MLB Player News

There was some doubt because Shane McClanahan (nerve issue) is expected to be healthy to start the season and had been an Opening Day starter in the past. Still, Rasmussen was the team’s best pitcher last year, registering a 2.76 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 127/37 K/BB ratio in 150 innings. The 30-year-old has a 2.70 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 333/86 K/BB ratio in 389 2/3 career innings as a starter. He figures to be a potential top-30 starting pitcher in fantasy baseball this year.

Foscue will get a chance to hit near the top of Texas’ lineup, with Andrew McCutchen leading off and Evan Carter being dropped to ninth in the batting order, against lefty opener Sammy Peralta after homering twice in 10 games since being called back up to the majors on May 5.

Stanton has been given the green light to hit and go through plyometric exercises, but hasn’t received the go-ahead to resume running, which is the biggest hurdle to making it back to New York’s lineup. The 36-year-old slugger is a couple weeks away at this juncture.

Gore told reporters he feels fine but will undergo imaging to rule out anything structural after making a precautionary exit from Monday’s start against the Rockies with left lat tightness. All signs point to Gore making his next start against the Angels on Sunday.

Winn will undergo imaging to determine whether he’s dealing with any structural damage since he’s still dealing with some left knee discomfort that popped up over the weekend. There’s obviously some concern that he’ll require a trip to the injured list. There should be an update on his status in the coming days.

Crawford was in the lineup for Monday’s series opener against Chicago after suffering a triceps contusion when he was hit by a pitch over the weekend. He’ll get some extra rest in this one with Colt Emerson making his first start at shortstop. The big question is what happens to his playing time once Brendan Donovan (groin) is back from the injured list now that Emerson has ascended to the majors. the 31-year-old impending free agent figures to cede some playing time to the top prospect over the final few months of the year.

Rafaela gets the nod in a prominent spot in Boston’s lineup after hitting .320 (16-for-50) with three homers and three steals over his last 15 games. The 25-year-old center fielder sat out Monday’s series opener but he’s back in there to face Royals lefty Bailey Falter on Tuesday night.

Clement is dealing with strep throat, so it’s probably for the best if he practices some social isolation to prevent it from spreading around Toronto’s clubhouse. The 30-year-old infielder is available off the bench, if needed, with Davis Schneider getting into the lineup at second base in his place.

Garcia returns for another stint with Arizona as emergency catching depth with veteran backstop James McCann hitting the injured list with a quad strain. The 33-year-old journeyman got into three games for the Diamondbacks earlier this season while Gabriel Moreno was on the shelf.

It sounds like McCann is going to miss at least a couple weeks after suffering a quad strain during Monday’s series opener against the Giants. It’s less of an issue for Arizona with Gabriel Moreno back from the injured list than it would’ve been earlier this year when he was sidelined.

The positive news here is that X-rays came back negative after Young was hit by a pitch in the ribs during Monday’s series opener. The 26-year-old center fielder is presumably day-to-day moving forward. It’ll be former top prospect Dylan Crews patrolling center field in his return to the majors on Tuesday night.