MLB Player News

Two weeks ago, Reds manager David Bell said that Friedl could get a rehab assignment soon and the team are sticking to that timetable. Friedl fractured his right wrist during spring training, but there hasn’t been any setbacks in his recovery, so seeing him get some live reps is a positive sign. Friedl had his best season in 2023 where he had career-highs in almost every statistical category.

It was a quiet night for the Oakland offense. Gelof recorded his first hit and RBI in his third game since returning from the IL. He needs to regain his power stroke if he’s even going to approach the impact fantasy managers expected from him before the season.

The home run was the first of Loperfido’s major league career. He’s now up to a .324/.378/.441 line in 37 plate appearances. He should continue to see regular playing time against right-handed pitching while Chas McCormick is on the IL.

Diaz opened the scoring with a bases-clearing double in the third inning off Joey Estes and the route was on from there. He hit 23 home runs in 104 games last year, but his power is noticeably down this year. His .119 ISO is well below his .256 ISO from last year. Diaz doesn’t walk often, but has cut his strikeout percentage to 13 percent so far this year. He’s not going to fall off a cliff if that keeps up, but he’s not exactly delivering on his lofty preseason draft price so far either.

After a surprisingly good season debut against the Mariners, Estes came crashing back to earth against the surging Astros. Estes’ ERA was 7.20 in two late season starts last year. He’s now sporting a 9.38 ERA after two starts this season. Estes isn’t usable in fantasy at the moment, but he’ll have a better matchup in his next start against the Rockies as long as the Athletics let him stay in the starting rotation.

Javier allowed only two hits and a walk. It was a good bounce back start for him after he had allowed seven runs against the Tigers in his last start. Javier lowered his ERA to 3.23 on the season. He’ll face the Angels at home in his next start.

Jason Adam was one out away from picking up his fourth save of the season, but Rays manager Kevin Cash went to the mound and pulled him out of the game after Adam walked Rob Refsnyder and allowed a single to Rafael Devers. Pete Fairbanks seemed to have the night off after pitching the eighth inning on Wednesday. Ramirez is now the eighth different Rays reliever to record a save this season.

Devers hit the ball into the monster seats at Fenway Park against Rays starter Zack Littel for his sixth home run of the season. It’s his second consecutive game with a home run. Devers is hitting .288 with a .902 OPS in 33 games this season.

It was Lowe’s second home run of the season. He hit an 0-2 pitch from Cooper Criswell into the right field bullpen that looked like it could’ve been caught by outfielder Wilyer Abreu. Lowe started the season on the IL, but he’s now hitting .294 with a .956 OPS. He really just needs to stay healthy for another big season.

Criswell was coming off his best start of the year in which he recorded nine strikeouts. He followed that up with his shortest start of the season and only three strikeouts. Criswell doesn’t work deep into games, but his ERA is still just 2.76 on the season. The 27-year-old journeyman right-hander is set to face the Rays on the road in his next start.

Littel was a member of the Red Sox for about a week last season before the Rays claimed him off waivers and turned him into a starting pitcher. He completed five innings and left the game with a 5-4 lead, but the bullpen couldn’t hold that lead. He has a 3.44 ERA on the season. Littel is set to face the Red Sox again at home in his next start.