MLB Player News

The Cardinals decided to pull Pujols, Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina all at the same time in the fifth inning, even though it clearly harmed their chances of winning. Of course, that’s the kind of performance art a team can get away after already having clinched a division. With the three RBI today, Pujols tied Babe Ruth for second on the all-time list at 2,214. He’s 83 behind Henry Aaron for first place.

While most of the attention has been on Shohei Ohtani and his quest for 50-50, J-Ram is closing in on being one of the few members of the 40-40 club. The 31-year-old third baseman scorched a solo homer to give him 35 homers to go with 39 stolen bases. The ever-so-underrated Ramírez remains a fantasy stalwart who has also driven in 107 runs in his 146 games.

Alexander was strong in his first two innings of relief of Drew Rasmussen — who fired two scoreless as the opener — but then gave up an RBI double to Brayan Rocchio in the fifth and three more runs in the sixth. Alexander walked two in the contest with just one strikeout. He will remain off the fantasy radar even with a chance to get a win next time out; likely against the Blue Jays over the weekend.

Cantillo allowed three hits with one walk, and he struck out six. It’s worth noting he’s faced two of the worst lineups in the sport in his last pair of starts, but he hasn’t allowed a run in either while striking out 16 with one walk across 13 2/3 innings. He still has an ERA of 4.99 even with that success, but it’s at least a little encouraging. Maybe even a lot encouraging. Cantillo will have a massive matchup next week against the Twins on Thursday.

Warren is sent down to make room for Jordan Hicks (shoulder) after Hicks came off the injured list Saturday in the corresponding transaction. Warren will likely be kept in Triple-A the rest of the year as long as the San Francisco hurlers stay healthy.

Hicks missed just a smidgen under three weeks while dealing with inflammation in his pitching shoulder The 28-year-old will be a multi-inning relief option for the Giants for the remainder of 2024, but seems likely to move back to a starting gig in 2025.

There was some hope that Stefanic could return to the lineup Saturday after being removed from Friday’s game, but he’ll get another day. Brandon Drury (hamstring) is also out Saturday, so it’ll be Jack Lopez getting the start at second base for the Angels.

Lindor missed his first game of the year after being removed Friday with tightness in his back. “Hopefully today helps me play the next 14 we have left,” he said. The Mets won’t take any massive risks with the MVP candidate, but it does seem likely Lindor is back in the lineup early next week at the latest.

He’ll likely finish the year in El Paso now, with Martin Perez brought off the paternity list to make room.

Pérez is back after missing three days with the new addition. Tom Cosgrove is sent back to Triple-A to make room on the roster.