MLB Player News

Cruz gave up a couple of hits and walked one while throwing 21 pitches. He’s due at least a couple of more minor league appearances before returning from the oblique strain that’s sidelined him since the end of June.

Mattingly added that Schwarber was available, but they didn’t get to a spot in the ninth inning where they felt like they could use him an eventual 9-4 loss. The 33-year-old slugger has missed three consecutive games due to illness, but the fact that he was available to pinch-hit strongly implies that he’ll be ready for Friday’s series opener against the Guardians.

Bazzana takes a seat with Detroit throwing righty Drew Anderson to kick things off. The 23-year-old top prospect has been tearing the cover off the ball recently, hitting .328 (20-for-61) with two homers, nine RBI and seven steals in 17 games since May 1. He should be rostered in all fantasy formats at this juncture.

Clement hasn’t actually missed any time, since he came off the bench as a pinch-hitter during Tuesday’s contest, while he deals with step throat. Even if he’s still dealing with some symptoms, it’s not going to keep him out of Toronto’s lineup. The versatile 30-year-old is at second base and hitting sixth on Wednesday night in New York.

Walt Weiss sure does love to tinker. He also has Michael Harris II batting second for the first time tonight. Ozzie Albies is in the cleanup spot. Riley is back down to .211/.279/.368 for the season after the last two games. He’s hit .250 with four homers and 11 RBI in 17 games this month, but that has come with a poor 22/2 K/BB.

The Rockies didn’t provide a new diagnosis after the tests on Dollander’s elbow, but obviously it was pretty good news if he’s going to be allowed to resume throwing in the first half of June. Dollander was placed on the IL on Friday with what was termed a strain.

No word yet, but it looks like the Mets might call on Tong to face the Nationals on Thursday. That would presumably mean that Zach Thornton will be sent right back down after starting tonight. Tong has a 5.68 ERA and a 55/24 K/BB in 38 innings for Syracuse, so he doesn’t seem like a mixed-league option at the moment.

Jones has now started just two of five games, and in both of those starts, he went 0-for-2, striking out twice, and was then removed for a pinch-hitter. Overall, he’s 3-for-20 with no extra-base hits and an 11/3 K/BB. The Yankees might not want to wait for Giancarlo Stanton or Jasson Domínguez to return to send Jones back to Triple-A.

Other than a two-game absence due to back tightness, it’s the first time he’s sat this season. The Red Sox are starting another lefty in Connelly Early, and Pasquantino is hitting .113/.175/.151 in 57 plate appearances versus southpaws this year. The Royals have Salvador Perez at first base and Starling Marte DHing tonight.

Verlander sat 92-93 mph with his fastball and touched 96 mph, according to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News. He gave up three homers while facing Wenceel Pérez and Jahmai Jones. The next step for Verlander would seem to be a rehab assignment.

Mead has plenty of history at third base, but he’s definitely below average at the position and it wasn’t entirely clear whether the Nationals would be willing to use him there after demoting Brady House. It’s the 12th start this year for Mead; he’d started at first base 11 times and second base once. If Mead can hold his own at third base, then it would make sense for the Nationals to play him there against lefties, allowing Andrés Chapparo to play first base as Luis García Jr.'s platoon partner.