MLB Player News

Ginn left his last start with a stinger in his shoulder. He pitched on four days’ rest tonight anyway, but his velocity was down some and he just didn’t impress with his control or stuff. This leaves him with a 4.30 ERA in five starts and three relief appearances on the season. He’s slated to face the Phillies on Thursday, but we wouldn’t be too surprised if the A’s tried someone else.

Wesneski had Tommy John surgery last May and has been deliberate in his recovery. The fact that he is just beginning his rehab assignment on the final day of June means he likely wouldn’t be an option for the Astros until early to mid-August. He does have experience pitching out of the bullpen, so he could help in a bulk relief role in the final weeks of the season.

Lux had a shoulder impingement back in April and then suffered a leg injury in May while recovering from the shoulder impingement, and then suffered another shoulder injury at the end of May while recovering from that leg injury. Fraley underwent sports hernia surgery in the middle of May. Both players have a shot of being back after the All-Star break, if all goes well.

Cruz was with the Yankees for two games earlier in the season. On the year, he has a 3.18 ERA and nearly 30 percent strikeout rate in 28 1/3 innings pitched at Triple-A.

Morel was designated for assignment and then released by the Marlins just a few days ago. The 27-year-old hit .162/.219/.206 with zero homers, one RBI, and a 28/4 K/BB ratio in 73 plate appearances with the Marlins. He will report to Triple-A Syracuse for now, but the deal contains multiple opt-outs, so it’s unclear how long Morel will stay in the minors before trying to use one of them.

Molina was acquired from the Rangers at the trade deadline last year for reliever Phil Maton. Molina has registered a 2.87 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 82/26 K/BB ratio in 69 innings at Double-A Springfield. He will slot into the Triple-A rotation behind older starting pitchers like Hunter Dobbins, Quinn Mathews, and injured pitchers Richard Fitts, Cooper Hjerpe, and Tekoah Roby. It’s unlikely the 22-year-old Molina will make MLB starts this season, but he could be a name to watch next year.

No one was robbing Ohtani’s homer off Matt Krook; he hit the ball 112.3 mph and a projected 432 feet to right. He has 18 homers and is up to third in the majors with a .958 OPS, trailing only Yordan Alvarez at 1.031 and Juan Soto at .975. He’s also second with 60 runs scored, though he’s 13 behind James Wood there.

It was a surprise that the Dodgers felt the need to add Lauer last month after a miserable start to his season in Toronto, but he’s more than justified their faith in going 3-0 with a 3.88 ERA in six outings. He’s given up six homers and nine walks in 34 1/3 innings for the Dodgers. He allowed 11 homers and 16 walks while amassing a 6.69 ERA in 36 1/3 innings before the Jays cut him. Lauer figures to start again Sunday versus the Padres.

This was still kind of impressive from Jump. One of baseball’s best offenses certainly got the better of the 23-year-old, but while free passes could have turned this into a true massacre, he didn’t walk anyone and struck out five. Jump is still 3-2 with a 2.93 ERA and a 40/10 K/BB over 40 innings through seven big-league starts. As tough as the situation is in Sacramento, he’s not a lock to remain useful in mixed leagues over the rest of the season. However, he seems well on his way to becoming an excellent major league starting pitcher. He’ll get the Marlins on Sunday.

The first Matchup of the Max Muncies saw the Dodgers’ veteran homer and wind up on the winning side. However, the Athletics’ Muncy got the better on the lone one-vs.-one matchup; he hit a grounder to third in the second that bounced off the bag and over Dodger Muncy’s head for an infield single. Unfortunately, Mookie Betts ultimately handled the ball, so we’re still waiting for our first “Max Muncy grounds out/singles to third baseman Max Muncy” in the box score.

None of Kuroda-Grauer’s hits came on hard-hit balls. In fact, his 93-mph groundout in the third was his hardest-hit ball of the night. Still, he placed everything well. Kuroda-Grauer figures to mostly play against lefties for now, but if he excels, he could tempt the A’s to move on from Jeff McNeil. He should be in the lineup again Tuesday against Justin Wrobleski.