Major League Baseball

MLB Quick Hits: Good news, bad news for Nats

Published May. 1, 2015 6:38 a.m. ET

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John Halpin

The Nationals are closer to getting one of their stars back. 3B Anthony Rendon (knee), who interrupted his rehab assignment for a few days due to tightness in his left side, is expected to play today for Double-A Harrisburg. Nats manager Matt Williams said, "four or five games, maybe" when asked about how much longer Rendon would need in the minors. If true, Rendon could make his 2015 debut in D.C. as soon as next Wednesday or Friday.

But not all the news is good for the Nationals. OF Denard Span, who had core muscle surgery in March, left Thursday's game with soreness in the same area. Span will get at least today off, and might rest all weekend as the team exercises caution with him. Look for Michael Taylor to fill in for Span.

In other news ...

Yordano Ventura has dropped the appeal of his seven-game suspension. He'll pitch again next Friday against the Tigers.

Blue Jays SP Daniel Norris left Thursday's game after three innings, but sounds like the culprit was poor pitching. Nothing to worry about here.

Hey, Chris Sale owners: It was only one game. He won't get racked like that often.

The Mets have placed rookie SP Rafael Montero on the DL with a shoulder injury. Lefty prospect Steven Matz whiffed 12 batters and allowed one run in a Triple-A start on Thursday, so he could be a rotation candidate.

In other Mets' news, 3B David Wright (hamstring) isn't expected to come off the DL until next Friday at the earliest.

Reds 2B Brandon Phillips was scratched Thursday due to an illness, but it doesn't sound serious.

The Twins aren't sure when Phil Hughes (hip flexor strain) will make his next start, but will activate Ricky Nolasco on Saturday.

Rookie SP Mike Foltynewicz makes his Braves' debut tonight against the Reds. Nice prospect, but expect some struggles.

Max Scherzer-Matt Harvey tonight at CitiField? Getcha popcorn ready.

Thursday's streaming starter selection was Mike Leake, and we'll chalk up his eight shutout innings as a fantasy victory. The weekend selections are Miami's Tom Koehler (owned in 2.8 percent of FOXSports.com leagues) on Friday, but only because he's facing the Phillies; Brandon Morrow (16.1 percent owned) at PETCO Park on Saturday against the Rockies; and Jason Hammel (31.3 percent owned) on Sunday versus the Brewers. Hammel has 23 strikeouts against one walk in 25 1/3 innings this season.

Friday's #DFS advice (salaries from DraftKings): Let's stay away from the Scherzer-Harvey matchup and go with the still-underrated Carlos Carrasco ($7,900) as our top pitching option. The guy has whiffed 23 batters in 15 2/3 innings, for crying out loud ... We often like to remind you that Indians 2B/OF Ryan Raburn kills lefties, and he's only $2,900 tonight against Mark Buehrle ... A mid-priced option is Diamondbacks OF David Peralta ($4,000), who hits righties well and gets a matchup with Dodger youngster Carlos Frias ... Red Sox 1B Mike Napoli ($3,800) looks like a nice buy against CC Sabathia ... Looking for a stack? The Astros' righthanded hitters at home against Seattle's Roenis Elias seem like a good choice. However, they're not cheap, with George Springer at $5,100, Jose Altuve at $5,000, Chris Carter at $4,400 and Evan Gattis at $3,900. Raburn can help you fit some of those guys.

See you back here Monday morning.

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