MLB Player News

Kimbrel reportedly will be available to pitch tonight for the Rays. Kimbrel allowed 12 runs in 15 innings of the work with the Mets, walking six in 15 innings. The well-traveled Kimbrel has pitched for eight teams since the start of the 2021 season, and when he dons a Rays jersey, that’ll make it nine.

Aranda has been a constant for Tampa Bay in 2026, but the 28-year-old will get a rare breather against southpaw Payton Tolle on Tuesday. Ryan Vilade will get the start at first base and hit cleanup while Aranda rests.

Smith will miss his third straight game while dealing with stiffness in his neck. He’ll sit with Dalton Rushing earning another start behind the plate in Smith’s absence.

Simpson missed three straight games while dealing with a thumb bruise, but the 25-year-old is back in the middle of the lineup against southpaw Payton Tolle and the Boston bullpen.

Backhus has been out since the end of April with inflammation in his left elbow. The 28-year-old will likely need to make a handful of rehab appearances before being an option for the Philadelphia bullpen in the middle of June.

Alvarez is back after missing ‘only’ a month with the torn left meniscus in his right knee, and he’ll be the starting backstop for New York as long as he remains healthy. Hayden Senger is back to Triple-A Syracuse to make room on the roster.

Senger is sent down to make room for Francisco Alvarez after Alvarez came off the injured list. The 29-year-old backstop will provide insurance in Triple-A now that Alvarez is back.

Boyd threw five innings and allowed five runs during his rehab start Saturday for Triple-A Iowa while throwing 64-of-83 pitches for strikes. The 35-year-old has been limited to just five starts in 2026, and while he was shaky in those outing as seen in his 6.00 ERA, he offers some fantasy upside based on his success in 2025 and previous campaigns.

Alvarez, 24, will crush the 6-to-8 week prognosis that was assigned to him after he was diagnosed with a torn meniscus in his right knee. He should see the overwhelming majority of the starts behind the plate, and he’s worthy of consideration for those who need help at the position.

Heyman reports that that deal is a seven-year, $31 million contract that includes team options and escalators, with Jeff Passan of ESPN saying the deal could max out to $79 millon. It’s yet another extension in 2026 for a player that hasn’t received MLB experience, and it comes for a 21-year-old who has hit .338/.447/.500 with seven homers and 18 stolen bases over 56 games with Triple-A Nashville. The 5-foot-7 outfielder should get a chance to play for the Brew Crew before 2026 comes to an end, but he is more of a long-term play from a fantasy perspective.

Bello, 27, was optioned to Triple-A after forging an ugly 6.34 ERA over 61 innings over 12 appearances with Boston to open the year. The right-hander will likely make at least a couple of appearances in the minors in hopes that he can find the form that made him one of the better young starters in baseball over the last couple of seasons.