MLB Player News

Aside from the homers, of course, Imanaga was pretty good today. He allowed just two other hard-hit balls, and he finished the game with 16 whiffs and a 33 percent CSW. It was definitely a less discouraging performance than when he gave up eight runs to the Brewers on Monday. Still, his ERA has suddenly jumped from 2.32 to 4.04 in the span of a week. He’ll certainly keep giving up some homers, but with his velocity and groundball rate back to where they were in 2024, he figures to remain a valuable fantasy starter.

Abel’s stuff looked outstanding during the 47-pitch rehab outing, averaging 96.3 mph on his fastball and topped out at 97.9 mph. The 24-year-old figures to require at least one additional tune-up to build up his pitch count and stamina before rejoining Minnesota’s rotation. He’s been on the shelf with elbow inflammation since late April. He should be stashed in all fantasy leagues based on his early-season results, which include a strong 3.98 ERA and 23/10 K/BB ratio across 20 1/3 innings.

Waguespack has posted a strong 1.66 ERA and 33/15 K/BB ratio across 21 2/3 innings for Triple-A Nashville this season. The 32-year-old journeyman presumably has a chance to pitch out of the Tigers’ bullpen in the near future. He hasn’t appeared in the majors since making four appearances for the Rays back in 2024.

Pratto provides San Diego with some additional position player depth at Triple-A El Paso. The 27-year-old hasn’t appeared in the majors since the 2024 campaign. He hit .237/.287/.473 with five homers and one steal in 26 games at Triple-A Round Rock in the Rangers system earlier this year.

It’s an unfortunate development for fantasy managers since Rooker will miss out on an opportunity to hit in the launching pad that is Las Vegas Ballpark for the second straight game. Athletics manager Mark Kotsay told reporters they’ll wait until Friday’s series opener against the Rockies before making a decision regarding a potential injured list stint. There should be a definitive update on his status later this week.

McCalvy adds that nothing is set in stone, but Woodruff is theoretically lined up to take the ball against the Guardians at some point next week. The 33-year-old former fantasy ace threw 68 pitches during his latest minor league rehab outing earlier this week. He’s been out with shoulder inflammation since early May.

The long ball was only his second of the year, but his bat has come alive lately. Tatis entered the day having hit .397/.433/.508 over his past 67 plate appearances, though it came with a .453 BABIP. Fantasy managers will still take it. He’s pulling the ball in the air less than ever this season, with a strangely low launch angle. Adding second base eligibility has helped soften the blow, but it’s wasted if he doesn’t begin to hit like he historically has.

King struck out three and walked three. He allowed two homers on the afternoon, including a solo shot to JJ Bleday with two outs in the bottom of the seventh that broke a 2-2 tie. The right-hander has a lower K-BB% than we’ve grown accustomed to, but his ERA and WHIP are right in line with last season. He’ll remain a strong fantasy option next time out in St. Louis.

Singer struck out five and walked one, lowering his ERA to 5.61. He took advantage of the strong matchup against a low-scoring offense in a great park. The veteran righty will be difficult to trust back at home against the Mets, however.

The homer was his 11th of the year, a solo blast that came with two outs in the seventh inning and the game tied at 2. Cincinnati’s bullpen later blew the lead, setting up a Fernando Tatis Jr. walk-off homer. Bleday has looked like a transformed hitter this season, joining the Reds with significantly increased bat speed. They’re set to head back to hitter-friendly Great American Ballpark for a six-game homestand that begins Friday.

Steer’s home run was a two-run shot off Michael King in the fourth inning, his 10th of the season. He has a decent chance at eclipsing his career high of 23, set back in 2023. The steady accumulator has hit between 20 and 23 homers in each of the past three seasons, and now he has the best barrel rate of his career. The Reds are set to return to Great American Ballpark for a six-game homestand that begins Friday.