Kenley Kancelled

The Dodgers bullpen was dealt a major blow on Friday when it was announced that All-Star closer Kenley Jansen would be sidelined for about a month as he undergoes treatment for an irregular heartbeat. Oh well.

It’s an issue that Jansen has dealt with before, and that he had surgery to address in October of 2012. While the specifics of his treatment plan aren’t yet known this time around, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that the condition is believed to be “very manageable”. Easy for you to say Kenny.

The Dodgers sit tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks atop the National League West, so losing their bullpen ace for an extended period of time is definitely a major blow. It’s also a heart-breaker for fantasy owners who undoubtedly rely on Jansen’s elite production.

Scott Alexander came on for Jansen on Thursday and closed out the Rockies to earn his second save of the season. The 29-year-old southpaw looks to be the logical candidate to assume the closer’s role while Jansen is on the shelf. He boasts a 3.27 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 45/24 K/BB ratio in 52 ⅓ innings on the season.

Presuming that he does take over the job, he immediately becomes a relevant fantasy option in all mixed leagues. Now would be the time to scoop him up if he’s available. Another possible option for the Dodgers could be shifting Kenta Maeda back to the bullpen, a role that he excelled in during the playoffs last season.

Remember, during the 2017 postseason Maeda allowed just one run in 10 2/3 innings (0.84 ERA) while registering a 10/2 K/BB ratio. He could also become a dominant force in the ninth inning if given the opportunity.

Ronald Guzman

Yankee Clipper

Ronald Guzman sure does enjoy hitting against Yankees’ pitching.

The Rangers’  23-year-old rookie first baseman terrorized the Yankees’ pitching staff during the team’s three-game set in May, homering in each of the three games. He wound up hitting .500 (5-for-10) with three homers and five RBI in the series.

Entering play on Friday, he had been scuffling at the plate, hitting just .189/.259/.264 with no homers, six RBI and a 20/3 K/BB ratio in 16 games since the All-Star break.

Masahiro Tanaka, the Yankees’ starting pitcher on Friday, started the first game of that fateful series against the Rangers in May. Guzman faced Tanaka twice in that contest, going 0-for-1 and also getting hit by a pitch.

He would get his revenge in a big way on Friday.

After grounding out in his first at-bat against Tanaka, Guzman took the right-hander deep for a solo shot in the fourth inning, increasing the Rangers’ lead to 4-0. It was Guzman’s ninth home run of the season.

That good feeling carried over to his next at-bat, as he led off the sixth inning with another solo blast off of Tanaka, this time increasing the Rangers’ edge to 6-1. He wasn’t finished though.

Facing A.J. Cole in the seventh inning, Guzman belted his third solo home run of the game, this time an opposite-field shot to left. It wasn’t until the eighth inning that the Yankees were able to get him out again, with Chad Green punching him out to end the frame.

What made the memorable night extra-special, was that it was the first time that Guzman’s father Manuel had seen him play a major league game in person. He actually had 10 guests in attendance, including his mother, sister, two brothers and even his little league coach.

Rangers’ skipper Jeff Bannister talked after the game about Guzman’s incredible performance coinciding with his family being in attendance, telling reporters, “''That might be one of the coolest things ever, for a major league player (to have) his dad see him play for the first time… A number of people that really had an opportunity to impact his life… A night he was able to give back to them, give them some excitement, something they'll all share together tonight and from now on. It will be one of those nights he will never forget.”

Guzman became the first Rangers’ hitter to hit three homers in a game since Adrian Beltre accomplished the feat in 2012. He’s also the first rookie to ever hit three home runs in a game against the Yankees. He’s also the only player ever to leave the yard in each of his first four games against the Bombers.

Guzman had even told his father that if he got a pitch over the plate, he was going to try to hammer it. He definitely accomplished that.

He now has 12 home runs overall on the season. Six of them have come in 15 at-bats against the Yankees, while the other six have been spread out over 263 at-bats. Coincidence? Or extra motivation?

Guzman grew up idolizing Manny Ramirez and rooting for the Boston Red Sox. He admitted after Friday’s game that he grew up detesting the Yankees. "I want to kill them every time I play them, to be honest," Guzman said. "I never liked the Yankees growing up, just the fact that every Dominican who is a Yankee fan, they are so loud and they talk so much. Now I know they hate me, but I'm happy about it."

He’ll assuredly be back in the Rangers’ lineup on Saturday, where he’ll take on newcomer Lance Lynn, a pitcher that he has never faced before. Let’s see if he can make it five straight games with a homer against his least favorite team.

Lance Lynn

Phillies get Nix’d

Padres’ pitching prospect Jacob Nix made his major league debut against the Phillies on Friday and he definitely didn’t disappoint.

