MLB Player News

ESPN’s Jeff Passan confirmed the agreement shortly after Romero’s initial report. It looks like the Phillies have replaced Nick Castellanos before the inevitable trade that will ship him out of town. García, the 2023 ALCS MVP, is coming off back-to-back down seasons, but he has a Gold Glove in his past and 30-home run power, so perhaps moving to Philadelphia for a change of scenery could help him recapture some of that magic. It certainly hasn’t helped his cause that Globe Life Field has been about as tough of a ballpark for right-handed hitters as any in the league the last couple of years. He should benefit from hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park and Philadelphia’s strong lineup, which makes him a top-60 range outfielder in fantasy drafts next spring.

The 21-year-old phenom missed each of the team’s previous four games due to a lingering back issue. He’s off to a slow start at the plate this season, slashing an underwhelming .225/.361/.325 with just one homer, four RBI, two stolen bases and a 25/16 K/BB ratio across his first 97 plate appearances.

It appears to be nothing more than a regular day of maintenance for the 35-year-old infielder. Braden Shewmake will start in his place at second base and will bat ninth against Yankees’ right-hander Luis Gil on Sunday afternoon in Houston.

The Nationals were in need of a fresh arm on Sunday so Granillo will get another opportunity to pitch out of the team’s bullpen. He has struggled to a 12.46 ERA and 2.54 WHIP over 4 1/3 innings through five appearances with the Nationals this season. He can be ignored for fantasy purposes.

Schultz was just optioned to Triple-A Rochester last Saturday, but he’ll rejoin the Nationals’ bullpen with Clayton Beeter (forearm) landing on the injured list on Sunday. Schultz has registered a 4.50 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and a 7/1 K/BB ratio over eight innings in his five appearances at the big league level this season.

That’s never what you want to hear. While the severity of the forearm issue isn’t yet known, it’s often a precursor for more serious elbow issues. Beeter had posted a solid 3.48 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and a 9/8 K/BB ratio over his first 10 1/3 innings while notching a pair of saves for the Nationals. Gus Varland seems the most likely to step up and secure the closer’s role while he’s sidelined and is worth a look in any leagues where he may still be available.

The A’s needed to clear a spot on their active roster for the return of Brent Rooker (oblique) on Sunday and unfortunately for Ibáñez, he drew the short straw. The fact that he was hitting an abysmal .118/.167/.118 with zero homers and three RBI through his first 18 plate appearances didn’t help his cause.

Rooker will make his triumphant return to the Athletics’ lineup on Sunday against the Rangers. Before landing on the injured list on April 10 with a right oblique strain, the 31-year-old slugger was slashing .146/.245/.293 with two homers, eight RBI and two stolen bases through his first 49 plate appearances on the season. Andy Ibanez was designated for assignment in a corresponding move on Sunday.

Kwan was a late scratch from Saturday’s lineup due to stiffness in his neck, it appears to have been only a minor issue though. He’s back in center field and perched atop the Guardians’ lineup for Sunday’s matchup against Jays’ left-hander Patrick Corbin.

It looks to be a regular day of rest for the 27-year-old infielder. Ernie Clement will cover shortstop and bat leadoff in his absence while Davis Schneider will make a start at second base and bat eighth for the Jays against Guardians’ right-hander Slade Cecconi.

Someone needed to get the boot from the Orioles’ bullpen to accommodate the return of Ryan Helsley on Sunday, but it’s a bit surprising to see Suárez go. The 36-year-old hurler posted a respectable 3.46 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and a 6/5 K/BB ratio over 13 innings in his five appearances out of the O’s bullpen. With so many teams in need of quality bullpen arms, he could attract some interest on waivers.