MLB News & Notes: April 8th
Catch up on the relevant news from Monday with the fantasy baseball ramifications.
Luis Robert Jr. (OF - CWS)
Initial reports expected Robert to miss 3-4 months, but on Monday, the White Sox said it would be 6-8 weeks. I lean on the lengthier side, as he’ll need to heal and ramp up. Also, any setback obviously hurts his return chances. I hope we get Lou Bob back soon, but I am skeptical of the 6-8 weeks.
Framber Valdez (SP - HOU)
Valdez was scratched from Monday’s start. He felt soreness in his left elbow and met with team doctors in Houston. We will await the final verdict, hoping for the best. Blair Henley was recalled to make the start on Monday. Henley was rocked by the Rangers and sent back to AAA after the game.
Jonathan India (2B - CIN)
India was scratched from Monday’s game from a leg injury he sustained during batting average when he was hit by a line drive while standing in foul territory. After the game, David Bell said he expects India to return to the lineup on Tuesday. We shall see.
Manny Machado (3B - SD)
Machado has been working his way back from offseason elbow surgery. On Monday, doctors said Machado will not be 100% in the field till 2025. He has been playing DH daily and will continue to do so for a while. He did take groundballs before Monday’s game and made throws from 3B to 1B for the first time. The Padres still expect Machado back at 3B by the end of May, but to what extent and how often is the bigger question.
John Brebbia (RP - CWS)
Brebbia was placed on the 15-day IL on Monday with a calf strain. He has been battling the calf injury since spring. LHP Jared Shuster was recalled to take Brebbia’s spot on the roster.
Jose Miranda (3B - MIN)
Miranda was recalled on Monday to take the spot of Daniel Duarte, who was placed on the IL with a triceps strain. According to Rocco Baldelli, Miranda will play 3B, but only some days.
Ceddanne Rafaela (OF - BOS)
Rafaela is expected to be a major part of the Red Sox's future, and on Monday, they locked him up to a team-friendly deal. Rafaela signed an 8-year/$50-million deal to play centerfield for years to come in Fenway.
Bobby Dalbec (1B - BOS)
After a slow start to 2024, Dalbec was sent back to AAA. With Dalbec gone, the Red Sox recalled Romy Gonzalez, who hit .321 with three home runs, a double, and two triples in seven games at AAA. Regular playing time for Gonzalez could lead to some fantasy value.
Willson Contreras (C - STL)
Contreras was scratched from the lineup again on Monday, but the Cardinals expect him back in the lineup on Tuesday. We’ve heard that for a few days now, so let’s hope it happens this time.
Lars Nootbaar (OF - STL)
The initial expectation heading into Monday was Nootbaar's return. He took batting practice and was evaluated by the team. He still needs to work on timing, so Nootbaar will return to his rehab assignment and play in Springfield on Tuesday. The new expected return day for Nootbaar is this Friday.
Michael Conforto (OF - SF)
Conforto was out of Monday’s lineup with side soreness. It is a mild issue, and Conforto is expected back on Tuesday. We shall see as these side issues can linger. Conforto was swinging a hot bat to start the season, so fantasy managers would love to have him back immediately.
Gerrit Cole (SP - NYY)
Cole played catch on Monday, the first time he’s done that since his injury. He has a long way to go in his return to the Yankees, but he is at least finally throwing.
Nick Lodolo (SP - CIN)
Lodolo’s return date keeps getting pushed back, and now he’s expected to make his first start this Saturday versus the White Sox. There are no issues with Lodolo, and they are just switching the rotation around. The Reds said they will use a 6-man rotation to keep their pitchers fresh.
Spencer Strider (SP - ATL)
On Monday, Strider was evaluated by Dr. Keith Meister in Texas. The Braves said they won’t have an update until this weekend, which is a long time before we know the extent of Strider’s injury. It seems pretty odd, and I don’t like how this feels, but we shall see.
Andy Ibanez (2B,3B,OF - DET)
Ibanez was placed on the IL Monday with a hamstring injury. Prospect Wenceel Perez was recalled to take Ibanez’s spot on the roster. Perez was hitting .212 in AAA with a home run and four steals.
Jose Siriano (RP - LAA)
Siriano will start on Wednesday and is stretched out to 60 pitches. This will move Griffin Canning back to start on Friday. Canning has had a rough start to the season, and a few extra days of rest will be good for Canning.
Justin Foscue (1B,2B,3B - TEX)
Foscue was placed on the IL with an oblique injury. Foscue played occasionally and will be replaced on the roster by Davis Wendzel. Wendzel was hitting .314 at AAA with three home runs.
Julian Merryweather (RP - CHC)
Merryweather has a rib fracture in his back and will be shut down for four weeks and then need around four weeks to ramp back up. The Cubs recalled Daniel Palencia to take Merryweather’s spot in the bullpen.