MLB Player News

Kieboom was 3-for-13 (.231) with a double and an RBI in his eight Spring Training games with the Nationals. The 26-year-old slashed .207/.266/.368 in 94 plate appearances with Washington last season and his spring performance ultimately didn’t help his case to grab the third base or a bench spot for the 2024 season.

Baddoo was sent to the minors on Friday when the team brought back Parker Meadows, but with Meadows getting hurt on Sunday, the Tigers will bring Baddoo back up. The 25-year-old is hitting just .132/.242/.340 with two homers, four RBI, and one stolen base this season and should remain off fantasy radars.

Meadows was making his return to the big league club after being demoted just 32 games into the season. He had made a swing adjustment in the minors and was really heating up, but suffered a hamstring strain in his first game back. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch didn’t seem optimistic about this being a short stint on the IL, so it may be a while before we see Meadows get another shot in 2024. What brutal luck. Akil Baddoo was called up to take his place on the active roster.

With Javier Báez back from the IL, Kriedler was sent down to make room. The 26-year-old was just 5-for-40 in 19 games with the Tigers this year and will go back to serving as organizational infield depth.

Báez has been out for almost a month with spine inflammation. The veteran went 4-for-12 with one home run in four rehab games at Triple-A and will come back to the big league club. He should remain off fantasy radars, but will likely cut into Zach McKinstry’s playing time at shortstop. Ryan Kreidler was sent down in a corresponding move.

It’s a bit of a surprising move since Wilson has pitched to a 3.46 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 26 innings for the White Sox this season. He might get another chance later this summer, especially after the trade deadline if the White Sox are able to deal Michael Kopech or John Brebbia. Shoot, he might even close for the White Sox if that happens.

Leasure was sent to the minors in mid-June after posting a 4.08 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and a 26/17 K/BB ratio over 28 2/3 innings with the big league club. He struggled in his time at Triple-A, registering a 5.06 ERA in 5 1/3 innings, but he struck out six batters over the small sample size. He figures to remain up in the White Sox bullpen for the remainder of the season, provided all goes well. Steven Wilson was demoted in a corresponding move.

Marmol listed the complete outfield alignment as Brendan Donovan in left field, Siani in center, and Lars Nootbaar in right field. He also said he considers Alec Burleson to be “an everyday player and wants him in the lineup as much as possible,” likely as a DH or as a corner outfielder. Burleson is starting on Monday as the designated hitter. However, Tommy Edman is also beginning his rehab assignment on Tuesday, so his return would seemingly muddy the waters since one of these four players would likely have to sit if Edman were to return to the lineup.

Adon will take DJ Herz’s spot on the active roster, but it’s unclear if he will take his spot in the rotation. Adon has been mainly a starting pitcher in the minors this season but has also made five appearances out of the bullpen, so the Nationals could use him in that role and have Jackson Rutledge start in Herz’s place on Friday. Adon has a 5.55 ERA in 60 innings at Triple-A this season and is off all fantasy radars.

Herz had a rough start in his last game out against the Cardinals and has a 5.17 ERA in seven starts on the year, but the move is surprising because he flashed clear upside with two double-digit strikeout games in those seven starts. With the Nationals not contending this season, it made sense for them to see what they have in Herz and have him adjust to major league hitting, but it seems like they’d rather have Joan Adon in the starting rotation for the time being. Herz will likely get another chance this summer, but it’s unclear when that will be.

Bryce Harper was able to run the bases at “close to 100 percent” on Saturday and that was “the final step in his recovery.” The Phillies now just need to determine if “close to 100 percent” is enough to activate their star. Obviously, the series against the Dodgers is a big one, but the Phillies have a commanding lead in the NL East and a series with Oakland following this one against Los Angeles. With the All-Star break looming, the team could just decide to ensure Harper is fully healthy for the second part of the season. We likely won’t know for sure until Tuesday, which makes it tough for some fantasy managers in weekly lineup lock leagues.