MLB Player News

The 29-year-old hurler spent the 2019 season pitching for a pair of teams in the independent Atlantic League, compiling a 3.38 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 56/21 K/BB ratio over 58 2/3 innings. He’ll add minor league bullpen depth for the Jays.

Early increased his flat-ground throwing distance to 90 feet after playing catch from 75 feet on Friday. The 24-year-old lefty hit the injured list with posterior elbow inflammation back on July 1. He’ll ramp up his throwing progression over the next few weeks and should make it back to Boston’s rotation at some point in the second half.

Braden Shewmake takes over at the keystone with Turang taking a seat after fouling a ball off his right foot during Friday’s second-half opener. He’s delivered top-three fantasy value at second base this season, hitting .263/.359/.460 with 66 runs scored, 14 homers, 60 RBI and 15 steals in 421 plate appearances through 92 games. It’s unclear whether there are any plans for him to undergo imaging at this juncture. There should be a more definitive update on his status later this weekend. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now.

Encarnacion-Strand will get a chance to make an impact for the Orioles while Blaze Alexander is sidelined with a fractured left hand. The 26-year-old former prospect has always possessed impressive raw power, but he’s never been able to parlay it into an everyday role at the highest level during his time with the Reds. He’s in a great spot with Camden Yards being an ideal spot for right-handed pop. A wait-and-see approach is preferable here, but he’s the type of hitter that could get hot and make some noise in a hurry.

Soroka is working his way back from a left glute strain that put him on the injured list back in late June. The general expectation is that he’ll need at least one minor league rehab start before returning to Arizona’s rotation at some point in August.

Bradford tossed one inning last weekend in his first rehab start since early April. The 28-year-old lefty suffered a setback in his rehabilitation from last year’s Tommy John surgery, but appears to be trending towards making it back to the majors at some point in the late stages of the second half.

Montgomery has allowed three runs over nine innings across three starts at the Triple-A level since July 2. The 33-year-old veteran lefty is getting close to making it back from last year’s Tommy John surgery and should be an option for Texas at some point in early August.

Puk was shut down from throwing with a capsular strain in his left shoulder last month and will get an additional medical opinion before the club determines his next steps. The 31-year-old lefty was on the precipice of making it back from elbow surgery before suffering the setback. There should be a definitive update on his status at some point in the coming days.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo told reporters Saturday that Lawlar underwent an MRI that showed healing, but the issue isn’t completely resolved yet. He hit the injured list with a right hamstring strain back on June 20. The 24-year-old former top prospect has shown some encouraging signs at the plate this season, but he’s been snake-bitten by injuries, which have limited him to just 12 games. He hasn’t been cleared to resume running at full speed, so he’ll need to continue building up that progression before he’s cleared to return.

Nelson has been shut down since hitting the injured list with a right elbow strain back on June 19. The 28-year-old will be racing the clock to make it back this season since he’ll need a couple weeks to build up his arm strength before he’s cleared for a rehab assignment. However, it’s theoretically possible he’ll make it back before the end of the year.

Hamilton hit the injured list with a mild left hamstring strain just prior to the All-Star break. He should make it back to Milwaukee in a reserve role before the end of the month.