MLB Player News

The Rangers’ flavor of the week at closer was called upon to protect a two-run lead with two men on and one out in the seventh inning. He did his job, retiring the next two hitters in order to escape the jam. He returned for the eighth though and ended up loading the bases on an infield single, double and an intentional walk with two outs before handing the ball off to Jacob Latz. He then allowed a bases-clearing double that charged three runs to Junis’ ledger. Even with this rough outing, Junis still sports a strong 2.89 ERA and 0.75 WHIP over 9 1/3 innings while converting each of his first three save chances.

Altuve was replaced at second base following an eighth-inning ground out, but the potential injury seemed to occur a couple innings earlier when Zach McKinstry slid head-first into his left leg on a play at second base. There should be an update on his status following the contest.

Basallo takes a seat following three consecutive starts behind the dish. The 21-year-old prodigy is hitting just .183 (13-for-71) with three homers in 21 games since the start of June. It’ll be Chadwick Tromp handling the catching duties on Saturday in his place.

Ingle went 0-for-2 with a walk on Friday in his major-league debut. The 24-year-old backstop figures to spend most of his time at DH for Cleveland after hitting .284/.416/.551 with 12 homers in 221 plate appearances at the Triple-A level this season. The combination of catcher eligibility and over-the-fence power production give him immediate fantasy relevance in all formats. He should be one of the top waiver wire targets in FAAB leagues this weekend.

It’s not an ideal development. Langford has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball since returning from the injured list earlier this month, hitting .317 (26-for-82) with seven homers, 16 RBI and three steals over 20 games since June 5. The hope for the Rangers and fantasy managers is that the decision was made out of an abundance of caution. He’s likely to undergo further evaluation and possibly imaging to determine whether a trip to the injured list will be necessary. An update on his status should arrive before the end of the weekend.

The saga continues. Carrasco returns for yet another stint with Atlanta after pitching to a respectable 3.68 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 6/1 K/BB ratio across 14 2/3 innings over seven appearances this season. He’ll continue operating in low-leverage mop-up duty out of the Braves bullpen.

Simpson has been an up-and-down middle reliever for Seattle, making three appearances this season at the highest level. The 28-year-old southpaw has compiled a strong 2.08 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 24/10 K/BB ratio across 21 2/3 innings for Triple-A Tacoma this year.

Hoppe returns to the minors after posting a lackluster 6.38 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 26/10 K/BB ratio across 24 innings since being called up on April 21.

The exact procedure will be determined once surgeons begin operating and determine the best course of action. It’s possible Ragans winds up requiring a full Tommy John ligament replacement surgery for the third time in his career. The hope for the Royals and fantasy managers is that he needs a less invasive internal brace procedure or different procedure that would carry a much faster return timeline. The 28-year-old has been on the shelf with an elbow impingement since early May and seems highly unlikely to pitch again this season.

Povich will remain stationed on the doorstep of the majors as extra rotation depth for Baltimore after wrapping up a minor league rehab assignment. The 26-year-old lefty was out with elbow inflammation since early May. The positive news here is that he managed to avoid surgery and remains an option for the Orioles heading towards the second half.

Keegan’s stock has tumbled this season, but he remains a worthwhile gamble for the Orioles as future backup option behind Adley Rutschman and Samuel Basallo at the position. The 25-year-old backstop was removed from Tampa Bay’s 40-man roster earlier this week.