Dream11 Fantasy Baseball: Blue Jays at Rays

Toronto Blue Jays (13-13) at Tampa Bay Rays (19-10)

Monday, August 24th, 3:10 PM EDT

Projected Starters

RHP Tanner Roark (2-1, 4.76 ERA) vs LHP Blake Snell (2-0, 3.00 ERA)

Game Preview

The Blue Jays are clearly in a rebuilding situation and their inconsistencies across the season have backed that up. The Rays, on the other hand, are clear-cut postseason contenders and own one of the best records in the American League, sitting nine games over the .500 threshold. Form aside, the Rays also seem to have an advantage in the pitching department with star left-hander Blake Snell tabbed as the starter for this contest – he has a 2.08 ERA in three starts this month. The Blue Jays will counter with veteran right-hander Tanner Roark, who only pitched five innings in his last start.

Injuries

Tampa Bay Rays

Jose Alvarado - 10-Day IL - Shoulder

8/19 11:44 AM EST - Alvarado (shoulder) saw a doctor in New York on Monday and will be shut down from throwing for 10-to-14 days, the Associated Press reports. The burly southpaw was placed on the injured list Saturday with shoulder inflammation, and it appears he's headed for a much longer stay on it than the minimum 10 days. Alvarado looked out of sorts while trying to apparently pitch through the injury in his appearance Saturday, when he allowed four earned runs over two-third of an inning to the Blue Jays.

Nick Anderson - 10-Day IL - Forearm

8/23 2:53 PM EST - Anderson and manager Kevin Cash both indicated that the forearm issue that landed the right-hander on the 10-day injured list Sunday isn't considered serious, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. "Not really worried," Anderson said. "Honestly, a couple days off and [I'll] kind of get back in the swing of things. Should be good in a week or so." Players are generally more optimistic about quick returns from injury than club officials, but since Cash was similarly confident that Anderson would be in line for a brief stint on the IL, Anderson's words hold more merit. According to Cash, Anderson was given Thursday off after appearing in games the previous two days, but the right-hander informed the coaching staff he didn't feel right while playing catch Friday. Tampa Bay sent Anderson in for an MRI over the weekend that didn't reveal anything overly concerning, but the team still opted to err on the side of caution by shutting him down. While Anderson is on the mend, the Rays will likely turn to Diego Castillo as their preferred option for save situations.

Paul Campbell - Day-To-Day - Forearm

3/8 7:33 PM EST - Campbell was reassigned to minor-league spring training Sunday, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports. Campbell was removed from the Rays' spring training roster along with six others as part of the first round of spring cuts. The 24-year-old out of Clemson made appearances with both High-A Charlotte and Double-A Montgomery in 2019, posting a combined 3.67 ERA and 13-8 record over 27 games. He's been idle so far in spring training while recovering from a forearm strain, leaving his availability for the start of the minor-league season in question.

Yonny Chirinos - 60-Day IL - Elbow

8/22 12:58 PM EST - Chirinos (elbow) was transferred to the 45-day injured list in order to make room for Sean Gilmartin on the team's active roster, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports. After finding out Chirinos would need Tommy John surgery Friday, the Rays decided to place him on the 45-day injured list. This move is just to open up another active roster spot as Chirinos' season was already confirmed to have been over.

Oliver Drake - 10-Day IL - Biceps

8/23 11:34 AM EST - Drake (biceps) was able to play catch Saturday and continues to build back his strength, Alyson Footer of MLB.com reports. The right-hander was shut down with biceps tendinitis on Aug. 9, but he now appears to be making steady progression. Manager Kevin Cash noted Saturday that Drake could be ready for activation soon as long as the reliever keeps "checking those boxes" in his recovery. Another update on Drake's progress is likely to come early in the week.

Brent Honeywell - Out - Elbow

8/13 10:11 AM EST - Honeywell (elbow) threw live batting practice Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Honeywell fired 15 pitches in what was his first time throwing against hitters since April 2019. While this is an encouraging step for the right-hander, he remains without a concrete timetable for his return. Seeing as Honeywell has undergone three different operations on his throwing elbow since last appearing in a game back in September 2017, the Rays figure to handle him with care once he's ready to go.

Andrew Kittredge - 60-Day IL - Elbow

8/12 1:32 PM EST - Kittredge appears to be headed for Tommy John surgery after an MRI revealed a tear in his UCL on Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Kittredge left his start Tuesday against the Red Sox with the injury after just five pitches, and it turns out those may end up being the last he throws in a big-league game until 2022. A typical recovery timeline from Tommy John surgery would at best give him an outside shot to pitch very late in the 2021 campaign.

Resly Linares - Day-To-Day - Forearm

4/25 9:04 AM EST - Linares is on the 7-day injured list at High-A Charlotte with a left forearm strain, Kris Dunn of Prospects Live reports. This is bad news for the lanky southpaw, who had gotten off to a rough start in his first taste of the Florida State League, giving up three runs on six hits and six walks in 4.2 innings. The Rays have yet to formally announce what the plan of action is, but this injury could eventually lead to Tommy John surgery.

