Shelby Miller Suffers Blown Save on Saturday
Shelby Miller was called upon with a one-run lead in the ninth inning of Saturday's game against the Miami Marlins. Miller gave up a hit to Dane Myers who would eventually come around to score on a sacrifice fly to tie the game. The veteran right-hander was able to get out of the inning with only one earned run and struck out two batters. Despite the blown save, Miller has only been scored on twice this month. The D-Backs have a banged up bullpen, so Miller remains the favorite for saves going forward.Source: mlb.com
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Nick Kurtz Blasts Three-Run Homer
Nick Kurtz extended his hitting streak to four games during Saturday's contest against the New York Yankees. It was a quiet game from Kurtz until he blasted a three-run home run off right-hander Clarke Schmidt in the sixth inning. Kurtz has been crushing the ball lately with seven home runs over his last 13 games. He finished this game 1-for-4 with a homer, three RBI, and a walk in the 7-0 win. Kurtz has been hot with the bat lately and should be picking up steam on the waiver wire.Source: mlb.com
Athletics first baseman JP Sears Tosses 5 2/3 Shutout Innings on Saturday
JP Sears was sharp on the mound during Saturday's game against the New York Yankees. Sears has been hit around quite a bit lately, but put together arguably his best performance of the season on Saturday. Sears tossed 5 ⅔ scoreless innings, allowing two hits, walking three batters, and striking out four in the win. He handed the ball over to Jack Perkins who helped stop the Yankees offense and complete the 7-0 shutout. Sears will take a 5.09 ERA into his next outing against the San Francisco Giants. He's really only worth looking at in deep leagues right now.Source: mlb.com
Athletics starting pitcher Drake Baldwin Absent on Saturday
Drake Baldwin is headed to the bench ahead of Saturday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Baldwin is absent after starting in three of the last four games. During that span, Baldwin has gone 1-for-10 at the plate, so he could use a day off to reset. In his absence, Sean Murphy will do the catching and bat sixth versus left-hander Jesus Luzardo on Saturday. Baldwin doesn't see enough playing time to warrant rostering in anything more than deep leagues.Source: mlb.com
Atlanta Braves catcher Carson Kelly Heads to the Bench
Carson Kelly is absent from the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Houston Astros. This appears to be a routine rest day for Kelly who has started in each of the last two games. During that span, Kelly went 3-for-7 with an RBI, one walk, and two runs scored. In his absence, Reese McGuire will start behind the plate and bat ninth versus right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. on Saturday. Fantasy managers should remove Kelly from their lineups ahead of first pitch.Source: mlb.com
Chicago Cubs catcher Tommy Edman Returning to the Outfield Soon
Tommy Edman (ankle) remains out of the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Kansas City Royals. This appears to be a routine rest day for Edman, but he has also been nursing an ankle injury. That being said, the Dodgers have been mainly keeping Edman in the infield lately. However, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Edman's ankle is good enough for him to return to the outfield. That means, Hyeseong Kim figures to see most of his playing time at second base, which is his primary position.Source: Jack Harris
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder/infielder Michael Harris II Sitting Against Lefty
Michael Harris II is not in the lineup for the team's game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday. Eli White will man center field in Harris' place and bat seventh in a matchup with Phillies left-hander Jesus Luzardo. The lefty-swinging Harris could also sit Sunday against Phillies southpaw Ranger Suarez. per Mark Bowman of MLB.com. Manager Brian Snitker said he hopes the time off will give Harris a chance to clear his head. Harris has stolen 11 bases and racked up 43 RBI, but he has batted a hideous .212/.238/.320 with six home runs in 326 plate appearances.Source: Mark Bowman - MLB.com
Atlanta Braves outfielder Zach Eflin Exits Start With Back Tightness
Zach Eflin departed his start against the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday with tightness in his lower back, according to Jake Rill of MLB.com. Eflin exited after allowing four earned runs on five hits in the first inning. The Orioles replaced him with righty Scott Blewett. It was the third straight disastrous start for Eflin, who combined to throw eight innings of 13-run ball with 22 hits allowed over his previous two outings. The 31-year-old has recorded a bloated 5.95 ERA with 42:11 K:BB and a 1.44 WHIP in 62 innings. He was on the 15-day injured list earlier this season with a lat strain and could require another trip to the IL if his back issue proves serious.Source: Jake Rill - MLB.com
Baltimore Orioles right-hander Jordan Westburg Not a Candidate for Injured List
Jordan Westburg (finger) will not require a stint on the 10-day injured list, interim manager Tony Mansolino said Saturday. Westburg aggravated a left index finger injury on Friday and was out of the lineup Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays as a result. He could miss "a couple of days," according to Mansolino. The 26-year-old has already spent over a month on the IL this season with a strained left hamstring. Since returning on June 10, Westburg has hit a solid .250/.327/.523 with three homers, eight RBI, and eight runs scored.Source: Jacob Calvin Meyer - Baltimore Sun
