MLB News & Notes: April 17th
Catch up on the days news with the fantasy baseball impacts to follow.
Yu Darvish (SP - SD)
Darvish was placed on the IL with neck tightness. At least it’s not a shoulder or elbow, right? Darvish was scheduled to start on Saturday against the Jays, but nothing has been announced regarding who is starting. RHP Logan Gillaspie was recalled to take Darvish’s spot on the roster.
Justin Verlander (SP - HOU)
After a successful bullpen earlier this week, the Astros made it official: Verlander will return to the rotation on Friday against the Nationals. Forrest Whitley was optioned back to AAA to make room for Verlander.
Jameson Taillon (SP - CHC)
The Cubs made it official: Taillon will return from the IL and make his season debut on Thursday versus the Marlins. Shota Imanaga, Javier Assad, and Kyle Hendricks are scheduled to pitch on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Hayden Wesneski (RP - CHC)
The Cubs made a handful of roster moves on Wednesday. They recalled Wesneski and Colten Brewer from AAA, sent Daniel Palencia and Luke Little to AAA, and moved Julian Merryweather to the 60-day IL. Wesneski was vital in the Cubs' win on Wednesday, pitching four innings in relief without allowing a run with one hit, no walks, and two strikeouts.
Joey Bart (C - PIT)
Bart was scratched from Wednesday’s lineup. A few days ago, he was catching a bullpen and was hit on the head by a home run ball. After a few days, the Pirates thought Bart would be ready to go, but he did not feel great leading up to game time.
Brett Baty (3B - NYM)
Baty was out of Wednesday’s lineup as he was a nurse with a hamstring injury. He tweaked it on Tuesday but does not think it’s major, and they caught it early. The Mets are off Thursday, and Baty will be reevaluated on Friday. Baty and the Mets expect him to miss a few days, but no IL stint should be in store, and there should be no imaging.
Max Kepler (OF - MIN)
Kepler is scheduled to start a AAA rehab assignment on Thursday. He should only need a few games before returning to the Twins, who desperately need offensive help. I am not saying Kepler will fix the entire offense, but he should be able to help.
Gabriel Moreno (C - ARI)
Moreno was scratched from Wednesday’s for the second straight game. He’s dealing with a thumb contusion and is currently day-to-day. Tucker Barnhart has been filling in for Moreno.
Kris Bryant (OF - COL)
Bryant was nursing a back injury, and as expected, he finally landed on the IL. The Rockies recalled Sean Bouchard from AAA. I’ve been out on Bryant for a few years, and he’s worth a drop in 12-team and shallower leagues.
Garrett Whitlock (SP - BOS)
Whitlock was placed on the IL with an oblique injury, but the Red Sox expect this to be a short stint. Whitlock tried to tell the team he could play anyway, but they didn’t want to make matters worse. Joe Jacques was recalled to take Whitlock’s spot on the roster.
Nick Pivetta (SP - BOS)
Pivetta is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Thursday or Friday. If all goes well, He may throw a rehab start or just join the Red Sox rotation. He’s eligible to return from the IL on April 21.
Tyler O’Neill (OF - BOS)
O’Neill is day-to-day with his head injury from his collision with Rafael Devers. He is likely out for a few more days as he has yet to take part in any activities on the field. He continues to undergo concussion testing, but so far, he’s passed all those tests. Hopefully, O’Neill will return this weekend, but that may not happen.
Cooper Criswell (SP - BOS)
The Red Sox are going with a bullpen game on Thursday versus the Guardians. Brennan Bernardino would act as the opener, and Criswell would get the bulk of the innings. In Criswell’s previous spot start, he threw four innings, allowing two earned runs while walking one and striking out four.
Brandon Drury (1B,2B - LAA)
Drury is only available to pinch hit on Wednesday and Thursday, as the Angels are being cautious with his hamstring injury on the Tampa Bay turf. The Angels play at Great American Small Park this weekend, and if his hamstring is up to it, Drury would be a welcome return to lineups.
Robert Stephenson (RP - LAA)
After leaving his rehab start with an elbow injury, Stephenson will miss the rest of the season. He signed a 3-year deal with the Angles before this season, and now a whole season has been lost.
Taijuan Walker (SP - PHI)
Walker threw his first rehab start on April 11, and things went well. He will throw a bullpen on Friday, and if all goes well, he may be activated after that. He would likely take Spencer Turnbull’s spot in the rotation, but Turnbull has been great, so we will have to wait and see what moves the Phillies make.