MLB Quick Hits: Jays' Travis set to return Friday

By John Halpin
Published

Blue Jays 2B Devon Travis, who hasn't played since May 16 due to a shoulder injury, is expected to return to his team's loaded lineup tonight. Travis made an early push for AL Rookie of the Year consideration with seven home runs, 26 RBI and 24 runs scored in his first 36 games, and while that pace will be difficult to maintain, he's a solid fantasy second basemen. Start him if you've got him.

In other news ...

Want to learn more about the Mets' promotion of LHP Steven Matz? Then check out this week's edition of Free Agent Frenzy.

Red Sox manager John Farrell said the following on Thursday about 2B Dustin Pedroia (hamstring): "There's no projected date on his return. He'll be back as soon as he's capable." Hopefully, it'll be 15 days, or close to it.

Since the beginning of 2014, Jacob deGrom ranks sixth among starters in ERA (2.47) and eighth in WHIP (1.05). Ace.

The Orioles aren't sure if OF Adam Jones will be able to return to the lineup tonight. 

Attaboy, Doug Fister! That's the guy we've been waiting for!

Cubs OF Dexter Fowler (ankle) didn't start Thursday, but did pinch hit and make a brief appearance in center field, so he'll probably play tonight. Kris Bryant's status is TBD, as he left Thursday's game with the always-fun "flu-like symptoms."

The Marlins have reactivated Jarred Cosart, but he'll pitch out of the bullpen for now.

Dodgers OF Yasiel Puig missed another game Thursday due a ruptured callous on his left hand. We should consider him day-to-day.

In other Dodger news, the beat writers don't seem to think we should read anything into the word that SS prospect Corey Seager won't play in the MLB Futures Game. It's probably about not wanting Seager to get hurt rather than the sign of an imminent promotion.

Mariners SP Hisashi Iwakuma tossed four scoreless innings in a Thursday rehab start. It's possible that Iwakuma's next outing will be with the big club.

The underrated Lance Lynn threw six scoreless innings in his return from the DL on Thursday.

The Twins have promoted pitching prospect Alex Meyer, but he'll be used in relief for now.

Even though he didn't get the win, Milwaukee's Taylor Jungmann threw five scoreless innings against the Mets as Thursday's streaming starter. The weekend selections are: Tampa's Alex Colome (owned in 2.2 percent of FOXSports.com leagues) tonight; the quietly improving Jeremy Hellickson (1.8 percent owned) at San Diego on Saturday; and Mike Fiers (17.4 percent owned) against the Twins on Sunday.

Friday DFS advice (based on 50/50 games, salaries from DraftKings): Max Scherzer is obviously terrific, but he's $14,000 today. Unless you want to pair him with a risky play like Colome, Tim Hudson or Brett Anderson, I don't see how it works well ... Some combo of Corey Kluber ($10,300), Francisco Liriano ($10,000), Tyson Ross ($9,100) or Taijuan Walker ($8,000) could work. Liriano is my favorite ... The Tiger righties are your best stack against Jose Quintana, and the Blue Jays are a solid option versus Nick Martinez ... Lock in Derek Norris ($3,400) vs. D-backs lefty Robbie Ray ... Hey, it's Ryan Raburn ($2,600) against a lefty day! ... At 2B, I like Jeff Baker ($3,100) vs. Brett Anderson, but Robinson Cano ($3,700) has perked up lately ... Back to the Tigers, Rajai Davis ($3,700) offers a good price with his good matchup ... Dodger utilityman Kike Hernandez ($2,600) fits at OF/SS, has led off for the last two games, and has hit LHP well (.423 wOBA) in limited time this season.

See you back here tomorrow morning.