MLB Player News

The deal, which was agreed to back in late December, is finally official. Blackburn returns to New York as a versatile swingman capable of making the occasional spot start while gobbling up multiple innings in relief. The 32-year-old veteran posted a pedestrian 4.39 FIP, 1.51 WHIP and 34/12 K/BB ratio across 39 innings over 15 appearances between the Mets and Yankees this past season. He can be safely ignored in all fantasy formats.

Marte was scratched from Thursday’s lineup late with a stiff back, but is back in the lineup today. Bobby Witt Jr. has told us this doesn’t necessarily mean you can be worry-free about Marte’s short-term future, but fantasy mangers can feel free to activate him against the Nationals and opener LHP Carson Palmquist.

Rodríguez has been on the injured list since July 8 with a left glute strain, but could be back in the lineup for the Pirates within a week. He’d been hitting well, with a .260/.388/.470 slash line and five homers in 35 games. Rodríguez isn’t necessarily a must-stash in most leagues, but he could be a 12-team catcher candidate if he keeps hitting like this when he returns.

Walker has a 4.50 ERA in six innings with the Orioles this year and a 6.21 career MLB ERA in 33 1/3 innings. The 31-year-old will be a depth pen piece for the time being. It’s the third time he’s been called up since being selected to the 40-man roster on May 11, not including a promotion to be the 27th man in a doubleheader last week.

McLain, who was dealing with a calf strain, looks likely to be back after just a short layoff if the Reds will have him. There’s not exactly a spot in the lineup for him with Edwin Arroyo essentially becoming the everyday second baseman while Ke’Bryan Hayes has been activated to play good defense at third base and get two hits every 10 at-bats. The Reds had started to try him in center field before the injury, so perhaps that’s another ticket to the lineup.

Gusto hasn’t gone more than three innings in an appearance since being activated off the IL, so he’s likely not in the wins mix for what profiles to be a bullpen game for the Marlins.

Brzykcy got into a second game in his four days on the roster. He now has a 3.00 ERA in three innings for the Marlins this year. The Jumbo Shrimp await his return. Brzykcy has been optioned down four times since having his contract selected at the beginning of June.

He spent the minimum 15 days on the list, great news for the Marlins. King will return to the late game mix and, given how Pete Fairbanks has fared this year, we could see a situation where King gets some save opportunities this year if the Marlins start mixing and matching.

Irish had risen to a top-80 overall prospect in the game per MLB Pipeline and profiles as a future masher for the Orioles. He hit .286/.388/.528 for High-A Frederick in 343 plate appearances this year, with 16 homers and 20 stolen bases. He’s a candidate for Double-A next year in his age-23 season. The power/speed combination should have him well on the dynasty radar despite the injury.

Shewmake was acquired 12 days ago after being designated for assignment by the Astros. He hit .286/.250/.429 in eight plate appearances with the Brewers and holds a .259/.270/.424 seasonal line with three homers and a stolen base in 91 plate appearances. He’ll likely be a candidate to change teams again, as he did last time for cash.

With Cooper Pratt finally up and Joey Ortiz hitting of late, it might be more of a platoon/bench role for Hamilton as he returns from his hamstring injury. Hamilton is hitting .240/.317/.333 with 18 stolen bases, three homers and a league-leading 10 sacrifice hits.