MLB Player News

The Marlins didn’t do much against Chris Sale in this one. In fact, Lopez’s two singles accounted for half their total hits and none went for extra bases. Nevertheless, the two knocks raised his batting average up to a league-best .349 in what’s been such a strong season so far that it’s becoming difficult to ignore. Apart from that high batting average, he also has four home runs, eight stolen bases, and 51 combined runs and RBI as one of the true breakout stars from the first chunk of the season.

Ritchie was sent back down to the minors on May 19th after pitching to a 4.91 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, and 21/16 K/BB ratio in 25 2/3 innings with the Braves. There doesn’t seem to be an open spot for him in the rotation, but Braves beat writer Grant McAuley suggested the move could signal “the possibility of shifting Grant Holmes to the bullpen.” We’ll have to wait and see if that’s what the Braves are planning to do, but Ritchie does not need to be added in fantasy leagues right now.

Sañchez homered off Zach Wheeler to make it a 1-1 game in the sixth and then singled to open a two-run rally in the ninth. He’s batting .296/.328/.476, giving him the highest OPS among Jays regulars this season. Things might get crowded again in Toronto’s outfield after Addison Barger returns. but there’s little doubt now that Sañchez should keep starting in left or right against righties over the rest of the season.

Cease was excellent in allowing just three hits and one walk, but Zach Wheeler matched him to make it a 1-1 game after six. Those rostering Cease should still be very encouraged, as he allowed just four hard-hit balls and one walk while getting is 18 outs tonight. He’ll face the Red Sox in Boston next week.

The Phillies took a 2-1 lead against Varland in the top of the ninth, but the Jays came back with two runs in the bottom of the inning to win the game and make Varland 3-1 on the season. Jeff Hoffman pitched a scoreless seventh in a tie game tonight, but it probably won’t matter much what Hoffman does unless Varland blows a lead in the near future.

Wheeler struck out five and walked none. The only damage came on a Jesús Sañchez homer in the sixth. Wheeler then departed a tie game, which kept him 5-1 with a 2.22 ERA through nine starts. He should be regarded as a top-10 SP at this point, and he’ll face the Marlins next time out.

A hard-luck night saw Duran give up three singles, only one of which was hit hard. His closing gig remains very secure, but he might be unavailable on Wednesday after working back-to-back days. Maybe Orior Kerkering wil earn a save then.

It’s the first time in 335 major league games that Lopez has scored four runs. He’s currently first in the majors with a .341 average and 89 hits. It’s very likely that he’ll fall back some as the season progresses, but it’s safe to say both the Giants and the Blue Jays would love to have him back right about now.

The runs came on homers from Corbin Carroll and Gabriel Moreno. Meyer left with a 3-2 lead in the sixth, which was quickly expanded to 6-2, but the Diamondbacks recovered to tie the game before the Marlins won 10-6. Incredibly, Meyer still hasn’t taken a loss in 14 starts this year. He came into the season 6-11 in 25 starts. Meyer is due to make his next start Sunday in Pittsburgh.

The official scorer picked Fairbanks for the win after the Marlins scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth to make it a 10-6 game. There was no save situation on the line at that point. so those rostering Fairbanks should be thankful. Calvin Faucher also could have been the pick after getting two outs in a three-run eighth, but that would have left Fairbanks out of the mix entirely.

There was a little speculation that the D-backs might be ready to DFA Gallen after he struggled against the Dodgers last time out. It seemed like reach then and it’s probably still a reach now, but it’s just hard to find optimism at this point. Gallen has a 5.43 ERA and just 48 strikeouts in 69 2/3 innings through 14 starts. He’ll face the Angels next week. which seems like good news for Mike Trout and companty.