MLB Player News

“We want a neutral ballpark where if you hit a ball well, it should be a home run,” said Royals general manager J.J. Picollo. According to Stacast’s Park Factors, Kauffman Stadium ranked 6th in baseball as an offensive park. However, this ranking was largely due to its having the second-largest outfield in baseball, which promotes doubles and triples. It ranked 25th in baseball as a home run park, which is the fourth-lowest mark of any stadium that has been in use for at least the last three seasons. The team will keep centerfield at 410 feet, but will shorten the power alleys from 389 feet to 379 feet, and “the fences will continue on that path, 9 to 10 feet shorter, nearly all the way to the corners.” This will not only help established power hitters like Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, and Salvador Perez hit more home runs, but should be a nice boost for young players with plus power like Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen. However, batting average hitters with fringe power, like Isaac Collins and Jonathan India, may see a slight regression with a smaller outfield for extra base hits to fall in.

Domínguez is working his way back from an AC joint sprain that he suffered on May 8th. With Aaron Judge (stress fracture) likely sidelined until August, it seems like Domínguez could have a solid runway of playing time coming up; however, Yankees manager Aaron Boone would not commit to activating the 23-year-old Domínguez in the coming day. Of course, if Spencer Jones struggles, that might make the decision easier.

The 22-year-old is now up to 18 home runs, 48 RBI, and a .937 OPS in 230 Triple-A at-bats this season. Lars Nootbaar’s return has clogged the Cardinals’ outfield a little, but Báez is certainly pushing for his opportunity.

Vodnik has been sidelined since May 20th with right ulnar nerve inflammation. He had a strong month of April, but struggled at the beginning of May as he pitched through the injury. He could work himself back into the late innings when he returns to the Rockies’ bullpen.

This is noteworthy because Fried was expected to get the follow-up imaging on Tuesday, but it apparently did not happen. The left-hander has been throwing from flat ground, but he will need more imaging before he can be cleared to ramp up his progression. Until that happens, there’s no way to put a timeline on his return from a left elbow bone bruise that he suffered on May 13th.

Wells went on the injured list over the weekend with cervical headaches. Being back on the field and doing baseball activities suggests that this might be a minimum stint on the injured list for the 26-year-old.

This is Dunn’s first game on the bench since May 19th, starting in 18 straight games in the outfield. Over that stretch, he has hit .284/.318/.383 with one home run, nine runs scored, four RBI, and three steals. He’s more of a deep league asset given that he hits leadoffs in one of the best offensive environments in baseball. Dane Myers will start in center field and bat seventh on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old allowed three runs on six hits in four innings across three appearances out of the bullpen for the Reds. His Triple-A numbers are much better, so we expect he’ll get another chance over the summer.

Petty was once a top prospect for the Reds, but he is pitching to a 6.17 ERA in 42 1/3 innings at Triple-A this season. His last two appearances for the Reds have been as a starter, but they don’t seem to need one right now, unless the Reds are planning to use him as a spot starter when they have six games in a row beginning on Friday.

Simpson returned on Tuesday after missing three days off and went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. His lingering thumb injury may be why he’s being held out of the lineup on Wednesday, but the Red Sox are also throwing yet another left-handed pitcher. Austin Slater will make his third straight start in the outfield, and Ryan Vilade will make his fourth straight start, batting cleanup and playing left field.

The Red Sox don’t seem worried about him needing an IL stint, but we have seen many players head to the injured list after a battle with back spasms. It would be unfortunate for Mayer, who has battled multiple injuries over his brief MLB career and was slashing .286/.323/.429 with one home run and six RBI over his last six games. Isiah Kiner-Falefa will start at shortstop and bat eighth with Andruw Monasterio at second base and hitting ninth.