MLB Player News

Hilliard stepped to plate as Freddy Peralta was pulled and promptly launched a three-run shot over the right field fence. Today was the highest Hilliard has hit this season at sixth in the order as nothing more than a part-time player and defensive replacement. Yet, the Rockies begin a stretch Friday with 12 of 15 home games to close out the season making nearly all of their bats somewhat desirable in the right league.

It’s the first official minor league rehab start for the 32-year-old southpaw as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery, though he did throw two innings in a bridge game at the team’s spring training complex on Saturday. Expect a slow and methodical progression through his rehab starts, with an eye toward potentially helping out the Guardians down the stretch.

The 26-year-old infielder was designated for assignment earlier in the week by the Blue Jays after going 1-for-12 (.083) with three strikeouts in his limited action with the Jays. He’ll add extra infield depth in the upper minors for the Dodgers for the time being.

The Dodgers claimed Buddy Kennedy off of waivers from the Blue Jays on Friday and had to clear a spot on their 40-man roster in order to do so. Fernández, 29, made just one appearance at the big league level this season, giving up two runs in his two innings of work. He could pique another team’s interest on waivers.

The 30-year-old hurler refused an outright assignment to Triple-A Salt Lake earlier in the week but ultimately after exploring the market he decided a return to the Angels made the most sense. He’ll continue to function as extra bullpen depth at the Triple-A level.

The 27-year-old infielder has struggled in his limited big league action, but was slashing a solid .282/.369/.500 with 12 homers, 39 RBI, seven swipes and a 38/28 K/BB ratio over 252 plate appearances at Triple-A Las Vegas. Gio Urshela was designated for assignment in a corresponding move on Friday.

The 27-year-old southpaw registered an 8.04 ERA, 2.04 WHIP and a 12/5 K/BB ratio over 15 2/3 innings out of the White Sox’ bullpen, but the A’s saw something that they liked and they pounced on him on waivers. He’ll head to Triple-A Las Vegas to begin his tenure with the team, but don’t be surprised when he earns a quick promotion.

The A’s needed to clear a spot on their 40-man roster after claiming Jared Shuster off of waivers from the White Sox and Urshela was the unfortunate casualty this time around. The 33-year-old infielder was hitting an underwhelming .238/.287/.326 with zero homers and 20 RBI in 197 plate appearances with the A’s. He’ll probably go unclaimed on waivers and then elect free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment to Triple-A Las Vegas.

The 27-year-old outfielder tagged Cubs’ closer Daniel Palencia for his 376-foot (102.0 mph EV) solo shot that gave the Bucs a 3-2 lead and proved to be the difference in the ballgame. Suwinski finished the day 1-for-3 and is slashing a cringe-inducing .125/.282/.240 with three homers and six RBI with the Pirates this season. For at least one day though, he got to be the hero on Friday afternoon.

Triolo led off the third inning with a single but was ultimately stranded at second base. He then singled with one out in the seventh inning, deftly swiped second base and scored the go-ahead run on an RBI double by Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Even with his two-hit attack, the 27-year-old infielder is slashing a putrid .186/.275/.279 with three homers, 13 RBI and six stolen bases in 209 plate appearances on the year.

Santana came on in the eighth inning of a tied game and Ian Happ was caught stealing to end the inning. He returned for the ninth after the Pirates took the lead and immediately made things interesting by allowing a leadoff single to Pete Crow-Armstrong. Fortunately for him and the Pirates though, Crow-Armstrong was then cut down attempting to steal second base as he over-slid the base when he had it easily pilfered. Santana then retired Nico Hoerner on a fly ball to left and Dansby Swanson on a ground ball to shortstop to end the game. Santana has notched four wins and seven saves on the season and is the unquestioned favorite for saves in the Pirates’ bullpen at the moment.