MLB Player News

Everyone still drafting Albies in round four realizes that he’s probably going to open this season hitting sixth against righties and fifth versus lefties, right? He just wasn’t that good before suffering a fractured wrist last year, and while it doesn’t matter much, there’s nothing encouraging about his .162/.244/.216 line in 41 plate appearances this spring.

Bruján came off the bench in one game in Tokyo before landing on the injured list. He’s still having trouble throwing and is probably weeks away from returning.

Right field, specifically. Because Reynolds is trying to play through the injury, McCutchen, who is quite the liability in the outfield these days, was out of the lineup for Pittsburgh’s previous three games. It might be best for everyone if Reynolds just took a seat and tried to heal up, since he hasn’t helped while slugging .226 in 33 plate appearances.

Giolito, coming back from a hamstring strain, is expected to make at least one more rehab start after next Tuesday’s outing. He threw 51 pitches in 2 1/3 scoreless innings in his first rehab start this week.

Wong isn’t hurt, apparently. Carlos Narváez is starting at catcher in his place again today.

The Padres didn’t play Thursday, so this is three straight days off for Díaz, who presumably doesn’t need it. A legitimate contender going with Martín Maldonado as its starting catcher in the year 2025 seems a little crazy, but it’s not like Díaz is more than a placeholder, either.

The injury was originally described by the team as a cramp, but it was obviously a bit more than that. Soroka was due to start Sunday against the Diamondbacks. The Nationals could call up Shinnosuke Ogasawara or someone else to start then or could try to get by with a bullpen day if things go well in their next two games. Jackson Rutledge replaced Soroka on the roster for now.

Moved to the pen after last year’s 6.40 ERA in 27 starts for Rochester, Rutledge had made two relief appearances in Triple-A this season, throwing three scoreless innings with four strikeouts. He’ll pitch in middle relief for now, but he could get sent down Sunday if the Nats call up someone to start in Michael Soroka’s place.

Cobb has been throwing bullpens regularly. After facing hitters a couple of times, he could begin a minor league rehab assignment. He’d seem to be on pace to return right around the first week of May.

No word on any injury here. It seemed like Bryant would be in line for regular playing time after he his healthy spring, but Hunter Goodman’s strong play has forced the Rockies to keep him in the lineup when he’s not catching, and he’s DHing for a second straight game today. Also, Bryant is just 1-for-14 with zero hard-hit balls so far.

All have been against righties. We find it a little bizarre that the one game Baty started in this stretch came with Clay Holmes on the mound, given that he’s the one guy you’d certainly want supported by your best infield defense. Tylor Megill is pitching today. Baty has started four of the Mets’ seven games and is thus far 1-for-14 at the plate.