MLB Player News

Madden came in after Beau Brieske threw a scoreless inning as the “starter.” Madden certainly looked like a starter in this game, giving up just the one run on five hits with one walk and showing off some swing-and-miss stuff. Madden had ugly numbers in the minors, but he has been strong since being promoted by Detroit with a 2.57 ERA and 10/4 K/BB over four appearances. He’ll likely work again against the Orioles over the weekend.

We’ll likely see Henderson in Game two, but he’s just 5-for-26 to start July, so the Orioles may want to give him one game to just reset and relax. Luis Vazquez will play shortstop and bat seventh.

The Mets needed to create a roster spot to bring up Luisangel Acuna, so they decided to move on from Jankowski. That does mean the Mets are carrying all of Acuna, Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, and Mark Vientos. How playing time will be split for them is anybody’s guess. Jankowski will hope to latch on with another team.

The Rays’ bullpen is in need of some added stability, so they’ll reach out to their division rival and snag Baker, who has a 3.52 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 49/9 K/BB ratio in 38 1/3 innings this season. No word yet on what the return package is.

Cabrera has turned things around this season while turning to his sinker as his primary fastball. The improved command has led to a 3.33 ERA and 80/30 K/BB ratio on the season. With Sandy Alcantara struggling, Cabrera could be the most valuable trade asset the Marlins have at the deadline since he remains under an affordable, team-controlled contract through 2028. Romero mentions that the Mets and Cubs are the two teams that appear to be most interested as of now.

When Tyler Glasnow was inserted back into the starting rotation, there was an initial thought that Shohei Ohtani would not pitch until after the All-Star break. Dave Roberts confirmed on Wednesday that Ohtani would instead start on Saturday against the Giants with Emmett Sheehan following him. Ohtani should expect to pitch about two innings, and Sheehan could have plenty of fantasy value in a follower role.

Houck struck out six and walked two on the day while throwing 61 percent of his pitches for strikes and posting a 39 percent whiff rate and 33 percent CSW. Despite a report of him hitting 101 mph on the radar gun, Houck sat 96 mph with his sinker and four-seam fastball. With Richard Fitts and Hunter Dobbins pitching well, there is no immediate spot in the rotation for Houck, but his stuff could play up in a bullpen role, possibly a long relief role for the second half.

This is an interesting move because there doesn’t seem to be an opening for Acuña right now, especially after designating Travis Jankowski for assignment and keeping Mark Vientos, Ronny Mauricio, and Brett Baty all on the active roster. Jeff McNeil could slide to more of a full-time outfield role, but Acuña also played center field in his last two games in the outfield, so maybe the Mets will be moving him out there. Even if he doesn’t play regularly, he will provide defensive versatility and baserunning ability. He was 10-for-65 with no extra-base hits and two walks in his last 36 games before being sent down just two weeks ago. It’s unlikely he’s changed much as a player in that time.

Robertson was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays over the weekend to make room for an extra reliever. He’ll now head to another organization as the White Sox facilitated a trade to acquire the 27-year-old. Robertson hit .292/.403/.578 with 14 home runs in 62 games for Triple-A Buffalo this year, while appearing at all three outfield spots. There’s a chance he could eventually see regular playing time in Chicago, especially if they move on from one or more of Luis Robert Jr., Mike Tauchman, or Michael A. Taylor at the trade deadline.

Chavis was in Triple-A with the Dodgers and slashing .291/.350/.547 in 63 games with 13 home runs. In 357 career MLB games, he has a .238/.283/.401 slash line with 42 career home runs.

Rocker allowed three homers over 4 1/3 innings, and he struck out a pair with one walk. He was fortunate that his pitching opponent, Kyle Hendricks, was just as bad when he was on the mound, so it’s a no-decision despite the scuffles. Rocker still has long-term upside, but just isn’t quite good enough to justify as a fantasy option at this stage of his career.