MLB Player News

Chicago’s closer averaged 100.4 mph and topped out at 102 during the 19-pitch tune-up outing on the doorstep of the majors. He gave up one hit and also recorded one strikeout. The hard-throwing 26-year-old stopper is working his way back from a low-grade lat strain and could potentially return to the back-end of the Cubs’ bullpen later this weekend.

Wilson gets a look atop the Athletics’ lineup with Nick Kurtz on the injured list against lefty opener Bryan Hudson after Lawrence Butler took at turn during Friday’s series opener. The 24-year-old contact-oriented shortstop should continue to get opportunities against lefties while Kurtz is on the shelf. He’s hit .286 (4-for-14) in four games since returning from the injured list earlier this week.

Trout has gone 1-for-9 with a home run and three RBI in a pair of games since returning from the injured list earlier this week. He sat out Friday’s series opener in Minnesota. The 34-year-old generational talent will make an appearance in next week’s All-Star Game in his hometown of Philadelphia, which is a fun storyline heading into the Midsummer Classic. It’s his first appearance in the game itself since 2019.

Carrillo has been cut loose after passing through waivers earlier this week. The 29-year-old made three relief appearances for the Mets last year and hasn’t pitched in the big leagues this season.

It turns out hitting for the cycle wasn’t enough to get Peters back on the lineup card to face tough rookie southpaw Gage Jump on Saturday afternoon. The 26-year-old delivered an electrifying four-hit performance during Friday’s blowout win where he tripled and homered in the same inning to complete the cycle. It’ll be Junior Perez getting the nod in center field to open the contest.

Antonacci takes a seat with Athletics rookie lefty Gage Jump toeing the rubber for Saturday’s showdown in Chicago. The 23-year-old went 1-for-5 with an RBI and his 13th stolen base of the season during Friday’s series opener. He’s emerged as the White Sox primary table-setter, slashing .288/.380/.409 with 47 runs scored, five homers and 26 RBI across 299 plate appearances over 74 games. It’ll be veteran lefty-masher Randal Grichuk in the leadoff spot to kick off Saturday’s tilt.

Orze heads back to the minors to make room for hard-throwing reliever Tommy Nance to join Minnesota’s relief mix. The 28-year-old has struggled to an underwhelming 5.66 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 36/21 K/BB ratio across 41 1/3 innings this season.

Serven gets the nod to join the Athletics injury-ravaged roster with two games left before the All-Star break. The well-traveled 31-year-old backstop has gone 1-for-4 in the big leagues this season.

It’s another significant hit to the Athletics’ lineup, as Kurtz, who will also miss next week’s All-Star Game in Philadelphia, is likely facing a multi-week absence. His departure coincides with losing Brent Rooker to season-ending knee surgery and red-hot Zack Gelof to a knee laceration within the past two weeks. The lingering thumb issue certainly helps explain the 23-year-old on-base machine’s recent downturn at the plate as he went hitless over his final 20 at-bats and was batting .145 (8-for-55) with one home run across his last 15 games. He finishes the first half slashing .266/.405/.497 with 61 runs scored, 20 homers, 66 RBI and seven steals in 412 plate appearances across 92 games. A clearer timetable should emerge soon, but fantasy managers should be prepared for an extended absence given the nature of the injury.

Chourio takes a seat after going just 3-for-21 during a five-game series against the division-rival Cardinals earlier this week. The 22-year-old franchise cornerstone will get a bit of a mental reset break in the front-end of the twin bill and figures to return for Saturday’s evening showdown at PNC Park. It’ll be rookie Luis Lara taking over in left field with Garrett Mitchell hitting second in the opening contest.

Gonzalez is presumably en route to Pittsburgh and could make his Pirates debut as soon as the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader at PNC Park. The 24-year-old is expected to step in as the club’s starting shortstop in place of Konnor Griffin until at least early September after being acquired from the White Sox on Friday night. He’s displayed a noticeable uptick in exit velocity this season, helping drive an offensive breakout at the Triple-A level. He’s a middle infielder worth monitoring in deeper fantasy formats, particularly if he secures everyday at-bats with Pittsburgh.