The trade deadline comes at 4 p.m. ET today, and our fantasy-related trade deadline tracker will help you analyze the impact of the big MLB deals. When the Padres make 14 trades today, we'll have it covered.
In other news ...
Yankee SP Michael Pineda was scratched from his Thursday start and has been placed on the DL with a forearm strain. The team didn't find any elbow damage, but Pineda will be re-evaluated after resting for 7-10 days. The best-case scenario is probably a three-week absence, and manager Joe Girardi is "confident" that Pineda will pitch again this season, according to LoHud.com.
Mets C Travis d'Arnaud (elbow) is ready to return from the DL -- again. Stay healthy this time, Travis!
Brandon Phillips had himself a nice week on Thursday night. Two homers, two steals, seven RBI ... wow.
Alex Wilson got a five-out save for the Tigers on Thursday. I'm still betting on Bruce Rondon to close, but manager Brad Ausmus is currently engaging in committee-speak, and said after the game that Wilson "was able to do the job tonight and maybe he can continue to be able to do the job."
Rockies OF Corey Dickerson left Thursday's game with bruised ribs, and is day-to-day.
Jed Lowrie came off the DL on Thursday, playing third base and occupying the fifth spot in the batting order. Lowrie is SS-eligible, and owned in just 5.7 percent of FOXSports.com leagues.
Lonnie Chisenhall is back with the Indians, and will spend time in right field and at third base. AL-only owners in need of a corner infielder should look in Chisenhall's direction.
In a predictable move, the Dodgers designated OF/1B Michael Morse for assignment just hours after acquiring him. Morse hasn't been good this season, but if you're in an AL- or NL-only league, keep an eye on where he lands.
The Mariners are apparently ready to promote SS prospect Ketel Marte. The 21-year-old Marte is batting .314 with 20 steals and a .769 OPS at Triple A. His value is probably limited to AL-only leagues.
Here are your weekly free-agent recommendations: I don't know what's gotten into Curt Casali (owned in 5.6 percent of FOXSports.com leagues), but if I needed a catcher I'd find out ... Again, if you need power and can carry a bad BA at first base, Ryan Howard (10.1 percent owned) is widely available ... Need a second baseman? Minnesota's Eddie Rosario (1.8 percent owned) is batting .294 with five homers and eight steals in 238 at bats. No-brainer, and OF-eligible as well ... The aforementioned Jed Lowrie is a solid SS option. So is Jung Ho Kang, who is inexplicably owned in just 21.7 percent of our leagues. He fits at 3B, too ... In the outfield, your window is about to close on Aaron Hicks (4.8 percent owned), who has been excellent lately for the Twins ... Don't want to stream your starters? Erasmo Ramirez (26.8 percent owned) has been pretty good lately for the Rays ... Your closer targets, in order, should be Ken Giles, Roberto Osuna, Arodys Vizcaino and then Rondon (but it's fine if you prefer Wilson). All are available in more than 90 percent of FOXSports.com leagues.
Thanks to Jimmy Nelson for being so terrific as our Thursday streaming starter. The weekend selections are: Miami's David Phelps (2.4 percent owned) against the Padres on Friday; Phillie rookie Aaron Nola (16.7 percent owned) versus the Braves on Saturday; and D-backs' lefty Robbie Ray (4.7 percent owned) at Houston on Sunday.
DFS advice (based on 50/50 games, salaries from DraftKings): Clayton Kershaw is always a great option, but do you want to pay $14,500 for him? If not, a pairing of Michael Wacha ($9,000) and Jason Hammel ($8,100) doesn't look bad against a couple of weak offenses. If you really want to save, what about the improving Nathan Eovaldi ($6,200)? ... Phillies 2B/SS Cesar Hernandez ($2,900) is once again at a hard-to-resist price ... Matt Wieters ($3,300) looks pretty good against Detroit's Buck Farmer ... Yankees OF Chris Young ($3,200) feasts on LHP, and gets Carlos Rodon tonight ... Your high-priced locks tonight look like Nelson Cruz ($5,100 vs. Tommy Milone) and Todd Frazier ($5,000 vs. Jeff Locke).
See you back here Monday morning.
