MLB Player News

Lynn took the ball for the opening contest of Thursday’s doubleheader and generated an astronomical 25 swinging strikes, finishing with a robust 35 percent CWS. The 36-year-old workhorse allowed just a pair of baserunners, and retired 14 consecutive batters to close his outing, needing an economical 102 pitches (67 strikes) to navigate seven stellar frames. It was his fourth double-digit strikeout performance of the season. He’ll bring an inflated 6.03 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 127/37 K/BB ratio across 103 innings (18 starts) into the All-Star break.

Littell is pitching fine this year with a 3.86 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 48/11 K/BB ratio in 74 2/3 innings, but he’ll be a free agent in the off-season, so the Rays will likely try and get something back for him. It helps that Shane McClanahan (nerve issue) will likely return to the rotation in late July, and the Rays also have Joe Boyle and Ian Seymour ready to go at Triple-A.

Lowe only has one more year of team control, but it’s an $11.6 million team option for 2026 that the Rays may not be inclined to pay. However, that price is not a steep one for bigger budget teams. Lowe has 11 home runs and a .720 OPS in 55 games this year and continues to produce against right-handed pitching. He could be an intriguing second baseman or DH for a contending team.

Martinez signed a qualifying offer in the off-season, so he will be owed just $7 million over the final two months of the season. The 34-year-old has a 3.89 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 47/15 K/BB ratio in 69 1/3 innings for the Reds this season and could be a solid upgrade for a contender at the end of their rotation.

Hayes is still owed $36 million over four more seasons, while Reynolds is owed $76 million over five more years. Neither contract is too pricey for a contender to take on. Even though Hayes hasn’t broken out like many people expected, he makes only $7 million per season and still plays strong defense at third base. That could entice a team like the Yankees, who could shift Jazz Chisholm back to second base. Similarly, $15 million per year for Reynolds is not a steep price to pay, especially since the 30-year-old has started to turn it around of late. Given their years of control remaining, some team would need to part with some prospects of note to land either player.

Kemp is now hitting .324/.417/.616 in 55 games at Triple-A with 14 home runs, 10 steals, and 53 RBI. He’s ready for the big leagues. The Phillies have played him at first base, second base, third base, and left field so far this season, and even if there is no spot for him in the lineup, he seems to make sense as a utility player off the bench given how well he’s hitting.

Hiura has now started three of four games since being promoted to take Michael Toglia’s spot on the roster. He has gone 1-for-6 in his previous two games with one strikeout and two runs scored. We’re skeptical he remains an option for the Rockies in the second half of the season.

The Brewers are starting left-hander DL Hall, but he should likely only throw three innings, so the Reds may be playing Benson in the hopes that he faces Hall once at most. Still, both Jake Fraley and Gavin Lux are on the bench, so it’s a nice sign for Benson’s playing time that he remains in the starting lineup.

It’s a routine day off for Contereras with a day game after a night game. Eric Haase will start behind the dish and bat eighth.

Manoah has been throwing bullpens regularly as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery. He would likely need a few live batting practice sessions before beginning a lengthy rehab assignment, so he likely wouldn’t become an option for the Blue Jays until August. However, it would be great to see the 27-year-old healthy and back on the mound soon.

O’Neill was placed on the IL on May 18th with a shoulder impingement, but has been performing baseball activities for the last week as he nears his return. He shouldn’t need too long at Triple-A, and with Colton Cowser already back in the lineup and Ramon Laureano (ankle) also close to being back, it seems like both Heston Kjerstad and Dylan Carlson could be back in Triple-A soon.