Brendan McKay - Out - Shoulder

8/20 3:08 PM EST - McKay (shoulder) underwent surgery Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. McKay has been sidelined with a left shoulder issue for several weeks, but the team was optimistic that he'd be able to return by spring training in 2021. However, the surgery revealed that he had a labrum issue, which puts his status for the start of spring training in doubt. His status for the beginning of spring training will hinge on how he recovers over the offseason, and it's unclear whether he'll be available once Opening Day rolls around in 2021.

Charlie Morton - 10-Day IL - Shoulder

8/23 11:38 AM EST - Morton (shoulder) was scheduled for a long-toss session Sunday, Alyson Footer of MLB.com reports. Morton has been making steady, setback-free progress via bullpen sessions over the last several days, and there had even been talk at one point he could be activated to start a game during the ongoing weekend series against the Blue Jays. That possibility was eventually ruled out, but Morton could be close to a return if he continues to build his arm strength up without any issues. The veteran right-hander noted it's a bit of a tightrope walk at the moment, considering that it's necessary at times to up the intensity of the throwing sessions to get an accurate assessment of progress while acknowledging such a strategy also comes with an element of risk.

Colin Poche - 60-Day IL - Elbow

7/30 10:08 AM EST - The Rays announced that Poche (elbow) underwent successful Tommy John surgery in Texas on Wednesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Poche will remain in Texas for the initial phases of his rehab before returning to Florida once he advances further in the recovery process. The southpaw reliever has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2020 season, and he's unlikely to resurface in the Tampa Bay bullpen until late in the second half of the 2021 campaign at the earliest.

Chaz Roe - 10-Day IL - Elbow

8/22 12:34 PM EST - Roe has been placed on the Rays' 10-day injured list with right elbow soreness retroactive to Aug. 20. Sean Gilmartin was recalled from the alternate training site to take Roe's spot on the active roster. Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports. Add Roe to the list of prominent Rays pitchers that have hit the injured list this season as he is the latest to go down. The right-hander is dealing with right elbow soreness but could be able to return to the bullpen by the end of next weekend. Roe picked up his first save of the season Tuesday as he was just beginning to earn manager Kevin Cash's trust in late innings.

Toronto Blue Jays

Bo Bichette - 10-Day IL - Knee

8/20 9:48 AM EST - General manager Ross Atkins said Thursday that he is "extremely optimistic" that Bichette (knee) will contribute again this season, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports. There is no hard timeline for Bichette's return, but he will get a follow-up assessment this week. The swelling has gone down, and Atkins said the team will take it day by day, per Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun. Bichette was diagnosed with a Grade 1 sprain of the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee earlier this week.

Yennsy Diaz - 60-Day IL - Lat

3/16 10:10 AM EST - Diaz was placed on the 60-day injured list Monday due to a lat strain, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports. Joe Panik was added to the Blue Jays' 40-man roster in a corresponding move. The severity of Diaz's injury and his expected return date remain to be seen.

Derek Fisher - 10-Day IL - Quadriceps

8/14 3:36 PM EST - Fisher (quadriceps) ran the bases Friday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports. Fisher has been dealing with a quadriceps issue since late July. He appears to be making progress towards a return, but it's not yet clear when he'll be activated. He's expected to need at least a few more days, as he's still yet to take live at-bats.

Ken Giles - 10-Day IL - Forearm

8/15 6:11 PM EST - Giles (forearm) threw again Saturday and continues to feel good, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports. Reports remain positive regarding Giles, who hasn't pitched in nearly three weeks due to a forearm strain but who seems to have avoided the worst-case scenario. He's still just playing catch and will be brought along carefully, but he's expected to throw off a mound within 10 days.

Elvis Luciano - 10-Day IL - Undisclosed

7/2 8:59 AM EST - The Blue Jays placed Luciano on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to an unspecified issue. Luciano was one of four Blue Jays placed on the IL, with no explanation given for any of the transactions. The move is retroactive to June 30, so if deemed healthy, Luciano would be eligible to return from the IL before the Blue Jays begin their season July 23 or 24. After being selected by the Blue Jays in the Rule 5 draft in December 2018, Luciano worked in mostly low-leverage spots out of the big-league bullpen as a rookie, posting a 5.35 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 27:24 K:BB in 33.2 innings.

