MLB Player News

Williams walked two and struck out four before leaving. The 32-year-old has been fantastic in 2024 with an ERA of 2.22 over the first third of the season as evidence. The metrics suggest that much of this is good luck, but the results are tough to argue with. He’ll have a chance to prove the doubters wrong again next Tuesday against the Mets, assuming no changes to the rotation order.

Alvarez was pulled from the loss to Minnesota on Saturday after he was plunked in the knee. The 27-year-old slugger will at least begin Sunday’s game on the bench as a precaution with Mauricio Dubon in left field and Yainer Diaz the designated hitter. For now, Alvarez should be considered day-to-day.

Altuve is in the starting lineup after suffering a bruise on his left hand that kept him out Saturday. That’s good news for the Astros and fantasy managers, but the team will be without Yordan Alvarez (knee) for Sunday’s finale against Minnesota. Altuve will hit leadoff and play second base in his return to the fold.

Bigge, 26, has been sensational in Iowa with a 0.77 ERA and 19/6 K/BB, but it has come in just 11 2/3 innings of work. The 26-year-old is replacing Colten Brewer, as Brewer punched a wall and fractured his left hand. Bigge will likely work in the mid-to-late innings, but has the stuff to be a high-leverage reliever for a team that could use a good high-leverage reliever.

Well, that isn’t very smart. Brewer will hit the injured list as it’s difficult to pitch with a broken hand, although in this case it was apparently his non-throwing hand, so at least he thought about it a little bit. The right-hander has registered a 5.66 ERA in 20 2/3 innings with the Cubs in 2024 over 16 appearances. Hunter Bigge is replacing him on the roster.

Andriese is removed from the active roster and the 40-man version to clear room for Edward Cabrera. The right-hander is now on the waiver wire, and he can either elect free agency or report to Triple-A if he’s not claimed or traded.

Cabrera is back to make a start Sunday against the White Sox. The 26-year-old has considerable talent, but just hasn’t been able to show it much over the last few years on a consistent basis. He’s certainly worth a look, especially against this White Sox lineup. Matt Andriese was designated for assignment to make room for Cabrera.

De La Cruz gets a break after going 1-for-8 over the first two games of the series against Chicago. He’ll take a break with Nick Gordon playing left field in his absence.

Allen is removed from the active roster with Spencer Howard coming to join the team after he was acquired in trade. Allen will likely be back up after the All-Star break, but his shaky pitching results (5.67 ERA) puts his rotation spot in a precarious position.

Martin is being replaced by Matt Wallner on the roster with Wallner coming up from Triple-A St. Paul in the corresponding transaction. Martin will need to miss at least a week-plus with the injury, but it’ll be longer since this will keep him off the shelf through at least the All-Star break. There should be a more concrete timeline reported soon.

It’ll be the 10th straight game that Laureano will miss — assuming he doesn’t enter as a bench option — while he deal with his ongoing back issue. Eli White is getting the start in left field.