MLB Player News

Betts made a statement after being dropped to the cleanup spot for the first time since 2017, taking Rockies starter Kyle Freeland deep for a two-run blast in the first inning. He added a single in the third, then later extended the lead with a three-run blast in the sixth off Zach Agnos to give him five RBI. Betts had just one hit in his previous four games before Tuesday’s offensive breakthrough. The 33-year-old shortstop is slashing .190/.250/.429 with six homers, 13 runs scored, and 15 RBI across 92 plate appearances.

Brandon Eisert will get the ball to kick off the contest before Fedde makes a bulk relief appearance. The 33-year-old veteran was roughed up for eight runs over 3 1/3 innings his previous time out against the Giants last week. He’s not a recommended fantasy option.

Tiedemann will get a couple sessions under his belt before he’s cleared to start a rehab assignment at some point next month. The 23-year-old southpaw was one of the top pitching prospects in baseball just a couple years ago before injuries derailed his promising career. There’s a chance he makes it to the majors at some point later this year.

Macko gets the ball for his first career start after tossing four scoreless innings out of Toronto’s bullpen since being called up from Triple-A Buffalo earlier this month. The 25-year-old lefty is not a recommended streaming option for fantasy purposes, especially in a tough road matchup at hitter-friendly Camden Yards.

Castillo expressed some frustration with the piggyback situation following his last outing against the Athletics where he threw 68 pitches over four shutout frames. Miller has voiced similar displeasure with the situation as well. However, the bizarre arrangement has worked for the Mariners from a results standpoint with Castillo and Miller combining to limit the Athletics to just a pair of runs over nine innings their last time out. It’s possible the pair’s reluctance to pitch in relief will lead to Seattle changing their roles. It’ll be Miller opening the contest with Castillo following on Sunday afternoon at T-Mobile Park.

It’ll be Skubal’s second time facing hitters within the past week as he continues to his literally record-breaking recovery from an innovative NanoScope procedure on his elbow earlier this month. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch told reporters previously that the 29-year-year ace will need at least one minor league rehab start before returning to Detroit’s rotation, which puts him on track to return at some point mid-June.

Domínguez was able to resume hitting last week and should return to minor league game action at some point next week. The 23-year-old former top prospect hit the injured list with an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder back on May 8.

Seager was scheduled to take live batting practice last weekend, but that session was ultimately scuttled after he didn’t bounce back from a workout. The 32-year-old fantasy standout hit the injured list with back inflammation on May 18. There should be a clearer picture concerning his return timeline and next steps at some point this weekend.

Díaz underwent surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow last month and is expected to be sidelined until after the All-Star break in mid-July. There should be a clearer return timeline once he starts ramping up his throwing program. There’s zero urgency for the Dodgers to rush him back considering their bullpen has been one of the best in baseball this season, largely without Díaz, thanks to the emergence of younger arms like Kyle Hurt and Will Klein. It’ll likely be Tanner Scott continuing to handle the bulk of the save chances in his absence.

Stewart is likely going to need a rehab assignment since he’s made just two appearances this season due to foot and shoulder issues. The 34-year-old has the stuff to pitch in high-leverage spots and will help fortify Los Angeles’ late-inning mix once he’s back in early June.

Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer said earlier this month that Dollander would be shut down for 2-3 weeks before being cleared to start a throwing progression. The 24-year-old former top pitching prospect was in the midst of a legitimate breakthrough campaign before hitting the injured list with an elbow strain back on May 15. There should be a definitive return timeline once he resumes throwing, but fantasy managers probably shouldn’t expect him back until after the All-Star break in mid-July.