MLB Player News

Mauer registered an awful 7.76 ERA over 37 appearances with the Royals in 2018 and also struggled in a big way in 2017, but he has been an effective reliever for stretches in the past (36 career saves) and is only 28 years old. The right-hander will compete for an Opening Day bullpen spot in Pirates camp.

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.

Emerson’s overall numbers don’t exactly leap off the page, mostly due to a wrist issue that briefly sidelined him last month, but he continues to look like one of the top fantasy prospects in the game. The 20-year-old infielder has gone deep twice in his last three games and is up to six homers and seven steals in 31 games at the Triple-A level this season. He’ll reach the majors at some point this summer, most likely at third base, before taking over as Seattle’s starting shortstop next season.

Bonemer launched his minor-league leading 13th round-tripper of the season in this one just a couple days after taking Yankees ace Gerrit Cole deep during his latest rehab outing. The 20-year-old top prospect is rapidly evolving into one of the top prospects in the fantasy landscape with six big flies in his last 10 games. He’s slashing a sublime .282/.429/.718 with 13 homers and two steals in 30 games.