MLB Player News

Baz held his own in a challenging matchup against a sizzling-hot Houston lineup, limiting them to just a trio of runs on seven hits, including a pair of solo homers, and two walks. He finished with six strikeouts in his longest outing of the season so far through seven starts. The 25-year-old former top pitching prospect hasn’t been dominant by any stretch since returning to the majors back in early July, but he’s continued to miss enough bats to remain on fantasy rosters, especially in deeper mixed leagues. He’ll bring a respectable 4.21 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 32/14 K/BB ratio across 36 1/3 innings (seven starts) into a tasty road tilt on Monday against the floundering Athletics his next time out.

Petty was once a top prospect for the Reds, but he is pitching to a 6.17 ERA in 42 1/3 innings at Triple-A this season. His last two appearances for the Reds have been as a starter, but they don’t seem to need one right now, unless the Reds are planning to use him as a spot starter when they have six games in a row beginning on Friday.

Simpson returned on Tuesday after missing three days off and went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. His lingering thumb injury may be why he’s being held out of the lineup on Wednesday, but the Red Sox are also throwing yet another left-handed pitcher. Austin Slater will make his third straight start in the outfield, and Ryan Vilade will make his fourth straight start, batting cleanup and playing left field.

The Red Sox don’t seem worried about him needing an IL stint, but we have seen many players head to the injured list after a battle with back spasms. It would be unfortunate for Mayer, who has battled multiple injuries over his brief MLB career and was slashing .286/.323/.429 with one home run and six RBI over his last six games. Isiah Kiner-Falefa will start at shortstop and bat eighth with Andruw Monasterio at second base and hitting ninth.

Porter was just signed to a minor league deal on Friday, but will now be activated after Sebastian Rivero got hurt on Tuesday night. The Angels will need to make a move to free up a spot on the 40-man roster, but it would likely just be moving Jack Kochanowicz to the 60-day injured list.

The left-hander acquitted himself well in the majors, throwing 1 2/3 scoreless innings across two appearances with three strikeouts and no baserunners allowed. The Red Sox needed to make room for Jake Bennett to be called up to start on Wednesday, but Gamboa should get another look this summer.

This move was expected after Brayan Bello was demoted to Triple-A, but it is now official. Bennett allowed five runs on 11 hits in 10 1/3 innings in his first two MLB starts, including allowing four runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings against the Rays in his final outing before being demoted. He will get the Rays again on Wednesday and is not a recommended streamer. He will be on the 15-team radar in more advantageous matchups.

There’s a blast from the past. Karinchak was once the closer-in-waiting for the Guardians, but has not appeared in an MLB game since 2023 due to various injuries. He was with the White Sox last season and pitched to a 2.45 ERA in 29 1/3 Triple-A innings, but also had a 16.5 percent walk rate. This season, he has a 2.45 ERA in 25 2/3 innings in Triple-A for Atlanta, but that has come with a 10 percent walk rate. He’s likely no longer a late-inning option, but he could provide some excitement in the middle innings for the Braves.

This is now the third time Carrasco has been designated for assignment by the Braves this season. He will likely pass through waivers and then re-sign a minor league contract to remain with the team.

Kinley has been a solid reliever for the Braves this season, posting a 3.18 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 31/10 K/BB ratio in 28 1/3 innings. There’s no word yet on how long he may be sidelined.

Ritchie was sent back down to the minors on May 19th after pitching to a 4.91 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, and 21/16 K/BB ratio in 25 2/3 innings with the Braves. There doesn’t seem to be an open spot for him in the rotation, but Braves beat writer Grant McAuley suggested the move could signal “the possibility of shifting Grant Holmes to the bullpen.” We’ll have to wait and see if that’s what the Braves are planning to do, but Ritchie does not need to be added in fantasy leagues right now.