In The Field
OF Max Kepler was placed on the 10-day IL with left knee tendonitis on Thursday. He had missed the previous four games with the injury. OF Matt Wallner is expected to fill in for Kepler while he is out. Wallner is hitting .262 with 11 HR, 23 R, 29 RBI, and 3 SB. OF Kyle Tucker was activated on Friday. He has been out since early June with a right shin fracture. He was hitting .266 with 19 HR, 42 R, 40 RBI, and 10 SB in 60 GP. He was on pace for a career year in home runs thanks to an increase in fly balls (54% FB) and quality of contact (14% Barrels and 45% hardhit). The only risk with increasing your fly ball percentage above 50% is that it starts to hurt your batting average which is why he had a .266 AVG compared to .284 AVG a year ago. OF Byron Buxton has experienced renewed soreness in his hip after a rehab game on Wednesday for Triple-A St. Paul. He was expected to be activated on Friday but that did not occur. OF Luis Robert Jr. left Wednesday's game early with the trainer after experiencing right hamstring tightness. Robert Jr. has had trouble staying on the field this year and when he has been on the field it hasn't been great. He has a career-high 34% K which has cut his production and produced a career-low .219 AVG. 1B Josh Naylor was out of the lineup on Wednesday after experiencing back spams on Tuesday. He returned to the lineup on Saturday which is good news because Naylor is one of the Guardians' top hitters (.245 AVG with 29 HR, 75 R, 100 RBI, and 6 SB). SS Corey Seager was placed on the 10-day IL with right hip discomfort. He isn't eligible to come off the IL until September 16 which leaves two weeks left in the season. The Rangers are out of contention so there will be no push to get him back before he is completely healthy. Seager is hitting .278 with 30 HR, 68 R, 74 RBI, and 1 SB in 123 GP. He's played in 125+ games just once (2023) in the past five seasons. This is something to consider when drafting Seager in 2025. SS Bo Bichette (calf) is on track to start a rehab assignment next Tuesday and should be back with the Blue Jays before the end of the season. Bichette has been a major disappointment this season for fantasy owners. He has only played 80 games and is hitting .222 with 4 HR, 29 R, 30 RBI, and 5 SB. 3B Jordan Westburg has had his cast removed and is slowly starting baseball activities. He is expected only to need a short rehab assignment once cleared for live action. The Orioles would like to get him at-bats before the playoffs begin. Westburg has had a fine breakout sophomore season (.269 AVG with 18 HR, 55 %, 58 RBI, and 6 SB in 101 GP). 1B Vinnie Pasquantino is going to have surgery on his fractured right thumb which is going to end his 2024 season. He will finish the year hitting .262 with 19 HR, 64 R, 97 RBI, and 1 SB. It was a good but not great season for the 26-year-old first baseman. 2B Brandon Lowe was not in the Rays lineup on Friday due to inflammation in his middle finger. 1B Ryan Mountcastle (wrist) has been hitting off a tee. He has been out since August 26 but the Orioles have not given a timetable for his return. SS Trevor Story is going to be activated on Saturday and start at shortstop. He was able to make it back this year and much faster than initially thought. He only played in four rehab games so he could be slow out of the gate as he adjusts to live major league pitching. 3B Ramon Urias (ankle) hasn't been able to start baseball activities but is still confident that he will be back before the end of the year. The Orioles have played 3B Coby Mayo, 3B Nick Maton, and 3B Emmanuel Rivera at third base since Urias hit the IL. OF Miguel Vargas (eye) has not played since Tuesday when he left the game early after a collision. OF Victor Robles left Friday's game early after getting hit on the elbow with a pitch. Manager Dan Wilson said after the game that he expects Robles to be in the lineup on Saturday. OF Joe Adell is dealing with left oblique irritation which is why he left Friday's game early. He was placed on the 10-day IL on Saturday. OF Kevin Pillar took his place in the outfield and would have likely seen the majority of the at-bats but he was also placed on the 10-day IL with a sprained thumb.