Tim Mayza - Out - Elbow

11/20 3:24 PM EST - Mayza (elbow) was outrighted to Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday. The move helps clear space on the Blue Jays' 40-man roster for the team to protect Thomas Hatch and Santiago Espinal ahead of the Rule 5 draft. Mayza is expected to miss the entirety of the 2020 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Eric Pardinho - Out - Elbow

2/11 4:40 PM EST - Pardinho underwent Tommy John surgery and will miss the 2020 season, Ben Badler of Baseball America reports. Pardinho was promoted from rookie ball to Low-A in 2019 and delivered a 2.41 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 30:13 K:BB over 33.2 innings (seven starts), but he won't be able to pitch this season. The 19-year-old will have to focus on his recovery and look to come back in 2021.

Nate Pearson - 10-Day IL - Elbow

8/23 2:45 PM EST - Manager Charlie Montoyo said Pearson (elbow) is "feeling good" since being placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday, but the Blue Jays are still awaiting the results of a second opinion on the rookie's injury before deciding on a treatment plan, Mike Wilner of Sportsnet 590 The Fan reports. Pearson has already met with a doctor for the second opinion, but there has been a lag time in the results due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Blue Jays expect to gain clarity in the next few days on Pearson's injury, which is being labeled as right elbow tightness. Given Pearson's reliance on his upper-90s fastball, the Blue Jays could be inclined to shut him down for an extended period even if doctors determine that his elbow is structurally sound.

Matt Shoemaker - 10-Day IL - Shoulder

8/23 9:20 AM EST - The Blue Jays placed Shoemaker on the 10-day injured list Sunday with right shoulder inflammation. Toronto recalled reliever Jacob Waguespack from the taxi squad in a corresponding move, but the Blue Jays will need to add a new pitcher to the rotation as a replacement for Shoemaker when his next turn comes up Wednesday versus the Red Sox. Shoemaker's move to the IL comes as a surprise, as the Blue Jays provided no indication that he was dealing with any sort of physical issue coming out of a strong outing in Friday's win over the Rays, during which he gave up two runs on four hits and a walk while striking out six in five innings. The fact that the Blue Jays are labeling Shoemaker's shoulder injury as inflammation rather than a strain offers hope that he'll be able to return from the IL in close to the minimum amount of time.

Trent Thornton - Day-To-Day - Elbow

8/23 11:55 AM EST - Thornton was removed early in his start Sunday against the Rays with right elbow inflammation. He worked around two hits and struck out two over a scoreless first inning before departing. According to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com, manager Charlie Montoyo was hoping that Thornton would at least be able to cover two innings Sunday in his second start since returning from the injured list, but the right-hander was unable to even meet that low bar. The Blue Jays will presumably put him through further tests before deciding his next step, but Thornton could be headed back to the IL since it was elbow inflammation that had previously forced his shutdown earlier this month. Anthony Kay came on in long relief for Thornton and could be a candidate to fill the vacancy in the rotation if Thornton is forced to miss time.

Breyvic Valera - Out - Undisclosed

7/21 4:38 PM EST - Valera is unable to report to camp for unspecified reasons and was placed on the restricted list Tuesday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports. The 28-year-old was claimed off waivers from the Padres in early July, but he hasn't appeared in camp with his new team. Valera has now changed organizations seven times -- including a previous stint with the Blue Jays -- and had a .234/.308/.383 slash line in 52 big-league plate appearances in 2019.

Rays Expected Lineup

SP - Blake Snell

1. Austin Meadows

2. Brandon Lowe

3. Yandy Diaz

4. Ji-Man Choi

5. Hunter Renfroe

6. Yoshi Tsutsugo

7. Mike Zunino

8. Kevin Kiermaier

9. Willy Adames

Blue Jays Expected Lineup

SP - Tanner Roark

1. Cavan Biggio

2. Randal Grichuk

3. Travis Shaw

4. Teoscar Hernandez

5. Rowdy Tellez

6. Vladimir Guerrero

7. Lourdes Gurriel

8. Danny Jansen

9. Santiago Espinal

Top Picks From Each Team

Brandon Lowe, Rays: Lowe has been one of the best hitters in MLB this season and has the stats to back that up, as he has hit safely in 12 of the team's last 14 games while racking up seven homers and 16 RBI, as well as a 10:8 K:BB, in that stretch. Lowe owns a career-best 1.095 OPS this season with a stellar .398 on-base percentage and nine homers in 28 games.

Randal Grichuk, Blue Jays: Grichuk has stepped up as one of Toronto's most reliable hitters this season. The former Cardinals outfielder has just three hits in his last five games, but he owns a .273/.317/.558 slash line with a .876 OPS, six homers and 15 RBI during the current month. Those numbers are strong enough for a captaincy role.

Captaincy Options

1. Brandon Lowe
2. Austin Meadows
3. Randal Grichuk
4. Blake Snell

Dream11 Team

P – Blake Snell

C – Mike Zunino

IF – Brandon Lowe (C)

IF – Travis Shaw

IF – Vladimir Guerrero

IF – Yandy Diaz

OF – Randal Grichuk

OF – Austin Meadows (VC)

OF – Yoshi Tsutsugo