Danny Espinosa -- It's been quite the fall for Danny Espinosa, who began the season as Washington's starting second baseman, was demoted, and was recently all but ruled out as a September call-up. Now there are rumors that Espinosa could get traded, which seems like the only way he'll have any value the rest of the season. He was a major disappointment performance wise for the Nats, and he's barely been better at Triple-A with a .208/.271/.283 triple-slash line. It's yet to be seen where he'd be traded to, but it's worth monitoring for those in deeper leagues since there is still plenty of talent here, if Espinosa can get himself sorted.
Edinson Volquez -- The Dodgers signed Edinson Volquez, who was released by the San Diego Padres on Tuesday, to a major league contract. It's yet to be seen what role he will have, but it would seem to be ill-advised to let him start--plus, the Dodgers' rotation is full at the moment unless they bump Chris Capuano. Volquez's 4.23 xFIP this year with San Diego this year was well below average, and his strikeout was down from its normally near-elite levels. Worse yet, his 6.01 ERA was the worst of his career, and he was calling (though to be fair, his home run rate was normal; his problems/potential bad luck came from a .337 BABIP and a 64% LOB%).
Jason Grilli -- Out since the end of July with a right forearm strain, Pirates closer Jason Grilli threw a 25-pitch simulated game yesterday that was deemed a success. If he wakes up and feels good today, the team will greenlight a rehab assignment for Saturday. That would last about a week and, barring setbacks, would be followed by a return to the Bucs. Grilli has been one of fantasy's best closers this year, so his owners have their fingers crossed.
Matt Harvey -- Mets rookie ace Matt Harvey was placed on the DL on Tuesday, and yesterday Mets general manager Sandy Alderson indicated that Harvey would rest three weeks before undergoing more tests and being reevaluated. The Mets are hoping that Harvey can avoid having Tommy John surgery given that he's been diagnosed with a partial tear of his ulnar collateral ligament. In any case, it seems unlikely that we'll see him again this year.
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