Dream11 Fantasy Baseball: Pirates at White Sox

Pittsburgh Pirates (7-18) at Chicago White Sox (18-12)

Wednesday, August 26th, 2:10 PM EDT

Projected Starters

RHP Trevor Williams (1-4, 3.70 ERA) vs RHP Dallas Keuchel (4-2, 2.65 ERA)

Game Preview

The White Sox and the Pirates are coming off a historic game on Tuesday night – Chicago's pitcher Lucas Giolito completed the first no-hitter of the season, breezing through the Pirates lineup with a 13-strikeout performance. While Dallas Keuchel might not be able to do that in this game – despite the fact he holds a strong 2.65 ERA and a 2.87 ERA in Interleague play across his career – it goes to show these two teams are in different trajectories. Pittsburgh is in a rebuilding stage and might have to wait a few more years before contending, while the White Sox are beginning to look like a force to be reckoned with in the AL Central – and maybe the American League as a whole. The Pirates will start Trevor Williams in this one, and the right-hander has a 3.70 ERA this season, although that figure improves to 2.81 in three starts this month.

Injuries

Chicago White Sox

Aaron Bummer - 10-Day IL - Biceps

8/12 8:53 AM EST - White Sox manager Rick Renteria said Tuesday that Bummer's biceps is "loosening up," but the lefty has yet to begin a throwing program, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports. The White Sox have been encouraged with how Bummer has bounced back from the left biceps strain after landing on the 10-day injured list Saturday, but a target date for his return probably won't be established until he's cleared to resume mound work. Before getting shut down with the injury, Bummer had served as Chicago's top setup man, giving up one earned run on four hits and four walks over 7.1 innings while striking out 12 and collecting three holds.

Ryan Burr - Out - Elbow

7/14 10:54 AM EST - Burr (elbow) joined the White Sox's player pool Tuesday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports. Burr is working his way back from Tommy John surgery, a procedure he underwent in June of 2019. He should be able to pitch at some point this season, though he's yet to impress at the big-league level, posting a 5.52 ERA in 29.1 innings over parts of two seasons.

Leury Garcia - 60-Day IL - Thumb

8/15 8:18 AM EST - Garcia will undergo surgery to repair his left thumb, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports. Garcia was transferred to the 45-day injured list Saturday, and manager Rick Renteria revealed that he won't be available until at least October. He apparently severed the ligament in his thumb, necessitating a lengthy recovery. The 29-year-old is hitting .271 with three home runs and eight RBI but could be available for a potential playoff run if his recovery goes well.

Eloy Jimenez - Day-To-Day - Ankle

8/25 8:19 PM EST - Jimenez twisted his ankle while celebrating after Lucas Giolito completed his no-hitter Tuesday against the Pirates, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Jimenez was able to walk off the field and didn't appear to suffer a serious injury, but he could receive Wednesday off since the team has a scheduled off day to follow Thursday. The 23-year-old went 2-for-4 with a double and one RBI during Tuesday's victory.

Michael Kopech - Out - Opt Out

7/22 5:55 AM EST - The White Sox placed Kopech (personal) on the restricted list July 10. The transaction was just a procedural move after Kopech confirmed earlier that day that he would opt out of the 2020 season. While at home for the next several months, Kopech will complete his rehab from his September 2018 Tommy John surgery before reporting to spring training at full health in 2021 with an eye on claiming a rotation spot.

Jimmy Lambert - 60-Day IL - Forearm

8/3 3:27 PM EST - Lambert (forearm) will be reevaluated in six weeks, James Fegan of The Athletic reports. Lambert was working his way back from Tommy John surgery when he suffered a forearm strain. Given that he won't even be reevaluated for another six weeks, his chances of appearing at any point this season appear quite slim, as there are already just eight weeks left in the regular season.

Nick Madrigal - 10-Day IL - Shoulder

8/25 2:31 PM EST - Manager Rick Renteria said Tuesday that Madrigal (shoulder) will require "at least a few more days" at the team's alternate training site before returning, James Fegan of The Athletic reports. Madrigal could still make it back before the end of August, although it appears as though he won't return for the team's current series against the Pirates. If all goes well in Schaumburg, it's possible that the 23-year-old could return for the White Sox's upcoming series against the Royals, which is scheduled to begin Friday.

