MLB Player News

Arrighetti will make his return to Houston’s rotation for his season debut with an extremely favorable matchup against Colorado away from Coors Field. There’s some definite streaming appeal for fantasy purposes, even in shallow mixed leagues.

Riley has finally begun to get going. This was his first multi-homer game since May 4th of last year and he didn’t have a single long ball on his ledger until the Braves’ most recent game this past Wednesday. His quality of contact had been trending up over the last week or so though and suddenly, he’s on a power surge. Here’s to hoping he’s emerged from the two-year funk he’s been trapped in.

For all of the joking about the Braves immediately bringing Pérez back after he was designated for assignment and then elected free agency when he passed through waivers, he held a quality scoreless here. It was a classic Pérez outing too, trying to mix speeds and live on the edges. Then getting very fortunate on tons of hard-hit balls put in play to keep putting zeroes on the board. Nevertheless, he got the job done and is scheduled to face the Nationals next time out if he gets another turn in the rotation.

The Phillies were practically never in this game as the Braves clobbered them. Yet, there was a moment in the bottom of the first when it was still just 2-0 and Harper followed a Kyle Schwarber hit by pitch with a single. A walk followed, but the heart of the Phillies order could not cash in on the opportunity. Such has been the story of their season so far. Alas, Harper has put up solid numbers with a .286 batting average, four home runs, and .932 OPS thus far.

Yikes. Walker got absolutely eviscerated in this one. The Braves loaded the bases with no outs in the first inning and it felt like Walker never caught his breath. They wound up with six runs home by the end of the second and the rout was on. Walker’s stuff has lost its zip and his command is so-so at best. It doesn’t feel so out of place to see him with a 9.16 ERA a few weeks into the season. His days in the Phillies’ rotation are likely numbered with Zack Wheeler making his way through a rehab stint.

Uceta felt soreness in the back of his shoulder following Wednesday’s appearance. The Rays are concerned enough that he will head back to Tampa Bay for a full evaluation. It sounds like Bryan Baker will continue to see the bulk of the save chances for the foreseeable future.

Gilbert was just recalled on Wednesday, but he’ll return after giving up four runs in 1/3 of an inning in his lone appearance against the Rays. The 32-year-old southpaw will attempt to work through his issues at the Triple-A level.

He’ll add a fresh arm that’s capable of working multiple innings to a White Sox’ bullpen that has been taxed recently. Nikhazy was off to a solid start at the Triple-A level, posting a 3.52 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and a 10/3 K/BB ratio over 7 2/3 innings in his first two starts.

The 32-year-old slugger started a minor league rehab assignment at Double-A Amarillo on Wednesday with the expectation that he would need a week or two’s worth of at-bats before he was ready to return. It sounds like it could end up being considerably sooner. He’s not active on Friday night, but if he checks out alright after playing in just two rehab games, it’s possible Gurriel could wind up making his season debut as early as Saturday.

Lukes started each of the team’s four previous games in right field, but he’ll take a seat in this one against Diamondbacks’ right-hander Michael Soroka. Davis Schneider will start in his place and will bat leadoff for the Jays on Friday evening.

Kittredge was away for most of the week due to paternity leave. He should only need another couple of outings — likely including a back-to-back — before he’s ready to rejoin the Orioles’ bullpen.