Fantasy Baseball News, Stats and Analysis (2024)

White Sox's Michael Kopech: Strikes out two in scoreless inning

1h ago

Kopech struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Sunday against the Rockies.

Kopech made his third appearance in four days after recording back-to-back saves on June 27 and June 28. The right-hander delivered Sunday, retiring the side in order while striking out two batters on just eight pitches. The 28-year-old now owns a 2.25 ERA with two saves over his past eight innings, solidifying himself as the White Sox closer.

Rockies' Tyler Kinley: Fires two shutout innings

2h ago

Kinley pitched two shutout innings Sunday against the White Sox, allowing zero hits and one walk while striking out one.

The 33-year-old worked around the ghost runner in both the 11th and 12th innings, allowing just a single baserunner on an intentional walk. Fellow reliever Jalen Beeks earned the win in the 14th inning, but Kinley remains the preferred closer despite owning an ugly 8.27 ERA on the year. Both relievers will be in the mix for saves moving forward as part of a volatile Rockies bullpen.

Rockies' Jalen Beeks: Notches fifth win

2h ago

Beeks (5-4) blew the save and picked up the win Sunday against the White Sox, allowing one run (zero earned) on two hits and zero walks while striking out one batter in two innings of work.

Beeks came on in the 13th inning and allowed the ghost runner to score on an RBI single by Luis Robert, resulting in a blown save. The 30-year-old rebounded in the 14th inning, however, retiring the side in order to earn his fifth win of the season. Although Beeks was used in a high-leverage role Sunday, incumbent closer Tyler Kinley pitched two scoreless innings in the 11th and 12th and remains the preferred late inning option for the Rockies. Beeks will continue to be in the mix for saves, but he is just 6-for-11 in save opportunities this season.

Pirates' Jared Jones: Re-entering rotation Wednesday

2h ago

Jones is listed as the Pirates' starting pitcher for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals at PNC Park.

Jones will slot back into the rotation for the first time since June 22 after the Pirates opted to skip his turn this past week. The decision to bypass Jones' turn wasn't based on any injury; instead, the Pirates are cognizant of keeping the 23-year-old right-hander's workload in check during his first season in the majors. The Pirates haven't offered up a firm innings limit for Jones in 2024 nor outlined their plans on when/if he might be skipped again, but fantasy managers shouldn't hesitate to keep him active when he's confirmed to start. Though he's had more trouble keeping walks in check in his recent starts compared to earlier in the campaign, Jones will still head into his 16th start of the season Wednesday with stellar ratios (3.66 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 19.4 K-BB%).

Guardians' Gavin Williams: Making first start Wednesday

2h ago

Williams (elbow), who was reinstated from the 60-day injured list earlier Sunday, is scheduled to make his first start of the season for the Guardians on Wednesday versus the White Sox at Progressive Field.

Williams' 30-day rehab window came to a close Sunday, so the Guardians brought him back from the IL a few days before he's set to make his 2024 MLB debut. The right-hander submitted a 7.88 ERA and 2.00 WHIP across eight innings over his first four rehab starts with Triple-A Columbus, but he looked strong his last two times out, turning in five- and four-inning starts while allowing two total runs and submitting a 10:2 K:BB between those outings. The Guardians will likely keep the 24-year-old's workload in check to some extent Wednesday, but based on how he concluded his rehab assignment, Williams might be worthy of activating this week while he faces off against a weak White Sox lineup.

Phillies' Michael Mercado: First MLB start coming Tuesday

2h ago

Mercado is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Just as Rob Thomson suggested would be the case shortly before Spencer Turnbull's (lat) placement on the 15-day injured list Thursday, Mercado is the next man up in the Philadelphia rotation. He should stick around as the Phillies' No. 5 starter at least until Taijuan Walker (finger) is ready to come off the IL, as Turnbull is projected to miss 6-to-8 weeks and won't factor into the rotation mix anytime soon. The 25-year-old Mercado made his a one-inning relief appearance in his MLB debut last week, but he had been operating as a starter at Triple-A Lehigh Valley prior to his June 23 call-up and shouldn't be facing any major restrictions with his pitch count Tuesday. Mercado -- who posted a 1.71 ERA and 44:23 K:BB in 47.1 innings at Triple-A this season -- lines up for a two-start week, with his second outing set to come next Sunday in Atlanta.