MLB Player News

Dr. ElAttrache will meet with Cole to determiner the next steps in Cole’s recovery. It’s been reported that the right-hander has received a recommendation to undergo Tommy John surgery, but Cole and the Yankees are getting a second opinion. Fantasy managers should be prepared for the worst, but more info should be available on Cole’s status in the coming days.

Valdez gave up five hits, walked four and struck out three. He fell to 2-3 with the loss. Valdez has allowed 13 earned runs in 14 2/3 innings over his last three starts now. The 32-year-old left-hander has a career 3.41 ERA and 3.37 xFIP so fantasy managers have to be frustrated that he has a 4.58 ERA and 4.21 xFIP after 10 starts this year. Valdez is lined up to face the Orioles on the road this weekend for his second start this week.

Acuña didn’t end up making an appearance during Monday’s 12-0 blowout loss at loanDepot park after being activated from the injured list prior to the contest. The 28-year-old fantasy superstar will make his return to Atlanta’s lineup after missing just over two weeks with a left hamstring strain.

Cecconi gave up five hits, walked two and struck out four. He improved to 3-4 on the season with the win. Cecconi entered play Monday with a 5.60 ERA and 1.58 WHIP on the season, but had no trouble keeping a hapless Tigers offense at bay. The 26-year-old pitched into the eighth inning, making it his longest outing of the season. Cecconi has passed the first test of his two-start week as he’ll face the Phillies on the road this weekend.

Stefanic passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment over the weekend. The 30-year-old infielder went 2-for-5 in a pair of games for the Athletics earlier this month.

It was Bohm and Bryson stepping up for the Phillies tonight, as Stott hit a go-ahead homer after Bohm singled with the club down 4-3 in the eighth. Bohm’s homer off Nick Lodolo came two innings earlier. He’s 15-for-35 with three homers and three doubles during a nine-game hitting streak that has raised his OPS from .433 to .604.

A second straight very tidy outing from Painter saw him record his first quality start in only 69 pitches. Including last week’s start in Boston, he’s totaled 131 pitches while allowing three runs over 11 innings in his last two turns. In the two starts prior to that, he threw 187 pitches over 8 2/3 innings, giving up 11 runs in the process. Painter allowed three hits and five hard-hit balls tonight. He struck out three, settling for just three whiffs on 33 swings. But while strikeouts are nice, the Phillies surely prefer efficient six-inning outings for the moment. Painter will face the Guardians this weekend.

The first K tonight, against Nathaniel Lowe, was the product of a 10-pitch at-bat. Fortunately, he needed just eight more to get the remaining two outs, so he should be available again Tuesday. Duran has struck out multiple batters in all six of his appearances since coming off the IL.

Only 53 of Lodolo’s 97 pitches were strikes tonight. In three starts since returning from a blister, Lodolo has an 11/9 K/BB with three hit batters in 15 innings. His velocity is fine, and he’s throwing all of his pitches. Maybe the finger is still affecting his control, though. He’ll likely get an extra day off before facing the Cardinals on Sunday.

Ashcraft came into a 3-3 game in the bottom of the seventh. He pitched a scoreless frame then, after which the Reds took a 4-3 lead. However, he gave up a single to Alec Bohm and a homer to Bryson Stott in the bottom of the eighth. Ashcraft was pitching for the first time since giving up four runs on Friday. He’s definitely not adding to his case for save chances in a wide-open Reds bullpen.

As a result of his recent struggles, Stewart was dropped from third to fifth in the Reds lineup on Sunday, but it figures to be a temporary measure. His xwOBA was already trending back up some coming into tonight, and he’s back up to tied for 10th in the majors with 32 RBI. He’s eighth with his 24 barrels, which have led to 11 homers. He remains a strong bet going forward.