MLB Player News

The first-overall selection from the 2024 MLB Draft kicked off his professional career on Friday night and is expected to rise quickly through Cleveland’s system over the next few months. The 21-year-old second baseman, who received an $8.95 million signing bonus from the Guardians, is arguably the top fantasy prospect from his draft class, right up there with Rockies slugger Charlie Condon and Cardinals shortstop JJ Wetherholt at the moment. The former Oregon State standout projects as an impact five-category contributor once he reaches the majors.

Rave will get another opportunity with the Royals after Vinnie Pasquantino (hamate bone) landed on the injured list on Sunday. Expect him see action in the outfield with Jac Caglianone shifting to first base to cover for Pasquantino. Rave has hit .278/.395/.475 with 10 homers, 32 RBI, 16 stolen bases and a 56/43 K/BB ratio over 275 plate appearances at Triple-A Omaha this season. He should see regular action against right-handed pitching and could be worth a look in deeper mixed leagues.

It was a bad day for hamate bones in the American League Central on Saturday as both Pasquantino and Guardians’ third baseman José Ramírez fractured theirs while swinging the bat. The 28-year-old slugger is expected to miss at least four-to-six weeks. John Rave was recalled from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move on Sunday. Jac Caglianone is expected to see the bulk of the action at first base while Pasquantino is shelved.

The Guardians needed to clear a spot on their 40-man roster for the return of Gabriel Arias on Sunday and unfortunately it looks like Valera drew the short straw this time around. The 25-year-old outfielder has hit just .216/.237/.297 with no homers and six RBI in 38 plate appearances with the Guardians this season. It’s possible that he could pique another team’s interest on waivers.

The 26-year-old infielder had been shelved since early April due to a left hamstring strain. He figures to share time at third base with Daniel Schneemann for the next month while José Ramírez (wrist) is sidelined. Before landing on the injured list, Arias was hitting .200/.250/.433 with a pair of homers and four RBI in his first 32 plate appearances.

The 33-year-old superstar suffered the unfortunate injury on a swing during Saturday’s game. He’s expected to miss at least a month’s worth of action and as we have often seen with hamate bone injuries, his power may be impacted upon his return. Gabriel Arias was activated from the injured list in a corresponding move and figures to share time with Daniel Schneemann at third base to cover for the loss of Ramírez.

With Jose Trevino (hamstring) returning from the injured list on Sunday, Higgins heads back to Triple-A Louisville where he’ll continue to function as extra catching depth for the Reds. The 33-year-old has hit .231/.276/.269 with zero homers and four RBI in 32 plate appearances during his limited action with the big league club this season.

The 33-year-old backstop returns after missing four weeks due to a Grade 1 left hamstring strain. He returns to a .138/.167/.172 slash line with zero homers and two RBI in just 32 plate appearances between trips to the injured list. P.J. Higgins was optioned back to Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move on Sunday.

Helman was drilled by a 99-mph sinker from Tayron Guerrero in the eighth inning and was replaced when the Rangers took the field in the bottom of the frame. He’ll officially land on the injured list prior to Sunday’s game and is likely to miss a significant amount of time while recovering.

The 29-year-old southpaw was granted his release from the Blue Jays last week after registering a stellar 1.82 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and a 23/13 K/BB ratio over 24 2/3 innings at Triple-A Buffalo. Plassmeyer hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since the 2023 season, but he should get an opportunity with the Mariners in relatively short order.

Guerra had been pitching with the Braves at Triple-A Gwinnett until being released last week. There he registered a 5.68 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and a troublesome 17/20 K/BB ratio over 25 1/3 innings. He’ll add extra bullpen depth for the White Sox at the Triple-A level.