MLB Player News

Amaya hit ninth today after Carson Kelly batted sixth in the opener, which demonstrates how the Cubs currently feel about the offensive abilities of their two catchers. Still, it shouldn’t surprise anyone if Amaya outhits Kelly this season. Kelly’s bested a .700 OPS in just three of his seven relatively full seasons, and Amaya actually came in at .281/.314/.500 in the 28 games he was able to take part in last year.

The Rockies needed to make a move to accommodate the return of Tyler Freeman (concussion) on Sunday and unfortunately for Stevens he wound up as the odd man out this time around. The 27-year-old infielder is a staggering 1-for-28 (.036) with a 13/5 K/BB ratio in 34 plate appearances for the Rockies this season.

Freeman progressed through the concussion protocol after being drilled in the head by a 98-mph cutter from Jacob Misiorowski during last Saturday’s game. He’ll start in right field and bat second for the Rockies on Sunday against Athletics’ left-hander Jeffrey Springs.

It could just be in part because the Rockies are facing a left-hander in Jeffrey Springs, but it’s the fifth consecutive game that McCarthy has missed due to illness. Sterlin Thompson will once again start in his place in left field and bat ninth for the Rockies on Sunday afternoon in West Sacramento.

It’s the second straight Sunday that the 24-year-old infielder has gotten a breather after starting every other game during the week. JJ Wetherholt will slide over and cover shortstop while Bryan Torres draws a start at second base and will bat seventh against Twins’ right-hander Taj Bradley.

With Keaton Winn (elbow) landing on the injured list on Sunday there’s suddenly an opportunity available in the Giants’ bullpen. Beck has struggled in his limited chances with the big league club this season, posting a 9.00 ERA, 1.88 WHIP and a 3/2 K/BB ratio over eight innings in his six appearances.

The 28-year-old righty was blasted for three runs on three hits over 2/3 of an inning during his last outing against the Nationals on Monday and it sounds like the elbow issue may have been a factor. No word yet on how long he’ll be sidelined for. Tristan Beck was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move on Sunday.

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.