MLB Player News

Interesting. The 26-year-old backstop has just 14 career plate appearances in the big leagues — dating back to his time with the Mets and Cardinals in 2020 and 2021 respectively. He spent the 2023 season at Triple-A Reno for the Diamondbacks — slashing an impressive .311/.375/.492 with 11 homers, 43 RBI and a 42/26 K/BB ratio in only 267 plate appearances. Financial terms of the deal have yet to be disclosed. It’s possible this signing could mean that one of the Pirates’ other catchers will be on the move shortly.

Smith is getting some additional testing done on Friday. If he’s forced to head to the injured list, Brenan Hanifee would be recalled from Triple-A Toledo to take his spot in the Tigers’ bullpen. Stay tuned.

Melton has missed the entire season thus far while recovering from an elbow strain that he suffered during the spring. He has looked electric on his minor league rehab assignment though and makes for an intriguing option for fantasy purposes as soon as he takes the big league mound. Keider Montero, who had been scheduled to start on Sunday, would be pushed back to Monday in that scenario.

If all goes well with that session, the 26-year-old southpaw will be cleared for a simulated game early next week. If he avoids any setbacks along the way, Crochet is on track to return to the Red Sox’ rotation at some point in June.

Naylor will get a rare day off with left-hander Noah Cameron toeing the slab for the Royals. The 28-year-old slugger has picked up the pace offensively after a sluggish start and is now hitting .250/.317/.356 on the season with five homers, 22 RBI and 12 stolen bases. Patrick Wisdom will start in his place at the cold corner on Friday night and will bat fifth for the M’s.

Ross, 33, made three appearances in the big leagues with the Diamondbacks this season, posting a cringe-inducing 19.64 ERA, 3.00 WHIP and a 2/4 K/BB ratio over 3 2/3 innings of work. He’ll add extra pitching depth for the Rangers at the Triple-A level.

The 34-year-old right-hander opted out of his minor league contract with the Mets last week. Jackson has really struggled in his limited minor league action this season, posting a 7.04 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and a 7/8 K/BB ratio over 7 2/3 innings in eight appearances. He’ll add extra bullpen depth for the Royals.

It looks to be nothing more than a routine night off for the 27-year-old infielder. Lopez is having a strong season at the dish, slashing .342/.373/.487 with four homers, 21 RBI and eight stolen bases in 212 plate appearances. Javier Sanoja will start in his place at shortstop and will bat ninth against Tobias Myers and the Mets on Friday night in Miami.

Grisham was pulled from Wednesday’s contest due to discomfort in his left knee and the was held out of the lineup on Thursday as a precautionary measure. He’s back atop the Yankees’ lineup on Friday and starting in center field against Rays’ right-hander Nick Martinez.

The 28-year-old outfielder was pulled from Thursday’s contest with a bone bruise in his left thumb, but X-rays came back negative for any fractures. He’s right back in there in his customary leadoff spot on Friday night against Richard Lovelady and the Nationals.

Heuer was up with the big league club for a couple of days while Peyton Pallette was away on paternity leave, now he’ll head back with Pallette rejoining the bullpen on Friday. The 29-year-old right-hander holds a 3.38 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and a 3/1 K/BB ratio across 2 2/3 innings in two appearances for the Guardians this season. He should get another opportunity at some point this summer.