MLB Player News

Verlander continues to make strides toward a return to the Tigers’ rotation. If all goes well with Monday’s outing, there’s a chance that he could return for next weekend’s series against the White Sox. It’s unclear if the Tigers plan to go to a six-man rotation or if they’ll work out a piggyback situation with a pair of their starters upon Verlander’s return.

Per Marlins Communications, Lopez became the first player since Jose Altuve in 2014 to record 40 multi-hit games before the All-Star break. The breakout shortstop is hitting a league-best .345 with less than a week to go before the midsummer classic. He has increased his bat speed this season while squaring up the ball more than in the past, significantly raising his expected batting average, according to Statcast. There might be some overperformance in his stat line, but he’s been an improved player for a Marlins club that is now nine games over .500.

Phillips gave up four hits, lowering his ERA to 3.28. Miami’s rotation has dealt with several injuries this season, thrusting him into a starting role. He has now pitched at least five innings in five of his past seven starts. However, the low strikeout rate and shaky peripherals prevent him from being a fantasy option outside of NL-only formats.

Fairbanks allowed one hit in the 14-pitch inning as the Marlins took it 2-0, elevating them to nine games over .500. It has been an up-and-down campaign for Fairbanks. While he’s pitched better than his 6.75 mark, it isn’t as if his ERA estimators suggest he’s been great. Still, he remains the closer for the Marlins with four games to go until the All-Star break.

Kirby struck out seven and didn’t walk anyone. He allowed a solo homer to Kyle Stowers but pitched well enough to win. The right-hander stumbled a bit from mid-May through mid-June, but he’s been excellent over his past three outings. Kirby has the worst K-BB% of his career this season but has offset it somewhat by inducing more grounders than in the past. This was his final start of the first half. The Mariners host the Giants coming out of the All-Star break.

Stowers has been red-hot in June and July after getting off to a slow start this season. His season-long numbers don’t match last year’s breakout, but everything is pointing in the right direction lately. His solo homer came off George Kirby. He also made his 19th start of the season at first base and is closing in on 1B/OF dual eligibility for 2027.

No real surprises here. Emerson and Cholowsky are basically a coin flip for the top spot with some draft evaluators viewing Emerson as the favorite based on his age and natural hitting ability. He would probably be the top pick in most draft years. Cholowsky is regarded as the most polished collegiate shortstop in at least a decade with a real chance to be above average both at the plate and in the field. Lackey is an elite defensive catcher that also boasts upper echelon exit velocities and would represent the safest high-floor option. The White Sox will go on the clock at 1:00 EST on Saturday afternoon.

There’s a lot to unpack here. Contreras limped off the field following a third-inning fly out where he appeared to roll his ankle while rounding first base and was replaced by Romy Gonzalez at first base after going 0-for-2. He also fouled a ball off his foot earlier in the contest. It’s possible his exit was for precautionary reasons to avoid making matters worse. The 34-year-old accepted an invite to compete in next week’s All-Star Home Run Derby earlier in the day. He’s also waiting on the appeal process to play out regarding a seven-game suspension. He’ll undergo further evaluation and testing to determine the severity of the injury. There should be an update on his status prior to Thursday’s series finale in Chicago.

Seigler was replaced by Andruw Monasterio at second base following a home-plate collision with Chicago catcher Kyle Teel while scoring on a wild pitch in the third inning. He came away with a laceration on his right arm and looked to be pretty shaken up after a head-first slide. He’ll undergo evaluation to determine whether he suffered any additional injuries on the play. There should be an update on his status after the contest.

It didn’t take Reyes long to find a new opportunity after being jettisoned by the Padres last week. The 32-year-old journeyman infielder has appeared in 259 career games in the big leagues since 2018. He’ll provide Los Angeles with some emergency depth at Triple-A Salt Lake heading into the second half of the season.

Unroe has spent 13 seasons in the minors since being selected in the second round of the 2013 MLB Draft and has yet to reach the majors. The 30-year-old infielder heads to Triple-A Charlotte as organizational depth for the White Sox heading into the second half of the year.