• Dominant in win
    Javier (3-1) earned the win over the Athletics on Wednesday, pitching six shutout innings while allowing two hits and one walk. He struck out eight.

    Advice: Javier came out firing Thursday, striking out five of the first eight batters he faced before finishing with a season-high eight punchouts on the night. The right-hander threw only nine of his 21 first pitches for strikes, but also produced 15 whiffs as he cruised to his third win of the season. It was certainly a nice return to form for Javier, who was shelled for seven runs in his first start after returning from the injured list a week ago. The quality start was his third of the campaign, while it also marked the second time this season in which he's allowed two or fewer hits in an outing. Rotowire.com Today, 4:08 am
  • Javier picks up third win vs. A’s
    Cristian Javier struck out eight in six shutout innings and picked up the win in the Astros’ 8-1 victory over the Athletics on Thursday.

    Advice: Javier allowed only two hits and a walk. It was a good bounce back start for him after he had allowed seven runs against the Tigers in his last start. Javier lowered his ERA to 3.23 on the season. He’ll face the Angels at home in his next start. Rotoworld Yesterday, 7:57 pm
  • Brandon Nimmo scratched from Thursday’s lineup
    Brandon Nimmo has been scratched from the lineup for Thursday’s showdown against the Phillies due to illness.

    Advice: Nimmo is dealing with a stomach bug, which will keep him out for at least Thursday’s contest. It’ll be Tyrone Taylor moving up to the leadoff spot and DJ Stewart taking over in left field. He’s presumably day-to-day for now. Rotoworld Yesterday, 1:28 pm
    Brandon NimmoNYM - OF
    W, 4-2 vs CHC
     
  • Scratched from lineup
    Nimmo was scratched from the Mets' lineup prior to Thursday's game against the Phillies due to a stomach illness, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

    Advice: Nimmo wasn't feeling well heading into Thursday's contest, so the Mets will give him the day off to recover. In the meantime, DJ Stewart will take Nimmo's place in left field and bat fifth, moving Tyrone Taylor into the leadoff spot. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 1:22 pm
    Brandon NimmoNYM - OF
    W, 4-2 vs CHC
     
  • Rehab assignment on tap Friday
    LeMahieu (foot) is in line to begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Somerset on Friday, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

    Advice: LeMahieu has already joined Somerset, but he will first go through a full workout Thursday and, assuming that goes off without a hitch, will begin playing in games Friday. The veteran infielder had to have his initial rehab assignment last month halted after just one inning due to ongoing issues with his right foot, but he's now ready to try again. Since he's missed so much time, the expectation is that LeMahieu will probably need at least a handful of rehab games before rejoining the Yankees' active roster. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 9:18 am
    DJ LeMahieuNYY - 1B,2B,3B
    L, 2-4 @BAL
     
  • Keibert Ruiz feels he needs “a better plan”
    According to Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports, Keibert Ruiz is going back to the drawing board to try and break out of his slump.

    Advice: It’s been a rough start to the season for Ruiz, who missed two weeks because of a nasty case of the flu and now has put up a .393 OPS in 90 plate appearances, which among the 270 major leaguers who have taken at least 90 plate appearances so far this season, ranks dead-last in baseball. “I’ve got to sit down, relax, think a little bit better and swing at better pitches,” said Ruiz. “A better plan. And just stay with it. Don’t go out of the plan. Don’t chase for results. Just have a plan, and whatever happens, happens.” Ruiz is currently chasing pitches out of the zone less than before and making far more contact than last year. He’s also pulling the ball at the same rate and swinging and missing less, so it might not be what pitches he’s swinging at as much as it’s what he’s trying to do on those pitches. Rotoworld Yesterday, 9:13 am
     
  • Braves coaches think Acuña needs a “detox”
    According to Ken Suguira of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Braves gave Ronald Acuña Jr. the day off on Wednesday because they wanted him to “detox” as a way to break his slump.

    Advice: Acuña’s batting average (.245), slugging percentage (.342), and home-run rate (one per 51.7 at-bats) are all beneath the single-season lows in his seven-year career, as the 26-year-old tries to follow up a historically good season. “You can just read their faces sometimes, and actions,” said Braves coach Brian Snitker. “And it’s like, ‘Well, it’s time.’ Kid needs a little breather here. He’s played every inning of every game. It’s not a bad thing to sit and watch sometimes.” Braves coaches, Eddie Pérez and Tom Goodwin, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that they believe that Acuña is pressing. “Sometimes, you force some things,” Goodwin said. Perhaps with a short break, Acuña will get back to the level everybody has seen him produce at before. Fantasy managers should clearly keep him in the lineup and hope he gets it going soon. Rotoworld Yesterday, 9:08 am
     
  • Heading to bench Thursday
    Cabrera is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Twins.

    Advice: Cabrera has been the Yankees' preferred option at third base all season, but he's started to cede more work of late to Jon Berti, who will occupy the hot corner for the fourth time in six games Thursday. Given that he holds a 129-point advantage in OPS over Berti for the season, Cabrera should still be the favored option more often than not, but both will see their opportunities take a hit once DJ LeMahieu (foot) eventually returns from the injured list to make his 2024 debut. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:54 am
    Oswaldo CabreraNYY - 2B,3B,SS,OF
    L, 2-4 @BAL
     
  • Closing in on rehab stint
    Murphy (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment next week, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

    Advice: The catcher has been out since Opening Day after suffering an oblique strain, and Atlanta has taken things slowly with him so far. Murphy now appears to be in the final stages of his recovery, but given the amount of time he's missed, his rehab assignment could last more than just a few days. Travis d'Arnaud will continue handling catching duties until Murphy returns, backed up by Chadwick Tromp. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:34 am
    Sean MurphyATL - C
    L, 2-3 @SEA