MLB Player News

It’s looked like Gonzalez might make the team by default with Mitch Haniger injured and Braden Bishop getting sent down, but he’s never really been in the team’s plan for 2020 and he hasn’t changed minds this spring, according to Divish. The Mariners might be better off scouring the waiver wire for outfielders at the end of the spring.

It’s Ohtani’s second time facing hitters this month as he continues to progress towards a potential return to pitching in game action for the Dodgers. There’s no definitive timetable for that to occur, but it’s theoretically possible he’ll be ready to take the ball at some point in the second half, but there’s very little incentive for Los Angeles to rush this process. The 30-year-old two-way superstar leads the majors with 22 home runs this season after going deep twice during Friday’s victory over the Yankees.

Reds manager Terry Francona refused to delve into specifics on Saturday, classifying it as merely a “leg” issue that De La Cruz has been managing and playing through. If he’s dealing with any sort of underlying physical issue, it certainly hasn’t impacted his on-field performance of late. The 23-year-old fantasy superstar has notched at least one hit in seven straight games and is batting .346 with three homers and one steal during that span.

Counsell added that the oblique strain that put Hodge on the shelf last week has been resolved, but he’s now working through a hip issue. The Cubs are hoping he’ll be ready to throw a bullpen session next week and he’s going to need a minor league rehab assignment before re-joining the club’s high-leverage mix.

Betts will sit out the remainder of this weekend’s series against New York after being diagnosed with a fracture in one of his left toes, but is aiming to return fro Monday’s series opener against the Mets. There should be some official clarity on his status at the outset of next week. It’ll be rookie Hyeseong Kim filling in at shortstop on Saturday evening in his absence.

It’s worth noting that Freeman isn’t sitting out after appearing to be in some discomfort during Friday’s rematch of last year’s Fall Classic. The 35-year-old fantasy stalwart will have to play through lingering issues with his surgically-repaired right ankle, but it doesn’t appear that he’s going to miss any time after possibly aggravating the issue again.

Bieber celebrated his 30th birthday by authoring an impressive performance in his rehab debut as he continues to work his way back from last year’s Tommy John surgery. The former fantasy ace figures to be an option for Cleveland’s rotation at some point in late June or early July.

Bader is back in left field and batting eighth on Saturday night following a four-game absence due to right ring finger inflammation. The positive news here is that he’s managed to avoid a trip to the injured list. The Twins have their entire Opening Day lineup back fully healthy for the first time in nearly two months.

It’s the lowest spot Trout has batted since his rookie campaign back in 2011. The 33-year-old future Hall of Famer went 1-for-5 at DH on Friday in his return from the injured list and is hitting just .180 through 30 games this season.

Moncada returns to Los Angeles’ lineup at third base and batting third after missing only one game due to right knee soreness. It doesn’t appear to be a significant concern moving forward.

Verlander threw a bullpen session on Friday and the Giants are going to give him some extra time off to rest and recover in the wake of a strong outing by former top prospect Kyle Harrison, who has earned another start this upcoming week. The 42-year-old veteran is working his way back from a pectoral strain and should be back by the middle of June.