Many of you might be just a couple of weeks from your playoffs. As the summer and baseball season head into the homestretch, it is more important than ever to keep track of players on your team and those who might be available to help you during this time. Here’s the latest MLB news about some valuable fantasy contributors.
MLB News for August 27
Buster Posey to be sidelined six months due to hip surgery
Giants vice president of baseball operations, Brian Sabean, indicated in a radio interview that catcher Buster Posey will have surgery on his hip and miss at least six months. Posey will seek a second opinion but it appears that Posey will have the surgery on Monday.
The surgery is to repair his labrum and to remove a bone spur in his right hip. If his replacement Nick Hundley does not seem like an option, Tucker Barnhart, Robinson Chirinos, and Matt Wieters are available options. Wieters has turned things around in August after a slow start to the season. Owners may also want to look at Aramis Garcia, who is being promoted to replace Posey on the roster. Garcia was ranked No. 15 in the Giants’ system during MLB Pipeline’s midseason rankings.
Michael Kopech picks up his first win
Top White Sox prospect, Michael Kopech, pitched six impressive innings for his first Major League win. He allowed a run and seven hits in his second career start and maybe even more importantly, did not walk anyone. Fantasy owners in all formats may want to get him now as his ownership rate has jumped to 60% in most leagues. He is worth taking in almost all formats, even beyond keeper and dynasty type leagues.
.@MichaelKopech5 brought the heat in his first @MLB victory! #WhiteSoxhttps://t.co/X2nQYqyuXk
— Stadium (@Stadium) August 26, 2018
Nats reliever Kelvin Herrera injures leg
Nationals reliever Kelvin Herrera had to be carted off the field in the ninth inning of Sunday’s win over the Mets. Herrera will undergo further testing and the Nationals should provide an update on Monday. Herrera was acquired by the Nationals from the Royals in June. Between both teams, Herrera has a 2.44 ERA with a 56/20 K/BB ratio in 45 1/3 innings. Ryan Madson may return to pick up saves as well as Koda Glover.
Sean Manaea has shoulder issues
Athletics left-hander Sean Manaea is headed to the 10-day disabled list with left shoulder discomfort. He has been among the A’s most stable pitchers this season, with a 12-9 record in 27 starts and a 3.59 ERA, 1.8 BB/9 and 6.0 SO/9 over 160 2/3 innings. The rest of the Oakland rotation consists of Trevor Cahill, Brett Anderson, Mike Fiers, Edwin Jackson and Chris Bassitt, all of whom are widely available on most waiver wires and would make adequate replacements.
Matt Harvey put on waivers but stays with Reds
Matt Harvey was put on waivers last week by the Reds and claimed by the Brewers but the two teams could not reach a deal so Harvey will stay with the Reds for now. Last Friday he limited the Cubs to one run over 5 1/3 innings and has now put together three good starts in a row. He is owned about 25 percent of leagues and could be a valuable asset for fantasy owners needing pitching help down the stretch.
Mallex Smith has a viral infection
Rays outfielder Mallex Smith has been hospitalized with a viral infection, the team announced Friday night. Unfortunately for the Rays and fantasy owners, Smith is in the middle of his best season to date, slashing .307/.377/.433 at the plate with 27 stolen bases. If you are not interested in the struggling Tommy Pham as a replacement, consider Harrison Bader and the newly resurgent Melky Cabrera as options.
Aroldis Chapman out at least two more weeks
The Yankees have announced that closer Aroldis Chapman won’t be returning after the minimum 10 days expire on his disabled list stint. Chapman was placed on the DL Wednesday with left knee tendinitis, a condition the closer has pitched with for most of the season but became unbearable during last Tuesday’s outing against Miami. Manager Aaron Boone said he’ll rotate Dellin Betances, Zach Britton, and David Robertson to close, depending on matchups. If you don’t feel like taking a chance on one of these experienced closers, Texas closer Jose Leclerc is still available in 50 percent of leagues.
https://twitter.com/YankeesNewsFeed/status/1033192005633855488
Arizona signs top Japanese prospect
Keep an eye on this name for future reference: Shumpei Yoshikawa. Arizona signed the 23-year-old Japanese pitcher to a Minor League contract on Friday after Yoshikawa elected to forgo the opportunity to start his professional career in Japan in favor of a chance at playing in the Major Leagues. Yoshikawa was a top amateur prospect in Japan and expected to be a high selection in Nippon Professional Baseball’s upcoming October amateur draft. Keeper and Dynasty owners want to keep him on their radar.
Jose Abreu has minor surgery
The White Sox have lost Jose Abreu for at least two weeks after he needed outpatient surgery for an unidentified issue in his lower abdomen/groin area. This is expected to keep him out for at least two weeks, and more than likely he is out until mid-September. In shallow leagues, Ryan Zimmerman may be available and has been playing well of late and those in deeper leagues could look at Kendrys Morales and Wilmer Flores, as well as Abreu’s part-time replacement Matt Davidson.
Cubs acquire Daniel Murphy from the Nationals
The Chicago Cubs acquired Daniel Murphy from the Washington Nationals in exchange for prospect Andruw Monasterio and a player to be named later. The Cubs have a pretty flexible roster so they’ll likely be able to find a good amount of playing time for him and when he doesn’t start, he’ll be a great option off the bench. He is owned in most leagues but has played well of late and should be started in most formats.
🤩 Home Run! 🤩- Daniel Murphy – Chicago Cubs
Season Totals
.311 AVG, 21 R, 8 HR, 33 RBI, 1 SB, .348 OBP, 0.819 OPS
#homerun #fantasybaseball— RotoRise (@RotoRise) August 25, 2018
Cardinals pick up Matt Adams from Nats
The Nationals have parted ways with first baseman/outfielder Matt Adams, who joins the Cardinals via the waiver claim process. Adams is batting .257/.332/.510 in 94 games and 277 plate appearances for the Nationals this season. He spent his first six years with the Cardinals. His path to playing time is a little more unsettled in the crowded Cardinal roster. Fantasy owners should keep an eye on him to see if a pennant race will bolster his stat lines.
Keep up with all the latest Fantasy Baseball news with Van Lee, Jeff Zimmerman and Rob Silver on the Launch Angle Podcast.