MLB Player News

After pitching for seven seasons in Cuba’s Serie Nacional, Leyva traveled to Spain where he pitched professionally for CB Barcelona in 2016. The 26-year-old hurler registered a 0.70 ERA and 82/17 K/BB ratio over 64 innings there. He’s being brought in with the intention of competing for a spot in the Braves’ bullpen.

Harrison is expected to avoid a trip to the injured list, but he won’t take the ball on Friday against the Marlins. The 24-year-old southpaw will need some extra time off to rest and recover after suffering knee and wrist injuries during his previous outing against the Nationals over the weekend. The bigger concern here is the wrist on his pitching hand, but it doesn’t sound like an MRI revealed any fractures. No word yet on how Milwaukee plans to fill his spot.

Pivetta declined to share with reporters what an MRI on his right elbow revealed, which isn’t a great sign. The 33-year-old will not require surgery, for now, after hitting the injured list with elbow inflammation earlier this week. He’s opted for the rest and rehabilitation route and is likely facing a multi-week absence, even in a best-case scenario. There should be a clearer return timetable once he ramps up a throwing program. It’s not a worst-case scenario, but it’s challenging for fantasy managers to feel great about this latest development.

Tatis receives his first day off this season after making 17 consecutive starts between right field and second base. The 27-year-old fantasy standout is hitting .242/.316/.303 with seven runs scored, zero homers, seven RBI and four steals through 77 plate appearances.

Hodge hit the injured list with a right elbow strain back in late March and will miss the entire season. The 25-year-old was a mainstay in Chicago’s bullpen for the past two seasons. There should be some clarity on his return timeline depending on the type of surgery whether it’s a full Tommy John or internal brace procedure.

Fantasy managers hoping to see top prospects Didier Fuentes or JR Ritchie will have to wait a bit longer. Pérez re-signed with Atlanta after being jettisoned from the club’s active roster earlier this week and electing free agency. The 35-year-old southpaw can be safely ignored in all fantasy leagues.

Melendez gets the call to join New York’s outfield mix prior to Wednesday’s game against the Dodgers with Jacob Young hitting the injured list with a meniscus tear in his left knee. The 27-year-old has posted a pedestrian .685 OPS with 52 homers in 435 games at the highest level with the Royals since 2022.

No word yet on how much time Young will miss, but it figures to be a multi-week absence, even in a best case scenario. The 30-year-old underwent imaging that revealed the tear after dealing with knee discomfort earlier this week.

Murphy refused to commit to changing closers after Wednesday’s extra-inning loss to the Blue Jays where Megill surrendered three runs in an ugly blown save. Simply put, the results haven’t been there for Megill this season and it might make sense for Milwaukee to turn the ninth inning over to Abner Uribe, who is worthy of a speculative roster spot in all fantasy formats until further notice.

Altuve receives his first day off after making 18 consecutive starts to open the season. The 35-year-old veteran second baseman is hitting .288/.405/.455 with 13 runs scored, two homers, six RBI and one steal in 79 plate appearances. Isaac Paredes will handle the keystone in his absence with Nick Allen getting a turn at shortstop.

It’s his first decision in four starts. Early gave up a first-inning homer to Austin Martin — the first home run he’s allowed in eight career major league starts — but just one of the other 14 balls in play against him produced a hit, with Victor Caratini singling in the second. Early struck out five and walked two while lowering his ERA to 2.28. His peripherals aren’t great and he’s giving up harder contact than his ERA suggests, but he’s been very successful with runners on base. His luck will probably begin the change there, but then, he’ll also probably improve on his 12-percent walk rate and maybe bring down his EV numbers, too. He’s a perfectly reasonable mixed-league option, even with the Yankees due up next.