On The Mound
Jacob deGrom is going to make a rehab start for Double-A Frisco on Saturday. This is expected to be his last rehab start before being activated. He went 2.2 IP in his latest rehab appearance so he will need to be stretched out in this start and possibly be limited his first couple of starts at the big league level. Reese Olson (shoulder) went two scoreless innings with one walk and one strikeout in his rehab appearance for Triple-A Toledo. He was throwing 94 mph on his fastball which aligns with his stuff prior to the injury. He will need to build up his pitch count before being activated. He had a 3.23 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with 14% K:BB in 19 GS this season. Dean Kremer (forearm) was able to complete a bullpen session on Tuesday. He was expected to miss time but was able to make his start on 6 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 3 BB, and 7 K. Grayson Rodriguez (lat) completed a bullpen session at Camden Yards on Wednesday. This was his first mound session since being placed on the IL over a month ago. The Orioles have the postseason in mind so they are going to plan his rehab with that in mind. They are not going to push their young pitcher to return quickly. Rodriguez has a 3.86 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with 19% K:BB in 116.2 IP. Jon Gray (foot) was put on the 15-day IL on Tuesday and then later transferred to the 60-day IL ending his season. Tyler Mahle (shoulder) is not going to make another start this year according to manager Bruce Bochy. He has been out since the end of August with stiffness in his right shoulder. Clarke Schmidt (lat) is going to start for the Yankees on Saturday. He has not pitched since late May. He was showing signs of a breakout season prior to the injury (2.52 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 19% K:BB). The Yankees also got Luis Gil (back) on Friday. They are going to utilize a six-man for the rest of the regular season. This is going to help manage their rotation because Gerrit Cole has been injured, Gil has set a career-high in innings pitch, Schmidt is coming back from injury, and Carlos Rodon also has a scary injury history. Michael Lorenzen was placed on the 15-day IL on Tuesday with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. Max Scherzer is expected to make a rehab start on Saturday. He has reportedly altered his mechanics as a way to get the discomfort in his shoulder to be manageable. This does not feel like a sustainable solution to the problem but Scherzer is a game who wants to be out there. He is no longer an elite pitcher but he posted strong skills in limited time this season (24% K and 5% BB). Alex Cobb was scratched from his start on Saturday due to a blister. He is considered day-to-day. Gavin Williams will start in his place.
In The Bullpen
Jordan Romano (elbow) has started throwing on flat ground at 60 feet. He had surgery two months ago and is hoping to make it back this season. Chad Green is going to remain the Blue Jays closer (2.72 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 16 SV) even if Romano does make it back so fantasy owners should not worry about Green's value despite two blown saves this week. Andres Munoz is dealing with soreness in his elbow. He hasn't missed any time and they are not planning on putting him on the IL but this is something to monitor. Hunter Harvey (back) has been able to throw bullpens. Kenley Jansen was unavailable on Friday because of a lat issue. This is a situation to monitor because lat issues are not a quick recovery. Josh Winchowski picked up the save in his absence. Despite this, Chris Martin would still be the favorite for saves if Jansen were to miss significant time. Martin has a 3.62 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 27% K:BB. Seranthony Dominguez picked up a save on Friday his only save of the week. He continues to pitch well since being traded to the Orioles (3.00 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 26% K:BB). The Yankees are going with a committee at closer after Clay Holmes blew his league-leading 11th save chance. The Yankees have only had one save chance Holmes was removed and that opportunity went to Luke Weaver. Manager Aaron Boone said they would be creative in closing out games so there's no guarantee that Weaver gets all the chances but he is definitely worth picking up. Weaver has been good as a reliever (3.33 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 27% K, and 8% BB). The Rays bullpen has gone back into being a mess from a fantasy perspective since Pete Fairbanks hit the IL. Garrett Cleavinger got the only save this week but Edwin Uceta is still the perceived favorite because he has the best skills (0.79 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, 37% K, and 4% BB). Jason Foley and Tyler Holton picked up saves for the Tigers. Both need to be rostered but neither are great options because they do not have great skills outside of getting save chances. Jhoan Duran had a big week picking up three saves and now has a 3.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 21% K:BB with 6 W and 22 SV. Emmanuel Clase continues to have another dominant season as closer for the Guardians (0.70 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, 20% K::BB, and 41 SV). He has saved 40+ games in three straight seasons with an ERA below two (1.81 ERA) over that time period.
