

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suarez has been one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 campaign. The 29-year-old was a solid middle-of-the-rotation option before this season, but he has shown he's capable of being an ace pitcher. On Thursday, Suarez threw five scoreless innings, allowing three hits, and striking out four in the win. The left-hander has struggled at times during the second half of the season, but this was a promising outing. He'll look to keep the good times rolling against the Tampa Bay Rays during his next time out.


Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman was called upon to record the final two outs of Thursday's game against the Washington Nationals. The Pirates were leading by five runs, but got into some trouble during the final frame. They brought in Chapman to put out the fire, which he did with ease. The southpaw recorded his sixth save of the season on Thursday. He appears to be the favorite to lock down saves in Pittsburgh with David Bednar being removed from that role. Fantasy managers looking for help with saves should check the waiver wire to see if Chapman is available.


Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star second baseman Ketel Marte (ankle) could "potentially" come off the 10-day injured list for the team's upcoming road series at Minute Maid Park against the Houston Astros that starts on Friday, according to manager Torey Lovullo. Marte is doing full baseball activities and has been ramping up his intensity in recent days. The 30-year-old was having an MVP-caliber season before a check swing on Aug. 18 aggravated a low-grade left-ankle sprain he initially suffered on Aug. 12. Once he returns, Marte could see some time as the designated hitter before going back to the keystone. Marte is having one of the best seasons of his career and will return to a .298/.370/.560 slash line with a .930 OPS, 30 homers, 81 RBI and six stolen bases. He needs just three more home runs to set a new career-high in that category.



Arizona Diamondbacks top prospect Jordan Lawlar (hamstring) could return to Triple-A Reno "soon," according to manager Torey Lovullo. The No. 8 overall prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline, reinjured his left hamstring in July to games into his rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League. The initial timeline provided was for six to eight weeks. In addition to his hamstring injury, Lawlar, a first-rounder back in 2021, spent time on the injured list in the minors earlier this year due to a thumb injury. Because of his thumb ailment, Lawlar didn't make his 2024 debut until May 29. As a result of his thumb and hamstring injuries, the 22-year-old has played in just 13 games in 2024 and has essentially lost an entire season of development. Because of all the lost time, expect Lawlar to play winter ball this offseason. He's unlikely to be an option if Arizona advances deep into the playoffs again.


Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (calf) suffered a left-calf strain on Sunday and was placed on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to Sept. 2), but both Gurriel and manager Torey Lovullo said the injury isn't considered serious, and there's hope that he can return after missing minimal time on the injured list. It's good news for a D-backs club that is in prime spot to earn one of the three wild-card spots in the National League as they look to get back to the World Series this fall. The 30-year-old Cuban slugger was a first-time All-Star in 2023 and will return to regular duties in left field in Arizona when he's activated from the IL. So far in 125 games in 2024 with the Snakes, Gurriel has a produced a .274/.316/.428 slash line with 17 homers, 70 RBI and a career-high seven stolen bases. The lefty hitting Pavin Smith is most likely to benefit from extra playing time until Gurriel returns.
