MLB Player News

The 24-year-old outfielder had been playing with the Evansville Otters of the independent Frontier League where he was slashing an outstanding .410/.549/.795 with three homers, 12 RBI, 10 stolen bases and a 9/12 K/BB ratio over 51 plate appearances. He’ll add organizational outfield depth for the Tigers.

The 33-year-old right-hander also issued a pair of walks in the contest while striking out two. Most of the damage done against him came in the opening inning as he served up back-to-back homers to Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber to open the game. The Phillies pushed an additional run across while chasing him in the fifth. Houser got six swings and misses on 68 pitches on the day, registering a CSW of just 25 percent. He’ll carry an unsightly 7.12 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and a 16/10 K/BB ratio (30 1/3 innings) into Wednesday’s matchup against the Padres.

The 31-year-old hurler elected free agency on Tuesday after he was designated for assignment by the Angels, but after exploring the open market he made the decision that remaining with the Halos was the best move for him at this time. He’ll continue to function as extra pitching depth at Triple-A Salt Lake.

With Trevor Rogers (illness) on the injured list, Povich will have the opportunity to make at least a couple of starts in the Orioles’ rotation. With as well as he pitched in his start, he could make a case to stick around even longer if he continues to dominate. He’s at least worth a short-term look in deeper mixed leagues.

The Astros had been hopeful that he could be ready for a return next week, but he gave up five runs over two innings in his last start at Double-A Corpus Christi, so they’ll give him at least one more outing to get right. He’s a long way from being a mixed league option at the moment.

Springs was pulled from Thursday’s outing against the Royals due to soreness in his right hip, but it appears to have been only minor issue. It sounds like fantasy managers should expect to have him available at some point next week.

The first was a 114.4-mph rocket off Noah Cameron that topped his season high for exit velocity by two mph and barely missed his career high of 114.5 mph. It’s Langeliers’ first career three-double game. He’s tied for fourth in the majors with 17 extra-base hits (nine doubles, eight homers).

Perkins’ first two saves were two-inning affairs, but he was treated like a typical closer today. He gave up a leadoff single to Jac Caglianone and then retired Salvador Perez, Michael Massey and pinch-hitter Vinnie Pasquantino in order. Perkins has a 2.70 ERA and 17 strikeouts through 13 1/3 innings. He seems like an option for teams in need of saves.

The home run ball had been Cameron’s problem this season, but he went without one today. He did, however, give up a walk, two doubles and two singles in a four-run second inning. He fell to 2-2 with a 5.40 ERA through six starts. With Stephen Kolek four starts into his rehab assignment for a strained oblique, Cameron might need a strong outing next time out against Cleveland in order to keep his rotation spot.

Today’s walk was intentional, as the Royals put him on with none out and a runner on second in the seventh. It worked, too, since the A’s failed to score in the inning. Kurtz’s walk streak is tied for the third longest of all-time. Ted Williams also got to 19 in 1941. Roy Cullenbine holds the all-time record at 22 games in 1947, and Barry Bonds walked in 20 straight games between 2002 and ’03.

Garcia nearly had to leave the game early after taking a liner off glove wrist, but he was able to continue after a few minutes. He’s up to .274/.341/.442 as the Royals’ leadoff man. We’re still not so sure they wouldn’t be better off treating as a run producer, like they did when he finished up last season in the cleanup spot. Bobby Witt Jr. would certainly have more than 10 runs scored in 31 games with Garcia hitting behind him.