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    AJ Smith-Shawver (elbow) sharp in rehab debut

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    ATL Starting Pitcher #32
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    AJ Smith-Shawver (elbow) allowed one run over three innings on Tuesday in a minor league rehab start for Low-A Augusta.

    Smith-Shawver struck out four and threw 41 pitches (29 strikes) in his rehab debut. The 23-year-old former top pitching prospect is working his way back from last year’s Tommy John surgery and figures to be an option for Atlanta’s rotation at some point in late July or early August.
Devers' season ends early with core muscle injury
Rafael Devers was placed on the 60-day injured list with a core muscle injury, ending the Giants slugger's season early in the middle of an offensive tear.

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  • ATL Starting Pitcher #32
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    Smith-Shawver has posted an inflated 7.71 ERA across 21 innings over five starts since making it back from last year’s Tommy John surgery in late July. The 23-year-old’s stuff should play up considerably in shorter bursts out of the bullpen and he figures to make Atlanta’s postseason roster. It’s unclear how the Braves are going to fill his rotation spot since he was lined up to face the Cubs on Wednesday.
  • ATL Starting Pitcher #32
    Smith-Shawver gave up five hits, walked two and struck out three. He fell to 0-2 in five starts with a 7.71 ERA. Smith-Shawver hasn’t shown fantasy managers that he has much to offer in this tour of the big leagues. He’s lined up to face the Cubs on the road next week.
  • ATL Starting Pitcher #32
    Smith-Shawver gave up six hits, walked three and struck out five. He fell to 0-1 in four starts with a 7.13 ERA. Smith-Shawver can safely be left on the waiver wire in mixed leagues for now. He’s lined up to face the Rays at home next week.
  • ATL Starting Pitcher #32
    Smith-Shawver’s velocity was up from last week, though it faded quickly; his fastball averaged 97.4 mph in the first, 95.6 mph in the third and 93.8 mph in the fifth, Still, the overall average of 96.1 mph was closer to the 96.8 mph he averaged in Triple-A than last week’s 95.0 mph against the Twins. Smith-Shawver ended up with three strikeouts and three walks tonight. It was a more promising showing than last week’s, but it wasn’t the kind of performance that suggests he needs to be picked up right now in mixed leagues. He’ll probably face the Nationals next week.
  • ATL Starting Pitcher #32
    Smith-Shawver averaged 96.8 mph with his fastball during his seven Triple-A starts and 97.2 mph in his one start for the Braves last month, but he didn’t show that kind of stuff today. He averaged 95.0 mph with his 20 fastballs, and the 31 splitters he threw were 2.8 mph slower than they were a few weeks ago. Maybe it was a one-time blip, but if not, he’s going to be a whole lot less interesting down the stretch. He’s supposed to stay in the rotation and face the Dodgers next week.
  • ATL Starting Pitcher #32
    Now it’s official. Smith-Shawver will come back up to start for the Braves on Wednesday after he was removed from Triple-A Gwinnett’s probable pitchers earlier today. He’s a splitter-heavy righty with above average velocity who could find success. In his season debut against the Mets, his fastball jumped up two ticks to 97 mph and that velocity held during his two starts back in Triple-A. He’s also mixed in a new sinker against right-handed batters. By slotting in the rotation on Wednesday, he’ll give Chris Sale an extra day of rest.
  • ATL Starting Pitcher #32
    Bowman reports that Herick Hernandez is meant to start for Triple-A Gwinnett tonight now in lieu of Smith-Shawver, which would free him up to be recalled and pitch in the big leagues tomorrow. Rumored to return to the majors since his season debut against the Mets three weeks ago, he has 13 strikeouts, four walks, and allowed two earned runs over 11 innings in two starts since. He’d be moderately interesting if or when he’s formally promoted.
  • ATL Starting Pitcher #32
    Smith-Shawver has allowed just two runs while recording a 13/4 K/BB ratio across 11 innings in a pair of starts since being sent back to Triple-A Gwinnett in late July. He allowed two runs over 4 1/3 innings during his season debut back on July 29. Weiss added that he doesn’t want to move to a six-man rotation, so they’re going to have to make a decision with the rest of their established arms before bringing Smith-Shawver back in the near future. He’s worthy of a speculative roster spot in deeper mixed leagues based on his prospect pedigree and recent performance.
  • ATL Starting Pitcher #32
    The Braves are going to have some tough decisions to make in the near future since Smith-Shawver has spent more than 15 days back in the minors since being demoted last month. The 23-year-old former top prospet could make his next start for Atlanta early next week, depending on how they want to construct their rotation for the final six weeks of the season. He’s looked sharp in his return from last year’s Tommy John surgery and is worthy of a speculative stash in deeper mixed leagues.
  • ATL Starting Pitcher #32
    He also struck out six and walked four while throwing 55 of his 89 pitches for strikes. Smith-Shawver was used as the 27th man in the Braves’ doubleheader last week, which meant he headed back to the minors after the game. The Braves kept him on schedule during a trade deadline in which they tried to trade for Jacob deGrom and Logan Webb. Considering the Braves only came away with Tyler Mahle, Smith-Shawver still has a clear path to a rotation spot. The expectation is that he may make one more start in Triple-A to continue shaking some of the rust, and then he should be up in the big leagues for the remainder of the season.

