MLB Player News

Smith’s injury really came out of nowhere, and it’s particularly unfortunate timing for Arizona with Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Tyler Locklear and Adrian Del Castillo all on the IL. That left Tim Tawa to serve as the DH in Thursday’s game. Ideally, the Diamondbacks would replace Smith with a left-handed bat if he’s forced to the IL, but they don’t have any decent alternatives in the minors. Their best internal option is probably to add righty Luken Baker and shift Locklear to the 60-day IL.

Busch has been slumping badly at the dish, slashing a woeful .118/.220/.157 with zero homers, two RBI and a 12/7 K/BB ratio through his first 59 plate appearances. Hopefully a day off to clear his head will do him some good. Matt Shaw will start in his place at first base and will bat ninth for the Cubs against Brayan Bello and the Red Sox on Sunday.

On the heels of a strong spring, the 29-year-old slugger got off to a decent start at Triple-A Buffalo, slashing .257/.372/.371 with one home run, five RBI and a 9/5 K/BB ratio over his first 43 plate appearances. It’ll be interesting to see what type of playing time he sees with the Jays, though the most likely scenario has him working on the short side of a platoon with most of his action coming against southpaws. He’ll serve as the designated hitter and bat seventh against Twins’ right-hander Taj Bradley on Sunday.

Springer suffered the injury as he fouled a ball off of his foot during Saturday’s contest against the Twins. He’s going to miss at least a couple of weeks of action while recovering. Eloy Jimenez was promoted from Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday to take his place on the Jays’ active roster.

Cannon is expected to work in a bulk role for the White Sox on Sunday against the Royals after Grant Taylor serves as the club’s opener. Cannon was knocked around in his first two starts at the Triple-A level, posting an 8.31 ERA and a 1.85 WHIP over 8 2/3 innings. He’s not a recommended streaming option for Sunday’s matchup against the Royals.

The 29-year-old hurler will add a fresh arm to the Angels’ bullpen while they figure out what to do with their rotation spot that was vacated with the demotion of George Klassen. Sandlin was off to a strong start through five appearances at the Triple-A level, posting a 1.42 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and a 4/3 K/BB ratio over 6 1/3 innings.

The Halos gave the 24-year-old hurler an opportunity to run with a spot in their starting rotation, but he stumbled to a 13.50 ERA, 3.86 WHIP and a 6/10 K/BB ratio over 4 2/3 innings through his first two starts. He’ll return to the rotation at Triple-A Salt Lake where he’ll attempt to get back on track.

It looks to be just a routine day off for the 24-year-old shortstop. Darell Hernaiz will start in his place and will bat eighth for the Athletics against Mets’ ace Freddy Peralta on Sunday afternoon in New York.

The most encouraging news is that the 43-year-old hurler still felt good on Sunday morning. It’s unclear if he’ll require a minor league tune-up before he’s cleared to return to the Tigers’ rotation, but it doesn’t sound like he’s going to be shelved for much longer.

Gerber, 28, wasn’t pitching that well at the Triple-A level, registering a 5.40 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and a 5/1 K/BB ratio over his five innings of work. He’ll work in a middle relief role for the Mets. Veteran right-hander Luis García was designated for assignment in a corresponding move on Sunday.

The 39-year-old hurler struggled through six appearances with the Mets, posting a 7.11 ERA, 2.05 WHIP and a 4/2 K/BB ratio over 6 1/3 innings. The timing is a bit interesting though after he bounced back to throw a scoreless frame during Saturday’s game. Joey Gerber was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move to take his place in the Mets’ bullpen.