MLB News

Ildemaro Vargas • 1B • Diamondbacks

Ildemaro Vargas Out of Lineup Saturday

Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Ildemaro Vargas (thigh) is out of the starting lineup against the Washington Nationals on Saturday. The 34-year-old has endured a rough week, first colliding with Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy on Thursday and then being hit by a pitch while pinch-hitting on Friday. As a result of those incidents, the veteran will get a day of rest on Saturday in hopes of recovering fully. There have been no reports suggesting that Vargas will need more than a day or two to heal, and there has been no indication that a stint on the Injured List is being considered. In his place, recently promoted LuJames Groover will start at first base and look to record the first hit of his major-league career.

4 hours ago

Michael Harris II • CF • Braves

Michael Harris II Out with Back Tightness

Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (back) is out of Saturday's lineup due to back tightness. The 25-year-old was removed late in Atlanta's win over Pittsburgh on Friday night, and the initial belief was that he would not miss any time. However, a day later, manager Walt Weiss acknowledged that Harris was still experiencing tightness in his back. While he will receive treatment, the expectation is that he will miss no more than this one game. Neither Harris nor the team believes the injury is serious, and there is a chance he will be available off the bench when the two teams meet again. This season, the Braves' center fielder has posted a .303/.338/.516 slash line with 13 home runs, three stolen bases, and an .854 OPS.

5 hours ago

Hunter Brown • SP • Astros

Hunter Brown Not Yet Ready for a Return

Houston Astros pitcher Hunter Brown (shoulder) is set to make his next rehab start this Wednesday for Triple-A Sugar Land. There was some speculation that he would be ready to return to the Astros following his start on Thursday, but the team has determined that he needs one more rehab outing before being activated from the Injured List. The 27-year-old has posted a 1.93 ERA across three rehab appearances, striking out 14 batters along the way. He threw 57 pitches in his most recent start, and the expectation is that he will build on that workload this Wednesday. Manager Joe Espada has said that Brown looks and feels good, but the exact timeline for his return has yet to be finalized.

5 hours ago

Elly De La Cruz • SS • Reds

Elly De La Cruz to Have MRI Next Friday

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (hamstring) is set to have his scheduled MRI moved up three days to next Friday, June 12. The 24-year-old superstar has progressed so well that the team has deemed it appropriate to move the appointment up, which is encouraging news for fantasy managers. The examination will help the Reds determine the next steps in De La Cruz's recovery and, hopefully, provide some clarity on when he might be ready to return to the lineup. While he still has a long way to go, it appears he is on track to return toward the shorter end of the original two-to-four-week recovery timeline.

5 hours ago

Garrett Whitlock • RP • Red Sox

Garrett Whitlock Making Rehab Appearance on Saturday

Boston Red Sox right-handed reliever Garrett Whitlock (knee) will make a minor-league rehab appearance for Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, interim manager Chad Tracy told Tim Healy of Newsday. It is currently to be determined if Whitlock will only need one rehab outing or if he'll have to make one more before he comes off the 15-day injured list. The 29-year-old landed on the IL in late May with inflammation in his left knee that stemmed from when he slipped on a wet mound. The Red Sox aren't very concerned about the injury, so barring a setback on Saturday, Whitlock could rejoin the back end of the bullpen by the end of the weekend. Whitlock is only rostered in 14% of Yahoo leagues because he's not in line for saves in Boston behind left-handed closer Aroldis Chapman, but he is still one of the team's best relievers. Before his knee injury, Whitlock went 3-1 with a 3.20 ERA (2.81 FIP) and 1.12 WHIP with 25 strikeouts and only six walks in his 19 2/3 innings of relief.

