Nice assist!

Kickball 🤝 Baseball

(MLB x @Woodbridge_Wine) pic.twitter.com/Sx6KwqAcHb

— MLB (@MLB) September 6, 2023

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Have your friend’s back like Elly does:

The old 1-4-6-3 putout that only Elly De La Cruz could pull off. 🤯

(MLB x @Woodbridge_Wine) pic.twitter.com/mXLml22DDr

— MLB (@MLB) September 4, 2023

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Add this to the list of things I have never seen:

This UMPIRE was ejected from the game for getting into it with a player 😳

Have you ever seen an umpire get thrown out?

(via @JomboyMedia) pic.twitter.com/flo0fdnx7m

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 28, 2023

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Ya know, I’m starting to think Sarah Langs might just be onto something – baseball really is the best:

Braves pitcher Darius Vines went six strong innings in his MLB debut and his mother was brought to tears when being asked about it pic.twitter.com/GO17Xg5PmL

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) August 31, 2023

On the Agenda:

1. ‘Tis the SZNs
2. Bumps and Bruises
3. Comeback Trails
4. Streaming Pitchers

‘Tis the SZNs

With New York hopes of contending far in the rearview and center fielder, Harrison Bader, recently placed on waivers, top prospect Jasson Domínguez will be called up in time for this weekend’s series against Houston. The 20-year-old whetted our fantasy dreams with 15 HR and 37 SB over 507 PA at Double-A this season and has put up a .494 wOBA and 187 wRC+ over a brief eight-game sample at Triple-A.

Dominguez will be joined by catcher, Austin Wells, who has 17 HR and 7 SB across three levels this year, most recently slashing .262/.355/.467 over 141 PA at Triple-A.

Ronny Mauricio is expected to be called by the Mets this weekend. Mauricio has laid waste to Triple-A this season, slashing .295/.349/.511 over 527 PA, with 23 HR and 24 SB, with a .371 wOBA.

Ceddanne Rafaela got his first start in the bigs at shortstop on Wednesday, with Trevor Story getting the night off, going 1-for-4, with a double, a run scored, and an RBI. Rafaela has dominated at two levels this season (.302/.349/.520, 20 HR, 36 SB) but doesn’t necessarily have a path to everyday playing time.

Bumps and Bruises

Julio Rodríguez missed his second straight game on Wednesday with a pinched nerve in his foot, with manager Scott Servis hopeful he’ll be able to return in time for this weekend’s series against the Mets.

Salvador Perez was scratched with a tight back on Wednesday. Consider him day-to-day.

Lane Thomas was pulled in the seventh inning yesterday with a balky back. Consider him day-to-day.

After getting pulled on Tuesday with a hip issue, Jorge Soler was out again on Wednesday. Consider him day-to-day for now but do be aware that hips don’t lie and Soler also had issues with his in 2022.

Comeback Trails

Ranger Suárez (hamstring) will be activated to start Philadelphia’s series finale in Milwaukee on Sunday.

J.D. Martinez (groin) is expected to start a brief rehab assignment soon before rejoining the Dodgers this weekend. Martinez has been out of action since August 19, having slashed .262/.338/.446 in the second half, with 3 HR in 76 PA.

Ryan Helsley (forearm) is likely to be activated from the IL on Friday. Considering he hasn’t pitched in the majors since early June and has had multiple starts and stops to his rehab track, it’s hard to assume he’ll immediately move back into the St. Louis closer role.

Marcus Stroman (rib) got some long-toss in on Wednesday but is running out of time to rejoin the Cubs rotation for any meaningful amount of fantasy contributions before the regular season ends.

Streaming Pitchers

Ahh, the shortest of the short-slates…We have a whopping four games today!

Streaming Pitcher for Today: Umm, no.

High Risk for Today: Joan Adon, WSN vs MIA – Look, we’re picking bones here. Adon has a 5.25 ERA (4.64 FIP) for the year but will get a rematch against a Marlins team that he just shut out for six innings in his last start, allowing three hits and striking out three.

Matt Manning, DET @NYY – Since allowing a total of 19 runs (17 ER) over an earlier three-start stretch, Manning has been solid for his most recent three starts, allowing just 1 ER (4 R) over 17.2 IP. But being backed by a languid Detroit offense that has only scored a total of 11 runs over their current five-game losing streak and a miniature 15% K%, Manning’s value ceiling is extremely limited.

Unreal effort:

This AMAZING catch by Austin Slater ends the 8th inning to keep Alex Cobb's no-hit bid alive! pic.twitter.com/hAJSRVHpYx

— MLB (@MLB) August 30, 2023

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The last month of the season is going to be fun:

Live look at the AL West division race pic.twitter.com/lfj8ddulMY

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 28, 2023

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Corbin Carroll is very fast – but if “Real Genius” taught me anything, it’s that you can’t outrun a forking laser:

Corbin Carroll vs Elly De La Cruz.

