MLB Player News

Lopez will presumably compete for a spot next spring on Atlanta’s season-opening roster and will serve as extra organizational depth. The 27-year-old infielder has gotten into 74 games in the majors for the Reds since the 2021 campaign. He would up electing free agency earlier this month at the conclusion of the minor league season.

Madden returns to Detroit’s rotation to take the ball for Monday’s series opener against the Rays after missing just over two weeks with a forearm injury. The 26-year-old has shown some promise with a strong 2.38 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and 12/2 K/BB ratio across 11 1/3 innings over three starts for the Tigers this season. It’s not exactly the easiest of matchups considering Tampa Bay has been one of the best lineups in baseball this season. However, Madden represents a worthwhile streaming option in deeper mixed leagues since this road matchup is in pitcher-friendly Tropicana Field.

Vanasco has put up some impressive numbers at the Triple-A level recently, but he’s struggled to a cataclysmic 15.63 ERA over 6 1/3 innings across five appearances for the Tigers this season.

Schmitt draws his second consecutive start atop San Francisco’s lineup after going 3-for-6 with a pair of RBI and a stolen base during Sunday’s showdown against the Rockies. The 27-year-old has been one of this season’s most impactful waiver wire additions, delivering elite fantasy production at both second and third base, slashing .294/.332/.548 with 27 runs scored, 12 homers, 33 RBI and five thefts in 211 plate appearances through 51 games.

Woodruff remains an effective and impactful fantasy option, when healthy, but persistent durability concerns continue to haunt him. The 33-year-old former fantasy ace hit the injured list with shoulder inflammation at the outset of May. There isn’t a definitive return timetable yet, but he figures to be ready to jump back into Milwaukee’s rotation at some point this month.

Francona added that De La Cruz has been diagnosed with a Grade 1-2 hamstring strain that will require a multi-week absence. The 24-year-old fantasy superstar, who was hitting .280/.346/.509 with 40 runs scored, 12 homers, 37 RBI and 10 steals through 58 games, hit the injured list prior to Monday’s series opener against the Royals and figures to be out until at least mid-to-late June in a best-case scenario. Matt McLain figures to get some looks at shortstop with top prospect Edwin Arroyo likely to factor into the equation between both shortstop and second base.

Lyon Richardson draws the starting assignment to open a bullpen game for Cincinnati. Burns is expected to take the ball for Wednesday’s series finale after getting some extra time to rest and recover. The hard-throwing 23-year-old rookie struck out eight over 5 1/3 innings to pick up a win over the Mets his last time out. He’s compiled a stellar 1.96 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 72/20 K/BB ratio across 64 1/3 innings over 11 starts this season. Simply put, he’s one of the most electric young arms in baseball.

Myers hasn’t come off Cincinnati’s bench since last Friday due to illness. The 30-year-old reserve outfielder is presumably available, if needed, after getting a couple days off to rest and recover. Blake Dunn will continue handling center field and leading off for the Reds.

Hill hasn’t played since last Friday due to a lingering back issue. The fact that he hasn’t hit the injured list seems to signal that it’s not a significant concern. The 30-year-old backup outfielder is presumably available off the bench, if needed.

The encouraging news for the Royals and fantasy managers is that Garcia has yet to hit the injured list after suffering a right hamstring strain over the weekend. The 26-year-old underwent imaging on Sunday to determine the severity of the issue. It sounds like Kansas City is going to reevaluate him early this week to determine his next steps. It wouldn’t be surprising if he wound up hitting the injured list. There should be a definitive update on his status at some point soon.

There was some initial concern that Jax would require a trip to the injured list after being struck by a 107-mph comebacker during last week’s start against the Orioles. However, initial imaging didn’t reveal any fractures and he’s been cleared to take the ball at Tropicana Field on Monday night. It’s a nice spot for streaming purposes since Detroit ranks 27th as a team in slugging percentage against right-handed pitching this season.