MLB Player News

He did not pitch a scoreless ninth inning -- that was, for some reason, Erik Miller’s road to hoe. Walker has not started a ninth inning in a single game this month, and this feels very much like a closer-by-committee while Walker is used as a true fireman. It’s a disappointing result so far for fantasy managers, as Walker has allowed just three earned runs in seven innings and has only one save to show for it. Walker-reliant managers with clearer save options on the waiver wire have to at least consider a move at this point.

The 28-year-old outfielder will at least get a couple of days to show what he can do at the big league level with Freddie Freeman heading to the paternity list. He was crushing it at Triple-A Oklahoma City, slashing .328/.432/.588 with four homers, 14 RBI and three stolen bases in his first 81 plate appearances.

Freeman will be away from the club for a couple of days as he welcomes a new addition to his family. Ryan Ward was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move to take his spot on the Dodgers’ active roster.

It’s the first trip to the big leagues for the 23-year-old hurler. Dotel was knocked around in his first three starts at Triple-A Indianapolis, registering a cringe-inducing 6.28 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and a 13/7 K/BB ratio across 14 1/3 innings. He’ll add length to the Pirates’ bullpen but probably won’t be used unless it’s an emergency situation or the game is out of reach.

Sanders had just been recalled from Triple-A on Friday but he’ll head right back there after giving up four runs on three hits and a walk in just 2/3 of an inning in his lone appearance (54.00 ERA). Sanders has terrific stuff and not much left to prove in the minor leagues, so he should get another opportunity to work out of the Pirates’ bullpen before long.

It appears to be nothing more than a routine day of rest for the 28-year-old backstop. Sal Frelick and Joey Ortiz also find themselves on the Brewers’ bench for this one against Marlins’ right-hander Eury Perez. Contreras is off to a nice start at the plate this season, slashing a healthy .306/.398/.472 with a pair of homers and 11 RBI in his first 83 plate appearances.

Jansen has been seeing nearly everyday action between the catcher and designated hitter spots in the lineup, so he’ll get a breather on Sunday. Elias Diaz will start behind the plate for the Royals and will bat ninth against Yankees’ left-hander Ryan Weathers.

It’s rare to see Stanton out of the lineup with a left-hander on the mound for the opposition, but the Yankees have done a good job giving him rest when needed this season in order to keep him healthy and productive. Ben Rice will function as the designated hitter on Sunday and bat leadoff against Cole Ragans and the Royals.

The Royals desperately needed to add a fresh arm to their bullpen mix on Sunday and Black makes perfect sense as he has worked as a starter in the past and can give them multiple innings. He posted a 3.86 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and a 6/5 K/BB ratio over 11 2/3 innings in his first seven appearances at Triple-A Omaha. He can continue to be ignored for fantasy purposes.

The 27-year-old hurler got into one game during his time with the Royals, giving up six runs on four hits and five walks over four innings, leading to an unsightly 13.50 ERA and 2.25 WHIP. He’ll attempt to work through his command issues at the minor league level. Mason Black was recalled from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move on Sunday.

With Carter Jensen and Salvador Perez seeing regular action as the Royals’ designated hitter, it makes sense for them to carry a third backstop. The 35-year-old was off to a very slow start offensively at the Triple-A level, slashing .219/.286/.250 with zero homers, one RBI and an 8/1 K/BB ratio in 35 plate appearances. His days of fantasy relevancy are in the rearview mirror.