MLB Player News

Zuñiga returns as organizational relief depth for Seattle after latching on in early September after being cut loose by the Phillies. The 27-year-old, who didn’t appear in the majors last year, holds a pedestrian 5.03 ERA over 19 2/3 innings over 17 appearances in the big leagues since 2023.

No surprise here after Freeman was scratched from Sunday’s series finale against the Phillies with lower back tightness. The 26-year-old will get some extra time off to rest the issue with Troy Johnston patrolling right field.

Duran takes a seat for just the second time this season with Masataka Yoshida in left field to face Brewers righty Brandon Woodruff. The 29-year-old has gotten off to an extremely slow start at the dish, hitting .200 (6-for-30) with two extra-base hits, four RBI and two steals through eight games.

The Massachusetts native will be ready to face his hometown club after sitting out Sunday’s game against the Royals due to a lingering oblique issue that forced him from the nightcap of Saturday’s twin bill. The 25-year-old outfielder is back in right field and batting seventh to face Red Sox righty Brayan Bello.

Lockridge has been playing through a minor hip issue. He’ll get a break in this one with red-hot Garrett Mitchell patrolling center field and Blake Perkins in left.

Koenig hit the shelf earlier on Monday with a left elbow sprain but it sounds like he’ll avoid surgery for now. The big concern is how his elbow responds after some time off from throwing, which will likely determine whether he returns at some point in late April or early May.

Westburg remains without a definitive return timetable as he goes the rest and recovery route with a UCL sprain in his right elbow. The 27-year-old infielder figures to be sidelined until at least late May or early June, even in a best-case scenario.

It’s hardly unprecedented for a top prospect to struggle upon their first exposure to the big leagues, especially one who is still a literal teenager. Griffin is one of the most talented all-around shortstops to debut in years but it might take him some time to find his footing. The 19-year-old prodigy has gone 1-for-9 with two walks and a pair of strikeouts in three games since arriving in the majors last Friday. The Pirates are going to take some of the pressure off him by having him hit near the bottom of the order while he acclimates to everyday life at the highest level.

McGonigle gets a look atop Detroit’s lineup with red-hot Colt Keith being moved to the third spot in the order with veteran Gleyber Torres sandwiched in between. The 21-year-old hitting machine has been a revelation in his first taste of the majors, hitting .303/.410/.455 with four extra-base hits and five RBI through nine games. He’s also walked six times while only striking out five times during that span.

Berríos faced hitters at Low-A Dunedin over the weekend and will repeat the session this week. The 31-year-old righty is close to making a minor league rehab start and could potentially make it back to Toronto’s rotation mix by the end of the month, barring any setbacks.

Bieber made it through Saturday’s throwing session without any issues and will repeat the process again this week. The 30-year-old former fantasy ace should progress to facing hitters at some point later this month before embarking on a minor league rehab assignment. He’s unlikely to make his season debut until at least mid-May.