MLB Weekend News 4/19-4/21
Catch up on some of the major news from the weekend with the fantasy impacts that follow.
I had some time to get away this weekend, so I could not update the news daily. My apologies. I’ll update you on the weekend news, which should help you prepare your lineups for the coming week.
John Brebbia (RP - CWS)
Brebbia began his rehab assignment on Friday. Before getting hurt, he was the White Sox's initial closer. Michale Kopech has been and should be the closer, but Brebbia may get some late-inning love as the season goes along. Of course, it depends on how much the late innings matter for the White Sox.
Justin Steele (SP - CHI)
Steele threw a live BP on Sunday, and things went great. He’ll head to Arizona and pitch an extended spring training game on Friday. Hopefully, we will only be a few weeks before we get Steel back in our fantasy lineups.
Taylor Trammell (OF - NYY)
The Yankees claimed Trammell off of waivers and added him to the active roster. He’ll likely be an extra outfielder for now.
Cody Morris (SP - NYY)
Morris was added to the Yankees' active roster, with Nick Burdi going on the IL. Morris has allowed two earned runs over 9.1 innings with 11 strikeouts. For now, Morris should just be bullpen depth.
DJ LeMahieu (1B,3B - NYY)
LeMahieu has had many setbacks with his foot injury, but he is scheduled to start a rehab assignment on Tuesday. The duration of the rehab assignment is still to be determined, but it appears DJ may finally be close to returning.
Kyle Freeland (SP - COL)
Freeland is headed to the IL with an elbow strain. Many think it was caused by the home plate collision when he pinch-ran, but Freeland says that is not the case. We do not know the extent of the injury, but imaging may be in Freeland's future.
Jack Leiter (SP - TEX)
After a rough debut, Leiter was optioned back to AAA for their 9th-ranked prospect, Owen White. Leiter will get another chance down the road, but he may need some more seasoning. White has made three starts at AAA and has allowed ten earned runs over 12.1 innings with 11 strikeouts, which makes me need to see more before getting excited about fantasy.
Ian Happ (OF - CHC)
Happ has been dealing with hamstring soreness. He missed Saturday’s doubleheader and Sunday. The Cubs have an off day on Monday, and Happ expects to be good to go on Tuesday.
Kyle Bradish (SP - BAL)
Bradish made his second rehab assignment on Sunday; he did not fare well but did throw 64 pitches over 3.1 innings. The amount of pitches was the most important part for Bradish. He’ll likely need two more starts and be ready to rejoin the Orioles after that.
Tyler Wells (SP - BAL)
Wells was placed on the IL with elbow inflammation, and David Banuelos was from AAA. Wells is not overly concerned as the imaging came back clean. Wells expects to start throwing again shortly.
Ryne Nelson (SP - ARI)
Nelson took a line drive off his arm and was later placed on the IL with an elbow contusion. Jordan Montgomery was activated to take Nelson’s spot on the roster. The DBacks are hoping it’s a short stint on the IL.
Jhoan Duran (RP - MIN)
Duran has thrown successive live batting practices and is set to begin his rehab assignment on Tuesday. If all goes well, we could see Duran at the end of the week or early the following week.
A.J. Puk (SP - MIA)
Puk has been horrible this season, and he was placed on the IL with fatigue in his throwing shoulder. It’s time to move on if you haven’t already.
Gio Urshela (1B,3B - MIN)
Urshela was placed on the IL with a hamstring strain. Buddy Kennedy was called up to take Urshela’s spot. Kennedy was hitting .288 with two home runs over 15 games at AAA. He’s not a major focus for fantasy right now.
Francisco Alvarez (C - NYM)
Alvarez is going to the IL with a torn ligament in his thumb. He will need surgery and will be out for 6-8 weeks. Tomas Nido was recalled from AAA as Omar Narvaez's backup catcher. Alvarez is a drop in most formats.
