MLB Player News

Mead failed to make the White Sox while hitting .233/.258/.500 this spring. His exit velocities as a major leaguer just haven’t been very promising at all, and he’s never contributed much with the glove. Given the ability he showed offensively in the minors, perhaps there’s still something here to be fixed, but unless the Nationals are interested, it seems pretty likely that he’ll clear waivers.

Mederos, owner of a career 8.53 ERA in 25.1 innings (three starts) over three years with the Angels, will head to the Braves after being designated for assignment last week. Given how banged up the pitching depth is in Atlanta, it’s hard to fault them for bringing in another arm. The Angels will receive pool space to help them rebuild the back yard, though they’ll have to acquire the pool elsewhere.

Gipson-Long was placed on the 15-day IL a few weeks ago and seems to be progressing well. Assuming there are no setbacks, he figures to rejoin the Tigers in late April at the latest.

Falter pitched in two games for the Royals this year, covering three innings of relief against the Braves on March 27 and failing to cover more than an inning in a blowout against the Twins on Wednesday when he was shellacked for three earned runs. Clearly something wasn’t right in that one. The team will likely have more on his status at a future date. Falter came over from the Pirates at the trade deadline last year but made just two starts before being shelved with a bicep contusion, and the team clearly didn’t leave much of a path for him in the rotation this offseason.

Avila allowed two earned runs in one start for the Storm Chasers and will likely cover some bullpen innings for the Royals going forward after replacing Bailey Falter on the roster.

Kerkering will get in one more rehab appearance and then jet to San Francisco to join the Phillies for their next series by the bay. The right-hander is no threat to Jhoan Duran’s closer role, but should be capable of value in leagues with holds eventually.

It’s possible that Pepiot is activated as soon as Tampa’s next series against the Cubs if everything checks out. Pepiot has been dealing with right hip inflammation since late March, and assuming there are no setbacks, it seems like he’ll be returning sooner rather than later.

Eflin is flying to Texas to see Dr. Keith Meister, which would seem to indicate that he did not exactly love the first opinion medical professionals offered him. We would be surprised if Eflin wasn’t out for a majority of the year based on this update, even if he has avoided a UCL tear and instead has something (relatively) more minor.

Amaya has started to see some time at DH against lefties, which is a good sign for how the Cubs feel about his bat. The bad news is that he’s hit ninth in every game he’s appeared in this year. Amaya, off to a .375/.444/.750 start with a homer in his first nine plate appearances, probably deserves to cut into Carson Kelly’s playing time more than he did last year. We’re skeptical it actually happens. Kelly is batting cleanup against LHP Joey Cantillo.

Winn hydroplaned on wet pavement and bounced off barriers on both sides of the road. May called the Cardinals trainers, and Gorman called team security. Winn did briefly wind up in the hospital, but he’s obviously fine. Winn has been batting fourth against righties, but he’s leading off today against a lefty with JJ Wetherholt sitting.

He’ll go about three innings, give or take. Assuming no setbacks, we should expect to see Yesavage activated off the injured list in mid- or late-April. He remains a high-upside hold in fantasy leagues for the time being.