Hanser Alberto Leaves With Illness Friday

Baltimore Orioles infielder Hanser Alberto (illness) left the game early on Friday with an illness. Alberto was hitless in his two plate appearances before leaving the game. He's become a regular in Baltimore's weak lineup and is hitting a useful .302/.320/.380 with three home runs, 16 runs, 14 RBI and four stolen bases in 200 […]

Brandon Nimmo Scratched From Triple-A Lineup

New York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo (neck) was scratched from the lineup at Triple-A Syracuse on Friday due to neck soreness. It's not good news, as Nimmo is rehabbing from a bulging cervical disc and was getting closer to a return to the big leagues. Nimmo has been on the injured list since May 20 […]

A.J. Pollock Works Out Friday

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder A.J. Pollock (elbow), who had the PICC removed from his elbow on Wednesday, threw from 90 feet and did some agility drills with trainers on Friday. It's nice to see Pollock make some progress, but he still is several weeks away from a potential return to the Blue. He's been out […]

Alex Wood To Throw Bullpen Saturday

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Alex Wood (back) will work his third bullpen session on Saturday and then face hitters in live batting practice next Tuesday. Wood was acquired from the Dodgers in the offseason in the trade that also involved Yasiel Puig, but he hasn't pitched in a game since Feb. 25 during spring training […]

Scooter Gennett Playing In Sim Games Friday And Saturday

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Scooter Gennett (groin) is scheduled to play in simulated games on Friday and Saturday in Arizona. He's been out with a severe right groin strain since March 22 and has been facing pitchers in batting practice since Wednesday. A rehab assignment would be the next logical step. If everything goes as […]

Craig Kimbrel To Throw Live BP Saturday

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel will throw another session of live batting practice on Saturday, and he could be ready to join Triple-A Iowa after that. Kimbrel may need around five minor league outings, including a back-to-back set, before he's ready to make his team debut with the Cubs near the end of this […]

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Hit In Hand, X-Rays Negative

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (hand) was forced to leave the game early on Friday after being hit by a pitch in the left hand, but X-rays came back negative. The 20-year-old phenom should be considered day-to-day and don't be surprised if he sits out on Saturday. Vladdy was hitless in his […]

Justus Sheffield Demoted To Double-A

Seattle Mariners pitching prospect Justus Sheffield has been demoted to Double-A Arkansas in order to get on track. The left-hander has given up 23 runs and 12 walks in his last four games at Triple-A Tacoma for a 6.87 ERA and 1.82 WHIP in 12 starts and one relief outing over 55 innings on the […]

David Phelps On Cusp Of Return

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher David Phelps (elbow) has joined the team in Houston but is unlikely to be activated from the injured list for another day or two after he threw on back-to-back days to finish up his rehab assignment. Phelps has been out all year in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, but […]

Good News For Casey Mize

The Detroit Tigers are optimistic that starting pitching prospect Casey Mize (shoulder) wasn't seriously injured on Thursday after they reviewed the results of his MRI exam on Friday. Mize, the No. 3 overall prospect in baseball, had reduced velocity in his outing with Double-A Erie on Thursday and was removed from his start early with […]

Edwin Encarnacion Dealing With Back Tightness

Updating a previous report, Seattle Mariners designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion (back) is out of the starting lineup on Friday because he's dealing with some minor lower back tightness. Consider him day-to-day for now and check to make sure if he's back in the lineup on Saturday. The veteran power hitter is batting a mediocre .241 […]

Joey Gallo Hoping To Return Next Weekend

Texas Rangers outfielder Joey Gallo (oblique) is ready to start taking batting practice on the field on Saturday and has been hitting in the cages without issues. The left-handed power hitter is dealing with a strained left oblique but could start facing live pitching on Tuesday in Arizona. He's hoping to return by next weekend […]

George Springer Won't Start Rehab Assignment This Weekend

Houston Astros outfielder George Springer (hamstring) is unlikely to start his minor league rehab assignment this weekend, according to manager A.J. Hinch. "He’s doing well, and I know he’s going to do a lot of things today on the field," Hinch said. "He’s going to take some fly balls tomorrow. But I don’t see him […]

Tommy La Stella Scratched Friday

Los Angeles Angels infielder Tommy La Stella (forearm) was scratched from the lineup on Friday with left forearm tightness. It doesn't seem like a serious issue, so consider the 30-year-old as day-to-day heading into the weekend. He's had a coming-out party in his first year in Anaheim, hitting .304/.361/.531 with 15 homers, 40 runs and […]

Heath Hembree Lands On Injured List

The Boston Red Sox placed relief pitcher Heath Hembree (elbow) on the 10-day injured list on Friday with a right elbow extensor strain. The move is retroactive to June 11. Pitcher Josh Taylor has been called up from the minors in a corresponding move. It's a big loss for Boston's bullpen, although Hembree wasn't very […]

