MLB Player News

Rodríguez homered to right-center against a Sandy Alcantara cutter and managed another double earlier in the game that he scored on. The 26-year-old backstop is now hitting .240/.387/.420 in his first 50 big-league at-bats this season, and while that’s not completely surprising given his prospect pedigree, he may force Pittsburgh’s hand if he keeps hitting like this. Henry Davis is hitting just .138 in 142 plate appearances and Joey Bart (still on the 10-day IL) wasn’t scorching hot when he was healthy either. Perhaps Rodríguez can hit his way back onto the fantasy radar here.

Nothing has changed in the prognosis for Criswell, who is still sidelined indefinitely with a right shoulder strain, this was done as a procedural move to clear a spot on the club’s 40-man roster for the addition of Miles Mastrobuoni on Friday. Criswell now won’t be eligible to return from the injured list until the beginning of August.

The versatile 30-year-old will get another chance to show what he can do at the MLB level with Julio Rodriguez heading to the 7-day concussion injured list on Friday. Mastrobuoni has hit .217 (5-for-23) with zero homers and one RBI in 27 plate appearances with the Mariners this season.

Rodríguez was removed from Thursday’s game against the Angels after he was hit in the back of the head by an errant throw from Nolan Schanuel. The Mariners haven’t given any clear timeline for when he may be able to return, but he’ll have more than a week to pass through the concussion protocol with next week’s All-Star break baked in. Miles Mastrobuoni was promoted from Triple-A Tacoma to take his place on the Mariners’ roster.

After electing free agency earlier in the week, Kelenic is back with the Rangers on a minor league deal. He’ll report back to Triple-A Round Rock where he’ll continue to function as extra outfield depth for the Rangers until another need arises in Arlington.

Ross, 33, elected free agency on Wednesday rather than accepting an outright assignment to Triple-A Round Rock. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side though and he’ll return to the Rangers on a minor league pact. He should get another opportunity with the big league club at some point this summer.

Huff elected free agency on Thursday after refusing an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk, but after exploring the open market he decided his best opportunity was to remain with the Orioles. He’ll continue to serve as extra catching depth.

He’ll take the place of Ryan Gusto after the right-hander was optioned to Triple-A on Friday. Kempner has been outstanding in six appearances with the Marlins this season, firing nine scoreless innings with a 0.56 WHIP and a 10/2 K/BB ratio. He adds another multi-inning option to a bullpen that has been taxed recently.

Gusto was lit up for three runs in just three innings against the Rockies on Thursday and hasn’t made it through the fifth inning in any of his six starts with the Marlins, culminating in a troublesome 5.55 ERA. He’ll attempt to work through his issues at the Triple-A level for the time being. William Kempner was recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville in a corresponding move on Friday.

With Mark Leiter Jr. (hip) returning from the injured list on Friday, someone needed to get the boot from the A’s bullpen and it looks like Hartlieb drew the short straw this time around. Hartlieb posted a 5.19 ERA, 1.62 WHIP and a 3/3 K/BB ratio across 8 2/3 innings in his four appearances with the Athletics.

The 35-year-old right-hander had been sidelined since June 18 due to a right hip impingement. He returns to a 4.85 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and a 31/10 K/BB ratio over 29 2/3 innings through his first 32 appearances out of the A’s bullpen this season. Geoff Hartlieb was designated for assignment in a corresponding move on Friday.