MLB Player News

Smith has been shelved since August 28 due to a left quad strain. Once it became clear that he wouldn’t make it back before the end of the regular season, the Diamondbacks opted to put his spot on the 40-man roster to better use. They used it on Friday to claim Elvin Rodriguez off of waivers from the Orioles.

Martínez said the problem developed earlier in the week and that he aggravated it today. If he’s forced to the injured list, the Guardians could call up CJ Kayfus or George Valera to step in as a left fielder against right-handers.

Basallo said he would have been able to bat again if needed Rather than the shoulder, he said he felt a pinch in his upper chest while taking a swing at a pitch in the bottom of the ninth against the Blue Jays. It didn’t look good, but apparently, it’s crisis averted.

Young started at designated hitter on Saturday against the Marlins. He knocked a base hit and scored a run in the fourth inning, then went yard for the first time this season with a solo homer off Lake Bachar to lead off the sixth. The 30-year-old first baseman doesn’t carry the most upside for fantasy purposes, but should continue to get regular starts against right-handed pitching while hitting in the heart of the Mets lineup.

Hicks had cooled down significantly in May, coming into Saturday’s game hitting .211 in the month after hitting .315 through April. He’s ending the month on a good note, collecting three hits against the Mets while driving in the team’s only run. The 26-year-old is hitting an excellent .274/.347/.478 with 11 homers, 27 runs scored, and 45 RBI across 213 plate appearances.

Scott had another excellent outing on Saturday, keeping the Marlins off the board over four innings before giving up one run on a walk and a hit in the fifth. He’d complete the fifth inning at 96 pitches while matching a season-high with eight strikeouts. The 26-year-old right-hander ends the day with a 2.97 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, and a 38/16 K/BB ratio across 30 1/3 innings. He’ll look to keep it going against the Padres in San Diego on Friday.

Phillips held the Mets scoreless through three innings, then gave up three runs on a walk and three hits in the fourth. He gave the Marlins one more scoreless frame, ending his day after five with two strikeouts. The 28-year-old right-hander will take a 1.63 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and a 33/19 K/BB ratio across 38 2/3 innings into a start against the Rays in Miami on Friday.

Karros started 47 of the Rockies’ first 56 games, but he is hitting just .204/.306/.287 with two homers and 14 RBI in 183 plate appearances. The Rockies could consider sending him down for a spell and giving more time to Willi Castro and Chad Stevens at third after one of their injured outfielders comes off the IL.

It was strike three, so Basallo didn’t technically leave the game. However, from the looks of things, he certainly would have had to if the game had continued. Basallo was taking a cut when his right hand let go of his bat, leading to an awkward followthrough. Basallo reached for the left shoulder afterwards and never really let go as he made his way into the dugout and towards the clubhouse. Hopefully, it’s not a severe injury, but if he needs to go on the IL, the Orioles would probably replace him with catcher Silas Ardoin. Tyler O’Neill would probably be the biggest beneficiary in terms of playing time.

Muncy was playing against most lefties before hurting his wrist last weekend, but since he’s probably still not quite 100 percent, this is a good opportunity to rest him after back-to-back starts Thursday and Friday. Santiago Espinal is playing third tonight.

Pitcher Ian Seymour fell right on the back of Neto’s head as the shortstop was sliding in and scoring on a wild pitch, and Neto was down for a while afterwards. Oswald Peraza replaced him afterwards. If Neto is forced to the IL, the Angels probably call up Denzer Guzman to play short, unless maybe they’re content with Peraza’s glove there and want to choose Christian Moore instead.