MLB Player News

By the White Sox? BY THE WHITE SOX?? No one is ever going to want to try streaming again after taking the plunge on Paddack today. Paddack actually generated enough weak contact to finish with a 79.9 mph average exit velocity against, but the three homers were all hit at least 104 mph and three of the four walks he issued led to runs. (The fourth might have, too, if he wasn’t pulled afterwards.) Paddack deserves to be on shaky ground with his rotation status, as Zebby Matthews seems like an upgrade for the Twins.

Schwellenbach will remain limited to flat-ground throwing for a couple weeks before he’s cleared for a bullpen session. The 25-year-old has been on the shelf since undergoing surgery to remove bone spurs from his pitching elbow back in mid-February. He won’t be an option for Atlanta’s rotation until the second half of the year. However, it’s a positive sign that he’s been cleared to resume throwing.

Puk made his return to game action for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery last year. The 31-year-old southpaw will need a couple weeks of rehab appearances before he’s ready to rejoin Arizona’s high-leverage mix. It’s theoretically possible he’ll get a chance to work the ninth inning on occasion but it seems like Paul Sewald is going to remain the Diamondbacks closer for now.

Crim returns to Texas where he spent the first six seasons of his career before being claimed by Colorado off waivers last August. The 28-year-old hit .200/.270/.462 with five home runs in 20 games between the Rockies and Rangers last year. He hasn’t played in the big leagues this season due to an oblique strain. He’s merely organizational depth at this stage of his career.

Baumler will be on the shelf until at least early June after hitting the injured list with an intercostal strain back in early April. The 24-year-old Rule 5 pick posted a strong 3.18 ERA across 5 2/3 innings to open the year.

Grove returned to game action for the first time since undergoing shoulder surgery last March. The 29-year-old signed a one-year contract with the Rays last month and figures to be an option for them at some point in the second half. He’ll need an extended rehab assignment to build up his strength and stamina since he hasn’t pitched in nearly two years.

Scarborough is ready for his season debut following a pair of rehab appearances in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League after undergoing offseason surgery to remove a malignant melanoma. The 21-year-old righty put together a breakout campaign with a 2.45 ERA and 114/21 K/BB ratio across 88 innings between Low-A Hickory and High-A Hub City last year. It’s an extremely positive sign that he’s made a full recovery after last year’s cancer scare.

It’ll be Crochet’s first time facing hitters since landing on the injured list with a shoulder issue back on April 29. The 26-year-old fantasy ace will need at least one minor league rehab outing before he’s ready to return to Boston’s rotation at some point in early June.

It’s finally happening, weather permitting. Bazzana moves atop Cleveland’s lineup after hitting .273/.391/.364 with two homers, nine RBI and seven steals in 22 games since arriving in the majors last month. The 23-year-old former second-overall pick represents Cleveland’s best option as a top-of-the-order table-setter moving forward with Steven Kwan struggling at the outset of the year.

Kelenic is back in right field and hitting seventh after being scratched from Friday’s lineup with a lower back contusion. The 26-year-old former top prospect is hitting a pedestrian .224/.309/.306 with one homer and four RBI in 55 plate appearances over 17 games for the White Sox this season.

Loperfido is finally ready to jump back into game action for the first time since hitting the shelf back with a right quad strain back in mid-April. The 27-year-old will need a couple games to get back up to speed before he’s an option for Houston’s outfield mix again.