Dream11 Fantasy Baseball: Yankees at Nationals

New York Yankees (1-1) at Washington Nationals (1-1)

Sunday, July 26th, 1:05 PM ET

Projected starters

RHP Chad Green (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. LHP Patrick Corbin (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Game Preview

The Yankees and the Nationals have each recorded one win in their first two games this season, and both teams will attempt to earn the series-clinching win Sunday. The Nationals seems to have the edge in the pitching department with Patrick Corbin, who went 14-7 with a 3.25 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP in 2019, while the Yankees will send Chad Green to the mound. Green went 4-4 with a 4.17 ERA in 69.0 innings during 2019. That's the only area where the Nationals might have the advantage, however, as they won't have Juan Soto due to COVID-19 while the other star player in the lineup, Trea Turner, is yet to record a hit in his first two games. Will Washington's pitching come out on top, or will the Yankees offense say something different like they did Friday during Opening Night?

Injuries:

New York Yankees

Luis Cessa - Covid-19 - Not Injury Related

7/23 1:38 PM EST - Cessa remains on the COVID-19 injured list and is not part of the Yankees' initial 30-man roster. Cessa returned to the team Saturday after clearing intake protocol, but he has yet to be removed from the injured list and is not part of the Opening Day bullpen. The right-hander threw a 31-pitch bullpen session Monday that reportedly went well, so he's likely close to being game-ready.

Aroldis Chapman - Covid-19 - Illness

7/25 3:53 PM EST - Chapman (illness) produced his first negative test result for COVID-19 on Saturday, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports. GM Brian Cashman said earlier in the week the veteran left-hander was mostly symptom-free but was still testing positive for coronavirus, so this could be a significant step toward his return. Chapman still must produce a second negative test before being cleared to rejoin the team, while Zack Britton is expected to fill in as the closer until that occurs.

Domingo German - Suspension - Suspension

7/18 4:22 PM EST - German (suspension) will not be retiring, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports. German announced in a somewhat cryptic Instagram post Friday that he was stepping away from baseball. He's since deleted that post and provided another one, in which he apologized for the "unsettling post," explaining that he let his emotions get the best of him after being forced to watch his teammates get ready for the season from afar. German will miss the entirety of the season as well as the first three games of next year while serving a domestic-violence suspension.

Rosell Herrera - Day-To-Day - Heel

7/23 2:09 PM EST - Herrera (heel) is not included on the Yankees' active 30-man roster. Herrera was once a candidate for a roster spot after impressing during spring training, but he dealt with pain in both heels throughout much of summer camp and wasn't able to play in any of the team's three exhibition contests. It remains to be seen whether the 27-year-old will be placed on the injured list or assigned to the team's alternate training site.

Kyle Holder - Day-To-Day - Hip

7/19 11:55 AM EST - Holder (hip/stomach) was assigned to the Yankees' alternate training site Saturday. Holder's reassignment came on the same day that he underwent a series of tests due to discomfort in his hip and stomach area. The 26-year-old was not expected to make the Yankees' initial 30-man active roster, though a callup this year is not out of the question if he's able to overcome the injury concern.

Dan Otero - Out - Undisclosed

7/21 3:49 PM EST - Otero was placed on the restricted list Tuesday. The reasoning behind the move is unclear, but Otero won't be available for the start of the shortened season and has no official timeline for his return. The 35-year-old joined the Yankees on a minor-league deal with offseason after posting a 4.85 ERA and 1.52 WHIP with the Indians in 2019.

Freicer Perez - Day-To-Day - Shoulder

5/9 8:39 PM EST - Perez (undisclosed) was placed on the minor-league disabled list Wednesday. Specifics regarding the injury remain unclear at this point. Perez had a 7.20 ERA, 1.89 WHIP and 20:19 K:BB through six starts (25 innings) before landing on the shelf. He'll be eligible to return May 16 if he's ready.

Anthony Seigler - Day-To-Day - Kneecap

3/16 5:13 PM EST - Seigler (kneecap) is expected to start the 2020 campaign with Low-A Charleston, Dan Kelly of SB Nation reports. The Yankees drafted Seigler 23rd overall in the 2018 draft, and he was initially regarded as one of the team's top prospects. However, the backstop hit only .175 in 120 plate appearances in Low-A ball last season before a patella fracture ended his campaign after 30 games. Seigler's defensive tools make him an intriguing player to keep an eye on, and the coming season figures to be crucial in assessing his offensive potential.

Luis Severino - 60-Day IL - Elbow

6/28 3:17 PM EST - Severino (elbow) was placed on the 45-day injured list Sunday. This was inevitable after Severino underwent Tommy John surgery in February. He has been progressing well in his rehab and is optimistic that he will be able to pitch for the Yankees at some point in 2021.

