MLB Player News

Mayer’s opposite-field double off the Ft. Myers version of the Green Monster failed to score Joe Dunand from first, but Dunand did come around on a subsequent groundout. It was a little surprising Mayer didn’t get an invitation to major league spring training this year, but the top prospect is coming off shoulder surgery and the Red Sox didn’t want to rush him back. He’s likely to return to Double-A to begin the year. While fighting the shoulder, he hit just .189/.254/.355 in 43 games there last year. He was far better in high-A at the beginning of the season, batting .290/.366/.524 in 35 games.

It’ll be a bullpen game for the Tigers on Saturday afternoon against the Reds with Faedo taking the ball for at least a couple frames at the outset. The 28-year-old former top pitching prospect has excelled this season as a full-time reliever, compiling a solid 3.35 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 33/15 K/BB ratio across 37 2/3 innings (23 appearances).

Alvarez took a 99-mph fastball from Pirates starter Paul Skenes off his elbow during Friday’s showdown, so it makes sense that he’s going to get some extra time to rest and recover. It’ll be Luis Torrens handling the catching duties on Saturday afternoon in his place. The 22-year-old backstop is probably fine, but it’s something to keep an eye on over the rest of the weekend.

Harrison draws the starting assignment for Saturday’s showdown against the Guardians following a nearly three-week absence due to a sprained right ankle. The 22-year-old southpaw has struggled to miss bats this season at the highest level, but still holds a respectable 3.96 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 68/22 K/BB ratio across 77 1/3 innings (14 starts).

Ingram was claimed off waivers earlier this week from the Cardinals and will bolster San Francisco’s relief depth heading into Saturday’s showdown against the Guardians. The 27-year-old lefty made five relief appearances last year for the Angels and has yet to pitch in the majors this season.

Bivens loses his spot on San Francisco’s active roster with former top prospect Kyle Harrison returning from the injured list to take the ball on Saturday against the Guardians. The unheralded 30-year-old righty looked pretty sharp in a handful of appearances for the Giants, posting a sparkling 2.65 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 16/5 K/BB ratio across 17 innings (seven appearances, one start). He figures to be back in the majors in a couple weeks as a versatile swingman.

Villar heads back to the minors after a brief stint with the Giants where he batted .294 (5-for-17) with one homer and four RBI in 18 plate appearances over six games. The 27-year-old infielder figures to be back at some point later this summer, if needed due to injury.

Lawlar has missed the majority of the first half due to injury, so it’s a positive sign that he’s ready to return to game action after being shelved back in mid-June with a Grade 1 hamstring strain. The 21-year-old shortstop remains one of the top fantasy prospects in the game and figures to be back in action at Triple-A Reno in a few days.

Tucker, who has been out since early June due to a right shin bruise, was able to resume hitting a couple weeks ago, and has finally resumed running again. The 27-year-old fantasy superstar isn’t going to make it back until after the upcoming Midsummer Classic, but it sounds like he’s finally starting to make some actual progress in his recovery. We don’t want to speculate wildly, but it seems like Tucker was recovering from something more serious than a mere contusion, but there’s been nothing official from the club on that front.

Hancock will take the ball on Saturday afternoon against the Blue Jays for his first start in the majors since June 13. The 25-year-old former top pitching prospect holds a serviceable 4.79 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 24/13 K/BB ratio across 41 1/3 innings (eight starts) this season in the big leagues. It’s difficult to completely trust him for streaming purposes, but he’s worth keeping on fantasy managers’ radar screens if he were to get an extended opportunity with Seattle.

Zavala wasn’t long for Seattle’s active roster since Mitch Garver was able to get back into the lineup earlier this week after being hit by a pitch in the wrist last weekend. The 30-year-old backstop spent a couple days in the big leagues as emergency catching depth and will most likely pass through waivers unclaimed for the second time this year.