Yahoo Sports Fantasy Baseball

  • Back from injured list
    The Diamondbacks reinstated Thomas (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Tuesday.

    Advice: Thomas suffered a left hamstring strain during the fourth game of the season, and multiple setbacks have contributed to his three-month absence. Now, after playing in 10 rehab games between the Arizona Complex League and Triple-A, the 24-year-old outfielder has been cleared to return to the big-league roster. It's possible the D-backs have him sit occasionally as he gets used to facing MLB pitchers again, but he'll almost certainly reclaim his role as Arizona's primary center fielder. Blaze Alexander was optioned to Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 3:31 pm
     
  • Taking seat Tuesday
    Merrifield is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Cubs, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

    Advice: Merrifield's playing time has been trending upward lately, starting four of the Phillies' previous six games. However, he'll yield to Brandon Marsh in left field for Tuesday's series opener in Chicago. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 1:41 pm
    Whit MerrifieldPHI - 2B,3B,OF
    W, 5-3 @CHC
    New Player Note
     
  • Two stolen bases against Nats
    Bader went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two stolen bases in Monday's extra-inning win over the Nationals.

    Advice: Batting second against southpaw MacKenzie Gore, Bader was disruptive from the top of the order, singling and swiping second base in the sixth and seventh innings. The 30-year-old center fielder has reeled off four two-hit performances in his last six starts, batting .360 (9-for-25) during that stretch with three doubles, two homers, four steals, four RBI and eight runs. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:19 am
     
  • Daulton Varsho goes hitless versus Astros
    Daulton Varsho went hitless in a seventh consecutive start Monday, finishing 0-for-3 with a walk against the Astros.

    Advice: Varsho did get a hit off the bench Saturday, but he’s 1-for-28 with 13 strikeouts since June 19, dropping his average to .197. There’s too much homer and steal potential here to make Varsho droppable in fantasy leagues, but it’s tempting. Of course, he’s especially valuable in 6x6 leagues that include 280-foot flyouts as a category. Rotoworld Monday, 3:15 pm
     
  • At least one more rehab game
    Thomas (hamstring) will remain with Triple-A Reno and play another game Tuesday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

    Advice: After playing Tuesday, the team will reassess whether Thomas is ready to be activated. He sustained the injury during the fourth game of the season and has missed three months because of it. Thomas was originally anticipated to return in early May, but his rehab was paused twice since then. Rotowire.com Monday, 3:55 am
     
  • Taking seat Sunday
    Schuemann is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

    Advice: Schuemann has gone 5-for-41 (.122 average) with a 32.1 percent strikeout rate in his past 13 games and will sit for Sunday's series finale in Arizona. Aledmys Diaz will take over at shortstop and bat ninth. Rotowire.com Sunday, 12:50 pm
    Max SchuemannOAK - 2B,SS,OF
    W, 5-0 vs LAA
    New Player Note
     
  • Retreating to bench vs. lefty
    Wade is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers.

    Advice: The platoon-happy Giants will hold out Wade and fellow lefty-hitting regulars Michael Conforto and Brett Wisely while the Dodgers send a southpaw (James Paxton) to the hill. David Villar will check in at first base in place of Wade, who went 2-for-9 with a double, a walk and a run scored in the first two games of the series following his return from a month-long stay on the injured list due to a hamstring strain. Rotowire.com Sunday, 11:56 am
     
  • Playing time trending up
    Merrifield will start in left field and bat seventh in Sunday's game against the Marlins.

    Advice: Merrifield will get his third start in four games and should be in store for an uptick in playing time in the short term after the Phillies recently placed both Bryce Harper (hamstring) and Kyle Schwarber (groin) on the injured list. Through 16 games in June while seeing mostly sporadic at-bats, Merrifield has slashed .216/.293/.297 with one home run and one stolen base. Rotowire.com Sunday, 10:32 am
    Whit MerrifieldPHI - 2B,3B,OF
    W, 5-3 @CHC
    New Player Note
     
  • Not in Sunday's lineup
    Bader is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros.

    Advice: Bader started the previous five games and will take a seat Sunday after going 6-for-20 with three doubles, two homers and two steals during that span. Brandon Nimmo will move to center field while Ben Gamel starts in left for the series finale versus Houston. Rotowire.com Sunday, 9:27 am