MLB Player News

The 29-year-old was just claimed off of waivers from the Giants at the end of last week, but he’ll head back into roster limbo as the Astros needed to free up a spot on their 40-man roster for Spencer Arrighetti on Wednesday. There’s a decent chance that Hummel will once again be plucked off of waivers.

Bowman was sent outright to Triple-A after he didn’t make the Orioles’ bullpen this spring. He’s been selected to replace Albert Suarez, who hit the 15-day injured list with shoulder inflammation.

Suarez showed diminished velocity in his season debut Friday against the Blue Jays and now he winds up on the injured list with shoulder inflammation. Baltimore selected Matt Bowman’s contract to replace him in the Orioles’ bullpen.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy told reporters they expect Jung to be back after the minimum amount of time on the injured list. Josh Smith started at third base Saturday and had to leave the game after taking a tumble while trying to catch a foul pop up. Ezequiel Duran filled in for Smith, but now with Jung on the injured list the Rangers can add another infielder to the roster in a move we expect shortly.

Kurtz has been an absolute wrecking ball through two games at the Triple-A level, batting .571 (4-for-7) with a .667 on-base percentage. His first round-tripper of the season came off former big-league reliever John Curtiss and traveled 418 feet, per Statcast. The 22-year-old burgeoning slugger, who was selected fourth overall in last year’s MLB Draft, is probably the most complete hitting prospect in the minors by a considerable margin. There’s an argument that he’d be a middle-of-the-order force for the Athletics right now. It feels like only a matter of time before the front office will have no choice besides promoting him to the big leagues.

Altavilla was in White Sox camp this spring as a non-roster invitee after signing a minor league deal over the offseason. The 32-year-old right-hander didn’t make the team and was cut despite a 2.79 ERA in Cactus League outings. Altavilla is back as organizational relief depth at Triple-A Charlotte.

It’s possible the Giants will give Meckler a shot at the highest level again with Jerar Encarnacion sidelined until late May following wrist surgery. The 24-year-old is an extremely patient hitters and rarely strikes out. Those contact skills didn’t translate to immediate success in the majors back in 2023, but he’s deserving of another shot soon.

Kim isn’t a typical prospect given his extensive professional experience overseas in Korea, but he’s opening the year back in the minors to continue working on his swing and acclimating to facing big-league caliber arms. The hitter-friendly environments of the Pacific Coast League are the perfect place for him to build up some confidence before he arrives in Los Angeles for his Dodgers debut.

Basallo belted 19 round-trippers last year between Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk and is one of the premier power-hitting prospects in the fantasy landscape. His path to playing time in Baltimore is a bit murky, but he’s the type of impact bat that will force his way into a prominent role, when he’s ready. It’s almost time.

Simpson walked twice and was an absolute menace on the basepaths in this one. He drew a leadoff walk in the opening frame before swiping both second and third base and racing home on an errant throw. The 24-year-old speedster, who had 104 thefts last year in the minors between High-A and Double-A, projects as an immediate impact fantasy contributor in the stolen base department. It feels like only a matter of time before Tampa Bay gives him a chance.

Teel has gone deep in back-to-back contests to open the minor league season and should arrive in Chicago as the club’s catcher of the future at some point around midseason, if not sooner. The 23-year-old backstop was the centerpiece of the offseason Garrett Crochet trade after reaching the doorstep of the big leagues by the end of last season.