth an add in deeper formats.
SP Logan Allen (CLE)- Logan Allen has moved back into the Guardians rotation thanks to injuries to Shane Bieber and Triston McKenzie. Allen has a 3.21 ERA and 1.37 WHIP through 67.1 IP. He has shown the ability to miss bats (24% K and 12% SwStr). His 4.15 SIERA suggests that he can be a solid back-end starter for fantasy. He has had trouble working deep into games but he has enough skills to provide value.
SP Hyun Jin Ryu (TOR)- Hyun Jin Ryu made his fourth rehab start on Friday. He went 6 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, and 5 K on 85 pitches for Triple-A Buffalo. He is expected to be back in the Blue Jays rotation sometime next week. He was averaging 88.4 mph according to reports from the game which would be a career low. Ryu never had elite velocity (89-91 mph) but was able to suppress hard contact with above-average control and four pitches. He is worth an add in most formats but be ready to cut quickly if the stuff isn't there and he is giving up a ton of hard contact.
1B/DH Alex Kirilloff (MIN)- Alex Kirilloff is someone else to consider picking up if he is still on the waiver wire. He has been red hot in the month of July (.327 AVG with 4 HR, 7 R, 17 RBI, and 0 SB). On the year, he is hitting .284 with 8 HR, 22 R, 31 RBI, and 0 SB in 63 GP with good underlying skills (10% BB, 25% K, and 7% Barrels).
OF Kerry Carpenter (DET)- Kerry Carpenter has played himself into a full-time role with the Tigers. He started the year on the strong side of the platoon against right-handed pitching but has become one of the Tigers most valuable bats. He is hitting .260 with 11 HR, 23 R, 29 RBI, and 0 SB. The power is legit (13% Barrels, 45% Hardhit, and 40% FB) and he makes enough contact (24% K) to keep a respectable average. He is someone that needs to be rostered in most mixed league formats but especially 15-team leagues.
OF Chas McCormick (HOU)- Chas McCormick has played himself into 12-team mixed league relevancy. He is hitting .285 with 12 HR, 30 R, 35 RBI, and 10 SB. The increased power is largely due to a career-high 22% HR/FB. He has strong quality of contact metrics (11% Barrels and 36% Hardhit) but they are not elite nor are they that much different than his career numbers. His average is up as well thanks to a .352 BABIP which means that you ride him for as long as he is hot but be aware that once regression hits it is okay to move on.
