MLB News
Trevor Rogers To Make Rehab Appearance On Wednesday
The Double-A Chesapeake Baysox announced that Baltimore Orioles left-hander Trevor Rogers (knee) will make his first minor-league rehab appearance for them on Wednesday against the Double-A Altoona Curve. Rogers has been rehabbing from a subluxation of his right knee that he suffered way back in January, and he's now ready to pitch in games as he attempts to make his way back to the Orioles' starting rotation. However, the 27-year-old southpaw is expected to need a lengthy rehab assignment that could stretch well into May. Even when Rogers is deemed fully healthy, there's no guarantee he'll have a rotation spot waiting for him at the big-league level. The former first-rounder by the Miami Marlins in 2017 had a rough 7.11 ERA and 1.84 WHIP in four starts for the O's late last year and was eventually shipped to the minors.
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Kyle Gibson Goes Five Innings In Latest Minor-League Start
In his third minor-league start on Sunday, Baltimore Orioles right-hander Kyle Gibson went five innings and allowed two runs (one earned) while allowing a solo home run, walking two and striking out five to pick up a win for High-A Aberdeen. Gibson isn't injured, but he opened the 2025 season in the minors to build up his arm after not appearing in any spring training games after signing with Baltimore late. The 37-year-old veteran has now allowed six runs (five earned) on 10 hits (one homer) while walking two and striking out 13 in 12 innings over his three starts (two with Triple-A Norfolk). He was able to throw 51 of his 78 pitches on Easter Sunday for strikes, and he could only need one more minor-league tune-up before the Orioles are ready to have him join the big-league roster. When he joins Baltimore's rotation, he'll be an innings-eater for those in AL-only fantasy leagues at the very least.
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George Kirby To Face Hitters This Week
Seattle Mariners right-hander George Kirby (shoulder), who has been away from the team for almost a full month due to right-shoulder inflammation that caused him to be shut down in early March, is scheduled to face hitters for the first time in a live batting practice at T-Mobile Park this week, a source told MLB.com's Daniel Kramer. The 27-year-old has thrown multiple bullpen sessions at the team's spring training facility in Arizona but is now ready to face live hitters. When Kirby began throwing on March 21, he was hopeful for a late-April return, but now it's looking like he won't make his 2025 season debut until May or June. Until then, the M's expect to continue using right-hander Emerson Hancock in their starting rotation. Fantasy managers need to continue being patient with Kirby and keep him stashed in an injured-list spot in all formats.
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Daulton Varsho Could Make Season Debut This Weekend
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (shoulder) is joining the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons on his minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday, according to Sportsnet's Arden Zwelling. The hope is that he will play five of the remaining six days this week, with a potential return to the big leagues this weekend in New York against the Yankees as a possibility. Toronto will re-evaluate the 28-year-old on Wednesday or Thursday to make a final call. Varsho is nearing his 2025 debut after having right-shoulder surgery in the offseason. In two rehab games with Single-A Dunedin, he went hitless in six at-bats with two strikeouts, and the Blue Jays want to see a little more before activating him from the injured list. Varsho will probably be eased in when he returns to the majors, but eventually he'll be the team's everyday center fielder.
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Max Scherzer Plays Catch
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer (thumb) rejoined the team in Houston this week and was seen playing catch before their game against the Astros on Monday at Daikin Park. Scherzer received a second cortisone shot in his troublesome right thumb (in the knuckle area) and is hoping it will alleviate the discomfort in his finger. Pitching coach Pete Walker said Scherzer felt his throwing session went "OK." It was the first time that the 40-year-old future Hall of Famer had thrown since receiving a second cortisone shot. We should know more in a couple of days based on how Scherzer is feeling. If he's cleared to progress to throwing bullpens and facing live hitters, he will eventually need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before rejoining Toronto's starting rotation. Barring a setback, that might not be until mid- to late-May.