De La Cruz: 99.7mph missile to get him. 🚀 pic.twitter.com/5xlBGnOxq2

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 27, 2023

Well, that and the fact that it’s not only possible but also extremely hilarious to get revenge on someone by filling their house with popcorn.

On the Agenda

1. News and Notes
2. Bumps and Bruises
3. Comeback Trails
4. Streaming Pitchers

News and Notes

After signing him to a 1 yr/$8.75 million contract in the offseason, the Rockies released Jurickson Profar over the weekend and called up first baseman (who can also catch and play outfield), Hunter Goodman. Goodman had only just been promoted to Triple-A a few weeks ago but had been absolutely crushing it, slashing .371/.418/.903 over 67 PA, with 9 HR (and six doubles), 15 R, and 33 RBI. My maths ain’t always so good but 33 RBI in 15 games isn’t too shabby, right? Over a larger sample at Double-A (91 games, 400 PA), Goodman slashed .239/.325/.523, with 25 HR and 24 doubles. He might have a below-average hit-tool but Goodman had some of the biggest raw power in the minors and could be a solid source of fantasy production for your September runs.

As expected, David Robertson seems to be out as closer in Miami after blowing another Save over the weekend (and two in his last three chances), with Tanner Scott coming in to close out their 2-1 win over the Nationals on Sunday. Robertson had a 2.05 ERA (3.59 FIP) over 44 IP with the Mets but just couldn’t stop getting blown up after being traded south, blowing three of his seven Save chances and running a 7.20 ERA (6.17 FIP). This was, by far, the Mets best move this season.

Bumps and Bruises

Rafael Devers wore one on his wrist on Saturday and ended up missing Sunday’s game but the X-rays came back clean, with manager Alex Cora anticipating that Devers will be able to play against the Astros today.

O’ Canada got a little less healthy yesterday. Matt Chapman was pulled in the sixth inning with inflammation in the same right middle finger that caused him to miss three games a few weeks ago after he pinched it in the weight room and Bo Bichette left as a precautionary measure with a tight quadriceps. Chapman’s issue appears to be the more serious of the two but missed time by either could herald the return of the everso-brief Cavan Biggio SZN we were treated to while Bichette was on the IL at the start of August.

Yandy Díaz missed his second straight game on Sunday after being hit with a pitch on his forearm but clean X-rays seem to indicate that he’ll be back sooner than later. Consider him day-to-day.

Adrian Houser made it just two innings in his start against the Padres on Sunday, being pulled with forearm tightness. But don’t worry – it’s minor!.. Supposedly.

Tyler O’Neill was scratched yesterday with left knee discomfort, with Richie Palacios taking his place in center field. Like most of his career, consider O’Neill day-to-day.

Comeback Trails

Byron Buxton (hamstring) is scheduled to run the bases later today and face live pitching on Tuesday, moving him that much closer to a rehab assignment. Unfortunately, the 1st Law of Buxton Dynamics tells us that the closer Buxton moves to return from the IL, the closer he’ll necessarily move to his next IL trip. It’s science.

Ranger Suárez (hamstring) will throw live batting practice on Monday and could return to the Phillies rotation by early next week.

The San Francisco outfield is about to get a lot more crowded, with Mike Yastrzemski (hamstring) and Mitch Haniger (forearm) likely to return during their upcoming series with the Reds. Let the clocks on Luis Matos, Wade Meckler, and Heliot Ramos, begin!

Lars Nootbaar (“abdomen”) is expected to return next week to a Cardinals team that continues to circle the drain, having now lost nine of their last 11 games. Boo birds.

Michael Brantley (shoulder) is finishing up another rehab assignment and should (finally) return to Houston this week to make his season debut. If your team is screaming for some part-time empty batting average, he’s your huckleberry.

Streaming Pitchers

Oh my goodness – I feel rich! Not only do we have a full slate of games but a whole mess of starters are likely available on your waiver wire, with some of them set up for a Week 23 two-stepper.

Streaming Pitcher for Today: Johan Oviedo, PIT @KCR – Oviedo gets the almost always juicy matchup of the Royals in late August and will finish his two-step by letting the Cardinals continue to Show-Me (us) some bad baseball over the weekend. The Royals have lost 10 of their last 12 games and are 26th in wOBA vs RHP in 2023 and in two starts vs STL this season, Oviedo has allowed 2 ER in 12 IP, with 15 K.

High Risk for Today: Kyle Harrison, SFG vs CIN – The whiffs are for real but the risk comes from how likely Harrison is to go deep into his start/be eligible for a win. He lasted only 3.1 IP in his major league debut at Philadelphia but struck out five while allowing 2 ER on 5 hits and a walk. But he’s also scheduled to start against the Padres on Saturday so you could end up with a week’s total of 7-8 IP and double-digit strikeouts.

