MLB Player News

“Goodbye, baseball. And thank you,” Harvey wrote as part of the announcement. Harvey truly lived the highs and lows that this sport has to offer. He entered the majors like a shooting star, posting a 2.36 ERA though his first 36 starts (including starting the 2013 All-Star Game at Citi Field) before undergoing Tommy John surgery. He returned with a vengeance in 2015, posting a 2.71 ERA over 29 regular season starts leading into a World Series run. He famously carried a shutout into the ninth inning in Game 5 against the Royals before things fell apart. His career was never really the same after undergoing surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome the next year, posting a 5.92 ERA over 115 games (107 starts) while also pitching for the Reds, Angels, Royals, and Orioles. Harvey served a 60-game suspension last year for admitting drug use and occasionally exchanging pain pills with the late Tyler Skaggs. Most recently, the 34-year-old Harvey pitched for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic, but failed to find interest from MLB teams. It’s a complicated legacy, but for a brief while, he was one of the game’s most transcendent stars.

Kelly is back after missing over six weeks with a left gluteal strain. He’ll return to a mid-to-late inning role with the Rays now that he’s healthy enough to do so.

Mey was called up at the start of May and pitched well in his first few outings, but scuffled over the last few. The 23-year-old likely will be back with the Reds at some point this summer as a middle-innings option, but a corresponding move will be announced by Cincinnati on Friday.

Payamps went unclaimed after his abhorrent start to the 2025 season saw the Brewers designate him for assignment. The 31-year-old could elect free agency but also now has the option to report to Triple-A and hope to reclamate his career.

Smith-Shawver initially stayed in the game, but he faced just one batter before being pulled. The 22-year-old was hit in the foot area by a 96 mph liner from Bryson Stott. Smith-Shawver will assuredly undergo testing/imaging to determine the next steps.

Dave O’Brien of The Athletic reports that it appears Fairchild dislocated his pinkie while stealing a base. Ronald Acuña Jr. is now in the game in right field. There should be an update on the severity of Fairchild’s injury before the start of the second game.

Vargas opted out of his contract May 27 with the Diamondbacks, but will remain with the organization. The 33-year-old offers versatility with his glove, but almost nothing with his bat.

Lawlar didn’t get much of a chance to shine, but he didn’t pick up a hit in his limited action in the majors and Arizona will wisely move him back to an everyday role. The 22-year-old will be replaced by Ildemaro Vargas on the active roster. Fantasy managers can cut bait on Lawlar in redraft leagues, but there’s still enormous fantasy upside in the long-term.

He will repeat a similar workout over the weekend and then could potentially begin a rehab assignment. He’s been on the IL since May 5th, so he will likely need to make a few rehab starts before being cleared. That puts him on track for a late June return, and gives Ben Brown and Cade Horton more time to battle for the final spot in the Cubs rotation.

Carter had already resumed some baseball activities, so sprinting was the next step before clearing him for a rehab assignment. The 22-year-old has struggled since being promoted from Triple-A earlier in the season, but the Rangers will likely continue to give him opportunities once he’s played a few rehab games.

Arrighetti has been on the injured list since early in April when he fractured his thumb after being hit by a line drive. Since then, the Astros have also lost both Hayden Wesneski and Ronel Blanco for the season. The team is likely desperate to get Arrighetti back in the rotation, but he will need to throw a few bullpens first before being cleared for a rehab assignment. An early July return feels likely.