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Anthony Santander Sitting On Tuesday Amidst Slump
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder/designated hitter Anthony Santander will start on the bench in Tuesday's contest against the hosting Houston Astros. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will serve as the DH and bat second, while Will Wagner will draw into the lineup at first base and hit seventh against Astros right-hander Ronel Blanco. Tuesday will be Santander's first game off of the season and will give him a much-needed break after he's gone 18-for-92 (.196) with two home runs, eight RBI, seven runs scored and 23 strikeouts in 102 plate appearances over his 23 games played. In the last four games, he has just one hit in 15 at-bats. Fantasy managers will be hoping the day off can get the Venezuelan slugger going at the plate. Guerrero is a must-start in fantasy each and every day, but he has only two hits in 10 career at-bats against Blanco.
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Jake McCarthy Sent To Triple-A
The Arizona Diamondbacks optioned center fielder Jake McCarthy to Triple-A Reno during their day off on Monday. Due to McCarthy's slow start to the 2025 season at the plate, Alek Thomas is now the team's go-to option in center field. The 27-year-old former first-rounder will surely be back up with the D-backs this year, but for now he'll head to the farm to work on his hitting after going 3-for-41 (.073) with a double, three RBI, one stolen base, two runs scored, four walks and six strikeouts in his first 14 games played for Arizona. Meanwhile, Thomas, who played in only 39 games in his third big-league season in 2024 due to injuries, has hit .283/.350/.415 with a career-best .765 OPS, three doubles, two triples, 10 RBI, three steals and seven runs scored in 17 games over his first 60 plate appearances. Thomas' stock in deep-mixed and NL-only leagues is certainly on the rise.
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Justin Martinez Unavailable Recently Due To Fatigue
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that right-handed reliver Justin Martinez was not available in Sunday's victory over the Chicago Cubs due to "fatigue" and a recent heavy workload. Team trainers told Lovullo that Martinez needed another day off, but the team didn't send him for any testing or imaging. The 23-year-old Dominican last threw a third of an inning on April 17 to pick up a hold against the Miami Marlins, so it's a bit curious that Lovullo mentioned his recent heavy workload. With left-hander A.J. Puk (elbow) going on the 15-day injured list on Saturday and Martinez being unavailable on Sunday, righty Drey Jameson picked up the save on Easter against the Cubs. Martinez should be available to pitch in Tuesday's series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays, but if he isn't and is dealing with an injury, Jameson, Shelby Miller and Jalen Beeks could be options for saves in Arizona.
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A.J. Puk Undergoes MRI Exam
Arizona Diamondbacks left-handed reliever A.J. Puk (elbow) underwent an MRI exam on Monday on his injured left elbow, which will determine if he'll need to be out longer than 15 days after being placed on the injured list over the weekend with left-elbow inflammation. Puk already has four saves in eight appearances out of the bullpen in his first full season with Arizona, but he'll now be forced to miss at least the next two weeks while his elbow calms down. The 29-year-old southpaw needs to be stashed in an IL spot while he recovers. Right-hander Justin Martinez should see the majority of save chances for the Snakes while Puk is sidelined, although he was unavailable on Sunday due to a recent heavy workload, which led to Drey Jameson picking up the save over the Chicago Cubs.
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Dodgers Expect Tyler Glasnow To Make His Next Start
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he doesn't expect right-hander Tyler Glasnow (calves) to miss a start after he experienced cramping in both of his calves in his last outing on Sunday versus the Texas Rangers. Glasnow said he feels fine now and has been drinking plenty of fluids after a similar issue came up while in Toronto in 2024. In four scoreless innings against Texas on Easter Sunday before he was pulled early, the 31-year-old hard-throwing righty gave up three hits while walking one and striking out six in the team's eventual 1-0 win. He lines up to make his next start at home this weekend against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates, where he should be considered a must-start in fantasy. Through his first four starts with L.A. to begin the 2025 season, Glasnow is 1-0 with a 3.71 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with 23 strikeouts and 10 walks in 17 innings pitched.
