Yordan Alvarez Back In Astros Lineup

Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (hip) is serving as the DH and is batting third for the Astros on Friday against the visiting division-rival Texas Rangers and left-hander Andrew Heaney. Knee and hip injuries have caused Alvarez to miss several games of late, but he's back for a big weekend series against Texas and […]

Charlie Blackmon Returns On Friday

Colorado Rockies outfielder/designated hitter Charlie Blackmon (hamstring) has returned to the starting lineup for Friday's series opener versus the hosting New York Mets and left-hander Sean Manaea, serving as the DH and hitting leadoff. Blackmon tweaked his right hamstring while making a diving catch on Monday and missed the last three games as a result. […]

DJ LeMahieu Returns To Yankees Lineup

New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu (neck, pinkie) is back at third base and is batting leadoff for the Bronx Bombers for Friday's series opener against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards against rookie left-hander Cade Povich. LeMahieu suffered injuries to both his neck and pinkie finger in Wednesday's contest against the Tampa Bay […]

Colt Keith, Wenceel Perez Out Against Dodgers

Detroit Tigers infielders Colt Keith and Wenceel Perez are not in the team's starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers. Andy Ibanez is starting at second base and will bat leadoff for Detroit, with Ryan Vilade playing right field and batting ninth against Dodgers left-hander James Paxton. Vilade was recalled […]

JJ Bleday Sitting Out Against Phillies

Oakland Athletics outfielder JJ Bleday will start Friday's game against the hosting Philadelphia Phillies on the bench with a left-hander on the mound. With Bleday getting a breather, Daz Cameron will start in center field for the A's and will bat leadoff against tough Phillies left-hander Ranger Suarez. Bleday is hitting just .203 (12-for-59) on […]

Cooper Criswell Recalled To Start On Friday

The Boston Red Sox recalled right-hander Cooper Criswell from Triple-A Worcester in order for him to make the start in Friday's series opener against the visiting Kansas City Royals. In a corresponding move, the team optioned pitcher Trey Wingenter to the minors. Criswell will return to the big leagues after spending most of the last […]

Masataka Yoshida Heads To The Bench Friday

Boston Red Sox outfielder/designated hitter Masataka Yoshida will retreat to the bench on Friday for the series opener against the visiting Kansas City Royals and left-handed starter Cole Ragans. Tyler O'Neill will serve as the DH and bat third for the BoSox, with veteran Rob Refsnyder starting in right field and batting leadoff. Despite hitting […]

Phillies Release Whit Merrifield

The Philadelphia Phillies announced on Friday that they released infielder/outfielder Whit Merrifield and called up outfielder Weston Wilson from the minors to replace him on the active roster. Wilson is actually starting in left field and batting seventh on Friday against the Oakland Athletics with left-hander Hogan Harris on the mound. Merrifield, a three-time All-Star, […]

Brandon Marsh, Johan Rojas Resting On Friday

With a left-hander on the mound for the visiting Oakland Athletics in the series opener on Friday, Philadelphia Phillies outfielders Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas will start on the bench. Weston Wilson, who was recalled from the minors, will start in left field and bat seventh, while Cristian Pache will draw into the lineup in […]

Gavin Lux Sitting Against A Lefty

Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Gavin Lux is getting the day off on Friday against the hosting Detroit Tigers with a left-hander on the mound. With Lux on the bench, Chris Taylor will get the start at the keystone and will hit seventh against Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal. Lux just hasn't been able to figure […]

Van Jefferson In Pole Position For WR2 Job

After signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency this offseason, he is in pole position to start the 2024 season as the No. 2 wideout behind George Pickens. Jefferson showed flashes of being able to handle that role in 2021 with 50 catches and 802 yards with the Los Angeles Rams, but he hasn't […]

Justin Fields Playing For 2025 And Beyond

The Athletic's Mark Kaboly doesn't think that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields is going to beat out Russell Wilson or replace him in 2024 unless Wilson implodes, which is difficult to imagine happening. Kaboly also thinks Fields is playing /practicing for 2025 and down the road. He still has to work on his fundamentals, but […]

Ja'Lynn Polk Could Open The Year As Patriots No. 1 Receiver

New England Patriots rookie second-round wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk really impressed in offseason workouts and has a realistic chance to become the team's No. 1 wideout to open the 2024 campaign if Kendrick Bourne (knee) needs more time to recover from his ACL tear in 2023. Polk was the No. 37 overall pick in April's […]

Orioles Don't Intend To Trade Any Top Prospects

Season-ending injuries to starting pitchers Kyle Bradish (elbow) and John Means (elbow) have the Baltimore Orioles in the starting pitching market at this year's trade deadline, but they don't intend to trade any of their top prospects. They didn't give up any high-end prospects to acquire Corbin Burnes from the Milwaukee Brewers earlier this year, […]

Paul Skenes To Start For National League In All-Star Game

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo, the manager of the National League All-Stars this year, announced on the Dan Patrick Show on Friday that Pittsburgh Pirates rookie right-hander Paul Skenes will start the All-Star game next Tuesday. Skenes will become just the fifth rookie hurler in MLB history to have started an All-Star game, joining Hideo […]

