MLB Quick Hits: Is Corey Seager too good to bench?
Corey Seager is ON FIRE. The Dodgers' rookie shortstop had two more hits on Tuesday, and has reached base 28 times in 53 plate appearances since getting called up a couple of weeks ago. With a homer, seven RBI, nine runs scored and two steals in 12 games, surely Seager has earned everyday playing time.
Or not. The Dodgers' website reports that manager Don Mattingly "seems to be softening his stance on who will play short when (Jimmy) Rollins returns after initially saying that Rollins would resume his role as the everyday shortstop when healthy," and notes that the team has "some flexibility, as Seager can also play third base to spell (Justin) Turner, and Turner can slide over to second base to give Chase Utley a rest." However, beat writer Steve Dilbeck says the team should re-install Rollins (bruised knuckle) when he's ready to play later this week. Whether you agree with Dilbeck or not, we've all seen managers lean toward veterans over rookies.
Even if the team's site is correct, it doesn't sound like Seager will be locked into an everyday role anytime soon. You can be as excited as you want about his future, but over the next three weeks, his playing time is too shaky to be rostered in 12-team mixed leagues.
In other news ...
Stephen Strasburg was dealing again on Tuesday, whiffing 14 Phillies on one hit in eight shutout innings. He's pretty good when not pulling muscles in his back.
Joe Smith got the Angels' save on Tuesday in place of the flu-ridden Huston Street, who says he has lost 13 pounds as a result of the illness. I wonder if Smith will get the save chances for another day or two.
Blue Jays 1B Edwin Encarnacion might be out until Friday with a sore left middle finger.
Indians SP Corey Kluber (hamstring) is expected to pitch Thursday after missing a couple of starts. Teammate Josh Tomlin pitched well again in a complete-game loss. Tomlin has 44 strikeouts against three walks in 50 innings over seven starts, but has given up 11 home runs to go with his 2.70 ERA. He also has a .160 BABIP, which suggests lots of good luck.
Red Sox SP Joe Kelly left Tuesday's start with shoulder tightness. I see an Operation Shutdown in his near future.
The Cardinals have activated both OF Matt Holliday and 1B Matt Adams from the DL, but it sounds like both will be part-time rehabbers for at least a little while since the minor-league season is over.
Astros OF Carlos Gomez (strained intercostal muscle) will be out through at least Thursday.
Reds OF Billy Hamilton missed Tuesday's game with a shoulder injury, and is day-to-day.
The A's have lost SP Jesse Chavez for the season with a fractured rib, and might be without OF Billy Burns (hamstring) until the weekend.
Jeff Samardzija's 10-run outing on Tuesday was the icing on this season's cake. Unfortunately, that cake is made of flaming poop. Samardzija has a 5.27 ERA.
The Brewers might shut down C Jonathan Lucroy, who is dealing with a concussion.
Today's streaming starter is Ervin Santana, owned in 24.2 percent of FOXSports.com leagues, against the Tigers. Santana has allowed a total of three runs in his last three starts, with 27 strikeouts against four walks in 22 innings.
DFS advice (based on 50/50 games, salaries from DraftKings): David Price ($12,500) is a strong play against the bad Braves' lineup, and I'll happily tab Santana ($7,500) as my SP2 ... BvP alert: Cardinals 3B Matt Carpenter ($4,200) is 13-for-30 with two homers against Wily Peralta ... Indians C Yan Gomes ($3,100) has averaged 7.8 DK points over his last four games, and faces LHP Danny Duffy. Indians OF Ryan Raburn ($2,400) is always a consideration against lefties, too ... The Nats get a soft matchup with Phillies LHP Adam Morgan, putting their RHB (Werth, Espinosa, Rendon) in play ... The low-end shortstops don't look good, but Wilmer Flores ($3,600) does against Marlins LHP Adam Conley.
See you back here tomorrow morning.
