MLB Player News

We are witnessing greatness, it’s as simple as that. Judge now has five homers in his last four games, eight in his last 11, and 49 on the season. That’s 10 more than any other player this season and puts him on-pace to match his 62 home run total from 2022, which was the seventh most ever in a single season in baseball history. His 224 wRC+ is truly Bonds-ian and it’s a marvel to watch him day in and day out when he’s this locked in.

Nootbaar made an instant impact during his season debut, collecting a pair of hits, including an RBI double in the sixth inning of Friday’s series opener at Busch Stadium. The 28-year-old reached base safely in two of six plate appearances out of the leadoff spot following a 10-week absence at the outset of the year recovering from offseason surgery on both heels. He’ll have some fantasy appeal in deeper mixed leagues as the Cardinals primary leadoff option against right-handed pitching.

Langford finished 1-for-4 in his return from the injured list following a six-week absence recovering from a forearm strain. The 24-year-old power/speed combo threat was thrown into the leadoff spot for Friday’s series opener at Globe Life Field and should continue hitting near the top of the lineup until further notice.

White is scheduled to return in 12-16 weeks, which ostensibly rules out any possibility of him pitching again this season. The 21-year-old southpaw is universally-regarded as one of the top pitching prospects in baseball and appeared to be on the verge of reaching Miami after posting a 4.01 ERA and 35/15 K/BB ratio across 24 2/3 innings across seven starts for Triple-A Jacksonville this season. Shoulder issues are complicated matters, but all signs point to White being a full-go by spring training following a relatively normal offseason. It’s a significant hit to his dynasty stock and eliminates any chance that he reaches the big leagues this season.

Altuve made it back to Houston’s lineup less than three weeks after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 left oblique strain, which is much faster than originally anticipated. The 36-year-old second baseman figures to hit behind a red-hot Isaac Paredes in the middle of the Astros lineup for now.

Díaz was let go by the Royals last week after going 5-for-22 with two homers in 23 plate appearances over 10 games. Barring a surprising decision to place Danny Jansen or Kyle Higashioka on the IL, it appears that he’ll be joining the Rangers as a third catcher, freeing up the top two catchers to start between catcher and DH against lefties. Justin Foscue or Michael Helman could be bumped from the roster.

That’s just never good. Fitzpatrick was hurt while warming up for his second inning of relief work Friday against the Rockies. He’s allowed two runs — one earned — in 6 2/3 innings for the Brewers this season.

Strowd was making his first appearance since being called up Thursday. It sounds like he’s destined for the IL, which might give Yilber Díaz a shot.

Paredes has homered in three straight games and is now at .241/.333/.415 with nine homers and 32 RBI in 59 games for the season. He still figures to get at least a little better from here on in, and while he’s not a good enough bet in average, runs scored and steals to rate as a top-10 third baseman, he is fairly underrated at this point.

Lambert stranded the bases loaded in the second and kept the A’s scoreless until the sixth, when he gave up a Brent Rooker homer, a walk and then a double with one out. Enyel De Los Santos entered and retired Zack Gelof and Jeff McNeil to strand both inherited runners. It went as Lambert’s third straight win, even though he’s walked 11 over 15 1/3 innings during the span. He’s 5-4 with a 3.55 ERA in nine starts overall. The big thing that he has in his corner is that he’s allowed just three homers in 50 2/3 innings, but he’s not a strong groundball pitcher and his walk rate is an increasing concern. Those relying on him in mixed leagues can feel free to use him against the Angels next week, but it’s still not rather likely that he’ll be a long-term solution.

It wasn’t a save situation for Hader, but he was very effective once again. The A’s swung at five of his nine sinkers and missed very time. We’re guessing he’ll be down Saturday after pitching Wednesday and tonight, so that might open the door for Bryan King to get a save.