Kade Mechals - Out - Elbow

6/11 5:50 PM EST - The White Sox have selected Mechals (elbow) with the 112th overall pick in the 2020 first-year player draft. Mechals wasn't listed among MLB.com's Top 200 players nor Baseball America's Top 500, but the White Sox believe they have found a diamond in the rough. The results were there for Mechals, who posted a 2.19 ERA and 118:42 K:BB across 107 innings at Grand Canyon University. Per James Fegan of The Athletic, Mechals underwent Tommy John surgery in May, so if he signs with the Sox, he may not be ready to debut in the minors until the second half of the 2021 season.

A.J. Puckett - Out - Elbow

3/25 2:02 PM EST - Puckett posted March 13 on his personal Instagram account that he underwent Tommy John surgery. Puckett didn't pitch at all in 2018 while trying to rehab from elbow pain but ultimately opted to go under the knife this spring after failing to show significant improvement. The 2016 second-round pick has yet to pitch above the High-A level and will likely turn 25 years old by the time he's ready for competitive action, effectively taking him off the radar as a prospect.

Carlos Rodon - 10-Day IL - Shoulder

8/18 5:13 AM EST - Rodon (shoulder) threw on the sideline Sunday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports. White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said Rodon's return to the roster could drift into September. Of the two Chicago starters currently on the injured list, Rodon is behind Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder), who is looking at a return by the end of August.

Hunter Schryver - Out - Elbow

2/20 11:04 AM EST - Schryver (elbow) underwent successful Tommy John surgery Thursday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports. The southpaw is expected to make a full recovery in 12-to-18 months, keeping him out of commission for the entire 2020 season and likely a good portion of 2021 as well. Schryver split the 2019 campaign between Triple-A Charlotte and Double-A Binghamton, turning in a 4.04 ERA and 1.48 WHIP across 41 relief appearances between the two stops.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Chris Archer - 60-Day IL - Shoulder

8/6 12:02 PM EST - Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Archer (shoulder) remains at his offseason home in California and is focusing on regaining his range of motion and strength, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports. The Pirates will continue to check in with Archer periodically over the next two months while he recovers from season-ending thoracic outlet syndrome, but he'll likely be on his own in the rehab process come November, when Pittsburgh will almost certainly decline his $11 million team option for 2021. Even if his recovery from surgery proceeds as anticipated, the two-time All-Star will likely have to settle for a low-cost, one- or two-year deal after posting a 5.19 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 2019.

Nick Burdi - 60-Day IL - Elbow

8/12 10:41 AM EST - Burdi (elbow) won't need surgery for now and will receive a platelet-rich plasma injection instead, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. Burdi picked up his first career save this year but lasted just three appearances before his frustratingly frequent injury problems resurfaced. While it's certainly a positive that he's avoided surgery, his latest issue is nevertheless serious enough that he's already been ruled out for the remainder of the year. Whether or not he's at full strength to being the 2021 campaign remains to be seen.

Kyle Crick - 10-Day IL - Shoulder

8/23 10:35 AM EST - Crick (shoulder) will throw live batting practice Monday and accompany the team on its upcoming road trip, general manager Ben Cherington told 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh on Sunday. Speaking on his weekly radio show, Cherington said that the team's medical staff will see how Crick feels Tuesday after his Monday session. If the right-hander reports no problems, he could be activated as soon as Wednesday,

Phillip Evans - 60-Day IL - Jaw

8/19 1:53 PM EST - Evans will undergo surgery to repair his broken jaw, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. Evans landed on the 45-day injured list earlier in the month after sustaining a broken jaw and a concussion in a collision with teammate Gregory Polanco. While it was originally thought that he wouldn't require surgery, it turns out the 27-year-old will need a wire put in his jaw. Evans is eligible to return at the end of September, but the Pirates are preparing as though he'll miss the remainder of the season.

Michael Feliz - 60-Day IL - Forearm

8/6 11:45 AM EST - The Pirates ruled Feliz (forearm) out for the season after transferring him to the 45-day injured list Monday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports. Pittsburgh has lost two key pieces of the bullpen for the remainder of the season in recent days, as Nick Burdi (elbow) was also shut down for good after moving to the 45-day IL on Wednesday. The Pirates diagnosed Feliz with a strained right forearm, an injury that is often a precursor to Tommy John surgery. With the team having yet to announce that any surgery will be in the cards for Feliz, he'll presumably treat the injury through rest and rehab with the hope of being back to full health for spring training in 2021.

