MLB Player News

Griffin has been the story of the Grapefruit League this spring, embodying the modern acceleration of elite prospects toward the big leagues. The 19-year-old phenom may not break camp with Pittsburgh, but his timeline feels compressed. According to Baseball America’s J.J. Cooper, Griffin could become just the 18th teenage position player to reach the majors in the past 40 years — and only the sixth since 2005. That context matters. Teenage arrivals aren’t normal; they’re blockbuster events. Griffin’s rare power/speed blend gives him legitimate league-altering upside once he’s established, but in redraft formats the uncertainty surrounding his debut, and how he’ll acclimate to everyday life in the majors at such a young age, keeps him in the speculative middle rounds — the kind of pick where you’re drafting on potential and ignoring the calendar.

Murray finds himself back in the big leagues with lefty reliever Bennett Sousa hitting the injured list with elbow inflammation. The 29-year-old figures to operate in middle relief after working six innings over four appearances for the Astros earlier this season.

Sousa heads back to the shelf after just five appearances since being activated for his season debut back on April 25. There should be a clear return timeline at some point in the coming days. There’s obviously a wide range of potential outcomes when it comes to elbow issues.

Richard Lovelady will serve as Washington’s opener to face the top of Miami’s lineup before handing things over to Littell for a bulk relief outing. The 30-year-old righty has worked behind an opener in back-to-back starts. It worked last time as he allowed one run over 3 2/3 innings to pick up a win against the Brewers this past weekend.

García is back at first base and hitting second following a four-game absence due to a right wrist sprain that he suffered last weekend. The 25-year-old infielder managed to avoid a trip to the injured list and shouldn’t miss any additional time. He has just one homer and two steals in 34 games this season.

Adams gets the call to bolster Minnesota’s bullpen this weekend with Joe Ryan (elbow) and likely Zebby Matthews coming up to replace and injured Taj Bradley (pectoral) in the rotation. The 26-year-old made 18 appearances, including a pair of starts, for the Twins last year.

It’s a significant loss for Minnesota, and fantasy managers, since Bradley has been pitching extremely well, allowing two earned runs or fewer in seven of his eight starts this season. He’s posted a strong 2.87 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 52/17 K/BB ratio across 47 innings during that span. There is no timetable for 25-year-old former top pitching prospect yet, but he’s likely facing a multi-week absence, even in a best-case scenario. It’ll likely be Zebby Matthews coming up from Triple-A to take the ball in his place against the Guardians on Sunday.

Barger is hitting second on Saturday against the Angels in his return to Toronto’s lineup after missing nearly five weeks recovering from a left ankle sprain. The 26-year-old power-hitter was one of last year’s biggest breakthroughs, launching 21 homers in 135 games. His return sends hot-hitting rookie Yohendrick Piñango, who hit .423 (11-for-26) with four RBI in 10 games for the Blue Jays since late April, back to the minors.

It’s a tough break for Pinango, who has been outstanding for the Blue Jays since arriving in the majors back on April 25. The hard-hitting 24-year-old rookie heads back to the minors after batting .423 (11-for-26) with four RBI in 10 games for Toronto. There simply isn’t room for him with Addison Barger back from the injured list to reclaim his starting role.

Kjerstad has been on the shelf recovering from a hamstring strain since the end of spring training. The 27-year-old former prospect doesn’t have much of a path to playing time in Baltimore once he’s fully healthy given their abundance of corner outfield depth. Still, it’s a positive sign to see him healthy and back in game action again after missing the final few months of last season in the minors with an undisclosed medical issue.