In The Field
Bryce Harper injured his knee on first base Saturday, and the awful looking injury could lead to a lengthy absence. Brian Goodwin has been playing well recently and would benefit from the playing time, with Andrew Stephenson picking up some at-bats as well. Michael Taylor should return to the Nationals any day now to help, while teammate Trea Turner is slated to resume hitting this week and should return to the team in September. Braves shortstop Yohan Camargo hit the DL with a knee injury, and Dansby Swanson was recalled from Triple-A Gwinett to man shortstop while he's out. Swanson has struggled all year and offers little fantasy appeal. Matt Kemp is expected to return to the Braves Friday, which will push Matt Adams to a reserve role. Stephen Vogt is expected to ship out on a rehab assignment and could return to the Brewers in a couple of weeks. The Mets traded Neil Walker to the Brewers, pushing Jonathan Villar and Eric Sogard to reserve roles. Jedd Gyorko was scratched Saturday due to knee irritation and is considered day-to-day. Willson Contreras broke his owners hearts as he fell to the ground with a hamstring strain, putting an end to the hottest streak of his young career. He's expected to be out until mid-September, and the recently acquired Alex Avila will take over catcher duties for the Cubs. He's worth picking up as a Contreras replacement, but he has cooled off substantially since his hot first half. Addison Russell should return any day from a foot strain, but the Cubs won't rush him with Javier Baez playing well recently. Adrian Gonzalez is expected to be activated from the DL for the Dodgers upcoming road trip. He will play against righties and sit against lefties, but his value is pretty low at this point. Brandon Belt will spend at least a few more days on the concussion DL after being hit in the helmet with a pitch, but concussions are all unique and there is no firm timetable for a return. Dominic Smith was called up to play first base for the Mets, and while he doesn't have plus power, he should get on base at a good clip and is worth an add if you're looking for a corner infielder. Rhys Hoskins was called up to play left field for the Phillies, which is a stretch defensively since he has never played anything but first base. He profiles as a strong contributor in power and OBP, and is worth a look in most leagues. Aaron Altherr is out until September, so Hoskins' playing time is safe for a few weeks at least. Andrew Knapp will miss the rest of August as well with a fractured hand, leaving more playing time for rookie Jorge Alfaro. Andrew McCutchen and Gregory Polanco are day-to-day for the Pirates with knee and hamstring injuries respectively, but aren't expected to need a DL stint. Scott Schebler will be on the DL for an extended period due to a strained rotator cuff, although he will avoid surgery. Ryan McMahon was called up by the Rockies with Mark Reynolds nursing a hand injury, but the injury isn't serious and McMahon's stay with the club could be brief. Ian Desmond isn't close to returning from his calf injury, so those rostering Gerardo Parra have a few more weeks of full time at-bats to enjoy.
On The Mound
Chase Anderson will make his second of three rehab starts as he nears a return to the Brewers rotation. While he's out, Brandon Woodruff will fill in and is worthy of mixed league consideration. Robbie Ray will go on a brief rehab assignment and could return to the Diamondbacks within a week or two. Anthony Banda will continue to fill in for him, but is best avoided for his next turn against Houston. Brandon McCarthy no longer has a blister issue but still isn't right physically and it remains to be seen when he will return to the Dodgers. Jacob DeGrom left his last start early with a triceps bruise, but made his normal bullpen session and seems set to make his next start. Matt Harvey is setting out on a rehab assignment, but you don't want to use him when he returns anyway. Stephen Strasburg will make a rehab start Monday and is nearing a return to the Nationals. Vince Velasquez injured his finger in his last start, but doesn't expect to miss more than the minimum amount of time with the injury. Robert Stephenson will miss another start while recovering from a shoulder injury, not that anyone is sitting on pins and needles waiting for his return. Tyler Anderson and Kyle Freeland are both eyeing a return to the Rockies rotation around the end of August.
In The Bullpen
Mark Melancon has been activated by the Giants and will resume closing duties. Sam Dyson will shift back to a setup role, but he's still a solid handcuff with as injury prone as Melancon has been this season. Brad Ziegler will close out games for the Marlins while Kyle Barraclough is on a rehab assignment from a shoulder impingement, but it could be Barraclough who slots into the ninth inning when he is back with the team, making him worth a stash. Jeurys Familia is making his way back from surgery to remove a blood clot and could be closing games for the Mets again as soon as the third week of August. Carter Capps is back in the Padres bullpen but has struggled, and with Brad Hand pitching well, there is no reason to speculate for now.
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