6 hours ago

Hunter Greene • SP • Reds

Hunter Greene Could Return Before the All-Star Break

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that right-hander Hunter Greene (elbow) could return and hopefully make some starts before the All-Star break in mid-July, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. Greene's next step will be live batting practice sessions. "He's doing really good," Francona said. Greene is currently on the 60-day injured list and has yet to pitch for Cincy this year after having surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow back in the middle of March. The 26-year-old is making rapid progress of late, though, and is getting closer to making his 2026 season debut, which is your cue to run to the waiver wire and pick him up. The hard-throwing former second overall pick in 2017 is currently rostered in only 63% of Yahoo leagues. There's obviously more risk since he's been out for an extended period of time, but when healthy, Greene has already shown that he can be a fantasy ace. He was a first-time All-Star in 2024, has posted an ERA of under 3.00 in the last two years, and sports an elite 30% strikeout rate in his first four seasons in the big leagues with the Reds.

6 hours ago

Samuel Basallo • C • Orioles

Samuel Basallo Out Against Blue Jays With Abdomen Injury

Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo (abdomen) will sit out on Saturday at the Rogers Centre against the hosting Toronto Blue Jays after suffering an abdominal injury and being pulled from the game early on Friday, per MLB.com. Adley Rutschman is catching right-hander Kyle Bradish and will bat third against Blue Jays right-hander Braydon Fisher after a big four-hit, five-RBI performance in Friday night's blowout win. The severity of Basallo's injury is unknown at this time, but he could require a trip to the injured list and is unlikely to play again this weekend in the series in Canada. Sam Huff has been brought up as an emergency catching option for the O's in case Basallo needs to miss extended time. The 21-year-old Dominican backstop has had a pretty solid first full season in the big leagues, entering Saturday with a .273/.339/.494 slash line, .833 OPS, nine home runs, 26 RBI, and 25 runs scored in 52 games. Check back for an update on Basallo's status after he undergoes additional testing on his abdomen. UPDATE: MRI results on Basallo's abdomen came back negative on Saturday, per Jake Rill of MLB.com.

6 hours ago

Byron Buxton • CF • Twins

Shoulder Injury Keeps Byron Buxton Out on Saturday

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (shoulder) is not in the team's starting lineup on Saturday against the visiting Kansas City Royals after injuring his right shoulder while crashing into the outfield wall on Friday night, according to MLB.com. Ryan Kreidler is starting in center field for Minnesota and is hitting ninth in the order against Royals right-hander Luinder Avila. The good news for Buxton is that manager Derek Shelton said that the star outfielder won't go for any testing on his shoulder, so the Twins clearly don't believe he's dealing with a serious injury. Fantasy managers can consider Buxton day-to-day for now and check back on Sunday to see if he's active for the series finale at Target Field. The 32-year-old veteran doesn't run much these days in his 12th season in the big leagues, but he's been a great source of power. After clubbing a career-high 35 home runs and driving in 83 in 126 games in 2025, Buxton is already up to 18 homers in 2026 while slashing .257/.319/.549 with 28 RBI, 41 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 55 games across 248 plate appearances.

6 hours ago

Max Scherzer • SP • Blue Jays

Max Scherzer Ready to Rejoin Toronto's Starting Rotation?

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer (forearm) is getting closer to returning to the team's starting rotation after making a minor-league rehab start on Friday with Triple-A Buffalo, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. Scherzer tossed 3 2/3 innings on 73 pitches on Friday, giving up three runs on five hits while walking one and striking out five. His fastball averaged 93.4 mph and touched 95.7 mph, which are very encouraging for the 41-year-old future Hall of Famer. The Blue Jays are without Jose Berrios (elbow) and Cody Ponce (knee) for the rest of the season, along with Bowden Francis (elbow), and Dylan Cease (hamstring) and Shane Bieber (elbow) are on the injured list as well, so getting Scherzer back will be a big plus for this pitching staff. Scherzer has dealt with injuries over the last two seasons with the Jays, including his thumb, forearm, elbow, and ankle. When on the mound in Toronto, Scherzer has a 5.99 ERA in his 22 starts. It's clear he's no longer the dominant arm that we've become accustomed to, and it remains to be seen if he can give the team reliable innings the rest of the way.

