MLB Player News

A 23-year-old right-hander, Spoone ranked among the Orioles’ top prospects and went 3-3 with a 4.75 ERA in nine starts at Double-A before being shut down.

Holliday has gone 0-for-4 with three walks in a pair of contests since kicking off a new minor league rehab assignment this week. The 22-year-old former top prospect’s return to Baltimore has been delayed by hand discomfort during his recovery from surgery to repair a hamate fracture back in spring training. It’s plausible he’ll be ready to make his season debut, barring any further setbacks, at some point in mid-to-late May.

All signs point to Kirk being ready to return to Toronto’s lineup at some point in mid-to-late May after undergoing surgery last month to repair a left thumb fracture. The 27-year-old backstop was originally expected to miss six weeks following the procedure back on April 7.

It’s an extremely encouraging update after Acuña hit the injured list with a Grade 1 left hamstring stain last week. Braves manager Walt Weiss told reporters afterwards that the 28-year-old power/speed combo superstar is unlikely to return when first eligible to be activated next week. However, he’s certainly trending towards making it back to Atlanta’s lineup at some point around mid-May.

Waldschmidt came off the bench to rip a 95.9-mph single to left field in the eighth inning of Friday’s loss. The 23-year-old corner outfielder is going to strike out at a healthy clip as he acclimates to facing big-league arms for the first time, but he offers enough fantasy-relevant tools, including an intriguing power/speed combo, to warrant a speculative roster spot in all leagues. He was hitting .289/.400/.477 with three homers and six steals in 34 games at the Triple-A level this season. He figures to play everyday for Arizona moving forward.

Arraez was back at second base following a two-game absence due to a minor thumb issue. He helped put the contest away with a two-run single to right field with the bases loaded in the seventh inning, giving San Francsico a commanding 5-1 lead that they wouldn’t relinquish.

Donovan was back at third base and hitting leadoff on Friday evening following a nearly three-week absence due to a groin strain. The 29-year-old infielder was eventually lifted for a defensive replacement in the eighth inning of the one-sided affair.

Caballero was back at shortstop in this one after sitting out Thursday’s series finale against the Rangers after suffering an elbow bruise earlier this week. The 29-year-old speedster should be fine heading into the weekend.

Rice struck out twice in four at-bats after missing four consecutive contests due to a left hand contusion. It might take him a couple games to knock the rust off but it’s an encouraging development that he’s back in the lineup and managed to avoid a trip to the injured list.

Mitchell was held out of Friday’s lineup after missing Wednesday’s game against the Cardinals due to illness. The 27-year-old outfielder was pressed into duty after Brandon Lockridge left the contest with a scary-looking knee injury following a collision with the left-field wall.

Betts played five innings at shortstop in his first rehab contest as he continues working his way back from an oblique strain that put him on the shelf back in early April. The 33-year-old fantasy stalwart could potentially return to Los Angeles for Sunday’s series finale against Atlanta.