MLB Player News

It’s frankly a bit surprising the Rockies haven’t placed Freeman on the injured list since he hasn’t played in nearly one week at this juncture due to a back issue. It appears unlikely he’ll return at any point this weekend with Colorado further away from playoff contention than Blockbuster is from replacing Netflix.

It was Snell’s second time facing hitters as he continues to ramp up his throwing progression towards a late-May return to Los Angeles’ rotation. The 33-year-old’s build up was delayed due to shoulder fatigue during spring training. He should be ready to head out on a minor league rehab assignment by the end of April.

Brandon Valenzuela will make his fifth consecutive start behind the plate in this one. Heineman has been on the shelf for nearly a week at this point due to back spasms. He would presumably be available off the bench in an emergency situation but Toronto is clearly trying to stay away from him until the issue subsides.

White hasn’t played since last Tuesday due to an ongoing foot issue, but the he’ll avoid a trip to the injured list. The 31-year-old reserve outfielder has gotten into just seven games this season.

Not good. Wiggins blossomed into one of the top pitching prospects in baseball last year when he posted a 2.19 ERA and 97/36 K/BB ratio across 78 innings across three minor league levels to finish the year at Triple-A. No word yet on how much time the dynamic 24-year-old righty, who was a second-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, is going to miss. However, elbow issues tend to result in extended absences.

Polanco will get a breather as he continues to play through a lingering Achilles issue. The 32-year-old veteran infielder has gotten off to a frosty start at the dish, hitting .179 (10-for-56) with one homer and two RBI through 14 games in his Mets debut. MJ Melendez gets a turn at DH in his first game of the season as New York attempts to snap a seven-game losing streak.

It’s purely circumstantial in nature, but Ohtani has gone 0-for-7 at the plate in a pair of contests since being hit by a pitch on the right shoulder during Monday’s series opener against the Mets. He was also involved in a bizarre play last week against the Blue Jays when he was struck by a pickoff throw on the elbow by rookie catcher Brandon Valenzuela. The Dodgers are going to give him a break from hitting to focus exclusively on pitching during Wednesday’s start at Dodger Stadium. It’s the first time he’s pitched without being in the lineup since 2021. Blockbuster offseason acquisition Kyle Tucker ascends to the leadoff spot with rookie catcher Dalton Rushing getting a turn at DH in his place.

Lawrence Butler has been dropped to eighth in the order after leading off four of their last six games. Kurtz has been mired in an unexpected slump at the dish this season, hitting .200/.380/.291 with eight runs scored, two homers, three RBI and two steals through 16 games. The fact that he’s struck out in nearly 40 percent of his 71 plate appearances is a big concern but he’s still getting on-base at a near-elite rate.

Harrison is expected to avoid a trip to the injured list, but he won’t take the ball on Friday against the Marlins. The 24-year-old southpaw will need some extra time off to rest and recover after suffering knee and wrist injuries during his previous outing against the Nationals over the weekend. The bigger concern here is the wrist on his pitching hand, but it doesn’t sound like an MRI revealed any fractures. No word yet on how Milwaukee plans to fill his spot.

Pivetta declined to share with reporters what an MRI on his right elbow revealed, which isn’t a great sign. The 33-year-old will not require surgery, for now, after hitting the injured list with elbow inflammation earlier this week. He’s opted for the rest and rehabilitation route and is likely facing a multi-week absence, even in a best-case scenario. There should be a clearer return timetable once he ramps up a throwing program. It’s not a worst-case scenario, but it’s challenging for fantasy managers to feel great about this latest development.

Tatis receives his first day off this season after making 17 consecutive starts between right field and second base. The 27-year-old fantasy standout is hitting .242/.316/.303 with seven runs scored, zero homers, seven RBI and four steals through 77 plate appearances.