Clay Holmes - 60-Day IL - Forearm

8/11 3:55 PM EST - Holmes (forearm) was transferred to the 45-day injured list Tuesday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports. Holmes has been sidelined since the end of July with a right forearm strain. The team wasn't initially anticipating a very long absence, but the issue is evidently more serious than they thought. The 27-year-old will be eligible to return late in the 2020 campaign, but it wouldn't be surprising if the team shut him down for the remainder of the season so he can fully recover. Right-hander Nick Tropeano was claimed off waivers and optioned to the alternate training site to take Holmes' spot on the 40-man roster.

Mitch Keller - 10-Day IL - Oblique

8/19 1:47 PM EST - Keller (oblique) has played catch off flat ground as is expected to throw off a mound next week, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. Keller left early with an oblique issue in just his second start of the year. While it's certainly a positive that he's progressing in the right direction, his next time throwing off a mound will be his first in over three weeks, so he'll presumably need multiple sessions before being returning from the injured list.

Kevin Kramer - 60-Day IL - Hip

6/29 1:02 PM EST - The Pirates placed Kramer (hip) on the 10-day injured list Monday and then transferred him to the 60-day IL. He underwent hip surgery in March that will sideline him for 4-to-6 months, so it's possible he won't play at all this season. Kramer was set to compete for a bench role under normal circumstances.

Travis MacGregor - Day-To-Day - Elbow

4/4 8:17 AM EST - MacGregor underwent Tommy John surgery last September and will miss the entire 2019 season, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports. A 6-foot-3, 180-pound projectable righty, MacGregor wasn't really on the dynasty-league radar, but he could have gotten himself there with a healthy, productive season at High-A. Instead, he will be on the shelf all season and may not even be healthy in time to pitch in winter ball. He will likely head back to Low-A to open the 2020 season to knock off rust before an assignment to High-A.

Luke Maile - 60-Day IL - Finger

7/23 11:43 AM EST - The Pirates placed Maile (finger) on the 60-day injured list Thursday. Maile was ruled out for 10-to-12 weeks after undergoing surgery July 17 to repair a fractured index finger on his throwing hand, so the transaction comes as little surprise. The Pirates will proceed with Jacob Stallings and John Ryan Murphy as their two catchers on the Opening Day roster with Maile sidelined.

James Marvel - Out - Forearm

8/19 2:05 PM EST - Marvel is dealing with a strained right forearm, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports. Marvel apparently suffered the injury a couple of weeks ago. While the severity of the issue is not yet known, forearm injuries can often be the precursor to a significant surgery.

Colin Moran - Day-To-Day - Concussion

8/25 3:00 PM EST - Moran (head) is not in Tuesday's lineup against the White Sox. The team has yet to reveal whether Moran sustained a concussion after colliding with Avisail Garcia in Sunday's game, though he's apparently available off the bench Tuesday, according to Adam Berry of MLB.com. Gregory Polanco is starting at first base while JT Riddle starts at third base.

Joe Musgrove - 10-Day IL - Triceps

8/23 4:32 PM EST - Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Musgrove (triceps) is slated to throw a bullpen session Monday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. Musgrove threw off a mound earlier during the Pirates' homestand, so he'll presumably increase his pitch count and/or the intensity of his side session Monday. Since Musgrove will likely need to face hitters in live batting practice or a simulated game before the Pirates activate him from the injured list, he may not be on track to re-enter the Pittsburgh rotation until next week.

Kevin Newman - Day-To-Day - Abdomen

8/25 2:59 PM EST - Newman (abdomen) is not in Tuesday's lineup against the White Sox. It seemed like he could be placed on the injured list after leaving Sunday's game with lower abdominal muscle discomfort, but he's available off the bench for Tuesday's contest, per Adam Berry of MLB.com. Erik Gonzalez is starting at shortstop and leading off.

