MLB Player News

With word that Maikel Franco could in fact replace the injured Cody Asche if he gets hot enough at Triple-A Lehigh Valley during the time Asche is sidelined (for more, check out the latest Prospects Report), the Phillies third baseman has officially become one of the most stashable prospects in Fantasy. Of course, by now, that list has become so long that you may need help prioritizing. So here you go.

Gregory Polanco is still No. 1. He's way too good for Triple-A, and even if the Pirates are waiting because of Super 2 concerns, he may be only three weeks away. Oscar Taveras may be only one week away if you buy that the Cardinals plan to promote him for their stretch of seven games in AL parks at the beginning of June. He may not be as prepared for the big leagues as Polanco, but he has arguably more upside.

Jon Singleton is still "on deck" for the Astros and crushing it at Triple-A Oklahoma City. The comes Franco. Andrew Heaney, the top pitcher of choice, edges out Joc Pederson, who seems like a long shot for a promotion even with Carl Crawford's ankle injury.

Boom! End of list. Now, go make us proud.

Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford suffered a tough break Tuesday night, as the ankle injury he suffered against the Reds is expected to send him to the disabled list. It comes at a bad time as Crawford was starting to work his way back into being a Fantasy-relevant option.

Though, his injury could provide the Dodgers with the opportunity to promote highly touted prospect Joc Pederson, who has been toiling at Triple-A Albuquerque despite video-game-like numbers. Pederson is batting .347 with a .454 on-base percentage, .642 slugging percentage, 1.096 OPS, 15 home runs and 32 RBI in 50 games. Now, you could make the argument Pederson's numbers are little inflated because of the hitter-friendly PCL. However, he has a career .307/.402/.522/.924 slash line, so he's a legit offensive weapon. 

Perhaps the most encouraging sign that indicates Pederson is ready for the majors is how well he's hitting lefties, which has been a weakness in the past. He is batting .296 with a .549 slugging percentage and .932 OPS in 71 at-bats against lefties this season.

I hope the Dodgers bring Pederson to the majors. Even though he might not play full-time because the Dodgers still have Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp and Yasiel Puig, Pederson can still make an impact and help the team win games. Also, Puig was in a similar situation last year and yet managed to play his way into the lineup.

The team might have a lot of money locked up in Crawford, Kemp and Ethier, but Pederson is proving he's too good for the minors and needs his shot at the majors. If Pederson is recalled to replace Crawford, then I wouldn't hesitate adding him in Fantasy.

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera clubbed his eighth home run Tuesday.

In the third inning, Cabrera stepped to the plate against Sonny Gray. On a 91 mph cutter, Cabrera belted a home run out to left. Cabrera also singled during his first at-bat, going 2 for 4, with two runs and two RBI.

Cabrera is hitting .324/.369/.548 in 188 at-bats.

Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg hinted Tuesday he could move to a Ryan Howard and Darin Ruf platoon at first base, per the Philadelphia Daily News. 

"If it works. If it produces, then it becomes a possibility going forward," Sandberg said.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes was one of five Oakland players to hit a home run in his team's 10-0 win over the Tigers Monday.

Cespedes went 1 for 5 in the game and delivered the fourth solo home run of the contest in the third inning. After hitting two home runs in his last three games, the Oakland outfielder has hit .247/.310/.500 with nine home runs and 31 RBI in 178 at-bats.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton homered and recorded his fourth three-hit on Monday, leading his team to a 3-2 win over the Nationals in Washington.

Stanton took starter Tanner Roark deep for a two-run home run in the third inning. He doubled in the first and singled in the eighth, falling a triple shy of the cycle. He finished 3 for 4 with two runs and two RBI. He is hitting .316 and leads the National League in home runs (15) and leads the majors in RBI (49).

Nationals manager Matt Williams provided an update Monday on the status of outfielder Bryce Harper, who continues to recover from left thumb surgery.

"Bryce is just healing up," Williams said, per MASNsports.com. "He is able to do some things with the thumb. He is seeing the (occupational therapist), doing that. It is still early yet, though. He is still in the process of mild stretching, strengthening and letting that matte down and heal up before he can get aggressive with it. But he is progressing."

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera, who left Sunday's game with a hamstring cramp, was in Monday's lineup against the Athletics. He's hitting .322 with seven homers and 42 RBI.

Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna went 2 for 3 with a walk and a solo home run to represent his team's entire offense in Sunday's 7-1 loss to the Brewers.

Ozuna's bat has been hot as of late, as he has three home runs and three two-hit performances over the last five days. He has hit .261/.307/.443 with nine home runs and 31 RBI in 176 at-bats.

Dodgers infielder Justin Turner went 2 for 4 with a solo home run in his team's 6-0 win over the Phillies Sunday.

Turner's second-inning home run increased his team's lead to 2-0, but one run would prove to be sufficient as starter Josh Beckett no-hit the Phillies Sunday. Turner has hit .239/.289/.364 with two home runs and eight RBI in 88 at-bats.