MLB Player News

Dykstra heads overseas after spending the 2023 season in the independent Atlantic League, registering a 5.40 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, and 19/12 K/BB ratio over 21 2/3 innings. The 33-year-old spent time with the White Sox, Rangers, Blue Jays, and Phillies but never appeared in the major leagues.

Lowe opened the scoring with a bang in the top half of the first inning, tagging Zac Gallen for a 436-foot (111.1 mph EV) solo shot. He then ignited a rally with a two-out single in the fifth inning and scored on an RBI knock by Ryan O’Hearn. Lowe has been an impactful addition for the Pirates’ offense this season, slashing a healthy .266/.368/.573 with 10 homers and 23 RBI.

The 29-year-old backstop capped off the scoring for the Pirates in this one, ambushing a first-pitch slider for a 380-foot (109.5 mph EV) solo shot that increased the Pirates’ lead to 4-2. He also singled. With his two-hit effort, Bart is now slashing .220/.259/.360 with a pair of long balls and just four RBI on the season.

Soto was summoned to face the middle of the Diamondbacks’ lineup and made very quick work of them, getting Ildemaro Vargas on a pop out to short, Jose Fernandez on a ground ball to second and Jorge Barrosa on strikes to end it. Soto has been incredible for the Pirates and for fantasy managers this season, compiling a 1.42 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and a 25/7 K/BB ratio across 19 innings while converting three saves and notching three victories.

Keller struck out four batters on the afternoon while issuing a pair of walks. The Diamondbacks scratched out a run against him in the opening inning and added another on a solo blast from Corbin Carroll in the third inning, but Keller stopped the damage there and kept them off the board for his final three innings. The 30-year-old right-hander got eight whiffs on 84 pitches on the day, registering a CSW of 27 percent. Now 4-1 on the season, he’ll carry an impressive 2.87 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and a 35/14 K/BB ratio (47 innings) into Wednesday’s matchup against the Rockies.

Carroll tagged Pirates’ starter Mitch Keller for a 406-foot (104.0 mph EV) solo shot in the third inning that gave the Diamondbacks a 2-1 advantage. That would end up being the extent of their scoring in the game though. With his two-hit attack, the superstar outfielder is now slashing .264/.359/.512 with five homers, 20 RBI and four stolen bases across his first 142 plate appearances.

Gallen punched out five opposing hitters on the day while issuing a pair of walks. He served up a solo homer to Brandon Lowe in the opening inning then kept the Pirates’ offense off the board until the fifth when they scratched out a pair of runs. Joey Bart also tagged him for a solo shot in the sixth. Gallen got 15 swings and misses on 100 pitches on the day, registering a strong CSW of 33 percent. He’ll look to bounce back as he brings a 4.70 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and a 25/12 K/BB ratio (38 1/3 innings) into Tuesday’s matchup against the Rangers in Arlington.

Getting the nod with Seiya Suzuki resting, Conforto had three of the Cubs’ seven hits in this one. He’s batting .361/.467/.667 in 45 plate appearances. There’s still not really any good way for the Cubs to squeeze him into the lineup regularly, but he probably deserves to play over Matt Shaw whenever a starting outfielder sits.

The Cubs have to be feeling really fortunate that Imanaga stuck around in the offseason. He’s 4-2 with a 2.28 ERA that ranks 11th in the majors. He’s tied for sixth with 53 strikeouts, and he’s 10th with a 0.93 WHIP. He’ll face the Braves on the road next week.

The save came in a five-run game after Palencia was brought in to face Nathaniel Lowe with the bases loaded. It’s his second of the year following his three-week absence due to a lat strain.

Swanson is still tied for 14th in the majors with 26 runs scored and tied for 22nd with 25 RBI, but his average is back down to .202 at the moment. He’s 4-for-26 with no extra-base hits this month. That he’s been a valuable fantasy shortstop this year has as much to do with his teammates as it does with him.