Rockies Not Motivated To Move Ryan McMahon

The Colorado Rockies will sell at this year's trade deadline, and it appears the players most likely to be traded are catcher Elias Diaz and starting pitchers Austin Gomber and Cal Quantrill. A lot of teams have shown interest in third baseman Ryan McMahon, who is signed through 2027, but the Rockies are not motivated […]

Giants Looking At Outfielders

The San Francisco Giants have been linked with the Miami Marlins on outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr., the Chicago Cubs on outfielder Cody Bellinger (finger) and the Chicago White Sox on outfielder Luis Robert Jr. as the July 30 trade deadline approaches. They are less likely to make a trade this summer for a starting pitcher, […]

Diamondbacks Could Trade Christian Walker

If the Arizona Diamondbacks decide that they are sellers at this year's trade deadline after making it to the World Series last fall, they could trade first baseman Christian Walker for prospects and then try to sign him in free agency this winter. Several contending teams such as the Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners would […]

Pirates Designate Brent Honeywell For Assignment

The Pittsburgh Pirates designated right-hander Brent Honeywell for assignment on Friday, according to sources. Honeywell didn't even make it a full week on the Pirates' big-league roster after they selected his contract from the minors last weekend. The 29-year-old former top prospect of the Tampa Bay Rays couldn't stay healthy early in his career and […]

Nationals Request Release Waivers On Nick Senzel

The Washington Nationals have requested unconditional release waivers on third baseman Nick Senzel on Friday after designating him for assignment last weekend. Senzel has been a first-round bust, first with the Cincinnati Reds for five years, and now in D.C. He played in only 64 games for Washington in 2024 before being cut, hitting just […]

Hogan Harris Back From Paternity List, Starting On Friday

Oakland Athletics left-hander Hogan Harris is back from the paternity list and will make the start on Friday in Philadelphia against the Phillies. Harris went on the paternity list on Tuesday but is now back after missing the last three days to make his final start before next week's All-Star break. The 27-year-old southpaw will […]

Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez To Throw Bullpens Again On Friday

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly (shoulder) and left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (shoulder) will both throw bullpen sessions again on Friday. Kelly and Rodriguez also threw bullpens on Tuesday, with it being Kelly's first time throwing off a mound since going on the injured list in mid-April. The 35-year-old is a top-of-the-rotation arm for the D-backs when […]

Juan Soto Still Managing Hand Injury

New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto (hand) said that his hand is getting better, although it's something he expects he'll have to deal with over the coming weeks. Soto still plans on playing in next week's All-Star game, though. The 25-year-old superstar outfielder also went 2-for-3 with a double, home run and two walks in […]

Cubs Linked With Elias Diaz

Although it's unknown whether the Chicago Cubs will buy, sell or hold at this year's trade deadline, they've been linked with the Colorado Rockies in a possible deal for catcher Elias Diaz, who will be a free agent at season's end. They've also listed to teams such as the Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves and Seattle […]

Cardinals Expected To Trade For Starting Pitcher

The St. Louis Cardinals are currently second in the National League Central division and second in the NL wild-card race. Their front office is focused on trying to improve the starting rotation and is targeting yet another veteran starter after they added several in the offseason. The Athletic's Jim Bowden writes that it's only a […]

Gabriel Moreno Back After One-Game Absence

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (back) has returned to the starting lineup on Thursday against the visiting Atlanta Braves in the series finale after being scratched from Wednesday's contest due to lower back tightness. Moreno is behind the plate and is batting second against Braves left-hander Max Fried. Against the southpaw, Moreno will move all […]

Nationals Preparing To Be Sellers At The Deadline

The Washington Nationals are preparing to be sellers during this summer's trade deadline, with hopes of moving left-handed starter Patrick Corbin, who is making $35.4 million in the final year of his contract. In addition to Corbin, the team could also trade relievers Dylan Floro and Hunter Harvey, and maybe even closer Kyle Finnegan. They […]

Phillies Looking For Center-Field Upgrade

The Philadelphia Phillies have made center field a priority with the July 30 trade deadline quickly approaching, and The Athletic's Jim Bowden writes that it would be surprising if they don't land a center fielder by the deadline. They have been linked to Luis Robert Jr. of the Chicago White Sox, Jazz Chisholm Jr. of […]

Dakota Hudson Clears Waivers, Outrighted To Triple-A

Colorado Rockies right-hander Dakota Hudson cleared waivers on Thursday and has been outrighted to Triple-A Albuquerque. The move comes after the Rockies designated Hudson for assignment over the weekend. It's not all that surprising that no teams were interested in picking him up off of waivers after he went 2-12 this year with a 5.84 […]

Blue Jays Put Kevin Kiermaier On Waivers

The Toronto Blue Jays have placed veteran outfielder Kevin Kiermaier on revocable waivers, according to sources. The Blue Jays are likely hoping a team will claim Kiermaier and take around $4.5 million off of the $10.5 million, one-year deal he signed in the offseason. That is unlikely to happen given how badly Kiermaier has struggled […]