MLB Player News

Simpson, 28, had a 7.34 ERA and a 36/22 K/BB in 30 2/3 innings as a rookie last season. That he throws fastballs only about one-third of the time contributes to his control woes, but it’s also probably his only hope of surviving as a major leaguer.

Dingler is back at DH following a two-game absence due to right hand soreness. It’s an extremely encouraging development for the Tigers that he managed to avoid serious injury. All signs point to him being ready to play in next week’s All-Star Game in Philadelphia.

It sounds like Burns made the decision to bow out of next week’s Midsummer Classic for precautionary reasons to avoid missing any time coming out of the break. It’s a situation that fantasy managers should monitor closely, but the extra time off should help him be ready to take the ball to open the second half. He was replaced on the National League’s roster by Dodgers lefty Justin Wrobleski.

Wheeler added that he felt disrespected and didn’t want to be the fifth choice after the league finally reached out on Friday to offer him a spot on the senior circuit’s roster as a replacement. The 36-year-old veteran should’ve been in the Midsummer Classic much sooner in the process after putting together a remarkable first-half performance in his return from last year’s surgery to address thoracic outlet syndrome, posting a sublime 2.28 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 98/20 K/BB ratio across 87 innings over 14 starts since April 25.

It’ll be Jared Triolo drawing another start at shortstop with Gonzalez presumably available off the bench for the nightcap of Saturday’s twin bill against Milwaukee. The 24-year-old infielder was picked up in a trade with the White Sox on Friday night. He’s likely to step in as Pittsburgh’s starting shortstop in place of an injured Konnor Griffin (finger) until early September.

Ebel is the final pick of the “actual” first round. He’s also the brother of Brady Ebel, whom the Brewers selected in last year’s draft. Nepotism isn’t always bad. Ebel is a slight reach in terms of board value, but shows an above-average hit tool, and he should be able to stick at shortstop. There’s questions about the power, but Milwaukee will have plenty of time to work on adding some to a player who doesn’t turn 18 until September.

Harrington retreats to the minors to open up a spot on Pittsburgh’s roster for lefty reliever Brandon Eisert prior to the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader against Milwaukee. The 24-year-old was one of the Pirates better pitching prospects coming into last year but has yet to find his footing at the highest level.

Brannigan heads back to the minors between games during Saturday’s doubleheader against the Brewers with newly acquired Jacob Gonzalez taking his roster spot.

Reese has enormous power from the left side, and he was able to hit 24 homers in 2026 in 62 games after bashing 21 homers as a sophomore. The 21-year-old will chase despite drawing a decent amount of walks — those free passes were mostly due to fear, which is not an insult, just a reality — and there’s significant swing-and-miss. There’s also concern about his position, but even if he moves across the diamond to first, that power can play.

The Cubs have not been aggressive in selecting pitchers over the past few drafts, but they get a (potentially) good one in Townsend. The right-hander generates tremendous spin on his fastball, and he can throw the kitchen sink at teams with three above-average secondary offerings. The command needs work and he might have some issue against left-handed pitching, but everything is here for Townsend to be a mid-rotation starter who could pitch closer to the top of a staff if he throws more quality strikes.

Flukey was viewed as the top pitching prospect coming into the 2026 college season, but he dealt with injuries that limited him to just 24 innings, and mixed results when on the bump for the Chanticleers caused his stock drop a decent amount. Not enough to keep him out of the first-round, however, and when Flukey is at his best, the 21-year-old shows three plus pitches with a fastball that gets into the high 90s with solid spin among them. Flukey offers a bit of risk, but he offers more upside than your typical college pitcher going in thsi range.