MLB Player News

We’re all looking for big adjustments when pitchers head to new teams and Montas made some subtle changes in his first start as a Brewer. He threw the highest percentage of sinkers he’s thrown in any start this season, yet that can be because the Nationals lineup was composed mostly of left-handed batters. He also worked his fastball late in the count more often, using it as a de facto put-away pitch. It forced the most whiffs in his arsenal and his velocity was up a tick or two across the board. This was an encouraging first start for Montas.

He’s facing the Phillies tonight. It’ll be the season debut for Waldron, who missed the first two months with an oblique strain. He had a 5.04 ERA and a 31/11 K/BB over 30 1/3 innings in eight minor league starts. Waldron threw 146 2/3 innings for the Padres last season and had a 4.91 ERA.

The Padres need a fifth starter tonight, so back down goes Reynolds. He has a 3.97 ERA and a 22/8 K/BB ratio in 22 2/3 innings out of the San Diego pen this season.

It only took the Astros three days to find a fracture this time, so they’re getting better. They’ll have to get by with Mauricio Dubón at shortstop until Peña is ready to return. No timetable was provided, but if the fracture is small enough, perhaps he could return right after the break.

The veteran threw 53 of his 82 pitches for strikes while walking three and striking out one. Even though he wasn’t sharp, he may have thrown enough pitches to convince the organization that he’s ready to return to an MLB mound. Given his success in Milwaukee, when he’s ready to pitch, he is going to take a spot in the rotation. That means one of Quinn Priester, Chad Patrick, or Jacob Misiorowski will need to head to the minors, unless the Brewers opt to go with a six-man rotation. As of right now, it would appear that Patrick would be the odd man out.

Yorke was acquired from Boston at last year’s trade deadline for Quinn Priester, so the Pirates are probably not thrilled about how well Priester has looked after overhauling his arsenal in Boston this offseason. Yorke is slashing .276/.346/.374 with four home runs and 11 steals in 64 games in Triple-A this season. At some point, he probably deserves a look in Pittsburgh.

Alvarez slashed .236/.319/.333 slash line with three homers in 138 plate appearances this season for the Mets, while also regressing defensively. He’s just 23 years old, so there is plenty of time for Alvarez to figure it out, but the team needs him to get back to driving the ball in the air while also improving behind the plate.

Morani was acquired by the Red Sox in the off-season while he was working his way back from Tommy John surgery. He completed his rehab assignment and was assigned to Triple-A Worcester, where he has allowed one run on two hits in 2 1/3 innings while striking out three and walking one. With Brennan Bernardino struggling of late, Morani could get a shot in the Boston bullpen soon.

Jones’ home run was off rehabbing starter Tanner Houck, and he now has 18 on the year in the minor leagues. While the power is impressive, Jones also had a 34 percent strikeout rate at Double-A and has six strikeouts in three games at Triple-A. He also had an outrageous 18.5 percent swinging strike rate in Double-A, so it’s unlikely that Jones ever hits for a passable average at the big league level, but the power should carry over.

Boyle entered the game in the third inning behind a follower and proceeded to throw five innings, walking three and striking out eight. Just 49 of his 83 pitches went for strikes, so there is still some work to be done on his command, but Boyle also gets plenty of swings and misses, so he can make up for that. Even with the Rays in good shape for the playoffs, perhaps they decide to trade away impending free agent Zack Littell to open up a spot for Boyle.

He allowed four hits while walking three and striking out four, but only 47 of his 81 pitches went for strikes. The Cardinals are going to need to see more consistency from Mathews before he threatens for MLB innings.