MLB Player News

The move clears a spot for the newly-acquired Jhonny Pereda on the 40-man roster. Kowar, 28, posted a 4.24 ERA and 15/7 K/BB ratio over 17 innings out of Seattle’s bullpen last season. It was his first year back from Tommy John surgery.

Walcott returned to action at Double-A after getting a pair of games under his belt earlier this week in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League. The 20-year-old prodigy missed the first couple months of the season recovering from an internal brace procedure on his right elbow back in late February. He’s one of the top fantasy prospects in baseball and offers a significant power ceiling for a middle infielder.

Báez went deep for the first time since a two-homer explosion back on July 2. It was his 29th round-tripper of the year. The 23-year-old’s off-the-charts power/speed combination gives him a chance to be the most impactful fantasy prospect to receive the call to the majors in the second half. There are some lingering swing-and-miss issues that are probably the biggest reason why he’s still in the minors. He should have an immediate impact once he is promoted, which makes Báez a worthwhile stash candidate in all fantasy leagues.

Lombard went deep in his first contest back at Triple-A since June 16. The 21-year-old top prospect wound up missing just over one month recovering from a pair of sprained fingers on his throwing hand. There’s a real possibility he gets the call to New York at some point in the second half with neither Anthony Volpe or José Caballero having a firm grip on the starting shortstop role. It’ll likely come down to whether the Yankees are able to address the position at the trade deadline with a veteran stopgap before they decide whether Lombard is ready. He certainly is from a defensive standpoint, but he could use to extra time to continue his development at the plate on the doorstep of the big leagues.

Robert figures to be getting close to returning to New York’s outfield mix following his seventh rehab contest in the upper minors since June 30. The 28-year-old is likely going to split time with rookie standout A.J. Ewing in center field and could easily wind up on the move before next month’s trade deadline. He played just 24 games before hitting the injured list with lumbar spin disk herniation in late April.

Martínez started in left field and was 0-for-2 before the contest was suspended due to rain. The 24-year-old corner outfielder is working his way back from a non-displaced left foot fracture that put him on the injured list on June 16. He’ll require at least a couple games to get back up to speed following the extended layoff, but he should make it back to Cleveland’s lineup by late July.

Díaz has struck out six of the nine batters he’s faced, while allowing just one baserunner, across three rehab outings in the lower minors. The 32-year-old stopper figures to be close to making it back to Los Angeles’ late-inning mix and figures to take over the closing duties from Tanner Scott upon his return. There should be a definitive timeline when Dodgers manager Dave Roberts speaks to reporters at some point this weekend.

Hernández played six innings at third base and recorded a double in his first rehab contest. The versatile 34-year-old role player shouldn’t need too much additional time in the minors getting back up to speed before he returns to Los Angeles. He played just one game in his return from offseason elbow surgery before suffering a left oblique strain in late May. There’s a chance he’s activated at some point this weekend.

Donovan went hitless in four at-bats out of the DH spot in his latest rehab contest. The 29-year-old is going to need at least a handful of additional contests to get back up to speed before the Mariners make a decision on whether to activate him. Hes been out with a groin strain since mid-May.

There’s real cause for concern after Frelick experienced discomfort on a throw from right field during the fourth inning of Friday’s second-half opener against Miami. The 26-year-old will undergo imaging to determine the severity of the issue, with Murphy adding that he doesn’t expect him back anytime soon. There should be some clarity on his status later this weekend. Frelick’s absence would pave a relatively unobstructed path for top prospect Luis Lara to play virtually everyday in right field, which would be a huge boost to his fantasy appeal. He’s worthy of a speculative roster spot in all fantasy leagues at this point.

Rodríguez went through a full pregame workout prior to Friday’s series opener at T-Mobile Park before indicating to reporters that he’s “trending” in the right direction. The 25-year-old fantasy stalwart has been sidelined with a concussion for nearly two weeks. He’s seemingly cleared every hurdle necessary to return, leaving the door open for Seattle to activate him as early as Saturday’s contest. Simply put, Rodríguez is close to returning.