MLB Player News

The 36-year-old backstop smacked an RBI single off of Kyle Freeland in the sixth inning that extended the Cubs’ lead to 3-1. They were facing a one-run deficit in the ninth though when Gomes strode to the dish and delivered a clutch go-ahead two-run single off of Tyler Kinley that proved to be the difference in the ballgame. With his three-hit effort, Gomes is now hitting .275/.316/.418 to go along with nine homers and 52 RBI.

As expected, Ohtani will pitch exclusively against the Astros at Daikin Park on Tuesday night with rookie Dalton Rushing occupying the DH spot and leading off. The 31-year-old two-way sensation is out of the lineup while pitching for the third time in recent weeks. The positive news here is that he appears to be fully healthy and the decision isn’t injury-related.

Berríos will undergo additional imaging out of an abundance of caution after experiencing more soreness than usual following his latest rehab start for Triple-A Buffalo over the weekend. It’s a safe assumption that the Blue Jays are going to take their foot off the gas an have the veteran righty make another rehab start before he’s ready for his season debut. His absence means Eric Lauer will remain in Toronto’s injury-depleted rotation a bit longer.

Hinch added that Verlander will face hitters again later this week. The 43-year-old veteran remains without a definitive timeline to rejoin Detroit’s rotation. However, there might be a bit more urgency to get him back with ace Tarik Skubal set to miss a couple months following elbow surgery. Verlander has been on the shelf since early April with hip inflammation.

The widely-held expectation is that Skubal is facing a roughly three-month absence, which would keep him on the shelf until the All-Star break in mid-July. However, the Tigers are expected to provide a definitive timetable following the procedure. The 29-year-old back-to-back AL Cy Young Award winner had been pitching with loose bodies in his elbow all season, but the issue finally became unmanageable last week, which led to the decision to have surgery. There should be an official return timeline at some point later this week.

It’s the best-case scenario for Minnesota, and fantasy managers, as Ryan was able to play catch without any issues on Tuesday and is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday. There’s a strong possibility the 29-year-old upper-echelon fantasy starter is ready to take the ball against the Guardians on Saturday after leaving his previous outing with elbow soreness. There should be a definitive update on his status for his next start following Wednesday’s bullpen session.

Rutschman gets a breather after three consecutive starts behind the plate. Samuel Basallo will handle the catching duties in his place. The 28-year-old switch-hitter is putting together a strong bounce-back campaign after last year’s injury-marred season, hitting .288/.333/.526 with four homers and 17 RBI through 20 games.

The Reds have finally dropped McLain, who hit ninth on Sunday against the Pirates, to the bottom of the order after slashing an underwhelming .195/.308/.293 with two homers and five steals in his first 35 games. It’ll be red-hot JJ Bleday, who has homered three times in seven games since coming up from Triple-A Louisville, getting an opportunity to bat second behind leadoff man TJ Friedl.

Jarren Duran takes over in left field in this one. There’s a slight possibility Anthony could make it back to Detroit for Wednesday’s series finale, but fantasy managers shouldn’t count on it. The 21-year-old franchise cornerstone returned to Boston to undergo evaluation by a hand specialist after leaving Monday’s game with right wrist discomfort. Initial imaging didn’t reveal any fractures, which is an encouraging sign. He’s presumably day-to-day for now.

One images it’s because of the hamstring that also cost him Saturday’s game and limited him to the DH spot on Sunday. Evan Carter is leading off in his place tonight.

Kolek is facing the Guardians in place of the ailing Noah Cameron (back) tonight and might have a chance to overtake Cameron in the rotation. Returning from an oblique strain, Kolek had a 2.76 ERA in four rehab starts for Triple-A Omaha. He had a 3.51 ERA in 19 starts for the Padres and Royals last season.