MLB Player News

Ward required about 20 stitches over his right eye, but he’s otherwise okay. Matthew Lugo is starting in left field in his place on Tuesday. Given how terrifying the incident seemed in the moment, it’s a welcome relief for everyone that he managed to avoid catastrophic injury.

Cavalli was able to make the play to end the inning, but limped off the field and into the tunnel. It’s a tough break for fantasy managers as the 28-year-old right-hander was dealing — as he hadn’t allowed a hit and had struck out eight batters through four scoreless frames. He’ll presumably head for imaging to see if there’s any structural damage. Expect the Nationals to provide an update on his status as soon as more information is available.

The Yankees needed to clear a spot on their active roster for the return of Max Fried on Saturday and unfortunately for Topa he drew the short straw this time around. The 35-year-old hurler made just two appearances during his time with the Yankees, logging three scoreless frames with a 3/1 K/BB ratio. It’s possible that another club comes calling on waivers.

As anticipated, Fried will return from the injured list to start the nightcap of Saturday’s doubleheader against the Red Sox. The 32-year-old southpaw is expected to be limited to around 60 pitches in the contest, which could impact his ability to pitch long enough to earn a victory.

Bellinger will get a breather in the second game of Saturday’s twin bill with left-hander Alec Gamboa starting on the mound for the Red Sox. Spencer Jones will draw a start in his place in left field and will bat seventh for the Bombers.

It’s the first three-homer game in the superstar outfielder’s young career. He started the home half of the first inning with a bang, crushing an 0-1 fastball from Andrew Abbott for a 435-foot (105.8-mph EV) solo shot. He victimized Abbott again in the second inning, that time for a 375-foot (103.4-mph) two-run blast to right. He then singled and scored in the fourth inning before tagging Tony Santillan for a monstrous 444-foot (105.3-mph EV) three-run bomb in the seventh inning. While he’s unlikely to win, Crow-Armstrong is certainly going to garner MVP consideration this season. He’s slashing a robust .282/.377/.567 with 36 homers, 89 RBI, 97 runs scored and 32 stolen bases while playing exceptional defense in center field.

Bregman did his damage in the opening inning, crushing an 0-2 curveball from Andrew Abbott for a 416-foot (102.3-mph EV) two-run shot that increased the Cubs’ lead to 3-0 before an out had been recorded. He added an RBI single in the fourth inning and a double in the ninth for good measure. On the season, the 32-year-old third baseman is now slashing .255/.344/.422 with the aforementioned 20 long balls and 73 RBI on the season.

Suzuki singled in the home half of the first inning and rode home on Alex Bregman’s two-run blast. He also singled in the fourth inning before capping off the Cubs’ scoring with a 406-foot (104.4-mph EV) two-run shot off of Reds’ catcher Jose Trevino in the eighth inning. With his three-hit attack, Suzuki is now hitting .277/.370/.492 with 23 long balls and 79 RBI on the year.

On the plus side for fantasy managers, Gausman did rack up seven strikeouts on the afternoon while allowing a pair of free passes. Most of the damage done against him came via the long ball, with Eugenio Suarez and Sal Stewart each slugging two-run homers against him. The 35-year-old hurler generated 13 swings and misses on 102 pitches on the day, posting a strong CSW of 33 percent. Now 8-11 on the season, he’ll bring a middling 4.52 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and a 156/43 K/BB ratio (155 1/3 innings) into Thursday’s battle against the Brewers.

The 22-year-old rookie slugger victimized Cubs’ right-hander Kevin Gausman for a 431-foot (105.9-mph EV) two-run shot in the third inning that pulled the Reds to within two runs at 6-4. That would be as close as they would get. Stewart also singled in the ballgame. He’s having an exceptional rookie season, slashing .265/.337/.484 with 30 homers, 104 RBI and 12 stolen bases.

Woof. Abbott also issued a pair of walks in the contest while recording only one strikeout. He served up a leadoff homer to Pete Crow-Armstrong and a two-run blast to Alex Bregman in the opening inning, then Crow-Armstrong added a two-run shot to his ledger during a three-run second inning. Abbott got just four whiffs on 68 offerings on the day, posting a CSW of 26 percent. He’ll try to put this one behind him as he carries a 4.49 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and a 115/70 K/BB ratio (148 1/3 innings) into a difficult matchup against the Brewers on Friday.