Dream11 Fantasy Baseball: Angels at Mariners

Los Angeles Angels (3-7) at Seattle Mariners (4-7)

Tuesday, August 4th, 10:10 PM EDT

Projected starters

LHP Andrew Heaney (0-0, 2.79 ERA) vs RHP Justin Dunn (0-0, 6.00 ERA)

Game Preview

Both the Mariners and the Angels have negative records following their first 11 games of the season, and winning here might prove to be pivotal given what's at stake for both franchises – both have playoff aspirations, but can't slip down the standings even further with another loss in what promises to be a wide-open race for the AL West pennant. The pitching matchup will feature two hurlers who are yet to record a win, as the Angels will send lefty Andrew Heaney to the mound, and the Mariners will counter with rookie right-hander Justin Dunn. These two hurlers already faced each other in their previous outings, with Heaney allowing two runs in five-plus innings and Dunn tossing three sharp frames before allowing a three-run homer to Shohei Ohtani the last time out.

Injuries

Los Angeles Angels

Justin Anderson - 60-Day IL - Elbow

7/23 9:59 AM EST - The Angels placed Anderson (elbow) on the 45-day injured list Thursday. Anderson's move to the IL was merely a formality after he was diagnosed with a torn UCL in his right elbow last week that required season-ending Tommy John surgery. The power reliever won't be ready to contribute for the Angels until late in the second half of the 2021 campaign in a best-case scenario.

Taylor Cole - Day-To-Day - Shoulder

7/22 4:37 PM EST - Cole has a shoulder issue, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports. It's unclear when the injury first cropped up for the 31-year-old, and the severity of it is also unknown. Cole seems unlikely to be available for the start of the season, though he there's a decent chance he wouldn't have been on the Opening Day roster regardless.

Tommy La Stella - Day-To-Day - Neck

8/2 1:07 PM EST - La Stella (neck) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros but is available to pinch hit off the bench, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports. La Stella was pulled out of the lineup ahead of Saturday's 5-4 win with neck tightness, but manager Joe Maddon's announcement that the infielder will be available off the bench in the series finale suggests the 31-year-old should return to the starting nine in short order. Luis Rengifo will fill in at the keystone for La Stella.

Parker Markel - Out - Undisclosed

7/23 4:16 PM EST - Markel (undisclosed) is not included on the Angels' 30-man roster. Markel missed all of summer camp while dealing with an undisclosed issue, so his exclusion from the Opening Day roster is not surprising. The right-hander was far from a lock to make break camp with the squad in any case after allowing 19 earned runs in 22 innings last season as a member of the Mariners and Pirates.

Shohei Ohtani - Day-To-Day - Forearm

8/3 4:36 PM EST - Contrary to a previous report, Ohtani is day-to-day as a hitter with a Grade 1-2 strain of the flexor pronator mass. He won't begin a throwing progression for at least 4-to-6 weeks. It's safe to say he won't pitch in regular-season games again this season, but there had been a report from the Los Angeles Times earlier in the day that Ohtani would go forward as the primary designated hitter. He will be with the team for its road trip which starts Tuesday in Seattle, but it sounds like he is questionable for that game.

Dillon Peters - 10-Day IL - Oblique

7/26 6:39 PM EST - Peters (oblique) reported to the Angels' alternate training site Sunday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports. After missing all of camp with an oblique issue, Peters reported to the team's alternate training site to rehab as he attempts to get back into game shape. The southpaw is expected to join the major-league bullpen at some point, but it's unclear when he'll be ready to play in regular season games. Peters made 17 appearances (12 starts) for the Angels last season, recording a 5.38 ERA and 55:26 K:BB over 72 innings.

Jose Quijada - 10-Day IL - Undisclosed

7/26 6:29 PM EST - Quijada (undisclosed) reported to the Angels' alternate training site Sunday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports. Quijada missed all of camp for an undisclosed reason, but he's now rehabbing at the team's alternate training site as he works to get back into game shape. The left-hander isn't likely to join the 30-man roster even when he's ready for game action. If he does reach the majors this year, he's unlikely to have a significant role in the bullpen.

