MLB Quick Hits: A's Gray scratched, next start TBD
A's SP Sonny Gray was scratched from his Tuesday start due to the cliche "flu-like symptoms," but it sounds like the symptoms weren't just flu-LIKE. Gray spent Monday night in the hospital, and was still there undergoing tests as of Tuesday afternoon. There's probably nothing for fantasy owners to be alarmed about, but Gray's next start is TBD. The best guess is sometime this weekend.
In other news ...
In Tuesday's blog post, I mentioned that Josh Hamilton could struggle to maintain playing time on a Rangers' roster crowded with outfielders. Later in the day, rookie slugger Joey Gallo was sent to the minors. Thanks for making me look stupid, Rangers. I still don't think Hamilton will hit much.
I don't know what's gotten into Mariners rookie SP Mike Montgomery, but he threw his second straight shutout on Tuesday. He's owned in 22.7 percent of FOXSports.com leagues, and you almost have to take the free shot at him now, right? Warning: Even with the shutouts, Montgomery has just 29 strikeouts against 12 walks in 44 1/3 innings. Not so great.
It sounds like Braves 1B Freddie Freeman (wrist) might be out through the All-Star break.
In other Braves' news, rookie lefty Manny Banuelos will make his big-league debut on Thursday against the Nationals. Banuelos was a top prospect with the Yankees, but his development has been derailed by injuries, including Tommy John surgery. Now 24, he had a 2.29 ERA at Triple A this season, with 69 strikeouts against 38 walks in 82 2/3 innings. Beyond NL-only leagues, Banuelos is probably not worth your time.
Daniel Murphy (quad) returned to the Mets' lineup on Tuesday, playing third base and batting fourth. Almost as if on cue, OF Michael Cuddyer left the game in the seventh inning with a sore knee, and said later that he was "concerned." If you're a Cuddyer owner in a deep league, check the availability of the moderately speedy Darren Ceciliani, who could get playing time if Cuddyer lands on the DL.
The Rockies have placed RP John Axford on the 7-day family medical emergency list. The team says it will use a closer committee in Axford's absence; 89-year-old LaTroy Hawkins got Tuesday's save.
The Red Sox expect OF Hanley Ramirez (hand) to be back in the lineup today, when they have a 1:07 p.m. ET start in Toronto. The first game on today's schedule is Twins-Reds at 12:35.
Matt Cain and Jake Peavy are expected to come off the DL to start Thursday and Friday for the Giants. Tim Lincecum (bruised arm) will head to the DL to make room for one of his teammates. Count me out on Cain and Peavy unless your mixed league is deep.
Chris Sale had another ridiculous game on Tuesday. On a related note, Googling "chris sale filthy" produces 581,000 results.
Hisashi Iwakuma pitched 5 2/3 strong innings in a Tuesday rehab start before leaving the game with a blister on his right middle finger. Iwakuma's status for his next start - hopefully on Sunday for the Mariners - is TBD.
Yankees OF Carlos Beltran left Tuesday's game with a rib cage injury; we should know more about his status later today. Teammate Jacoby Ellsbury (knee) had to miss a rehab game on Tuesday due to "general fatigue." That doesn't sound like a guy who's ready to come off the DL this Friday as hoped, but I could be wrong.
Rays 1B James Loney (finger) began a rehab assignment on Tuesday, and hopes to return this weekend.
We whiffed on Marco Estrada as Tuesday's streaming starter, thanks to him walking just about everyone. Today's pick is Baltimore lefty Wei-Yin Chen (22.4 percent owned) against the Rangers, who struggle with southpaws (.300 wOBA).
DFS advice (based on 50/50 games, night games only, salaries from DraftKings): The White Sox' ineptitude makes John Lackey ($9,300) a good play ... Chen ($8,200) is a solid option vs. the Rangers, but my SP2 will probably be Doug Fister ($6,600) against the Freeman-less Braves ... Carlos Carrasco ($10,200) always has big point potential, but he's expensive ... Stackers should look to the Orioles against smoke-and-mirrors SP Nick Martinez ... The low-priced catchers are dismal, so it might be a night to pay for someone like Matt Wieters ($4,400) ... Depending on where he bats in the order, Mets OF John Mayberry Jr. ($2,100) is always an interesting option vs. LHP. He faces Jon Lester, who hasn't been impressive ... You should try to pay up for Paul Goldschmidt ($5,900) against Brett Anderson ... Phillies 2B/SS Cesar Hernandez has averaged 16.75 DK points over his last four games, bats second, and is $2,900. No-brainer ... Cardinals 1B/3B Mark Reynolds ($2,800) is a good buy vs. lefty Jose Quintana.
See you back here tomorrow morning.
