MLB Player News

Ozuna is finally getting some help in Atlanta after single-handedly carrying the club’s offense at the outset of the year. His fifth-inning blast off Rockies reliever Noah Davis was his 35th round-tripper of the season and he’s a virtual lock to eclipse the 40-homer summit for the second consecutive season. The fact that he’s limited to a utility spot will bother some fantasy managers, but he’s an undeniable absolute offensive force.

The 28-year-old slugger opened the scoring in the ballgame with a 426-foot (108.5 mph EV) two-run shot off of Dustin May in the home half of the first inning. He then repeated the exercise in the third inning with a 416-foot (108.0 mph EV) two-run bomb that increased the Braves’ lead to 4-0. That would be all of the support that Bryce Elder and company would require. Riley finished the night 2-for-4 and is now hitting .292/.336/.511 with eight long balls and 24 RBI on the young season.

Verdugo led off the home half of the first inning by working Dustin May for a walk, then he rode home on Austin Riley’s first two-run homer of the evening. The 28-year-old outfielder then led off the third inning with a single and once again scored on a two-run blast off the bat of Riley. Verdugo has done a nice job since joining the Braves, slashing .304/.361/.393 with zero homers and six RBI through his first 13 ballgames.

Iglesias had to tangle with the bottom of the Dodgers’ lineup this time and immediately made things interesting by allowing a leadoff single to Andy Pages. Pinch-runner Hyeseong Kim then swiped second base and advanced to third with one out as Drake Baldwin dropped the third strike to Will Smith and had to throw him out at first base. Not to worry though, as Iglesias rallied to punch out Miguel Rojas and then got Austin Barnes on a swinging third strike to end it. The 35-year-old hurler now holds a 4.85 ERA and a 15/2 K/BB ratio over 13 innings on the season to compliment his six saves.

The 25-year-old right-hander racked up six strikeouts on the evening while issuing a pair of walks. Elder allowed an RBI double to Max Muncy in the fourth inning and then exited after putting runners at the corners with no outs to start the sixth. One of those inherited runners ultimately scored. Elder generated six swings and misses on 86 pitches in the game, posting a strong CSW of 33 percent. He’ll look to win his third consecutive start when he brings a 5.06 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 22/12 K/BB ratio (32 innings) into Friday’s matchup against the Pirates in Pittsburgh.

Muncy got the Dodgers on the board in the fourth inning with an RBI double off of Bryce Elder that plated Teoscar Hernandez from first base. He also drove in a run with a ground ball in the sixth inning that trimmed their deficit to two runs at 4-2. The 34-year-old slugger is slashing a disappointing .186/.311/.294 with just one home run and seven RBI on the season.

The right-hander punched out six opposing hitters on the evening while issuing a pair of walks. All of the damage done against him came via the long ball, with Austin Riley crushing a pair of two-run homers against him. Aside from that, he pitched very well, but that was more than enough to saddle him with a loss on Sunday. May generated eight swings and misses on 97 pitches on the evening, registering a CSW of 25 percent. He’ll attempt to get back in the win column as he totes a 4.36 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and a 28/14 K/BB ratio (33 innings) into Saturday’s matchup against the Diamondbacks in Arizona.

The Cubs plan to wait on the results of that imaging before determining the next steps for the 31-year-old southpaw. Fantasy mangers who were counting on Imanaga to pitch next week should have an alternative option readily available in the event that he’s unable to make his next start or requires a short stint on the injured list.

The 23-year-old right-hander took a loss against the Cardinals in his big league debut on Sunday, giving up six runs over 3 2/3 innings. He’ll head back to the rotation at Triple-A Syracuse where he’ll bide his time until the Mets have another need for a spot starter or injury replacement. Dedniel Núñez was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to take his place on the active roster prior to the nightcap of Sunday’s doubleheader.

The 28-year-old hurler joined the Mets’ bullpen prior to the second game of Sunday’s doubleheader against the Cardinals. He had made 10 appearances at Syracuse prior to his promotion, registering a 3.48 ERA, 2.03 WHIP and a 13/7 K/BB ratio over 10 1/3 innings.

Winker suffered the injury to his side while making a throw to home plate in the fourth inning during the Mets’ first game against the Cardinals on Sunday. No word yet on the MRI results, but it sounds like the 31-year-old slugger is going to miss a couple of weeks at a minimum.