Yahoo Sports Fantasy Baseball

  • Starting at catcher in Game 2
    Stallings is starting at catcher and batting ninth in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series on Wednesday versus the Phillies.

    Advice: Nick Fortes started behind the plate in Game 1 on Tuesday and went 0-for-2 with a strikeout as the Marlins lost 4-1. Stallings will get the nod Wednesday at Citizens Bank Park with Miami trying to avoid elimination in the best-of-three series. Rotowire.com Today, 6:06 am
     
  • Remains on track for NLDS Game 2
    Fried (finger) remains on track to start Game 2 of the NLDS on Monday after throwing five innings in a simulated game Tuesday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: Fried wore a protective bandage across the blister on his left index finger, which he won't be able to wear in an actual game, but he avoided any setbacks in the 76-pitch outing against his Atlanta teammates and should get the call in NLDS Game 2 next week after Spencer Strider handles Game 1. When healthy this season, Fried delivered a sharp 2.55 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 80:18 K:BB in 77.2 innings (14 starts) for the National League East champions. Rotowire.com Today, 5:56 am
    New Player Note
    Max Fried ATL - SP
    IL15
    L, 9-10 vs WSH
     
  • Outrighted to Triple-A
    The Athletics outrighted Lovelady (forearm) to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

    Advice: Lovelady held a 4.63 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 24:10 K:BB through 23.1 innings of relief this season with the A's before missing the entire second half because of a severe left forearm strain. The 28-year-old southpaw is officially off the 40-man roster in Oakland, though he'll remain part of the organization for the time being. Rotowire.com Today, 5:38 am
     
  • Outrighted off 40-man roster
    Oakland outrighted Neal to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

    Advice: Neal passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment. He will remain part of the organization for now but can elect to become a free agent. The 34-year-old right-hander struggled to a 6.67 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 25:14 K:BB over 27 innings of work this season with the Athletics. Rotowire.com Today, 5:35 am
    New Player Note
    Zach Neal OAK - RP
    NA
    L, 3-7 @LAA
     
  • Sent outright to Triple-A
    The Athletics outrighted Rios (shoulder) to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

    Advice: Rios surrendered seven earned runs in 1.2 innings of relief this year with the A's before being diagnosed with Raynaud's syndrome in June. He subsequently underwent surgery in mid-July to repair an axillary branch aneurysm in his right shoulder. The 30-year-old owns a career 6.32 ERA in 92 major-league appearances and is no longer part of the 40-man roster in Oakland. Rotowire.com Today, 5:31 am
     
  • Outrighted to Triple-A
    Oakland outrighted Pruitt (forearm) to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.

    Advice: Pruitt posted a solid 2.98 ERA and 30:12 K:BB through 48.1 innings this season for the Athletics before finishing the year on the injured list following a late-August diagnosis of a right forearm strain. The 34-year-old can now elect to become a free agent and seems likely to do so. Rotowire.com Today, 5:24 am
    New Player Note
    Austin Pruitt OAK - SP,RP
    NA
    L, 3-7 @LAA
     
  • Gets call at hot corner again
    Longoria is starting at third base and batting eighth Wednesday in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Brewers.

    Advice: The Diamondbacks are sticking with the same lineup after they captured a Game 1 victory in Milwaukee. Longoria went 1-for-4 with a single Tuesday and made a few excellent defensive plays at the hot corner. The veteran infielder's playing time during the regular season was hit or miss, but it looks like manager Torey Lovullo trusts Longoria the most of his third base options for the playoffs. Rotowire.com Today, 4:53 am
    New Player Note
    Evan Longoria ARI - 3B
    L, 1-8 vs HOU
     
  • Ups intensity in bullpen session
    Scherzer (shoulder) threw what he described as a "real" bullpen session Wednesday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

    Advice: Scherzer threw a light bullpen session a week ago but still felt sore the day of and the day after, which prompted him reverting to flat-ground work. However, he said of the intensity of Wednesday's session that he "was able to step on it more" and he came out of it "pain free." If he recovers well, he could ramp things up more in another bullpen session or perhaps even face hitters. Grant writes that while it "still remains unlikely" Scherzer could be ready for the ALDS, "things seem to change quickly with him." Of course, the Rangers must advance out of the Wild Card Series first or Scherzer's progression will be a moot point. Rotowire.com Today, 4:46 am
    New Player Note
    Max Scherzer TEX - SP
    IL10
    L, 0-1 @SEA
     
  • Would start potential Game 3
    Ryan will start Game 3 of the AL Wild Card Series versus the Blue Jays on Thursday, if necessary, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

    Advice: Ryan had been lined up for the start, so this doesn't come as a surprise. The Twins hope they can save him for the ALDS, of course, which they would be able to do if they are able to eliminate Toronto with a Game 2 victory. Ryan boasted a 197:34 K:BB over 161.2 innings during the regular season, but his 4.51 ERA points to the inconsistency he dealt with. Rotowire.com Today, 3:59 am