MLB Player News

Cora made it official that Mayer will open the regular season as Boston’s starting option at the keystone. The 23-year-old top prospect is likely to cede some playing time to Andruw Monsterio and Isiah Kiner-Falefa against left-handed starters, but will get the bulk of the playing time at the keystone. Cora went out of his way to tell reporters on several occasions that Mayer would have to earn the starting job this spring, so this certainly qualifies as a vote of confidence in the former fourth-overall selection from the 2021 MLB Draft. His immediate fantasy appeal is limited to deeper mixed leagues and AL-only formats. If he can stay healthy, he’s one of the more intriguing young talents in the game capable of hitting double-digit homers with a respectable batting average and a handful of stolen bases.

Crawford has been taking ground balls at third base exclusively during his recovery from a right-hand contusion, and that’s where he’s likely to see the bulk of his action upon his return. The 31-year-old infielder has hit .228/.356/.409 with 10 homers and 23 RBI over 233 plate appearances on the season.

The versatile 24-year-old left Saturday’s game due to a contusion that he sustained after fouling a ball off of his left foot. He’s considered day-to-day and the Guardians are hopeful that he’ll return to the lineup on Tuesday.

DeLauter left Saturday’s game with a bruised right ribcage after crashing into the outfield wall during the top half of the first inning. He underwent a precautionary MRI and CT scan on Saturday, the Guardians are still working through the results. Manager Stephen Vogt told reporters on Sunday that they expect to have more information on his status over the next day or so. Fantasy managers relying on DeLauter for next week may want to have a contingency option in place in the event that he winds up on the injured list.

Reds’ manager Terry Francona told reporters on Sunday that Pagán had a follow-up MRI that came back clean. He threw a side session without issues on Saturday and will repeat the process on Tuesday before progressing to the live session. The next step after that would likely be a couple of tune-ups in a minor league game. It’s possible that if everything goes according to plan, he could return to the Reds’ bullpen before the end of June.

Giménez suffered the injury while sliding back into first base during Saturday’s battle against the Yankees. He’s considered day-to-day. Davis Schneider will start in his place at second base against Will Warren and the Yankees on Sunday afternoon.

The 26-year-old right-hander has yet to pitch for the Reds this season after undergoing surgery in late March to remove bone chips and loose bodies from his elbow. He’s going to need several rehab starts before he’s ready to join the Reds’ rotation. Barring any setbacks though, we could see him debut before the All-Star break.

The 27-year-old hurler punched out seven batters over five innings of two-run ball in his final minor league rehab start at Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday. He threw 74 pitches during that outing and shouldn’t have much of a workload concern in Tuesday’s return. Brown has been shelved since early April due to a Grade 2 shoulder strain.

If you’re going to get an occasional day off, doing so against Phillies’ left-hander Cristopher Sanchez isn’t a bad idea. Fellow left-handed hitters Christian Yelich, Jake Bauers and Sal Frelick are also on the pine for the Brewers in this one. Turang is having a strong season at the dish, slashing .261/.378/.457 with 10 homers, 42 RBI, 53 runs scored and 12 stolen bases through his first 296 plate appearances.

The 27-year-old slugger was held out of Saturday’s lineup due to tightness in his lower back. There haven’t been any rumblings yet of Guerrero requiring a stint on the injured list, though that could change if this lingers into next week. Charles McAdoo will start in his place at first base and will bat ninth for the Jays against Will Warren and the Yankees on Sunday afternoon in Toronto.

It looks like nothing more than a routine day off for the dynamic 28-year-old infielder. Jose Caballero will start in his place at second base and will bat sixth for the Yankees against Blue Jays’ left-hander Patrick Corbin.