Streaming Pitcher for Tomorrow: Brandon Williamson, CIN @SFG

Nick Pollack is a fun house guest:

When you let @PitcherList stay at your house, prepare for your whiteboard to be vandalized pic.twitter.com/qPoKcmIAOH

— Justin Mason (@JustinMasonFWFB) August 25, 2023

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We now go live to the saddest person in baseball:

Perry Minasian provides injury updates on Trout and Ohtani@Angels | #GoHalos pic.twitter.com/S0mQguxGnQ

— Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) August 24, 2023

I just want to know how much their social media person laughed ruefully while typing “#GoHalos”.

On the Agenda:

1. News and Notes
2. Bumps and Bruises
3. Streaming Pitchers

News and Notes

Aaron Judge went full triple-dong on Wednesday, in what’s known colloquially in fantasy as, “too little, too late”. But 27 HR, 55 R, and 54 RBI are still pretty decent for someone who has played only 72 games.

Ryan Pepiot will be recalled from Triple-A to start against the Guardians today after making his season debut last week (5 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 1 ER, 5 K). Pepiot had a 3.47 ERA over nine starts in the majors last season and should get a chance to stick in the rotation for the rest of the year with Tony Gonsolin now unlikely to return to action.

Paul DeJong had himself a day in his first game as a Giant, going 3-for-5 with a two-run home run after going just 3-for-44 in his brief time as a Blue Jay. Expect him to last in the lineup right about until Brandon Crawford returns from the IL at the end of the month.

José Abreu (back) was activated from the 10-day IL yesterday, going 1-for-5 with an RBI. Barring a reaggravation of the injury, expect Abreu to continue being a massive fantasy disappointment for the rest of 2023.

Yordan Alvarez could return to the Astros lineup on Thursday, according to manager Dusty Baker, after missing the previous two games with a slammed (door) left index finger.

Joe Ryan (groin) is expected to return from the 15-day IL on Saturday for a start against the Rangers. After throwing 71 pitches in a rehab start last Friday, he shouldn’t have any workload concerns. The Rangers offense, on the other hand, remains concerning for most pitchers.

Oneil Cruz has had his running program shut down as he works to return from ankle surgery. Cruz could technically return prior to the end of the season but the Pirates director of sports medicine also said ominously that “we’re running out of days”. In other words, everyone who stashed him for a September push can go ahead and drop away.

In more positive Cruz newz*, Elly De La Cruz went bonkers in the first game of a doubleheader yesterday, going 2-for-5 with a home run, triple, and six RBI. In fewer than 300 PA, De La Cruz now has 11 HR, 59 R, 33 RBI, and 21 SB. The only question that remains is, just how high will he go in 2024 drafts?

*I’m sorry.

Bumps and Bruises

Shohei Ohtani will not pitch again this season after tearing the UCL in his right elbow, departing his start yesterday after throwing just 26 pitches. But because his full name is actually, “baseball demigod, Shohei Ohtani”, he talked himself into playing the second game of their doubleheader and hit his 44th home run of the season. Further plans are still unknown (will he be Harper or Story?) but at this point, Angels fans must feel like every season is just a neverending series of swift kicks to the nethers.

Speaking of nether kicks, Mike Trout will head back to the IL after playing in just one game following his return from a nearly two-month absence. Swinging in the game on Tuesday apparently resulted in too much soreness so Trout will now be shut down for 10 days in the hope of getting him back before the season ends.

In more world-class bummer news, Stone Garrett was badly injured trying to rob a home run last night, being carted off the field after remaining down for five-plus minutes. We, of course, won’t know until we know but this doesn’t look great for his rest-of-season prospects:

Heartbreaking scene as Stone Garrett is carted off with lower-leg injury after attempting to rob home run.#MLB pic.twitter.com/g9PJFzpKYx

— IAP Radio (@inapickpod) August 24, 2023

Kenley Jansen was pulled last night against the Astros with hamstring tightness. Consider him day-to-day.

Michael Kopech was pulled in the fifth inning of his start yesterday with leg cramps. Consider him day-to-day.

Streaming Pitchers

Streaming Pitcher for Today: None I’m confident recommending.

High Risk for Today: Ryan Pepiot, LAD @CLE – The matchup is fine, as is the talent but Pepiot’s ceiling is probably five innings and Cleveland rarely strikes out vs RHP (18.5% K%, 1st in MLB). That makes for walking a thin line to value if rolling with a stream.

Streaming Pitcher for Tomorrow: Griffin Canning, LAA @NYM

Flying towards the end of the season like:

Wow! Alek Thomas tracks it down! 👏

(via @Dbacks)pic.twitter.com/WuQ6BMsA7f

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) August 23, 2023

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