In The Field
OF Matt Wallner left Friday's game early after getting hit on the hand with a pitch. X-rays after the game came back negative so he is considered day-to-day. OF Anthony Santander left Friday's game early and there has been no indication why. He was also out of the lineup on Saturday. OF Jose Siri (finger) was available off the bench on Friday and he returned to the Rays lineup on Saturday. Siri has struggled to hit for average due to a 37% K but he has provided fantasy value due to the power/speed combo (23 HR/6 SB). He also plays good defense which helps keep him in the lineup despite the lower average. OF Mike Trout (wrist) took live at-bats on Friday. The latest report on Tuesday was that he was still experiencing discomfort so it is a positive that he took the live at-bats on Friday. The prevailing belief is that he is going to be activated within the next couple of days. The Angels are in pure desperation mode to make the playoffs in Shohei Ohtani's last season. The Angels also called up their 2023 first-round pick 1B Nolan Schanuel from Double-A in an almost unheard-of move. He was hitting .339/.480/.475 in 16 GP at Double-A. The Angels made this move after they placed 1B C.J. Cron on the 10-day IL with lower back inflammation. Schanuel hit leadoff and was (1-2 with a run scored in his debut). C Ryan Jeffers was scratched from the Twins lineup due to back soreness. Jeffers has been hot in the second half (.328/.430/.597 in 20 GP) so hopefully this is just a minor issue. 3B Anthony Rendon was transferred to the 60-day IL on Friday. The earliest he can return is September 9. 3B Mike Moustakas will get the majority of starts at third with 3B Eduardo Escobar occasionally filling in. 1B Jose Abreu (back) isn't going to be activated when first eligible on Sunday because he hasn't even been able to swing a bat due to lower back inflammation. OF Kyle Tucker was scratched from the Astros lineup due to an illness. He is considered day-to-day. OF Aaron Hicks (back) was out of the Orioles lineup once again. He returned from IL on Monday after a three-week absence and only played once this week before being placed on the 10-day IL on Saturday. SS Maikel Garcia was removed from Friday's game with upper body discomfort. He is considered day-to-day. OF Eloy Jimenez (groin) was placed on the paternity leave list on Friday. He missed Wednesday's game prior to going on the leave list with a groin injury so we should know more when he gets back. SS Bo Bichette (knee) returned to the Blue Jays lineup on Saturday. He has been out since late July with patellar tendonitis in his right knee. Bichette was hitting .321 with 17 HR, 50 R, 59 RBI, and 3 SB prior to the injury. He is unlikely to steal many bases the rest of the way which puts him on a three-year decline (25-13-3). This is going to make him an interesting draft choice in 2024. SS Zach Neto (back) is making progress and is reportedly pain-free. He is expected to resume baseball activities this weekend. SS Javier Baez is expected to return to the Tigers lineup on Saturday after missing games this week on the bereavement list. OF Michael Brantley (shoulder) is playing the outfield on his rehab assignment. He hasn't played in a major league game since June of last year. If he is healthy, Brantley should at least be on the strong side platoon bat and possibly could be an everyday starter. He is going to need to play in the outfield with the Astros wanting to keep OF Yordan Alvarez healthy by playing him primarily at DH. SS Tim Anderson had his suspension dropped to five games which he started serving Friday in Colorado. He has been dismal when on the field this year (.238 AVG with 1 HR, 38 R, 21 R, and 11 SB). OF Jarred Kelenic (foot) had his walking boot removed on Wednesday and is expected to resume baseball activities. He will need a rehab assignment prior to returning. SS J.P. Crawford (concussion) is expected to be activated on Sunday if there are no setbacks. Crawford has shown increased power this year (10 HR and .146 ISO) which has been supported by a career-high barrel (4%) and hard-hit rates (38%). 1B Nick Pratto (groin) has started a rehab assignment. 1B Ryan Noda (jaw) is close to being activated. OF Manuel Margot (elbow) had surgery on Wednesday to remove loose bodies from his right elbow. He is expected to be out 3-4 weeks. OF Nick Gordon (tibia fracture) has started running but is still weeks away from a rehab assignment but he hopes to make it back this year. 3B Jose Miranda (shoulder) has resumed baseball activities (hitting off a tee and throwing). He isn't expected back until September and even when he does return there isn't expected to be playing time available. 1B/OF Alex Kirilloff (shoulder) has started swinging a bat and is expected to start a rehab assignment soon. SS Adalberto Mondesi (knee) has been shut down from baseball activities. C Tom Murphy was placed on the 10-day IL on Wednesday with a sprained left thumb. 3B Matt Chapman sat out the beginning of the week with inflammation in his right middle finger but he returned to the lineup on Friday. SS Carlos Correa is dealing with soreness. He sat out last Sunday and this Wednesday. C Logan O'Hoppe (shoulder) had his rehab assignment moved to Triple-A Salt Lake City. He has missed most of the season so he is going to need a longer rehab stint but he is expected to be the primary catcher when he returns. 2B Edouard Julien sat out Tuesday with a hamstring injury but jumped right back in on Wednesday. OF J.J. Bleday was placed on the 10-day IL on Tuesday with an ACL sprain. 2B Willi Castro was placed on the 10-day IL with a mild left oblique strain. SS Wander Franco was placed on the restrictive list during the league's investigation. 1B Triston Casas was scratched from the Red Sox lineup with a tooth infection. Casas has been phenomenal in the second half (.323 AVG with 11 HR, 20 R, 21 RBI, and 0 SB). The Red Sox recently moved OF Alex Verdugo into the leadoff spot with OF Jarren Duran slumping. OF George Springer is day-to-day with a jammed ankle.
