MLB Player News

The fifth overall selection in the 2024 MLB Draft was limited to just 20 starts this past season at Double-A Birmingham due to elbow soreness and mechanical issues that resulted in massive command problems. He’s posted a strong 16/5 K/BB ratio across nine innings over three starts this fall. The 22-year-old southpaw was a strikeout machine during his final collegiate season at Arkansas where he set a Division I record with 17.3 strikeouts per nine innings. His premium fastball velocity and deadly slider will give him immediate fantasy relevance once he reaches the big leagues. It’ll be his ability to command his formidable stuff that’ll determine how high his fantasy ceiling extends.

Muncy will continue resting and recovering after being hit by a pitch on the right wrist last Friday against the Brewers. There’s been zero indication that he’ll require a trip to the injured list and the Dodgers can afford to play a man short on the bench for at least a couple more days. The hope is that he’ll be ready for Wednesday’s series finale. It’ll be Enrique Hernández drawing another start at the hot corner on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium.

It qualifies as a bit of a shakeup as Dodgers manager Dave Roberts will give Andy Pages an opportunity to hit behind Shohei Ohtani with Betts moving back a couple spots in the order. The 33-year-old veteran has been scuffling for a couple weeks, hitting .157 (8-for-51) with two homers and three RBI since returning from the injured list back on May 11.

Bolte has started 11 of 15 games since being called up from Triple-A Las Vegas earlier this month. The 22-year-old rookie has held his own at the plate, hitting .282/.370/.333 with three runs scored, zero homers, four RBI and three steals in 46 plate appearances over 12 games. It’ll be Lawrence Butler getting a turn in center field on Tuesday night.

It’s an encouraging development after Joyce was shut down from throwing earlier this month following a setback in his recovery from last year’s shoulder surgery. The flame-throwing 25-year-old high-leverage reliever should be ready to return to Los Angeles’ bullpen at some point in the second half of the season.

Schanuel told reporters he tested his injured calf out prior to Tuesday’s game in Detroit and still wasn’t feeling well enough to return to the lineup. He’ll continue to rest and receive treatment, but there’s a chance he’ll wind up hitting the shelf if he’s unable to return later this week.

It sounds like a precautionary move with the club saying Walls is day-to-day for now. It’ll be newly acquired Oliver Dunn taking over at shortstop and hitting ninth on Tuesday night at Camden Yards.

Mitchell has made three consecutive starts in center field, alleviating any lingering concerns for fantasy managers after missing time last week with back tightness. The 27-year-old remains one of the more intriguing talents in the game, but he’s striking out at an untenable clip, nearly 36 percent of the time this season, making him difficult to trust outside of extremely deep mixed leagues.

The Rangers could certainly use some additional firepower after being no-hit by the Astros during Monday’s series opener and struggling to score runs during a four-game losing streak. Jung is back at third base and hitting cleanup following a two-game absence due to left shoulder soreness. He’s ready to roll after a precautionary MRI came back clean for any structural damage. The 28-year-old has put together the start of a breakthrough campaign, slashing .302/.357/.462 with 22 runs scored, five homers, 21 RBI and one steal across 199 plate appearances over 48 games.

Thomas returns to Kansas City’s lineup for the first time since May 19 after being limited by a relatively minor hamstring issue. The 30-year-old is in left field and hitting sixth on Tuesday night at Kauffmann Stadium.

Trammell rejoins Houston’s outfield mix for Tuesday’s game against the Rangers following a five-week absence recovering from a left groin strain. The 28-year-old figures to occupy a reserve outfield role with the Astros moving forward.