Player News
Fernando Tatis Jr. (shoulder) returned to the Padres’ starting lineup for Friday’s series opener against the Rockies.
The 26-year-old superstar wound up missing just one game after tweaking his surgically-repaired right shoulder on Tuesday. With Jackson Merrill and Jake Cronenworth on the shelf, the Padres will need Tatis to carry even more of the load over the next couple of weeks. He’ll bat leadoff against right-hander German Marquez on Friday evening in San Diego.
Zach Neto (shoulder) is playing shortstop once again at Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday, marking the first time that he has done so in back-to-back games.
Angels’ manager Ron Washington is already on record saying that he wanted Neto to play nine innings at shortstop in back-to-back games before he rejoins the Angels. Neto played six innings on Thursday night and hasn’t played more than seven, so it’s going to take him at least a few more games before he’s able to check off that box. If all goes well, there’s a chance that he could be ready to return by the end of next week.
Astros’ general manager Dana Brown told reporters on Friday that they’re hopeful Spencer Arrighetti (thumb) will be able to return in six weeks.
Arrighetti suffered a broken right thumb when he was hit by a line drive while playing catch in the outfield during batting practice on Monday. If he is able to reach that optimistic timeframe, he could be back in the Astros’ rotation before the end of May. Fantasy managers in leagues that don’t feature an injured list may have some tough decisions to make on whether or not to cut bait or wait it out.
Padres’ manager Mike Shildt told reporters that he expects Fernando Tatis Jr. (shoulder) to return to the lineup on Friday night.
While the Padres have yet to release their lineup, it sounds like their superstar outfielder will be in there after sitting out Wednesday’s game after he tweaked his surgically-repaired right shoulder. Things could still change before gametime, but fantasy managers should expect to have Tatis at their disposal on Friday evening.
Dodgers activated 1B Freddie Freeman from the 10-day injured list.
As expected, Freeman will make his triumphant return to the Dodgers’ lineup on Friday night against the Cubs. The 35-year-old slugger told reporters that he’s feeling as good as he has felt all year and that he feels like he could steal a base. The Dodgers probably won’t be giving him that green light as he eases back into action, but it’s nice to hear that he’s feeling spry as he returns to action.
Brewers optioned RHP Elvis Peguero to Triple-A Nashville.
The Brewers needed to send someone out to make room on the active roster for Jose Quintana’s debut and unfortunately Peguero was the odd man out this time around. The 28-year-old hurler posted a 5.68 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and a 3/4 K/BB ratio over 6 1/3 innings in his five appearances with the Brewers.