News
Keldon Johnson (back) is available for Friday’s game against the Cavaliers.
No surprise here as Johnson was listed as probable Friday against the Cavaliers. The 25-year-old small forward missed Wednesday’s game with a back injury and his return will significantly alter Julian Champagnie’s minutes.
DJ LeMahieu is not in the lineup for Tuesday’s game against the Mariners.
The Yankees are sticking with their original plan to let LeMahieu sit out Tuesday’s contest despite Oswaldo Cabrera’s serious ankle injury during Monday’s game. It’ll be Jorbit Vivas at second base with Oswald Peraza filling in at the hot corner on Tuesday night at T-Mobile Park.
Nick Kurtz is at first base and batting ninth on Tuesday against the Dodgers.
The gap between the majors and Triple-A is seemingly wider than its ever been with Kurtz’s ongoing struggles another jarring example of the phenomenon. The 22-year-old top prospect has struck out 23 times in 59 plate appearances and has just two extra-base hits over 16 games to open his career. He’s simply too talented to continue flailing, but it’s understandable if fantasy managers in shallow mixed leagues are unable to continue waiting for him to get going at the dish.
Sam Merrill (neck) is out for Game 5 against the Pacers on Tuesday.
A late addition to Cleveland’s injury report, Merrill will not be available for a game the Cavaliers need to keep their season alive. His absence leaves the East’s top seed down a rotation player, but they will have Donovan Mitchell (ankle) in the starting lineup.
Donovan Mitchell (ankle) is available for Game 5 against the Pacers on Tuesday.
Mitchell did not play in the second half of Sunday’s Game 4 blowout loss after aggravating a left ankle injury. The good news is that he’ll be available for Tuesday’s game, and the Cavaliers will need all hands on deck as they trail three games to one. Cleveland will go with its regular starting lineup, with Darius Garland, Max Strus, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen joining Mitchell. According to TNT, an MRI on Monday revealed a sprain and showed that Mitchell did not suffer any additional damage.
Sam Merrill (neck) is questionable for Game 5 against the Pacers on Tuesday.
Absent from the Cavaliers’ initial injury report for Game 5, Merrill has been added due to a strained neck. With Donovan Mitchell (ankle) a game-time decision, Cleveland could be down two rotation players with their season on the line. They would require more production from Darius Garland, Max Strus and Ty Jerome to keep their season alive.
Cade Povich could potentially start the second game of Wednesday’s doubleheader against the Twins.
Povich might wind up taking the ball for Wednesday’s nightcap, but that’s up in the air at the moment. The 25-year-old lefty was slated to start Tuesday’s contest before it was postponed due to rain. It’ll be Dean Kremer drawing the starting assignment for the opening contest of the twin bill.