MLB Player News

Valenzuela was added to Toronto’s 40-man roster in the offseason after coming over from San Diego in the Will Wagner trade last July. The 25-year-old backstop figures to take over as Alejandro Kirk’s primary caddy at some point in the near future.

Azocar spent a couple days testing the free agent waters before returning to Atlanta on a brand-new deal. The 30-year-old will continue to function as emergency outfield depth after getting into a pair of games for the Braves earlier this season.

Not good. Jakob Junis will take the ball to open a bullpen game on Monday night in his place. Eovaldi was in line for a two-start week against Arizona and Houston after spinning an eight-inning masterpiece against the Yankees his last time out. The 36-year-old veteran will presumably undergo imaging to determine the severity of the issue and whether he’ll require a trip to the injured list. It’s obviously an alarming development for the Rangers, and fantasy managers as well. There should be a definitive update on his status at some point shortly.

Santana reinjured his shoulder over the weekend while on a minor league rehab assignment and won’t be returning to Arizona’s lineup anytime soon. The 40-year-old’s ongoing absence means even more job security for unexpected late-career breakout sensation Ildemaro Vargas at first base.

Martin passed through waivers unclaimed after being jettisoned from Chicago’s bullpen mix last week. The 30-year-old allowed six runs over five innings across seven appearances for the Cubs since April 18. He also picked up one save during that timeframe.

Wagaman went unclaimed on waivers after being removed from New York’s 40-man roster last weekend. The 28-year-old will remain with the Mets as organizational depth rather than elect free agency to test the open market.

Technically, Correa tore the peroneus brevis tendon in his left ankle. The 31-year-old infielder suffered the injury during pregame batting practice last week. His absence means Isaac Paredes will handle the hot corner for the remainder of the year, which is undoubtedly a boost to his fantasy appeal.

Bieber will face hitters a couple times before he’s ready to head out on a minor league rehab assignment. The 30-year-old starter has been brought along slowly over the last few months after dealing with elbow inflammation over the offseason. There’s a chance he’s ready to make his season debut at some point in June.

It’s the best possible outcome that Barger isn’t dealing with any ligament damage after hitting the injured list with elbow inflammation. He’ll receive an anti-inflammatory cortisone injection to address a joint issue and be shut down for a couple days. The 26-year-old corner outfielder is likely facing a multi-week absence, but it doesn’t sound like surgery is on the table. There should be a definitive return timeline once he’s cleared to ramp up baseball activities again.

Scherzer received a cortisone shot in his right forearm last week and will take advantage of the shutdown period to treat his right thumb, which has been a persistent issue for him over the last calendar year. The issue apparently cropped up recently in addition to forearm tendinitis. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer remains without a timeline to return to Toronto’s rotation, but that should come into focus once he’s cleared to resume throwing.

It’s notable that Basallo is getting an opportunity to face a lefty starter when Yankees southpaw Ryan Weathers takes the hill on Monday night. The 21-year-old backstop has been tearing the cover off the ball recently, hitting .382 (21-for-55) with two homers and nine RBI over his last 15 games. The fact that he’s struck out 15 times and drawn exactly one free pass during that span is a concern, but he’s finally starting to show off his ability to generate consistent hard contact, which was his trademark during his rise through Baltimore’s system.