MLB Player News

Mikolas struck out four batters on the afternoon while issuing one walk. He came on as a bulk reliever after PJ Poulin opened for the Nationals. He escaped a two-on, two-out jam in his opening inning and went on to spin several scoreless frames of his own before turning the ball over to the bullpen. He got nine whiffs on just 61 pitches on the day, posting a solid CSW of 30 percent. Given the success as a bulk reliever, perhaps this is how he’ll be deployed next time out on Friday against the White Sox in Chicago. He should still be nowhere near fantasy lineups.

Priester last pitched on May 1, giving up five runs while getting six outs for Triple-A Nashville. His fastball velocity has been down 2.4 mph from last year in his three Triple-A outings.

Lockridge also suffered a severe laceration when his right leg slid into an unpadded corner of the wall at Miller Park last week. Blake Perkins and Tyler Black are in line for extra at-bats while Lockridge is out, though Black might soon be sent down to make room for Christian Yelich on the roster.

A.J. Ewing debuts in the eighth spot. The Mets are just trying to find any combination that works. Soto had led off six games in a row after hitting second previously. Bo Bichette, who was leading off when Soto was hitting second, remains in the second spot for now. Benge had a brief three-game run in the leadoff spot last month, but this is his first time hitting higher than fifth since Apr. 19.

Tests were negative on the hand after he was hit by a pitch, so he’s presumably still just day-to-day. Mickey Gaspar is starting at first base tonight.

Bello could take over in the second after Moran faces Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper. It makes him a better bet for a victory, but he remains a difficult play in mixed leagues right now.

Herget rejoins the Rockies bullpen after three days away. He has a 5.40 ERA in 14 appearances this season.

Gordon spent the last four weeks mopping up for the Rockies, throwing 17 innings with a 6.35 ERA over five appearances. The Rockies lost those five games he pitched in by a combined score of 40-9.

Freeman did plenty of sitting against righties for the first month of the season, but he’s now started four of the last five times the Rockies have faced them. He also started at second base for the second time on Sunday. If he emerges as a true full-timer and gains second base eligibility, he might have a little something to offer in mixed leagues. Since the beginning of last year, he’s hit .280 and stole 22 bases in 521 plate appearances.

There wasn’t much doubt that Friedl would be back in center tonight, but the Reds could have maybe dropped him in the lineup with him hitting just .185/.267/.274. Still, as poor as that is, it’s not like the team has much in the way of alternatives, aside from maybe just going with Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart first and second, rather than third and fourth. But that’s not Terry Francona’s style. The Reds have been giving Noelvi Marte more time in center in Triple-A of late, so Friedl might need to get things going soon.

He struck out four. Bloss underwent surgery almost exactly a year ago. He’ll likely remain in Triple-A once his rehab is complete, but he could be an option as a starter for the Jays during the second half of the season.