MLB News & Notes: August 19
Catch up on the news from Monday with the fantasy impacts that follow.
Austin Riley (3B - ATL)
Riley left Sunday’s game after getting hit on the hand by a pitch. After further testing on Monday, it was revealed that Riley has a right-hand fracture and will miss 6-8 weeks, ending his fantasy season. Luke Williams looks to get the first crack at 3B for the Braves.
Reynaldo Lopez (SP - ATL)
Lopez was activated from the IL on Monday, and he’ll make the start on Tuesday. Jimmy Herget was sent back to AAA.
Ketel Marte (2B - ARI)
As expected, Marte was placed on the IL with an ankle sprain. He injured the ankle a week or so ago and has reaggravated it a few times this past week. Kevin Newman expects to be the primary 2B while Marte is out. Pavin Smith was recalled from AAA.
Alex Cobb (SP - SF)
Cobb was placed on the IL with a fractured fingernail. The hope is that it’s a short stint. Anthony Gose was recalled from AAA to add bullpen help, and the Guardians will assess Cobb’s spot in the rotation later.
Pete Fairbanks (RP - TB)
Fairbanks was placed on the IL on Monday with a lat strain. He will miss at least two weeks, but the injury sounds serious, and he may miss the rest of the season. Joel Kuhnel was recalled from AAA.
Jacob deGrom (SP - TEX)
deGrom will make his first rehab start on Tuesday. He’s expected to make four rehab starts with the expectation of making a few starts for the Rangers in September.
Max Scherzer (SP - TEX)
Scherzer will make a rehab start on Friday. The expectation is just one rehab start for Scherzer, meaning he could return to the Rangers next week.
Thairo Estrada (2B,SS - SF)
Estrada was activated from the IL on Monday. Estrada has struggled this season, but after five rehab starts, he hit .429 with two doubles and a home run. Brett Wisely was sent back to AAA.
Patrick Bailey (C - SF)
Bailey was scratched from Monday’s lineup with right-side tightness. He’s day-to-day for now, but he may need an IL stint. Curt Casali made the start at catcher on Monday.
Paul Skenes (SP - PIT)
The Pirates may start limiting Skenes' innings or getting close to time. He could enter a role similar to Garrett Crochet. This could definitely impact Skenes’ fantasy upside going forward.
Liam Hendriks (RP - BOS)
Hendriks threw a scoreless inning in his first rehab appearance. He threw 11 pitches and nine strikes as he cruised through the inning. Hendriks will need plenty of rehab work, hoping to return for the Red Sox in early September.
Tommy Edman (2B,SS,OF - LAD)
Edman was activated from the IL on Monday. Edman played CF and hit ninth, going 1-3. Nick Ahmed was DFA’d.
Max Muncy (1B,3B - LAD)
Muncy was activated from the IL on Monday. He played 3B, hitting seventh, and went 1-3 with a 2-run home run. Andy Pages was sent back to AAA.
Austin Barnes (C - LAD)
Barnes was placed on the IL Monday with a fractured big toe. The Dodgers think Barnes will only miss 10-14 days. Hunter Feduccia was recalled from AAA to back up Will Smith.
Connor Norby (2B,3B - MIA)
Norby was recalled from AAA on Monday. He started at 3B and went 1-4 with a run scored and an RBI on Monday. In 14 games at AAA for the Marlins, Norby was hitting ..271 with a home run. Norby should get plenty of playing time to finish the season, as the Marlins want to see what they have in one of their more significant trade deadline acquisitions. Emmanuel Rivera was DFA’d.
Adam Oller (SP - MIA)
Oller was recalled from AAA on Monday to make the spot start for the Marlins. Things did not go well, as Oller lasted 4.2 innings, allowing five runs, walking four, and striking out two. George Soriano was sent back to AAA.
Julian Aguilar (SP - CIN)
Aguilar was recalled on Monday to start the injured Hunter Greene. It was Aguiar’s first MLB start, and he last four innings, allowing two runs while walking one and striking out two. There’s a chance that Aguiar sticks around while Greene is on the IL. He had a 3.79 ERA over 22 AAA starts with 95 strikeouts over 116.1 innings pitched. Casey Legumina was sent back to AAA.
Trey Cabbage (OF - HOU)
Cabbage was recalled from AAA on Monday. Cabbage was hitting .158 without a home run and three stolen bases since he was last sent down on August 7. Pedro Leon was sent back to AAA.
Justyn-Henry Malloy (3B,OF - DET)
With Riley Greene returning on Sunday, Malloy was sent back to AAA. Malloy was hitting .217 with eight home runs and a steal while striking out 36.3% of the time over 57 games.
Brandon Nimmo (OF - NYM)
Nimmo left Sunday’s game with an apparent shoulder injury. On Monday, Nimmo’s MRI came back clean, and he’s day-to-day.
John Schreiber (RP - KC)
Schreiber was activated from the IL on Monday, sending Carlos Hernandez back to AAA.
Greg Weissert (RP - BOS)
Weissert was recalled from AAA, so Bailey Horn was returned to AAA.
Grant Anderson (RP - TEX)
Anderson was recalled from AAA, and Gerson Garabito was returned to AAA.
Billy McKinney (1B,OF - PIT)
McKinney was recalled from AAA on Monday. He went 2-4 with a run scored on Monday. Over 46 games at AAA, McKinney hit .285 with five home runs and a stolen base. Ke’Bryan Hayes was placed on the IL with another back injury.
Hunter Stratton (RP - PIT)
Stratton was recalled from AAA, while Ryder Ryan was DFA’d.
Alex Bregman (3B - HOU)
Bregman took ground balls and batting practice before Monday’s game. He’s expected back in the lineup on Tuesday.
Ben Rortvedt (C - TB)
Rortverdt was placed on the paternity list on Monday. Rob Brantly was promoted from AAA while Rortvedt is out.