MLB Player News

Weems is getting the boot for Orlando Ribalta, with Ribalta having his contract selected in the corresponding transaction. Weems was awful in 2024, and the 31-year-old just came off the injured list after missing two weeks with shin splints. There might not be much of a market here.

The glimmer of positive news here is that Buxton managed to remain in the contest to run the bases after being hit by a pitch in the opening frame. He wound up stealing second base and coming around to score a run. The 31-year-old All-Star center fielder has presumably been lifted out of an abundance of caution to undergo X-rays. There should be an additional update on his status shortly.

Not good. Meyers was set to return to Houston’s lineup following a two-game absence due to a right calf issue, but that’s no longer happening. He needed assistance from an athletic trainer to leave the field just a few minutes before first pitch on Wednesday night. There should be an update on his status shortly.

Ryan has been officially added to take the roster spot of Astros emerging ace Hunter Brown, who will not pitch in the Midsummer Classic, since he’s been moved up to start Sunday’s first-half finale against the Rangers. The 29-year-old righty receives his first All-Star Game selection after posting an excellent 2.76 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 116/21 K/BB ratio across 104 1/3 innings (18 appearances, 17 starts).

Bickford heads to Triple-A Lehigh Valley as extra organizational relief depth for Philadelphia after being released last week by the Cubs after a couple months in their system. The 29-year-old former first-round pick has made 187 relief appearances in the big leagues dating back to the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign. He got into eight games last year for the Yankees.

Weems made two relief appearances for the Astros earlier this month before being designated for assignment and electing free agency. The 32-year-old righty is officially back with Houston as extra organizational depth at Triple-A Sugar Land.

Kopech is expected to pitch again this season, but he’s not going to make it back to Los Angeles’ relief mix until late August at the earliest. The hard-throwing 29-year-old was transferred to the 60-day injured list earlier on Wednesday.

It’s an extremely encouraging development that Acuña is feeling well enough to return following a one-game absence after being scratched from Tuesday’s lineup with lower back tightness. The 27-year-old franchise cornerstone tweaked his back earlier this week while lifting weights, but it doesn’t appear to be a significant concern. It certainly looks like he’ll compete in next week’s All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night at Truist Park, barring an unexpected development.

Harper’s fourth-inning big fly to left field against Giants veteran Justin Verlander — his 10th homer of the season — was his first extra-base hit since returning from the injured list back on June 30. It was his first round-tripper since June 3. His four extra-base hits represented a career-high single-game mark for the 32-year-old fantasy stalwart. Injuries have undoubtedly impacted his on-field performance, but Harper appears to be rounding into form heading into next week’s All-Star break.

Luzardo retired 17 of the final 18 batters he faced to finish the first half on a high note, completing seven frames for the first time since May 25. The 27-year-old southpaw limited San Francisco’s lineup to just three hits and one walk, while getting nearly two touchdowns worth of run support from Philadelphia’s offense. It’s been an up-and-down first half for Luzardo in his Phillies debut as he’s paired top-of-the-rotation flashes with maddeningly inconsistent stretches. He’ll carry a solid 4.14 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 122/36 K/BB ratio across 104 1/3 innings (19 starts) into the All-Star break.

Verlander looked sharp early on in his final start before next week’s All-Star break, but wound up surrendering seven hits, including a fourth-inning solo shot to Phillies star Bryce Harper. It wasn’t all bad as he piled up seven strikeouts and didn’t hand out a free pass. The 42-year-old future Hall of Famer will bring an underwhelming 4.70 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 67/26 K/BB ratio across 76 2/3 innings (15 starts) into the second half.