MLB Player News

Cobb was originally slated to face the Dodgers this weekend, but that’s no longer happening. The oft-injured 36-year-old veteran has been effective, when healthy, over the last few years, which keeps him on fantasy managers’ radar screens. He developed a small bister surface on the inside of the middle finger on his right hand during last Sunday’s outing against the Pirates. No word on when he’ll be ready to take the ball again. It’ll be Gavin Williams and Tanner Bibee moving up in Cleveland’s rotation to start this weekend at Dodger Stadium.

Betts will get a breather for the middle game of a three-game set against Milwaukee. Miguel Rojas will get the start at shortstop and hit ninth in Betts’ absence.

Báez will get a break after going 0-for-2 with a walk during Friday’s contest. The 32-year-old will give way to Trey Sweeney and be available off the bench.

It does not appear that the return has anything to do with an activation for Houck. The right-hander has been out of action since the middle of May because of his right flexor pronator strain, and there’s no timetable for when he’ll be able to rejoin the Boston pitching staff.

Dominguez is the odd man out against Atlanta with Cody Bellinger in left, Aaron Judge in right and Trent Grisham getting the start in center.

The move clears room on the 40-man roster, and the Athletics activated Ken Waldichuk (elbow) off the 60-day injured list with that room before optioning Waldichuk to Triple-A Las Vegas. Pereda could see interest on the waiver wire from teams who need some depth behind the plate.

Busch has been bumped up to the leadoff spot in Chicago’s lineup for the third consecutive game with Ian Happ continuing to bat in the middle of the order. The 27-year-old first baseman has put together an outstanding season so far, hitting .287/.374/.545 with 19 homers, 59 RBI and four steals through 91 games. He may lose out on some run-producing opportunities as the Cubs’ table-setter, but that should be offset by an uptick in the runs scored department.

Thomson added that Bohm will undergo further evaluation and testing this weekend to determine whether he’ll require a trip to the injured list. The 28-year-old has been dealing with a left rib cage contusion since last weekend. There should be some definitive clarity on his status at some point later this weekend. It’ll be rookie Otto Kemp taking over at the hot corner in his absence. We’ll have updates on the developing situation as it unfolds.

No surprise to see Duran taking a seat with lefty Shota Imanaga taking the ball on Saturday night at Wrigley Field. It’ll be lefty-masher Rob Refsnyder taking over in left field and getting a shot in the leadoff spot with Ceddanne Rafaela patrolling center field and top prospect Roman Anthony over Wilyer Abreu in right field.

Simpson can do some serious damage on the basepaths and Tampa Bay appears poised to give him a look atop their lineup on a more consistent basis coming out of the All-Star break. The 24-year-old speed demon finds himself in the leadoff spot for the third consecutive game on Saturday afternoon. It would certainly be a boost to his fantasy value if he manages to stick there over the final two months.