Note: You are reading this message either because you do not have a standards-compliant browser, or because you can not see our css files.
Welcome to Yahoo! Fantasy Sports: Skip to Content Skip to Section Navigation
Player Notes
Stat Sub Navigation
Thu, May 23Recent News
- Michael Brantley went 3-for-5 with three RBI in the Indians' loss to the Tigers on Wednesday.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: Brantley did all his damage with three singles, bringing his RBI count to 24 and his batting average to .309 in the process. And the left fielder is 7-for-16 (.438) in his last four games with nine RBI in those 16 at-bats. The 26-year-old is well on his way to an encore of a 2012 season in which he hit .288 with 37 doubles.
Sun, May 19
- Michael Brantley had an RBI single and a three-run homer in Sunday's win over the Mariners.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: The longball came in the second inning off of Felix Hernandez. It's just the second homer of the season for Brantley, who was hitting third in the batting order. The outfielder has now driven in 19 while hitting .301 as he quietly puts together a nice season.
Thu, May 23Recent News
- Brayan Pena went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored in the Tigers' 11-7 victory over the Indians on Wednesday.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: Pena doesn't play much -- Wednesday was just his 14th game of the year -- but when he does, he usually hits. His three-hit game raised his average to .304, and with starting catcher Alex Avila struggling it may mean more at-bats for Pena in the near future.
Thu, May 23Recent News
- Burch Smith lasted just one-plus innings Wednesday and gave up four runs in a loss to the Cardinals.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: We were surprised Smith wasn't pulled from the rotation last week with his ERA sitting at 15.63. Now it's up to 18.41. He has to be a goner this time, and Tim Stauffer, who replaced him tonight and allowed one run in 5 2/3 innings, is the obvious choice to replace him.
Sat, May 18
- Burch Smith gave up five runs and three homers in 5 1/3 innings Friday in a no-decision against the Nationals.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: Smith struck out eight and walked just one, but there was no overcoming the homers. He has a 15.63 ERA after two starts, so his rotation spot is tenuous at best.
Thu, May 23Recent News
- Yadier Molina had four of the Cardinals' 14 hits in Wednesday's win over the Padres.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: Molina's sitting on just two homers after hitting 22 last year, but he's batting .333. Unfortunately, it's not leading too many RBI; most of his 21 came in April and he hasn't had a two-RBI game in four weeks.
Thu, May 23Recent News
- Jedd Gyorko went 2-for-4 and hit his fifth homer Wednesday versus the Cardinals.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: With two homers and three doubles among his 13 hits in his last eight games, Gyorko is really coming along now; his average is up to .283 and all five of his homers have come in May. We don't expect him to keep his average up this high -- he strikes out a bit too much right now -- but he's a solid play in mixed leagues.
Thu, May 23Recent News
- Justin Verlander allowed five runs over five innings but earned the win Wednesday as the Tigers beat the Indians.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: Verlander had to work for his fifth win, needing 110 pitches to get through five. He gave up 10 hits, including a home run, but was aided by his team putting up nine runs in the same span. It marks the third-straight start in which Verlander has been less-than-great, seeing his ERA rise from 1.55 to 3.66 since May 5. There's still little reason to worry, though, and he'll take the mound again Monday against the Pirates.
Thu, May 23Recent News
- Ubaldo Jimenez allowed six runs over four innings in the Indians' loss to the Tigers on Wednesday.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: Jimenez had been on a bit of a roll before Wednesday, having not allowed more than two runs in any of his previous four starts. But the Tigers got to Jimenez for seven hits and three walks in his shortest outing since April 16. His next start will come Monday against the Reds.
Fri, May 17
- Ubaldo Jimenez delivered another strong effort in a no-decision against the Mariners on Friday, surrendering two runs on seven hits over his five frames.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: Jimenez racked up nine strikeouts on the evening while walking two. Unfortunately for Jimenez, Rich Hill came on in the sixth inning and immediately surrendered his 3-1 lead. Over his last four outings, he's compiled a 1.90 ERA and 29/8 K/BB ratio over 23 2/3 innings. While he's unlikely to continue at this pace, he's certainly usable in all fantasy formats for the time being. He'll look to get back in the win column when he takes on the Tigers at home on Wednesday.
Thu, May 23Recent News
- Tim Stauffer pitched 5 2/3 innings in relief Wednesday, allowing one run and striking out seven Cardinals.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: Tonight's showing should get Stauffer back into the Padres rotation, so give him a look in NL-only leagues. There are still questions about his arm, but he a pretty effective starter in 2011.
Fri, May 17
- Padres purchased the contract of RHP Tim Stauffer from Triple-A Tucson.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: Stauffer, who was limited to one start last season due to flexor tendon surgery, had a 3.16 ERA and 38/15 K/BB ratio in 42 2/3 innings over eight starts in Triple-A. It's not clear what his role will be with the Padres, but he's worth stashing away in NL-only fantasy leagues.
