MLB Player News

The 25-year-old slugger tagged Luke Weaver for his 362-foot (104.2 mph EV) solo shot in the seventh inning, pulling the Jays to within six runs at 9-3. He’s off to a painfully slow start to the season offensively, slashing a woeful .182/.308/.364 with a pair of dingers and only two RBI.

Jeffers got the day off Thursday with the Twins playing a day game after a night game. Jeffers is enjoying his best season with a .283 average and .979 OPS this year.

Stott came off the bench on Thursday and had an RBI single and RBI fielder’s choice against the Mets. He’s hitting .280 with a .842 OPS on the season.

LeMahieu has been on the injured list since the beginning of the season with a fractured foot. He could be activated by the Yankees as long as he doesn’t suffer another setback.

Brewer had a 3.09 ERA with 12 strikeouts and four walks in 11 2/3 innings pitching out of the bullpen for the Cubs. He spent time with the Yankees last year as he’s bounced around after being drafted by the Pirates in the fourth round in 2011. The Cubs recalled Porter Hodge to fill Brewer’s spot while he’s out.

Hodge will get his first taste of the majors after being drafted by the Cubs in the 13th round back in 2019. He had a 6.55 ERA with 18 strikeouts and 11 walks in 11 innings at Triple-A this season.

No word yet on a corresponding move. Mushinski has an 11.25 ERA in four appearances with the Astros this season. The 28-year-old has appeared in 24 games with Houston over the past three years and has a 5.88 ERA.

Festa had been pitching with their Triple-A affiliate in El Paso. The 31-year-old spent parts of four seasons with the Mariners after they drafted him in the seventh round back in 2016. Festa heads to the open market with a career 4.32 ERA.

With Seiya Suzuki getting the day off, Happ will occupy the No. 2 spot in the order for the Cubs. He hit a solo home run on Thursday, but now draws a tough assignment against Pirates top pitching prospect Paul Skenes on Friday afternoon.

Suzuki started and batted second against the Pirates on Thursday. Pete Crow-Armstrong will get to start in center with Cody Bellinger shifting to right field. Suzuki is hitting .282 with an .826 OPS this season.

The deal is pending a work visa and physical. The outfielder had been with Guerreros de Oaxaca in the Mexican League, where he had a ridiculous 19 home runs in only 107 plate appearances. The 26-year-old came up with the Marlins, but was outrighted off their roster last season. The Giants have four outfielders currently on the injured list so it’s not hard to see why they might give Encarnacion another chance in the majors soon.