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Red Sox closer Koji Uehara will miss the rest of the season with a broken right wrist. Both the team website and the Boston Herald name Junichi Tazawa and Jean Machi as closer "candidates," but Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe has a different take:
"On Sunday, Sox manager John Farrell indicated that newly acquired Jean Machi would work as the closer in Uehara's absence ... Junichi Tazawa is another possibility but the Red Sox seem inclined to continue using him as a set-up man."
Abraham is a good beat writer, so we should listen to him. Machi is owned in 0.9 percent of FOXSports.com leagues, and should be targeted over Tazawa if you're looking for saves.
In other news ...
The Dodgers called up speedy 2B Jose Peraza, but it's unclear where he'll play or if he'll even stay with the team when Justin Turner returns from the DL in the next day or two. Peraza's stolen-base potential is intriguing, but mixed leaguers shouldn't be prepared to count on him.
Remember when we were all so angry at Nationals SS Ian Desmond for his horrible fantasy season? Desmond hit two home runs on Monday, and is batting .277 with seven homers, 16 RBI, 16 runs, four stolen bases and a .919 OPS since the All-Star break.
Tigers RP Alex Wilson suffered from some shoulder soreness over the weekend, but threw a bullpen session on Monday and should be ready to go tonight. But look at this note from the team's website: "Whether Wilson returns to the closer's role or shares the job with Bruce Rondon is a question for when he returns." Since this blog is firmly on #TeamRondon, that's an interesting note.
Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera (calf) is scheduled to take batting practice and run the bases today in Kansas City. If all goes well, he could be activated in a week or less.
Look for the Rays to activate OF Desmond Jennings (knee) from the DL today. Teammate Kevin Kiermaier (thumb) hopes to play tonight after missing Sunday's game with a thumb injury.
Mets OF Michael Cuddyer was activated from the DL on Monday, but it looks like he's going to platoon with rookie Michael Conforto.
In other Mets' news, lefty Jon Niese pitched very well as our Monday streaming starter. Today's pick is Tampa's Erasmo Ramirez (owned in 23.6 percent of FOXSports.com leagues) against the undermanned Braves.
DFS advice (based on 50/50 games, salaries from DraftKings): So, I got 134.85 points on Monday and didn't even cash? Yeesh ... I like Matt Harvey ($10,900) much better than the other aces on tonight's slate, as he clearly has the best matchup ... Ramirez ($5,800) is my SP2, facing the Braves as a -190 favorite ... The over-unders suggest that the Blue Jays and D-backs are the night's best stacking options, but don't we say that about the Jays every night? The Angels aren't a bad play, either ... Rays C/DH John Jaso ($3,300) doesn't have much power, but he has a good matchup and leads off. Indians C Yan Gomes ($3,400) is averaging 12 DK points over his last five games ... BvP alert: Robinson Cano ($4,000) is 12-for-29 with two homers vs. Chris Tillman ... If Mets SS Wilmer Flores ($3,400) bats high enough in the lineup, he'll be a solid option against Rockies LHP Chris Rusin ... As much as I like Luis Severino, Indians CF Abraham Almonte ($2,000) posted 49 DK points over the weekend, and his price is tough to pass up if you're looking to squeeze in a few big bats.
See you back here tomorrow morning.