Players to add this week:
RP Luke Weaver (NYY)- The Yankees are going with a committee at closer after Clay Holmes blew his league-leading 11th save chance. The Yankees have only had one save chance Holmes was removed and that opportunity went to Luke Weaver. Manager Aaron Boone said they would be creative in closing out games so there's no guarantee that Weaver gets all the chances but he is definitely worth picking up. Weaver has been good as a reliever (3.33 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 27% K, and 8% BB).
SP Caden Dana (LAA)-Caden Dana made his major league debut this week. He went 6 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, and 4 K against the Mariners. Dana had pitched well at Double-A this season. He had a 2.52 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 27% K, and 7% BB. That is the type of profile that you can get behind. He threw five pitches in his debut (FB, CT, SL, CU, and CH) which is going to give him enough options to keep hitters off balance and attack hitters from both sides of the plate. There is risk given his lack of track record and struggles at times with control but the waiver wire is barren of starting pitching at this point in the year.
SP Reid Detmers (LAA)- Reid Detmers returned to the Angels in a dominant fashion. He went 6 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 2 BB, and 10 K against the Dodgers on Tuesday. This reminds us why people have taken a chance on Detmers. Overall, he has been a disappointment this year (5.87 ERA and 1.42 WHIP) but if you need strikeouts down the stretch Detmers is going to at least provide that. His success is going to be determined by his ability to control the zone (10% BB) and good fortune on balls in play. If you are trying to protect ratios, Detmers is a risky proposition.
1B Anthony Rizzo (NYY)- Anthony Rizzo has returned from injury and has resumed the everyday first baseman role. He is hitting lower in the order (7th) but that isn't a huge factor considering the strength of the Yankees lineup. Rizzo is hitting .225 with 8 HR, 34 R, 31 RBI, and 0 SB in 75 GP. He has made a lot of contact (17% K) but needs to hit the ball harder (4% Barrels and 33% Hardhit) to take advantage of his home park.
1B Kyle Manzardo (CLE)- The Guardians called up Kyle Manzardo last Sunday and he has started every game. He was hitting .267 with 20 HR, 65 R, 49 RBI, and 3 SB in 83 GP at Triple-A. Manzardo showed plus plate skills (17% BB and 18% K) with the ability to make hard contact (45% Hardhit). This is what the Guardians would like him to do at the major league level. He is going to hit for a lower average given his extreme patience and high flyball rate but the power should be there.
SP David Festa (MIN)- David Festa has a 4.75 ERA and 1.20 WHIP through 47.1 IP. His underlying skills paint a different picture than his ERA. He is striking out 29% of batters with just 7% walks. This is why his 3.27 SIERA is much better than his ERA. Festa is someone to buy despite the 4.75 ERA.
OF Seth Brown (OAK)- Seth Brown has been one of the Athletics' best hitters in the second half. He is hitting .331 with 7 HR, 13 R, 25 RBI, and 0 SB in 130 PA in the second half. This means that he needs to be rostered in mixed leagues. He hits the ball hard (10% Barrels) and in the air (43% FB) which supports an increase in power in the second half (.927 OPS). The Athletics offense isn't great but if he is swinging a hot bat and driving in runs he has value.
SP Cody Bradford (TEX)- The Rangers rotation has been hit with injuries to Tyler Mahle and Jon Gray. They are expected to get Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer back soon but that isn't going to impact Cody Bradford. He has pitched well for the Rangers this year. He has a 3.05 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 23% K, and 4 % BB. His 3.83 SIERA backs up what he is doing. Bradford is a classic lefty control artist who has just enough stuff to miss 23% of bats. He gets a start against the Diamondbacks this week and then is lined up for the Blue Jays the following week.
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