MLB Player News

Howell will get another start Sunday, but he’ll have to be a lot better than this in order to remain in the rotation after that. He’s not an option in AL-only leagues right now.

It’ll be rookie outfielder Rikuu Nishida taking over in center field and hitting ninth. It sounds like a precautionary move by the White Sox to prevent the issue from getting worse. Hill should be considered day-to-day heading into Sunday’s series finale.

There hasn’t been any reporting concerning a potential physical issue or illness that Ozuna is dealing with. He remains stapled to Pittsburgh’s bench with Konnor Griffin limited to DH exclusively due to a forearm issue. It’s probably for the best since the 35-year-old has been scuffling recently, hitting .219 (16-for-73) with three homers and 27 strikeouts in 20 games since the start of May. It would make sense for the Pirates to give top prospect Esmerlyn Valdez some extended runway in the near future, especially if Ozuna doesn’t turn things around.

Pérez joins New York’s bullpen mix ahead of Saturday’s game against the Marlins after spending a couple weeks stationed on the doorstep of the big leagues. The 30-year-old southpaw compiled an inflated 6.19 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 9/11 K/BB ratio across 16 innings of work for the Nationals earlier this season.

Myers will get a chance to reboot and build up as a traditional starter down in the minors with the hope that he’s an option for New York’s rotation in a couple weeks. The 27-year-old has struggled to a 4.05 ERA and 26/7 K/BB ratio across 33 1/3 innings this season. He didn’t end up pitching more than two innings in any outing since May 2.

Severino winds up losing his spot on New York’s 40-man roster with Cionel Pérez coming up from Triple-A Syracuse. The 31-year-old lefty has pitched well in the minors this season, but the Mets haven’t given him a look yet. There should be some interest on waivers from other teams.

It’s a significant hit for Chicago and fantasy managers as Murakami will remain on the shelf until at least late June, even in a best-case scenario. There’s a chance he’s out until around the All-Star break in mid-July. The 26-year-old power-hitter was putting together a phenomenal rookie campaign, slashing .240/.378/.560 with 43 runs scored, 20 homers, 41 RBI and one stolen base across 246 plate appearances through 57 games. There are some lingering contact concerns in his profile, but he’s looked like an over-the-fence power threat so far. There should be a clearer return timetable once he’s cleared to begin ramping up baseball activities. It’ll be Miguel Vargas moving over to cover first base with breakout prospect Jacob Gonzalez getting a chance with the White Sox in a multi-position role.

Mead takes a seat following five consecutive starts at the hot corner for Washington. He’s started eight of their last 10 games at the position. The 25-year-old former top prospect has shown some really encouraging signs at the plate recently, homering four times in his last six games. There’s some definite intrigue in deeper mixed leagues. It’ll be Jorbit Vivas getting a chance at the hot corner to face Padres righty Michael King on Saturday afternoon.

Buxton has been limited to DH almost exclusively since returning from a hip issue that resulted in a five-game absence earlier this month. The 32-year-old fantasy standout hitting .229 (8-for-35) with two homers and four RBI during that nine-game stretch since the injury. Kody Clemens is in center field for the third time in the last four games on Saturday afternoon at PNC Park.

Walls returns to Tampa Bay’s lineup after missing three straight contests due to hamstring tightness. He’s back at shortstop and hitting ninth on Saturday afternoon against Angels starter Reid Detmers.

Williamson managed to avoid serious injury after being hit by a pitch on the left forearm during Friday’s series opener in his return from the injured list. The 25-year-old infielder is hitting .272/.357/.342 with zero homers, 14 RBI and four steals through 40 games in his Tampa Bay debut.