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Nestor Cortes Moved To 60-Day Injured List
The Milwaukee Brewers moved left-hander Nestor Cortes (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday to make room on the 40-man roster for right-handed reliever Craig Yoho. Cortes is dealing with a left-elbow flexor strain and received a platelet-rich plasma injection in his arm earlier this month. With the move to the 60-day IL, it means that the 30-year-old veteran southpaw won't be eligible to return to Milwaukee's starting rotation until June. He has yet to be cleared to resume throwing a baseball. In addition to his serious elbow injury, the Cuban hurler got off to a rough start in his time with the Brew Crew in two starts before going on the shelf, allowing eight earned runs on seven hits (five homers) while walking seven and striking out eight in eight innings. Cortes is not a must-hold in mixed fantasy leagues.
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Tyler Soderstrom To See Time In Left Field And As Designated Hitter
Athletics general manager David Forst said that with first base prospect Nick Kurtz joining the big-league squad this week, first baseman Tyler Soderstrom will get some time in left field and as the designated hitter. Brent Rooker will also be part of the left field/DH mix going forward as the A's make room for Kurtz, who was the fourth overall pick in 2024 out of Wake Forest. Soderstrom has never played the outfield in his professional career, so when he's not at first base, he'll probably serve as the DH most days and will move to left field when Rooker needs a day off his feet. Fantasy managers definitely shouldn't be banking on the 23-year-old gaining outfield eligibility in 2025 just yet. Kurtz is regarded as the better defensive option than Soderstrom at first base. Soderstrom is currently tied with Cal Raleigh for the MLB lead in homers with nine and has also driven in 19 runs while hitting .298 early on.
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Nick Kurtz Will Not Be In A Platoon
Athletics general manager David Forst said that first base prospect Nick Kurtz will not be involved in a platoon when he joins the team this week for his major-league debut. The A's are comfortable playing Kurtz against left-handed pitchers, noting that he's had success against southpaws early on at Triple-A Las Vegas. The 22-year-old won't make his debut on Tuesday against the division-rival Texas Rangers and left-hander Patrick Corbin, but it's more about giving him a chance to acclimate to his new surroundings. Between first base and designated hitter, Kurtz, the fourth overall pick last year out of Wake Forest, should play regularly for the A's and should be a priority waiver-wire pickup for fantasy managers in all formats. Because of his advanced approach at the plate, Kurtz could have a seamless transition to the majors after slashing .321/.385/.655 with seven homers and 24 RBI in just 20 games with Vegas this year.
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Royce Lewis Running The Bases
Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis (hamstring) did sprints on Monday and ran the bases again on Tuesday, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune's Bobby Nightengale. Lewis continues to make progress from a left-hamstring strain that he suffered in the middle of March in spring training, but there's still no exact timetable for his return to the Twins. The 25-year-old should at least be getting close to going on a minor-league rehab assignment, though, so he could be ready to make his season debut in early May, barring a setback with his hamstring. The oft-injured third baseman has yet to play this season, but he should be stashed in all fantasy formats for his elite power when he's healthy. Willi Castro (oblique) is also currently injured for the Twins, which has opened up playing time at the hot corner for young infielder Brooks Lee.
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Giancarlo Stanton Takes Outdoor Batting Practice On Tuesday
New York Yankees outfielder/designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (elbows) took outdoor batting practice on Tuesday for the first time since receiving multiple rounds of platelet-rich plasma injections in his ailing elbows, according to NJ Advance Media's Brendan Kuty. It's progress for the 35-year-old veteran right-handed slugger, but he still has a ways to go and will eventually need to go on a lengthy minor-league rehab assignment before having a chance to make his 2025 season debut in the Bronx. There remains no timetable for a potential return, but fantasy managers that drafted him in the spring must continue to stash him in an injured-list spot until further notice. With Ben Rice swinging the bat well early on for the Yankees as the team's primary DH, it's unclear exactly how playing time will shake out for Stanton if/when he returns to the team.
