MLB Player News

We’re not sure what else needs to be said at this point. Judge now has 51 home runs and 122 RBI on the season to go along with a .333/.465/.736 slash line. Yes, .736 is just his slugging percentage. The only thing keeping Judge from being the runaway top pick in fantasy leagues is that he doesn’t steal many bases, but we haven’t seen a consistent power display like this since Barry Bonds. If you got him near the end of the first round in your fantasy draft, you should thank the managers who passed on him.

Woodruff remains an effective and impactful fantasy option, when healthy, but persistent durability concerns continue to haunt him. The 33-year-old former fantasy ace hit the injured list with shoulder inflammation at the outset of May. There isn’t a definitive return timetable yet, but he figures to be ready to jump back into Milwaukee’s rotation at some point this month.

Francona added that De La Cruz has been diagnosed with a Grade 1-2 hamstring strain that will require a multi-week absence. The 24-year-old fantasy superstar, who was hitting .280/.346/.509 with 40 runs scored, 12 homers, 37 RBI and 10 steals through 58 games, hit the injured list prior to Monday’s series opener against the Royals and figures to be out until at least mid-to-late June in a best-case scenario. Matt McLain figures to get some looks at shortstop with top prospect Edwin Arroyo likely to factor into the equation between both shortstop and second base.

Lyon Richardson draws the starting assignment to open a bullpen game for Cincinnati. Burns is expected to take the ball for Wednesday’s series finale after getting some extra time to rest and recover. The hard-throwing 23-year-old rookie struck out eight over 5 1/3 innings to pick up a win over the Mets his last time out. He’s compiled a stellar 1.96 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 72/20 K/BB ratio across 64 1/3 innings over 11 starts this season. Simply put, he’s one of the most electric young arms in baseball.

Myers hasn’t come off Cincinnati’s bench since last Friday due to illness. The 30-year-old reserve outfielder is presumably available, if needed, after getting a couple days off to rest and recover. Blake Dunn will continue handling center field and leading off for the Reds.

Hill hasn’t played since last Friday due to a lingering back issue. The fact that he hasn’t hit the injured list seems to signal that it’s not a significant concern. The 30-year-old backup outfielder is presumably available off the bench, if needed.

The encouraging news for the Royals and fantasy managers is that Garcia has yet to hit the injured list after suffering a right hamstring strain over the weekend. The 26-year-old underwent imaging on Sunday to determine the severity of the issue. It sounds like Kansas City is going to reevaluate him early this week to determine his next steps. It wouldn’t be surprising if he wound up hitting the injured list. There should be a definitive update on his status at some point soon.

There was some initial concern that Jax would require a trip to the injured list after being struck by a 107-mph comebacker during last week’s start against the Orioles. However, initial imaging didn’t reveal any fractures and he’s been cleared to take the ball at Tropicana Field on Monday night. It’s a nice spot for streaming purposes since Detroit ranks 27th as a team in slugging percentage against right-handed pitching this season.

Miami has moved Hicks around between several spots in their lineup, but he’s mostly hit second for the last month. The 26-year-old slugging backstop figures to continue hitting near the top of the order, which should drive enough volume to make him one of the more impactful catchers in the fantasy landscape. He’s off to a phenomenal start, slashing .268/.344/.468 with 27 runs scored, 11 homers, 45 RBI and one steal through 57 games this season.

Nationals skipper Blake Butera told reporters Crews was able to take batting practice and will likely be available off the bench with the expectation that he’ll return to the lineup for Tuesday’s contest. The 24-year-old former top prospect was scratched from Sunday’s lineup with hand soreness after being hit by a pitch earlier in the weekend. Crews has hit just .220 (9-for-41) with one homer, three RBI and one steal in 10 games since being brought back from Triple-A Rochester on May 19.

Nationals manager Blake Butera told reporters Irwin is going through strengthening exercises, but has yet to begin a throwing progression after hitting the injured list with a shoulder strain back on May 24. The 29-year-old is likely facing an extended absence given the nature of the injury, but remains without a definitive return timeline.