MLB Player News

It’s Lao’s first big-league opportunity after nearly a decade in the minors. The 25-year-old righty has allowed just two runs with seven strikeouts and only one walk over nine innings (three appearances) this season for Triple-A Tacoma. He’ll presumably operate in middle relief.

As Feinsand notes, the Angels “have been hesitant to trade Ward during the past two years,” but he has a near $8 million salary and only one more year of club control, so this could finally be the time. Ward has 18 home runs in his first 69 games this season while also driving in 47 runs with a .741 OPS. He ranks in the 86th percentile in barrel rate and the 87th percentile in chase rate this season, and really turned his year around after a slow start. Feinsand lists the Guardians, Padres, Rays, and Royals as potential trade partners.

The Braves are currently 12 games back in the NL East and seven games out of a Wild Card spot, so they face a real uphill climb to get back into the postseason race. If they don’t make up enough ground by the deadline, Feinsand believes Ozuna will be the most attractive rental for Atlanta. However, we also know he’s playing through a tear in his hip, so it’s unclear what kind of return he would net. Feinsand lists the Guardians, Rangers, and Tigers as potential trade destinations.

Feinsand acknowledges that Arizona is still in the playoff hunt, but with Corbin Burnes and Justin Martinez out for the season, it may be hard for them to remain in the mix. With so many teams looking for an impact corner infield bat, Arizona could get a nice return by trading away Naylor, who will be a free agent at the end of the season. Feinsand lists the Mariners, Rangers, and Red Sox as potential destinations.

Heaney has posted a 3.33 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 14 starts for Pittsburgh this season. He’s signed to just a one-year contract, so it seems like a given that he will be shipped off at the deadline. Perhaps to clear a rotation spot for Bubba Chandler, who remains in the minors. Feinsand lists the Astros, Dodgers, and Cubs as potential destinations.

The 29-year-old reliever has a 2.23 ERA with 54 strikeouts in 40 1/3 innings out of the bullpen this year. He also has three additional years of club control, so he could net the Rockies a strong return. However, he has three additional years of control, so they may just hold onto him.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said that McClanahan will resume his throwing progression soon. The left-hander had felt discomfort in his nerves when he was throwing full-distance bullpens, so he still hadn’t even progressed to facing hitters yet. McClanahan will have to build back up to bullpens, and then we’ll have a better sense of his return timeline, but sometime in August feels most likely as of now.

While that’s certainly good news, Brown didn’t give any indication of what that means for Dezenzo’s timeline, and we’ve seen Houston downplay a few injuries over the last two years that have lingered. The 25-year-old would likely require a short rehab assignment once he’s healthy enough, but it’s unclear if his .245/.321/.367 slash line is good enough to keep him on the MLB roster.

Arrighetti has been throwing bullpens for a couple of weeks, so this mound work could be the last step before he faces live hitters in the Florida Complex League. Once he does that, he’d begin a lengthy rehab, which still means it’s unlikely he returns before the middle of July.

Brown also said that Alvarez “is not taking swings right now.” It’s unclear how the 27-year-old is “day-to-day” but also hasn’t begun swinging, but perhaps he’ll pick up a bat any day now. Until he does, we have no idea what his true timeline for return will be.

The 26-year-old is the Pirates’ 18th-ranked prospect. He’s slashing .271/.353/.335 with 20 RBI, 23 runs scored, and 10 steals in 61 games at Triple-A this season. He has played first base and all three outfield positions in the minors this season, but there is not yet a clear idea of how the Pirates will use him.