MLB Player News

This was assumed as much after Ivey admitted earlier this month that he’s been pitching through pain in his elbow for the past couple of years. He was actually diagnosed with a Grade 1 UCL sprain back in 2019, though the Astros only learned about that recently. Ivey, 25, gave up four runs in 4 2/3 innings in his major league debut back on May 21. Ivey previously indicated that he might actually need surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome, though it’s unclear where things stand on that decision. Either way, another promising young arm for the Astros faces some serious questions.

Bolton missed the minimum amount of time with mid-back inflammation. It remains to be seen if he takes his spot back in the rotation or works in some kind of tandem with Kai-Wei Teng. Both pitchers remain off the fantasy radar.

Congrats to Ryan and his growing family. After a strong spring training, Weiss has struggled in his first season back in MLB, posting a 6.65 ERA in 21 2/3 innings across eight appearances (two starts). He should be back by the end of this weekend’s series.

Stewart has made five appearances at third base this season, but this is his first start. He started four games for the Reds there last year and plenty in the minor leagues, so we know he can play the position. What’s most interesting is that this allows the Reds to get Nathaniel Lowe in the lineup at first base and could open up a path to play both Stewart and Lowe when Eugenio Suarez (oblique) is off the IL and back at DH. This could be bad news for Ke’Bryan Hayes’ playing time.

The Tigers are starting a left-handed pitcher, but Harris II started against a lefty on Wednesday, so this feels like a routine day off. The 25-year-old is hitting .250/.300/.393 in 30 plate appearances against lefties this season with a 13 percent strikeout rate, so there are no major platoon issues here. Eli White will start in center field and bat ninth.

Jung was called up to replace Javier Baez (ankle) on Wednesday and started at designated hitter, going 0-for-2 with a walk. Jung will now head to the bench on Thursday with Colt Keith at DH and Hao-Yu Lee back in the lineup at third base and batting seventh.

Fernandez heads back to the minors through no fault of his own. The 27-year-old has allowed three runs (one earned) on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings for the Cardinals this season with a 9/2 K/BB ratio. The team needed another starting pitcher and had Hunter Dobbins (knee) come off the injured list for Thursday’s start.

Dobbins, who has been rehabbing from last year’s ACL surgery, will make his season debut on Thursday in a start against the Pirates. Last season with the Red Sox, Dobbins emerged as a low-strikeout streamer in fantasy baseball due to his deep pitch mix and good command of the strike zone. He could continue to be a streamer this season with the Cardinals, but we likely wouldn’t start him in his first game off the IL.

With Brandon Williamson (shoulder) landing on the IL, the Reds will add an extra reliever to the mix. Maxwell has a 5.91 ERA in 10 2/3 innings at Triple-A this season with a 17/8 K/BB ratio.

The Mets just claimed Wagaman off waivers from Minnesota on Monday, so he has not yet played a game in the Mets’ organization. The 28-year-old hit .250/.296/.378 with nine home runs and 53 RBI in 514 plate appearances for the Marlins last season. He will be a bench bat and potentially start versus lefties for the Mets with Luis Robert Jr. (back) landing on the IL.

Warren has allowed one run on two hits in 3 2/3 innings for the Mets so far this season and has a 2.77 ERA in 61 2/3 career MLB innings across six seasons. He’ll provide depth out of the bullpen for the time being.