MLB Player News

No real surprises here as the Phillies’ starting rotation is set with Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suárez, Taijuan Walker and Christopher Sánchez. Abel started for the National League in the 2023 All-Star Futures Game and posted a 4.14 ERA, 1.24 WHIP with a 126/62 K/BB ratio across 108 2/3 innings in Double-A. He was promoted to Triple-A in late September for and had one outing where he pitched 4 2/3 innings and allowed 2 earned runs and had six strikeouts. He’s likely to be called up if there is an injury to the Phillies’ starting rotation.

That’s expected to be the final tuneup before the 37-year-old hurler rejoins the Diamondbacks’ rotation next week. It remains unclear who he’ll supplant from the club’s rotation though Brandon Pfaadt could be on the chopping block after struggling through his first two starts.

The 25-year-old Rule 5 pick made the Yankees’ team out of spring training and hung around for a couple of weeks but never saw any game action. If he clears waivers, he’ll be returned to the Cardinals unless the Yankees attempt to work out a trade to retain his rights.

Montgomery snapped a scoreless tie in the fourth inning as he ripped a one-out double off of Seth Lugo that plated Munetaka Murakami. That would be all the run support that Anthony Kay and company would require in this one. The 24-year-old shortstop continues to be productive for fantasy purposes despite his poor batting average, slashing .200/.308/.378 with a pair of home runs, seven RBI, one stolen base and a 17/5 K/BB ratio in his first 52 plate appearances.

Domínguez came one with a two-run lead to protect and made things interesting by issuing a leadoff walk to Isaac Collins that brought the tying run to the plate. Not to worry though, as he battled back to get Kyle Isbel on a fly ball to center before striking out Maikel Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr. in succession to end the ballgame. The 31-year-old hurler has now converted two of his first three save chances while posting a 3.86 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and a 5/3 K/BB ratio across his first 4 2/3 innings.

The 31-year-old southpaw piled up six strikeouts on the evening while issuing two free passes. Kay also plunked a couple of batters in the ballgame. Twice the Royals were able to put two runners on base against him, but they were unable to push any runs across. He got 13 swings and misses on 100 offerings in the ballgame — four each on his fastball and sweeper — while posting a strong CSW of 34 percent. He now sports a 2.45 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and an 11/8 K/BB ratio over 14 2/3 innings through his first three outings on the year. He’ll do battle against the Rays his next time out at home on Wednesday and could be worth a look as a streaming option.

The 25-year-old superstar reached on a fielder’s choice in the first inning and swiped second base, but the Royals couldn’t cash him in from there. He then doubled with one out in the third and reached on an infield single in the seventh inning. He’s still looking for his first home run on the season and has somehow only managed to score one run despite a .375 on-base percentage. Luckily for fantasy managers he’s crushing the stolen base category with eight already in eight attempts.

Lugo also walked four batters on the evening while punching out four. He allowed a run in the fourth inning on an RBI double off the bat of Colson Montgomery, then kept the White Sox at bay until they scratched out an unearned run while chasing him in the seventh. Lugo generated eight whiffs on 92 pitches on the evening, registering a CSW of 23 percent. The 36-year-old righty has been exceptional through his first three starts, posting a 1.53 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and a 14/6 K/BB ratio over 17 2/3 innings. He’ll look to keep the good times rolling when he takes on the Tigers in Detroit on Wednesday.

Fernandez smacked a one-out double off of Nolan McLean in the second inning, but never advanced past second base. He then helped to spur a four-run rally in the seventh with a one-out single that chased McLean before scoring on an RBI ground out off the bat of Alek Thomas. He also drove in a run with a ground ball in the eighth inning. The 22-year-old infielder has impressed in his brief stay with the Diamondbacks, hitting .333 (8-for-24) with a pair of home runs, five RBI and a stolen base.

Barrosa capped off a four-run uprising in the seventh inning with an RBI triple off of Luke Weaver that plated Alek Thomas. The 25-year-old outfielder has struggled in his limited action at the plate this season, hitting just .217/.250/.478 with zero homers, three RBI and a 7/1 K/BB ratio in his first 25 plate appearances.

Moreno entered the game as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning and got the Diamondbacks on the board with an RBI double off of Nolan McLean. He then added an insurance run with an RBI double off of Luis Garcia the following inning, increasing the Diamondbacks’ edge to 7-1. For the season, the 26-year-old backstop is hitting a solid .282/.341/.410 with five RBI, though he’s still looking for his first home run.