MLB Player News

Ferguson returns to the big leagues ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Angels to fill a middle relief role in Oakland’s bullpen.

It’s the first of what should be many All-Star nominations for the 24-year-old superstar shortstop. Witt has been outstanding this season, slashing .324/.372/.564 with 15 homers, 61 RBI, 72 runs scored and 22 stolen bases. He’ll be joined on the American League squad by fellow reserves Salvador Perez, Carlos Correa, Rafael Devers, Marcus Semien, Kyle Tucker, Josh Naylor, Isaac Paredes, Jarren Duran, Riley Greene and David Fry.

Freeman is one of six Dodgers to be named to the National League squad. Shohei Ohtani had already been named as the league’s starting designated hitter and Tyler Glasnow was named among the pitchers on Sunday. In addition, Teoscar Hernandez, Will Smith and Mookie Betts were named to the team with Freeman as reserves. Joining them as All-Star reserves announced on Sunday were Elly De La Cruz, CJ Abrams, Ryan McMahon, Jackson Merrill, Heliot Ramos, Bryan Reynolds, Marcell Ozuna, Luis Arraez and Pete Alonso.

The 27-year-old southpaw racked up a career-best 13 strikeouts in a victory over the Reds on Sunday afternoon, then got the news that he would be heading to the All-Star Game. He’s certainly deserving, having posted a 10-3 record, 2.37 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and a 132/20 K/BB ratio over 110 innings in his first 18 starts. He’ll be joined on the pitching staff for the American League All-Stars by Corbin Burnes, Garrett Crochet, Tanner Houck, Seth Lugo, Cole Ragans, Logan Gilbert, Tyler Anderson, Mason Miller, Kirby Yates, Clay Holmes and Emmanuel Clase.

It’s the first of what should be many All-Star game nods for the studly 22-year-old hurler who has gone 5-0 with a 2.12 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and a 78/12 K/BB ratio through his first 10 MLB starts. He’ll be joined on the N.L. All-Star squad by fellow pitchers Ranger Suarez, Tyler Glasnow, Shota Imanaga, Reynaldo Lopez, Logan Webb, Chris Sale, Zack Wheeler, Ryan Helsley, Tanner Scott, Robert Suarez, Matt Strahm and Jeff Hoffman.

Witt slumped just a bit over the second half of June, but he’s now collected 15 hits, including three homers, in his last seven games, pushing his OPS back up to .936. He’s second in the majors with a .324 average and tied for second with 72 runs scored.

Singer has allowed exactly one run in four straight outings, taking his ERA back down to 2.93. An easy stretch of the schedule has helped, though he did have the nice outing today at Coors Field. The victory is his first since May 18, as he evened his record at 5-5.

Gordon recovered a from a four-run second inning to pitch into the seventh, so that’s something. He allowed eight hits, walked none and struck out four. He’ll likely remain in the rotation and face the Mets next.

Garcia’s last stint of being dropped from the leadoff spot lasted two games, so we’ll see if this one is any longer. He’s been quite a disappointment for the Royals this season, though not really for fantasy purposes with his 21 steals, 52 runs scored and 40 RBI. It’s big for his fantasy value that he lead off, though, and since the Royals aren’t moving Bobby Witt Jr. or Vinnie Pasquantino up to that spot, Garcia probably remains the team’s best option. Adam Frazier got the nod there today and went 0-for-4.

Tovar was the clear choice to serve as the Rockies’ token All-Star a couple of weeks ago, but he’s been brutal of late, going 6-for-50 with one extra-base hit, one RBI, zero runs scored and a 20/0 K/BB in his last 12 games. It’s dropped his OPS from .808 to .734. Ryan McMahon might now be the best bet to be the Rockies’ All-Star, with Cal Quantrill and last year’s All-Star Game MVP Elias Díaz also in the mix.

All of that talk about Seager’s early-season struggles, but the 30-year-old is now hitting .271/.352/.473 with 16 home runs and 43 RBI heading into the final week before the All-Star break. With Wyatt Langford surging and both Marcus Semien and Adolis Garcia likely to figure out their current slumps, this Rangers offense could get hot in the second half, and Seager will be right in the middle of it.