MLB Player News

With Jason Heyward and James Outman each making the big league club, there wasn’t room for Duggar or Zimmer on the Opening Day roster. Duggar, 29, struggled in Cactus League play, hitting just .200 (8-for-40) with one homer, seven RBI and one stolen base.

Vest tossed a perfect inning on Friday in a minor league rehab appearance for Triple-A Toledo. The Tigers apparently saw enough that they’re ready to bring him back, likely for Sunday’s series finale against the Blue Jays. The 30-year-old righty reliever hit the shelf with forearm inflammation back on May 2. He’ll operate in a setup capacity for Detroit.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider told reporters Berríos will undergo a procedure to address the fracture in his elbow and potential loose bodies. He also added that there may be some ligament issues that need to be addressed, but that won’t become clear until surgeons begin operating. There should be a clearer return timeline following the procedure, but fantasy managers should prepare for the possibility that he’ll miss the rest of the season. It’s another significant hit to Toronto’s rotation depth that likely ensures that Spencer Miles will get a chance to work as a traditional starter moving forward.

Falter joins Kansas City’s relief mix for Saturday’s game against the Cardinals with fellow lefty Matt Strahm heading to the shelf with knee inflammation. The 29-year-old southpaw is back after missing six weeks with elbow inflammation. He’ll pitch in long relief out of the Royals bullpen.

Strahm hits the shelf after recording just two outs on 15 pitches during Friday’s relief appearance against the Cardinals. The 34-year-old lefty holds a pedestrian 3.86 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 17/7 K/BB ratio across 16 1/3 innings over 17 appearances. There is no timetable for his return yet.

Pushard made one appearance for the Cardinals before hitting the injured list with right knee tendinitis back in late March. The 28-year-old righty was picked up from the Marlins in the Rule 5 Draft last December. He’ll operate in middle relief for the Cardinals.

Shuster has been removed from St. Louis’ bullpen mix after posting a solid 2.35 ERA across 7 2/3 innings over four appearances since being called up back on May 1. The 27-year-old lefty figures to pass through waivers unclaimed and head to Triple-A Memphis.

It’s astounding that Skubal has already resumed a throwing program literally one week removed from undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies from his pitching elbow. According to MLB.com’s Jason Beck, Skubal underwent an innovative Nanoscope procedure, which is less invasive and uses a smaller incision than a typical arthroscopic surgery, which the Tigers believe will lead to a significantly shorter absence than typical procedures of this nature. There’s optimism Skubal will be ready to return in June, but that won’t become clearer until he ramps up his throwing program in the coming weeks.

Mize returns to Detroit’s injury-ravaged rotation to take the ball against the Blue Jays during Saturday afternoon’s matinee affair following a two-week absence recovering from an adductor strain. The 29-year-old righty looked outstanding in his first couple starts prior to the injury, posting a sparkling 2.90 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 35/11 K/BB ratio across 31 innings of work.

Pham fortifies Baltimore’s outfield depth at Triple-A Norfolk after going 0-for-13 in nine games for the Mets last month. The 38-year-old veteran hit .245/.330/.370 with 10 homers and five steals in 120 games for the Pirates last year. He can be safely ignored for fantasy purposes at this advanced stage of his career.

Larnach has missed three straight games with the lingering issue. Twins manager Derek Shelton told reporters Larnach has resumed baseball activities and should be available this weekend. It sounds like he’s trending in the right direction and fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day.