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Martin Perez To Miss Rest Of The Season
Chicago White Sox left-hander Martin Perez (elbow), who was moved to the 60-day injured list on Monday, will not have Tommy John surgery, a source told ESPN's Jess Rogers. Perez could resume throwing again in September, but he will not make it back to the big leagues in 2025. With the 34-year-old southpaw potentially also not being ready for the start of next season, the White Sox will surely decline their $10 million mutual option for the 2026 season in time. The Venezuelan hurler should have only been rostered in AL-only fantasy leagues before his injury. In his four starts for the Pale Hose before suffering a season-ending left-elbow injury, Perez was pitching well, posting a 3.15 ERA (3.69 FIP) and 1.25 WHIP with 18 strikeouts and 11 walks in 20 innings pitched. He can officially be dropped in AL-only formats.
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Zac Veen Getting The Day Off With Lefty On The Mound
Colorado Rockies rookie outfielder Zac Veen is taking a seat on Tuesday against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium with a left-hander on the mound. Jordan Beck will make the start in left field for the Rockies and will bat eighth against Royals southpaw Kris Bubic. Veen has struggled to make an impact for Colorado in his first 11 major-league games since being called up the Show for the first time, going 4-for-34 (.118) with a homer, double, two RBI, a stolen base, two walks and 14 strikeouts in 37 plate appearances. If he doesn't start to pick things up at the plate soon, it's possible the Rockies will send him back to the farm for more seasoning. Beck has been just as bad early on in 2025, going 5-for-28 with no homers, four RBI, three stolen bases and 13 strikeouts in 11 games in his second MLB campaign.
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Brenton Doyle Still Away From The Team
Colorado Rockies outfielder Brenton Doyle (personal), who revealed on Instagram that he and his wife lost their unborn baby, remains on the bereavement list and is out of the starting lineup on Tuesday against the hosting Kansas City Royals. Mickey Moniak will continue to patrol center field for the Rockies while hitting seventh against Royals left-hander Kris Bubic. It's unclear when the 26-year-old Doyle will return to the Rockies after such a tragic situation. When he does return, though, he should immediately be plugged into all starting fantasy lineups as Colorado's most valuable fantasy player. Before leaving the team for personal reasons, Doyle was hitting .315 (17-for-54) with three homers, 12 RBI and seven runs scored. Moniak is a hitter to ignore in DFS on Tuesday while going up against a tough left-handed pitcher that he has never faced.
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Brendan Donovan Scratched With Rib Injury
St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that infielder Brendan Donovan (rib) was scratched from Tuesday's starting lineup against the Atlanta Braves because one of his ribs popped out of place on Tuesday morning. He will be unavailable on Tuesday and his availability for Wednesday is also in question, but Marmol said it's unlikely that Donovan will need to go on the injured list. Nolan Gorman is starting at second base on Tuesday and is hitting in the three-hole against Braves right-handed opener Scott Blewett. Fantasy managers will have to check back on Wednesday to see if the 28-year-old Donovan is back in action. He's currently third in MLB with a .356 batting average (32-for-90) with three home runs, 13 RBI, three stolen bases and 14 runs scored, so hopefully his injury doesn't get him out of rhythm when he returns. Gorman has never faced Blewett in his career.
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Connor Wong Catches Bullpen On Tuesday
Boston Red Sox catcher Connor Wong (finger) caught a bullpen session on Tuesday. The 28-year-old caught a bullpen from Kutter Crawford (knee). Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic noted that Wong is expected to continue to catch bullpens as he slowly increases his workload. Wong has been on the injured list since suffering a fractured left pinky during the first week of April. Before the injury, the backstop held a .087/.192/.087 slash line with just two hits (all singles) across nine games. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression as he could be cleared to progress to the next step if he does not face any setbacks. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should continue to stash Wong on their injured reserve, as he was a very effective backstop last season, as he held a .2890/.333/.425 line. He should be deployed as the top backstop in Boston once he is cleared to return and will carry low-end C1 value.
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