MLB Player News

Hope has clobbered two homers, including an impressive two-run shot to deep right-center field on Friday night, and has also chipped in four steals. The 20-year-old projects as a prototypical slugging corner outfielder once he reaches the big leagues. He’s posted stratospheric exit velocities relative to his age and level and is a borderline top-15 prospect for dynasty purposes already.

Devenski posted a strong 2.16 ERA across 16 2/3 innings for the Mets last year. The 35-year-old journeyman reliever was cut loose by the Pirates last week after missing three months due to an undisclosed illness. He’s merely emergency organizational relief depth at this stage of his career.

Leiter is aiming for roughly 40-45 pitches during his first rehab outing since undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies from his right ankle back in late June. There’s a decent chance he’s ready to rejoin the Rangers’ rotation by late August or early September.

Vitello added that Adames will sit out Friday’s series opener against the Rockies in an effort to put a lingering back problem to bed. The issue flared up and led to his removal from the late stages of Wednesday’s series finale against the Astros. The 30-year-old shortstop has been dealing with the issue for a couple weeks at this juncture. It’s impossible to completely rule out a trip to the injured list, especially given everything we know about back issues, but it sounds like Adames will be ready to return this weekend.

Teel told reporters afterwards that it was his first time hitting since landing on the injured list with a high ankle sprain back in late July. The 24-year-old backstop was given a 6-12 week return timetable, which puts him back in Chicago at some pint in early-to-mid September, if everything goes according to plan with his rehabilitation process.

Tracy added that they’re waiting to see how Crochet’s shoulder responds before increasing his throwing distance. With just over six weeks left in the season, it seems highly unlikely that he’ll be stretched out enough to start for the Red Sox before the regular season concludes. However, he could potentially be built up enough to contribute as a multi-inning reliever down the home stretch. There should be a more definitive return timetable once he begins ramping up his throwing progression.

Trammell played a pivotal role in breaking a late-game stalemate by rocketing a 411-foot fly ball off the right-center field wall at Oracle Park. He came around to score to eventual game-winning run on a sacrifice fly from ensuing batter Nick Allen. It was his lone hit of the contest, but it came at the perfect moment for the Astros, who find themselves sitting atop the AL West division.

Hader received the call to protect a narrow one-run lead in the final frame and required just eight pitches to slam the door against the bottom of San Francisco’s lineup. He retired Andrew Knizner and Christian Koss on a pair of pop ups before coaxing a game-ending grounder from Jung Hoo Lee. This latest effort came after tossing two scoreless frames earlier in the series on Monday night to pick up a win. The 32-year-old veteran closer has been simply magnificent, recording a microscopic 0.96 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 38/10 K/BB ratio across 28 innings since making his season debut back on June 3. He’s gone a perfect 17-for-17 in save opportunities during that span. He’s on track to finish as a top-10 closer, despite missing the first two months of the season to a biceps injury.

Imai made his first appearance since throwing three perfect innings in relief against the Blue Jays back on August 3, scattering three hits and a pair of walks over three frames. He took over after openers Bryan King and Enyel De Los Santos worked the first inning. The 28-year-old righty has gone through one of the more turbulent stateside debuts in recent memory, boasting a lackluster 5.29 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 80/42 K/BB ratio across 64 2/3 innings of work. His inability to work deep into games tamps down his realistic fantasy appeal and renders him irrelevant in shallow mixed leagues. He’ll factor into Houston’s relief mix for the final six weeks of the season.

Perhaps it’s only fitting that Houser would turn in one of his strongest starts of the year against the club that made him a second-round pick back in 2011. The 33-year-old veteran allowed just two hits and one walk, but was forced to settle for a no-decision after San Francisco’s bullpen coughed up the lead following his departure. He’s operated in a swingman-type role for the Giants over the last few weeks and made his first traditional start in nearly two months. He’s under contract through next season, so it makes sense for San Francisco to keep rolling him out there over the final six weeks. He’ll get the ball for his next outing against the Guardians on Wednesday.

Adames appeared to be dealing with some back discomfort following a seventh-inning flip to start a double play. He was replaced at shortstop by Buddy Kennedy in the eighth inning after going 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. There should be an update on his status following the contest.