Jacob Rhame - Out - Undisclosed

7/21 5:23 PM EST - Rhame (undisclosed) cleared waivers and was outrighted to the Angels' alternate training site Tuesday. The 27-year-old was claimed off waivers from the Mets in early July, but he wasn't able to report to camp until last week and was unlikely to be ready for the start of the season. Rhame has been removed from the 40-man roster, but he could still be a factor for the Angels at some point this season.

Andrelton Simmons - 10-Day IL - Ankle

7/30 8:17 PM EST - Simmons said his ankle is beginning to feel better after twisting it while running through first base in Monday's loss to the Athletics, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports. Simmons provided encouraging news to reporters, saying that he feels much better than when he suffered a similar-looking ankle injury last season. Given that Simmons is already beginning to improve, it does not seem out of the question for the slick-fielding shortstop to return within a few days of when he is eligible to come off the injured list Aug. 7.

Jose Soriano - Out - Elbow

2/13 10:45 AM EST - Soriano underwent Tommy John surgery last week and will miss the entire 2020 season, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports. This is a tough break for Soriano, who compiled a 2.55 ERA and 84 strikeouts in 77.2 innings with Low-A Burlington in 2019. The 21-year-old righty will now begin a long recovery process that will likely keep him sidelined into the 2021 season.

Jose Suarez - 10-Day IL - Undisclosed

7/27 12:13 PM EST - Angels pitching coach Mickey Callaway said Monday that Suarez (undisclosed) remains limited to playing catch off flat ground at the team's alternate training site in Long Beach, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports. Suarez reported to Long Beach on Sunday after missing all of summer camp with an unspecified issue. Though Suarez is believed to be healthy now, the Angels will have him proceed cautiously through the ramp-up process. Callaway said Suarez will need time to build up before he's even ready for mound work, so the young lefty is unlikely to warrant serious consideration to return from the injured list until around mid-August.

Julio Teheran - Covid-19 - Not Injury Related

8/1 4:09 PM EST - Teheran (not injury related) is expected to throw at least once more at the team's alternate training site before joining the big-league club, Maria Torres of the Los Angeles Times reports. A specific return date for Teheran remains undecided, though it appears unlikely that the right-hander will make his Angels debut before next weekend. Manager Joe Maddon did leave open the possibility that Teheran's arrival could be expedited if the need arises, though he would likely be on a limited pitch count if that situation were to occur. Teheran missed most of summer camp after testing positive for COVID-19.

Mike Trout - Out - Personal

8/2 11:00 AM EST - Angels general manager Billy Eppler said Sunday that Trout (personal) was transferred from the paternity to the restricted list, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports. Trout is scheduled to join the Angels in Seattle for Tuesday's series opener against the Mariners and is expected to be activated ahead of that game. The impending birth of Trout's first child was something that weighed heavily into his valuation leading into fantasy drafts conducted shortly before the 60-game season began, but the star outfielder looks like he'll end up missing only four games as a result of the personal matter. Assuming he clears all COVID-19-related protocols prior to rejoining the club, Trout should slot back in as the Angels' starting center fielder and No. 2 hitter Tuesday, resulting in Brian Goodwin shifting back over to right field. Before leaving the team Thursday, Trout looked like his usual self through the Angels' first six games, going 7-for-24 with a home run and four RBI.

Seattle Mariners

Austin Adams - 60-Day IL - Knee

8/3 3:00 PM EST - Adams (knee) could be activated for the Mariners' upcoming road trip, which begins Aug. 10 against the Rangers, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports. Adams is working his way back from surgery to repair a torn ACL, a procedure he underwent back in September. The league's COVID-19 protocols make it difficult for players to get work in during a road trip while not on the roster, but it's possible Adams is ready to go before the team departs.

Gerson Bautista - 60-Day IL - Elbow

7/23 8:49 AM EST - The Mariners placed Bautista (elbow) on the 45-day injured list Wednesday. While Bautista is expected to avoid surgery to address the strained right elbow he picked up during summer camp, the Mariners are preparing for him to miss extensive time. The move to the 45-day IL will keep him out of the mix for more than half of the 60-game season.

