MLB Player News

Collier’s early-season power surge continues as he homered for the second straight contest on Friday evening and is now up to a career-best 13 round-trippers this season through 67 contests. The 19-year-old former first-round pick got off to a slow start after being selected 18th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, but has really turned things around this year. He’s been one of the true breakout prospects from a dynasty standpoint over the last few months and figures to rocket up midseason rankings updates.

There’s still no timeline on a potential return to the Astros’ rotation, but it’s encouraging to hear that the 41-year-old hurler is ramping back up. He’ll probably require a rehab start or two before he’s ultimately ready to return. Fantasy managers shouldn’t expect him back prior to the All-Star break.

Bader was pulled from Tuesday’s game as a precautionary measure after he crashed awkwardly into the wall in right-center field. He’s going to test things out pregame on Wednesday to determine whether or not he’ll be available off of the bench. He should still be considered day-to-day.

Bochy also noted that when Bradford is ready to return that he’ll be utilized as a reliever instead of a starter. That’s because with the return of Max Scherzer and with Jacob deGrom and Tyler Mahle working their way back, the rotation outlook looks very muddled. From a fantasy perspective, it’s hard to envision Bradford making much of an impact upon his return if he’s not pitching out of the rotation.

Rangers’ skipper Bruce Bochy did say that he’ll talk to Seager before the game though and that there’s a chance he could still be added to the lineup. Either way, that bodes well for his status going forward as he seems very close to a return. Expect him back in action on Thursday if he doesn’t talk his way into Wednesday’s lineup.

Junk will get another chance to work out of the big-league bullpen with Enoli Paredes (forearm) heading to the injured list. The 28-year-old hurler has appeared in just three games for the Brewers this season, posting a 9.00 ERA, 2.80 WHIP and a 3/1 K/BB ratio over five innings of work.

The severity of the injury — and how much time Paredes may stand to miss — are not yet known. It’s a big blow to the Brewers’ bullpen though as Paredes has been outstanding this season, posting a 1.08 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and a 12/8 K/BB ratio over 16 2/3 innings. Janson Junk was recalled from Triple-A Nashville in a corresponding move to take his place in the Brewers’ bullpen.

With Joey Ortiz (neck) heading to the injured list, Capra will get an opportunity to function as a reserve infielder for the big-league club. The 27-year-old was hitting .246/.333/.350 with four homers, 25 RBI and five stolen bases in 297 plate appearances at Triple-A Nashville. He can continue to be ignored for fantasy purposes.

Ortiz has been battling the neck stiffness for a while and finally returned to action on Monday after missing three games, but it sounds like that only aggravated the issue further. Vinny Capra was recalled from Triple-A Nashville in a corresponding move to take his place on the active roster.

Nimmo was held out of the team’s starting lineup each of the previous two games after suffering a forehead laceration when he fell in his hotel room on Sunday. He did appear off the bench in Tuesday’s game though and is right back out there in left field and batting second against Mitchell Parker and the Nationals on Wednesday evening in Washington.

Arcia had his abscessed tooth extracted on Tuesday but is still dealing with an infection and wasn’t quite ready to go on Wednesday. Zack Short will draw another start in his place at shortstop and will bat ninth against Jordan Hicks and the Giants on Wednesday evening in Atlanta.