MLB Player News

Cortes led off the ballgame with a solo shot off Michael King on an 0-2 count. The 28-year-old breakout has walked more than he has struck out this season, and he was recently given the leadoff role against right-handers. That premium lineup spot could help with counting stats to offset any possible regression Cortes faces this summer.

José Rodríguez has spent the majority of the season at Triple-A for the Dodgers, posting a 3.38 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 36/18 K/BB ratio in 29 1/3 innings mostly out of the bullpen. The 25-year-old could be an option for the Blue Jays’ bullpen down the stretch. In exchange, the Blue Jays sent 20-year-old right-hander Sebastian

Rodríguez to the Dodgers. The younger Rodríguez pitched just nine innings in the Dominican Summer League, but did have an 11/3 K/BB ratio.

Simpson was an eighth-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. He was primarily used as a reliever in Double-A this season but did make seven starts in Triple-A (11 appearances). It seems that he will operate as a multi-inning reliever with the Nationals. He had a 2.84 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 25/10 K/BB ratio in 19 innings at Triple-A this summer.

It had been reported that Wood would have a day off on Monday and then could return to the Nationals on Tuesday. That will clearly not be the case; however, there is still a chance that Wood could return to the Nationals at some point this week.

Brito has allowed two runs on four hits in 5 1/3 innings out of the bullpen for the Padres this year, while posting a 4/1 K/BB ratio. He’ll give the team another fresh arm out of the pen for the final month of the season.

This move was reported last night and is now official. Salas hit .296/.374/.448 with 10 homers and 17 steals between Double- and Triple-A this year. That came with an impressive 5.4 percent swinging strike rate, and, in 24 games at Triple-A, he posted a 95 percent zone contact rate and 42 percent hard-hit rate. It’s incredibly impressive for a hitter at his age to control the strike zone and have the feel for contact that he does. MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell reports that, while there is no set role for Salas right now, he is “expected to catch, DH and serve as a bench bat.” That makes it sound like the left-handed-hitting Salas could start a few games a week with the chance to earn more playing time if he produces.

With Xavier Edwards (thumb) on the IL and Javier Sanoja having to play more second base, the Marlins are looking for more depth at the hot corner. It would be nice to have Connor Norby right now, but the Marlins will instead turn to Pauley, who hit .194/.228/.306 in 115 plate appearances for the Marlins this year.

Blalock has spent the entire season in the Triple-A rotation, pitching to a 5.61 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, and 103/46 K/BB ratio in 109 innings. It remains to be seen what his role will be in Miami over the final month. Whatever it is, he likely remains off fantasy radars.

The Reds acquired Brito from the Guardians at this year’s trade deadline. The 24-year-old has hit .232/.300/.341 in 22 games with Louisville since coming to the Reds’ organization.

According to Joe Banneman from Fox19 in Cincinnati, Reds manager Terry Francona said that the plan is for Williamson to work as a piggyback with Chase Burns for the remainder of the season. The team wants to limit Burns’ innings for the remainder of the season so “after that start, the rest of his starts will have Brandon Williamson as a piggyback in the same game.” It seems like we might be getting one more game with Burns as a full-time starter, and then fantasy managers may need to find other options than Burns if you need wins or quality starts.

Just what the Orioles needed after claiming Luis Robert off waivers, another outfielder. Kjerstad deserves the chance. He has hit .289/.337/.462 with 11 home runs and 44 RBI in 79 games at Triple-A this season and has hit .301 since the start of July. That being said, it’s hard to see him getting anything more than the rare spot start and pinch-hit at-bats against righties. The Orioles outfield is a mess to predict right now.