Baltimore Orioles infielder Hyeseong Kim Could Get More Playing Time
Hyeseong Kim has turned heads in limited playing time this season. The 26-year-old has only amassed 83 plate appearances in 35 games, but he has slashed a robust .372/.410/.538 with two homers, 12 RBI, 15 runs scored, and six stolen bases. Tommy Edman (ankle) has been the Dodgers' primary choice at second base despite dealing with ankle issues. However, Edman is now healthy enough to play the outfield on a more regular basis, manager Dave Roberts said Saturday. As a result, Kim could see more playing time at the keystone. He started at second and batted eighth against Kansas City Royals right-hander Seth Lugo on Saturday, while Edman took a seat. Kim is only rostered in 11% of Yahoo leagues, but that number will increase if Roberts does pencil his name into the lineup more often.Source: Jack Harris - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Dodgers rookie infielder/outfielder Jeremy Pena Out of Lineup Saturday
Jeremy Pena (ribs) is taking a seat for the team's game against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. Pena left early in the Astros' 7-4 win over the Cubs on Friday after taking a pitch off the left side of his ribs. He's day-to-day for now and will look to continue a career year when he returns. Pena is slashing .322/.378/.489 with 11 homers, 40 RBI, 48 runs scored, and 15 steals in 350 plate appearances. Mauricio Dubon will take Pena's place at short on Saturday and bat ninth against Cubs right-hander Colin Rea.Source: MLB.com
Houston Astros shortstop Garrett Mitchell to Undergo Shoulder Surgery
Garrett Mitchell (shoulder) will undergo surgery on his ailing left shoulder on Tuesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports. His timeline to return is unclear, but Brewers manager Pat Murphy is hopeful that Mitchell will be able to play again this season. The 26-year-old originally landed on the 10-day injured list on April 26 with a strained left oblique. He was on his way back from that before suffering the shoulder injury on a minor league rehab assignment last week. Mitchell is now set for his second left shoulder procedure after previously going under the knife in April 2023. This has been a lost season to this point for Mitchell, who hit .206/.286/.394 in 78 homer-less plate appearances before going on the IL. He won't have a chance to improve on those numbers for the foreseeable future.Source: Adam McCalvy - MLB.com
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Forrest Whitley Designated for Assignment
Forrest Whitley for assignment and recalled lefty Joe Rock from Triple-A Durham. This is the second DFA of the year for Whitley, formerly a standout prospect with the Houston Astros. After almost nine years in their organization, the Astros jettisoned Whitley from their 40-man roster three weeks ago and then traded him to the Rays for cash considerations on June 13. Whitley logged three straight scoreless appearances to begin his Rays tenure, but the wheels came off in his two most recent outings. He combined to allow a whopping eight earned runs on nine hits and two walks over just one frame in those appearances. Another team could take a chance on Whitley via waivers or a trade in the coming days, but it doesn't help that the unproven 27-year-old is out of minor league options.Source: Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays announced that they have designated right-hander Will Wagner Recalled, Alan Roden Optioned
Will Wagner from Triple-A Buffalo and optioned outfielder Alan Roden, the team announced. The 26-year-old Wagner is returning to the majors after spending two months in the minors. The Blue Jays demoted him April 29 after he batted a non-threatening .186/.284/.220 with no home runs in 68 plate appearances. Wagner hit a much better .271/.347/.447 with three homers in 95 Triple-A plate appearances to earn another chance in the bigs. He'll provide depth at third base behind Ernie Clement, who has put together a productive season. Roden, 25, is headed back to the minors after hitting just .206/.279/.309 with one HR in 111 trips to the plate with the Jays. He has raked in 83 plate appearances at the Triple-A level this year, having slashed .361/.446/.583 with three long balls.Source: Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays have recalled infielder Casey Schmitt Scratched on Saturday
Casey Schmitt (wrist) was a late scratch from Saturday's lineup against the Chicago White Sox. The Giants initially had Schmitt penciled in to start at third and bat fifth, but they'll instead use Christian Koss at the hot corner and lead him off against White Sox starter Adrian Houser. Schmitt hasn't played since he took a 95 mph sinker from Miami Marlins reliever Calvin Faucher off the left wrist on Wednesday. X-rays came back negative, but with Schmitt scratched Saturday, it's an injury that's still worth monitoring. Schmitt has hit a highly productive 20-for-60 with four home runs and 12 RBI this month, so hopefully he'll be able to return soon. The Giants are already without injured starting third baseman Matt Chapman (hand), which has opened the door for Schmitt.Source: Shayna Rubin - San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco Giants third baseman