Masahiro Tanaka - 10-Day IL - Concussion

7/22 9:15 AM EST - Tanaka (concussion) has been placed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Sunday. The move is no surprise, as it's already been announced that Tanaka will miss at least one turn in the rotation while he works his way back from the mild concussion he suffered back on July 4. He was reportedly symptom-free quite soon after the incident, but the lost practice time means he won't quite be in game shape when the season begins. Making the move retroactive to Sunday means Tanaka could be activated as soon as next Wednesday, but he'll reportedly be throwing an extended session Sunday, meaning he'd be unlikely to make his season debut before July 31.

Washington Nationals

Tres Barrera - Suspension - Suspension

7/25 8:22 AM EST - Barrera was suspended 80 games Saturday after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports. Barrera wasn't expected to serve on the Nationals' major-league roster this season, but he'll be forced to sit out the entire 2020 campaign and part of next season. The catcher played most of the 2019 season with Double-A Harrisburg, where he hit .249/.323/.381 with eight home runs and 46 RBI.

Welington Castillo - Out - Opt Out

7/22 9:53 AM EST - The Nationals placed Castillo (opt out) on the restricted list July 4. Washington made the transaction official one day after manager Dave Martinez told the media that Castillo became the third player to sit out the 60-game season. Castillo joined the Nationals in January on a one-year deal, so he'll head to the open market at the conclusion of the 2020 campaign.

Mason Denaburg - Out - Shoulder

7/7 6:32 AM EST - Denaburg (shoulder) said Tuesday that he expects to resume throwing bullpen sessions in the next three weeks, Byron Kerr of MASNSports.com reports. The 2018 first-round pick has been pleased thus far with how he's progressed since undergoing arthroscopic right shoulder surgery last October. Denaburg plans to gradually increase his long-toss distance off flat ground through the end of July, and then get back on the mound for the first time since last summer. If the 20-year-old can steer clear of any major setbacks in his throwing program during the upcoming offseason, he should head into the 2021 minor-league season at full strength.

Roenis Elias - 10-Day IL - Undisclosed

7/22 12:12 PM EST - Elias (undisclosed) continues to throw but won't be ready for Opening Day, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports. Elias was unable to report to camp until Friday due to undisclosed reasons. While he's healthy enough to throw, he remains on the 10-day injured list and will evidently not be activated until after the season begins.

Steven Fuentes - Suspension - Suspension

7/16 5:20 PM EST - Fuentes was cleared to train and will be headed to Fredericksburg on Thursday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports. Fuentes and Joan Adon both will head to Fredericksburg to join their teammates and begin training for the upcoming regular season. Washington added Fuentes to their 60-man player pool earlier this summer to ensure that he will finish serving his 50-game suspension when the 2021 season arrives. The 23-year-old was having a breakout 2019 campaign before testing positive for a banned stimulant, posting a 2.69 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 63:15 K:BB across 63.2 innings for Double-A Hagerstown.

Joe Ross - Out - Opt Out

6/29 12:16 PM EST - Ross is expected to opt out of joining the Nationals for the 2020 season, sources tell Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic. Ross is the second known player who is expected to forgo playing in 2020 due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic after Diamondbacks pitcher Mike Leake announced his intentions earlier Monday. As a result, Ross will forgo his $1.5 million salary for 2020 before heading into his final year of salary arbitration in 2021. Ross had been a leading candidate for the fifth spot in the Nationals' rotation, but his decision to sit out the season could lead to more starting opportunities for Austin Voth and Erick Fedde.

Adrian Sanchez - 7-Day IL - Achilles

6/29 9:40 AM EST - Updating a previous report, the Nationals relayed Monday that Sanchez (Achilles) was placed on the minor-league injured list and isn't included as part of the big club's 60-man player pool, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports. The Nationals had previously announced Sunday that Sanchez had been placed on the 60-day injured list after tearing his right Achilles' tendon in a workout a few weeks ago. However, because he was optioned to Double-A Harrisburg in late March before he suffered the injury, he'll revert to the minor-league IL rather than the MLB team's IL. Unfortunately for Sanchez, the transaction means he won't be eligible for major-league payment and service time while he recovers from surgery that will keep him sidelined throughout the 2020 season, and likely, a decent chunk of the 2021 campaign. The move still leaves one spot open on the 40-man roster for the Nationals, though the team won't be extended an extra spot in the 60-man player pool to replace Sanchez.

Juan Soto - Covid-19 - Illness

7/25 3:18 PM EST - Soto tested negative for COVID-19 on Saturday but needs one more negative test before returning to the field, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports. Soto landed on the COVID-19 injured list on Opening Day, but it appears as though his absence may not be a lengthy one. MLB protocol dictates that players who test positive for the virus must receive two negative tests from more than 24 hours apart before being cleared to return. Soto's first negative test was administered Thursday, so it's possible his second test is already in progress.

Stephen Strasburg - Day-To-Day - Hand

7/25 1:01 PM EST - Strasburg doesn't believe the nerve issue which caused him to miss his scheduled start Saturday against the Yankees will keep him out "too long," Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports. While Strasburg's optimism is certainly a good sign, "too long" is hardly a precise timeline. There's a good chance one should emerge soon, however. Erick Fedde is set to make a spot start in his absence Saturday.

