After spending more than a year at designated hitter, Bryce Harper (DH-PHI) is set to return to the field sometime this week. According to Phillies manager Rob Thomson, Harper will man first base for at least one game during the team's upcoming three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers at home this week. Harper has not played defense since April 16, 2022 because of various injuries, including offseason Tommy John surgery. The Phillies have been using him at DH to keep his potent bat in the lineup even though he hasn't been able to throw well enough to play the field. While Harper has only played first base twice in his career (in 2018 and 2021), his upcoming appearances will give him eligibility there in some leagues, enhancing his fantasy value and defensive versatility.
Andrew Benintendi (OF-CWS) went 3-for-5 with three runs and an RBI against the Braves on Sunday. Beni paced Chicago's 8-1 victory with a trio of hits from the leadoff spot, scoring all three times he reached base in the second, fourth and sixth innings. He also plated a run for good measure even though none of his hits went for extra bases. Beni's second three-hit game in a row extended his hitting streak to five games and boosted his average to .290 -- his highest mark since late April. His OPS is up to a decent .731 as well despite a lack of power that has only produced one home run in 88 games this year, limiting the 29-year-old's fantasy value. The former All-Star's 20-homer prop from earlier in his career appears to have disappeared for good considering that he only has six home runs and a sub-.400 slugging percentage since the start of last season, as he's become more of a singles hitter than a slugger.
Kyle Bradish (SP-BAL) picked up the win on Sunday after firing 7 1/3 shutout innings against the Marlins. He yielded just three hits and one walk while striking out eight, leading Baltimore to a 5-4 victory. He threw 71 of his 100 pitches for strikes in the win, which improved his record to 6-4 and lowered his ERA to 3.05. He's been on a remarkable run lately with six straight quality starts, allowing two earned runs or less in all of them. He now owns a strong 87:24 K/BB ratio through 91 1/3 innings as well, making the 26-year-old's breakout even more legitimate. Bradish has been remarkably consistent this season as well, yielding more than three earned runs in only two of his 17 starts and never surrendering multiple homers. He's made great strides in his sophomore season, especially with his command, and will look to keep rolling in a tough road start against the Rays his next time out.
Masataka Yoshida (OF-BOS) powered the Red Sox to an 11-5 victory over the Cubs on Sunday, going 3-for-5 with a triple, a homer, two runs and six RBIs. Yoshida delivered the big blow with a grand slam off Justin Steele in the fifth inning, turning a pitching duel into a blowout. He ended up a double shy of the cycle and matched his season-high with six RBIs. Yoshida has been scorching hot lately with multiple hits in nine of his last 10 games, raising his average to .317 and his OPS to .883. He has three homers during that stretch as well and is showing a bit more pop than expected with 11 dingers already, giving him an outside chance at 20 if he stays healthy. With 50 runs/RBIs and six steals in six attempts, Yoshida has been a great addition for the Red Sox and fantasy managers alike in his first season after coming over from Japan, making him a strong contender to win AL Rookie of the Year honors.
Kutter Crawford (SP-BOS) earned the win on Sunday after spinning six innings of one-hit ball against the Cubs. He walked four but racked up a season-high nine strikeouts as Boston cruised to an 11-5 win at Wrigley Field. The win improved Crawford's record to 4-4 while lowering his ERA to 3.74, although he's been tough to trust lately while alternating good starts with bad starts over the past month or so. He does have a strong 67:17 K/BB ratio in 67 1/3 innings this year, blossoming into a legitimate frontline starter in his third season for the Red Sox. The biggest key for him has been bringing his walk rate down to a career-best 2.3 BB/9. If he can maintain that rate, it will help him avoid regression in the second half. He does run the risk of wearing down, however, as he's never thrown more than 77 1/3 innings in a season before. The 27-year-old righty draws the Mets at home in his next scheduled start.
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