7 hours ago

Daulton Varsho • CF • Blue Jays

Daulton Varsho Out on Saturday With Wrist Injury

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (wrist) is out of the starting nine for Saturday's tilt at home against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles after he left Friday's game early with inflammation in his left wrist, per MLB.com. Myles Straw will start in center field in his place and bat in the nine-hole versus Orioles right-hander Kyle Bradish. Varsho is considered day-to-day for now, and fantasy managers will want to check back in on Sunday to see if he's available for the series finale at the Rogers Centre. The 29-year-old left-handed-hitting center fielder comes into Saturday's action with a very modest .256/.331/.408 slash line, .738 OPS, five home runs, 17 RBI, 26 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 61 games across 236 plate appearances in his fourth year in Toronto. Varsho has been cold at the plate recently, going just 7-for-41 (.171) with two doubles, a triple, one RBI, four runs scored, seven walks, and nine strikeouts in his last 13 games since May 22. Fantasy managers will want to avoid Straw in the nine-hole in DFS formats.

7 hours ago

Mickey Moniak • LF • Rockies

Mickey Moniak Resumes Baseball Activities, No Timeline for a Return

Colorado Rockies outfielder Mickey Moniak (ankle), who went on the 10-day injured list on May 22 with right-ankle tendinitis, has resumed baseball activities, according to Kevin Henry of The Denver Gazette. "He's feeling better. He hit off the tee some while we were in Anaheim," manager Warren Schaeffer said. The skipper also said that Moniak could need a minor-league rehab assignment before returning to the big-league lineup, and there remains no timeline for a return. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder continues to thrive in Colorado, as he's hitting .280/.335/.607 with a .942 OPS, 12 home runs, 28 RBI, 21 runs scored, and a stolen base in his first 43 games in 2026. However, fantasy managers may want to sell high on him once he returns from the IL, as he currently sits with an xwOBA of just .324 and an expected batting average of just .228. Moniak ranks in just the 51st percentile in hard-hit rate and is in the fifth percentile in chase rate.

7 hours ago

JJ Wetherholt • 2B • Cardinals

JJ Wetherholt Remains Sidelined With Groin Injury

St. Louis Cardinals rookie infielder JJ Wetherholt (groin) continues to sit out Saturday's game at Busch Stadium against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds, according to MLB.com. Bryan Torres will make another start at the keystone for the Cards and will bat seventh against Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo. Wetherholt is missing a second straight game due to groin soreness. The injury isn't considered serious, so Wetherholt could be back in the starting lineup for Sunday's series finale. The 23-year-old former seventh overall pick out of West Virginia University in 2024 has been a full-time starter for St. Louis at the keystone in his first year in the big leagues, and he hasn't disappointed. Wetherholt is currently slashing .249/.357/.400 with a .757 OPS, nine home runs, 25 RBI, 40 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in his first 225 MLB at-bats. The young infielder has been even better in his last 13 games since May 19, too, batting .302 (16-for-53) with a homer, two doubles, three RBI, seven runs scored, and two stolen bases, so fantasy managers are hoping he can return this weekend.

7 hours ago

Maikel Garcia • 3B • Royals

Maikel Garcia Back From Hamstring Injury to Face the Twins

Kansas City Royals infielder Maikel Garcia (hamstring) is serving as the designated hitter and will bat cleanup for the Royals in Saturday's contest against the division-rival Minnesota Twins and right-hander Joe Ryan at Target Field, per MLB.com. Josh Rojas is starting at third base. Garcia is returning from a right-hamstring strain that kept him out of each of the team's last six games, although he did enter as a pinch-hitter in both of the last two games. Now that he's back in KC's starting nine, fantasy managers will want to get him back in there on Saturday against Ryan, whom he's hit .313 against in his career with an .833 OPS, a home run, and three RBI in 16 at-bats. The 26-year-old Venezuelan infielder will return to a .267/.327/.382 slash line, .709 OPS, three home runs, 22 RBI, 28 runs scored, and four stolen bases in his 225 at-bats in 2026. In 15 games since May 16, Garcia has gone 15-for-55 (.273) with three doubles, four RBI, and four runs scored.

