MLB Player News

Pham started his career with the Cardinals in 2014 and played four seasons there before being traded away. He’ll now return to St. Louis after hitting .266/.330/.380 in 70 games for the White Sox with five home runs, six steals, and 33 runs scored. The 36-year-old figures to play frequently in left field, with Alec Burleson spending most of his time at DH and Brendan Donovan returning to a super-utility role. However, the Cardinals love to play matchups and rotate their lineup, so Pham may not start as much as he did with the White Sox, even though he gets a major upgrade in team context. The White Sox will now have right field available for Gavin Sheets, though he’s been playing most of the time anyway.

Blalock is sent down to make room for Cal Quantrill with Quantrill being activated off the injured list. The 23-year-old has registered a 5.79 ERA and 20/19 K/BB in seven appearances — six of the starts with the Rockies after being traded from the Brewers — and 29 2/3 innings.

Quantrill is back and will make a start after missing a minimum stint on the injured list with triceps inflammation. The right-hander will not be a recommended fantasy streamer for the series finale against Chicago.

Lindor missed his first game of the year Saturday while dealing with tightness in his back, but the 30-year-old will be back in action for the series finale against Philadelphia. It’s most welcome news for the Mets, fantasy managers and people who like watching really good baseball players.

That will make three straight games missed for Abrams after being scratched Friday because of the shoulder injury he suffered Thursday. The 23-year-old should still be considered day-to-day, but it’s that point in the year where day-to-day because a little less likely with so little of the season left. Nasim Nuñez gets the start at shortstop while Abrams gets better.

Varsho didn’t leave with a shoulder injury recently, so it’s a new injury for the 28-year-old. The Blue Jays will likely be cautious with Varsho the rest of the year as the team isn’t close to contention. With he and Joey Loperfido (adductor) out, it’s Nathan Lukes in center for the series finale with St. Louis.

Loperfido left Saturday’s game with adductor soreness, so it’s not a surprise to see the 25-year-old out of action a day later. With Daulton Varsho also out, Nathan Lukes is starting in center and hitting leadoff against St. Louis

He’s reportedly out of the lineup today — the Mets have thus far held off on posting it because they’re waiting on Francisco Lindor to get through workouts — but he might be ready to go Monday.

This time, he’s sitting even though the White Sox are facing a left-hander. No matter how badly Vargas has performed since being acquired from the Dodgers, we can’t imagine how it makes any sense for the White Sox to give Gavin Sheets at-bats over him against a lefty. Still, that’s what they’re doing. Sheets, for the record, has hit .162/.214/.222 in 168 career plate appearances against southpaws.

The Pirates probably figured they were getting a guy who would start in their outfield for a couple of years when they acquired De La Cruz at the deadline, but he’s performed poorly both offensively and defensively. They’ve also since moved Oneil Cruz to center, leaving them with just one outfield spot unspoken for going forward. As a first-time arbitration-eligible player, De La Cruz will be cheap enough that he shouldn’t be a non-tender candidate. He could be brought back to compete with Jack Suwinski, Cook and others for the right field job, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him get sent elsewhere in a minor deal.

This is the last of a string of five straight left-handed starters the Marlins have been matched up against. Sánchez started two of the previous four games and finished hitless both times. For the season, he’s batting just .141/.194/.217 in 99 plate appearances versus southpaws, and he’s setting himself up to be a strict platoon guy if the Marlins return to contention at some point.