Thu, May 23Recent News
- Carlos Santana went 2-for-4 with a home run in the loss to the Tigers on Wednesday.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: After a red hot April, Santana was hitting just .182/.316/.333 heading into Wednesday's game. Backup catcher Yan Gomes has been playing more frequently lately, but Santana's bat plays at first base and he even gets an occasional game at DH, too. No matter how they arrange it, Santana will be in the middle of the Indians lineup more often than not.
Thu, May 23Recent News
- Tyler Lyons earned a win in his major league debut after allowing one run and four hits in seven innings Wednesday against the Padres.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: Lyons struck out four and walked just one. He needed a mere 81 pitches to get through seven before turning the ball over to Trevor Rosenthal. Lyons doesn't have the best of stuff, but he's a strike-thrower with a very good team behind him, something that might give him a little value in NL-only leagues. He'll get the Royals in Kansas City next.
Wed, May 22Recent News
- Cardinals purchased the contract of LHP Tyler Lyons from Triple-A Memphis.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: Lyons will take Jaime Garcia's place in the rotation and make the start Wednesday against the Padres. The 25-year-old southpaw owns a 4.47 ERA and 1.40 WHIP over eight starts this season in Triple-A and is only a band-aid until Jake Westbrook (elbow) is ready to return. He's unlikely to be fantasy relevant.
Sun, May 19
- Tyler Lyons will be called up to start on Wednesday against the Padres.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: It will be Lyons' major league debut. A former ninth-round pick, Lyons has put up a 4.47 ERA and 1.40 WHIP over eight starts at Triple-A Memphis this season. He's taking Jaime Garcia's spot in the rotation but is not guaranteed any more than the one start and should be avoided for fantasy purposes.
More: Derrick Goold on Twitter
Wed, May 22Recent News
- Wilin Rosario is not in the Rockies' starting lineup Wednesday against the Diamondbacks.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: He'll get a breather with the day game after the night game. Yorvit Torrealba will make the start behind the dish and catch Jorge De La Rosa.
More: MLB Lineups on Twitter
Wed, May 22Recent News
- Jeff Samardzija held the Pirates to one run over seven innings on Wednesday but took the loss.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: Samardzija was excellent, fanning eight batters and allowing only three hits and one walk. But he got exactly zero support from the Chicago offense and thus fell to 2-6 on the year. The right-hander has an ace-like 3.25 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 72/22 K/BB ratio in 63 2/3 innings this season and should keep rolling next week against the White Sox.
Wed, May 22
- Daniel Descalso went 3-for-3 with his first career grand slam and an RBI double in the Cardinals' 10-2 rout of the Padres on Tuesday.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: Descalso's slam followed an intentional walk to Jon Jay. Descalso entered the game with an ugly .197/.265/.289 line, and he probably wouldn't have been in the lineup if not for David Freese's thumb injury. The home run was his seventh in 813 major league at-bats.
Wed, May 22Recent News
- Jordan Lyles went six innings, allowing just one run, as the Astros beat the Royals on Wednesday.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: Lyles has made five starts in May, with Wednesday's being his best of the bunch. He struck out just three but limited the Royals to six hits in his six innings. Aside from one bad start in which he allowed eight runs in four innings, Lyles has been serviceable for the Astros thus far. His next start will be Tuesday against the Rockies.
Fri, May 17
- Jordan Lyles allowed two runs (one earned) in five-plus innings Friday in a no-decision against the Pirates.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: Lyles left in position for the victory, but Hector Ambriz coughed up the lead in the eighth inning. The young right-hander held the Pirates to just four hits while the lone earned run scored on a solo homer by Andrew McCutchen in the first inning. He struck out four and walked two. While it was a step in the right direction after the Rangers hammered him last Sunday, Lyles needs to do a lot more to get our attention in fantasy leagues.
Wed, May 22Recent News
- Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he would be "shocked" if Hiroki Kuroda (calf) was unable to make his next start.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: Kuroda's calf tightened up on him an inning after he was hit with a comebacker Wednesday, forcing him to leave the game. But he'll be fine. The right-hander is scheduled to face the Mets early next week.
More: Bryan Hoch on Twitter
Fri, May 17
- Hiroki Kuroda was dominant Friday night against the Blue Jays, giving up two hits over eight shutout innings as part of a 5-0 victory.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: Continued excellent from Kuroda, who issued one walk while striking out five. The veteran right-hander has delivered quality starts in each of his last seven outings and now has a 1.99 ERA for the year. He's quietly one of the best pitchers in the American League.