On The Mound
Joe Ryan (groin) went four innings in his rehab start and gave up one run on one hit and seven strikeouts to one walk. The threw 71 pitches in the game which means he should be activated next week if everything checks out in terms of recovery from this start. Carlos Rodon (hamstring) is set to return from the 15-day IL on Tuesday against the Nationals. Rodon has been extremely disappointing in his first season in New York (6 GS, 7.33 ERA, and 1.52 WHIP). It is also concerning that his strikeout rate has dropped from 33% to 21% and his walk rate has increased from 7% to 15%. Rodon needs to be benched until he shows any semblance of his old self. Spencer Turnbull (neck) is scheduled for his sixth and final rehab start on Tuesday. He has struggled on his rehab assignment which is why it has been extended and there is no guarantee that rejoins the Tigers. Cal Quantrill (shoulder) is expected to go 85-pitches in his rehab start on Sunday. He is likely going to slide back into the Guardians rotation and replace Xzavion Curry. Bryan Woo (forearm) is expected to start for the Mariners next week against the White Sox. The Mariners are going with a six-man rotation which is going to limit their starts down the stretch but should help manage the innings of their young starters. Mason Miller (elbow) struck out two and walked one in two scoreless innings for Single-A Stockton. He is going to need at least 2-3 more rehab starts. Even when he does return to the Athletics rotation they are going to limit his pitches and innings in order to get him to where they want him heading into the 2024 season. This means that he is unlikely to provide much fantasy value down the stretch. Nathan Eovaldi (forearm) is going to throw a bullpen session this weekend and the results of that will determine the next steps which is likely a rehab appearance. Tanner Houck (face) is going to start for the Red Sox on Monday or Tuesday. He is going to be on a limited pitch count because he only got up to 59 pitches in his most recent outing. Chris Paddack (elbow) faced live hitters this week at the team's Florida complex. He isn't expected to be back this year but it would be nice to get a live look at him heading into 2024. Shane McClanahan is going to have Tommy John surgery which is terrible news for the Rays and fantasy owners. He is going to miss the rest of this season and likely most of 2024.
In The Bullpen
Andrew Kittredge (TJS) was activated by the Rays. He hasn't pitched since having Tommy John surgery last year. He isn't expected to be in a closer committee but he could work his way in with success. He did pick up a save on Friday night after Jason Adam blew the save and Pete Fairbanks got the win. Kenley Jansen picked up two saves this week and is up to 28 on the year with strong ratios (2.90 ERA and 1.21 WHIP). Jordan Romano returned from the IL and quickly picked up his 29th save which also means that Jordan Hicks slides back into a setup role. For all the stink made about Emmanuel Clase when he was struggling he now has 33 SV with good ratios (3.09 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. Carlos Hernandez blew a save on Thursday but redeemed himself on Friday night. The Mariners saw three relievers pick up saves this week in Andres Munoz (1), Matt Brash (2), and Tayler Saucedo (1). It appears that Andres Munoz and Matt Brash are now in a closers committee.
Players to add this week:
1B Nolan Schanuel (LAA)- The Angels called up their 2023 first-round pick 1B Nolan Schanuel from Double-A in an almost unheard-of move. He was hitting .339/.480/.475 in 16 GP at Double-A. The Angels made this move after they placed 1B C.J. Cron on the 10-day IL with lower back inflammation. It is hard to get a read on his potential for fantasy but if he is going to leadoff for the Angels he needs to be picked up. Just know that this could be just a short-term move.
OF Kerry Carpenter (DET)- Kerry Carpenter has moved from a platoon player to an everyday guy. He is hitting .282 with 16 HR, 37 R, 43 RBI, and 0 SB. He has shown good plate skills (8% BB and 22% K) to go along with strong quality of contact (11% Barrels and 44% Hardhit). He isn't going to be a contributor in stolen bases but he is solid across the board.
3B Zack Gelof (OAK)-Zack Gelof has been great for the Athletics to start his career. He is hitting .292 with 8 HR, 21 R, 16 RBI, and 7 SB. He has benefited from a .352 BABIP and is likely going to hit for a lower average going forward (27% K). However, his ability to hit the ball hard (14% Barrels and 46% Hardhit) will help him provide fantasy value as a power/speed threat.
SP Chase Silseth (LAA)- Chase Silseth has debuted a new slider recently that has seemingly transformed his success as a starter. He has made four starts since the beginning of July and has a 1.59 ERA and 0.88 WHIP across 22.2 IP. The slider's biggest impact has been his strikeout rate (35% K) which has also helped him put away batters (6% BB). He is not right now so he needs t be rostered across the board.
SP Mike Clevinger (CHW)- Mike Clevinger has been lights out in the second half (small sample). He has a 1.57 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 14% K:BB. He has been helped out by a .250 BABIP and 83% LOB but he is also showing increased average fastball velocity since it cratered around 91 mph in April. He's now in the 93-95 mph range which is a good sign.
3B Royce Lewis (MIN)- Royce Lewis is back for the Twins. He has played in 29 games for the Twins this year and has a .340 AVG with 4 HR, 13 R, 17 RBI, and 2 SB. It is a very small sample but he has shown the ability to hit the ball hard (8% Barrels) and good enough plate skills (4% BB and 27% K) to provide value across the board. He has also played limited baseball over the past three seasons so he still has room for improvement.
RP Matt Brash (SEA)- Matt Brash picked up two saves for the Mariners this past week. He has been good in the second half (3.18 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 24% K:BB). As long as he is in the committee with Andres Munoz he needs to be rostered. Brash will bring value via the occasional save and in terms of strikeouts (37% K).
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