MLB Player News

To give you an idea of how bad De La Cruz had been coming into Thursday start, even after throwing six scoreless innings he has an ERA of 8.25. Yikes. Still, this was an example of why many consider the 23-year-old to be among the best pitching prospects in the Chicago system, as he has two plus pitches in his fastball and curve. The key will be locating those pitches better, and improving his fringe-average change. If he can’t, he could be excellent in relief. If he can, he’s a mid-rotation starter.

Fairbanks is making steady progress towards returning to Miami’s bullpen after hitting the injured list with nerve irritation in his pitching hand back on April 28. The 32-year-old closer might be able to return without a rehab assignment, but that decision won’t be made until he starts facing hitters again. The Marlins could certainly use the help at the back-end of their bullpen.

Feltner hit the shelf with nerve irritation in his elbow back on April 24. He’ll need at least a couple minor league rehab outings before he’s ready to jump back into Colorado’s rotation later this month.

White Sox general manager Chris Getz told reporters Teel is scheduled to run the bases this weekend, which would be his final step before heading out on a rehab assignment next week. The 24-year-old backstop has been brought along slowly in his recovery from a hamstring strain that he suffered during the World Baseball Classic. He should be ready to make his season debut by the end of May.

There was some concern that Webb would need some time off after experiencing left knee discomfort during his previous start against the Padres. The 29-year-old workhorse appears on track to make his next start against the Dodgers on Monday. However, fantasy managers should continue monitoring his status leading into next week.

There haven’t been a ton of updates on Greene’s return timeline but this would qualify as a significant step since he’s been limited to flat-ground throwing for the last few weeks. The 26-year-old fantasy ace is targeting a midseason return to Cincinnati’s rotation after undergoing surgery to remove bone chips and loose bodies from his elbow back in early March.

Suárez was cleared to resume hitting, and took roughly 50 swings on Friday. He should be ready for minor league rehab games at some point soon. The 34-year-old veteran slugger hit the injured list with a left oblique strain back on April 25. He should make it back to Cincinnati by the end of the month.

Miller threw just 61 pitches over five scoreless frames for High-A Everett earlier this week in his latest rehab start, but there’s a strong possibility he’s cleared to take the ball against the Astros on Tuesday. The 27-year-old righty has been working his way back from an oblique strain that he suffered back in spring training. There should be a definitive update on his status by the conclusion of the weekend.

There was some concern after Suarez left last weekend’s start against the Astros with right hamstring tightness, but he’s managed to avoid the injured list, and is on track to take the ball against his former team at some point in the middle of next week. The 30-year-old lefty hasn’t allowed a run in four of his seven starts to open his Red Sox debut and holds a solid 2.77 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 32/10 K/BB ratio across 39 innings. The big concern here is how long the Red Sox are going to let him go since he’ll be making his first start in roughly a week and a half on the heels of an abbreviated 70-pitch outing. He’s been solid enough to trust in all fantasy formats, especially against a lackluster Phillies lineup.

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.