MLB Player News

Buttó allowed just four hits, but two of them were long homers that accounted for all of the runs. The three-run homer from Alec Burleson in the second scored baserunners who had reached on a HBP and a walk. Control was the concern with Butto going in. There’s still a lot to like here, but that he’s walked 12 and hit three batters in 22 innings is rather discouraging.

Fabian is down with Ezequiel Duran off the paternity list. Fabian didn’t get a hit while playing in just three games and picking up five at-bats while with the Rangers. He’ll be organizational depth in 2025.

Rocker is optioned after throwing 4 2/3 innings in a loss to the Athletics on Thursday where he allowed three runs and took a loss. The 24-year-old took a massive step forward in 2024, and has a chance to have some relevance in 2025.

Leiter and Kumar Rocker — former teammates at Vanderbilt — were both optioned down. Leiter showed some good moments in his rookie campaign, but there’s work to be done before he can be trusted as a fantasy option.

Duran added to his family, and now will have a chance to add some hits to his final stats over the final three games against the Angels.

Robert gives the Rangers a fresh arm in the bullpen. The right-hander takes the roster spot of Jack Leiter with Leiter sent back to Round Rock.

Church will be an option for the Rangers’ bullpen for the final three games of the season. A good showing will help at least a little in his chance to make the Rangers in 2025.

The Dodgers have clinched the NL West and a bye from the Wild Card round, and Roberts told reporters he “doesn’t see a world” where Freeman isn’t in the lineup for Game 1 of that series. It does mean that the first baseman will all but assuredly miss the final three games of the year, but the 35-year-old star should be back in the middle of the Los Angeles lineup for the playoffs.

Nelson was activated off the 15-day IL Thursday, and instead of being used as a piece of the rotation, the 26-year-old will add depth and a multi-inning option in relief. It’s possible Nelson could start if the Diamondbacks make the postseason, but at this point it makes more sense for him to work out of the ‘pen until the start of the 2025 season.

Rodriguez is back after missing six weeks with a flexor strain in his throwing elbow. The 25-year-old should operate in the mid-to-late innings while he’s with the club.

Black is sent down after allowing four runs over 2 2/3 innings Wednesday against the D_Backs. The 24-year-old right-hander finished his season with a 6.44 ERA and 31/15 K/BB over 36 1/3 innings, but showed flashes of potentially being a successful starter if he can keep the free passes in check.