Kyle Hurt (SP - LAD)
Hurt was placed on the IL with right shoulder inflammation. Nick Ramirez was recalled from AAA to add more depth to the Dodgers bullpen.
Triston Casas (1B - BOS)
Casas was placed on the IL with a left rib strain. Tyler Heineman (C) was recalled from AAA. Alex Cora said Casas is heading back to Boston to see a specialist, and the early thoughts about Casas will miss a lot of time with the injury.
Tyler O’Neill (OF - BOS)
O’Neill has been taking batting practice, and he looks good to go when he can return from the IL this week.
Anthony Rendon (3B - LAA)
Rendon was finally hitting the ball well, but that will be on hold as Rendon lands on the IL with a hamstring strain. Ehire Adrianza is called up to take Rendon’s spot on the roster. This should lock in even more playing time for Luis Rengifo.
Max Scherzer (SP - TEX)
Scherzer’s ramp-up is going great, and he’ll begin his rehab assignment on Wednesday. If all goes well, Scherzer will likely throw 3-4 rehab starts and return to the Rangers in early May.
Royce Lewis (3B - MIN)
We finally have a minor report on Lewis. He has begun baseball activities and should start to run at the end of the week. Lewis is still a ways away, but also finally working his way to returning to the Twins.
Max Kepler (OF - MIN)
After a successful rehab, Kepler will return to the Twins on Monday.
Framber Valdez (SP - HOU)
Valdez threw a 30-pitch bullpen on Saturday, and it appears he may not need a rehab start before returning from the IL. He may be back very soon to help the Astros rotation.
Christian Javier (SP - HOU)
Javier was scratched from Sunday’s start with neck discomfort. He’ll head to the IL, hopefully for a short time. Spencer Arrighetti will be recalled to take Javier’s spot in the rotation. Arrighetti is not fantasy-viable right now.
Alex Cobb (SP - SF)
Alex Cobb has had another setback and will now be placed on the 60-day IL, meaning a late May return is the best case for Cobb. The Giants traded for Mitch White, who will be added to the 40-man roster in Cobb's place. Drop Cobb wherever you have been stashing.
Victor Scott (OF - STL)
After a struggling start to the season, Scott has finally been sent back to AAA.
Merrill Kelly (SP - ARI)
Kelly was scratched from Sunday’s start with an issue with his teres major muscle. He had an MRI on Saturday and flew back to Arizona to await the results. The DBacks do not seem overly concerned, so we will await further news.
Adbert Alzolay (RP - CHC)
After blowing his fourth save on Saturday, Alzolay was removed from closing duties to get right. Who knows how long that will last, but Mark Leiter and Hector Neris should see some more late-inning opportunities.
Frankie Montas (SP - CIN)
Montas left Sunday’s start in the first inning after taking a line drive off his pitching elbow. After the game, he said he was feeling good and expected to make his next start. We will see in the coming days.
JD Martinez (UTIL - NYM)
Martinez may finally be getting healthy. He will move his rehab to AAA on Monday and if all goes well, he should join the Mets this weekend.
DL Hall (SP - MIL)
Hall will be placed on the IL with a left knee sprain. Robert Gasser and Bryse Wilson are potential options for taking Hall’s spot in the rotation.
Jose Siri (OF - TB)
Siri missed Sunday’s game as he’s dealing with kidney stones. He will fly back to Tampa Bay with the team and be evaluated further. For now, he’s day-to-day.
Brenton Doyle (OF - COL)
Doyle was scratched from Game 2 of Sunday’s doubleheader with a bruised chest. He was hit by a pitch in Game 1, and we’ll hope he's good to go for next week’s juicy schedule.
Bryce Elder (SP - ATL)
After Sunday’s start, Darius Vines has been optioned to AAA. Bryce Elder will be called up to make his season debut. Over 3 AAA starts, Elder has a 3.31 ERA with 18 strikeouts over 16.1 innings pitched. Elder was serviceable last year, but I want to wait and see how Monday goes before getting excited for fantasy.