MLB Player News

Eaton bolsters the Red Sox’ organizational position player depth heading into next season. The 27-year-old, who has made appearances at four different spots defensively in the big leagues since 2022, spent all of last year at Triple-A Omaha in Kansas City’s system, batting .259/.299/.439 with 16 homers and 27 steals across 464 plate appearances. He’s a non-factor for fantasy purposes at the moment. However, it wouldn’t be shocking if he were in the mix during spring training for a bench role on Boston’s season-opening roster.

It’ll be Brooks Lee taking over at shortstop on Wednesday night against the Athletics. Correa has started 11 of 12 contests since returning from the concussion injured list back on May 23. The move sounds precautionary in nature since he was in the club’s original lineup. Back issues can be tricky matters so fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on his status heading into Thursday’s series finale.

It’s the best-case scenario as Vientos will continue receiving treatment for the next two weeks before he’s ready to resume baseball activities. The 25-year-old third baseman is still facing a multi-week absence, but it sounds like there’s a chance he’s back before the end of June. It’ll be Brett Baty and Ronny Mauricio handling the hot corner in his absence.

Manaea has been on the injured list since spring training working his way back from an oblique strain. The 33-year-old veteran southpaw will require several rehab outings to build up his pitch count and stamina before he’s ready to make his season debut. He could theoretically rejoin New York’s rotation before the end of June or in early July.

The “robot umpires” are coming next year to a major-league ballpark near you. The ABS challenge system has been used in the minors for several years at this point, including during 60 percent of big-league spring training games earlier this year, and is relatively straightforward. Human umpires will still make the usual ball-strike calls from behind home plate with each team getting two challenges per-game. Only the batter, the pitcher or the catcher can challenge an umpire’s call and the decision must be made immediately after the call without assistance from the dugout. A team only loses their challenge if the umpire’s original call is confirmed. The new wrinkle is unlikely to make an impact for fantasy purposes, but it should reduce the number of truly egregious missed calls that tend to impact close games.

It explains why Edman has missed two straight games this week, likely out of an abundance of caution. Roberts added that he’s day-to-day for now. It doesn’t sound like a massive concern, but speedy outfielder Esteury Ruiz, who has posted a solid .791 OPS with 16 extra-base hits and 27 stolen bases across 45 games this season for Triple-A Oklahoma City, is with the Dodgers on the taxi squad just in case.

It’s a bit unclear how close Kopech is to making his season debut, but he figures to be on the precipice following this latest throwing session. Los Angeles could certainly use his help in high-leverage spots. He’s been on the shelf since spring training working his way back from a shoulder impingement.

Fulmer returns to Los Angeles, where he made a career-high 37 appearances (eight starts) last season, after being released earlier this week by the Pirates. The 31-year-old former top pitching prospect was cut loose after compiling a pedestrian 4.64 ERA across 42 2/3 innings (13 appearances, six starts) this season at the Triple-A level. He’ll likely make his way to the Angels’ bullpen mix at some point in the coming weeks as long relief depth.

Carrasco figures to elect free agency in search of a new opportunity, but there’s a chance he decides to stick around with the Yankees and wait for another opportunity. The 38-year-old veteran has compiled a lackluster 5.91 ERA and 25/10 K/BB ratio across 32 innings (eight appearances, six starts) this season in the majors.

Sánchez went unclaimed on waivers after being designated for assignment earlier this week by Toronto. The 28-year-old backstop will presumably stick around as emergency catching depth instead of electing free agency.

Mayo has been taking defensive reps at the cold corner since returning to the majors last week and will make his first career start at the position on Wednesday night in Seattle. The extra defensive versatility helps give him another avenue to at-bats in Baltimore’s lineup moving forward.