MLB Player News

Astros general manager Dana Brown told reporters Tuesday that the decision was mutually agreed upon to send Abreu to extended spring training in Florida to get some additional at-bats and work on his timing at the plate. The 37-year-old slugger, who signed a three-year, $58.5 million pact with Houston prior to last year, is batting .099 (7-for-71) with just one extra-base hit this season through 22 games. The move presumably clears up a spot for top prospect Joey Loperfido to get some extended run as Houston’s primary option at the cold corner.

Giants manager Bob Melvin has bumped a sizzling-hot Matos up to the heart of the order for the first time this season. The 22-year-old former top prospect has batted a sublime .385 (10-for-26) with two homers and a staggering 16 RBI in seven contests since returning to the majors back on May 12. He’s absolutely worthy of a speculative roster spot in all fantasy formats, despite some lackluster underlying quality of contact metrics.

Conforto is expected to ramp up his running progression this week as he continues to recover from a right hamstring strain that sent him to the injured list back on May 12. The 31-year-old slugger, who was off to a really strong start this season, should be ready to return in late May or early June.

It’s an extremely encouraging development for fantasy managers as Hoerner is back at second base and batting sixth on Tuesday night at Wrigley Field following a six-game absence due to left hamstring tightness. The hope here is that he received enough time off to put the issue to bed completely.

No surprise here as Riley will miss his eighth straight contest due to an ongoing side issue after sitting out both contests of Monday’s doubleheader. There’s been zero indication that he’ll wind up requiring a trip to the injured list, despite the fact that he’s yet to resume swinging a bat. It’s a frustrating situation for fantasy managers, but it doesn’t sound like the Braves are going to make a roster move at this juncture. It’ll be Zack Short drawing another start at the keystone on Tuesday night at Wrigley Field.

Lewis will be re-evaluated later this week to determine where he’s at in his rehabilitation process from a severe right quad strain that he suffered back on Opening Day. The 24-year-old is getting close to starting a minor league rehab assignment and could return at some point next month, barring any setbacks.

Cole told reporters afterwards that he came out of facing hitters for the first time since landing on the injured list back in spring training without any issues. The 33-year-old fantasy ace added that he wouldn’t rule out a potential return at some point next month. He’ll presumably face hitters a couple more times before heading out for a handful of minor league rehab starts to build up his pitch count and stamina.

Myers provides Milwaukee’s overworked bullpen with some emergency length and could wind up replacing Joe Ross (back) in the starting rotation after he landed on the injured list. The 25-year-old righty holds a lackluster 5.29 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 17/9 K/BB ratio across 17 innings (four starts) this season in his big-league debut.

Ross departed Monday’s start against the Marlins with a lower back strain and winds up requiring a trip to the injured list. The hope is that he’ll only wind up missing a couple weeks. It’s Tobias Myers who has been brought up from Triple-A Nashville to take his spot on Milwaukee’s roster. The 31-year-old righty holds a respectable 4.50 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 35/16 K/BB ratio across 42 innings (nine starts) this season in his Brewers debut.

Musgrove returns from a two-week stint on the injured list due to triceps tendinitis to take the ball for Tuesday’s series opener against the Reds. The 31-year-old righty has compiled a lackluster 6.37 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 36/13 K/BB ratio across 41 innings (eight starts) prior to hitting the shelf.

Vásquez heads back to the minor to make room for Joe Musgrove to return from the injured list on Tuesday against the Reds. The 25-year-old righty allowed three runs over six innings on Monday in a loss to the Braves. He’s posted a lackluster 5.82 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and 13/4 K/BB ratio across 21 2/3 innings (five starts) this season in his San Diego debut.