Fantasy Sports

Baz was strong in his last outing and had gotten up to 76 pitches. However, his command still needs to be refined as he works back from Tommy John surgery. Baz is likely to make a few starts in the minors and, provided they go well, could join the Rays’ rotation at some point in June.

While it’s not robo-umps, it seems like MLB games could get a challenge system that would allow hitters to use technology to challenge a ball/strike call. Manfred left open the possibility to expand on this but mentioned the challenge system would be “at least a starting point...if and when we bring it to the big leagues.” Details will undoubtedly emerge in the coming months.

On one hand, backing off Gil makes some sense. The 25-year-old has already thrown 49 innings this season and has not thrown more than 96 innings in any season since 2019. However, when Yankees manager Aaron Boone was asked about his plans for Gil, he mentioned that Gerrit Cole is likely four to six weeks away from returning, which is an eternity during a baseball season. Moving Gil to the bullpen could make sense on the surface, but it’s impossible to tell what position the Yankees rotation will be in by the time Cole comes back. As a result, it’s too early to make a move for your fantasy teams.

The 27-year-old was producing solid numbers in the minors, slashing .307/.424/.577 with six home runs, 27 RBI, and eight steals in 41 games. He was swinging and missing less and sporting a more patient approach at the plate but was also playing games in many hitter-friendly ballparks. Considering he took Esteury Ruiz’s (wrist) place on the active roster and Ruiz was only playing once or twice a week, it’s unlikely that Cameron will be up as more than a bench bat.

There was a lot of celebrating in fantasy baseball circles when Ruiz performed well at Triple-A Las Vegas and hit two home runs in his first games after being recalled in April. However, the 25-year-old is hitting just .200/.270/.382 in 29 games this season with two home runs, five steals, and a 31 percent strikeout rate. He has been battling wrist issues throughout the season but also figures to profile as more of a fourth outfielder due to his low batting average and poor outfield defense. Daz Cameron was called up to take his place on the active roster.

It’s a surprising turn of events for the 25-year-old who posted 26 home runs and 13 steals in 144 games in 2023. Suwinski was attempting to make clear changes to his approach in 2024, being more aggressive in the zone as he tried to combat his high called-strike rate from 2023. Unfortunately, that aggressive approach also led to Suwinski swinging more at pitches outside the strike zone, so while his swinging strike rate and strikeout rate went down, his quality of contact also suffered. He had just a .174/.268/.297 slash line with a 6.1 percent barrel rate that was way down from his 15.7 percent mark last year. Perhaps an approach change in the minor leagues will unlock a strong second half for Suwinski as it did for Ke’Bryan Hayes last year. Only, that coach no longer works for the Pirates.

It’s a sad turn of events for the 31-year-old who seems to be working his way back from arm injuries continuously. He made just four starts this season and left his last one with elbow discomfort. The Orioles have not yet announced the extent of the injury but given that Means has only thrown a combined 31 2/3 innings since 2021, it may be time to make other plans for fantasy leagues. Cole Irvin should move back into the rotation and Jonathan Heasley was called up in a corresponding move.

Lodolo threw a bullpen on Wednesday and felt good, so the bullpen on Saturday could be the final step to getting him back on the mound in an MLB game. That will mean his stay on the IL was the minimum amount of time, so the Reds feel that a rehab start is unnecessary.

TJ Friedl is back to hitting off flips as he works back from a broken thumb. Once he is able to take batting practice, his next step will likely be live at-bats and a rehab assignment. It’s possible that he could be back around mid-June but it will depend on how his thumb feels while taking live swings.

Jon was removed from Tuesday’s start after 75 pitches with a groin injury. The team has referred to the injury as a “mild strain” and doesn’t expect him to miss more than 15 days; however, they said the same thing about Nathan Eovaldi and he’s now approaching three weeks on the IL. It might be safe to assume fantasy managers will be without Gray for three to four weeks, but he’s been pitching well enough to hold on your IL if you have spots.