MLB Player News

Arizona kicks off a three-game series on Friday night at Minute Maid Park and it sounds like there’s a possibility Marte could be back in the lineup at some point during the road trip. The 30-year-old fantasy superstar has been ramping up baseball activities over the last few days as he makes his way back from a left ankle sprain that sent him to the injured list in late August. His return will certainly provide a lift for the Diamondbacks, and fantasy managers, as he was in the midst of an MVP-caliber season prior to the injury.

The 27-year-old slugger had missed each of the team’s previous four games due to a bruised left hand that he suffered while fielding a pickoff attempt from Max Fried over the weekend. He’s starting at first base and is slotted in his customary second slot in the Yankees’ lineup against Brewers’ flame-throwing right-hander Jacob Misiorowski.

Bohm has been struggling mightily at the dish, so giving him a few days to clear his head isn’t the worst idea. Phillies’ manager Don Mattingly has already said that Bohm will be back in there on Saturday. Edmundo Sosa will start in his place at third base on Friday evening and will bat eighth against Rockies’ right-hander Chase Dollander.

The Cubs needed to free up a spot in their bullpen for the return of Ethan Roberts (finger) on Friday and unfortunately for Hollowell he was the odd man out. The 28-year-old hurler appeared in just one game during his time with the Cubs, giving up two runs (10.80 ERA) on two hits and four walks (3.60 WHIP) over his 1 2/3 innings. He’ll continue to function as extra bullpen depth at Triple-A Iowa and should get another shot with the Cubs at some point over the summer.

The 28-year-old right-hander had been shelved since April 14 due to a right middle finger laceration. He’ll help to bolster a Cubs’ bullpen that has been absolutely decimated by injuries this season. Gavin Hollowell was optioned to Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move.

If he feels good after that, the 41-year-old hurler will start to build back up again. Scherzer has been shelved since April 27 due to tendinitis in his right forearm and it sounds like it’s going to be a while before we see him back on a big league mound again.

Barger is currently traveling to join the Jays in Toronto after finishing up his minor league rehab assignment at High-A Dunedin. The 26-year-old slugger started the season just 1-for-19 (.053) with zero homers and two RBI in eight games before landing on the injured list with a left ankle sprain during the first week of April.

Jones had been designated for assignment earlier in the week to clear a spot on the Brewers’ roster for the return of Jackson Chourio. He passed through waivers unclaimed though and will continue to function as extra outfield depth at the Triple-A level.

To be fair though, they are facing a left-hander on Friday night so it’s possible that he would have sat out that one even if he was fully healthy. The 25-year-old infielder suffered a right wrist sprain during Sunday’s contest against the Brewers and hasn’t played since. The fact that he hasn’t been placed on the injured list though — at least as of yet — bodes well for his chances of returning soon.

Martinez, a former Yankees prospect making his major league debut, was hitting .212/.307/.424 for Triple-A Salt Lake in his first year in the Angels organization. He’ll play behind Sebastián Rivero until either Logan O’Hoppe or Travis d’Arnaud returns.

Uh oh. We know that a meeting with Dr. Meister usually precludes Tommy John surgery. The 31-year-old hurler underwent an MRI exam earlier in the week after experiencing renewed soreness in his elbow following his latest rehab start at Triple-A Buffalo. We don’t want to jump to any conclusions, but it sounds like the Jays could be without Berríos for an extended period of time.