MLB Player News

Burdi loses his spot on New York’s 40-man roster with both Clark Schmidt and Ian Hamilton returning from the injured list ahead of Saturday’s game at Wrigley Field. The 31-year-old righty hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since late May due to a right hip injury.

Curvelo was placed on the injured list on April 15th with a biceps strain. He had allowed three runs on six hits in five innings to start the season, so he’ll get more time in Triple-A to keep working on things, his command in particular.

Brash was placed on the injured list at the beginning of May with lat inflammation. It was first thought that he would return as soon as he was eligible, but he wound up taking a few extra days. He should go right back to being a key member of the late-inning committe in Seattle.

White was put on the concussion IL last Monday, so he missed a little over a week. He’ll go back to his role as the fourth outfielder in Atlanta.

With Ronald Acuna Jr back and Eli White off the concussion IL, there was simply no room in the outfield for Azócar. He could re-sign a minor league deal with the Braves if he clears waivers.

Brown threw 22 pitches in a live batting practice on Tuesday. He reportedly touched 96 mph, but there’s no word on his command or secondary pitches. Still, it seems like, if his shoulder responds well, Brown will begin a rehab assignment this weekend. He’ll likely need to make at least three starts, but that should put him on track for a mid-June return.

This is now DeLuca’s fifth straight start in the outfield after his early-season playing time was limited to mostly facing left-handed pitchers. With Jake Fraley on the injured list, DeLuca has a real chance to earn a full-time role. The 27-year-old is hitting .277/.308/.429 in 118 plate appearances with two home runs, 19 RBI, and six steals. He should be on the fantasy radar in deeper formats.

Anderson has not made an MLB start since August of 2021, when he was with the Rangers. He did look good in four innings out of the bullpen on Friday, allowing one hit and no runs while striking out one. He was also tremendous as a starter in Korea last year, posting a 2.25 ERA in 171 2/3 innings. This could be a bit of an audition for him since the Tigers do have one rotation spot up for grabs. However, Troy Melton could also come off the injured list next week and take this spot in the rotation.

Mattson isn’t pitching poorly, with a 4.12 ERA in 19 2/3 innings for the Pirates this season. However, the team wanted to get pitching prospect Wilber Dotel up in their bullpen, and Mattson is one of the few relievers with minor league options remaining.

Dotel is one of the best pitching prospects in the Pirates system and has delivered in a small MLB sample size this year, posting a 1.35 ERA and 4/3 K/BB ratio across 6 2/3 innings over three appearances. He should immediately help in the middle innings but could be a factor in the later innings down the stretch if he keeps pitching at this level.

The 24-year-old Matthews had spent a lot of time in centerfield for the Astros this season, but after Jose Altuve got hurt, he started at second base twice over the weekend. Then, Jeremy Pena was activated from the injured list on Monday, and Matthews started in center field. Yet, the Astros then activated Jake Meyers from the injured list on Tuesday, and Matthews headed to the bench. With Meyers, Cam Smith, Zach Cole, and Zach Dezenzo all in the outfield, it seems like Matthews has entered a timeshare at second base with Braden Shewmake. Matthews has plus raw tools, but he also has a .207 average and 31.5 percent strikeout rate in 127 plate appearances this season, so it’s hard to see him as a reliable fantasy contributor.