Fantasy Sports

McKenzie opted for the rest and rehabilitation route last year instead of undergoing Tommy John surgery, and insists that he isn’t feeling any pain this season. However, his on-field results have been utterly abysmal with a bloated 6.23 ERA, 1.77 WHIP and 5/12 K/BB ratio across 13 innings (three starts). The biggest concerns for fantasy managers are that his fastball velocity (90.9 mph) is down nearly two miles-per-hour from two seasons ago (92.5 mph) when he was completely healthy and he’s walked nearly 20 percent of the batters he’s faced so far. Simply put, McKenzie’s early season performance has been alarming, but there appears to be a possible explanation. Fantasy managers should expect Cleveland to continue carefully managing his workload and hope that his stuff rebounds in the coming weeks.

Chapman, who has also received an undisclosed fine, has the ability to appeal the league-issued two-game suspension. The 36-year-old lefty reliever was tossed from the eighth inning of Monday’s showdown against the Mets after recording just one out and allowing three runs.

Moreno returns to Arizona’s lineup for Thursday’s series opener following a brief two-game absence due to a right thumb contusion that he suffered earlier this week when he attempted to block a wild pitch with his bare hand.

There was no chance for the two clubs to get this one in on Thursday evening at a rain-soaked Wrigley Field. It’ll be made up as a split doubleheader on Saturday. Thursday’s original starters -- A.J. Puk and Jameson Taillon -- will presumably be pushed back to Friday’s series opener.

O’Neill confirmed Thursday to reporters that he’s been diagnosed with a concussion and has been dealing with some dizziness and lightheadedness. He added that he was feeling a bit better on Thursday a few days after a brutal on-field collision with teammate Rafael Devers. He’ll travel with the team this weekend, despite being on the 7-day concussion injured list, and is hoping to be ready to return when first eligible next week. There should be some clarity on his status at some point this weekend or early next week.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora added that he doesn’t think Devers will require a trip to the injured list. It’s an extremely encouraging development for Boston, and fantasy managers, after a precautionary MRI on Thursday confirmed that Devers isn’t dealing with any major structural damage in his left knee. The 27-year-old fantasy superstar will likely require a few additional days off to rest and recover, but doesn’t appear to be facing an extended absence.

Leiter allowed eight hits and issued three walks. It was the MLB debut for the second pick of the 2021 MLB Draft, and it wasn’t a particularly effective one. He was hurt by his defense with runs scoring on a play that should have been made by Leody Taveras, but Leiter was in the middle of the plate a lot, and he didn’t full the Detroit hitters. If the 23-year-old makes another start, it will likely come Thursday against Seattle.

Pepiot did walk three, but he allowed only three hits and was able to limit the damage sans a sacrifice fly from Miguel Sano in the sixth. This was a much better effort for the 26-year-old than his struggles Saturday against the Giants, and he’s allowed just a run in two of his last three efforts. Pepiot’s shaky command offers volatility, but his swing-and-miss stuff brings reward with the risk. He gets the Tigers next week.

Both steals came in the sixth inning. It’s the first multi-steal game for Trout since May 20, 2018 and it’s a flashback to when the 32-year-old was one of the best producers of thefts in the sport. With those pair of swipes he’s up to five on the season, and it’s possible — but far from a guarantee — that Trout is going to be much more active on the bases than he has over the past few seasons. On top of those steals, Trout is now slashing .257/.357/.662 over the first 19 games of 2024.

Trammell was waived by the Dodgers earlier this week and it appears the Yankees had interest in the 26-year-old outfielder. Trammell went 0-for-6 with three strikeouts in Los Angeles and spent the previous three seasons with the Mariners where he slashed .168/.270/.368 across 351 plate appearances.