Hector Noesi - Out - Opt Out

7/8 6:18 PM EST - Manager Derek Shelton said Wednesday that Noesi has opted out of the 2020 season due to family reasons, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports. The right-hander struggled over 27.2 innings in Miami last season with an 8.46 ERA, but he nonetheless earned a spot in Pittsburgh's 60-man player pool. Noesi will instead sit out the 2020 campaign for the benefit of his family.

Pablo Reyes - Suspension - Suspension

2/19 2:10 PM EST - Reyes was dealt an 80-game suspension without pay Wednesday after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports. Reyes was not invited to spring training after being outrighted to Triple-A Indianapolis on January 16. The 26-year-old struggled to produce offensively for the Pirates in 2019, slashing .203/.274/.322 with 39 runs scored and 36 RBI throughout 157 plate appearances.

Yacksel Rios - 10-Day IL - Shoulder

8/18 3:22 PM EST - Rios was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with right shoulder inflammation, retroactive to Aug. 15, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports. Rios hasn't seen game action since Aug. 8, so it's unclear when or how he sustained the injury. Nick Mears was recalled from the alternate training site in a corresponding move.

Edgar Santana - Suspension - Suspension

6/30 9:17 AM EST - The Pirates placed Santana (suspension) on the restricted list Sunday. Pittsburgh made the move shortly after it was announced Sunday that Santana had received an 80-game suspension following his positive test for the performance-enhancing substance Boldenon. The transaction opens up an extra spot on the 40-man roster and spells an official end to the right-hander's season, as he won't be an option with the Pirates only playing 60 games in 2020. He'll serve out the final 20 games of his suspension at the start of the 2021 season.

Jameson Taillon - 60-Day IL - Elbow

6/30 9:24 AM EST - Taillon (elbow), who will not pitch in the majors in 2020, will attend camp in Pittsburgh as part of his rehabilitation, DK Pittsburgh Sports reports. He'll take the spot of Edgar Santana, who was suspended for 80 games due to PED usage. The move will allow Taillon to continue working with the medical staff in Pittsburgh. In an effort to better maintain his health following a second Tommy John surgery, the righty has made several mechanical adjustments. He's shortened his arm action in his throwing motion and is keeping the ball closer to his body, moves intended to put less stress on his arm and elbow.

Felipe Vazquez - Out - Personal

11/19 1:11 PM EST - Florida prosecutors filed 21 new charges against Vazquez on Tuesday, Renatta Signorini and Rich Cholodofsky of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review report. Police seized an iPhone and a MacBook Pro they say belonged to Vazquez, and a search of those devices led to the additional charges; 10 counts of child pornography, 10 counts of unlawful contact with a minor and a single charge of corruption of minors. Vazquez was originally arrested in September for engaging in sexual activity with a minor and was subsequently placed on the restricted list by MLB. He is being held without bail.

White Sox Expected Lineup

SP - Dallas Keuchel

1. Tim Anderson

2. Yoan Moncada

3. Jose Abreu

4. Yasmani Grandal

5. Edwin Encarnacion

6. Eloy Jimenez

7. Luis Robert

8. Nomar Mazara

9. Danny Mendick

Pirates Expected Lineup

SP - Trevor Williams

1. Kevin Newman

2. Bryan Reynolds

3. Josh Bell

4. Gregory Polanco

5. Colin Moran

6. Erik Gonzalez

7. Adam Frazier

8. Cole Tucker

9. Jacob Stallings

Top Picks From Each Team

Jose Abreu, White Sox: Abreu is currently riding a nine-game hitting streak, notching eight home runs, 16 RBI, a 4:4 K:BB and a .500 average during that stretch. He has been one of the hottest bats in the American League over the last two weeks.

Bryan Reynolds, Pirates: Reynolds recently snapped a three-game hitting streak, but he continues to be one of the most reliable bats in the anemic Pittsburgh offense. The talented outfielder is hitting .262 with a .804 OPS, two homers and seven RBI this month.

Captaincy Options

1. Jose Abreu
2. Luis Robert
3. Bryan Reynolds
4. Yoan Moncada

Dream11 Team

P – Dallas Keuchel

C – Yasmani Grandal

IF – Yoan Moncada

IF – Jose Abreu (C)

IF – Kevin Newman

OF – Eloy Jimenez

OF – Luis Robert (VC)

OF – Bryan Reynolds

OF – Gregory Polanco