MLB Player News

He’ll be inserted in between Robbie Ray and Logan Webb in the rotation, with Hayden Birdsong apparently getting pushed back to Friday. Verlander has been on the IL since May 19 with a strained pectoral muscle. He might still have a little value in mixed leagues, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to leave him reserved for his first start back.

Scherzer struck out five and averaged a solid 93.4 mph on his four-seam fastball in his latest rehab start. He allowed five hits, including one homer, during this outing on an 86-degree evening at Triple-A Worcester’s hitter-friendly Polar Park. The 41-year-old veteran increased his pitch count to 73 (44 strikes) and should be ready to jump back into Toronto’s rotation next week. He’s been working his way back from a forearm issue since late April.

It qualifies as a step in the right direction for Sandoval, who walked one batter during the abbreviated 16-pitch outing. The 29-year-old southpaw figures to be an option for Boston’s rotation in a couple weeks after building up his pitch count and stamina. He dealt with a biceps issue earlier this spring that slowed down his return timeline from Tommy John surgery.

The odds of Domínguez returning to the majors in short order have increased exponentially with Aaron Judge hitting the injured list with a stress fracture in his rib cage. The 23-year-old former top prospect figures to rejoin the Yankees in a couple days after wrapping up a rehab assignment. He may never blossom into the franchise-altering cornerstone many scouts and evaluators envisioned, but the raw talent is certainly there for him to make a fantasy impact in deeper mixed leagues.

Wilson spent a couple days on the open market before returning to the Phillies on a new minor league pact. The 28-year-old posted a lackluster 6.65 ERA in 47 1/3 innings for the White Sox last year. He’s compiled a bloated 6.66 ERA over 51 1/3 innings for Triple-A Lehigh Valley this season. He’s merely organizational depth at this stage of his career.

Nootbaar made an instant impact during his season debut, collecting a pair of hits, including an RBI double in the sixth inning of Friday’s series opener at Busch Stadium. The 28-year-old reached base safely in two of six plate appearances out of the leadoff spot following a 10-week absence at the outset of the year recovering from offseason surgery on both heels. He’ll have some fantasy appeal in deeper mixed leagues as the Cardinals primary leadoff option against right-handed pitching.

Langford finished 1-for-4 in his return from the injured list following a six-week absence recovering from a forearm strain. The 24-year-old power/speed combo threat was thrown into the leadoff spot for Friday’s series opener at Globe Life Field and should continue hitting near the top of the lineup until further notice.

White is scheduled to return in 12-16 weeks, which ostensibly rules out any possibility of him pitching again this season. The 21-year-old southpaw is universally-regarded as one of the top pitching prospects in baseball and appeared to be on the verge of reaching Miami after posting a 4.01 ERA and 35/15 K/BB ratio across 24 2/3 innings across seven starts for Triple-A Jacksonville this season. Shoulder issues are complicated matters, but all signs point to White being a full-go by spring training following a relatively normal offseason. It’s a significant hit to his dynasty stock and eliminates any chance that he reaches the big leagues this season.

Altuve made it back to Houston’s lineup less than three weeks after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 left oblique strain, which is much faster than originally anticipated. The 36-year-old second baseman figures to hit behind a red-hot Isaac Paredes in the middle of the Astros lineup for now.

Díaz was let go by the Royals last week after going 5-for-22 with two homers in 23 plate appearances over 10 games. Barring a surprising decision to place Danny Jansen or Kyle Higashioka on the IL, it appears that he’ll be joining the Rangers as a third catcher, freeing up the top two catchers to start between catcher and DH against lefties. Justin Foscue or Michael Helman could be bumped from the roster.

That’s just never good. Fitzpatrick was hurt while warming up for his second inning of relief work Friday against the Rockies. He’s allowed two runs — one earned — in 6 2/3 innings for the Brewers this season.