Wed, May 22
- Mike Trout homered in the eighth inning Tuesday to complete his first cycle in the Angels' 12-0 massacre of the Mariners.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: Trout struck out in his first at-bat, but he singled, tripled and doubled afterwards before delivered his ninth homer off Lucas Luetge in the eighth. He drove in five runs in all, and he became the youngest player to hit for the cycle since Mel Ott in 1929. Trout has his average up to .293, and he's currently on pace to finish the season with 32 homers, 112 runs scored, 122 RBI and 32 steals.
Wed, May 22
- Eric Hosmer went 2-for-5 with two runs scored as the Royals beat the Astros on Tuesday.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: The power is still missing, but Hosmer is now batting .271 with a .342 on-base percentage. The skill set suggests that he will start hitting the ball over the fence soon. He can break out at any time.
Wed, May 22Recent News
- Matt Wieters went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer as the Orioles beat the Yankees on Wednesday.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: Wieters brought out the lumber, doubling off starter Hiroki Kuroda before homering off reliever Preston Claiborne. The home run was Wieters' seventh on the year and helped lift his RBI total to 26.
Wed, May 22
- Danny Espinosa went hitless in a fourth straight game Tuesday, leaving him with a .159 average in 139 at-bats.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: Maybe more patience would be warranted if Espinosa were healthy, but it's quite possible he needs surgery for the partial rotator cuff tear he suffered last year. Besides, he's just killing the Nationals offense right now. Not only is he batting .159, but he's walked just three times all year. His OBP stands at .186.
Wed, May 22
- Alex Rios went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI as the White Sox beat the Red Sox on Tuesday.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: The double was Rios' 11th of the year, and he's now hitting .306/.369/.559 this season. As is his history, this was supposed to be a down season for the 32-year-old, but he's bucking the trend thus far. He now has 26 RBI through 44 games.
Sat, May 18
- Alex Rios went 2-for-3 with a homer and a walk Friday, extending his hitting streak to 12 games.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: Rios opened the season on fire, homering in four straight games from April 5-9 and collecting hits in 10 straight. A three-week slump followed, but he's gotten it going against lately. The homer tonight was his fourth during his hitting streak.
Wed, May 22Recent News
- Mitch Moreland is not in Wednesday's lineup against the Athletics.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: He's just getting the day off. Jeff Baker will make the start at first base.
More: Anthony Andro on Twitter
Wed, May 22Recent News
- A one-man offense, Jose Bautista went 4-for-4 with two homers and a game-winning hit in the bottom of the 10th as the Blue Jays edged the Rays 4-3 on Wednesday.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: Bautista singled in the Jays' first run in the first, homered in the fourth, homered again off Fernando Rodney to tie it in the ninth and then hit a little liner to right to end the game in the 10th. The four-hit game was Bautista's first since July 27, 2010. He hadn't even had a three-hit game in a year -- oddly enough, his last one came May 22, 2012 against the same Rays team.
Wed, May 22Recent News
- Chris Davis went 4-for-4 with his 14th home run Wednesday, and the Orioles beat the Yankees 6-3.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: Davis continues to tear the cover off the baseball, now hitting .329/.420/.690 through 45 games this season. He is tied with Justin Upton for the league lead in home runs, and he trails only Miguel Cabrera in RBI. Davis is showing that his breakout 2012 was legit.
Mon, May 20
- Chris Davis went 2-for-4 with a homer and a walk Monday against the Yankees.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: Davis lost his share of the AL home run lead when Robinson Cano went deep in the first, only to move back into a tie by hitting his 13th homer an inning later. He has four homers in 10 games after slumping some in late April and early May.
Wed, May 22Recent News
- Eduardo Nunez (rib cage) took batting practice Wednesday.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: It's the first time he's done so since landing on the DL, as he had been limited to hitting off a tee and taking soft-toss. When Nunez will be ready to return to game action isn't known, but it shouldn't be too far off.
More: The LoHud Yankees Blog
Wed, May 22Recent News
- Brandon Belt is out of Wednesday's lineup due to back tightness.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: It isn't a major concern, but Giants manager Bruce Bochy didn't want to take any chances. Consider him day-to-day for now. Brett Pill is filling in at first base Wednesday.
More: Alex Pavlovic on Twitter
Tue, May 21
- Brandon Belt went 4-for-5 with his sixth home run of the season and four runs scored in Monday's 8-0 blowout of the Nationals.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: Belt has reached base safely in 10 of his last 11 starts. Belt suffered through a forgettable April, batting .235/.287/.353, but his playing time and production have both spiked in May. Belt cut down his strikeouts and increased his rate of walks and his numbers reflect an improved approach at the plate. In May, he's slashing .250/.357/.521 with three homers over 48 at-bats.
Fri, May 17
- Brandon Belt is not in Friday's lineup against the Rockies.(Rotoworld.com)
Advice: He's taking a seat against the left-hander Jorge De La Rosa. Brett Pill will make the start at first base and bat sixth.
More: Henry Schulman on Twitter