MLB Player News

Podkul returns to the Phillies’ minor league system after posting a .991 OPs with 14 homers across 231 plate appearances in 53 games this season between Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He’ll function as upper-level infield depth for Philadelphia heading into next season.

Adams’ home run was his fourth of the season. The 29-year-old catcher slugged a solo home run off Quinn Priester in the seventh inning. The backup catcher is hitting .152 on the year and not currently an option in fantasy leagues.

Vaughn’s home run was his seventh of the year and second with the Brewers. The 27-year-old first baseman hit a solo shot off Luis Garcia in the seventh inning. Vaughn is still competing with Jake Bauers for at-bats while Rhys Hoskins is on the injured list, making him a fringe option at best in fantasy leagues.

Correa took a throw from the outfield at the second base bag and made a nice tag on Tommy Pham sliding in, but Pham slid into what looked like his ankle causing his injury. He required assistance from the training staff to hobble off the field afterwards. The 30-year-old shortstop will head for additional evaluation and the Twins should have an update on his status shortly.

Yelich’s home run was No. 19 on the season for him. The 33-year-old outfielder hit a two-run home run off Mitchell Parker in the third inning. Yelich is hitting .261 with an .800 OPS and 65 RBI on the year.

Rafaela deserves more attention for what he’s doing right now. He jumped all over a 1-2 slider at his knees from Pete Fairbanks for a walk-off home run to send his Red Sox to victory. It was a shot too: traveling 406 feet, clearing the Green Monster, and winding up on the street behind the park. That came after Rafaela hit a two-out, game-tying single in the second inning just after Red Sox starter Hunter Dobbins had to leave this game due to injury. He’s been one of the hottest hitters in baseball lately with four homers in his last seven games. In fact, he’s taken legitmate strides forward as a player this season with an incredible .985 OPS over his last 30 games. His athleticism is shining through both in center field, where he’s incredible on defense, and at the plate, where something has clicked and allowed him to pull the lion’s share of his fly balls. This could be the blossoming of a special player in Boston.

Parker allowed eight hits, walked three and struck out none. It was another tough day at the office for the 25-year-old left-hander. Parker has allowed at least seven runs in back-to-back starts and allowed at least six runs for the third time in his last six starts. He’s not a recommended fantasy option at the moment. Parker won’t pitch again before the All-Star break.

DL Hall started as an opener for the Brewers and managed to go three innings while allowing only one run. Priester gave up four hits, walked two and struck out five once he entered the game. The 24-year-old right-hander has now won six games in his last eight appearances. Priester has a 3.55 ERA and 70/32 K/BB ratio in 88 2/3 innings this year. He won’t pitch again before the All-Star break.

This was a disastrous game for the Rays to lose. Red Sox starter Hunter Dobbins was removed due to injury in the second inning and they didn’t score after the third. To make matters worse, Fairbanks missed with some very close pitches that rookie Roman Anthony showed some real guile to take in a walk that set up Ceddanne Rafaela to hit a walk-off home run. This was Fairbanks’ first blown save in more than a month and he should not be in danger of losing save opportunities in this bullpen.

Aranda began a bit of a chaotic rally for his Rays in the third inning of this one that featured an error and two more passed balls which turned into three runs. Oddly enough, that was the last time the Rays would score in a game where Red Sox starter Hunter Dobbins had to leave in the second inning due to injury that they eventually lost on a walk-off home run by Ceddanne Rafaela. Still, the double was Aranda’s 20th of the season as he nears the All-Star break with an excellent .898 OPS.

As the Rays have ordained, Boyle came on in relief to pitch in bulk following starter Drew Rasmussen. This plan has been in an effort to limit Rasmussen’s workload after his third major arm surgery, but labored through his two innings of work and still through 53 pitches. Regardless, this outing was the first time Boyle has faced any resistance in the big leagues this season. The Red Sox put traffic on the bases every inning and Boyle was fortunate to only allow the __ runs, thanks in part to some timely double plays and fantastic defense overall. His ___ swings-and-misses were out of the norm as well considering how impressive he’s been so far this season. Fenway Park is a difficult place to pitch though and this Red Sox lineup has been scalding hot, so this iffy outing shouldn’t alter our view of Boyle much.