MLB Player News

In a game where the Cubs combined for a no-no, the offense did its part and then some with 12 runs. Crow-Armstrong was a big part of that with a solo homer, run-scoring single and RBI double. The overall slash of .239/.290/.401 isn’t crazy impressive on the surface, but keep in mind it’s a rookie, and keep in mind he was awful for the start of his MLB career. There’s an awful lot to like about Crow-Armstrong’s outlook.

Holmes suffered a broken leg when he was nailed by a 111-mph line drive from Yankees rookie Spencer Jones during the fourth inning of Friday’s start at Citi Field. Amazingly, he faced seven additional batters prior to exiting the contest when X-rays revealed the fracture in his leg. The unfortunate development is the latest crushing blow to New York’s rotation, and a significant hit for fantasy rotations, since he posted a sparkling 2.39 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 45/18 K/BB ratio across 52 2/3 innings over nine starts to open the year. He’s facing a lengthy absence and figures to miss at least a couple months. There should be a definitive timetable from the Mets at some point soon. Jack Wenninger, Jonah Tong and Tobias Myers are the logical candidates to take his rotation spot. Wenninger and Tong would be the most intriguing fantasy-wise given their strikeout upside.

There was social media speculation about a potential elbow issue for Olson during Friday’s series opener at Truist Park, which makes it notable that his streak of consecutive starts, the longest active in baseball, continues. He’s played 827 straight games since May 2, 2021.

The Mets will have a couple days to decide whether the elevate Jackson to the majors or find another organization willing to do the same. The 34-year-old veteran reliever will head to free agency if there isn’t an opportunity for him at the highest level. He signed a minor league deal with the Mets back in early April and has been hit hard in five appearances for Triple-A Syracuse.

Not great. Priester allowed nine of the dozen batters he faced to reach base safely, including six straight to open the second inning. He struck out two, issued three walks and hit one batter. The 25-year-old has been working his way back from thoracic outlet syndrome and is still weeks away from being an option for Milwaukee in any capacity.

No word on the reason for the move. Johnny DeLuca takes over in right field and will hit seventh in his place. The 30-year-old platoon specialist will continue playing regularly against right-handed starter. There should be an update on his status following the contest.

Buxton is on the bench for the third consecutive contest due to lingering right hip flexor soreness. The 32-year-old center fielder has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball with 15 home runs over his last 26 games dating back to April 13. Twins manager Derek Shelton told reporters Buxton was feeling better prior to Friday’s series opener, but it sounds like he still needs some additional time off to rest and recover this weekend. It’ll be James Outman patrolling center field in his absence on Saturday night. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on his status as he remains day-to-day heading into Sunday’s series finale.

Larnach is back in left field and hitting cleanup following a three-game absence due to upper-back tightness. The 29-year-old outfielder has been an on-base machine this season, slashing .268/.398/.381 with one homer, 11 RBI and two steals in 33 games.

Griffin gets an opportunity near the top of Pittsburgh’s lineup for the second time in four games after hitting mostly seventh or eighth over the last month. It’s hardly an easy assignment since he’ll be facing Phillies lefty ace Cristopher Sánchez on Saturday afternoon with Brandon Lowe batting seventh. The 20-year-old phenom has been on a hot streak recently, hitting .294/.351/.471 with one homer, seven RBI and three steals across 13 contests since May 1.

Helsley will have to check a couple additional boxes, including progressing to throwing bullpen sessions and facing hitters in live batting practice, before he’s cleared to head out on a minor league rehab assignment. That ramp-up process figures to take a couple weeks, which pushes his likely return back into early-to-mid June. The hard-throwing 31-year-old stopper has been working his way back from elbow inflammation since late April. It’ll be Rico Garcia handling the closing duties for the Orioles for at least another couple weeks.

According to The Athletic’s Zack Meisel, Kwan has been dropped from Cleveland’s leadoff spot for the first time since June 18, 2022. The 28-year-old outfielder has been scuffling this season as a massive decline in average exit velocity has led to a disastrous .201/.308/.258 slash line with one homer and two steals in 187 plate appearances through 42 games. He went 0-for-4 during Friday’s series opener. It’ll be Daniel Schneemann taking over atop manager Stephen Vogt’s lineup card. The hope for fantasy managers is that the move sparks something and Kwan is able to revert to form. His lengthy track record suggests that he’ll turn things around, but the underlying batted ball metrics are alarming so far.