Jon Duplantier Shut Down 6-7 Days

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Jon Duplantier (shoulder) will be shut down for six to seven days, but manager Torey Lovullo said his MRI exam came back positive. The club's No. 2 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, will miss several turns through the rotation and it's unclear if he'll return to Arizona's rotation or be sent down […]

Cole Irvin Likely To Start Sunday

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Irvin is a strong candidate to start on Sunday in the series finale against the Braves, but it will depend on how the team uses their bullpen on Friday and Saturday. In his first taste of the big leagues this year, Irvin has gone 2-1 with a 5.48 ERA, 1.27 […]

Corey Kluber Begins Strengthening Exercises

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Corey Kluber (arm) had a good evaluation on Thursday and the bone in his arm is healing well. He has started strengthening exercises and will be re-evaluated again in a couple of weeks. It's been a lost season so far for Kluber, who had a disappointing 5.80 ERA and 1.65 WHIP […]

Alex Gordon Back In Lineup Friday

Kansas City Royals outfielder Alex Gordon (back) is back in the starting lineup on Friday as the designated hitter and is batting third against Twins starting pitcher Kyle Gibson. Gordon missed Thursday's game but is back in there against a right-hander. The 35-year-old veteran has had a bounce-back season to this point, hitting .274/.355/.477 with […]

Ryan O'Hearn Sent Down, Jorge Bonifacio Called Up

The Kansas City Royals optioned first baseman Ryan O'Hearn to Triple-A Omaha on Friday and recalled outfielder Jorge Bonifacio from Omaha in a corresponding move. O'Hearn was struggling to a slash line of .188/.286/.333 with six homers, 18 runs and 18 RBI, so he had no business being in fantasy lineups. Lucas Duda should see […]

Adalberto Mondesi Taking Day Off

Kansas City Royals shortstop Adalberto Mondesi is not in the starting lineup on Friday. Nicky Lopez is at shortstop and hitting second, Whit Merrifield is at second and batting leadoff and Jorge Bonifacio is in left field and is batting seventh against Twins starting pitcher Kyle Gibson. Mondesi, 23, contributes across the board with .277/.310/.460 […]

Nolan Arenado Out Against Padres

Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado is not in the starting lineup on Friday. Arenado was hit in the arm by a pitch on Wednesday but returned on Thursday, so there shouldn't be anything to worry about here. As expected, he's been one of the best players in baseball in all hitting categories and is […]

Seranthony Dominguez Avoids Surgery For Now

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Seranthony Dominguez (elbow) will receive a platelet-rich plasma injection after visiting with Dr. James Andrews and will avoid Tommy John surgery for now. The right-hander will be re-evaluated in three weeks and a best-case scenario will have him resume throwing in four to six weeks. Philly's bullpen has been one of […]

Neil Walker, Others Progressing

Miami Marlins first baseman Neil Walker (quadriceps) took ground balls on Friday and is progressing in his rehab. Third baseman Jon Berti (oblique) also took ground balls, while catcher Chad Wallach (concussion) remains in the concussion protocol. The 33-year-old Walker doesn't have a timetable to return but should see regular at-bats once he's ready after […]

Matt Adams Available Friday

Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez said that first baseman Matt Adams (oblique) is available off the bench on Friday. Adams hasn't played since tweaking his oblique on Monday, but it seems as though he'll avoid a trip to the injured list and he could be back on Saturday. Howie Kendrick is at first base and […]

Jason Kipnis Back In Lineup Friday

Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis (hip) is back in the starting lineup on Friday at second base and is hitting sixth against Tigers left-handed starting pitcher Ryan Carpenter. Kipnis has been out since Sunday and isn't a very attractive daily option with a .194 average (13-for-67) with no homers and 11 strikeouts this season […]

Trevor Cahill Throwing Friday

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Trevor Cahill (elbow) is throwing on flat ground on Friday. Cahill, 31, has been one of the worst starters in the big leagues this year, posting a 7.18 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 20 walks, 46 strikeouts and 16 home runs allowed in 57 2/3 innings over 11 starts and one relief […]

Caleb Smith Seeking Clearance From Doctor

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Caleb Smith (hip) is hoping to be cleared to resume baseball activities after he visits with a doctor on Friday. Smith is on the injured list with left hip inflammation but may not be away from the rotation for long. The 27-year-old left-hander has been very solid for the Marlins and […]

Stephen Piscotty Has Surgery On Ear

Oakland Athletics outfielder Stephen Piscotty (ear) underwent surgery to remove a melanoma from his right ear and is expected to return to the team within the next week. The 28-year-old has been pretty average so far in 2019 with a .250/.314/.400 slash line, eight home runs, 34 runs, 29 RBI and two stolen bases as […]

Jose Altuve, Collin McHugh Starting Rehab Assignments Friday

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (hamstring, knee) and pitcher Collin McHugh (elbow) will start their rehab assignments with Triple-A Round Rock on Friday. It'll be the second time Altuve goes out on a rehab assignment after suffering a setback. The 29-year-old All-Star could return to Houston's lineup early next week if all goes well. […]