MLB Player News

Seriously, that’s not a typo. Culberson is attempting a late-career reboot as a pitcher after more than a decade as a versatile utility infielder in the big leagues. It’s not unprecedented with Anthony Gose serving as perhaps the best example of this mid-to-late career conversion in recent history. The 34-year-old will head to the minor league side of Braves’ camp this spring. It’s a fascinating wrinkle for a player who has had one of the more unique recent stretches in the majors from a playing time standpoint.

Mattson isn’t pitching poorly, with a 4.12 ERA in 19 2/3 innings for the Pirates this season. However, the team wanted to get pitching prospect Wilber Dotel up in their bullpen, and Mattson is one of the few relievers with minor league options remaining.

Dotel is one of the best pitching prospects in the Pirates system and has delivered in a small MLB sample size this year, posting a 1.35 ERA and 4/3 K/BB ratio across 6 2/3 innings over three appearances. He should immediately help in the middle innings but could be a factor in the later innings down the stretch if he keeps pitching at this level.

The 24-year-old Matthews had spent a lot of time in centerfield for the Astros this season, but after Jose Altuve got hurt, he started at second base twice over the weekend. Then, Jeremy Pena was activated from the injured list on Monday, and Matthews started in center field. Yet, the Astros then activated Jake Meyers from the injured list on Tuesday, and Matthews headed to the bench. With Meyers, Cam Smith, Zach Cole, and Zach Dezenzo all in the outfield, it seems like Matthews has entered a timeshare at second base with Braden Shewmake. Matthews has plus raw tools, but he also has a .207 average and 31.5 percent strikeout rate in 127 plate appearances this season, so it’s hard to see him as a reliable fantasy contributor.

Dezenzo was called up by the Astros on May 5th and started four of the first eight games he was with the team. He has now started in left field for each of the last six games. In that stretch, he has gone 4-for-16 with a double, a walk, and five strikeouts. He has just a 32 percent hard-hit rate on the year, and can be left on the wire in most formats.

Brebbia had an opt-out clause that he activated after not being added to the 40-man roster. The 35-year-old has a 6.20 ERA in 20 1/2 innings at Triple-A this season.

Bowman had an opt-out clause that he triggered after the Twins declined to add him to the 40-man roster. The 34-year-old had been pitching really well in Triple-A this posting, posting a 1.69 ERA and a 25/6 K/BB ratio in 21 1/3 innings. Another team is likely going to sign him quickly.

“I think it got the nail a little bit, but we’ll try to give him the day,” said Rays manager Kevin Cash. The Rays have an off day on Thursday, so giving Díaz the day off on Wednesday will give him two rest days before returning to the lineup on Friday.

The Rays needed a roster spot to activate Steven Matz from the injured list, so Solesky was sent down. The right-hander’s last outing was not a good one, but he’s pitched well enough in middle relief for the Rays this season that he will likely get another chance over the summer.

This will be the third straight missed game for Schwarber, who is dealing with an undisclosed illness. Bryce Harper will continue to DH, with Alec Bohm at first base and EdMunro Sosa at third base.

Dunn was acquired in a trade with the Chicago White Sox late last night, and will be immediately added to the active roster with Ben Williamson headed to the injured list. It remains to be seen how the Rays will handle playing time at second base with Williamson sideline.