MLB Player News

Justin Wrobleski is expected to be the bulk guy. He last pitched Wednesday, when he threw 74 pitches over five innings in relief. It’ll be Dreyer’s fifth time opening this season. He’s not going to get a chance to face a lefty unless he lasts six batters until Ryan McMahon comes up.

McGonigle receives his opportunity in the heart of Detroit’s lineup with cleanup man Riley Greene hitting the injured list with a hamstring strain. The 21-year-old rookie has batted near the top of the lineup for the last four-plus months. He doesn’t offer the prototypical middle-of-the-order skillset, but the brand-new lineup spot should result in a noticeable uptick in run-producing opportunities, which is a positive for his fantasy value.

Roden, called up five weeks ago, was just 10-for-52 with one extra-base hit in 23 games, putting his roster spot in jeopardy. This will help keep him there against right-handers for now, but the lack of homers or steals makes him pretty irrelevant for fantasy purposes. He’s collected a total of two home runs and one stolen base in 218 major league plate appearances since debuting with the Blue Jays last year.

Dylan Beavers’ three-run homer in the third was the big blow. However, the Twins immediately picked him up with four runs in the bottom of the inning and had a 7-4 lead when he departed after five. It’s Matthews’ second straight win after he went 0-3 in five starts in July. He’ll take a 5.34 ERA into his next start against the Braves.

Gómez walked the next batter after the Leody Taveras homer, but he then got a liner back to the mound that he turned into a double play, followed by a groundout. It’s the third time in five appearances this month that Gomez has allowed a run, though one of those was just the automatic runner in the 10th. He still hasn’t blown a save chance this year.

Something was well off with Baz today, as he averaged just 94.0 mph with his fastball. That’s two mph off his season average and one mph under his previous season low from June 7. He indicated after the game that the issue was likely mechanical, rather than anything injury related. Baz had been doing his best work of the season lately, allowing a total of five earned runs in his previous four starts. He’s due to face the Yankees next week.

Beavers struck out his other two times up before being lifted for a pinch-hitter against a lefty in the eighth. The homer off Zebby Matthews was Beavers’ third in 223 plate appearances this season. He’s been a disappointment in the power department after hitting 18 homers in 418 plate appearances in Triple-A and four in 137 plate appearances in the majors last year.

Julks returns to the majors with run-producer Riley Greene hitting the shelf with a hamstring strain. The well-traveled 30-year-old has hit .273/.347/.453 with 15 homers and nine steals in 366 plate appearances for Triple-A Toledo this season. He’s gotten into 165 games between the Astros and White Sox since 2023.

It’s brutal timing for Detroit, and fantasy managers, with just over six weeks remaining in the season. No word yet regarding the severity of the strain, which will determine how much time Greene misses. However, fantasy managers should brace for a multi-week absence. The 25-year-old middle-of-the-order force has graded out as a top-25 range fantasy outfielder this season, hitting .273/.366/.450 with 65 runs scored, 16 homers, 54 RBI and three steals in 492 plate appearances through 117 games.

Watson never wound up making it to Detroit after being added to the club’s 40-man roster last month. The 29-year-old reliever should clear waivers and wind up back at Triple-A Toledo.

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.