7 hours ago

J.P. Crawford • SS • Mariners

J.P. Crawford Out With Hand Injury on Saturday

Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford (hand) is sitting out of the starting lineup for Saturday's game on the road against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park, according to MLB.com. Colt Emerson will make the start at shortstop for the M's and will bat eighth against Tigers right-hander Keider Montero. Infielder Patrick Wisdom is starting at the hot corner for Seattle. Crawford was pulled from Friday's series opener early in Detroit after being hit by a pitch on the hand. X-rays were negative, though, and he's considered day-to-day with a chance to return on Sunday for the series finale. The 31-year-old veteran is on pace to set a new career high in home runs (he's at 10), but otherwise, he continues to do very little for fantasy managers, slashing .228/.356/.409 with a .766 OPS, 23 RBI, 31 runs scored, and a stolen base in his 55 games and 233 plate appearances. Crawford is only rostered in 16% of Yahoo leagues at this point.

8 hours ago

Randal Grichuk • RF • White Sox

Randal Grichuk Goes Yard Twice Against Phillies, Can he Keep it Up?

Outfielder Randal Grichuk has only played in 23 games for the Chicago White Sox this year, but he has made an immediate impact, and that continued in a big way in Friday's 8-6 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Grichuk went 2-for-3 at the plate with two solo home runs to boost his season average to .263 and his OPS to .849. The 34-year-old veteran began the 2026 campaign with the New York Yankees, but he was quickly cut after just 16 games played, when he went 6-for-31 (.194) with no homers, two RBI, one walk, and 10 strikeouts. Both of Grichuk's homers on Friday night came off Phillies left-handed starter Jesus Luzardo, with the White Sox combining for five long balls on the night. The former first-rounder back in 2009 is now up to six home runs with 17 RBI and 16 runs scored in his 80 at-bats with the Pale Hose, but fantasy managers in mixed leagues should hold off on adding Grichuk, whose playing time will be limited to the short side of a platoon against southpaws. He's hitting .167 (5-for-30) against righties this year and .320 (16-for-50) with five of his six homers against lefties.

8 hours ago

Luis García Jr. • 1B • Nationals

Luis Garcia Jr. Stays Hot With Two Homers on Friday Night

Washington Nationals infielder Luis Garcia Jr. had a big game on Friday night in the team's 14-1 blowout victory at Chase Field against the hosting Arizona Diamondbacks, going 2-for-6 at the plate with two home runs and six RBI to boost his season batting average to .263 and his OPS to .745. Garcia got the Nats going early in the first inning with a two-run blast, and he capped things off later in the ballgame with a grand slam in the sixth inning. It was the 26-year-old's second multi-homer game of the 2026 season. He's not hitting .263/.291/.454 on the year with seven home runs, 37 RBI, 23 runs scored, and two stolen bases in his 58 games across 203 plate appearances in his seventh year in D.C. Fantasy managers will want to keep riding Garcia as long as he stays hot with the lumber. After his strong performance on Friday night against the D-backs, he is hitting .300 (12-for-40) with four dingers, a double, a triple, 15 RBI, and five runs scored in his last 11 games since May 23. Garcia is currently rostered in only 42% of Yahoo leagues.

8 hours ago

Roki Sasaki • SP • Dodgers

Roki Sasaki Punches Out 10, is it Time to Jump on Board?

