MLB Player News

Imanaga generated a staggering 17 swinging strikes, with nearly half of them (eight) coming on his sweeper alone. The 32-year-old’s fastball velocity was up nearly two miles per-hour in this outing as he continues to flash increased velocity this spring, leading to a 4.50 ERA and 18/3 K/BB ratio across 18 innings of work. He’s looked extremely impressive this spring, causing his fantasy stock to increase as a result, vaulting him into the top 40-50 range among starting pitchers entering the year. He’s in line to take the ball on Saturday against the Nationals to kick off the regular season.

Not good. Crochet remains without a return timetable and no immediate plans to resume throwing after suffering a lat strain back in late May. The 26-year-old fantasy ace was diagnosed with a low-grade lat strain initially, but clearly the situation was much worse than preliminary imaging revealed. He’s clearly worth stashing in deeper mixed leagues, but fantasy managers shouldn’t anticipate Crochet returning anytime soon. It’s another glaring indication that the Red Sox are likely to wind up as sellers as the trade deadline in early August.

Helsley receives the green light to return to game action after completing a live batting practice session earlier this week. The hard-throwing 31-year-old closer has been out recovering from elbow inflammation since late April. He’ll need a couple rehab outings to round back into shape before returning to Baltimore’s bullpen, which will bump Rico Garcia back into a setup role.

Weiss expressed confidence earlier this week that Acuña’s latest hamstring injury wasn’t as serious as the one that cost him nearly three weeks back in early May. The 28-year-old fantasy superstar hit the injured list prior to Wednesday’s game against the White Sox after an MRI revealed a low-grade strain. It sounds like there’s a strong possibility that he makes it back to Atlanta before the end of June. However, there isn’t an official return timetable from the club yet.

Schanuel receives some additional time off to rest and recover after making an early exit from Tuesday’s game with left calf tightness following a hit-by-pitch. The 24-year-old figures to be ready for Friday’s series opener against the Rays. It’ll be veteran Trey Mancini drawing another start at first base in his absence.

Ritchie was called up from Triple-A Gwinnett prior to Wednesday’s contest and will operate in a long relief capacity out of Atlanta’s bullpen. The 22-year-old top prospect had some early success with the Braves before being sent back to the minors last month. His stuff should play up in shorter bursts out of the bullpen, but the lack of volume certainly diminishes his immediate fantasy appeal.

Tromp fortifies Baltimore’s catching depth in an emergency capacity with both Adley Rutschman (hamstring) and Samuel Basallo (wrist) dealing with injury situations. Neither one has required a trip to the injured list, but the organization’s catching depth has suddenly become perilously thin with Sam Huff their only healthy backstop at the moment. Tromp got into 12 games for the Braves earlier this season.

The excitement is palpable for Chicago in the wake of top prospect Braden Montgomery’s electric debut and Schultz’s impending return would provide a spark to the rotation. The towering 22-year-old southpaw will need at least one additional bullpen session before heading out on a rehab assignment. He’s been on the shelf recovering from knee tendinitis since May 26.

Montgomery told reporters he tweaked his back a couple weeks ago. He’ll continue receiving treatment and is likely to sit out Thursday’s series finale as well. It doesn’t sound like he’s in danger of requiring a trip to the injured list. It’ll be Luisangel Acuña handling shortstop once again in his absence.

Porter winds up in Los Angeles just a few days after signing a minor league contract with the club. The 30-year-old will serve as Logan O’Hoppe’s caddy with Sebastián Rivero hitting the injured list with a hamate fracture.

Rivero is facing an extended absence after suffering a dreaded hamate fracture on a swing during Tuesday’s contest against the Astros. The 27-year-old backstop had recorded hits in seven consecutive plate appearances prior to the injury. He’s likely to miss at least one month in a best-case scenario after undergoing surgery next week.