Chasen Bradford - Out - Elbow

6/10 11:01 AM EST - Bradford (elbow) announced Tuesday via his personal Twitter account that he has resumed throwing bullpen sessions. According to Bradford, Tuesday's workout marked the first time he's gotten back on a mound since undergoing Tommy John surgery last August. The right-hander was outrighted off Seattle's 40-man roster in October and isn't expected to return to competitive action until the 2021 season.

Brandon Brennan - 60-Day IL - Oblique

8/1 5:59 PM EST - Brennan (oblique) was transferred to the 45-day injured list Saturday, Lauren Smith of The Tacoma News Tribune reports. The 29-year-old was placed on the 10-day IL earlier in the week with a left oblique strain, and he's now looking at an extended absence. Brennan doesn't have an official timeline for his return, but he won't be eligible to be activated until mid-September.

Sam Carlson - Day-To-Day - Elbow

2/21 11:18 PM EST - Carlson (elbow), who missed the last two seasons and underwent Tommy John surgery in July 2018, threw his first live batting practice since the procedure Friday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports. The momentous occasion, which saw Carlson throw 20 pitches against fellow minor leaguers, marked the right-hander's first time facing hitters in 32 months. Carlson experienced several setbacks during the process, including a scare last August where the pitcher thought he may have torn his ulnar collateral ligament a second time. The 21-year-old has just three innings of AZL Rookie-level ball under his belt so far as a professional, and given his extended recovery, the organization will proceed with caution in terms of his activity level over the coming months.

Matt Festa - Out - Elbow

3/2 7:11 AM EST - Festa (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the 2020 season, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports. Festa reportedly felt some discomfort after a bullpen session early in spring training, and the team decided surgery was required, ending his 2020 campaign before it started. The right-hander made 20 appearances out of the major-league bullpen in 2019, posting a 5.64 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over 22.1 innings, but he'll now focus on recovery in hopes of returning in 2021.

Kendall Graveman - Day-To-Day - Neck

8/3 10:11 AM EST - Graveman is slated to undergo tests on his neck Monday after battling through stiffness and soreness during Sunday's outing against the Athletics, the Associated Press reports. "Hopefully we'll find out some more answers tomorrow," Graveman said Sunday. "It's something I've dealt with for quite some time now. It kind of flared up in the Houston game. Trying to figure it out. ... I've been told it can't get any worse than it is." The right-hander worked through the discomfort to log 4.2 innings and throw 96 pitches against Oakland on Sunday, but as Graveman confirmed, the issue is one he's dealt with since his first start of the season. There's no indication yet that Graveman's next start is in jeopardy, but forthcoming test results should confirm whether or not there is anything that could result in an absence.

Sam Haggerty - Out - Hip

7/20 7:55 PM EST - Haggerty left Monday's intrasquad game after his first at-bat with hip soreness, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports. Manager Scott Servais said that the injury is nothing serious. Haggerty remains a likely candidate to make the Mariners' Opening Day roster over fellow utility options Jose Marmolejos and Dylan Moore. The 26-yera-old has just four major-league at-bats and was claimed off waivers by Seattle this offseason.

Mitch Haniger - 60-Day IL - Back

7/8 4:50 PM EST - GM Jerry Dipoto said Wednesday that Haniger (back) hasn't resumed baseball activities and there's a possibility he doesn't play this season, Lauren Smith of The Tacoma News Tribune reports. The 29-year-old was placed on the 60-day injured list before the start of summer training last week, which was a solid indication he may not be taking the field anytime soon. Haniger first went down with a ruptured testicle last summer and required multiple surgeries, and he also had a procedure to fix a vertebrae in his lower back in February. The team is making sure the outfielder doesn't push things beyond his comfort zone during the recovery process, which makes sense given the myriad of issues he's returning from. The Mariners don't appear in a rush to put Haniger on the field for the shortened 2020 campaign, though he's yet to be officially ruled out.