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Roki Sasaki continued to trend upward with an excellent start on Friday against the crosstown-rival Los Angeles Angels. Sasaki picked up a no-decision, but he was dynamite, throwing seven shutout innings with only two hits allowed, two walks, and a season-high 10 strikeouts to lower his season ERA to 4.03. The matchup against the last-place Halos was a friendly one, and Sasaki delivered for his best start of the 2026 season. The 24-year-old Japanese native has gone 3-3 in his second year in the big leagues with a 1.26 WHIP, 60 strikeouts, and 21 walks in 58 innings pitched over 11 starts. Sasaki came into his sophomore season with L.A. with a reputation for being wild and allowing too many walks. He struggled to a 6.35 ERA and 7.17 FIP with 13 walks in 22 2/3 innings in his first five starts of the year, but since then, he has allowed only 11 runs (10 earned) while walking eight and fanning 38 in 35 1/3 frames across six starts. With his control improving, it's time for fantasy managers to jump on board in more leagues. Sasaki has at least seven K's in three of his last four starts and has not walked more than two batters in an outing since April 12.

8 hours ago

Ryan Helsley • RP • Orioles

Ryan Helsley Could Start Rehab Assignment Next Week

Baltimore Orioles right-handed closer Ryan Helsley (elbow) completed his first bullpen session on May 30 at Camden Yards, throwing 15 to 20 pitches. He threw another bullpen on June 5 in Toronto and could start a minor-league rehab assignment next week, according to MLB.com. Helsley has been on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to April 29) since May 1 with right-elbow inflammation, but his return to the O's bullpen could be right around the corner if he avoids a setback during his rehab assignment. The hard-throwing right-hander was Baltimore's clear-cut closer to begin the 2026 season before he injured his elbow, and he should immediately return to that role once he's reinstated from the IL. Before going down, Helsley was 0-2 with a 2.53 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, seven saves, 15 walks, and seven walks in 10 2/3 innings to start his Orioles tenure. Until he returns, Rico Garcia has emerged as manager Craig Albernaz's primary saves option out of the bullpen. Helsley is currently rostered in 84% of Yahoo leagues.

8 hours ago

Adley Rutschman • C • Orioles

Adley Rutschman Powers O's to Blowout Win With Four Hits, Five RBI

Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman was at his best on Friday in the team's 13-3 win over the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre. The 28-year-old switch-hitting backstop couldn't be stopped at the plate in this one, going a perfect 4-for-4 with a home run, two doubles, five RBI, four runs scored, and a walk to boost his season average to .273 and his OPS to .858. He was all the offense Baltimore needed, and he got the party started right away in the first inning with a solo home run off Blue Jays starter Trey Yesavage. Rutschman is now hitting .273/.352/.506 on the season with eight home runs, 36 RBI, and 25 runs scored in 46 games across 196 plate appearances. The two-time All-Star dealt with injuries in 2025 in his fourth year in the big leagues and played in a career-low 90 games, but he's back on track in 2026 and is hitting .279 (12-for-43) with a homer, four RBI, a triple, 10 RBI, and nine runs scored in his last 12 games since May 24.

8 hours ago

Willy Adames • SS • Giants

Willy Adames Heating Up, Clubs Two Homers in Win Over Cubs

San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames continued to swing a hot bat in the 18-3 blowout win over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Friday, going 2-for-2 at the plate with two home runs, four RBI, four runs scored, and two walks to raise his season batting average to .250 and his OPS to .756. It was an impressive day for San Fran's offense at the friendly confines of Wrigley, as Adames, Matt Chapman, and Casey Schmitt all had two-homer days -- just the third time in franchise history that has been accomplished. The 30-year-old Adames is now hitting .250/.296/.460 on the year with 11 home runs, 29 RBI, 34 runs scored, and a stolen base in 63 games across 270 plate appearances in his second year with the Gigantes. Like most Giants hitters, Adames got off to a slow start in 2026, but he has turned things around recently, going 17-for-56 (.304) with six home runs, four doubles, a triple, 14 RBI, and 15 runs scored in his last 14 games. Eight of his 11 homers on the year have come in his last 17 games, a stretch in which he's gone 19-for-64 (.297).

8 hours ago

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