Rotoworld

  • PHI Starting Pitcher #44
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    Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly told reporters Jesús Luzardo (shoulder) is being placed on the injured list.

    Mattingly didn’t rule out the possibility of Luzardo being ready to take the ball in the playoffs, but he’s effectively done for fantasy purposes since he won’t be eligible to be activated until the final game of the regular season. The Phillies held out hope that he would bounce back after being shut down from throwing for a couple days, but he’s not feeling 100 percent after being diagnosed with shoulder inflammation. The positive news is that an MRI didn’t reveal any structural damage and he isn’t facing an extended absence. The official roster move will be made prior to Tuesday’s game against the Nationals. Luzardo can be safely dropped in all redraft formats.
  • KC Right Fielder #14
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    Jac Caglianone is in the lineup at DH for Tuesday’s series opener against the Astros.

    It’s an extremely positive sign that Caglianone is ready to roll after making an early exit from Sunday’s game against the Red Sox following a hit-by-pitch. The 23-year-old slugger made his return to Kansas City’s lineup after missing five games with a flexor strain earlier in the week. He’s put together a phenomenal second half, hitting .323 (51-for-158) with eight homers, 35 RBI and three steals in 43 games since the All-Star break.
  • NYY Right Fielder #99
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    Aaron Judge is not in the lineup for Tuesday’s contest against the Twins.

    Heliot Ramos gets the nod in right field after Judge crushed his first home run since returning from the injured list, a three-run shot off Twins lefty reliever A.J. Minter, during Monday’s series opener at Target Field. The Yankees have been extremely cautious with his workload following a three-month absence recovering from a fracture in his ribs. The 34-year-old fantasy superstar figures to return for Wednesday’s series finale.
  • TOR Right Fielder #25
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    Anthony Santander (shoulder) is dealing with lower back discomfort.

    It’s more of the same for Santander, who hasn’t played for Toronto since last September due to ongoing shoulder issues. The 31-year-old slugger’s five-year, $92.5 million contract that he signed prior to last year is looking more like an albatross than anyone could’ve anticipated. He couldn’t really afford a setback on his minor league rehab assignment with just over one week left in the regular season. He’s presumably done for the rest of the year after this latest development.
  • TEX Designated Hitter #3
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    Joc Pederson has been diagnosed with a small fracture in his left hand.

    Pederson, who is absent from the lineup for Tuesday’s series opener against the Red Sox, told reporters he’s going to attempt to play through the injury with less than two weeks remaining in the regular season. The 34-year-old, who has occupied Texas’ leadoff spot against most right-handed starters, suffered the injury when he was hit by a pitch over the weekend. The Rangers find themselves in a heated race with the Astros for the AL West division title and sit just one game back entering Tuesday’s action.
  • HOU Designated Hitter #44
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    Yordan Alvarez is in the lineup for Tuesday’s series opener against the Royals.

    With the fantasy playoffs in full swing, it’s worth noting that Alvarez is healthy after missing a pair of games late last week with a minor ankle issue. The 29-year-old fantasy superstar is in the lineup to face Royals veteran righty Michael Wacha on Tuesday night at Daikin Park.
  • HOU Left Fielder #10
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    Astros recalled OF Joey Loperfido from Triple-A Sugar Land.

    Loperfido provides Houston with a left-handed corner outfield option while Taylor Trammell is away from the club on paternity leave.
  • HOU Left Fielder #26
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    Astros placed OF Taylor Trammell on the paternity list.

    Trammell will be away from the club for a couple days on paternity leave. He’s operated in a platoon role for the Astros, seeing action against most right-handed starters in an outfield corner.
  • KC 3rd Baseman #11
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    Royals activated 3B Maikel Garcia from the 10-day injured list.

    Garcia offers some appeal in deeper mixed leagues based on his extensive track record of fantasy relevance. However, he’s endured a lost season due to injury with a muscle strain in his left hand and hamstring issues limiting him to just 73 games. He hasn’t come close to replicating last year’s career-high 16 round-trippers, mustering only three long balls in 309 plate appearances.
  • KC Left Fielder #24
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    Royals optioned INF/OF Matthew Lugo to Triple-A Omaha.

    Lugo heads back to the minors to make room for Maikel Garcia on Kansas City’s active roster. The ex-Angels prospect hit .143 (2-for-14) during a nine-game stint with the Royals.