MLB Player News

Topa came in to get the final two outs after Eric Orze struggled to get through the ninth. It’s the first save for Topa, and while it’s possible he could get a few chances as the season continues, there’s not going to be enough opportunities to suggest he’s worth rostering.

Cruz is back in Pittsburgh’s lineup for the first time since June 7. The electrifying 27-year-old fantasy standout sat out Monday’s series opener against Detroit after being activated from the injured list. He wound up missing more than two months with multiple non-displaced fractures in his left hand. He’ll wind up sitting against the occasional lefty, but has made enough progress against them this season that it won’t happen every single time down the home stretch.

Valencia has been a sneaky impactful fantasy contributor this season, hitting .389 (21-for-54) with six homers and 17 RBI in 19 games. He’s not going to deliver a ton of volume with All-Star backstop Dillon Dingler firmly entrenched as Detroit’s starting catcher, but he’s worthy of a roster spot in most fantasy leagues, especially two-catcher formats.

Yesavage is roughly one week removed from undergoing left knee meniscus surgery and is aiming to return before the end of the regular season. The 23-year-old starter will need several weeks to build up his arm strength and pitch count and arm strength before he’s ready to jump back into Toronto’s rotation. He’s worth stashing in deeper mixed leagues, but fantasy managers in shallow formats are probably safe to cut bait.

Counsell added that Palencia has wrapped up a minor league rehab assignment, but won’t be activated prior to Tuesday’s game against the White Sox. Jacob Webb has been an unexpected revelation for Chicago and will likely remain in the mix for save chances, even when Palencia is back from the injured list. The hard-throwing 26-year-old has been out since mid-June with elbow inflammation.

Veen will open on the bench for the second straight contest with lefty Eric Lauer taking the ball for Los Angeles. The 24-year-old top prospect will continue taking a seat against most southpaws, but should do enough damage against right-handers to be worth rostering in most fantasy leagues.

Rangers manager Skip Schumaker told reporters deGrom could potentially start against the Nationals on Thursday. It’s an extremely encouraging development after the 38-year-old veteran left his previous start against the Angels after two innings with triceps fatigue.

It’s an extremely encouraging development after Whitlock required a trip to the injured list last week with elbow inflammation. The 30-year-old setup specialist has made a staggering 20 appearances since June 25, which is probably why he’s dealing with elbow issues. It sounds like there’s optimism he’ll make it back before the end of the regular season.

Tracy added that Yoshida will be sidelined until near the conclusion of the regular season. The 33-year-old was placed on the injured list over the weekend and can be safely dropped in deeper fantasy formats where he was being rostered.

It wouldn’t be surprising at all if Díaz has been pitching through a physical issue since he’s been lit up for a staggering 11 runs over 7 2/3 innings since returning from the injured list back on July 29. He was torched for three runs in mop-up duty, while also dealing with diminished velocity, against the Rockies on Monday night. Woo adds that Díaz is believed to be dealing with an upper-body issue that is unrelated to his surgically repaired elbow. Tanner Scott is the logical candidate to reclaim the closer role in Los Angeles. At this point, it’s challenging for fantasy managers to trust Díaz, even if he makes it back before the seasons concludes.

Lovullo added that it was Marte’s decision to undergo an MRI on his knee back in Arizona. He also said that he hopes he’ll return before the end of the season. There are more questions than answers at this point in the ongoing Marte situation, but it’s safe to assume that he isn’t returning to Arizona’s lineup at any point in the near future. The hope for fantasy managers is that there will be a definitive update on his status at some point in the near future. It’s challenging to justify hanging onto him in shallow mixed leagues based on everything that has transpired since the Diamondbacks landed in Boston earlier this week.