The 22-year-old right-hander, ranked as the 14th best prospect in the Padres’ organization, dazzled in front of family and friends on hand, hurling six scoreless innings in a victory over the Phillies.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing. Nix struggled early on, stranding the bases loaded after walk and a pair of singles in the first inning, and leaving another pair on base in the second inning. After that, he settled in though, retiring 12 of the final 13 hitters that he faced.

Nix scattered just four hits on the night, walking two and striking out four. The rookie right-hander threw 63 of his 88 pitches for strikes.

He isn’t a great bet to be a terrific mixed league asset over the remainder of the season, but he could be worth a look as a streaming option in good matchups, especially at home in San Diego.

American League Quick Hits: The Angels officially placed Mike Trout on the 10-day disabled list, retroactive to August 6, with right wrist inflammation. The word on the streets is that he’ll return as soon as he’s eligible on Thursday against the Rangers… Edwin Encarnacion will undergo an MRI on his left biceps on Saturday after he was pulled from Friday’s game… The Baltimore Orioles were officially eliminated from contention in the American League East. On August 10. They’re 35-80 and 45 ½ games behind the Red Sox… Vladimir Guerrero Jr. homered for the third straight game at Triple-A Buffalo and is hitting .433 in the 10 games since his promotion… Tommy Pham (foot) took batting practice off a pitching machine on Thursday and seems to be ahead of schedule in his recovery from a fractured foot… The Orioles designated Danny Valencia for assignment… The Tigers signed Zach McAllister to a one-year deal… Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that the Twins are set to call up pitching prospect Kohl Stewart… Tyler Skaggs (groin) will return from the disabled list to start on Saturday against the Athletics… Blake Snell struck out six over five perfect innings in a win over the Blue Jays, but was lifted after throwing only 47 pitches… Michael Perez clubbed his first big league home run in that victory… Jake Marisnick had to be pulled from Friday’s game against the Mariners due to left groin discomfort… Adrian Beltre homered and drove in four runs as the Rangers topped the Yankees… Jean Segura was diagnosed with a bruised wrist after X-rays came back negative following a hit by pitch during Friday’s game… Carlos Rodon fanned five over eight shutout innings in a no-decision against the Indians… George Springer (thumb) is unsure of when he will resume swinging… Cedric Mullins went 3-for-4 with a walk, two RBI, and three runs scored in his big league debut on Friday… Mookie Betts went 3-for-4 with two walks, three RBI, and three runs scored… J.D. Martinez plated two more runs in that one, giving him a major league-leading 101 RBI on the season… Xander Bogaerts homered and drove in four runs in that slugfest… Khris Davis slugged his 33rd home run as the Athletics fell to the Angels… Everyday Edwin Diaz locked down his major league-leading 44th save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning against the Astros…

National League Quick Hits: Nolan Arenado had to be removed from Friday’s contest against the Dodgers after tweaking his shoulder while turning a double play. He’ll be re-evaluated on Saturday… The Phillies bolstered their bench on Friday, acquiring Justin Bour from the Marlins in exchange for minor league left-hander McKenzie Mills… Derek Dietrich is expected to see regular action at first base for the Marlins following Bour’s departure… The Cubs signed veteran left-hander Jorge De La Rosa to a one-year contract… Stephen Strasburg (neck) will throw a high-intensity 60-pitch bullpen session Saturday… The Marlins placed closer Kyle Barraclough on the 10-day disabled list with lower back stiffness. Drew Steckenrider is likely to fill in while he’s out… The Braves are expected to call up pitching prospect Touki Toussaint to make his major league debut during Monday's doubleheader against the Marlins… Anibal Sanchez (calf) reported feeling much better on Saturday and expects to make his next start on Tuesday… Mike Puma of the New York Post hears that the Mets "are leaning toward not calling up Peter Alonso in September."... Brandon Belt (knee) will begin his minor league rehab assignment at Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday…. Jeremy Hellickson didn’t allow a hit over 5 ⅔ innings in a no-decision against the Cubs… Austin Jackson went 3-for-4 with an RBI single and two runs scored Friday against the Marlins. He’s now batting .472 (17-for-36) with two homers, three doubles, and nine RBI in 12 games since joining the Mets… Yairo Munoz was forced to leave Friday's contest against the Royals after suffering a right wrist sprain… Anthony DeSclafani racked up nine strikeouts over seven shutout innings in a dominant victory over the Diamondbacks… Ender Inciarte drove in four runs, leading the Braves in a rout of the Brewers… Kevin Gausman struck out eight over eight innings of one-run baseball in that win… Austin Hedges homered, stole a base and scored both of the Padres’ runs in a win over the Phillies… Matt Carpenter slugged his National League-leading 32nd homer in a victory over the Royals… Francisco Cervelli went 3-for-5 with a grand slam in a loss to the Giants… Buster Posey went 4-for-5 and plated three to lead the Giants past the Pirates… Max Muncy belted his 26th homer in a loss to the Rockies...