

The Detroit Tigers reinstated infielder/outfielder Andy Ibanez (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday and optioned infielder Buddy Kennedy to Triple-A Toledo after Sunday's game in a corresponding move. Ibanez didn't play at all in the 2-1 loss on Tuesday to the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 1 of a doubleheader, but he's starting at second base and batting second in Game 2 against Cardinals left-hander Steven Matz. The 31-year-old is back from a stint on the IL due to a strained left hamstring and should see starts against left-handed pitchers moving forward. The Cuban infielder returns to a .267/.235/.267 slash line with no home runs and three RBI in just 15 at-bats in 2024. Ibanez is only an option in AL-only leagues for middle-infield depth.


Cincinnati Reds starting pitching prospect Lyon Richardson delivered another strong outing on Tuesday, where he tossed five shutout innings with seven punchouts. Richardson has not allowed over two runs in his past three starts and has lowered his ERA to 2.74. The 24-year-old got a small taste of the majors last season but struggled with an 8.64 ERA and 1.92 WHIP across 16 innings. However, Richardson has never performed this well at Triple-A, suggesting that he may have taken another step forward in his development. The former second-round selection should be given another opportunity in the majors later in the summer and may be worth adding in NL-only formats when he is promoted.



The Toronto Blue Jays placed right-handed rookie Yariel Rodriguez (spine) on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday with thoracic-spine inflammation and recalled right-hander Zach Pop from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. Rodriguez began experiencing soreness in his back during his outing on Monday night against the Kansas City Royals in which he allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits while walking three and striking out one in 3 2/3 innings. Given the nature of the injury, fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if the 27-year-old Cuban hurler misses more than the 15 days on the IL. Rodriguez hasn't been bad in his first four MLB starts, but he also hasn't gone past four innings pitched in any of his outings while sporting a 4.11 ERA and 1.76 WHIP with 16 K's in 15 1/3 frames. It's unclear who will take Rodriguez's spot in Toronto's rotation for at least the next two weeks.


The Texas Rangers are pushing right-hander Max Scherzer's (back, thumb) next minor-league rehab start with Double-A Frisco back a few days after he experienced some soreness in his thumb after his last outing at Triple-A Round Rock, according to general manager Chris Young. Scherzer will hopefully make his next rehab start by the end of the week. The 39-year-old's surgically repaired back has apparently held up well, though, which is the main takeaway here for fantasy managers that have been stashing the three-time Cy Young winner. In his lone rehab start with Round Rock, Scherzer allowed three earned runs while walking none and striking out four in 2 1/3 innings, so he still has a ways to go to build up his arm before making his 2024 MLB debut. Barring setbacks, Scherzer should be back in Texas' rotation at some point next month.

Chicago White Sox starting pitching prospect Ky Bush has been off to an electric start to the 2024 season. The former second-round pick is sporting a 1.27 ERA and 1.22 WHIP across 21 innings at Double-A. He has struck out 26 batters. In addition, Bush has not allowed a run in his past 11 innings. It looks like the southpaw has begun to figure things out, as he posted a hefty 6.38 ERA and 1.58 WHIP in 67 innings at Double-A last season. The 18th-ranked prospect in the Chicago system is not expected to make his major league debut until 2025. However, he could become a name to monitor in dynasty leagues due to his elite strikeout potential, especially if he can reach Triple-A later in the summer.
