MLB Player News

Barfield, another one of Jesse’s sons, was originally drafted by the Mets in the ninth round in 2006. He didn’t sign then, opting for a junior college instead. Now an A’s prospect, he’s hitting .359/.419/.667 with four homers in 11 games in the Midwest League. Previously something of a prospect as a pitcher, he has a very good arm in right field, and he doesn’t lack for power potential. Making contact consistently is likely to be a problem for him as he climbs the ladder.

No word on the reason for the move. Johnny DeLuca takes over in right field and will hit seventh in his place. The 30-year-old platoon specialist will continue playing regularly against right-handed starter. There should be an update on his status following the contest.

Buxton is on the bench for the third consecutive contest due to lingering right hip flexor soreness. The 32-year-old center fielder has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball with 15 home runs over his last 26 games dating back to April 13. Twins manager Derek Shelton told reporters Buxton was feeling better prior to Friday’s series opener, but it sounds like he still needs some additional time off to rest and recover this weekend. It’ll be James Outman patrolling center field in his absence on Saturday night. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on his status as he remains day-to-day heading into Sunday’s series finale.

Larnach is back in left field and hitting cleanup following a three-game absence due to upper-back tightness. The 29-year-old outfielder has been an on-base machine this season, slashing .268/.398/.381 with one homer, 11 RBI and two steals in 33 games.

Griffin gets an opportunity near the top of Pittsburgh’s lineup for the second time in four games after hitting mostly seventh or eighth over the last month. It’s hardly an easy assignment since he’ll be facing Phillies lefty ace Cristopher Sánchez on Saturday afternoon with Brandon Lowe batting seventh. The 20-year-old phenom has been on a hot streak recently, hitting .294/.351/.471 with one homer, seven RBI and three steals across 13 contests since May 1.

Helsley will have to check a couple additional boxes, including progressing to throwing bullpen sessions and facing hitters in live batting practice, before he’s cleared to head out on a minor league rehab assignment. That ramp-up process figures to take a couple weeks, which pushes his likely return back into early-to-mid June. The hard-throwing 31-year-old stopper has been working his way back from elbow inflammation since late April. It’ll be Rico Garcia handling the closing duties for the Orioles for at least another couple weeks.

According to The Athletic’s Zack Meisel, Kwan has been dropped from Cleveland’s leadoff spot for the first time since June 18, 2022. The 28-year-old outfielder has been scuffling this season as a massive decline in average exit velocity has led to a disastrous .201/.308/.258 slash line with one homer and two steals in 187 plate appearances through 42 games. He went 0-for-4 during Friday’s series opener. It’ll be Daniel Schneemann taking over atop manager Stephen Vogt’s lineup card. The hope for fantasy managers is that the move sparks something and Kwan is able to revert to form. His lengthy track record suggests that he’ll turn things around, but the underlying batted ball metrics are alarming so far.

Rodríguez receives another opportunity in the big leagues with Yankees ace Max Fried landing on the injured list with a bone bruise in his elbow. The 22-year-old top pitching prospect allowed five runs with a 5/8 K/BB ratio across 8 2/3 innings during a pair of starts in his first taste of the majors a couple weeks ago. He’s talented enough to be fantasy-relevant, but he’s likely to wind up back in the minors once Gerrit Cole (elbow) is ready to make his season debut in late May or early June.

The move is now official. The Yankees haven’t provided a definitive return timeline but fantasy managers should anticipate Fried missing at least a couple weeks. The encouraging news is that an MRI and CT scan didn’t reveal any structural damage in his elbow. The 32-year-old fantasy ace hits the shelf after exiting Wednesday’s start against the Orioles after just 61 pitches. He’s posted a strong 3.21 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 50/19 K/BB ratio across 61 2/3 innings this season. It’ll be rookie Elmer Rodríguez taking his spot in New York’s rotation until Gerrit Cole (elbow) is ready to make his season debut in late May or early June.

Williams heads to West Sacramento as a stopgap option for the Athletics after losing Jacob Wilson to a shoulder injury earlier this week. He’ll most likely function in a bench role behind Darell Hernaiz. The 27-year-old defensive specialist hit .202/.257/.271 with zero homers and one steal in 208 plate appearances over 83 games for the Pirates from 2023-2024. He’s a solid depth addition for the Athletics, but Williams can be safely ignored in all fantasy formats.

Robinson was an 11th-round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft and has pitched just 51 innings above High-A over the last two years. The 22-year-old righty holds a pedestrian 3.62 ERA and 19/13 K/BB ratio across 27 1/3 innings for High-A Midland this season. He’s merely organizational fodder for Pittsburgh.