MLB Player News

The 25-year-old southpaw has done a decent job in his first two appearances with the Rays, posting a 3.60 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and a 9/0 K/BB ratio across five innings of work. It shouldn’t take him long to earn another opportunity with the big league club.

Rice provided a little extra insurance for New York with a ninth-inning dinger against Rays reliever Chris Roycroft. The power-hitting 27-year-old is one round-tripper away from matching last year’s total and is on pace to threaten the lofty 40-homer plateau. He’s cooled off considerably after a sizzling-hot start to the year, but he’s still providing plenty of over-the-fence pop.

Schlittler put together a sublime rebound performance after getting torched for a season-high six runs, including four home runs, by the Tigers in his previous start. A run-scoring single from Richie Palacios in the fifth inning represented the lone tally against him in this one. The 25-year-old burgeoning fantasy ace reached eight punchouts for the seventh time in 19 starts and holds a sparkling 2.01 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 131/21 K/BB ratio across 111 2/3 innings. He’ll wrap up a two-start week with a road tilt against the Nationals on Saturday to close out the first half.

Jax transitioned seamlessly into Tampa Bay’s rotation back in late April and hasn’t looked back. The 31-year-old recorded his first double-digit strikeout performance of the season, holding New York hitless into the fifth inning before coughing up a tie-breaking three-run homer to former Rays utility specialist José Caballero. He’s allowed three earned runs or fewer in six consecutive starts since June 7. He’ll close out the first half with a favorable home matchup against the Mariners on Saturday to wrap up a two-start week. Needless to say, he should be rostered in all fantasy formats at this juncture.

Snell continues making incremental progress back from an innovative NanoScope procedure to remove loose bodies from his elbow back in late May. The 33-year-old figures to be ready for a rehab assignment later this month and appears on track to return to the Dodgers rotation mix sometime in August.

Kelly was cut loose by the Athletics after passing through waivers unclaimed. The 33-year-old was designated for assignment last week. He was hit hard in five relief outings earlier this year after making a career-high 42 appearances last season.

Morris allowed three runs over three innings during an Independence Day relief outing against the Marlins. The 24-year-old starter has allowed 13 runs over 10 innings of work for the Athletics this season.

Laweryson has shuttled back-and-forth between Minnesota’s relief mix and Triple-A St. Paul this season, making 15 appearances in the big leagues. The well-traveled 28-year-old figures to return again after the All-Star break when the Twins require a fresh arm.

Weston heads back to the minors ahead of Tuesday’s series opener against the Cubs. The 25-year-old didn’t end up making an appearance for Baltimore after being called up last week. He tossed a scoreless frame in his big-league debut back on May 28.

Schezer checked out fine from a physical standpoint after throwing 49 pitches during a rehab outing for High-A Vancouver last Friday. The 41-year-old future Hall of Fame starter is rehabbing from a back injury that out him on the shelf back in mid-June. He’s trending towards returning to Toronto’s rotation sometime after the All-Star break.

Springer is out of the lineup for Monday’s series opener against the Giants in San Francisco, but he’s rejoined the club after taking a couple extra days to be with his family on paternity leave. The 36-year-old veteran hasn’t been able to come close to replicating last year’s remarkable 32-homer, 18-steal effort, slashing .221/.308/.373 with eight homers and six steals through 279 plate appearances over 63 games this season.