MLB Player News

With the Marlins acquiring Kyle Stowers earlier in the day as part of the Trevor Rogers trade, it made sense for them to get rid of another corner outfielder to free up playing time for their new addition. De La Cruz has been solid in 2024, slashing .245/.289/.417 in 105 games with 18 home runs and three steals. He has just a 5.5 percent walk rate with a 26 percent strikeout rate and, unfortunately for him, he’s moving to a park that’s worse for right-handed pull power, according to Statcast’s Park Factors. This shouldn’t impact his fantasy value much but likely means Joshua Palacios will no longer be in the starting lineup for Pittsburgh.

Tucker singled for his other three hits. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. He scored three runs in the contest, and one of them came on his 13th homer of the season. Fantasy managers are well aware that total is only that low because of how much time Tucker missed with his heel injury, and his .278/.403/.575 slash helps explain just how effective he’s been when available in 2024.

Hader didn’t allow a hit and threw 11-of-16 pitches for strikes. He’s now picked up saves in both games of the series, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if he’s not available Saturday. Hader now has 33 saves on the season.

Verlander struck out four with one walk, and he allowed eight hits. It was not an impressive outing for the 41-year-old, and the right-hander just hasn’t looked sharp since his return the injured list. It very much looks like Houston is going to win the AL West — again — but the way Verlander has pitched doesn’t exactly suggest “playoff starter” even when acknowledging his HOF career. His final chance to impress is scheduled for next Friday versus the Guardians.