MLB Player News

Gallen struck out four and walked two on the day while posting a pedestrian 10 percent whiff rate and 19 percent CSW. It should be noted that Gallen’s fastball velocity was also up almost two mph on the year, averaging 94.2 mph. His sinker and slider were both also up over two mph, so the early season concerns about his health may be in the rearview mirror. However, the lack of swings and misses is a bit of a concern; although, the opponent was certainly a tough one. Gallen will take a 2.86 ERA into an easier start against the Tigers next week.

While it’s not robo-umps, it seems like MLB games could get a challenge system that would allow hitters to use technology to challenge a ball/strike call. Manfred left open the possibility to expand on this but mentioned the challenge system would be “at least a starting point...if and when we bring it to the big leagues.” Details will undoubtedly emerge in the coming months.

On one hand, backing off Gil makes some sense. The 25-year-old has already thrown 49 innings this season and has not thrown more than 96 innings in any season since 2019. However, when Yankees manager Aaron Boone was asked about his plans for Gil, he mentioned that Gerrit Cole is likely four to six weeks away from returning, which is an eternity during a baseball season. Moving Gil to the bullpen could make sense on the surface, but it’s impossible to tell what position the Yankees rotation will be in by the time Cole comes back. As a result, it’s too early to make a move for your fantasy teams.

More importantly, Baz was up to 76 pitches and induced 14 whiffs in just four innings on the day. He had a 66 percent strike right but his overall command still needs some work, walking three batters and hitting one. His stuff has graded out above-average but command is often the last thing to come back after Tommy John surgery, so we’ll hope that he can iron that out in his next starts. He may have one more rehab start before being activated off his rehab assignment, but we shouldn’t expect more than five innings in his few first outings.

The 27-year-old was producing solid numbers in the minors, slashing .307/.424/.577 with six home runs, 27 RBI, and eight steals in 41 games. He was swinging and missing less and sporting a more patient approach at the plate but was also playing games in many hitter-friendly ballparks. Considering he took Esteury Ruiz’s (wrist) place on the active roster and Ruiz was only playing once or twice a week, it’s unlikely that Cameron will be up as more than a bench bat.

There was a lot of celebrating in fantasy baseball circles when Ruiz performed well at Triple-A Las Vegas and hit two home runs in his first games after being recalled in April. However, the 25-year-old is hitting just .200/.270/.382 in 29 games this season with two home runs, five steals, and a 31 percent strikeout rate. He has been battling wrist issues throughout the season but also figures to profile as more of a fourth outfielder due to his low batting average and poor outfield defense. Daz Cameron was called up to take his place on the active roster.

Diaz played in 90 games for Oakland in 2023 but did not make the club out of spring and was hitting just .204/.288/.327 in 29 games in Triple-A with two home runs. He doesn’t play strong enough defense at any position, so he will always need to hit above league average in order to crack an MLB roster. Considering he’s only 23 years old, he figures to get a shot with another club but he needs to improve his defense and conditioning if he is to become an MLB regular.

he Pirates need more depth in their bullpen right now, so Hernandez will take the place of Jack Suwinski, who was optioned on Thursday. The 26-year-old left-hander has a 7.62 ERA across 12 games in Triple-A but has been solid in his limited appearances for the Pirates, registering a 1.93 ERA across 4 2/3 innings. This figures to just be a short-term move for bullpen depth.

It’s a surprising turn of events for the 25-year-old who posted 26 home runs and 13 steals in 144 games in 2023. Suwinski was attempting to make clear changes to his approach in 2024, being more aggressive in the zone as he tried to combat his high called-strike rate from 2023. Unfortunately, that aggressive approach also led to Suwinski swinging more at pitches outside the strike zone, so while his swinging strike rate and strikeout rate went down, his quality of contact also suffered. He had just a .174/.268/.297 slash line with a 6.1 percent barrel rate that was way down from his 15.7 percent mark last year. Perhaps an approach change in the minor leagues will unlock a strong second half for Suwinski as it did for Ke’Bryan Hayes last year. Only, that coach no longer works for the Pirates.

Kennedy will take the place of Emilio Pagan on the active roster which is a bit of an odd choice since Kennedy was exclusively starting in the minors. He had just a 6.86 ERA and 1.25 WHIP while striking out 32 and walking eight in 40 2/3 innings. It’s possible the Reds will shift him to the bullpen or use him as a “starter” with Nick Martinez following behind him. Regardless, he is not an option in fantasy leagues.

Sadly, this is becoming a bit of a trend for the former first-round pick. Thompson has elite speed but can’t seem to hit enough to stick with an organization. He slashed just .111/.111/.167 with only two hits across his 18 plate appearances with the Reds this season and was demoted to Double-A at the beginning of May where he hit .200/.243/.314 with one home run and two steals across nine games. The 25-year-old will try to latch on with another team.