MLB Player News

Almonte returns for another stint with the Cubs after making 17 relief appearances last year before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery in early July. The 30-year-old has made 213 big-league appearances dating back to 2018 and represents quality organizational depth.

Burgos gets the boot with Kohl Drake up to start Friday’s game against the Giants. Burgos should be back before 2026 comes to a conclusion.

Drake is up and will start Friday’s game against the Giants’ It’s a friendly matchup on paper, so those looking for a sneaky streaming option trying to play catch-up in categories could do worse. Just be sure to acknowledge there’s a ton of ways this can go.

Lee, 28, was scratched from the lineup Wednesday against the Reds due to elbow irritation, but he’s good to go for the opening tilt of a three-game series against the Diamondbacks.

Whitlock would end up missing just the minimum 15-day stint if he does receive that activation. The 30-year-old will be a high-leverage option whether he returns to the Red Sox on Saturday or a day or two later.

Miler has been on the injured list since the end of June while recovering from appendicitis. The left-hander will hit the wire and be eligible to be claimed, and if he isn’t, he’ll either elect free agency or report to Triple-A Iowa.

Crawford will get a night of rest against the Halos. Derek Hill — who had been dealing with neck stiffness — will be in center and hit ninth against Reid Detmers and the Angels.

Heliot Ramos, meanwhile, is making his first start in six days against Red Sox left-hander Patrick Sandoval. With Cody Bellinger back, it looks like Jones and Ramos could be in a straight platoon for now, though Jones could maybe start over Trent Grisham against some lefties. Jones actually has a 1.079 OPS in 34 plate appearances in lefty-lefty matchups. He has a .648 OPS in 155 plate appearances against righties.

Acuña had previously hit only first and second this season. Ozzie Albies, who is hitting .230/.286/.374 in 398 plate appearances since May 10, is batting second tonight.

Buxton is still very much day-to-day for now, with no plans for him to go on the injured list, so it sounds like he’d prefer to grind it out through September. However, one wonders if things might change if the Twins fall out of contention. Walker Jenkins is making his MLB debut in center field with Buxton absent tonight.

Manager Blake Butera indicated that Wood wouldn’t require a rehab assignment before rejoining the Nationals. If he’s still feeling good tomorrow after the BP session, it probably won’t be long before he’s activated.