Yoshihisa Hirano - Covid-19 - Illness

7/30 8:41 AM EST - Hirano (illness) is scheduled to throw his first bullpen session at the Mariners' spring training facility in Peoria, Arizona on Thursday, Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com reports. Hirano remains without a firm timetable for his 2020 debut, but manager Scott Servais noted the veteran is "another guy we desperately need." The 36-year-old had signed a one-year, $1.6 million deal with the Mariners in January and was thought of as a leading candidate for the closer's job until testing positive for COVID-19 on June 25. Hirano did manage to gain clearance in time to participate in the last few days of summer camp, and he'll eventually work up to pitching in intrasquad games at the team's alternate training site in Tacoma before activation is considered.

Tom Murphy - 10-Day IL - Foot

7/30 4:39 PM EST - Murphy (foot) still does not have a timetable for a return, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports. Murphy, who was placed on the injured list July 23 with a broken bone in his foot, still figures to be a ways out from returning to the Mariners.

Max Povse - Out - Shoulder

2/16 8:12 AM EST - Povse has been delayed in camp due to a sore shoulder, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports. Povse hasn't thrown yet in camp but is expected to do so in a few days. Assuming he's able to hit that timeline, he should still be ready to go by Opening Day, but he's unlikely to spend that day on the big-league roster, though, as he was designated for assignment in late January.

Julio Rodriguez - Out - Wrist

7/21 7:56 PM EST - Rodriguez, who suffered a hairline fracture in his left wrist Wednesday, was already taking one-handed swings in the batting cage Monday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports. Rodriguez is supposed to be shut down from all baseball activities for 4-to-6 weeks and officially isn't expected to be ready for game action until the Dominican Winter League at the earliest. However, manager Scott Servais noted Monday that Rodriguez's abundance of energy led to the 19-year-old taking his hacks in the cage, as Rodriguez is determined to stay in shape through his recovery. Whether the prospect's clear desire to compete can translate to a quicker-than-expected return remains to be seen, but Monday's development at least implies Rodriguez will likely push for the chance to remain involved in baseball activities as much as possible.

Dom Thompson-Williams - Out - Achilles

2/24 1:19 PM EST - Thompson-Williams underwent surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles and will miss the entire 2020 season, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports. This is a tough break for Thompson-Williams, who was acquired from the Yankees in the James Paxton deal in 2018. The 24-year-old outfielder spent all of the 2019 season with Double-A Arkansas, slashing .234/.298/.391 with 12 home runs and 15 stolen bases in 115 games.

Angels Expected Lineup

SP - Andrew Heaney

1. David Fletcher

2. Mike Trout

3. Anthony Rendon

4. Shohei Ohtani

5. Justin Upton

6. Albert Pujols

7. Tommy LaStella

8. Jo Adell

9. Jason Castro

Mariners Expected Lineup

SP - Justin Dunn

1. J.P. Crawford

2. Tim Lopes

3. Kyle Lewis

4. Kyle Seager

5. Evan White

6. Austin Nola

7. Shed Long

8. Dylan Moore

9. Dee Gordon

Top Picks From Each Team

Kyle Lewis, Mariners: Lewis has been the Mariners' top offensive threat this season, and the numbers back him up. He has settled in the middle of Seattle's order, and the outfielder has hit safely in 10 of his 11 games so far, slashing .386/.438/.483 with three home runs, nine RBI and seven runs scored.

Mike Trout, Angels: Picking Trout in this matchup might be a risk due to uncertainty regarding his availability for this matchup, but all signs have indicated the star center fielder will feature Tuesday. Before leaving the team Thursday, Trout looked like his usual self through the Angels' first six games, going 7-for-24 with a home run and four RBI.

Captaincy Options

1. Kyle Lewis
2. Kyle Seager
3. Mike Trout
4. J.P. Crawford

Dream11 Team

P – Justin Dunn

C – Austin Nola

IF – Kyle Seager (VC)

IF – J.P. Crawford

IF – Dee Gordon

OF – Kyle Lewis (C)

OF – Mike Trout

OF – Brian Goodwin

OF – Justin Upton