MLB Player News

Ellsbury was officially released by the Yankees in November and the team is refusing to pay the $26.142 million that the 36-year-old outfielder was due to make between 2020 and 2021, on the grounds that he violated his contract by getting unauthorized outside medical treatment. There will either be a settlement or the case will be heard by an arbitrator. Ellsbury hasn’t appeared in a game at the MLB level since 2017 due to a variety of injuries, though he apparently wants to continue his playing career next year.

With Burch Smith (shoulder) the latest Tigers’ hurler to hit the injured list, Hanifee will get another shot to work out of the club’s bullpen. The 27-year-old righty sports a terrific 1.93 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and a 5/1 K/BB ratio over 9 1/3 innings in seven appearances with the big league club this season.

As anticipated, the 36-year-old hurler winds up on the injured list due to inflammation in his pitching shoulder. No word yet on the results of his MRI or how long he may be sidelined for. Brenan Hanifee was recalled from Triple-A Toledo to take his place in the Tigers’ bullpen.

The expectation is that if all goes well with that tune-up, then Webb will be cleared to rejoin the Giants’ rotation next week. The 29-year-old hurler has been sidelined since early May due to bursitis in his right knee.

Nothing has changed in the prognosis for the 34-year-old hurler, this was done as a procedural move on Friday to free up a spot on the team’s 40-man roster for the promotion of Wade Meckler and Donovan Walton. Kikuchi is dealing with inflammation in his pitching shoulder and has been shut down through the end of May before he starts to build back up again.

While surprising, Lowe has badly struggled at the plate throughout the season — slashing a woeful .184/.226/.320 — so having time to retool his swing and find himself again isn’t the worst idea. Wade Meckler was promoted from Triple-A Salt Lake in a corresponding move on Friday.

With Yoán Moncada landing on the injured list, Walton will get his first opportunity with the Angels this season. The 31-year-old infielder was hitting .282/.429/.481 with seven homers, 33 RBI and three stolen bases in 168 plate appearances at Triple-A Salt Lake. He’ll start at third base and bat ninth for the Angels on Friday night.

It’s the first trip to the big leagues for the 26-year-old outfielder since appearing in a handful of games for the Giants in 2023. He has excelled at the minor league level this season, slashing a robust .312/.444/.477 with four homers, 14 RBI and six stolen bases in 136 plate appearances. He’ll start in left field and bat sixth for the Halos on Friday evening against Jacob deGrom and the Rangers.

It’s the same knee that Moncada hurt during the 2025 campaign and it sounds like it has been bothering him for a while now. He underwent an MRI exam on Friday, the results of which are not yet known. Donovan Walton was promoted from Triple-A Salt Lake to take his place on the Angels’ active roster.

Merrill was hit by a pitch during Wednesday’s game and is still experiencing some soreness. The good news is that he has shown significant improvement and is expected to return to the Padres’ lineup at some point over the weekend.

Vázquez homered off Jameson Taillon in the third and then singled in a second run an inning later. Playing more than expected to Yainer Diaz out, he’s hit .258/.324/.430 with 16 RBI in 104 plate appearances. It seems pretty crazy now that he had to settle for a minor league contract on March 7 in order to stay in the league.