MLB Quick Hits: Davis takes over closing duties in KC
Born in 1925. Joined the Navy during World War II, was a gunner's mate during the D-Day invasion at Normandy, got shot later in the war, earned a Purple Heart. Won three American League MVP awards, was a 15-time All-Star, won 10 World Series rings as a player (plus three more as a coach). Holds World Series records for games played (75), at bats (259) and hits (71). Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. Married to Carmen for 65 years until her death in 2014. Died last night, exactly 69 years after his major-league debut.
There was much more to Yogi Berra's interesting life, and this New York Times obituary covers it pretty well. Rest in peace, Yogi.
In other news ...
Wade Davis has officially replaced Greg Holland (elbow) as the Royals' closer. Davis is still available in 39.5 percent of FOXSports.com leagues if you'd like to check your free-agent pool.
Tigers RP Bruce Rondon was sent home for the season due to "effort level," which can't be a good sign for his chances of winning the team's closer job in 2016. Look for Alex Wilson and Neftali Feliz to get save chances for the rest of the season.
Yankees rookie 1B Greg Bird hit a three-run homer in the 10th inning to help the Yankees beat the Blue Jays on Tuesday. Bird has eight home runs, 22 RBI and 18 runs scored over the last 30 days, and is owned in just 5.1 percent of FOXSports.com leagues. Way to go, kid.
Rockies 3B Nolan Arenado left Tuesday's game with a head injury. Concussion tests were negative, and Arenado's status for tonight is TBD.
Orioles OF Adam Jones' back is getting better, but he's still day-to-day.
Nationals 2B Danny Espinosa has a torn hamstring, and could be done for the season. In other Nats' news, the team juggled its rotation following Monday's rainout, so they'll throw Max Scherzer tonight, Tanner Roark Thursday and Jordan Zimmermann Friday.
Rays SP Matt Moore posted his second straight strong start on Tuesday. I've always been a sucker for Moore's stuff, and might grab him in a league for his final two starts. Moore is owned in four percent of FOXSports.com leagues.
Marlins 3B Martin Prado hasn't played since Thursday because of a sore left wrist, and it sounds like he's at least a couple more days away from returning.
Giants 1B Brandon Belt will visit a concussion specialist on Thursday. That doesn't sound promising if you're looking for Belt to return this season.
Speaking of Bay Area concussions, A's catcher Josh Phegley is done for the year.
There are two afternoon games on today's schedule, which leads off with White Sox-Tigers at 1:08 p.m. ET. Set your lineups accordingly.
Braves 3B Hector Olivera slugged his second homer on Tuesday, and has hit in four straight games. He's owned in 0.3 percent of FOXSports.com leagues, and is worth a look since he's batting second while playing every day.
The Phillies have been baseball's worst-hitting team over the last month, so let's use Miami lefty Adam Conley (5.7 percent owned) against them as tonight's streaming starter. Conley has a 4.22 ERA in 49 innings, but with 44 strikeouts and a 2.52 ERA at Triple A earlier this season, he's worth a shot.
DFS advice (based on 50/50 games, salaries from DraftKings): With the Orioles being such a high strikeout team, I'll probably use Max Scherzer ($12,400) ... SP2 is either Marcus Stroman ($8,500) or Conley ($6,100) ... BvP alert: Reds OF Jay Bruce ($3,500) is 14-for-31 with three homers against Lance Lynn. Bruce is hot, with four homers in his last five games ... Ivan Nova makes a spot start for the Yankees tonight. Nova was removed from the rotation after allowing five homers and 19 earned runs in 17 2/3 innings over four starts. The Blue Jays should pummel him ... Olivera ($2,100) has 34 DK points over his last three games, and fits at 2B/3B ... Pirates SS Jordy Mercer ($2,700) has five hits in two games at Coors Field this week, and faces youngster Christian Bergman tonight ... Corey Dickerson is only $3,200 at home? OK with me.
See you back here tomorrow morning.
