MLB Player News

Hunter, a 24-year-old southpaw, had a breakout season between High-A High Desert and Double-A Jackson in 2013, compiling a 1.80 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 55/20 K/BB ratio over 70 innings. With a strong offseason, he could put himself in a position to compete for a spot in the Mariners bullpen.

Rocker has been electric in Triple-A, striking out 18 batters in two starts for Round Rock while allowing just five baserunners. The thought had been that the Rangers would be slow with Rocker after he had Tommy John surgery last year. On the season, Rocker has a 1.96 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 36.2 innings which has led Rangers manager Bruce Bochy to admit that the team has discussed promoting Rocker. “Nothing close there. We’ve talked about it, so that’s part of our discussions,” Bochy said. It sounds like it’s not a sure thing, but it could be possible if Rocker has another dominant start in Triple-A.

The 34-year-old has been in the minor leagues all season, and the Mets immediately assigned him to Triple-A Syracuse. The versatile infielder has played 3B, SS, 2B, LF, CF, RF, and pitcher this season while hitting 18 home runs and stealing 18 bases. He could be added insurance for the Mets with Jeff McNeil out for the season.

Nick Nastrini had been listed as the starting pitcher, so presumably he will work out of the bullpen behind Shuster. Both are risky fantasy options.

The expectation had been that Paul Blackburn would be activated off the IL for the start, but it now seems like Blackburn will start later in the week against the Nationals. In Megill’s last start, he allowed five hits and three runs in four innings against the Red Sox with three strikeouts. He’s a low-ceiling fantasy option against the Blue Jays.

Smith had two chances at homer No. 4, but he struck out in the seventh and walked (after previously taking what really should have been strike three) in the ninth. Smith has come to the plate 102 times and hit seven homers this year, matching his total from 228 plate appearances last year. His strikeout rate is also well down, and his exit velocity numbers are terrific. It would have been fun to see what he could do when Christian Walker was hurt, but the D-backs were able to acquire Josh Bell then. He has earned an opportunity to be a starter against righties next year.

Nelson was handed an 8-0 lead after three, but the Astros got to him for two runs in the fourth and three in the fifth, causing him to be pulled an out shy of qualifying for the win. Nelson’s streak of quality starts was snapped at five. He’ll likely make his next start Sunday against the Brewers.

Seven of the runs came on two homers from Pavin Smith, but he wasn’t the only problem tonight. Verlander got zero swings and misses the 34 times he threw secondary pitches, and the 10 fastballs he had put in play were hit an average of 96 mph. His velocity tonight was better than in his previous two starts, and he had his usual movement on his pitches. He was simply crushed anyway, which seems like a particularly bad sign. Still, it probably should be factored in that the Diamondbacks have made a bunch of quality pitchers look pretty bad these last couple of months. Verlander will bring a 3-6 record and a 5.30 ERA into his start next weekend against the angels.

That would usually make a player his team’s offensive star for the night, but the guy hitting behind Suárez supplied three homers in this one. It helped Suárez score four runs for the second time in six weeks as well as the second time in his career; he previously did it in his three-homer game July 30 against the Nationals. Suárez’s homer off Josh Hader was his 26th, and it gave him his third 90-RBI season.

Tucker was back in the DH spot tonight after getting Saturday off in what would have been his second game back from a shin fracture. It looks like he might make his return to right field in the coming days.

Jon Berti is ready to come off the IL, so that’s probably the countermove here, not a Jasson Domínguez callup. Ellis went 1-for-1 with a steak in three appearances for the Yankees.