MLB Player News

Reetz, 29, spent his first eight pro seasons in the Nationals organization before becoming a journeyman. Reetz has played for the Royals, Brewers, and Giants over the last three years, appearing in the majors for San Francisco briefly last season. He actually is a decent enough hitter, having come in at .241/.338/.467 with 32 homers in 755 career plate appearances in Triple-A. It’s his glove that’s prevented him from securing a backup gig in the majors, but he could help fill in for Francisco Alvarez initially this year.

With their infield so banged up, the Brewers needed a true backup there over Bae, who serves primarily as an outfielder and is a subpar second baseman these days. Bae went 1-for-4 with a steal in his six days with the Brewers.

The apparent day off comes against Jacob Misiorowski, which is something most hitters probably wouldn’t complain about. Tucker did well against the Cubs and D-backs last week and was trending nicely in xwOBA terms for a time, but he’s 0-for-16 versus the Royals and Brewers this week. Alex Call is stating in right field tonight.

Brendan Donovan is leading off against a righty. Sixth is the lowest Young has hit in the order since July 24. Young went 0-for-6 on Friday after being held out of Thursday’s starting lineup due to an illness. He’s 5-for-36 with no extra-base hits and one RBI in his last 10 games.

Allen, who hasn’t pitched in 10 days, will be available to go long if Joey Cantillo has a short start on Saturday. He has a 2.45 ERA over 7 1/3 innings in his two appearances for the Guardians this season.

Aleman worked the last two days and three of four, so back down he goes. The 27-year-old has a 3.38 ERA in 18 relief appearances for the Guardians.

Gonzales cleared concussion protocol. He left Friday’s game after being hit on the helmet by a pitch.

Shaw, on the IL since June 29 with a hand strain, has been hitting of a Trajekt machine. It doesn’t seem likely that he’ll have a particularly significant role after joining the Cubs. Pedro Ramírez has been a modest upgrade as an infield backup, and the Cubs acquired Tyrone Taylor at the deadline as an additional outfield option versus lefties.

We’ve been advocating for O’Neill as an Opening Day leadoff hitter for years now... as long as he’s back batting fifth in game two. Although this is his first start as a leadoff man, O’Neill actually has been credited with two homers while batting first after coming off the bench this season. The start tonight is O’Neill’s eighth in a row following a couple of months in which he tended to start once or twice per week against lefties.

Robert has only ever played center field as a major leaguer, but the Mets believe A.J. Ewing is the better option there these days and have had Robert working out in left. Robert is out of the lineup today after starting in center the Mets’ previous three games.

The Rockies had Goodman catching when they made the lineup, but now he’ll miss a second straight start. Brett Sullivan is playing in his place.