Wander Suero - 10-Day IL - Undisclosed

7/22 9:45 AM EST - Suero (undisclosed) completed a simulated game Wednesday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports. Even though Suero remains on the 10-day injured list, his presence at summer camp and ability to face hitters suggests he's reasonably healthy and won't miss much time beyond Opening Day. The right-hander reliever made 78 appearances for Washington in 2019, posting a 4.54 ERA, 81:26 K:BB and 19 holds over 71.1 innings.

Ryan Zimmerman - Out - Opt Out

6/29 12:31 PM EST - Zimmerman informed the Nationals on Monday that he has opted out of playing in the 2020 season, Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic reports. Zimmerman's decision comes less than a week after he outlined his concerns about how playing during the COVID-19 pandemic could compromise the immune systems of his wife and newborn baby in an essay posted by the Associated Press. Along with Zimmerman, teammate Joe Ross has also elected not to play in 2020, leaving the Nationals with less depth at first base and in the rotation, respectively. With Zimmerman out of the mix, the Nationals could lean more heavily on Howie Kendrick as the primary platoon mate at first base with the left-handed-hitting Eric Thames. Zimmerman will forgo his $6.25 million salary in 2020 and hit free agency in the offseason, but it's unclear if the soon-to-be 37-year-old will have interest in resuming his career in 2021.

Nationals Expected Lineup:

SP - Patrick Corbin

1. Trea Turner

2. Adam Eaton

3. Starlin Castro

4. Howie Kendrick

5. Eric Thames

6. Yan Gomes

7. Carter Kieboom

8. Andrew Stevenson

9. Victor Robles

Yankees Expected Lineup:

SP – Chad Green

1. DJ LeMahieu

2. Aaron Judge

3. Gleyber Torres

4. Giancarlo Stanton

5. Gary Sanchez

6. Luke Voit

7. Aaron Hicks

8. Miguel Andujar

9. Gio Urshela

RotoWire.com Projections:

Giancarlo Stanton, NYY - OF

• Credits: 14
• Proj. D11 Pts: 11.87

Juan Soto, WAS - OF

• Credits: 14
• Proj. D11 Pts: 0.00

Howie Kendrick, WAS - IF

• Credits: 13.5
• Proj. D11 Pts: 11.03

Trea Turner, WAS - IF

• Credits: 13.5
• Proj. D11 Pts: 14.61

DJ LeMahieu, NYY - IF

• Credits: 13.5
• Proj. D11 Pts: 12.05

Fernando Abad, NYY - OF

• Credits: 13
• Proj. D11 Pts: 0.00

Gleyber Torres, NYY - IF

• Credits: 13
• Proj. D11 Pts: 12.27

Adam Eaton, WAS - OF

• Credits: 13
• Proj. D11 Pts: 12.41

Starlin Castro, WAS - IF

• Credits: 12.5
• Proj. D11 Pts: 10.24

Brett Gardner, NYY - OF

• Credits: 12.5
• Proj. D11 Pts: 0.00

Asdrubal Cabrera, WAS - IF

• Credits: 12.5
• Proj. D11 Pts: 10.64

Michael Taylor, WAS - OF

• Credits: 12
• Proj. D11 Pts: 8.75

Gary Sanchez, NYY - C

• Credits: 12
• Proj. D11 Pts: 0.00

Luke Voit, NYY - IF

• Credits: 12
• Proj. D11 Pts: 11.22

Aaron Hicks, NYY - OF

• Credits: 11.5
• Proj. D11 Pts: 0.00

Gio Urshela, NYY - IF

• Credits: 11.5
• Proj. D11 Pts: 10.22

Victor Robles, WAS - OF

• Credits: 11.5
• Proj. D11 Pts: 12.70

Kurt Suzuki, WAS - C

• Credits: 11
• Proj. D11 Pts: 0.00

Eric Thames, WAS - IF

• Credits: 11
• Proj. D11 Pts: 12.21

Aaron Judge, NYY - OF

• Credits: 11
• Proj. D11 Pts: 12.70

Top Picks From Each Team:

Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees: Stanton went deep on Opening Night against Max Scherzer, and he went 2-for-3 with another homer Saturday. The slugger has kicked off the 2020 MLB season on a strong note, and he should be a popular pick among most users despite his elevated cost (14 credits).

Asdrubal Cabrera, Nationals: Juan Soto is out with COVID-19 and Trea Turner is yet to record a hit in his first two hits, but Asdrubal Cabrera has come to the rescue for the Nationals. He went 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored Saturday, and he will try to translate that into a strong performance in the series finale.

Captaincy Options:

1. Giancarlo Stanton
2. Aaron Judge
3. Asdrubal Cabrera
4. Trea Turner

Dream11 Team

P – Chad Green

C – Gary Sanchez

IF – Trea Turner

IF – Asdrubal Cabrera

IF – Miguel Andujar

IF – Carter Kieboom

OF – Giancarlo Stanton (C)

OF – Aaron Judge (VC)

OF – Adam Eaton

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are of the author and is not a reflection of the actual points you might earn.