MLB Player News

The Red Sox defense was really bad early, and Houck was really bad afterwards, perhaps in part because he had to work more in the early innings than should have been necessary. He wound up allowing 13 hard-hit balls, which will likely go down as one of the highest totals in the majors for the season. As Boston’s strongest groundball pitcher, Houck became quite a bit less interesting for fantasy purposes when the Red Sox lost their only plus defensive infielder. He’ll have better days than this, but his ceiling is lower than it was a couple of weeks ago.

It doesn’t sound like a serious concern, but the Orioles clearly don’t want to take any chances with one of their top prospects. The 19-year-old burgeoning slugger crushed his sixth round-tripper of the season earlier in the contest before hitting his thumb while blocking a ball behind the plate defensively.

The positive news here is that Fraley didn’t suffer a fracture when he was hit by a pitch on the right hand during Tuesday’s game against the Padres. The 28-year-old is dealing with some inflammation and will be re-evaluated on Wednesday. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now.

Nastrini was roughed up for six runs (five earned) over three innings back on April 21 and has allowed eight runs (seven earned) with an 8/7 K/BB ratio across eight innings (two starts) this season in the big leagues. The 24-year-old rookie is talented and offers some intrigue, but hasn’t proven he can be trusted for fantasy purposes yet.

Matz was shut down from throwing earlier this month with a lower back strain that required an injection to address the pain and inflammation. The 32-year-old southpaw isn’t close to returning to the Cardinals’ starting rotation at the moment, but it’s a step in the right direction that he’s been cleared to resume a throwing program.

It’s unclear how many rehab outings Boyle will require at this juncture, but he’s working his way back from a back strain that sent him to the injured list earlier this month. The 24-year-old righty hasn’t really solved his omnipresent control issues to the point that he’ll be an effective and impactful contributor for fantasy managers.

Medina is eligible to return from the injured list next week as he makes his way back from a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his right knee that he suffered back in early March. The 25-year-old could rejoin Oakland’s starting rotation mix in early June.

Nootbaar didn’t agree with a called third strike in his first-inning at-bat and was tossed from the contest after returning to the dugout and continuing to voice his displeasure.

It’s a bit unclear what type of role Smyly will wind up occupying once he’s ready to return to Chicago, but it’s possible he’ll get another crack in the starting rotation, or end up as a multi-inning reliever. The 34-year-old southpaw has been out since late April due to a right hip impingement.

Rodríguez threw 16 pitches (nine strikes) in his first rehab outing since landing on the injured list back in late April with back inflammation. The 27-year-old righty will presumably be built up to handle a multi-inning relief role with Alek Manoah pitching reasonably well since rejoining Toronto’s starting rotation.

Raley has been on the shelf since spring training due to ligament damage and bone spurs in his left elbow, which will wind up requiring surgery. The 35-year-old southpaw will likely be out until at least the late stages of the 2025 campaign, so it’s fair to wonder whether he’ll make it back at this advanced stage of his career. It’s a big loss for the Mets as Raley was one of their more reliable left-handed relief options.