MLB Player News

Matthews made it through the first inning of his pro debut unscathed but ceded a solo homer to Royals outfielder MJ Melendez with one out in the second inning. The rookie right-hander would allow one more earned run in this one but was solid overall. Matthews didn’t walk a batter, showed good command of the strike zone, and pitched out of some jams with runners in scoring position to end three of the five innings he pitched. Assuming he draws another start, Matthews would be scheduled to toe the rubber on Sunday against the Rangers.

Atlanta skipper Walt Weiss expressed confidence that Acuña’s latest hamstring injury wasn’t as serious as the one that cost him nearly three weeks back in early May. The 28-year-old fantasy superstar hit the injured list prior to Wednesday’s game against the White Sox after an MRI revealed a low-grade strain. It sounds like there’s a strong possibility that he makes it back to Atlanta before the end of June. However, there isn’t an official return timetable from the club yet.

Schanuel receives some additional time off to rest and recover after making an early exit from Tuesday’s game with left calf tightness following a hit-by-pitch. The 24-year-old figures to be ready for Friday’s series opener against the Rays. It’ll be veteran Trey Mancini drawing another start at first base in his absence.

Ritchie was called up from Triple-A Gwinnett prior to Wednesday’s contest and will operate in a long relief capacity out of Atlanta’s bullpen. The 22-year-old top prospect had some early success with the Braves before being sent back to the minors last month. His stuff should play up in shorter bursts out of the bullpen, but the lack of volume certainly diminishes his immediate fantasy appeal.

Tromp fortifies Baltimore’s catching depth in an emergency capacity with both Adley Rutschman (hamstring) and Samuel Basallo (wrist) dealing with injury situations. Neither one has required a trip to the injured list, but the organization’s catching depth has suddenly become perilously thin with Sam Huff their only healthy backstop at the moment. Tromp got into 12 games for the Braves earlier this season.

The excitement is palpable for Chicago in the wake of top prospect Braden Montgomery’s electric debut and Schultz’s impending return would provide a spark to the rotation. The towering 22-year-old southpaw will need at least one additional bullpen session before heading out on a rehab assignment. He’s been on the shelf recovering from knee tendinitis since May 26.

Montgomery told reporters he tweaked his back a couple weeks ago. He’ll continue receiving treatment and is likely to sit out Thursday’s series finale as well. It doesn’t sound like he’s in danger of requiring a trip to the injured list. It’ll be Luisangel Acuña handling shortstop once again in his absence.

Porter winds up in Los Angeles just a few days after signing a minor league contract with the club. The 30-year-old will serve as Logan O’Hoppe’s caddy with Sebastián Rivero hitting the injured list with a hamate fracture.

Rivero is facing an extended absence after suffering a dreaded hamate fracture on a swing during Tuesday’s contest against the Astros. The 27-year-old backstop had recorded hits in seven consecutive plate appearances prior to the injury. He’s likely to miss at least one month in a best-case scenario after undergoing surgery next week.

Kochanowicz is set to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery after hitting the injured list with elbow inflammation last weekend. The 25-year-old is likely to miss a significant portion of next season given the timing of the procedure, which typically carries a 12-18 month recovery timeline.

Vargas returns to Arizona’s lineup for the first time since a massive collision with Dodgers slugger Max Muncy last Thursday. The 34-year-old is back at first base and hitting seventh at loanDepot park in Miami on Wednesday evening.