MLB Player News

Houck hit the first batter he faced on Tuesday, which foreshadowed what was about to happen. The next five batters would reach safety and he and the Red Sox were quickly in a three-run deficit. After a clean second, he allowed three hits back-to-back to lead off the third and by the time the inning was over, the Rays had a seven-run lead. Houck now holds a 5-10 record, 5.31 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, and a 93/38 K/BB ratio over 100 innings.

The Red Sox don’t seem worried about him needing an IL stint, but we have seen many players head to the injured list after a battle with back spasms. It would be unfortunate for Mayer, who has battled multiple injuries over his brief MLB career and was slashing .286/.323/.429 with one home run and six RBI over his last six games. Isiah Kiner-Falefa will start at shortstop and bat eighth with Andruw Monasterio at second base and hitting ninth.

Porter was just signed to a minor league deal on Friday, but will now be activated after Sebastian Rivero got hurt on Tuesday night. The Angels will need to make a move to free up a spot on the 40-man roster, but it would likely just be moving Jack Kochanowicz to the 60-day injured list.

The left-hander acquitted himself well in the majors, throwing 1 2/3 scoreless innings across two appearances with three strikeouts and no baserunners allowed. The Red Sox needed to make room for Jake Bennett to be called up to start on Wednesday, but Gamboa should get another look this summer.

This move was expected after Brayan Bello was demoted to Triple-A, but it is now official. Bennett allowed five runs on 11 hits in 10 1/3 innings in his first two MLB starts, including allowing four runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings against the Rays in his final outing before being demoted. He will get the Rays again on Wednesday and is not a recommended streamer. He will be on the 15-team radar in more advantageous matchups.

There’s a blast from the past. Karinchak was once the closer-in-waiting for the Guardians, but has not appeared in an MLB game since 2023 due to various injuries. He was with the White Sox last season and pitched to a 2.45 ERA in 29 1/3 Triple-A innings, but also had a 16.5 percent walk rate. This season, he has a 2.45 ERA in 25 2/3 innings in Triple-A for Atlanta, but that has come with a 10 percent walk rate. He’s likely no longer a late-inning option, but he could provide some excitement in the middle innings for the Braves.

This is now the third time Carrasco has been designated for assignment by the Braves this season. He will likely pass through waivers and then re-sign a minor league contract to remain with the team.

Kinley has been a solid reliever for the Braves this season, posting a 3.18 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 31/10 K/BB ratio in 28 1/3 innings. There’s no word yet on how long he may be sidelined.

Ritchie was sent back down to the minors on May 19th after pitching to a 4.91 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, and 21/16 K/BB ratio in 25 2/3 innings with the Braves. There doesn’t seem to be an open spot for him in the rotation, but Braves beat writer Grant McAuley suggested the move could signal “the possibility of shifting Grant Holmes to the bullpen.” We’ll have to wait and see if that’s what the Braves are planning to do, but Ritchie does not need to be added in fantasy leagues right now.

Sañchez homered off Zach Wheeler to make it a 1-1 game in the sixth and then singled to open a two-run rally in the ninth. He’s batting .296/.328/.476, giving him the highest OPS among Jays regulars this season. Things might get crowded again in Toronto’s outfield after Addison Barger returns. but there’s little doubt now that Sañchez should keep starting in left or right against righties over the rest of the season.

Cease was excellent in allowing just three hits and one walk, but Zach Wheeler matched him to make it a 1-1 game after six. Those rostering Cease should still be very encouraged, as he allowed just four hard-hit balls and one walk while getting is 18 outs tonight. He’ll face the Red Sox in Boston next week.