MLB Player News

There was some talk about Saito being posted this winter, but any possibility of that was ruined when shoulder problems limited him to 72 1/3 innings. It’s possible he’ll come over next year if he can rebuild his value in the second half of this season. However, this news would seem to make it a whole lot less likely.

The team will remain in Kansas City, but will receive a major upgrade after spending the last 54 seasons in Kauffman Stadium. The new digs are scheduled to break ground in 2027, so the Royals will likely spend the next 2-3 seasons in Kauffman before the move. It’s part of a $3 billion deal with Hallmark Cards to build an 85-acre mixed-use development area. Two-thirds of the funding will come from private sources and the remaining one-third from public partners, including money earmarked by the state for stadium projects. Kauffman Stadium was considered a pitcher-friendly park, so it’ll be interesting to see if there are similar dimensions in the new gigs. There better be a waterfall. It also could be a selling point for free agents who are looking to play in friendly confines.

Ginn suffered what A’s manager Mark Kotsay described as a “stinger” in his shoulder. The 26-year-old was pitching well prior to the injury with 3 1/3 scoreless innings. Kotsay said the team will have more information Tuesday, so fantasy managers considering Ginn — few though there may be — should be prepared.

The homer was his fourth of the season as the 34-year-old continues to hit near career-best levels. It was an opposite-field, two-run shot off Simeon Woods Richardson. Díaz is now batting .337/.425/.500. His contact and plate discipline skills remain among the league’s best.

Scholtens improved to 2-1 with the effort, which followed a 2 1/3 inning performance by Griffin Jax. He allowed three hits and three walks while striking out just one. His next appearance is scheduled for a home matchup against the Giants. He’s entered out of the bullpen in three of his four games so far.

Baker has established himself as the Rays’ primary closer, with six of the team’s 10 saves on the year. Meanwhile, Griffin Jax was used for seven outs as an opener, signaling he isn’t a closer-in-waiting even if he were pitching well. Garrett Cleavinger (calf) recently began a rehab assignment, but Baker has pitched well enough that the ninth should remain his until he loses it.

The theft was his ninth of the season. Only five players have reached double-digit steals so far. Simpson isn’t lacking opportunities lately, having started and hit leadoff against 12 consecutive right-handed pitchers. His skill set remains one of the most electric in both fantasy baseball and the real game, and the Rays are giving him chances to keep earning playing time as the year goes on.