MLB News & Notes: August 20
Catch up on the news from Tuesday with the fantasy impacts that follow.
Zach Eflin (SP - BAL)
Eflin has been great for the Orioles since he was acquired at the trade deadline. That will be put on hold as Eflin was placed on the IL with right shoulder inflammation. Cade Povich will be recalled to take Eflin’s spot in the rotation. Povich was solid in his last start and could gain some fantasy viability while in the rotation.
Ha-Seong Kim (2B,SS - SD)
Kim has been battling a shoulder injury and was placed on the IL on Tuesday. The Padres think it’ll be a minimum IL stint for Kim. Tyler Wade is expected to fill in at SS with Kim out. Matthew Batten was recalled from AAA.
Tyler Mahle (SP - TEX)
Mahle was placed on the IL on Tuesday with right shoulder tightness. Jon Gray was activated from the IL and will take Mahle’s spot in the rotation.
Luis Gil (SP - NYY)
Gil was removed from Tuesday’s start with lower back tightness. Gil will undergo further testing to get a full assessment of the back injury.
Patrick Bailey (C - SF)
Bailey was placed on the IL with a right oblique strain. Bailey underwent an MRI on Tuesday, which revealed an oblique strain that would sideline him for at least ten days. Curt Casali will take over primary catching duties. Jakson Reetz was recalled from AAA.
Victor Vodnik (RP - COL)
Vodnik was shut down during his warm-ups on Tuesday with soreness in his right shoulder. He will undergo further testing, and an IL stint will not surprise many. Angel Chivilli received the save on Tuesday.
Hector Neris (RP - CHC)
The Cubs released Neris on Tuesday, and he cleared waivers. The Cubs made this move so they did not have to pay Neris his $9M option, which he was getting close to gaining based on games pitched or games finished. Jorge Lopez or Porter Hodge appears to be one of the favorites to take over closing duties. Hodge got the first save on Tuesday night. Jack Neely was recalled from AAA to take Neris’ spot on the roster.
Jeimer Candelario (1B,3B - CIN)
Candelario was placed on the IL with a fractured big toe. With Candelario out, Ty France should see plenty of playing time at 1B. Amed Rosario will take Candelario’s spot on the roster.
Gio Urshela (3B - ATL)
With Austin Riley hitting the IL and likely out for the year, the Braves signed Urshela to a one-year contract. On Tuesday, Urshela hit 8th, going 0-3 with a walk, an RBI, and a strikeout.
Luis Guillorme (2B,3B - ARI)
Guillorme will sign with the DBacks, helping fill the hole with Ketel Marte on the IL with an injured ankle. He may split some time with Kevin Newman at 2B or fill Newman’s utility role while Newman plays 2B. Blaze Alexander was sent back to AAA.
Joey Gallo (1B,OF - WAS)
Gallo was activated from the IL on Tuesday, and he’ll likely get at-bats in 1B, DH, and OF versus RHP.
Jorge Soler (OF - ATL)
Soler was out of the Braves lineup on Tuesday again, making that five straight games he’s missed. Once again, the Braves let a player be day-to-day without putting them on the IL.
Jordan Walker (OF - STL)
Walker was returned to AAA on Tuesday, while Luken Baker was recalled. Baker was hitting .231 at AAA but had 32 home runs. The power-hitting RHH will likely start versus LHP and sit versus RHP.
Matt Carpenter (1B,OF - STL)
Carpenter was activated from the IL on Tuesday. Brandon Crawford was DFA’d.
Trevor Megill (RP - MIL)
Megill was activated from the IL on Tuesday, and he will return to the high-leverage role in the Brewers' bullpen.
Austin Hays (OF - PHI)
Hays began a rehab assignment on Tuesday. He should only need a few games to shake the rust and rejoin the Phillies later this week.
Joey Cantillo (SP - CLE)
Cantillo will likely be recalled on Wednesday to start for the Guardians against the Yankees. He is filling in for the injured Alex Cobb.
Nick Gonzales (2B,3B - PIT)
Gonzales will begin a rehab assignment on Tuesday. He could return later this week and take over the 3B role for the Pirates with Ke’Bryan Hayes on the IL.
Lance Lynn (SP - STL)
Lynn threw a three-inning live batting practice on Tuesday. He’s scheduled for another live batting practice later this week and could rejoin the Cardinals’ rotation.
Steven Matz (SP - STL)
Matz will start another rehab session on Wednesday. The team hopes he can get his pitch count up to 90 before rejoining the team. When Matz returns, the Cardinals are considering a six-man rotation.
Ranger Suarez (SP - PHI)
The Phillies made it official on Tuesday, saying Suarez will come off the IL and start Saturday against the Royals.
Scott Alexander (RP - OAK)
Alexander was placed on the IL with left rotator cuff tendonitis. J.T. Ginn was recalled from AAA. It’ll be Ginn’s first shot in the bigs, and over 20 starts at AA and AAA this year, and Ginn had a 5.26 ERA with 97 strikeouts and 40 walks over 102.2 innings pitched.
Johnny Cueto (SP - LAA)
Cueto will join the Angels and make a start on Wednesday versus the Royals. The Angels don’t like Reid Detmers, apparently.
Casey Mize (SP - DET)
Mize will make another minor league rehab start on Saturday. The Tigers hope Mize returns to the starting rotation in September.
Jared Jones (SP - PIT)
Jones threw five shutout innings with ten strikeouts in his final rehab start on Tuesday. Jones will rejoin the rotation for his next start.
Cole Irvin (SP - BAL)
Irvin will make the start on Wednesday versus the Mets, filling in for Zach Eflin.